Last Words

Posted on September 16, 2014 by dinahoverlien

I hope my last words spoken on this earth are poignant and heart-warming, perhaps even quotable. I don’t want my last utterance to be something like, “Don’t forget — the garbage goes out on Wednesdays” or “Did we get pre-authorization from the insurance company for this?”

You can tell a lot about a person by their parting remarks.

When Lady Nancy Astor saw all her children standing by her bedside, she said, “Is it my birthday or am I dying?” I wonder how they answered that question.

Groucho Marx quipped to his tearful wife, “Die, my dear? Why, that’s the last thing I’ll do.” Are you kidding?

Trailblazer Kit Carson was quoted as saying, “I just wish I had time for one more bowl of chili.” That must have been some crazy good chili.

Conrad Hilton left a bit of advice with his last words: “Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.” No comment.

Mother Theresa spoke from her heart, “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you.” Just what I’d expect.

And then there was Steve Jobs — “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” Indeed.

After four months of preaching on David, PB wrapped things up on Sunday with the King handing over the reins and the reign of Israel to his son Solomon. True to form, David prayed, “…You test the heart and are pleased with integrity….keep this desire in the hearts of Your people forever…..give Solomon wholehearted devotion….” David was all heart — a man after God’s own heart.

David’s last recorded words in the Bible were spoken to the great assembly:

“Praise the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 29:20)

Now those are good words to go out on.

Mighty Men

Posted on September 9, 2014 by dinahoverlien

PB preached a sermon on Sunday about King David’s Mighty Men in 2 Samuel 23. It was a mighty good message. I know it was good because it’s Tuesday and I’m still thinking about it.

PB told the story of a rag-tag bunch of guys, about 400 “losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts” (1 Sam. 22:2) who sided with David, making them all enemies of King Saul. Among those 400, there was “The Thirty” with a capital “T”. In that elite group of 30, three earned the title “Mighty Men”.

The Mighty Men were fierce warriors who took on whole armies single-handedly. They were also the kind of guys that would break through enemy lines just to fetch their beloved leader a cold drink of water. These good-hearted men took a stand and risked their lives to serve their king. They had David’s back — and his trust.

Two questions come to mind:

First, how many people have three mighty warriors in their lives who can be counted on to come alongside and fight for them?

Second, who needs me to be one of their mighty comrades, daring to break through enemy lines to bring refreshment?

“Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.” (2 Samuel 23:17)

Exploit: a striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act.

It’s time for us to have some exploits.

What A Deal

Posted on September 2, 2014 by dinahoverlien

When my girls visit, I like to take them to the Outlet Mall for clearance rack shopping. After all those years of hand-me-downs and garage sale clothes, I figure I owe it to them. Their men love it, because they know their wives will come home with something in their bags and nothing gone out of their pocketbooks. Buying them a little something is my secret pleasure.

On Saturday, Katie put the boys down for a nap and we bolted out the door. However, we were unprepared for what awaited us.

Outlet Mall + Labor Day Weekend + Sales = CRAZINESS

We parked at the far end of the parking lot. We stood in line to get into the changing rooms. We stood in line to make a purchase. After going into two stores that had everything marked 50% off, we were ready to call it quits and considered ourselves lucky to make it out alive.

This morning I read about another unbelievable deal.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1

People! This is like the swankiest, most high-end store in the mall offering the absolute top quality merchandise for 100% off. And the owner is out on the sidewalk begging us to come in and help ourselves. No money, no cost. Yet, we hurry by on the way to the Five & Dime for cheap trinkets and watered down Kool-Aid. Not a deal even at half off.

It’s incredible that God lays everything before us, all kinds of riches, all manner of provision, and yet He has to implore us to come. Just come. No lines, no cranky sales clerks, no overspending on the credit card. 100% satisfaction.

“Out of my want and into Thy wealth, out of my sin and into Thyself — Jesus, I come to Thee.”

Getting It

Posted on July 30, 2014 by dinahoverlien

PB and I got outta town for a few days last week. I haven’t had a chance to jot down anything since returning home, so I was thrilled when my sister, Robin, sent me this piece. Here is my first ever guest post on small drop! Thanks, dear sister, for sharing your story. We sound a little bit alike! Enjoy everybody!

Our oldest grandchild just turned nine years old, an age of truly understanding and enjoying a good joke. He especially likes jokes that use play on words, or words with double meanings. He went through the stage of making up his own jokes (that weren’t really funny). We would all laugh because he laughed, not because the joke was particularly humorous.

But now, he delights in telling a good joke. With great anticipation, he sets the stage and draws us in with a knock-knock joke or a loaded question. He watches us with knowing eyes as we try to figure out the punch line. Of course, we have incorrect answers or no answers at all. Then, with excitement in his voice, he delivers the punch line. His blue eyes sparkle, his entire face lights up in a big smile, and he laughs joyfully, saying, “Get it?! Get it?!” Then, on we go to the next joke or question, repeating the process again and again, always ending with “Get it?! Get it?!” Such genuine joy is rare.

Perhaps God uses the same methods with us. He tells us a story — a parable — maybe with a play on words or double meanings. Then, with great anticipation, He delivers the punch line, hoping we grasp the meaning.

Do you suppose He says to us with great delight, “Get it?! Get it?!”

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:23

Powering Down

Posted on May 23, 2014 by dinahoverlien

Life used to be so much more simple before all the time-saving, productivity-boosting, technology-driven gadgets came along. Ironically, I often feel like my gizmos steal a lot of time and keep me from being more productive. Huh.

For instance, I used to get ready for bed by washing my face, brushing my teeth and setting my alarm clock. This nighttime routine took about 10 minutes.

Now, here are the steps I go through each evening:

Wash face and brush teeth.

Check email for messages.

Check Facebook for messages.

Check blog for messages.

Download podcasts to listen to in the morning.

Plug in laptop to charge overnight.

Plug iPod into computer so it’s charged for my morning walk.

Check tomorrow’s weather forecast on phone.

Check GroupMe and Instagram to see if the kids added anything.

Set alarm clock on phone for 5:25 a.m.

Pick which song I want to wake up to and set it.

Check the Up app to see how many steps I took during the day.

Close all the apps I opened throughout the day.

Plug in phone to charge overnight.

Switch my Up bracelet to “night” so it can track my sleep.

Turn my Kindle’s Wi-Fi on to download books I may have ordered.

Check battery level on the Kindle and plug in if needed.

Kiss PB goodnight.

Goodness gracious, my bedtime routine is a production and a half. It’s no wonder I sleep so well. Powering down is a lot of work.

When Jesus sent the disciples out by twos for a season of ministry, He told them, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment.” (Luke 9:3)

Ah yes. So for the next two weeks, I’m going to unload my equipment, simplify, and focus on the people in my house. And there will be lots of them — five little grand-people and all the adults that go with them. It’s a good time to disconnect from my gadgets and equip my heart to love my people.

Amazing

Posted on May 17, 2014 by dinahoverlien

Amazed.

That’s what I was last Sunday night when my big, grown-up boy came in the house carrying a card and a dozen roses. Now that he’s married and has a sweet baby girl of his own, there are plenty of women in his life to remind him of important things like Mother’s Day. (God bless daughters-in-law.)

It doesn’t take much to make my jaw drop. I can be blown away by a song, overwhelmed by an unselfish act of kindness, and astounded by a home-run-robbing catch at the center field fence. I am easily awed by people who write stimulating words, understand quantum physics or run a marathon. This world should inspire some serious marveling, what with sunsets, ocean waves, redwood trees…..need I go on?

But this word keeps popping up in the Bible. The gospel writers used the word “amazed” thirty-five times to describe people’s response to Jesus.

Curious crowds — “The people were amazed at His teaching…” Mark 1:22

His followers — “The disciples were amazed at His words…” Mark 10:24

Even Pontius Pilate — “But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.” Mark 15:5

There’s no doubt Jesus was completely amazing in every way.

But what amazed Jesus?

Only two things.

“And He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:6

I don’t want to amaze Jesus. Not like that.

“When Jesus heard this He was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.'” Luke 7:9

I want to amaze Jesus. Like that.

What astonished Jesus? Zero faith and great faith.

What astounds me? Grace.

Amazing grace.

I’ve Got a Secret

Posted on May 10, 2014 by dinahoverlien

When someone says, “I’ve got a secret,” what they are really saying is, “I know something you don’t know and I’m dying to tell you, so try to get it out of me.” Stating that there is a secret is like letting half the cat out of the bag. The rest will come soon.

After reading the book “I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life” by Brad Formsma, PB and I have been challenged to be more creative and thoughtful in this area. Two things are happening that I didn’t expect. First, we are learning that there is nothing like generosity to bring a crazy amount of joy into life. Second, drawing attention to the act of giving takes all that joy away.

Jesus warned about this in Matthew 6, where He addressed the whole idea of giving — how to do it right and how to do it wrong. I read it over and over, then rewrote it in my own words. (Alert: I am not attempting to re-write scripture here — I just find it really helpful to think about each word and try to express the same thought.)

Here is Matthew 6:2-4 in DPR (Dinah’s Personal Rendition):

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it on Facebook, as the self-promoters do. Do not write blog posts or books about it, so that everyone will say what a good person you are. If you want the truth, that little thumbs-up “like” is your big prize. That’s it.

But when you give to the needy, be more sneaky and stay behind the scenes. Don’t let your left hand know that your right hand is writing a check. Let it be a secret between Me and you.

My Father pays close attention to that undercover-style giving and He has a special surprise planned for those kind of givers.”

I think we might have it backwards. Instead of keeping God hush-hush and making much of ourselves, what if we used all this online media and social networking to make much of Him and keep ourselves out of the limelight?

“Let us labor in our service for the Lord to be more and more hidden; as much as the proud desire to catch the eye of man, let us endeavor to avoid it.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Taking Charge

Posted on April 30, 2014 by dinahoverlien

Sometimes I’m a take-charge kind of person.

If I see something that needs to be done and nobody is doing it, I don’t mind stepping up to the plate and gettin’ ‘er done. However, if there is someone in my midst who has more take-charge-ness than me, I am more than happy to step down and let somebody else get ‘er done.

Taking charge can be a good thing when there needs to be some leadership to accomplish a task. Taking charge can be a bad thing when it’s motivated by control and comes off as bossiness.

So, I had to smile when I read this scripture:

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.'” Mark 3:20-21

Families are funny that way. We tend to think we have a right to interfere. As a mother, I’ve done my fair share of meddling. And I’m not proud of it. Jesus’ family seemed to think it was time to put an end to the craziness and take Him back to the carpenter’s shop where He belonged. But Jesus didn’t let His mother and brothers derail His mission. Trying to control adult children doesn’t work any better now than it did 2,000 years ago.

Besides, who can take charge of Jesus?

I need Him to take charge of me.

Lead the Way

Posted on April 17, 2014 by dinahoverlien

“They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.” Mark 10:32

This is the picture that has gripped me during Holy Week:

Jesus, striding up to Jerusalem, determined to carry out his mission….

which would involve betrayal, mocking, flogging, crucifixion and death.

He led the way.

Four times, Jesus told His disciples what was coming, except He always added the final part – resurrection — but they didn’t seem to hear it.

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:23

Jesus lost them at “they will kill him”.

The twelve were full of fear, perhaps wondering if death was also waiting for them in Jerusalem.

BUT THEY STILL FOLLOWED.

They did it scared.

I must remember, when I am astonished at being led down the road marked with suffering,

that it’s a place He’s been before….

and He knows the way.

I can do it scared.

“The cross is never the end. It’s only partway through. The cross is necessary, but the cross is always accompanied by the resurrection and the victory that comes from the resurrection…..that’s always true.” Experiencing the Cross, Henry Blackaby

Lead the Follower

Posted on April 15, 2014 by dinahoverlien

It’s frustrating for leaders when followers don’t follow very well.

Moses was an A+ leader, but those stiff-necked Israelites were D- followers, at best.

They grumbled, they whined, they rebelled.

Leading is tough when you have to hogtie your tribe and drag them, kicking and screaming all the way.

Across a desert.

For forty years.

OY.

But what if we flip that thought:

It’s frustrating for followers when leaders don’t lead very well.

What if there are people who would be willing to step out in faith, if only there was someone to take them by the hand and say, “Let’s go!”?

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Reflecting God's Heart, Refreshing Yours

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