I was reading "the faith chapter" in Hebrews 11 a little while ago...and intrigued by the last verses 39-40. The version I'm reading, NLT says,
"All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race."
Whew. My first inclination was to skim over this quickly because it was hard to follow all the "we", "us", "they" and "them" statements. But I thought again and decided to try to understand it.
Look at two other versions with me:
The Message Bible says,
"Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."
And Amplified says,
"And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,
Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them]."
The point of unity becomes so clear in these verses...we need each other, both here on earth and in the heavenly realm, in order to be complete and perfected as God intended. We cannot be loners in our faith. Rather, we will be completing and perfecting our own lives (now and eternally) when we seek to speak LIFE into others and build BEAUTY into the lives of others. Then, together, being a TEAM, we will receive THE PRIZE for which we have long awaited.
The completion of our reward doesn't end with us. When we die, it is not the end of the ramifications of our lives...including our rewards. Our eternal rewards will have much to do with the effectiveness of our discipleship...how well we have overflowed God's Spirit into the lives of those around us.
For more on effective discipleship, read Glenn McDonald's book, "The Disciple Making Church". I read it this summer and it was excellent!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Groanings...the language of God
Surrounding us this time of year we hear "Joy to the world", "Jingle Bells", "It's the most wonderful time of the year", and other cheerful songs of the season, but Christmas isn't always a happy time.
Just two days ago, I watched an 83 year old man kiss the love of his life good-bye as he saw her for the first time in her new surroundings...a beautifully carved wooden box they picked out years earlier. Holding onto 65 years of precious memories, yet unable to stand or even speak, his weeping and groaning filled the room. No one in the room could comprehend the loss he was experiencing, and although we stood witness to a deep, deep pain, no one could adequately interpret his groanings.
Romans 8:25-26 says, "But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words".
I find this verse comforting; God's Spirit speaks with groanings that have meaning far beyond what can be expressed with mere words. God's Spirit perfectly understood that man's loss and pain...providing undefiled, perfected communication with God. And God certainly hears. Acts 7:34 says, "I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free."
Soon after Jesus' birth, He was sought to be killed by the king. I'm sure God heard groanings of despair from Mary and Joseph. God sent an angel to direct Mary and Joseph, along with Jesus, to a place of preservation and protection.
We have a God who hears our groanings as we live in a world filled with disappointment and pain. As He hears our groanings, and interprets them perfectly, He comes to set us free.
Just two days ago, I watched an 83 year old man kiss the love of his life good-bye as he saw her for the first time in her new surroundings...a beautifully carved wooden box they picked out years earlier. Holding onto 65 years of precious memories, yet unable to stand or even speak, his weeping and groaning filled the room. No one in the room could comprehend the loss he was experiencing, and although we stood witness to a deep, deep pain, no one could adequately interpret his groanings.
Romans 8:25-26 says, "But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words".
I find this verse comforting; God's Spirit speaks with groanings that have meaning far beyond what can be expressed with mere words. God's Spirit perfectly understood that man's loss and pain...providing undefiled, perfected communication with God. And God certainly hears. Acts 7:34 says, "I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free."
Soon after Jesus' birth, He was sought to be killed by the king. I'm sure God heard groanings of despair from Mary and Joseph. God sent an angel to direct Mary and Joseph, along with Jesus, to a place of preservation and protection.
We have a God who hears our groanings as we live in a world filled with disappointment and pain. As He hears our groanings, and interprets them perfectly, He comes to set us free.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Guilt Free
I was reading in Isaiah 6. At the time that God called Isaiah into ministry, Isaiah says "I saw the Lord...." He goes on to explain what all he saw, and in it all, he was overwhelmed by the HOLINESS of God. In fact, he was so overwhelmed by God's holiness that he immediately felt exposed in his impurity saying, "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips....'"
Just then a seraph (possibly an angel-like being) touched his lips with a hot coal saying, "'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'"
After that, the Lord says He needs someone, and Isaiah responds, "'Here am I. Send me!'" No feelings of shame for the impurity that existed in him before God cleansed him. And no sense of inadequacy for being used by God. I think he just knew he was clean and ready to go where God wanted to lead him.
What I'm most moved by is the idea of the hot coal. As believers today, we have Christ's atonement for our sin, and we have been purified through His death and resurrection. I see the coal as being the equivalent of Jesus' blood dripping down the cross. He calls us to drink His blood (i.e., wine as a symbol of His blood), which touches our lips and infiltrates our entire body, symbolizing the same cleansing of our entire being just as the coal cleansed Isaiah's unclean lips.
If we have accepted the atonement, we are guilt free! And we can stand purified, and move in freedom, and be ready for Him...whatever He has for us.
Just then a seraph (possibly an angel-like being) touched his lips with a hot coal saying, "'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'"
After that, the Lord says He needs someone, and Isaiah responds, "'Here am I. Send me!'" No feelings of shame for the impurity that existed in him before God cleansed him. And no sense of inadequacy for being used by God. I think he just knew he was clean and ready to go where God wanted to lead him.
What I'm most moved by is the idea of the hot coal. As believers today, we have Christ's atonement for our sin, and we have been purified through His death and resurrection. I see the coal as being the equivalent of Jesus' blood dripping down the cross. He calls us to drink His blood (i.e., wine as a symbol of His blood), which touches our lips and infiltrates our entire body, symbolizing the same cleansing of our entire being just as the coal cleansed Isaiah's unclean lips.
If we have accepted the atonement, we are guilt free! And we can stand purified, and move in freedom, and be ready for Him...whatever He has for us.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
"The Most Important Thing"
The other day my daughter, Allison, got an award for her thoughtfulness at school. Her teacher had noticed that many days during recess, Allison would walk around picking up trash. Wanting to acknowledge her efforts, her teacher announced her award to the entire school at their morning assembly.
A few days later, Allison and I were beginning a project of making pillows for her school's Marketing Day. Referring to being able to offer the pillows for sale to the other students, the conversation went like this:
Allison: Maybe other kids will like me now.
Me: The other kids don't like you??
Allison: That's what got me into picking up trash at recess.
Me: Well, they don't know what they're missing by not being your friend.
Allison: Well, it's okay. I have lots of other friends at home. Besides, the most important thing is knowing God loves you.
Oh, that our hearts would be able to acknowledge loss and desire and yet be so content...having the faith of a child.
A few days later, Allison and I were beginning a project of making pillows for her school's Marketing Day. Referring to being able to offer the pillows for sale to the other students, the conversation went like this:
Allison: Maybe other kids will like me now.
Me: The other kids don't like you??
Allison: That's what got me into picking up trash at recess.
Me: Well, they don't know what they're missing by not being your friend.
Allison: Well, it's okay. I have lots of other friends at home. Besides, the most important thing is knowing God loves you.
Oh, that our hearts would be able to acknowledge loss and desire and yet be so content...having the faith of a child.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Shackles Removed
I was worshipping God this morning with Chris Tomlin's song "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)". The first verse says,
"I once was lost"
How often do I live like I'm still lost!? ...but I am no longer lost. I need to live in the freedom of knowing I've been found.
"I once was blind"
...but I am no longer blind. He's given me eyes to see what needs to be seen. Will I look through His eyes?
"My chains are gone"
...I am no longer bound. I remember an analogy I heard once about how elephants are trained and controlled. I found this description online:
"If you have ever gone to the circus you’ve seen this “elephant trainers” principle in action. By that I mean the huge two-ton elephant shackled by one leg. At the end of the shackle is a small wooden stake dug into the ground. Hard to believe but true, that elephant is being limited by that short chain and the small stake. Obviously the elephant has enough power to free itself and roam around as he pleases. Yet the elephant has been conditioned to accept this limitation. You see as a youngster the shackle placed on his leg was able to hold him in place. After tugging on it for a certain period of time his leg became bruised. This created enough pain in him that he stopped attempting his own freedom. Once he accepts the limitation imposed on him it becomes a permanent belief, or in his case, a conditioned reaction. Now as he grows into adulthood, he has the power to easily pull the stake out of the ground, but his conditioning has taught him that the effort will not only be futile, it will be painful as well."*
I've also heard that the elephant's behavior remains controlled even after the shackle is completely removed...and he responds as if he is still shackled.
It occurred to me that I all too often live as if I'm still bound and shackled even though I have been freed by Christ Himself. I need to live like I've been freed.
If you have the song, or any version of Amazing Grace, I'd encourage you to put it on, turn it up, and remember, if you've accepted His gift of grace, how deeply amazing it is.
Our chains are gone!
We've been set free!
Let's live in the freedom of Christ today!
*http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Martinez1.html
"I once was lost"
How often do I live like I'm still lost!? ...but I am no longer lost. I need to live in the freedom of knowing I've been found.
"I once was blind"
...but I am no longer blind. He's given me eyes to see what needs to be seen. Will I look through His eyes?
"My chains are gone"
...I am no longer bound. I remember an analogy I heard once about how elephants are trained and controlled. I found this description online:
"If you have ever gone to the circus you’ve seen this “elephant trainers” principle in action. By that I mean the huge two-ton elephant shackled by one leg. At the end of the shackle is a small wooden stake dug into the ground. Hard to believe but true, that elephant is being limited by that short chain and the small stake. Obviously the elephant has enough power to free itself and roam around as he pleases. Yet the elephant has been conditioned to accept this limitation. You see as a youngster the shackle placed on his leg was able to hold him in place. After tugging on it for a certain period of time his leg became bruised. This created enough pain in him that he stopped attempting his own freedom. Once he accepts the limitation imposed on him it becomes a permanent belief, or in his case, a conditioned reaction. Now as he grows into adulthood, he has the power to easily pull the stake out of the ground, but his conditioning has taught him that the effort will not only be futile, it will be painful as well."*
I've also heard that the elephant's behavior remains controlled even after the shackle is completely removed...and he responds as if he is still shackled.
It occurred to me that I all too often live as if I'm still bound and shackled even though I have been freed by Christ Himself. I need to live like I've been freed.
If you have the song, or any version of Amazing Grace, I'd encourage you to put it on, turn it up, and remember, if you've accepted His gift of grace, how deeply amazing it is.
Our chains are gone!
We've been set free!
Let's live in the freedom of Christ today!
*http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Martinez1.html
Monday, November 5, 2007
A Lesson From Garfield
Why do we pray?
I mean, what are our motives behind praying? I think one reason we pray is because we want life to work. Our tendency is...
-if someone's sick, we pray they'll get better.
-if your car breaks down, you pray it will work.
-if I don't have money to pay my bills, I pray for money.
That's all fine...and it's good in the sense that God tells us to pray for what we need (Php. 4.6) and to cast our cares on Him (Ps. 55). He, too, cares about these things. I'm wondering, though, if our tendency to pray for health, wealth, comfort and ease is because that's where we find LIFE.
He, Himself, reminds us that He is the Life, not our circumstances. He certainly cares about our circumstances, but for now, the higher priority is character above circumstances and trials. He'll use the circumstances and trials to develop godly character in us and beautify us.
Evil is fighting for our hearts, and with our sinful nature, we will naturally gravitate toward the evil.
But God is passionate about our beauty. He's still creating beauty, and He will turn our ashes into beauty (Is. 61). Of course, we have to hand over our ashes....
Where I find life will be evident in my prayers. Will I trust that He has life for me? If I'm seeking life in Christ alone, certainly I will take my needs, cares and concerns to Him, and my prayers will sound more like Jesus' prayers:
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matt. 26.42).
"Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matt. 6.11-13).
I know I cannot find LIFE apart from Him...so I run to Him asking Him to be the One to fill me...regardless of my circumstances.
In the words of an animated, self-absorbed cat, I began my prayer time with God today:
"Love me; feed me; never leave me." --Garfield.
I mean, what are our motives behind praying? I think one reason we pray is because we want life to work. Our tendency is...
-if someone's sick, we pray they'll get better.
-if your car breaks down, you pray it will work.
-if I don't have money to pay my bills, I pray for money.
That's all fine...and it's good in the sense that God tells us to pray for what we need (Php. 4.6) and to cast our cares on Him (Ps. 55). He, too, cares about these things. I'm wondering, though, if our tendency to pray for health, wealth, comfort and ease is because that's where we find LIFE.
He, Himself, reminds us that He is the Life, not our circumstances. He certainly cares about our circumstances, but for now, the higher priority is character above circumstances and trials. He'll use the circumstances and trials to develop godly character in us and beautify us.
Evil is fighting for our hearts, and with our sinful nature, we will naturally gravitate toward the evil.
But God is passionate about our beauty. He's still creating beauty, and He will turn our ashes into beauty (Is. 61). Of course, we have to hand over our ashes....
Where I find life will be evident in my prayers. Will I trust that He has life for me? If I'm seeking life in Christ alone, certainly I will take my needs, cares and concerns to Him, and my prayers will sound more like Jesus' prayers:
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matt. 26.42).
"Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one" (Matt. 6.11-13).
I know I cannot find LIFE apart from Him...so I run to Him asking Him to be the One to fill me...regardless of my circumstances.
In the words of an animated, self-absorbed cat, I began my prayer time with God today:
"Love me; feed me; never leave me." --Garfield.
Monday, October 29, 2007
The Crash That Disabled Me
You haven't seen much activity on this site the last couple weeks. The reason: my computer crashed into a deadly virus. I can't believe how much time is required to carry out the efforts of euthanasia on this device...and then breathe life back into it!!
I have some thoughts from my time with God this morning that I want to share. I hope to post them later today. :)
I have some thoughts from my time with God this morning that I want to share. I hope to post them later today. :)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Weakness
My mind has been spinning regarding one topic: weakness. It's not like it's a new topic...we're all quite familiar with weakness, whether it's our own or someone else's. But I have never seen weakness quite the way I see it now.
The main thought is this: "Our greatest weaknesses are often rooted in woundedness."
Let that thought simmer in your mind for a bit. It's the idea that when you touch on people's greatest weaknesses, you are likely touching their deepest wounds.
This past Sunday, this idea hit me on a deeper level to where I began weeping. I realized that some of the things that I see in others...things that might annoy me, like some of their weaknesses...things I may have approached (or may have wanted to approach) out of frustration...they are often the result of deeply painful wounds that person has endured. I'm seeing these things now through the eyes of compassion...and it breaks my heart. It brought me to the point of telling God, "I never want to approach someone's weakness again!"
That's when I heard Him speak to my heart, "Now, you are ready."
"Ready!?!" The thought left me breathless and overwhelmed, filled with grief. I could see that to approach someone's weakness well takes great care and reliance on God.
After spending a day with this grief, God showed me the hope and the purpose in it.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God says, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'"
And in verse 10, Paul concludes that "...for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Paul had been given a (v.7) "thorn in the flesh" (a wound) that invoked his weakness, but God promised His power nonetheless. Paul learned that our weaknesses allow us to become, in the words of Henri Nouwen, a "wounded healer."
You may want to study this for yourself, but it seems that nearly all weakness comes from wounds. In Leviticus 26:36, we see that in certain cases, God would bring weakness to a group of people. This may be an exception where the weakness is totally inflicted by God for a purpose, apart from woundedness. On the other hand, there may be unseen distrust in God on the part of that group of people, and that distrust may be the result of a wound. This is one that may require a deeper level of study....
In Genesis 3, we see that Eve's sinful nature was the source of her weakness in giving in and eating the forbidden fruit. Our sinful nature, of course, is always at the root of all sin. In Eve's sin, it could be that the serpent's betrayal inflicted a wound (even though she didn't recognize the betrayal or the wound at the time) that stirred up her sinful nature in a way that caused her to distrust God and seek life apart from God. Within her sinful nature (as with ours), the wound became the instigator of her weakness.
Aside from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians 12, there is one clear example I can think of in Judges 16. Samson is the strong man. The wound of betrayal by Delilah completely zaps his strength and he is left weak.
Think of ways that your own wounds have brought weakness to your own life. For me, one thing I think of is public speaking or anything that requires my voice. (Now I'm getting vulnerable with you here.) In elementary school, I was taken out of my classroom on several occasions to meet with the speech pathologist, because, from my six or seven-year-old perspective, there was something wrong with me and I didn't measure up...and it became a wound in my soul. It's an area that has been a huge weakness in my life, but an area where God is gradually bringing about healing. A big step in my healing process was having to record audio CDs for use with our carepoint workbooks...and then another part was hearing a friend's positive feedback about one that she heard.
Whatever our wound was and the weakness it brought about, if we want to find the strength that Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 12, we must trust God. Here's the pattern that we'll hopefully follow:
The question is: How long will we walk in the weakness before we put our trust in God in this specific area to receive His strength?
The main thought is this: "Our greatest weaknesses are often rooted in woundedness."
Let that thought simmer in your mind for a bit. It's the idea that when you touch on people's greatest weaknesses, you are likely touching their deepest wounds.
This past Sunday, this idea hit me on a deeper level to where I began weeping. I realized that some of the things that I see in others...things that might annoy me, like some of their weaknesses...things I may have approached (or may have wanted to approach) out of frustration...they are often the result of deeply painful wounds that person has endured. I'm seeing these things now through the eyes of compassion...and it breaks my heart. It brought me to the point of telling God, "I never want to approach someone's weakness again!"
That's when I heard Him speak to my heart, "Now, you are ready."
"Ready!?!" The thought left me breathless and overwhelmed, filled with grief. I could see that to approach someone's weakness well takes great care and reliance on God.
After spending a day with this grief, God showed me the hope and the purpose in it.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God says, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'"
And in verse 10, Paul concludes that "...for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Paul had been given a (v.7) "thorn in the flesh" (a wound) that invoked his weakness, but God promised His power nonetheless. Paul learned that our weaknesses allow us to become, in the words of Henri Nouwen, a "wounded healer."
You may want to study this for yourself, but it seems that nearly all weakness comes from wounds. In Leviticus 26:36, we see that in certain cases, God would bring weakness to a group of people. This may be an exception where the weakness is totally inflicted by God for a purpose, apart from woundedness. On the other hand, there may be unseen distrust in God on the part of that group of people, and that distrust may be the result of a wound. This is one that may require a deeper level of study....
In Genesis 3, we see that Eve's sinful nature was the source of her weakness in giving in and eating the forbidden fruit. Our sinful nature, of course, is always at the root of all sin. In Eve's sin, it could be that the serpent's betrayal inflicted a wound (even though she didn't recognize the betrayal or the wound at the time) that stirred up her sinful nature in a way that caused her to distrust God and seek life apart from God. Within her sinful nature (as with ours), the wound became the instigator of her weakness.
Aside from Paul's example in 2 Corinthians 12, there is one clear example I can think of in Judges 16. Samson is the strong man. The wound of betrayal by Delilah completely zaps his strength and he is left weak.
Think of ways that your own wounds have brought weakness to your own life. For me, one thing I think of is public speaking or anything that requires my voice. (Now I'm getting vulnerable with you here.) In elementary school, I was taken out of my classroom on several occasions to meet with the speech pathologist, because, from my six or seven-year-old perspective, there was something wrong with me and I didn't measure up...and it became a wound in my soul. It's an area that has been a huge weakness in my life, but an area where God is gradually bringing about healing. A big step in my healing process was having to record audio CDs for use with our carepoint workbooks...and then another part was hearing a friend's positive feedback about one that she heard.
Whatever our wound was and the weakness it brought about, if we want to find the strength that Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 12, we must trust God. Here's the pattern that we'll hopefully follow:
WOUND ---> WEAKNESS ---> TRUST ---> GOD'S STRENGTH
The question is: How long will we walk in the weakness before we put our trust in God in this specific area to receive His strength?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
HOPE is here!!!
...Clash of Hope, that is...my newest book on conflict resolution. It just came in the mail today and is available to order at http://www.carepointministry.com/.
Let me share with you just a few short excerpts:
"This workbook is intended to be a catalyst for healing for those who have found themselves struggling with conflict issues. This isn't intended to be as much about 'how to' resolve conflict (stay with me here) as it is exploring God's sovereignty over conflict, the pain involved in it, and the good that God is able to bring from it...."
"God is continuing to speak to me about grace and helping me to understand his grace toward me on a much deeper level. I had put on my Comfort CD by Kathy Troccoli which began with the song, That's how much I love you. The words begin:
I died for you
I'd do it all again if I had to
To show you what you really mean to Me
...I recognized my own attitudes and behaviors toward God...the times (whether long ago or recently) when I've been angry and hurtful, selfish, demanding, accusing, etc., and in it all I've deeply hurt the One who wanted to be closest to me. But what really astounds me is God's response to me. Notice the words in the song above again. In the midst of all the ways I inflict pain on others, he chooses to lay down his own life, to give up his own justice and happiness, so that I can know grace, freedom, and my own deep value" (117).
I'm excited about the resolution God will bring about in many lives through this tool. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Let me share with you just a few short excerpts:
"This workbook is intended to be a catalyst for healing for those who have found themselves struggling with conflict issues. This isn't intended to be as much about 'how to' resolve conflict (stay with me here) as it is exploring God's sovereignty over conflict, the pain involved in it, and the good that God is able to bring from it...."
"Our own woundedness deeply ties into how we handle conflict, how we resolve it, how we respond to it. From many of our perspectives, conflict equals rejection. We interpret a message that says conflict is not love. ...Before we can successfully approach and work through conflict, we need to be able to delete the equation. Unless we delete the equation, those old wounds and messages will trigger stronger, inaccurate reactions. Deleting the equation requires replacing lies with truth...." (20-21).
"As long as we have woundedness, we will have a tendency to hurt each other. And when we hurt each other, there's a battle. We must not get so wrapped up in the battle that we miss the love story of which we are a part" (111)."God is continuing to speak to me about grace and helping me to understand his grace toward me on a much deeper level. I had put on my Comfort CD by Kathy Troccoli which began with the song, That's how much I love you. The words begin:
I died for you
I'd do it all again if I had to
To show you what you really mean to Me
...I recognized my own attitudes and behaviors toward God...the times (whether long ago or recently) when I've been angry and hurtful, selfish, demanding, accusing, etc., and in it all I've deeply hurt the One who wanted to be closest to me. But what really astounds me is God's response to me. Notice the words in the song above again. In the midst of all the ways I inflict pain on others, he chooses to lay down his own life, to give up his own justice and happiness, so that I can know grace, freedom, and my own deep value" (117).
I'm excited about the resolution God will bring about in many lives through this tool. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Monday, October 8, 2007
LifeCare small group kick-off
God has led me in an amazing way this year to be involved with a new parachurch organization called LifeCare (http://www.lifecarechristiancenter.org/) that exists to see people freed from their various forms of bondage and experiencing the abundant life that God intended for them. I wish I had the time to share all the details of God's orchestration in bringing me to LifeCare, as well as all the transformation he's brought about in my life...particularly over the last six years (I am SO totally different than I was six years ago...or even a year ago for that matter). He amazes me!! I could write volumes about it (in fact, so far I have 3 books accounting for glimpses of it...check those out at http://www.carepointministry.org/).
God is in the business of transforming lives, and His goal is His own likeness. His intent is good; His desire is for beauty and strength.
The small group that I started this past week is called Healing Tears, based on my book by the same name, and deals with the issue of emotional discontent and discouragement. I have a wonderful group of women that I have the privilege of walking beside and watching as God beautifully transforms their lives. I am so excited about all that He's going to do in the next ten weeks!
I have been on my knees in prayer for these women and for this ministry. I know that we are reliant on Him to see great things happen; to see bondage broken; and to see abundant life obtained and wildly lived out. Please pray with me that God will continue to amaze us with His powerful work at LifeCare.
God is in the business of transforming lives, and His goal is His own likeness. His intent is good; His desire is for beauty and strength.
The small group that I started this past week is called Healing Tears, based on my book by the same name, and deals with the issue of emotional discontent and discouragement. I have a wonderful group of women that I have the privilege of walking beside and watching as God beautifully transforms their lives. I am so excited about all that He's going to do in the next ten weeks!
I have been on my knees in prayer for these women and for this ministry. I know that we are reliant on Him to see great things happen; to see bondage broken; and to see abundant life obtained and wildly lived out. Please pray with me that God will continue to amaze us with His powerful work at LifeCare.
Friday, October 5, 2007
God cares about every hair on my head
Subtitled: the day I used 'black' shampoo
My friend took me into an Indian store, handed me a 'special' bottle of "blackshine" shampoo, and told me I had to try this. Having dark blonde/very light brown hair, my skepticism increased as I read the bottle: "for black hair that lacks lustre", "Do you feel ignored when someone else outshines you with great black hair? And do you worry that you haven't done enough when your hair is not at its shiniest black?", "...nourishes from deep within to reveal blacker, shinier, silkier hair."
This worried me. She, however, reassured me that they are appealing to Indian women who all have black hair, and that she used it and her hair didn't get any darker (but then again, she has dark, dark brown hair!!), and that it would make my hair more vibrant. But that wasn't all...she opened the bottle to allow me to sniff the pleasant scent and reveal the jet-black color of the shampoo! The thought of putting something, that looked like the grease a mechanic would use, on my hair was quite unnerving. Somehow, my anxiety and skepticism didn't keep me from paying $6 and walking out of the store with this bottle of shampoo in my hand. (I need her to do marketing for me/CarePoint!)
I decided quickly that I would need at least a couple days to warm up to the idea of actually risking using the stuff.
So today, debating whether I should touch up the gray in my hair with color or try black shampoo (for black hair, to make my [blonde] hair blacker...and shinier), I decided to forego the coloring to try to get my hair healthier first...and maybe the black shampoo would help nourish it.
So...in the shower, I delayed the black shampoo as long as possible.... Then the time had come. I gently picked up the bottle, shook my head in disbelief at what I was doing, and squirted some in my hand. My head still shaking in disbelief, I inspected the color..."Oh, God, what am I doing?!?" With my fingers of my other hand, I touched the black substance, my head still swaying from left to right..."What is possessing me to do such a thing?!?" I'm confident it wasn't in disrespect, but rather a plea for help that "Oh, God; Oh, God; Oh, God" kept resonating in my head.
"Walk by faith, not by sight" came to mind (no doubt from my plea to Him for help), which I repeated to myself many times. I began to put some of the black shampoo in my hair (and then glanced out the shower door into the mirror to make sure it was turning white...like normal shampoo). Deciding it was all or nothing, I covered my entire hair with the stuff, massaging it in thoroughly. It smelled good, and seemed to have a good feel so far. Then, questioning the use of conditioner, I chose to resort to Aveda, something I trust.
The deed was done. Now would come the test..."When I open the shower door and look in the mirror, what color will my hair really be?" The scene from "Runaway Bride" flashed through my mind when Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack colored Richard Gere's hair with a rainbow color. There was a small hope welling up within me that it might actually darken some of the gray a bit...that would be nice. And I have been considering going a bit darker again anyway, so a slightly darker tint might be nice.... So the door opened, and there I was in the mirror...appearing exactly the same (gray and all) as before (but with a slightly elevated blood pressure).
I don't know about shinier at this point, but it does seem to be silkier. :)
My friend took me into an Indian store, handed me a 'special' bottle of "blackshine" shampoo, and told me I had to try this. Having dark blonde/very light brown hair, my skepticism increased as I read the bottle: "for black hair that lacks lustre", "Do you feel ignored when someone else outshines you with great black hair? And do you worry that you haven't done enough when your hair is not at its shiniest black?", "...nourishes from deep within to reveal blacker, shinier, silkier hair."
This worried me. She, however, reassured me that they are appealing to Indian women who all have black hair, and that she used it and her hair didn't get any darker (but then again, she has dark, dark brown hair!!), and that it would make my hair more vibrant. But that wasn't all...she opened the bottle to allow me to sniff the pleasant scent and reveal the jet-black color of the shampoo! The thought of putting something, that looked like the grease a mechanic would use, on my hair was quite unnerving. Somehow, my anxiety and skepticism didn't keep me from paying $6 and walking out of the store with this bottle of shampoo in my hand. (I need her to do marketing for me/CarePoint!)
I decided quickly that I would need at least a couple days to warm up to the idea of actually risking using the stuff.
So today, debating whether I should touch up the gray in my hair with color or try black shampoo (for black hair, to make my [blonde] hair blacker...and shinier), I decided to forego the coloring to try to get my hair healthier first...and maybe the black shampoo would help nourish it.
So...in the shower, I delayed the black shampoo as long as possible.... Then the time had come. I gently picked up the bottle, shook my head in disbelief at what I was doing, and squirted some in my hand. My head still shaking in disbelief, I inspected the color..."Oh, God, what am I doing?!?" With my fingers of my other hand, I touched the black substance, my head still swaying from left to right..."What is possessing me to do such a thing?!?" I'm confident it wasn't in disrespect, but rather a plea for help that "Oh, God; Oh, God; Oh, God" kept resonating in my head.
"Walk by faith, not by sight" came to mind (no doubt from my plea to Him for help), which I repeated to myself many times. I began to put some of the black shampoo in my hair (and then glanced out the shower door into the mirror to make sure it was turning white...like normal shampoo). Deciding it was all or nothing, I covered my entire hair with the stuff, massaging it in thoroughly. It smelled good, and seemed to have a good feel so far. Then, questioning the use of conditioner, I chose to resort to Aveda, something I trust.
The deed was done. Now would come the test..."When I open the shower door and look in the mirror, what color will my hair really be?" The scene from "Runaway Bride" flashed through my mind when Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack colored Richard Gere's hair with a rainbow color. There was a small hope welling up within me that it might actually darken some of the gray a bit...that would be nice. And I have been considering going a bit darker again anyway, so a slightly darker tint might be nice.... So the door opened, and there I was in the mirror...appearing exactly the same (gray and all) as before (but with a slightly elevated blood pressure).
I don't know about shinier at this point, but it does seem to be silkier. :)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Do not use Son block
I was driving to the swamp for some quality prayer time the other day. It was soon after sunrise, and as I drove, I noticed the rays of the early morning sun casting a haze ahead of me. The sun's rays reminded me that the rays of the SON of God are always shining down on me.
It compelled me to ask myself, "Am I allowing the rays of the Son to penetrate my whole being? Or am I, in some way, using SON BLOCK?" May it never be! May the Son always penetrate all of me.
It compelled me to ask myself, "Am I allowing the rays of the Son to penetrate my whole being? Or am I, in some way, using SON BLOCK?" May it never be! May the Son always penetrate all of me.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
...like my van refusing gas
I've spent the past three days entirely consumed with proofing two workbooks (over 300 pages) before they go to print. Proofing doesn't mean I just look them over...it requires examining every detail, every space and tiny mark on every page as well as the content and flow of content, etc. It drains me.
I woke up this morning, and before my eyes were even open, I felt the emptiness and began praying out of desperation, hating that excruciating empty feeling, begging God to fill me.
Well, I dragged myself out of bed and got the kids off to school. I got home and just felt a numbness toward life...a feeling I also hate. I knew I needed help...I needed God. I collapsed on my bed and tried to pray a bit, but still felt empty words and numbness. I found notes I had written yesterday from one of the workbooks about Samuel being called by God. I remembered being moved by the story, and I prayed the words Samuel spoke when he first heard God's voice:
"Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."
Actually, my prayer was more like this:
"I'm so empty from pouring myself out for CarePoint. 'Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen.' I want to bring you glory, Lord. What do you want me to do?"
He answered quickly:
"I want you to stop working today...and REST. Let Me just love you. Let ME make you ALIVE.
My brain is sometimes hard to slow down though, thinking...
"I need to get something out of 'this'."
or
"How can I speak life into the situation I'll face...today...tonight...tomorrow...whenever?"
But I rested, and listened, and heard Him soothe me, and felt Him fill me...as I listened to Travis Cottrell (Beth Moore's worship leader) speak songs of truth and beauty into my soul.
How often I have missed the "filling" though and kept trying to serve Him and please Him. It occurred to me that refusing to rest and let Him fill me is like driving into a gas station and my van insisting on continuing to serve me but refusing to let me fill its gas tank. It can't serve me without allowing me to fill it. We can't serve God without allowing Him to fill us.
Like Beth Moore says:
Empty yourself in giving everything you've got, and then run to him to get filled up again.
I woke up this morning, and before my eyes were even open, I felt the emptiness and began praying out of desperation, hating that excruciating empty feeling, begging God to fill me.
Well, I dragged myself out of bed and got the kids off to school. I got home and just felt a numbness toward life...a feeling I also hate. I knew I needed help...I needed God. I collapsed on my bed and tried to pray a bit, but still felt empty words and numbness. I found notes I had written yesterday from one of the workbooks about Samuel being called by God. I remembered being moved by the story, and I prayed the words Samuel spoke when he first heard God's voice:
"Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."
Actually, my prayer was more like this:
"I'm so empty from pouring myself out for CarePoint. 'Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen.' I want to bring you glory, Lord. What do you want me to do?"
He answered quickly:
"I want you to stop working today...and REST. Let Me just love you. Let ME make you ALIVE.
My brain is sometimes hard to slow down though, thinking...
"I need to get something out of 'this'."
or
"How can I speak life into the situation I'll face...today...tonight...tomorrow...whenever?"
But I rested, and listened, and heard Him soothe me, and felt Him fill me...as I listened to Travis Cottrell (Beth Moore's worship leader) speak songs of truth and beauty into my soul.
How often I have missed the "filling" though and kept trying to serve Him and please Him. It occurred to me that refusing to rest and let Him fill me is like driving into a gas station and my van insisting on continuing to serve me but refusing to let me fill its gas tank. It can't serve me without allowing me to fill it. We can't serve God without allowing Him to fill us.
Like Beth Moore says:
Empty yourself in giving everything you've got, and then run to him to get filled up again.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Does God hear you?
How do you know if God hears you?
Some think that God hears only when His answer is "yes" to the things we ask. Others think he always hears us.
I was reading in Hebrews 5 this morning and was particularly struck by verse 7:
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
This tells me:
1. God hears us when we live out reverent submission to Him.
2. When God hears us, His answer will not necessarily be "yes."
3. When God's answer is not "yes," we must trust that He has a greater purpose, a greater glory in the "no" or the "wait."
Some think that God hears only when His answer is "yes" to the things we ask. Others think he always hears us.
I was reading in Hebrews 5 this morning and was particularly struck by verse 7:
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
This tells me:
1. God hears us when we live out reverent submission to Him.
2. When God hears us, His answer will not necessarily be "yes."
3. When God's answer is not "yes," we must trust that He has a greater purpose, a greater glory in the "no" or the "wait."
Friday, September 7, 2007
Mosquito chronicles
So, back to my enemy, the mosquito.... My son tells me that it's only the female mosquitos that bite (I suppose that stands to reason).
Anyway, I was reading in Nehemiah 4:11-21 (NLT). Listen to this:
11Our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work."
12When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,"
13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows.
14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses."
15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.
17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.
18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me.
19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another.
20"At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."
21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared.
What stands out about this for me is that they knew there was the threat of battle, and they were prepared, as they held their weapons while going about their work. But they didn't allow the potential for battle, maybe even the fear of battle, to distract them from the work God was calling them to do.
And then we see Nehemiah's confidence in God...he knew what God had called him to do and that through his obedience, God would bring victory. That's the kind of confidence that brings internal peace.
Anyway, I was reading in Nehemiah 4:11-21 (NLT). Listen to this:
11Our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work."
12When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,"
13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows.
14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses."
15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.
17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.
18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me.
19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another.
20"At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."
21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared.
What stands out about this for me is that they knew there was the threat of battle, and they were prepared, as they held their weapons while going about their work. But they didn't allow the potential for battle, maybe even the fear of battle, to distract them from the work God was calling them to do.
And then we see Nehemiah's confidence in God...he knew what God had called him to do and that through his obedience, God would bring victory. That's the kind of confidence that brings internal peace.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
LIFE
I am so struck this morning with the LIFE that God pours into my spirit. I was spending time with Him, and part of that time included listening to Chris Tomlin's song, "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)", the chorus of which is:
"My chains are gone; I've been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love; amazing grace"
Oh, God, what amazing, amazing life you give...when we forsake our idols, casting them aside, to worship you alone. There is so much freedom and so much beauty there. You call us to freedom...may we live in it. I pray that those who see my life wouldn't miss the amazing life and freedom and beauty that I experience with You! May they find and know that LIFE!
"My chains are gone; I've been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love; amazing grace"
Oh, God, what amazing, amazing life you give...when we forsake our idols, casting them aside, to worship you alone. There is so much freedom and so much beauty there. You call us to freedom...may we live in it. I pray that those who see my life wouldn't miss the amazing life and freedom and beauty that I experience with You! May they find and know that LIFE!
Monday, September 3, 2007
My enemy...the mosquito
What do you do when you're attacked by an enemy?
As I write this, sitting at my computer, I am being attacked by a small, but powerful and relentless mosquito. He has bitten my foot twice already, and the two times I've caught a glimpse of him, he has eluded my death trap. My vengeance is growing as my fear grows...my fear that he will attack again...because he has proven that he is out to get me. I'm developing a paranoia...I keep thinking I feel something landing on me, but I look and there's nothing...yet.
Am I accomplishing the work I set out to do tonight? Not at all. I'm completely distracted and afraid to NOT focus on what I fear.
Have you ever been there? ...Feeling like you had better stay keenly aware of the very thing you fear or else you are doomed? Psychologists may call this hypervigilance. It keeps us from living in a state of peace and joy...believing that we had better watch out for ourselves, because no one else will.
Hmmm. But is that right? No one else will? How easy it is to forget that I have a God who is intimately acquainted with everything in my life...including the big enemies and the little ones. That being true, I ask the question again, what do you do when you're attacked by an enemy?
After thinking about this, I chose to pray. I asked God to either give my enemy into my hands that I could defeat him OR to defeat my enemy himself apart from my effort and give me peace. I realize God's answer could be "no" to both options. He could allow my enemy to attack again. But faith would allow me to believe that God would still use it for good in a way that maybe only he knows (maybe for my character, maybe for your benefit, maybe to teach me how to fight enemy attacks, maybe for some reason I couldn't possibly understand). Will I trust him? ...so that I can live in peace and joy.
As I write this, sitting at my computer, I am being attacked by a small, but powerful and relentless mosquito. He has bitten my foot twice already, and the two times I've caught a glimpse of him, he has eluded my death trap. My vengeance is growing as my fear grows...my fear that he will attack again...because he has proven that he is out to get me. I'm developing a paranoia...I keep thinking I feel something landing on me, but I look and there's nothing...yet.
Am I accomplishing the work I set out to do tonight? Not at all. I'm completely distracted and afraid to NOT focus on what I fear.
Have you ever been there? ...Feeling like you had better stay keenly aware of the very thing you fear or else you are doomed? Psychologists may call this hypervigilance. It keeps us from living in a state of peace and joy...believing that we had better watch out for ourselves, because no one else will.
Hmmm. But is that right? No one else will? How easy it is to forget that I have a God who is intimately acquainted with everything in my life...including the big enemies and the little ones. That being true, I ask the question again, what do you do when you're attacked by an enemy?
After thinking about this, I chose to pray. I asked God to either give my enemy into my hands that I could defeat him OR to defeat my enemy himself apart from my effort and give me peace. I realize God's answer could be "no" to both options. He could allow my enemy to attack again. But faith would allow me to believe that God would still use it for good in a way that maybe only he knows (maybe for my character, maybe for your benefit, maybe to teach me how to fight enemy attacks, maybe for some reason I couldn't possibly understand). Will I trust him? ...so that I can live in peace and joy.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Markings of a Leader
I have had various positions of leadership throughout the years. Some of those 'positions' don't always make us think of the actual term 'leadership' (such as parenting, sharing with others what God has taught us, providing direction, etc. -- these are also significant forms of leadership). Last night, as I was anticipating beginning a new leadership position as a small group leader, I thought about what I desire to mark me as a leader (in this new position as well as in the less 'obvious' leadership positions I have). And in those thoughts I prayed,
"Lord, may I have the strength, courage and humility to get lower than those I'm leading. May I get beneath them to lift them up and push them ahead. May I remain free of the expectation that they should be serving me or that I deserve their service. May I be filled by God himself so that I can come and be a servant leader."
I thought about Barnabas, Paul's mentor, who pushed Paul ahead to where he became much better known than Barnabas himself. And Jesus, how he set the example in serving as he washed the feet of his disciples.
I don't want to live out the typical American leadership mindset that would require the followers to wash the leader's feet. Jesus himself said, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20.28 and Mark 10.45).
In these thoughts, I'm asking myself some questions:
1. In what ways do your leaders display this kind of humility? (It is my prayer that those I'm leading could answer this easily.)
2. In what practical ways can I demonstrate this kind of humility toward those I'm leading?
May we carry the same leadership markings as Jesus.
"Lord, may I have the strength, courage and humility to get lower than those I'm leading. May I get beneath them to lift them up and push them ahead. May I remain free of the expectation that they should be serving me or that I deserve their service. May I be filled by God himself so that I can come and be a servant leader."
I thought about Barnabas, Paul's mentor, who pushed Paul ahead to where he became much better known than Barnabas himself. And Jesus, how he set the example in serving as he washed the feet of his disciples.
I don't want to live out the typical American leadership mindset that would require the followers to wash the leader's feet. Jesus himself said, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20.28 and Mark 10.45).
In these thoughts, I'm asking myself some questions:
1. In what ways do your leaders display this kind of humility? (It is my prayer that those I'm leading could answer this easily.)
2. In what practical ways can I demonstrate this kind of humility toward those I'm leading?
May we carry the same leadership markings as Jesus.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Scheduling
Whew! We've had some humid days lately! The grass is looking so much nicer, but I've been hybernating inside with the kids and the a/c. I'm about to venture out beyond the mailbox soon....
I'd appreciate your prayers for these next couple weeks. Aside from the in-town events, I have a lot out-of-town adventures on the schedule, and in the midst of it, I need to get two manuscripts edited. I need to use my time wisely.
I'll be leaving in a couple hours to go to my parents to pick up Tim who has been staying there this week. We'll come back home tomorrow.
On Friday, Dave and I leave for a quick, overnight camping adventure in central Ohio. We're hoping it will be a time of relaxation and connection with God and each other.
Then Monday morning I leave for my parents' again, and on Tuesday the kids and I will spend the whole day at the county fair with my dad, who loves to take us every year. It's a very fun tradition.
Next Thursday is the 3rd monthly LifeCare meeting, and then on Friday, I may be going to Indy for the weekend to see a friend I haven't seen in 18 years, as well as tour my father-in-law's ice cream plant and visit a church that may be interested in implementing CarePoint materials.
If you sense God's leading, please pray for each of these events...and the manuscripts. I long for God to do amazing things through each of them. Thank you so much!
I'd appreciate your prayers for these next couple weeks. Aside from the in-town events, I have a lot out-of-town adventures on the schedule, and in the midst of it, I need to get two manuscripts edited. I need to use my time wisely.
I'll be leaving in a couple hours to go to my parents to pick up Tim who has been staying there this week. We'll come back home tomorrow.
On Friday, Dave and I leave for a quick, overnight camping adventure in central Ohio. We're hoping it will be a time of relaxation and connection with God and each other.
Then Monday morning I leave for my parents' again, and on Tuesday the kids and I will spend the whole day at the county fair with my dad, who loves to take us every year. It's a very fun tradition.
Next Thursday is the 3rd monthly LifeCare meeting, and then on Friday, I may be going to Indy for the weekend to see a friend I haven't seen in 18 years, as well as tour my father-in-law's ice cream plant and visit a church that may be interested in implementing CarePoint materials.
If you sense God's leading, please pray for each of these events...and the manuscripts. I long for God to do amazing things through each of them. Thank you so much!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Have you had enough?
Do you ever feel like today's trouble is so much that you can't take anymore?
GOD SAYS THAT'S TRUE!
Jesus said in Matthew 6.34 (NLT), "Today's trouble is enough for today." And because today has enough trouble, "don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries."
Now isn't that encouraging???
Well, it IS...only if you can really give yourself over to the verse before it. Matthew 6.33 (NLT) says, "he will give you all you need from day to day...." But, there is a catch. The rest of the verse provides the qualifier: "...if you live for him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern."
Wow! That's quite a calling. Think about it (go ahead and make a list):
What or Who did you live for today?
What were your concerns today?
What made the top of your list(s)?
Can you confidently say that today you have lived for him AND you have made the kingdom of God your primary concern? What a challenge.
We need to make the kingdom of God our primary concern. Our sanity, our peace, our very lives depend on it.
Tomorrow I can start fresh and, by his grace, choose the direction of my life. When I awake, I will choose to live my day for him, to make the kingdom of God my primary concern, believing with unwavering confidence that he will take care of every one of my needs for the day.
GOD SAYS THAT'S TRUE!
Jesus said in Matthew 6.34 (NLT), "Today's trouble is enough for today." And because today has enough trouble, "don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries."
Now isn't that encouraging???
Well, it IS...only if you can really give yourself over to the verse before it. Matthew 6.33 (NLT) says, "he will give you all you need from day to day...." But, there is a catch. The rest of the verse provides the qualifier: "...if you live for him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern."
Wow! That's quite a calling. Think about it (go ahead and make a list):
What or Who did you live for today?
What were your concerns today?
What made the top of your list(s)?
Can you confidently say that today you have lived for him AND you have made the kingdom of God your primary concern? What a challenge.
We need to make the kingdom of God our primary concern. Our sanity, our peace, our very lives depend on it.
Tomorrow I can start fresh and, by his grace, choose the direction of my life. When I awake, I will choose to live my day for him, to make the kingdom of God my primary concern, believing with unwavering confidence that he will take care of every one of my needs for the day.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Clothed in righteousness
Last night I went for a walk in a park with my friend Patti. On our walk, we came to a dam with one of the gates open. Patti knew in the moment that there would be a message in it for me and that it would be posted on my blog today...she was right.
She and I had talked about the stillness of the larger body of water that filtered into this small space to be released down into a narrower body of water that was very stirred up and flowed with greater strength.
Today I'm listening to Travis Cottrell's song, "Search Me, Know Me." The chorus says,
Create in me a heart that's clean
Conquer the power of secret shame
Come wash away the guilty stain of all my sin
Clothe me in robes of righteousness
Cover my nakedness with grace
All of my life before you now I humbly bring.
Oftentimes, our lives can move along smoothly and with little disruption, and we may even look pretty good. We, as believers and followers of Christ, because we have God's spirit, long for a heart that's truly clean.
What happens when the world presses in on us, or possibly God presses in on us, and moves us from our comfortable, free space into a channel of disruption? It feels chaotic, out of control, frustrating, scary and painful. We no longer look in the mirror and see the carefree, undisturbed calm that existed "pre-dam" experience. Suddenly we've become a disrupted pile of nerves that has just crashed painfully against rocks creating a foamy discord, a fishy odor and casting a certain mist that is certainly not appealing.
So what's the point to all this?
As God guides and protects our way over the disruptiveness, it exposes who we really are. It exposes, as the song reveals, "our secret shame, our sin, our nakedness" that we covered so well in the places of little disruption.
But here, where we're exposed...this is how God so amazingly and wonderfully responds:
He conquers ...through his own death and resurrection
He clothes us ...He gets the most beautiful clothing and puts it on us
He covers us in grace ...the clothing He chooses for us announces the message...
"RIGHTEOUS!"
Isaiah 61.10 (Amp)
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
She and I had talked about the stillness of the larger body of water that filtered into this small space to be released down into a narrower body of water that was very stirred up and flowed with greater strength.
Today I'm listening to Travis Cottrell's song, "Search Me, Know Me." The chorus says,
Create in me a heart that's clean
Conquer the power of secret shame
Come wash away the guilty stain of all my sin
Clothe me in robes of righteousness
Cover my nakedness with grace
All of my life before you now I humbly bring.
Oftentimes, our lives can move along smoothly and with little disruption, and we may even look pretty good. We, as believers and followers of Christ, because we have God's spirit, long for a heart that's truly clean.
What happens when the world presses in on us, or possibly God presses in on us, and moves us from our comfortable, free space into a channel of disruption? It feels chaotic, out of control, frustrating, scary and painful. We no longer look in the mirror and see the carefree, undisturbed calm that existed "pre-dam" experience. Suddenly we've become a disrupted pile of nerves that has just crashed painfully against rocks creating a foamy discord, a fishy odor and casting a certain mist that is certainly not appealing.
So what's the point to all this?
As God guides and protects our way over the disruptiveness, it exposes who we really are. It exposes, as the song reveals, "our secret shame, our sin, our nakedness" that we covered so well in the places of little disruption.
But here, where we're exposed...this is how God so amazingly and wonderfully responds:
He conquers ...through his own death and resurrection
He clothes us ...He gets the most beautiful clothing and puts it on us
He covers us in grace ...the clothing He chooses for us announces the message...
"RIGHTEOUS!"
Isaiah 61.10 (Amp)
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Follow the leader
I'm reading a great book right now, The Disciple Making Church, by Glenn McDonald, senior pastor of Zionsville Presbyterian Church in Indiana. It's leading me to ask some really good questions of myself that I haven't explored in quite awhile. I've summarized my thoughts/questions here....
To whom are you looking to lead you? Who is your mentor?
To whom do you look to be your example(s) in life...maybe your hero?
Be assured, you will become like this person / these people.
I have mentors who know me, and then I have other examples that I seek to follow... such as many positive biblical examples, Beth Moore, Kathy Troccoli, etc. I am careful about what I allow into my mind. But not everyone is. We need to consider what people we are looking to as examples, what books we read that influence our thoughts, and what music we listen to...it will ALL influence us.
We live in such a loud world, that even when we are careful about our influences, we will still have to battle the negative influences as well as the sinfulness of our flesh.
Recently, my 3 kids were arguing. When I tried to intervene, they each spoke very loudly over each other trying to get his or her own story heard. Finally, over the chaos, I yelled, "Shut up!" There was immediate silence (since this was quite a rare occurence). My oldest son (who is, by the way, half way through his blackbelt training program for karate) appeared quite offended at my instruction as he silently took a step toward me with an aggressive look in his eye.... We all just stood frozen for about 5 very long seconds until I said, "Uhhh, I learned that from Jack*." We all laughed, and I apologized.
As my son, Jack*, is learning to get control over his speech, I've been influenced by it. That's why Paul says in Galatians 6.1 "...if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Be in there to help, but be careful.
There are plenty of negative influences that will always be around us. We must watch ourselves and make sure we do what we can to surround ourselves with righteous influences. May it be our heart's desire to be a light for others...with no darkness in it. John said of God, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1.4). And Paul commissions us with Jesus' own message: "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth' " (Acts 13.47).
And finally, Jesus commissions us: "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness" (Luke 11.35).
*Note: name change to protect his dignity.
To whom are you looking to lead you? Who is your mentor?
To whom do you look to be your example(s) in life...maybe your hero?
Be assured, you will become like this person / these people.
I have mentors who know me, and then I have other examples that I seek to follow... such as many positive biblical examples, Beth Moore, Kathy Troccoli, etc. I am careful about what I allow into my mind. But not everyone is. We need to consider what people we are looking to as examples, what books we read that influence our thoughts, and what music we listen to...it will ALL influence us.
We live in such a loud world, that even when we are careful about our influences, we will still have to battle the negative influences as well as the sinfulness of our flesh.
Recently, my 3 kids were arguing. When I tried to intervene, they each spoke very loudly over each other trying to get his or her own story heard. Finally, over the chaos, I yelled, "Shut up!" There was immediate silence (since this was quite a rare occurence). My oldest son (who is, by the way, half way through his blackbelt training program for karate) appeared quite offended at my instruction as he silently took a step toward me with an aggressive look in his eye.... We all just stood frozen for about 5 very long seconds until I said, "Uhhh, I learned that from Jack*." We all laughed, and I apologized.
As my son, Jack*, is learning to get control over his speech, I've been influenced by it. That's why Paul says in Galatians 6.1 "...if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Be in there to help, but be careful.
There are plenty of negative influences that will always be around us. We must watch ourselves and make sure we do what we can to surround ourselves with righteous influences. May it be our heart's desire to be a light for others...with no darkness in it. John said of God, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1.4). And Paul commissions us with Jesus' own message: "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth' " (Acts 13.47).
And finally, Jesus commissions us: "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness" (Luke 11.35).
*Note: name change to protect his dignity.
Being Incarnational
The other day I was at a relative's house enjoying some quality outdoor time, much like how I grew up out in the country. I sat peacefully by the pond for a while, shot some baskets with others, played with the puppies and cats, shot a couple different .22 rifles at targets, .... It was great! Someone commented on how I seemed so relaxed in that environment...I was in my element.
I've been connecting with that lifestyle so much more recently that sometimes it hurts to not have it...for me and for the kids.
A couple days later, it was my night out. I drove down some roads scoping out potential lots similar to how I grew up. I wondered where my discontent was coming from...flesh or spirit.
I picked up a Mocha Frappuccino from my favorite coffee shop and was en route to a nearby park to read when I inadvertently passed the driveway to the park. As I prepared to turn around, the Huron River came to mind, and I was drawn to go explore it in the direction I was driving.
When I got close to the river, wherever I found a place to park along the river, there were already people there, so I continued on...looking for a less-busy place. I drove around a curve and noticed my old college dorm. Immediately, a whole slew of thoughts flashed through my mind, but the predominant train of thought was that (23 years ago) I had left the open country space of where I grew up, and I packed myself into a small, confining dorm room. It reminded me of what Jesus did by becoming incarnate...leaving the expansiveness of heaven and cramming himself (God of the universe) into the confining space of a woman's womb for nine months. And after that, living confined to his earthly mission for 33 years, knowing one day he would be free again in the expanse of heaven.
I'm not sure yet what all this is communicating to me, but my initial thought is that I'm longing for heaven, and one day I'll have it. But for now, my mission is to be incarnational, embodying the Spirit of Christ, while submitting to the confines presented by the goal of reaching the lost, loving others and laying down my life...ultimately loving God through my flesh. It's often painful, disappointing and sometimes even leaves me feeling trapped. But the Apostle Paul said he "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4.12). And Jesus himself told us that this world would bring us trouble, trials and sorrows, and will not satisfy us, but ultimately, it will be okay (John 16.33). When his Spirit lives in us, we have the only component for peace. And when we have that component for peace, believing by faith that God is caring for us, then we can live incarnationally in a disruptive world.
I've been connecting with that lifestyle so much more recently that sometimes it hurts to not have it...for me and for the kids.
A couple days later, it was my night out. I drove down some roads scoping out potential lots similar to how I grew up. I wondered where my discontent was coming from...flesh or spirit.
I picked up a Mocha Frappuccino from my favorite coffee shop and was en route to a nearby park to read when I inadvertently passed the driveway to the park. As I prepared to turn around, the Huron River came to mind, and I was drawn to go explore it in the direction I was driving.
When I got close to the river, wherever I found a place to park along the river, there were already people there, so I continued on...looking for a less-busy place. I drove around a curve and noticed my old college dorm. Immediately, a whole slew of thoughts flashed through my mind, but the predominant train of thought was that (23 years ago) I had left the open country space of where I grew up, and I packed myself into a small, confining dorm room. It reminded me of what Jesus did by becoming incarnate...leaving the expansiveness of heaven and cramming himself (God of the universe) into the confining space of a woman's womb for nine months. And after that, living confined to his earthly mission for 33 years, knowing one day he would be free again in the expanse of heaven.
I'm not sure yet what all this is communicating to me, but my initial thought is that I'm longing for heaven, and one day I'll have it. But for now, my mission is to be incarnational, embodying the Spirit of Christ, while submitting to the confines presented by the goal of reaching the lost, loving others and laying down my life...ultimately loving God through my flesh. It's often painful, disappointing and sometimes even leaves me feeling trapped. But the Apostle Paul said he "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4.12). And Jesus himself told us that this world would bring us trouble, trials and sorrows, and will not satisfy us, but ultimately, it will be okay (John 16.33). When his Spirit lives in us, we have the only component for peace. And when we have that component for peace, believing by faith that God is caring for us, then we can live incarnationally in a disruptive world.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Spiritual Gifts
I've been thinking a lot about "mission" lately. One area in particular relates to spiritual gifts. As I was reading the book of Mark, I was noticing that (although He undoubtedly could have) Jesus didn't often seem to display a wide range of spiritual gifts. We don't see Him, in Scripture (as far as I can tell), focused in areas such as singing with the music team, playing the lyre, preparing budgets and helping to build houses for Habitat For Humanity (although he was a carpenter by trade). Instead, he certainly taught often (and was often referred to as Teacher). But what stands out to me is that He focused much on healing. People were constantly coming to Him to be healed.
I have not noticed a gift of healing in myself, but I did do a couple online spiritual gifts assessments to understand better where God might have me focus in His unique work for me.
When it comes to our gifts, sometimes others may be something of a devil's advocate. Sometimes we are to ourselves. There have been others who have condemned me in my gifts, and there have been times when I've been blind to or critical of the gift and condemned myself. But God has gifted me uniquely so that I can be a blessing to Him and to others. Here are some thoughts I had that are challenging me:
"God says to me, 'I have called you and equipped you to display the gifts of ____________.'"
"What do others others say about you?"
"What do you say about yourself?"
"Who will you choose to believe?"
I have not noticed a gift of healing in myself, but I did do a couple online spiritual gifts assessments to understand better where God might have me focus in His unique work for me.
When it comes to our gifts, sometimes others may be something of a devil's advocate. Sometimes we are to ourselves. There have been others who have condemned me in my gifts, and there have been times when I've been blind to or critical of the gift and condemned myself. But God has gifted me uniquely so that I can be a blessing to Him and to others. Here are some thoughts I had that are challenging me:
"God says to me, 'I have called you and equipped you to display the gifts of ____________.'"
"What do others others say about you?"
"What do you say about yourself?"
"Who will you choose to believe?"
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
CarePoint Workbooks
Did you know you can order my workbooks (or any CarePoint workbook) online at two different locations?
CBD has them available at:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=carepoint&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
or they can be ordered directly from the CarePoint website at:
http://www.carepointministry.com/discouragement.html
for "Healing Tears"
and
http://www.carepointministry.com/sexabuse.html
for "Life Beyond the Scars"
We'll have the next phase of workbooks available toward the end of the summer, which will include my newest release "Clash of Hope: Getting to the heart of conflict resolution".
I hope you'll check them out and that they will be meaningful in your life.
CBD has them available at:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=carepoint&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
or they can be ordered directly from the CarePoint website at:
http://www.carepointministry.com/discouragement.html
for "Healing Tears"
and
http://www.carepointministry.com/sexabuse.html
for "Life Beyond the Scars"
We'll have the next phase of workbooks available toward the end of the summer, which will include my newest release "Clash of Hope: Getting to the heart of conflict resolution".
I hope you'll check them out and that they will be meaningful in your life.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Swamp
Ah, well, school gets out tomorrow, and I expect my swamp visits will be a bit less frequent for the rest of the summer. Fortunately, my friend Patti asked me for pictures of the swamp (in 22 years, I've never taken a picture there!). So this morning I went and took some. Now I'll still be able to enjoy the view of the swamp from my own house.... :)
Monday, June 11, 2007
Make some noise!
I'm at the swamp today. There is both life and death here. There's something scary AND enticing about the swamp. Despite the name I've given it, there is beauty here...with the lush green colors in the trees and grass and bushes, the beauty of the water, small islands, blue sky...nature as God created it at its core.
There is also the overgrowth of trees and bushes along the trails, the trash, fallen dead trees, wildlife that can strike intimidation into me, mud, a half-rotted railroad tie, dead leaves and sticks and swamp growth cluttering the water's edge....
As I walked up to the water, something exuding life leapt into the water, and as I squatted down, taking in the landscape, a big splash startled me--maybe a beaver, or some other water-loving creature, entered the water several yards away from me. It can be a bit scary not knowing what lurks around you...and then knowing what does.... It can feel very vulnerable.
This is also the world around me.
It can seem so scary, intimidating, corrupt and dead...yet there is life in it because it's God's creation and He breathed life into it. The question I ask myself is, "How can I draw out life from what is corrupt or threatening or appears dead?"
At the swamp, what arouses life?
My silence: when I'm still and life resumes its normal course.
My presence: when I make noise that disrupts the normal flow of activity...maybe arousing fear, maybe arousing attention to what's important, and bringing about change.
I live in a corrupt world...a swamp or sorts. As I sit silently, life will resume normally around me. But if I make some noise...godly noise, I will disrupt the norm and effect change. The change will be disruptive...sometimes leading to godliness and sometimes greater ungodliness. But if I don't live with a VOICE in my world, not even good change results.
...So my sister is getting married. I've already been forewarned that some of her friends may present things at her shower that I would consider in poor taste. Some of these people want to help plan the shower...and I'm aware of the type of cake they want to get.... My heart sinks, yet this is the world (it's Babylon...if you did Beth Moore's Daniel study). As I think of how to respond, I wonder about challenging them toward life... "There is something much better in you than that...you have something good, something so much better to offer." It's what God has breathed into them...that only He can cause to grow to fullness of life.
I want to find and draw out the life from what has become so corrupt. I want to make some noise!
There is also the overgrowth of trees and bushes along the trails, the trash, fallen dead trees, wildlife that can strike intimidation into me, mud, a half-rotted railroad tie, dead leaves and sticks and swamp growth cluttering the water's edge....
As I walked up to the water, something exuding life leapt into the water, and as I squatted down, taking in the landscape, a big splash startled me--maybe a beaver, or some other water-loving creature, entered the water several yards away from me. It can be a bit scary not knowing what lurks around you...and then knowing what does.... It can feel very vulnerable.
This is also the world around me.
It can seem so scary, intimidating, corrupt and dead...yet there is life in it because it's God's creation and He breathed life into it. The question I ask myself is, "How can I draw out life from what is corrupt or threatening or appears dead?"
At the swamp, what arouses life?
My silence: when I'm still and life resumes its normal course.
My presence: when I make noise that disrupts the normal flow of activity...maybe arousing fear, maybe arousing attention to what's important, and bringing about change.
I live in a corrupt world...a swamp or sorts. As I sit silently, life will resume normally around me. But if I make some noise...godly noise, I will disrupt the norm and effect change. The change will be disruptive...sometimes leading to godliness and sometimes greater ungodliness. But if I don't live with a VOICE in my world, not even good change results.
...So my sister is getting married. I've already been forewarned that some of her friends may present things at her shower that I would consider in poor taste. Some of these people want to help plan the shower...and I'm aware of the type of cake they want to get.... My heart sinks, yet this is the world (it's Babylon...if you did Beth Moore's Daniel study). As I think of how to respond, I wonder about challenging them toward life... "There is something much better in you than that...you have something good, something so much better to offer." It's what God has breathed into them...that only He can cause to grow to fullness of life.
I want to find and draw out the life from what has become so corrupt. I want to make some noise!
Late for church!
My husband, Dave, and I are implementing a Bible reading plan for our family. The kids decided on which book of the Bible to start with: the book of Mark. So, each day (6 days a week) we read the passage on the schedule and then usually discuss it at dinner.
On our way to church Sunday morning, we discussed the Mark 7 passage (we missed discussing it the night before). But I was frustrated! I had gotten up in just enough time to get MYSELF ready to go. When I was ready, I went to find everyone else. No one else was ready, or even moving in the right direction. That's when the frustration hit.
Eventually we got on our way...right on schedule to arrive 15 minutes late. I could feel the battle within me...that battle between knowing the best thing would be to be at peace and the anger that no one else seems to care about being on time.
Mark 7 was about "Inner purity." The Pharisees were upset that Jesus' disciples didn't strickly adhere to the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. Jesus' reply began in verse 6: "'You hypocrites! Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away...." For you ignore God's specific laws and substitute your own traditions.'"
Ouch. It struck right at my heart. Just like hand washing before eating is a good practice, so is getting to church on time. But when the ritual/activity becomes more important than having a heart/attitude that honors God in the moment (wherever I am, on time or late), I dishonor God.
My worship time that morning was humbling...and good...filled with repentance and gratitude for His grace and forgiveness. It was perfectly fitting when we sang, "I'm coming back to the heart of worship. It's all about You, Jesus."
On our way to church Sunday morning, we discussed the Mark 7 passage (we missed discussing it the night before). But I was frustrated! I had gotten up in just enough time to get MYSELF ready to go. When I was ready, I went to find everyone else. No one else was ready, or even moving in the right direction. That's when the frustration hit.
Eventually we got on our way...right on schedule to arrive 15 minutes late. I could feel the battle within me...that battle between knowing the best thing would be to be at peace and the anger that no one else seems to care about being on time.
Mark 7 was about "Inner purity." The Pharisees were upset that Jesus' disciples didn't strickly adhere to the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. Jesus' reply began in verse 6: "'You hypocrites! Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away...." For you ignore God's specific laws and substitute your own traditions.'"
Ouch. It struck right at my heart. Just like hand washing before eating is a good practice, so is getting to church on time. But when the ritual/activity becomes more important than having a heart/attitude that honors God in the moment (wherever I am, on time or late), I dishonor God.
My worship time that morning was humbling...and good...filled with repentance and gratitude for His grace and forgiveness. It was perfectly fitting when we sang, "I'm coming back to the heart of worship. It's all about You, Jesus."
Friday, June 8, 2007
Backyard Attack
There has been much attack in my backyard lately. First, I noticed a squirrel running along the top rail of our wood fence...and then birds dive bombing the squirrel in shameful attack. Then I saw birds attacking other birds (trust me, it wasn't love...there was anger in their dispositions). And that's not to mention the live traps we've set to eradicate our chipmunk population, the trampoline wars and squirt guns. War in my own backyard...!
Today I watched a robin looking for worms in the grass through a gentle rain. Suddenly, another bird swooped in. I quickly anticipated another battle, but to my delight, the swooping bird, another robin, landed right beside the first, dropped something out of its mouth for the first bird and then flew away.
It gave me a fresh perspective of community, caring for each other, spewing out love for each other. It was a good reminder of Philippians 2:4, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Today I watched a robin looking for worms in the grass through a gentle rain. Suddenly, another bird swooped in. I quickly anticipated another battle, but to my delight, the swooping bird, another robin, landed right beside the first, dropped something out of its mouth for the first bird and then flew away.
It gave me a fresh perspective of community, caring for each other, spewing out love for each other. It was a good reminder of Philippians 2:4, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Monday, June 4, 2007
Swamp Water
I came to my favorite spot at the swamp tonight. Earlier, a friend had asked me to pray for her, and since I didn't have plans for my night out, I sensed that the swamp was my destiny.
As I approached, there were a couple people near my new spot on the west side, and three cars parked on the south side. I got to my favorite spot on the southeast corner, and it was vacant. :) I knew I had to walk down the trail...God had something to speak to me there. It was wet and muddy at first (a good deterrent to others for my alone time...although I was open to however God wanted to speak).
I was drawn to one place in particular. I stood on the higher ground overlooking the beauty of the sun setting over the water...the resolute breeze blowing toward me. I was compelled to draw nearer to the water, stepping down the slope to meet the water at the shore.
The higher ground, however, is more comfortable and provides a better view. It occurred to me that the wind, channeled by the Spirit, will push the water toward me, but just as Jesus stepped down from His higher ground and into our world to be incarnate, I needed to step down from my higher ground to the water.
Some of the trees nearby were actually in the water. My thoughts articulated, "I have to approach the water to reach it...and sometimes I have to take the uncomfortable step of walking out into the swamp water to rescue those who are dying in it." Something shiny at the edge of the water captured my attention...then I noticed the single dead fish floating....
Just then my spirit heard a voice saying, "Look up." I looked up to see a beautiful evening sky...but more than the sky...a destiny that overwhelmed my heart with longing...a longing that would certainly, one day, be fulfilled. But resting in that "one day," I was called to look back down...to approach the water...to bring life to what exists in the water. It's right in front of me...the Spirit is blowing it my way.
As I approached, there were a couple people near my new spot on the west side, and three cars parked on the south side. I got to my favorite spot on the southeast corner, and it was vacant. :) I knew I had to walk down the trail...God had something to speak to me there. It was wet and muddy at first (a good deterrent to others for my alone time...although I was open to however God wanted to speak).
I was drawn to one place in particular. I stood on the higher ground overlooking the beauty of the sun setting over the water...the resolute breeze blowing toward me. I was compelled to draw nearer to the water, stepping down the slope to meet the water at the shore.
The higher ground, however, is more comfortable and provides a better view. It occurred to me that the wind, channeled by the Spirit, will push the water toward me, but just as Jesus stepped down from His higher ground and into our world to be incarnate, I needed to step down from my higher ground to the water.
Some of the trees nearby were actually in the water. My thoughts articulated, "I have to approach the water to reach it...and sometimes I have to take the uncomfortable step of walking out into the swamp water to rescue those who are dying in it." Something shiny at the edge of the water captured my attention...then I noticed the single dead fish floating....
Just then my spirit heard a voice saying, "Look up." I looked up to see a beautiful evening sky...but more than the sky...a destiny that overwhelmed my heart with longing...a longing that would certainly, one day, be fulfilled. But resting in that "one day," I was called to look back down...to approach the water...to bring life to what exists in the water. It's right in front of me...the Spirit is blowing it my way.
*****************
Mark 1:14-17 "...Jesus went...to preach God's Good News. ...'Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!' One day as Jesus was walking along the shores..., he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net.... Jesus called out to them, 'Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!'"
Question: What is the water in my life (that is right in front of me...that the Spirit is blowing my way) ...the shore that I can approach and walk along...calling disciples and fishing for people?
Question: What is the water in my life (that is right in front of me...that the Spirit is blowing my way) ...the shore that I can approach and walk along...calling disciples and fishing for people?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The tension between heaven and earth
It seems like there's constant tension in my life. One area of tension is with raising my kids...trying to train them in the way they should go when their flesh doesn't want to go there.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
In this world I will long for what completely fills me. And when I find Him, and when I really understand that He is my only sufficiency, I will want Him more than anything...and I will realize I need Him more than anything. With that realization, it will be more difficult to engage in the world. But He has us still in the world for a PURPOSE that includes involvement in the lives of those around us. We will live in this world with a constant tension between our very real need to constantly be with Him and our purpose of being in the world and pouring out ourselves for others in the world.
This idea was highlighted yesterday morning through my visit to the swamp. My swamp lesson came like this:
While still at home, I wrote out a list of things I needed to talk to God about...things I needed complete alone time for...even being alone at my house wasn't enough (there are distractions). I needed the ALWAYS quiet, no-one-ever-around place where I hear God most vividly and connect with Him in undistracted devotion. I needed the swamp. So to the swamp I ventured.
I have a favorite spot at the swamp...the southeast corner where I can park, and if I want, I can get out and walk north, with water on both sides of me, to several locations overlooking the water...there are many options.
The time before last that I was there, I was surprised when someone pulled into "my" spot just ahead of me...to go fishing. Disappointed, I scoped out a new spot and ended up connecting with God in a way that seemed to make this new location the perfect spot for the day. Then on my last visit, I decided to return to that new location where God spoke clearly, again, to some specific issues in my life.
Yesterday, however, I was longing for my favorite spot...anticipating it. I arrived only to see a man fishing at my favorite spot...certainly not conducive to my ALONE time to bask in God's presence and hear His voice...or so I thought.
Disappointed again, I kept driving...scoping out more potential locations. I stopped at two on the south side...neither of which was "right." They just felt completely wrong. So I drove to the west side and pulled into the location from the last two visits. Still, it just wasn't right. I noticed a potential spot at the southwest corner, but I was too distracted there...partially by an unusual amount of trash, no place to sit, etc.
I decided to go back to my favorite spot and see if the fisherman had left yet. He was still there. I decided I would still go there and walk back beyond his fishing spot where I was relatively sure there was complete solitude.
As soon as I parked and turned off my van, another car pulled in right behind me. I watched as a woman got out with her fishing pole (!) and walked down the trail and out of sight. Just then another car pulled in behind her and then drove around her and parked just out of my sight. I was stunned at the "traffic," but I was quickly beginning to hear the swamp message for the day. Accepting my circumstances, I started writing.
"In this world, there will always be tension between caring for our time WITH God and caring for our time FOR God."
As much time as I get with Him, it never seems to be enough...and it's not enough, because this isn't the world we were created for. But the time we get...the time He allows, will suffice until we enter the world we WERE created for.
As I wrote, several runners ran by, and one man, "just looking around," walked by my open window and started chatting with me briefly. Several minutes later, the first two people left and then a man and his son came with their fishing poles. I realized I need to be open to disruptive opportunities (the trouble in the world) so that I can reflect what Jesus has overcome.
If I'm right with Him, my time with Him probably won't feel like enough, but it will suffice until I enter a new world with Him.
So yesterday morning was a totally unusual and public swamp experience...as I pursued ALONE time with Him. God is certainly not predictable.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
In this world I will long for what completely fills me. And when I find Him, and when I really understand that He is my only sufficiency, I will want Him more than anything...and I will realize I need Him more than anything. With that realization, it will be more difficult to engage in the world. But He has us still in the world for a PURPOSE that includes involvement in the lives of those around us. We will live in this world with a constant tension between our very real need to constantly be with Him and our purpose of being in the world and pouring out ourselves for others in the world.
This idea was highlighted yesterday morning through my visit to the swamp. My swamp lesson came like this:
While still at home, I wrote out a list of things I needed to talk to God about...things I needed complete alone time for...even being alone at my house wasn't enough (there are distractions). I needed the ALWAYS quiet, no-one-ever-around place where I hear God most vividly and connect with Him in undistracted devotion. I needed the swamp. So to the swamp I ventured.
I have a favorite spot at the swamp...the southeast corner where I can park, and if I want, I can get out and walk north, with water on both sides of me, to several locations overlooking the water...there are many options.
The time before last that I was there, I was surprised when someone pulled into "my" spot just ahead of me...to go fishing. Disappointed, I scoped out a new spot and ended up connecting with God in a way that seemed to make this new location the perfect spot for the day. Then on my last visit, I decided to return to that new location where God spoke clearly, again, to some specific issues in my life.
Yesterday, however, I was longing for my favorite spot...anticipating it. I arrived only to see a man fishing at my favorite spot...certainly not conducive to my ALONE time to bask in God's presence and hear His voice...or so I thought.
Disappointed again, I kept driving...scoping out more potential locations. I stopped at two on the south side...neither of which was "right." They just felt completely wrong. So I drove to the west side and pulled into the location from the last two visits. Still, it just wasn't right. I noticed a potential spot at the southwest corner, but I was too distracted there...partially by an unusual amount of trash, no place to sit, etc.
I decided to go back to my favorite spot and see if the fisherman had left yet. He was still there. I decided I would still go there and walk back beyond his fishing spot where I was relatively sure there was complete solitude.
As soon as I parked and turned off my van, another car pulled in right behind me. I watched as a woman got out with her fishing pole (!) and walked down the trail and out of sight. Just then another car pulled in behind her and then drove around her and parked just out of my sight. I was stunned at the "traffic," but I was quickly beginning to hear the swamp message for the day. Accepting my circumstances, I started writing.
"In this world, there will always be tension between caring for our time WITH God and caring for our time FOR God."
As much time as I get with Him, it never seems to be enough...and it's not enough, because this isn't the world we were created for. But the time we get...the time He allows, will suffice until we enter the world we WERE created for.
As I wrote, several runners ran by, and one man, "just looking around," walked by my open window and started chatting with me briefly. Several minutes later, the first two people left and then a man and his son came with their fishing poles. I realized I need to be open to disruptive opportunities (the trouble in the world) so that I can reflect what Jesus has overcome.
If I'm right with Him, my time with Him probably won't feel like enough, but it will suffice until I enter a new world with Him.
So yesterday morning was a totally unusual and public swamp experience...as I pursued ALONE time with Him. God is certainly not predictable.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Still
As soon as I parked, I recognized how still the water was at the swamp...barely moving at all. What grabbed my attention most was the reflection in the water...the brilliant and nearly unflawed reflection of the many hues of green from the trees with the clarity of the branches, and the blue sky.
Aside from the dust that was settled on the surface of the water...on the surface of the reflection, the reflection was almost like the real thing.
Lately I've been struggling with some anxiety and stress, knowing that it is not at all good for me! It occurred to me, with the water's reflection, that I reflect God best when I'm still. I may be spending time with Him, which is crucial to reflecting Him, but if I'm filled with anxiety and stress and fear, I won't reflect Him. Instead, I'll appear like the water on a windy day, and others will only see waves of turmoil and discord.
He reminds me to 'come to Him' and leave my burdens with Him. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." When I go to Him, I need to leave my stuff with Him, trusting that He can take care of my stuff. Only then can I be still and reflect Him well.
Aside from the dust that was settled on the surface of the water...on the surface of the reflection, the reflection was almost like the real thing.
Lately I've been struggling with some anxiety and stress, knowing that it is not at all good for me! It occurred to me, with the water's reflection, that I reflect God best when I'm still. I may be spending time with Him, which is crucial to reflecting Him, but if I'm filled with anxiety and stress and fear, I won't reflect Him. Instead, I'll appear like the water on a windy day, and others will only see waves of turmoil and discord.
He reminds me to 'come to Him' and leave my burdens with Him. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." When I go to Him, I need to leave my stuff with Him, trusting that He can take care of my stuff. Only then can I be still and reflect Him well.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Blindfolded faith-walk
Back in my "Come to me" post I mentioned the Juan Mann "Free Hugs" video that has been widely circulated online at youtube.com. (It can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e3Emjk3Zko&mode=related&search=.) The first time I saw it, something about it kept drawing me back into it. Then I realized it was the idea of 'taking love (God's love) to the streets' that drew me. At the time, my book Healing Tears was just being released. I heard God leading me to "Take Healing Tears out of the church and into the street." Skeptical, I complained, "But how am I supposed to take a 10-week 'healing' study to the street...???" I didn't get it.
Soon after that, I was driving along and noticed, for the first time ever, SafeHouse. Immediately, I got it. That's the street. A flood of memories came to me from my own childhood experience at a safehouse...and the love and care that I experienced there with the staff. I pursued taking Healing Tears there, but an opportunity hasn't become available at this point. But it did give me a broader view of how to take God's love out of the church and into the community.
Then I sensed God calling me on a "blindfolded faith-walk"...to leave my small group and spend between 3 weeks and 3 months at another large church's care ministry. I spent 4 weeks there, gaining insight, building relationships and building a vision for the 'church'. Through a very unexpected turn of events, God had me return for one more week and confirmed that my time there was finished. (Sorry to be so vague, but this IS the internet.)
Now I'm awaiting direction for the next step. I'm excited as I see potential opportunities for my involvement in God reaching the streets of my community...and reaching the hearts of multitudes of people...much like I saw in the Free Hugs video...but then also transforming those hearts into lives of beauty and freedom.
I will continue, with excitement at what's ahead, on my blindfolded faith-walk. I've finished my Clash of Hope workbook on conflict resolution, and I'm just reading it over before I send it in. So I get a little break!! :) Please pray for God's direction and that those of us needing to hear it will listen closely. Thanks for reading.
Soon after that, I was driving along and noticed, for the first time ever, SafeHouse. Immediately, I got it. That's the street. A flood of memories came to me from my own childhood experience at a safehouse...and the love and care that I experienced there with the staff. I pursued taking Healing Tears there, but an opportunity hasn't become available at this point. But it did give me a broader view of how to take God's love out of the church and into the community.
Then I sensed God calling me on a "blindfolded faith-walk"...to leave my small group and spend between 3 weeks and 3 months at another large church's care ministry. I spent 4 weeks there, gaining insight, building relationships and building a vision for the 'church'. Through a very unexpected turn of events, God had me return for one more week and confirmed that my time there was finished. (Sorry to be so vague, but this IS the internet.)
Now I'm awaiting direction for the next step. I'm excited as I see potential opportunities for my involvement in God reaching the streets of my community...and reaching the hearts of multitudes of people...much like I saw in the Free Hugs video...but then also transforming those hearts into lives of beauty and freedom.
I will continue, with excitement at what's ahead, on my blindfolded faith-walk. I've finished my Clash of Hope workbook on conflict resolution, and I'm just reading it over before I send it in. So I get a little break!! :) Please pray for God's direction and that those of us needing to hear it will listen closely. Thanks for reading.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
When God shows up
This past week was very occupied with the shows that my boys (my two young thespians) were in (The Jungle Book/Cinderella), and I've been very occupied with that the last couple days. I know it's been several days since I last posted, and I wanted to post something; however, whenever I tried to sit at the computer, I couldn't do it. And I certainly couldn't sit here to work (still have more to do). My head and neck ache...which makes it difficult to think on a deep level.
As I sat at the computer and got to this website, I lamented at my inability to sit here. I slid (literally) out of my chair and to my knees. Now, you have to picture this. Light off, kneeling in front of and leaning on my chair, my neck feeling too weak to hold my head up so my hands were holding my head up as the chair supported my elbows. I felt like the woman in the First Alert commercial: "I've fallen and I can't get up!" Yes, I could move around, but to sit still in this one position, to do the one thing I needed to do, felt impossible.
As I prayed, the verse from a song I learned back in college came to mind...Psalm 145:14-16:
"The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
Here I was, fallen (in a sense) physically, bowed to my knees, eyes on and seeking him for help, trusting him to show up and meet my needs...knowing he doesn't always meet our needs in the ways we want or in our preferred time frame. But I also know he's honored and loves it when we look to him and put our trust in him. So however he responded, I was committed to looking to him and trusting how he chose to provide.
All I can say is that I was filled with praise as I felt renewed strength in my neck again and was able to hold my head up. And I told him I would tell you about it. I do need to tend to some issues in my neck soon, but for now, "The Lord upholds" my head and is strengthening my neck.
I'm thinking about how often we struggle with issues...and struggle, and struggle...without falling to our knees and getting our eyes on him (I know we ALL do it). But how he longs to make eye contact with us...in those times and all the time. He is so passionate about us and delights in our attention!
"Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever." --Deut. 5.29
Back to work now to finish the last chapter of "Clash of Hope." Please pray for God's words in this chapter on 'Good Conflict'. It's been the hardest, but I know he'll show up and make it as he wants.
I'm praying for you.
As I sat at the computer and got to this website, I lamented at my inability to sit here. I slid (literally) out of my chair and to my knees. Now, you have to picture this. Light off, kneeling in front of and leaning on my chair, my neck feeling too weak to hold my head up so my hands were holding my head up as the chair supported my elbows. I felt like the woman in the First Alert commercial: "I've fallen and I can't get up!" Yes, I could move around, but to sit still in this one position, to do the one thing I needed to do, felt impossible.
As I prayed, the verse from a song I learned back in college came to mind...Psalm 145:14-16:
"The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
Here I was, fallen (in a sense) physically, bowed to my knees, eyes on and seeking him for help, trusting him to show up and meet my needs...knowing he doesn't always meet our needs in the ways we want or in our preferred time frame. But I also know he's honored and loves it when we look to him and put our trust in him. So however he responded, I was committed to looking to him and trusting how he chose to provide.
All I can say is that I was filled with praise as I felt renewed strength in my neck again and was able to hold my head up. And I told him I would tell you about it. I do need to tend to some issues in my neck soon, but for now, "The Lord upholds" my head and is strengthening my neck.
I'm thinking about how often we struggle with issues...and struggle, and struggle...without falling to our knees and getting our eyes on him (I know we ALL do it). But how he longs to make eye contact with us...in those times and all the time. He is so passionate about us and delights in our attention!
"Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever." --Deut. 5.29
Back to work now to finish the last chapter of "Clash of Hope." Please pray for God's words in this chapter on 'Good Conflict'. It's been the hardest, but I know he'll show up and make it as he wants.
I'm praying for you.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Customer Reviews on CBD
If any of you is interested, I would love it if you would write a review of one or both of my books (if you've read them) on the CBD website. Just go to www.christianbook.com, do a search for Healing Tears or Life Beyond The Scars, and then scroll down to customer reviews. Thanks.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
God pouring out his glory
I've been very, very consumed with editing workbooks, for the next round (phase 3) to be released this July, as well as writing one on conflict resolution. I sense the prayers of friends, and I am so grateful. I love what I'm doing, but this crunch time is exhausting.
I've focussed entirely on writing this week, and I sense God pouring his words into me...in ways I couldn't accomplish on my own. I have the majority of this workbook (Clash of Hope) written...about three more chapters to go. I hope to have it completed in the next week. I am so excited about what God is speaking through me into this book...I want to share it all with you now (but please buy it in July! :)
I'm feeling a bit weary, achy, and tired from long days and late nights, so please continue to pray for my endurance. My kids, in particular, are feeling the effects at times...even though I'm doing my best to keep them as a priority. We just don't have as much down time together (a temporary thing). All my time is used very deliberately right now (and for the next 2 or 3 weeks). My spirit continues to stay refreshed, yet I don't want to take it for granted...so if you would, please pray in all these ways.
Thank you so much for supporting me. And please feel free to comment with your own prayer requests. It encourages me, and I will pray for you.
I'm thinking about all of you right now...and what God says about you in Romans 8:30, "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."
I've focussed entirely on writing this week, and I sense God pouring his words into me...in ways I couldn't accomplish on my own. I have the majority of this workbook (Clash of Hope) written...about three more chapters to go. I hope to have it completed in the next week. I am so excited about what God is speaking through me into this book...I want to share it all with you now (but please buy it in July! :)
I'm feeling a bit weary, achy, and tired from long days and late nights, so please continue to pray for my endurance. My kids, in particular, are feeling the effects at times...even though I'm doing my best to keep them as a priority. We just don't have as much down time together (a temporary thing). All my time is used very deliberately right now (and for the next 2 or 3 weeks). My spirit continues to stay refreshed, yet I don't want to take it for granted...so if you would, please pray in all these ways.
Thank you so much for supporting me. And please feel free to comment with your own prayer requests. It encourages me, and I will pray for you.
I'm thinking about all of you right now...and what God says about you in Romans 8:30, "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Come To Me
I'll confess; I'm trying to play catch-up here and give you some background before I give you current highlights.
"Come To Me" is a theme that I had been hearing from God from about November through January. Here's the quick synopsis:
1. Someone mentioned the song "Come to me" back in Nov. Not being familiar with it, I googled it and found that Celine Dion did this song recently on her "Miracle" album. I read the words (which are written from a parent to a child), and what I heard was God speaking directly to me.
Some of the words are:
"I will always love you no matter what
No matter where you go or what you do
And knowing you, you're gonna have to do things your own way
And that's okay; So be free, spread your wings
And promise me just one thing...
"If you ever need a place to cry
Baby, come to me; Come to me
I've always known that you were born to fly
But you can come to me
If the world breaks your heart
No matter where on earth you are
You can come to me..."
2. Okay, fast forward a couple weeks. My friend, Monika, shared a verse with me that was speaking to her: Matthew 11:28 (AMP), "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]"
Her insight was that if I go to God with my burdens, and then I leave that time and I'm not refreshed, then there's some burden I've either taken back or haven't left with him at all.
3. My friend, Erin, shared a funny online video link with me, and then I noticed another video link in the margin, so I checked it out. It was Juan Mann's "Free Hugs" campaign (I'll say more about that another time), but the song in the video starts "I don't mind where you come from as long as you come to me."
I savored these three "come to me" messages for a few weeks until...
4. Then it all came together. I had been seeking Life apart from God (again), and He was gently reminding me of the only place I would really find LIFE. Inside I was feeling like an anxious, restless, unfilled, panicked mess. So I decided to get in bed and read Psalms (because David, the psalmist, understands me). I randomly opened my Bible to Psalm 40 and started reading, "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire...." Yes, he does understand me, I thought, relieved. I continued reading, and then I came to a verse that just jumped off the page, "Then I said, 'Look, I have come.'"
God had been calling me, and yes, I had come...and He was there.
5. The next morning I woke up to spend more time with the Lord. I found many verses in Psalms reminding me that "My Hope Is You"...my hope is God. It was refreshing. Then several more follow-up "come to me" verses came to me that built on the message God was speaking to me...
John 7:37b "'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.'"
Joel 2:12 (AMP) "Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]."
Romans 8:30 (NLT) "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."
I hope you're enjoying His glory today.
Till soon.....
"Come To Me" is a theme that I had been hearing from God from about November through January. Here's the quick synopsis:
1. Someone mentioned the song "Come to me" back in Nov. Not being familiar with it, I googled it and found that Celine Dion did this song recently on her "Miracle" album. I read the words (which are written from a parent to a child), and what I heard was God speaking directly to me.
Some of the words are:
"I will always love you no matter what
No matter where you go or what you do
And knowing you, you're gonna have to do things your own way
And that's okay; So be free, spread your wings
And promise me just one thing...
"If you ever need a place to cry
Baby, come to me; Come to me
I've always known that you were born to fly
But you can come to me
If the world breaks your heart
No matter where on earth you are
You can come to me..."
2. Okay, fast forward a couple weeks. My friend, Monika, shared a verse with me that was speaking to her: Matthew 11:28 (AMP), "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]"
Her insight was that if I go to God with my burdens, and then I leave that time and I'm not refreshed, then there's some burden I've either taken back or haven't left with him at all.
3. My friend, Erin, shared a funny online video link with me, and then I noticed another video link in the margin, so I checked it out. It was Juan Mann's "Free Hugs" campaign (I'll say more about that another time), but the song in the video starts "I don't mind where you come from as long as you come to me."
I savored these three "come to me" messages for a few weeks until...
4. Then it all came together. I had been seeking Life apart from God (again), and He was gently reminding me of the only place I would really find LIFE. Inside I was feeling like an anxious, restless, unfilled, panicked mess. So I decided to get in bed and read Psalms (because David, the psalmist, understands me). I randomly opened my Bible to Psalm 40 and started reading, "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire...." Yes, he does understand me, I thought, relieved. I continued reading, and then I came to a verse that just jumped off the page, "Then I said, 'Look, I have come.'"
God had been calling me, and yes, I had come...and He was there.
5. The next morning I woke up to spend more time with the Lord. I found many verses in Psalms reminding me that "My Hope Is You"...my hope is God. It was refreshing. Then several more follow-up "come to me" verses came to me that built on the message God was speaking to me...
John 7:37b "'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.'"
Joel 2:12 (AMP) "Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]."
Romans 8:30 (NLT) "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory."
I hope you're enjoying His glory today.
Till soon.....
Friday, March 9, 2007
Quick Thought for the Day
The other day my friend Beth and I were talking. Among other things, we pondered this thought:
God is working;
Don't live like He's not.
It's easy to get wrapped up in resolving everything we have going on in life, dealing with all the frustrations, etc. And then I remember this thought. He has something going on...and then my hope is to be able to see what good things He wants to bring out of my circumstances.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Aloneness
I've been juggling my time between editing and writing a workbook on conflict resolution. The last few days I've focussed on the editing, but I'm so torn because I have to get them both done, and I want to do both, yet I'm overflowing with thoughts on the conflict resolution chapter I'm on. It's focussed on the armor of God, and I just can't wait to get all my thoughts out. Here's a synopsis: This morning, much was coming to me about ALONENESS.
There's a song called Come To Me by Celine Dion that says,
"And the seven seas you sail
All the winding road you're on
Leave you lost and feeling all alone
Let my heart be your beacon home."
And Jesus said in John 16.32,
"But the time is coming--in fact, it is already here--when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me."
We can relate, at times, to the first three lines of the song, and the first sentence in Jesus' words. As Christians, we have Satan as our enemy, and he wants us to get stuck in those beginnings--those tragedies. But the truth is in the last lines: We have a safe place to rest in God's heart, and there, we are not alone.
Whatever we believe will impact what we do...how we move in life. A friend just reminded me that the primary initiation of all of our physical movement comes from our waist area. It's fitting then, that in the armor of God, the belt of truth covers the center of all our movement...that is, what we believe will determine our action. If you believe you're alone, you will likely despair. But if, even in your aloneness, you realize you are certainly not alone, there is amazing peace, and you will move in that peace.
I must end that thought there for now. But feel free to share your thoughts or experiences on it.
Till soon......
There's a song called Come To Me by Celine Dion that says,
"And the seven seas you sail
All the winding road you're on
Leave you lost and feeling all alone
Let my heart be your beacon home."
And Jesus said in John 16.32,
"But the time is coming--in fact, it is already here--when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me."
We can relate, at times, to the first three lines of the song, and the first sentence in Jesus' words. As Christians, we have Satan as our enemy, and he wants us to get stuck in those beginnings--those tragedies. But the truth is in the last lines: We have a safe place to rest in God's heart, and there, we are not alone.
Whatever we believe will impact what we do...how we move in life. A friend just reminded me that the primary initiation of all of our physical movement comes from our waist area. It's fitting then, that in the armor of God, the belt of truth covers the center of all our movement...that is, what we believe will determine our action. If you believe you're alone, you will likely despair. But if, even in your aloneness, you realize you are certainly not alone, there is amazing peace, and you will move in that peace.
I must end that thought there for now. But feel free to share your thoughts or experiences on it.
Till soon......
Sunday, March 4, 2007
the blogging thing
I decided to try the blogging thing as a way to keep those who are interested informed, primarily, on all the CarePoint updates. And this way, it's easy for anyone to send a quick and easy comment or question as well...and please, please do so.
I'll also keep you informed on changes that are happening in our lives--there seem to be many new and exciting things relating to ministry these days, and I will be writing about that soon.
You will also, occasionally, get some previews of whatever book content I'm working on...it's hard to keep my mouth shut (or my fingers still) when God is speaking to me. It just pours out of me like it did with David in Psalm 40 when he said "I delight to do Your will, ...I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord."
I will certainly include prayer requests as well. Especially when my work load gets heavy, like right now through April, I get weary and I need prayer. I would be so grateful for anyone willing to pray for me, especially through these times.
Thanks so much for reading. I will be writing more soon.
I'll also keep you informed on changes that are happening in our lives--there seem to be many new and exciting things relating to ministry these days, and I will be writing about that soon.
You will also, occasionally, get some previews of whatever book content I'm working on...it's hard to keep my mouth shut (or my fingers still) when God is speaking to me. It just pours out of me like it did with David in Psalm 40 when he said "I delight to do Your will, ...I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord."
I will certainly include prayer requests as well. Especially when my work load gets heavy, like right now through April, I get weary and I need prayer. I would be so grateful for anyone willing to pray for me, especially through these times.
Thanks so much for reading. I will be writing more soon.
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