Is God Happy When We're Happy?

I learn a lot from Facebook statuses.
Whether it be verses, quotes from pastors, evangelists, theologians, devotionals, or just practical (sometimes unbiblical) "self-theology," I find myself interested in what other people think about God, His character, and His will. I am not looking for debate or even affirmations of validity, but sometimes I will take each thought as a challenge to my own beliefs, as I force myself to evaluate what I myself believe to be Biblical. (For those who I have on Facebook, I hope this does not make you feel self-conscious or want to de-friend me. I am much more concerned about the thoughts expressed - not really the people who expressed them.) I try to be critical with the thought, not the person. The last thing I'd want is for people to think I'm judging them based on something as frivolous as a Facebook status!

However, sometimes I'll come across famous, bumper sticker ones (e.g. "Everything happens for a reason."), laments over loved ones (e.g. "I really miss her, but God must have needed her in heaven and that's why He took her life today." and "R.I.P. ___! I know today you are sitting at the right hand of God!") or those which display the proliferation of deceit caused by the prosperity gospel (e.g. "If it matters to me, it matters to God. So God, c'mon and put some money in my account so I can get my new car, homie!").

Today, a fellow sister in Christ posted up a Facebook status this morning that really got me thinking. (Yes, I find status updates posted by Christians much more thought-provoking!)
She wrote, "People do what make them happy. Christians do what make GOD happy." I rolled the idea around in my head for quite a while, and it seemed about right. I was not entirely sure of how I felt. I began to think... Yes, we should live submissively to the will of God, even at the cost of our own happiness and desires! Yes, our only desire should be to please our Lord, and that in itself should make us happy - the only thing that makes us happy! Is pleasing God the same as making Him happy? Perhaps it's just semantics... Am I making Him happy? Am I, a sinful human, even capable of making Him happy? Of what consequence are my actions to His emotions? Does He have emotions?...And on and on...

It was in this train of thought that I stumbled across just what I needed from one of my favorite sources for devotionals: Ligonier.org.
Today's note just so happened to be entitled, "Is God Happy When We're Happy?" (Click to read it for yourself!) and I felt that it succinctly and truthfully answers this question.

So, of course, I shared it with this sister. She then replied, "I always wonder about God's happiness... you know how the Bible says "Jesus wept" but not that Jesus smiled? Thats where I wonder how happy or unhappy He could be...." & This in turn got me thinking deeper...
Here is my reply:

I definitely get what you mean, though. It's hard for me to fathom the emotions of our infinite God, whose ways are greater than our ways and thoughts higher than our thoughts. All I can hope is that I please Him, and that doing His will would be my source of delight and my heart's sole desire. It's true that happiness comes from obedience and we continually praise God with the joy of our salvation, despite trials and tribulations. --But it is much easier said than done!

I really like that verse: "Jesus wept." (John 11:35) It's so beautiful and profound. That Christ, our Savior and Lord of the universe, graciously and humbly clothed Himself in frail humanity in order to save us... It truly baffles me - and humbles me at the same time. I think the verse beautifully shows how the Word became flesh and walked among us. We witness such a human, fleshly emotion being expressed by our glorious, holy God... Fully God, yet coming in the form of a man.

& I think perhaps Jesus's time on earth was marked by sadness because He knew that His death and resurrection were necessary in order to atone for our sins. Yet even His knowledge of this is another indication of His deity! But above all, He submits to the will of the Father, no matter how painful. He humanly cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) during His excruciating crucifixion, and yet we know that He came to earth specifically for that: to accomplish His Father's will. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me... For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38,40) & I am sure that the Father was well-pleased in this humble obedience, just as I am sure it pleased Jesus to do the will of the one who sent Him. In the same way that Christ selflessly and humbly submitted to the will of the Father, so too should it be for those who call themselves His followers, who love Him and call Him their Lord.

...God is happy when we are happy - only when we are happy to obey all that He commands.

Over the Sun

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." What profit had a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? May we be faithful where we are at, in all that we do, where the Lord has placed us and ordained that we be. In thought, word, deed, may we aspire to be holy, just as He is holy.

"What kind of faith saves? ...Fides viva - a living faith, a vital faith, a faith that issues forth in works as the fruit of faith. Those works don't count toward justification - only the merit of Christ counts toward that - but without the flowing forth of the fruit of faith, there would be no true faith in the first place."
- "Defending the Faith: Introduction to Apologetics" by R.C. Sproul

So often I feel just like the picture above - exhausted, worn, and absolutely thirsty. So often I forget the peace and comfort of resting in the presence of God:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

What we have under the sun is worthless and fading. Why faithfully toil under the sun when we can faithfully serve the Son of God?

"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
— C.S. Lewis ("Weight of Glory and Other Addresses")

Get over yourself. Get over the sun.

Take the Plunge

"If everything is Yours, I can't let it go... 'Cause it was never mine to hold."
- "Let Go" by Audrey Assad

What is it about letting go that makes us so afraid? Letting go of hopes, dreams, arrogance, pride... These suppositions that provide a false sense of security that what we have is our own and that by holding onto them, we somehow maintain control.

In a society which promotes getting what you want, how you want it, and when you want it, the idea of not having complete and utter control may seem completely asinine. Why? Because in this "Age of Entitlement," which promotes narcissism, self-absorption, and materialism, we get what we want because we deserve it.

How completely contradictory to the idea of grace, in which we receive - not because we deserve - but because of what Christ has given us, ultimately for His Kingdom and Glory!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:8-10

God, completely cognizant of our inclination towards self-attribution even specifically added: "so that no one can boast." (v.9)

Perhaps we have become completely absorbed with the gifts, rather than the Giver. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

How easy it is to forget that we

are nothing - but what God has made us,

have nothing - but what God has graciously given us,

and have achieved nothing - but what God has graciously done for us through the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Perhaps even more daunting is being confronted with the harsh reality of the unknown. God is sovereign and omnipotent:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8

And yet, it is so easy to falter when He asks us to step out into the deep, mysterious vastness of His Purpose. When He calls us, we leave our own hopes, our own desires, our own pleasures, and essentially, plans for our own life - so that He becomes our Hope, He becomes our true Desire, He becomes our only Pleasure, and we realize that apart from Him, there is no life. But so often, I find myself straddling the edge, looking back longingly at all that I am asked to leave behind. Probably as Lot's wife had done before she was reduced to a pillar of salt.

...So at the edge, I take a plunge. Descending into Him. Getting lost in His presence, but completely enjoying where He is taking me. Suddenly I realize that perhaps I am not falling, but rather I am flying - soaring! Perhaps I am not leaving, but rather finding the peace, joy, and rapture of faithfully serving my Lord and Savior and knowing Him more deeply. I am losing all that I had, but gaining all that God had intended for me, which can never be taken away.

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

Philippians 3:7-11

" ...I have made thee My messenger. Thou shalt go with winged feet. Thou shalt not allow thy foot to be bogged down in the mire of earthly cares and riches... [T]hine heart shall rest in My hand."

- "On Winged Feet" in "Come Away My Beloved" by Frances J. Roberts

(This picture is from Richard's skydiving adventure last Saturday. I'm so happy he liked his Christmas present!)

Update!

Hmm...

I know Michelle has been getting on me for not updating (actually, I think she totally forgot after the first year without updates - Haha!), but as I'm considering deactivating my Facebook for this semester, I figured this may be the next effective method of communication.

So this morning was Bible Club and I was suddenly struck by the fact that I may not see these kids next semester, as I will be Student Teaching next semester. I couldn't believe that the sixth graders that I started with are now eighth! Actually, I think I started this blog when I first started Bible Club! For the past (almost) two years, it has been a tremendous blessing to me - for more reasons than one. I thank God for the encouragement that it gives me by starting my day with worship and being surrounded by students who willingly and earnestly desire to be there to learn more about God and His Word. They could be hanging out with friends or playing at the gym, but they choose to come early - before school starts - to worship. I am overwhelmed every time. Indeed the Lord is doing great things for His Kingdom and Glory!

I think I may start uploading some of the videos and presentations I've used and created for the club here on my blog, as a resource for students.

Here's the one I created for today. :]

Bible Club 1-20-11 on Prezi

The Freedom That Comes With Surrender

Batter my heart, three-personed God, for You

As yet but knock, breathe,  shine, and seek to mend.

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurped town to another due,

Labor to admit You, but Oh! to no end.

Reason, Your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captivated, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love You, and would be loved fain,

But am betrothed unto Your enemy;

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again;

Take me to You, imprison me, for I,

Except You enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except You ravish me.

- "Batter my heart, three-personed God, for You" by John Donne (1610)

I am simply amazed at how God just gives and gives. Especially when I truly don't deserve it. However, I cannot help but feel as though when we are faithful in giving Him our lives (and everything in them) and allowing Him to work within them, He will - and in ways even greater than we can imagine! Just when I thought He had blessed me with so much, HE QUADRUPLES IT! (CLICK HERE!)

& I won't lie. I struggled with selfishness and rationalizing and even bargaining with God. And like the poem above says, it hurt. However, I only felt as though the money was being painfully wrenched from me because my grasp on it had been so tight. Once I loosened my grasp and made sure greed did not take hold of me, it's amazing how easily I was able to lift it up with open arms to God. & I can trust that He will use it completely and utterly for HIS PURPOSES.

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

What else can I say but: GOD IS SO GOOD!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Happy List Additions

- Piggy banks

- Post-its and tabs

All to Thee...

Yesterday was the big day. After weeks of practicing, preparing, and praying, it was time for the girls to do their worship dance in front of the entire school during a Cultural Talent Show. So many thoughts were racing through my mind, as the girls prepared to go up, nervousness evident in their faces...

"Lord God, may YOU be glorified through this. & Only You. All for You! "

I'm ashamed to say it, but I was truly scared. How would the entire student body take it? Would they be respectful and listen and watch? Or would they cat-call and ridicule? I don't know how I would take that, being so protective of my girls and the amazing message they would be sharing. Even scarier to me was thinking about the teacher's reactions. Would they be upset that God was being presented to their students, when countless rules prohibit it?

But it was amazing how God washed all my fears away. The girls were absolutely fantastic. & God worked through everything. The first thing people noticed was, "Wow, they're all matching!" One particular teacher, in seeing the uniformity in motions and in dress, even remarked, "You KNOW that's God." Oh, how that was my prayer! That people would see the worship dance and KNOW it was ALL for and through HIM! & How He had shown Himself through something as simple as a uniform - and how HE had been the One who had provided it (see previous post). & Just when I thought matching shirts were enough, God provided a way for me to purchase matching lava lava wraps for ALL of them! He provided more than enough! Unbelievable! God's provision is amazing. Truly amazing!

& Students AND teachers said afterward that they cried! Both said they were so touched by the message and the dance. A teacher even said, "You know, throughout all the other dances, kids were making fun and teachers kept criticizing, but when you guys went up, everyone was silent. Everyone watched. And no one said a word." Undeniably the Holy Spirit at work! & Amazing how through her simple remark, God calmed my specific fears.

The girls themselves were changed. They came up to me with tears in their eyes, saying, "Tabby, thank you for the shirts and lava lavas (wraps). We feel bad. Can we pay you back?" But I assured them that no, they have been such blessings to me, and I wanted to somehow bless them. I'll never forget the looks on their faces, which seemed to say, "Wow, you would do that? For me?" One girl in particular gave me a look that pierced deep into my soul. It was a look of such sheer thankfulness, my eyes became glassy. I learned later that she had been abandoned by both her parents, and constantly acted out. This made that look even more meaningful. Even as all the other girls had changed out of their costumes after the dance, she kept hers on the entire day and constantly smiled at me as she held it. Lord God, I am unworthy to feel the blessings of the entire experience!

& To top it all off, we prayed. YES! There, in the midst of an entirely assembly, within a public school, the girls asked me to pray for them as we held hands in a circle! Indeed, God was listening.

"Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:1-2

Additions to the Happy List:

- The 17 girls of the first worship dance at F.B. Middle School

Great is Thy Faithfulness

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near." Psalm 75:1

Ever have those moments where you can't help but shout, "Hallelujah!"? Sometimes we just need those moments of divine providence that cause us to sing, shout, and dance in rejoicing. & After what transpired, I couldn't help but do all three in earnest.

The past couple of weeks have been quite difficult for me. With the added stress of intense midterm exams, I've just been emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. It reminds me of a funny conversation I had with my mom in the car this week:

Mom: "Tab! Don't speed! There are reasons there are speed limits!"

Me: "Well, I need to get somewhere fast. & Everyone goes fast in the back road. That's why you take the back road!"

Mom: "Well, would you be speeding if Jesus were sitting in the passenger seat?!"

Me: (jokingly) "... Maybe we'd be having so much fun, He wouldn't even notice." 

Although I said it in jest, the truth is, that's where my problem was this week: God was in my passenger seat, watching as I sped through life in a blur to get where I wanted to go. And no, it wasn't fun. And I'm sure He noticed, just as much as He notices anything and everything that had, has, and ever will happen. However, that's precisely why I was so tired. I have to constantly remind myself to let God drive, and just sit in the passenger seat and enjoy the ride.

And yet He reveals himself sometimes in the simplest ways, to remind us that He is indeed there, waiting to be given back the wheel.

So I've been really excited, because every week, I've been teaching a worship dance to the song "I Will Worship" at the middle school where I help with the Bible Club. It has been such an amazing tool for ministry, as girls from all kinds of backgrounds have been participating and we were given the immense opportunity to present the worship dance to the entire school on Tuesday - which is quite a feat in itself, considering it is a public school and the ridiculously strict "separation of church and state" rules. And I was so touched by these girls, because they sacrifice every day of their lunch time to learn the dance, when they could easily be hanging out with friends or eating at the cafeteria. They have even been internalizing the words, as I hear them singing, "I will give You all my worship" even outside of practice! There is one particular girl who is known as a troublemaker, and the mere mention of her name makes teachers cringe. However, she openly said one day, "You know, I only go to school for practice." And my heart melted, as I saw a positive change in her.

So we were trying to figure out what "costume" the girls would wear, and most of the girls humbly admitted that they do not have very many clothes. I tried so badly to hide my sadness in front of them. It was then that I felt the Lord was prompting me to buy them matching t-shirts. I did want to bless them, because they had inspired and touched me so much, but at the same time I was trying to be realistic. "God, I'm only a student. I don't have a job. There are 18 of them in different sizes. I just don't have the money." Notice all the I's.  

While driving, my heart was burdened. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't know how I would do it. That morning at Bible Club, Rich shared about how with God, all things are possible. And that line kept resonating in my mind. I then recalled Pastor Gary's sermon that asked, "Do you live as though you have a BIG God?" And I wrestled with the thought all afternoon. 

And in an act that can only be explained through divine providence, I got a call from Bank of Guam telling me that I had won their commercial contest and the prize money was $500. I was absolutely in shock. I had done the commercial only because it was a required assignment for a class, and I didn't expect it at all to win, so much so that I actually deleted it from the computer. (If you saw how truly awful the commercial was, you'd KNOW it was only by God's miracle it won!) I couldn't help but sing, shout, and dance in utter praise and thanksgiving when I got home.

 There is no doubt in my mind that that money is to be used entirely and completely for what He was telling me to do: buy the girls shirts. I know He blessed me with it, so that I could bless the girls. Oh, where God guides, He truly provides! I was amazed at how God just completely lavishes His grace and provision when we are open to His purposes. He truly can do anything. And He WILL! I felt so sorry for doubting the greatness of my Lord, as I felt as though He was proving just how big He truly is. How often I forget that God has His hand in everything. And when He calls us to do something, we can have faith that He will provide a way - no matter how completely unexpected and despite how undeserving we are. And He does it all simply out of unconditional love.

So Praise God for His abounding grace! Praise God for His abundant provision! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Picture update:

Ronny in High School Musical 2

We are all so proud of our boy!

I have been so blessed by the Young Adult Group and Bible Seminar at Jesus Baptist Church

Wonderful Apple!

Girls' night watching a black-and-white 1940s romantic comedy. :]

OYYA (Older Youth Young Adult) Group

Homemaking and cooking lessons with Auntie Gwen

Purple mouth picture for the hospital room of a little girl suffering from chemotherapy (Michelle's idea)

Additions to the Happy List:
- Whipped cream
- Veggie Tales' Silly Songs with Larry