Jan
13

Adventures I Wanted to Avoid

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by Monica Bass

January 13, 2012

I’m reopening a blog post draft that I began almost six months ago, which wouldn’t be so bad if the first post hadn’t been about transmission trouble.

I’m no mechanic, but I know more about a failing transmission now than before I began this post—either time. And I know that the loss of a transmission signals one of two events—days of misery or an unfolding adventure.

Thankfully, both times I got to experience the adventure.

Adventure 1

My brother Daniel, my friend Jill, and I were 627 miles into our 2,000 mile drive home for vacation when our transmission gave out. That left us stranded on the shoulder of the interstate at 5:30 p.m. on a Friday night. Not good. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dec
31

Conversation Snippets

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by Monica Bass

December 31, 2011

I’m not eavesdropping, but I can’t help overhearing snippets of the conversations walking past me. I’m on a layover and am sitting in a row of chairs along a long hallway between terminals in the airport. There’s a steady stream of people walking by, but they mostly come just a few at a time, so I can easily overhear their conversations.

Catching just single sentences or parts of phrases is either disturbing or humorous. Here, you can sit by me for a few moments—I typed some snippets verbatim as people walked by.

  • “I’m trying to figure out how to take the apartment.”
  • “I feel bad for you.”
  • “Oh, I’m sure she’ll be back.”
  • “Just recently, we…”
  • “And the banana was smashed a little bit because…”
  • “We’ll put it on when it’s time to.”

And the classic one, just before two girls stepped on the elevator nearby: Read the rest of this entry »

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Dec
25

The Label

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by Monica Bass

December 25, 2011

The first Christmas gift had the most miraculous label.

To: sinners
From: God

What love!

Christmas is a miracle because of what God did, but it’s also a miracle because of who He did it for—me. And you.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.—John 3:16

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Dec
15

Unspeakable

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by Monica Bass

December 15, 2011

You know that line you’re tempted to use in a thank you note: “I can’t tell you how thankful I am for…”? Usually that phase would be more accurately worded, “I don’t know how to put into words…”

There are very few emotions, ideas, or responses that cannot be communicated through the English language. Sometimes we just don’t want to put the effort into finding the words to express them.

But Christmas is different. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dec
09

The Difference

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by Monica Bass

December 9, 2011

Have you ever wanted to say, “Yes, Lord, but….”

I have. Just recently, actually.

I was faced with a difficulty with which I had no choice but to trust the Lord. I couldn’t control, change, or manipulate it if I wanted to. (And, frankly, I wanted to!)

When my fate of no control was confirmed, I gave it to the Lord with the words “Yes, Lord.” Yet, in my heart, I added “but….”

  • “…I don’t like it.”
  • “…it’s hard.”
  • “…only because I have no alternative.”

Even as I thought “but…” the Lord whispered a substitute word to my spirit—and. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dec
08

Today…

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by Monica Bass

December 8, 2011

…marks 171 years since David Livingstone first sailed for Africa.

I recently had the opportunity to read another biography about Livingstone this summer. I was especially impressed as I learned that, in the minds of many, he didn’t have much “missionary promise” when he sailed for Africa. He wasn’t a bombastic preacher, and he didn’t have a charismatic personality. Not likely to succeed.

Much of what Livingstone did in Africa was tedious and slow-going. He preached the Gospel everywhere he went, but he was navigating unexplored territory, usually sick, often hungry, and sometimes deserted. He persevered and died without seeing the full fruit of his labor. Read the rest of this entry »

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Dec
06

When the Job Is Too Big

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by Monica Bass

December 6, 2011

Have you ever felt too little? Like the task before you was too big? Like the role you were expected to fill was too large?

Sometimes the answer is not for us to “get bigger” but for us to get wiser.

Proverbs 30:24–28 tells about “four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise.” In every case, these very little animals conquer daunting need—with wisdom. Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
27

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

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by Monica Bass

November 27, 2011

Whoever came up with that advertising tagline was clever. Who wouldn’t want to give a gift that would “keep on giving” all year long?

Far better than this tagline, however, is the reality of having a gift that keeps on giving—especially when that gift goes on forever…and ever.

Friday of this past week was my spiritual birthday, and I was able to spend time that morning reading the book of Romans in one sitting. With each chapter, I was amazed anew at the riches of God’s grace, freely given to me—as a gift. It was like reading an ever-growing gift list—not of what I can only wish for, but of what God has already given to me.

In a nutshell, I was reminded that salvation is so much more than a future home in Heaven. It is peace with God through His incredible sacrifice on the cross. It is freedom from the bondage of sin. It is a relationship with God as my Father. It is the opportunity to serve Christ—to make my life count for eternity. It is the power and the liberty to live for God’s eternal purposes. Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
25

Thanks-living

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by Monica Bass

November 25, 2011

It is significant to note that not one of the thirty-four verses in Scripture that include the phrase “give thanks” was penned after Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday. They weren’t even penned after the Pilgrims began the Thanksgiving tradition.

This would almost lead me to believe that God’s command to “give thanks” is not confined to an annual holiday, that He wants us to give thanks all year long!

Perhaps celebrating Thanksgiving should shape our hearts to practice thanksliving. Read the rest of this entry »

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Nov
23

When the Thought Counts

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by Monica Bass

November 23, 2011

Think of the sounds that may emerge from an accordion when a non-musically-inclined beginner is working at it. Now, listen to it wail out the song “Count Your Blessings”—gasping in an off tempo that is struggling to keep in sync with people singing along.

You have just listened to my one-evening debut with the accordion. I’d like to be able to say that you just heard me practicing. But no, that awful rendition of “Count Your Blessings” was in public.

When I was a teenager, my family went every Tuesday evening to a local nursing home to hold a service as a ministry of our church. I loved the nursing home, and the residents loved our family. That hour was a highlight of the week for all of us.

Usually, my sister, Michele, played piano for the singing during the service. But when she was out of town one week, I had the idea that I could play her accordion. I could read notes, and I knew something of chord theory. This should be a cinch, right? Read the rest of this entry »

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