Happy Birthday, Nathan and LBD!

I have a hard time believing my grandson Nathan is a year old. But then I also have a hard time believing my book is a year old. There is a connection: Nathan was born a few days before his due date and right in the middle of my final edit of the publisher's copy than was going to print about a week later! Thus Living Between the Ditches: When God Makes No Sense and Nathan Andrew Hassler will forever be linked in my memory. Nathan is now walking, running, sliding, climbing ... and the book is taking baby steps toward its audience. But that's what you get with self-publishing—a lot of control but not much marketing!

This blog has been my diary of sorts, charting the book's birth, story line, and character development. I've had time to reflect more on my journey into the paradox of "We can know God. God is mystery." I'm more firmly convinced than ever that you can't have one truth without the other.

I recently read a brief testimony by Ravi Zacharias, well-known author and biblical apologist from India. He became a Christian through hearing one sentence spoken by Jesus and recorded in the Bible. When he heard Jesus' words, he knew he had heard Truth (Jn. 8:32). I'm continually amazed that people all over the world hear a sliver of the gospel message and have a transformational experience with God. For example, a Vietnamese Christian became a believer because he was cleaning toilets in a prison. One of the guards had received a Bible and was tearing out its pages, using each one as toilet paper. Can God be known? Yes! Does He use every means available? Yes! Our story is God reaching down to us, not our searching for and then "discovering" God.

I'm also continually amazed by God's mystery. This morning I was reading a devotion by Selwyn Hughes, a British author and teacher who wrote a daily devotion, "Every Day with Jesus," which encircled the globe during his lifetime. Hughes encouraged readers to dig deeper into God's character because one could never penetrate the depths of it. I had the privilege of meeting Selwyn toward the end of his life as he battled cancer, never once asking, "Why me?" I quoted Job 2:10 in my book: "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Can God ever give us enough that we're satisfied with His bountiful supply?

That was Layton's question (the main character in the book, except, of course for God!) and ours as well. Can we allow the ways of God to be unfathomable and yet know Him intimately? The secret of living between the ditches.

It's Why I Write, After All

Sometimes I think I write because I have no choice. The words fill my brain and have to come out—especially the stories—or my mind will explode. At other times I'm reminded it's not about me but about the readers. When I hear how God is using Living Between the Ditches in people's lives, I realize I've been a small part of God's plan. What an honor!

Today I received an e-mail from a new friend named Mary. I had sent her a box full of books to give to soldiers through their chaplains at the base near where she lives. She's just gotten into my book but here's what she thinks so far:

"I am reading your book right now for my daily devotion and have been so spell bound reading it. I have used the spiritual paradox that we can know God, yet at the same time, He is still a mystery on numerous occasions. I have just so caught on to that thought. He wants us to know Him personally and intimately, yet He still remains a mystery to us. His ways are not our ways, which is mysterious to us. It's really just a wonderful book. I am on Chapter 5 now.

"I love the story of Layton, Amy, and Brianne that you have weaving along with the truth you are teaching. It just adds to the message in a real way that one can identify with. I can't wait to see how all of that turns out!

I believe the Chaplains who are receiving them will be inspired with messages from your book to share with their troops. Thank you so much for generously giving them to me to distribute.
I feel many will be blessed by "Living Between the Ditches," more than you will ever know. We know God will work in and through it or He would not have inspired you to write it. It has certainly blessed me. I am enjoying reading God's message written through you!"

Thank you Mary for giving me encouragement to continue book 2 in the series. Please join me in praying that my book can bless many service men and women over the coming months. It's why I write, after all.

What Do An Actress, a Publisher, and a Pastor's Wife Have in Common?

No, this isn't a trick question or the answer to a riddle. Instead I've added some additional reader comments. The first name you might recognize if you're into sitcom re-runs or have a long memory. And yes, I actually know her!

Dr. Betty Hassler has written the book I’ve been living recently. For much of my Christian life, I have felt very comfortable with God in a box, albeit, a structure built on Bible-based principles. A few years ago, God jumped out of my box and invited me to follow Him into the Mystery of a wild and wonderful life lived most fully by holding His hand. Living Between the Ditches is a masterful invitation to know God as Truth and Grace, Rock and Breath, Eternally and In-the-Moment…but always as Love.

Lisa Whelchel
Actress and Author of the best-sellers, Creative Correction and The Facts of Life and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me. Dallas, TX

In Living Between the Ditches, Dr. Betty Hassler helps people grasp the wonder, the complexity, and the mystery of following Christ. Too often well-meaning teachers try to blend and balance opposing biblical truths, robbing them of their power. Keeping them opposite is a source of depth and strength in spiritual life. They become ditches when we focus only on one to the exclusion of the other. Some people won't like this book because it doesn't present easy, prepackaged formulas of spiritual life, but many will find it uplifting, insightful, and rewarding.

Pat Springle, author, president of Baxter Press and former senior vice-president of Rapha Treatment Centers, Friendswood, TX

Dr. Betty Hassler’s fascinating book, Living Between the Ditches, is a must-read for any Christian who lives in an imperfect world. This author has a way with words. She combines her literary genius with wisdom from life experience and personal familiarity with the God of the universe. Result? A fun read with depth and heart. As a child of God who has personally felt His loving rescue from the ditches of life, I can assure you that this book will inspire you. It will reaffirm the truth that God loves us enough to help us keep balance during stressful days of our lives. What a God! And what a book! Thanks, Dr. Betty, for the reminder.

Diana Davis, Author of Fresh Ideas—1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving & Energetic Church, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, Deacon Wives, speaker and women’s ministries conference leader, Indianapolis, IN

What Some Readers Are Saying

I've loved getting comments from my readers! I thought I'd share a few with you.

Dr. Betty Hassler has reminded us that “living between the ditches” is a daily call, a never-ending mandate to trust the Lord at all times. In tough situations, I have viewed God as distant and unconcerned about my life. In good times, I’ve treated God as if he were simply a candy machine – put in my change, and out comes the candy. I thought that I had grown beyond these ditches, but reading this book stretched me to the point of discomfort. Read this book’s challenge to rejoice as a holy God allows us to know him.
Dr. Chuck Lawless, Dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Church Growth, and Evangelism, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Most of us love simplicity and hate complexity. We feel better sticking hard-to-understand things into easily understandable boxes. Unfortunately, this human inclination usually produces more confusion than clarity. Dr. Betty Hassler helps us counter our natural tendencies to do that with God. By oversimplifying Him, we misunderstand Him. And that makes life tougher for us. She helps us turn the focus knob to bring God into clearer view. I highly recommend this book to pastors helping church members, to counselors helping clients, or to anyone seeking a better understanding of who God is and how He works.
Dr. Alan Godwin, author of How to Solve Your People Problems, clinical psychologist, Nashville, TN

Betty Hassler takes us on a journey to discover that the paradox presents possibilities. She demonstrates that all of life’s difficult, unanswerable questions enhance, rather than detract from the beauty and greatness of the Almighty. Her insights pull us from the ditches of a one-dimensional view of God to see that He who surprises and mystifies is centered on the road. It’s an engaging, stimulating, highly recommended read!
Mary Kassian, author, speaker, Edmonton, Canada;
adjunct professor in the women’s ministries program, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

The author has artistically interwoven profound biblical truths with the real-life story of Layton and his family. This book is so real and brutally honest at times that it catches me asking myself where I might be if I were in Layton’s shoes. In reading this book I’ve become more aware that at times the ditches seem a lot wider than the road itself and the chances of getting off the road are a lot greater. My prayer for you as you read this book is that you will learn proper balance so that you can keep between the ditches.
Dr. Phil Waugh, executive director, Covenant Marriage Movement, adjunct professor, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

As a writer, I'm amazed to see the different dimensions of my book through the eyes of those who read it. Some see the theology, others the story, and a few commented on the inter-connectedness of the two. I'll add a few more later.

Layton's Ditches

Layton Brooks, the fictional main character of Living Between the Ditches, illustrates the plight of most Christians. We bounce from one ditch to another, rarely experiencing the space between the ditches, the part of the road God intends for us to travel. In Layton's case, he began his Christian life in the ditch of knowing God so well he felt he had him in his back pocket. He'd grown up in a Christian home and church. God was familiar and predictable—or so he thought.

On page 92 of the book, I describe Layton faith as faith in a plan rather than in a Person. The plan was "like skull practice before a football game. Work your plan, stay with the basics, don't play into the opposing team's hands, and eventually you'll make a touchdown." Layton thought this advice worked for all of life. He'd worked his plan.

In this scenario, God was to be appeased instead of pleased. If God liked what you did, all would go well. If He didn't, He'd zap you with some catastrophe or the other. Being good almost always assured His favor. When Layton began to experience the inevitable heartbreaks of life—and a few he'd helped create—he turned his back on this supposedly good God. God hadn't come through for him. God hadn't kept his part of the bargain. Neither would Layton.

Layton found himself in the opposite ditch. The ditch of a mysterious God hid God's face from view. Was God good or bad, a giver or a taker, trustworthy or unreliable? Eventually, Layton had to choose between his childhood and childish view of God and a different, unfamiliar picture of Him. Leslee Baird called the process reframing.

Maybe you've been at that crossroads, or perhaps you're there now. In a few minutes, 2009 will end and 2010 will begin. Make it your resolution to get to know the God who longs to know you and be known by you—who wants a relationship unlike any other you've ever experienced. Ask Him to show Himself to you. Ask Him until He answers. Then, tell me what you learned!

I'll look forward to hearing from you in 2010!
Living between the ditches,
Betty

The Premise: Living Between the Ditches

The fact that Knowing God by J.I. Packer is still in print after more than 30 years indicates a wide interest in unveiling the mystery of relationship with God. Countless books have dealt with the deeper spiritual life, intimacy with God, and how to achieve that goal. I believe my contribution to this effort is to present knowing God as a factor of integrating God’s desire to be known without our having to explain away His mystery. We will never know all of God, nor would that be in our best interest. At the same time, His mystery should not prevent our seeking to know God intimately.

In the "Introduction" to my book I present the narrow road as a metaphor for the Christian life. The psalmist called it a path (119:105). Jesus called it the Way (Jn. 14:6). We don’t literally walk down a road as we go through each day. However, life is often described as a journey. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “ ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ ”

When I picture this narrow road, I see ditches on either side, somewhat like physical ditches alongside a country lane. The image of ditches suggests that we may fall, tumble, slide, or walk off the road of life into a ditch on one side of the road or the other. If we do, we cease to make progress on the road to God’s house. So we must learn to navigate the road in such a way that we live between the ditches.

Christians always encounter Scriptural truths in spiritual ditches. So why not stay there? The problem is that we can see only a part of the truth, and living out of it alone provides insufficient direction for the journey. That’s because the truth in the ditch is half of a paradox. The word paradox is defined as two truths that exist side-by-side yet seem to be contradictory.

The way to relate to God is by living between the ditches of a God who wants to be known as well as a God of mystery. Although neither ditch serves us well alone, both are essential. We must hold in balance this God who wants to be known yet worshipped with fear and awe. In place of holy inertia, we can relate to God with confidence.

To help the reader conceptualize this truth, I've related the fictional story of Layton and Amy Brooks (see earlier posts). Interspersed throughout the content, the story describes Layton’s personal struggles with his ex-wife Amy, both of whom are on the path to a new and meaningful relationship with God. Layton, Amy, and the other characters illustrate the premise of learning to live between the ditches.

Job's Story: Where's God's Protection?

My granddaughter, Sara—Sara without an H she would tell you—has a real heart for the Lord, for which her grandparents are very glad. This past summer, she and her dad were sitting in the floor of her room playing.

“Dad,” she asked, out of the clear blue sky, “do you feel God’s protection?”

A bit startled, my son replied, “Well, yes, Sara, I do.”

“I do too,” she said, and happily went back to playing.

Now that story makes a warm grandmother memory! I’m thankful Sara felt God’s protection. But in September of this year, Sara came down with Swine flu. She’s still recovering and under a doctor’s care 7 weeks later.

Where was God’s protection when that little undetectable virus entered Sara’s body? Will Sara ever question God’s protection? Do you? I certainly have. Where was God's protection when as a young bride of four months I was in a car accident that left me bedridden for six weeks? Or when my husband caught bacterial meningitis? The list goes on.

A Bible character named Job had every reason to feel safe and secure in God’s protection. He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 donkeys and oxen, 7 sons, 3 daughters, and one nagging wife. Yet, in one day’s time he lost everything but his nagging wife. You may be familiar with his well-known response to his losses. In Job 1:21 he said:

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
May the name of the Lord be praised.”

Now wait a minute. Job said God is both a giver and a taker. If we think about it from our prayer lives, we know God says yes and no. But can we really call God a taker?

Job’s nagging wife thought so. Soon after the deaths of Job’s children and the loss of his fortune, Job was afflicted with boils. Mrs. Job, in her despair, asked, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job reflected on her conclusion to “curse God and die” with a penetrating question of his own, one with which we should all wrestle. Job 2:10 asks, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.”

Do you find it hard to rest comfortably in the arms of God? Just when you think you’ve got him figured out, He turns in another direction? Is God a giver or a taker? Usually, we answer that question based on our life circumstances—at the moment. But we need a heavenly perspective. Only God knows what he’s doing through the events of our lives. Only He knows how to transform us into Christ-likeness and move us forward on the road to His house. His pace may seem too slow or so fast it makes our heads spin. But the choice isn’t ours to make.

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Job learned to accept God’s divine wisdom—but only after he’d verbally wrestled with God over his circumstances. In Job 38: 4 God asked Job a profound question: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you understand.”

For the next 125 verses, God makes mincemeat of Job’s reasoning. In Job 40:1 God asks, “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?”

Job then responds, “I spoke once, but I have no answer.” Then in 42:2, Job says, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” To do so is to tell God how our lives should transpire in order to please us. Sorry, but it's all about Him.