Out Of The Shadow And Into Clarity

In the valley of the shadow of death, (Psalm 23) great things can happen. In the valley . . . you find out what you're really made of. You find out the true measure of your spiritual depth, and you find out that you are NOT alone! As you walk out of the "shadow," which is really just the perception or allusion of death, but not truly death; one realizes there is a vast green valley with lush fields and gentle streams of life all around you.

Last night, I had such an experience.  After crying on and off for several hours, feeling very alone . . . very "cast off" from God . . . I went to bed. I tossed and turned for 45 minutes and then got back up. I went straight to my office, grabbed a bible and found myself in Revelation, of all places! I love the book of Revelation. It isn't a story of doom and gloom. It's a story of salvation and the strong, powerful arm of God. It's a story of a redeemer who is about to set things straight and fulfill prophetic Word and promises of God. To say nothing of being the only book that comes with a blessing, just for reading it! Anyway, right there in chapter one came the breeze - that began blowing away the shadow that had been blinding me for some months. Read for yourself:

"John, to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and who made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Wow! What jumped off the page to me was this. Here is a word from Jesus Christ, "the faithful witness" to me . . . I represent one of the 7 churches (seven, being a number of completeness, including the complete church . . . of which, I am one). In Jesus' faithfulness, He speaks to ME. What He has to say was a reminder. He set me free from my sins by His blood. OK, yes . . . but this is the juicy part . . . He set me free in order that I might be something -- do something . . . what you ask? To be a kingdom and a priest! That got me to thinking. What is it, to be a kingdom? As I reflected, I was very impressed that a kingdom simply is a dwelling place of the King, where all his royal subjects worship the Majesty. I am yesterdays "holy habitation" of the Lord. I am NOT cast off! God is not far away . . . in fact, God is dwelling in the land of my heart, my soul, my spirit and I am His priest. Being a priest requires that I be "set apart" that there is something different about me than the rest of the world. That I enter into holy places, on behalf of others and myself. But, that I do so "prepared" to be in that holy place. Sweeping away - all that might separate me from His Royal Majesty; washing away any attitude, any thoughts, any self-delusions and any work of the enemy that might "shadow" His glory, in me!

Dwelling in this awareness brought me to new tears. Tears of refreshment as I realigned my priorities, tears of washing that remove both the speck and the log in my own eye; and tears of renewal as I remembered that I am His princess in the land, not a slum-lord, not a peasant, not a tenant . . . but a princess with an inheritance, a dowry, and a promise! The Alpha and Omega, the Almighty has NOT completed what He began in me. So, I dwell in this space on earth, in the tension between the "here and now" and the "there and then" of time. Until I get there, then . . . I have a job to do. My position as princess of the land, isn't to lay around in self-pity, whining about what I don't have . . . it is to stand strong, and fight the enemies that are crouching at the door and possess the land. Possession always requires a fight!

So, last night I began again the fight that is never over in this life for the territory of my spiritual life; since the adversary is always seeking a crack to squeeze into in order to regain ground. I went back to bed and fell asleep praying in the spirit, both in consciousness and unconsciousness . . . and I awoke seeing beyond the "shadow of death," and into the presence of God!

Why So Downcast O My Soul?

There are days when I wish I could just unzip my heart and head and pour it all out on the table. I'd love to see the cacophony of emotion, feelings, and thoughts dumped out like puzzle pieces . . . but, from the outside. I wonder if I could make sense of it better from that perspective? Am I crazy? Is this a barrage of hormones gone mad, like a ravenous dog infected with rabies, running without direction, ready to snap and bite as though everything and anything were an intrusion into its easily ruffled sensibilities?

Then, always on the heels of this jumbled up mess of emotion comes the question laden guilt. Guilt over how I have a right in the first place to feel so pitiful and downcast, when my best friend has cancer and she isn't complaining. How can I feel so filled with self, when the 14 year old son of mu cousin has cancer, and his faith, to say nothing of her own, is strong and courageous. How dare I feel so alone, when there are women whose husbands are in harms way protecting my freedom, and any moment she could be left alone . . . truly alone. Who am I after all to even entertain this sadness over always having done the "right thing," set the "right example," and responded in the "right way," and the payoff is like a slap in the face. Let me explain.

Years ago, I stayed married to a "drug-loving" man because it was the "right thing to do," if you're a "Christian woman." I finally left that situation after 17 long and painful years, and faced the "scarlet D" (divorce) that the church placed on me. I protected my children from this influence, only to watch them embrace him in their adult years. They all live either in the same house, or the same town . . . sharing Sunday dinners and family holidays together . . . and me? No family, no children, no grandchildren, anywhere close. My dream is being fulfilled by the "bad guy." Why God? I worked 2 and 3 jobs all my life to raise those children without so much as a dime (during those days) from him or anyone else . . . and he gets the pay-off? How is that fair, Lord? Why am I being deprived of the very thing that is the most important to me? Where is justice? Where is my reward? Do I have to wait until heaven to receive it? Because, that stinks!!

Oh, yes . . . it just gets worse. Some think that ministers don't have these shallow, self-absorbed feelings . . . well - we do. Some would think that I'm always so strong, so independent, so self-assured . . . yeah . . . right! I feel like David in Psalm 43. I can imagine he must have felt just like I do right now! He too, was human and yet, he was so beloved by God his creator . . . and so am I! Listen to his words.

"Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust, deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God."

(NRSV)

Get this. Here is David, on one hand he declares that God is a refuge . . . and on the other he declares he is cast off! And, quite frankly, David has had enough! He is no longer going to remain silent about his feelings of God's distance, so David is pouring out his list of grievances before God. He has questions about finding himself so far away from God's holy hill . . . and then, just as he gets that said, he questions his own heart and his own mind by saying; "why so down cast, O my soul." And, vio'la . . . he comes up with the right answer "Put your hope in God."

That is always the right answer when God is silent. It's the right answer when I feel like life has been unfair. It's the right response when I feel downcast and alone. The right answer is ALWAYS to put my hope in God. It's the right answer whether or not I understand it, whether or not I like it, and even more importantly . . . whether I feel the presence of God . . . or not. I put my hope In God!!

David's relationship with his Heavenly Father was close enough to pour out self-pity, but also close enough to know NOT to dwell there long. He knew that to dwell there for any length of time, was to be ensnared by the fowler . . . the enemy . . . satan. Ultimately, don't all those who love the Lord, want to be found pleasing to Him? Of course we do. I certainly do . . . and therefore, I too, know NOT to dwell in self very long . . . because it truly is, willfully stepping into a trap, set exclusively for me, by the one who despises Christ in me.

Lord God, keep me from the snare of the fowler. I put my hope in You and I praise Your name . . . my rock and my redeemer, my help and my God!

The Eyes Of Fall

Something about the colors of fall make my steps lighter, fills me with a sense of well being, and permeates my spirit with joy. It causes me to slow down, inhale the crisp air deep into my lungs, and puts a smile on my face. I drive around with an intense awareness of God's beauty in creation. I marvel at the colors on the mountains; in the trees; in the green, green fields and the yellow, yellows of the soy crops. I am amazed at the multiple colors in a changing tree with turning leaves of green, red, yellow and orange . . . all at the same time, in the same tree! I realize in this season, perhaps more than any other, just how spectacular God is. Just how marvelous is His creation and just how big and grand His works are! I find myself in awe. A place I rarely find myself anymore. To be awe-struck. You know that place don't you? Where you are stopped in your tracks, wide-eyed, jaw-dropped, speechless, you can't fill your eyes enough, and all that comes out is a whisper . . . w-o-w!

What a shame. The season of fall is so short. Why is it that I'm not awe-struck by God's handiwork all year long? What has captured my daily life in such a way, that I seldom notice the beauty of God's creation . . . EVERY season? Oh, don't get me wrong. I love spring nearly as well. O.K. . . I'll admit, I'm not crazy about summer and winter . . . oh, yeah . . . I like that too! But, I don't find myself breathing as deeply, and I don't find myself staring in awe at a tree! I don't find myself pondering deeply about God, when I wipe the sweat from my brow.

So, what is it about ME, that causes me to not look as deeply, with the same appreciation for my Creator, every day, and every season of the year? Why am I able to carry on with "daily living" and not notice or take into account the marvelousness of the one who created and is creating?

Isaiah 42:20 says

"You have seen many things, but you do not observe them. Your ears are open, but none hears."

My prayer today is; Lord, God . . . give me eyes to see YOU daily. Give me ears to hear You speak! Isn't it the greatest cry of my heart to be an observer of the things and the ways and the beauty of God? YES!! And yet, I realize that it's up to me to look intently until I see, and to listen quietly and patiently UNTIL I hear! And, since patience is a fruit of the spirit, along with self-control; then I already have the ability to accomplish the task of having eyes to see and ears to hear.

And so . . . I realize that I must practice being a "fall" person every day and not lie down to rest until I can claim that I've seen the Lord!

Cave Dwelling

Yesterday, I listened to a sermon and as I sat there, I was no longer listening to the speaker. Instead I was getting lost in a moment of reflecting on the text. For a moment, I was hearing from heaven and God was speaking to me. God revealed an area of my life to be cautious about. An area of my life to be warned against and a new challenge to practice. The sermon was based on the scripture from I Samuel 22:1-5 which reads:

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.” So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold. One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth. (New Living Translation)

Saul is seeking to kill David who has resorted to hiding out in caves. I'm sure that he feels alone, abandoned, and rejected. In chapter 21 we read that God sends a friend, Jonathan who comforts him. But, he isn't alone long. In short order 400 "grumpy-old-men" join him. Folks who are unhappy, discontent, running from their own debt. The debt could be financial as in a loan; or maybe they just want to get out from under the debt owed to someone who helped them in the past, but now they realize they will never stop owing their benefactor. They realize they will forever pay with their own kidney! You know the kind of debt I speak of, right? Can you imagine be surrounded by 400 unhappy, complaining, whining, belly-aching folks that you might think even Jesus couldn't make happy! Well, this is the lot that has surrounded him . . . and even worse . . . many are family!

I bet David longed for the days when the cave was filled with just the encouragement of one dear friend, instead of this brood of troubled souls. David finds it necessary to hide out his own parents for safe keeping, but is still counting on God for help. He's still expecting God to get him out of this fix!

Then, God sends the prophet Gad to speak to David, and I find his words truly marvelous. He said, "David, get up out of this stronghold, and don't return to it again." Wow! That statement struck me powerfully this morning.

You see, I've retreated to that cave before. And in fact, I know that cave all too well. I have retreated to that cave . . . alone . . . isolated . . . feeling rejected . . . as a means of self protection and shelter, several times in my life. And, I've found that in no short order, the enemy has supplied me with as many grumbling, unhappy, miserable people to join me in the midst of my cave dwelling and I could stand! Satan will always supply you with equally miserable people!

But, God doesn't want us to dwell there. He did not create us to dwell in caves, instead He expects us to be vulnerable desert dwellers, who depend on Him, trust in Him, and find our oasis in HIM! You won't find an oasis in a cave in the dark. Instead, God wants us to get up out of "our" places of shelter . . . our caves that turn into strongholds. Places where . . . OK, we may be secure, where maybe no one can hurt us from this vantage point . . . but these caves of security often become our own self-created strongholds! We become trapped in the snare of the fowler . . . and the fowler is satan, our enemy.

So, God told David to get up out of that stronghold, and He's told me the same thing. God didn't rescue David out of the stronghold, he told David to get out of it so he COULD be rescued by God . . . and he was!

I'm aware that I need to be careful of my times of cave dwelling, as they may be more of a hindrance to me than I ever imagine!

Houses and Holly Hock Ups!

I walked into this little bitty house and was disgusted immediately! The putrid smell of animal urine repelled me. The size of the house disappointed me. And, once again, I felt that life situations were dictating yet another one of those times when I was taking a step backward instead of forward. Another of those times when I had to "settle" and be happy about it. How many times had life hit me square in the face and pushed me down, held me back and repressed me? I couldn't begin to count the number of times. By now, I knew all the right responses . . . "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." "Be thankful for what you have, since that is much more than others." "Bloom where you're planted." Yes, I knew all of those . . . but it didn't matter. I was sad, and I cried out to God . . . I was angry and had no control over my situation.

Then, I did what I had done so many times before. I wiped my tears, rolled up my sleeves and set my mind to make the best of it. In that moment of resolve, God met me. I didn't realize it then, in fact, it would be a number of years before I realized how much that little "cracker box" house would mean to me.

My mother and I laughed more gut-wrenching giggles during those days of ripping up stinky carpet, being chased out of the house by bleach fumes, and hours of painting. My father and I bonded ever more so (as if that were possible) during those days of house repairs, post-hole digging and the sawing of boards for the car-port. Those times of laughing over weeds that I watered, the digging up of holly hocks (or as mom and I called it . . . digging holly hock-ups), pecan tree planting, big gardens and paths across the alley from my back door to theirs. In fact, memories of that house, and that time in my life are so sweet now, that I regret ever being so upset about having to "step-down" instead of step-up. It was a step up and I didn't realize it. I had always wanted to live around my parents, but my life had never been afforded that dream. How would I have known when I moved into that little house, that so many dreams would be fulfilled from that very spot? I wouldn't have, and that's exactly my point.

God never promised us a life without pain, or a life with out storms. God never says that we wouldn't face those dark days . . . instead, what God says is that when we face them . . . and we will, He will always be with us in the storm!

As I was reading this morning in Job, I was facinated to notice that both satan and God had their eye on Job. Satan was interested in testing his faith, and God was interested in turning Job's test into his testimony! But, between the test and the testimony there was much wresting with God and faith. Even Job's wife and friends flat out stood against Job and Job found himself alone with his struggle of faith. Finally, after being overwhelmed with the test, he began to spill forth with all the pent up frustration he had regarding God, and what appeared to Job as God's lack of intervention on his behalf. What I find interesting in this story, is that God never struck Job for speaking so forwardly in anguish toward Him. Instead, the example Job leaves me is this; when in the midst of the test, don't agree with the words of anyone when it goes against God and God's promises. Instead, keep stirring up your faith and when overcome with anguish, go to God with it, not anyone else!

Then Job PRAYED for those who betrayed him, and his faith. Job then goes the extra mile . . .listen to what it says in Job 42:10:

"And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold."

WOW! He prayed for those who had rejected him. He prayed for those who heaped condemnation on him! He prayed for those who threw salt into his wounds, so to speak. And God met him there. Scripture goes on to say in verse twelve "And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning..."

I realized that my testings are no different than Job's, God always has a plan for me, one with a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) and the future is always better than the past. I lived in a nice, large house across town . . . then came the test . . . and I moved to a little "cracker box" house . . . ah, but it proved that God's future was indeed greater. I had precious time with my parents in a way I would not have otherwise experienced. I was able to decorate and furnish this home in way I would never have been able to in the other, since the other was a rental and this little home was owned by me (a my uncle holding the note). It was the first home I ever owned by myself (after divorce). It was from there I received my call into full time pastoral ministry, and that house and time in my life hold so many wonderful memories. The future was in fact SO much better than I expected! I went to God and cried out in anguish . . . and He met me there.

For a year we made plans to do a food box ministry, but we never imagined how God would transform our idea into His plan. A plan that was so much bigger than we could have imagined. And a plan from which other ministry would spring.

I recall in Ezra the story of the king of Persia whose spirit God stirred up. God stirred up his spirit in order to accomplish the task of re-building the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. Think about that comment, God stirred up his spirit! Just two years ago, my spirit and the spirit of the people of my congregation's spirits were stirred up. We were stirred like Cyrus the king of Persia to accomplish a task. Our task was to re-build ministry out of the house of the Lord in Crimora. So, we prayed and put together a group of persons who felt called to the "Future Casting Taskforce." Out of that taskforce came several areas of mission. One of those was to buy a couple of boxes from the Angel Food Ministries to give to those we found out were in need. This grew to opening a full fledged food pantry! But, that is another story all together. The story I want to tell here is

Our Slippery Slopes!

Every parent faces the question of how to teach their children the principles of truth, and truthfulness even when they fear the repercussions of their honesty or confession. Interestingly, even though you spend a lifetime doing the training, following through with the discipline and setting the example for them; there is no guarantee that they will tell the truth, even when they've been caught red-handed. And, I have to say it amazes me what lengths a young person will go through to deny their involvement in something!

I remember one time I came home from work, and began preparing dinner. I noticed the kitchen floor was particularly slippery . . . but, in my rush to get the job done I blew off the fact that I was feeling a bit like Bambi on ice as I moved from the stove to the sink. However, I couldn't blow off the fact that the can of spray "Pam" that was sitting in a pool, when I reached for it, was literally dripping with an oily residue that ran down the side of the can. I couldn't blow off the fact that the rim was swimming in a wet slime, or that the lid was slick and barely sitting on top of the can! So, I knew something was up! It was then that I bent over, felt the floor and noticed a greasy residue on the long open ended kitchen floor. Hmmmm, I "sez" to myself . . . "something is up here!" Well, figuring out that the Pam had been sprayed on the floor and very likely kids had been running from the dining room, into the living room, down the hall and then playing slip-and-slide in the kitchen, didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out! I went into the laundry room and my suspicions were confirmed with 2 pair of greasy bottomed socks in the hamper.

So, at the dining table when everyone was thoroughly enjoying their meal . . . I launched the question that I already knew the answer to. "Can anyone tell me why the kitchen floor is slippery?" I watched as faces bobbed up, eyebrows raised then formed a puzzled look. But, it was their guilty swallows that nearly made me laugh. And, I must say I was NOT surprised by the answers of "huh?" And, "Nope, is it slippery?" I said to them, "Look, I already know what happened, so you both may as well just fess up and remember; honesty is always your best policy!" Do you think that brought forth truth? Not, on your life! After about 10 minutes of crafty denials and sweaty palms (theirs, not mine) I shared with them just what I suspected. Since I shared it with matter-of-fact-ness in my voice, the looks on their faces as I nailed what they'd been up to, was priceless! It was then that they asked if there would be any grace for them if they confess right here and right now. Now, for a parent, this is a dilemma. Did they deserve grace? They didn't confess on being asked the first time. They didn't confess when there was ample opportunity, and they didn't confess until they were cornered and they knew it, and in fact, they hadn't yet confessed . . . they were really trying to weigh their options. So, should the parent extend grace . . . or exact punishment?

As I remember (this was over 12 years ago) I did both. They were given grace since in fact they were willing to come clean with only a lecture, but they did have to mop the floor and clean up that greasy mess in the kitchen cabinet.

I was remembering this event when I read the passage in Proverbs 1:8 & 9 that says:

"By loving kindness and truth, iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil."

I realize that discipline IS loving kindness and training our children to be honest and to readily confess our sins, is a hedge of protection that we place around them from the evil world that surrounds them. It was in this moment of reflection that I realize something even greater, and that is this; that God also extends grace AND exacts punishment . . . so that . . . we learn to keep away from evil. I no more like punishment now, than those kids did, then. And I'm not any quicker to admit my wrongdoing than they were. My Heavenly Father knows my motives, my heart, and my attitudes. He knows my love for reputation, my prejudices, and my arrogance. God sees every angle of my unforgivenesses, my grudges and my criticisms. He knows when I try to angle my way out of my responsibility in a matter. He knows when I try to edge out of a "slippery" situation so that I don't have to take any ownership . . . just as those kids had done when having to face their "slippery" slope!

What do I mean when I say that God extends grace and exacts punishment? I mean that when I ask God to forgive me, He does. But, I still reap a harvest of seeds that I've sown. Yet,in His grace, God extends to me the ability to walk through the results of my harvest, and more often than not, He miraculously takes that harvest and uses it for my good and His glory!! Sometimes, I'm blessed enough to have sown some of those seeds on rocky soil, so that they didn't take root and therefore there is little harvest. I'm amazed at how He turns my many situations around, on my behalf. Now that's grace!

A Vital Life

Vitality . . . what does it mean to be vital? Very Likely, vitality means one thing to one person, while it could be something else altogether different for another. But, isn't it true that every one of us want to be vital? Don't we all want to leave a mark on this world while we are here? Don't we all want to be remembered? And yet, today I heard that we are all just 3 generations from being forgotten! Wow, what a thought . . . to be forgotten about when we're gone. The fact is that we are all going to, soon enough . . . be gone. So, what do we do to insure that we will be remembered?

This past summer, we received from the wife of Wes' cousin, a generational family story. Some of those stories are so interesting and it seemed that the ones that stood out, lasting long enough to be remembered by the older family members, were stories of either the really, really good; or the really, really bad! You know, those scoundrels who broke from tradition, broke the rules, or broke the hearts of family . . . or because they were especially honorable for one thing or another.

But, what about for me? I'm neither really, really good or really, really bad? How am I going to leave my mark on this world? Who will remember me 3 generations for now, and for what? And, is it really important to be concerned about this at all? YES!

Look at the Bible! Certain names stick out and are still remembered as persons of faith . . . but I realize that the Bible proves another thing as well, and that is, that there have been a bazillion persons of faith, who while they lived left a mark on those around them . . . even for several generations . . . whose names never made it into the written text.

So, I think the key is that we live our lives in such a way that we impact the world around us while we are here . . . and that we guarantee Heaven to be our final destination, so that we become one of the "mighty cloud of witnesses" who can intercede for those we leave behind for all of time! That means that while I'm here, on this planet, those things that I think make me vital . . . aren't the things that are "all about me." Rather, that my mind is focused on others and not self. My life is always more vital when I SEE that I am filling a gap in the life of someone else. When I SEE that I am helpful to someone else. When I SEE that I count because of the gifts I bring to those around me . . . the gift of love, the gift of friendship, the gift of faithfulness to those who feel forgotten!

"So, even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to all the generations to come."

Since there is no crying in heaven, do you suppose God cries? God, the creator of the universe who created all humans to experience emotions such as joy, pain, tears, crying, laughter and even anger; do you suppose God feels those feelings? I know He feels anger, and I expect God must feel disappointment . . . often in us, but do you suppose He cries? Tears seem to be pretty important to Him since He stores our every tear!

Disciple Making

Sometimes I wonder about things great and small. Today I was wondering about disciple making. I mean, I know the great commission in Matthew 28 tells us to make disciples. But, it doesn't tell us HOW to make disciples. In fact, there isn't anywhere in the Bible that gives us the formula for making disciples . . . so, how are we supposed to do that? And, why would the greatest designer ever . . . God, give us an instruction and then not tell us how to accomplish it. Here's the great commission . . . see if you agree:

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age."

See, no description of how to make a disciple, just instructions on who they are to be . . . all the nations . . . and what we're supposed to do . . . baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and then teach them to obey all that Jesus commanded. So, I've been wondering . . . if I'm a disciple, and I am, since my baptism . . . have I been doing what I'm supposed to be doing ?

To answer my own question, I started with what the word disciple means. It simply means to be a learner. For Matthew, his understanding of a disciple was one who learned to conform to Christ's examples . . . well, now that's a horse of a different color isn't it! If that is the answer, then we have more examples than we need, on what it means to make or rather be a disciple.

What did Jesus do after all? In Matthew's gospel, Jesus went to the lost sheep, cast out demons, preached good news declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. In Matthew's gospel Jesus was meek, humble, merciful, faithful and persecuted. If the only Jesus we represented to the world was the Jesus of Matthew's gospel . . . wow . . . that alone, would be something to behold wouldn't it!

I wonder, what would I look like to the world, if I sought for lost sheep and I loved those outside the boundaries of the acceptable. Who would I be if I lived as though the Kingdom of Heaven wasn't just coming, but was here right now! And furthermore, what kind of character would I have, that oozed out when the world poked me, if I were humble, meek and merciful? Would that which oozed out of me look like the blood of Christ, instead of a bad attitude, quick temper and sarcasm? You know the stuff of which I speak, right? That stuff that's deep within, but always seems to be on the surface. That ugly stuff we try to hide, but if poked, comes up and out all too quickly!

And finally, don't I have to be a disciple in order to make one? The answer is YES! And being a disciple means that I will be feeding hungry people, dealing with those who are possessed by forces from hell, and loving them. It means that I will be found spending more time with lost sheep than I am with the found. It means that I will be busy with those who need healing, those who are in prisons of their own making and that my character WILL reflect Jesus. It means I am a learner of the nature of Jesus and doing that which I learn.

In light of that, then the idea of making disciples doesn't seem to be so tough. And, in light of Matthew's gospel and Jesus' great commission to us . . . He, Jesus, has already given us all we need to be disciples . . . He gave us Himself!

Staying The Course

I was reading this morning in the "Message Bible" a passage from Psalms. The first 6 words jumped off the page at me and I knew right then, that these same words have been breathed out of my mouth countless times! Listen to these words.

God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me -- my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road to your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me -- promises made to all who fear you. (Psalm119:33ff)

Teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course! It's the course that's the problem isn't it? I mean, is it a golf course that one must know yardage to the green? Where one must understand the lay of the ball, or the direction of dog-legs and such stuff? Or, it is a race track where the object of the game is to knock as many other speeding cars off the track in an attempt to get ahead, at whatever cost? Perhaps this course the Psalmist is referring to is the course of some trail that is not marked well, with pit-falls along the way, dangers at every turn, and only fit for the most fit, in order to complete!

There are times when it surely feels like God is putting before me one sand trap or hazard after another . . . and my natural inclination is to . . . "GET OFF THIS COURSE!" But, what my spirit tells me is to stay the course, trust God to have His best plans for my life.

It's the enemy that would lie to me and tell me that "yes, even God is out to get you!" What satan doesn't want for me, is to run the race without wavering and complete the course in such a way that when I get to the finish line, I would hear the long awaited words of my Father saying "well done, thy good and faithful servant!"

So . . . if I so badly want to hear those words (and I do) then why do toys and trinkets so easily divert my direction? And why is it that I look everywhere for the wisdom of the Lord except looking to the Lord directly?

Maybe the answer lies in those last few words. Could it be that I have become so casual with God, that I no longer have the kind of awe that I "fear" him? Over the years there has been much teaching and preaching, about us not needing to fear God. That God doesn't want us to be afraid of Him. And I agree . . . but quite possibly we've taken it too far. Could it be that we've moved so far away from any notion of fearing God, that we've actually lost the ability to stand in awe? I realize that in most every angelic encounter with humans, their first words were "be not afraid," but I wonder what the angel might have said if there was no fear, if there was no awe, if there was no surprise at their presence? I realize that being too casual with God, is our first step off the right course, and the first step onto a course set for hell! I realize that any course not set for heaven is a course set for hell. And so, I pray these words again . . . God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course! However, I realize that those life lessons are painful ones. They are lessons that teach me that when I've wandered off course, then I end up in situations of my own making; messes of my own disobedient doing, as though I were barefooted in the desert! Teach me those lessons Lord . . . and may I be a quick learner!

Interludes

"These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood."(Genesis 10:32)

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. and the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." (Genesis 11:1-9

I wonder if the sons of the sons of Noah who were "separated on the earth after the flood," (10:32) had any kind of longing to find one another? Did they pine away for their kin? Did they lay under the stars at night wondering about their long-lost loved ones? Did they get a glimpse of a new but familiar face among many and follow them through crowds, even calling their name as I had done so many times?

I remember the last time I saw him. He was pale and thin, his eyes, though sparkling that same "Chad" smile, seemed hollow and somewhat distant, as if longing to run while all the time being found. He was weak from recent surgery but glad to be home and with family.

His phone call and request to retrieve him from the airport came amidst the clamor of family conversation. The giggling of my sister and Granny playing with my two little ones, the men folk chatting on about emissions testing and catalytic converters, and my mother and I preparing the turkey and laughing about the year she stuffed the bird with our favorite sage dressings and . . . oh yes, upon carving it, found the dish rag she had misplaced earlier! How would I know then that would be the last time I would see my brother Chad, who has now gone missing some 20 years.

This interlude (a space of time that connects events) between chapters 10 and 11, the untold story of the separation of the nations and their coming together again in the Plain of Shinar brings me to ponder about the interludes of my own life. The events. The situations. The people and the things that have caused the Lord of Heaven and earth to change my methods and my motives. Those times when God was at work; stirring, churning, moving in my heart and mind. Causing me to be challenged about why I did a particular thing or thought a particular way. Those intersections of events and people that God allowed my life to criss-cross with often affected my position. Many of those times, painful as they were; divorce, loss of friendships, the changing of jobs, the changing of churches, the changing of environment revealed, much about my ambitions and selfishness, which resulted in confession, repentance and pardon. Where would I be today, or better put, who would I be today if God had not intervened in those interludes of my life? Would I still be seeking after a name, or tower, or city for myself as chapter 11 reveals about the sons of Noah?

This family who all spoke the same language, using the same words as though they spoke from one lip, (Gen. 11:1) somehow found one another as they journeyed. This finding of one another caused their journey to stop as though they had found what they were missing. As though they found what they had long been looking for. What was it I wonder, that they had encountered on their journey, their interlude, that made them want or need to make a city for themselves . . . "lest they be scattered over the earth." Or, was it their reunion conversations, that which sparked the idea to build a tower to heaven . . . "lest they be scattered over the earth." Or, was it their fear of the possibility of a future separation, that spawned their ideas of a city and a tower. And, let's not forget their need to make a name for themselves."

Their seemingly noble desire to build a city with a tower that reaches into the heavens rings hollow and clearly underlines their wrong motives when followed by "so that they might make for themselves a name. As if the "lest they be scattered across the whole earth," was an after thought! It does sort of seem like a tag at the end of a statement when one wants to appear more humble, than their statement reveals, doesn't it?

Not only were their motives wrong, but their method of reaching heaven was wrong. Because of the written Word of God, we know there is only one way to heaven and that is by being washed in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb! The question of whether or not they could have succeeded in building a tower that reached heaven, the dwelling place of God, doesn't seem to be the point. The mere fact that they were collectively communicating, sharing the same goal, the same mind, the same drive, and the same ambition, was the thing God wanted stopped. Why? Isn't that a contradiction? Isn't that what Christianity should be about, having the same heart and mind? Why would God want to intervene and foil their plans? The answer certainly lies in their motives. At first blush, it appears their fear of being scattered, is what drove them . . . or was it? It wasn't righteousness and the name of God they wanted exalted, proving again their wrong motives. And those wrong motives brought about "that which they feared the most (Job 3:25) being scattered upon the whole earth.

The lesson for us here is that God would say "give Me your hearts and yourself, not your works or your self-righteousness." God desires that our whole goal in life would be that our lives would bring God glory; neither self-gain, nor glory with our name attached to it! God knows it isn't in the work that one accomplishes that gets one to heaven. It was only in the work He completed through the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, that gets one to heaven.

Looking back, I thank God that He has seen fit to use the people, the things, the places, and the situations during the interludes of my life to change my motives. And this text leaves me with a greater question; do I long for a relationship with God, as much as I do a relationship with those whom I love on this earth? Do I pine away for a deeper commitment to my Master than I do for my brother Chad? Do I search the scriptures for that which reconnects my heart to the one who paid my debt? Do I strive to know God in such a way that when I speak with God, it is as though we speak with one lip? Am I on a treasure hunt for heaven for the right reasons, as though I were searching for a lost and precious treasure? Do you?

(Readers Note: This was written 6 months before my missing brother was reunited with my family after over 20 years!! God is GOOD!!)

Empty Handed To Overflowing!

Ron Mehl in his book "God Works The Night Shift," says

"I've concluded that the people who move in real strength and power in this world, the people whom God delights to exalt, are those who are over matched in life and know it. It is those who don't know it or refuse to acknowledge it, WHO will eventually find themselves in deep trouble."

I'm over-matched . . . and believe me, I know it! The amount of ministry going on right now scares me. I'm overwhelmed with the needs in my own congregation, the needs of the people coming through our doors for help, and the needs in my own personal life.

In the margins of my bible, I found a statement Pastor Joel Phillips said way back in the mid '90's. It reads, "if you're not experiencing God's presence and provision in your life, you may not be empty enough!!"

In other words, in order to experience God's fullness, you need to be empty. Empty of self gain, empty of the things that drive us, empty of wrong motives, empty! That's a frightening thought isn't it? The world tells us that if we're empty, something is wrong. However, in God's economy . . . empty is a good place to be. Empty means that we realize we have need. We realize we don't have the power in ourselves to do much of anything! Empty means that we've finally laid down everything we do in our feeble attempts to gain the accolades of men. Empty means that we have admitted to ourselves that anything we can drum up in this life for satisfaction isn't enough to hold us and doesn't bring peace.

Once we get to this place of emptiness, being truly laid bare in the presence of God with empty hands raised high in worship, then we have come to the place to receive from God in a way of being filled to the brim and spilling over. It's in this place of vulnerability, transparency, and hunger that we are filled.

These last couple of weeks my church has been experiencing the provision of God in a new way. We've begun 3 new mission ministries one of which I will highlight here. First, we've opened a food pantry to the public where we buy food from the food-bank and give it away free once a week to those who are in need. Secondly, every Friday, we are providing 2 days worth of food in grocery bags for 117 children in the elementary school free lunch program so that they are guaranteed to have something healthy to eat on the weekend. And, lastly, we are now offering a free after school program for the families of our school district as a means of filling a gap. They lost some funding so, they had to cut back a day of after school care. We picked that day up! With 20 children in the program, it takes a lot of work from a lot of people. These parents are all saving money because of it, which only helps them in this season of economic hardship. But, it's in this time of hardship that churches hurt too, giving is always down, attendance is always in decline and our "bottom line" is affected. The world would say this is NOT a time to take on new projects, especially when these projects have little or no hope of financial return. We are NOT doing this to grow our church, that is the wrong motive! Our intention is just to obey God to be a missional church. But, some would look at our bottom-line and say "you're crazy!" I look at our budget versus our income and say . . . "Lord, God . . . we're running on empty!

Ahhh, but today I realize that running on empty is a gift from God. Running on empty means an outpouring is coming. It means that God's provision and God's presence are in process! As we, enter God's presence we WILL find God's provision!

Ornaments Of Faith

But Zion [Jerusalem, her people as seen in captivity] said, The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me. [And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me. Your children and your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go forth from you. Lift up your eyes round about and see [the returning exiles, ready to rebuild Jerusalem]; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you [Zion] shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament and bind them on you as a bride does.
Isaiah 49:14-18 (Amplified Version)

As I was reading this passage, the words about mothers, restoration, and ornaments caused me to recall a moment when I was overwhelmed with my life situation. I was depressed and downcast. My heart was heavy and I was full of self-pity . . . until . . . until the presence of God was made real to me by the faith and excitement of a child.

I'll never forget the sadness and anguish that washed over me the year I sat before the small barren Christmas tree propped up in the corner of our little apartment. Because we left a desperate marriage situation with only those things that were "necessary," all our beautiful Christmas decorations were left behind. We had no lights, no tinsel, no garland and no money!

The look on my sons face, amazed me! It was the look of confidence, excitement, and knowing. He exclaimed to his sister five years his junior, how beautiful the tree was, even in it's barrenness . . . but how much more beautiful it will be when "mommy gets the stuff out." But, I knew there was no "stuff."

His eyes were dancing with anticipation. His anticipation caused my imagination to be illumined, shaking me from my self pity and despair; to be present in the moment. I had to be present in the moment because I had a job to do. God called me to be the priest of my home. A priest regardless of the emptiness I felt and regardless of my own pain. I was called to be the priest who ushers in the presence of God. God's presence; that is light in darkness; joy in mourning, and hope in despair. But how Lord? What can I do to show Your everlasting kindness? What can I do to demonstrate Your power to these two little ones whose lives have so recently been shaken? How am I to be faithful with a broken heart, two children; and no cash?

Just then, God illumined my senses. God awoke within me, creativity. At that moment, God breathed life, into the death of divorce, and barren but beautiful Christmas trees!

I instructed, my son to get his paints, markers, and other art supplies while Kimmie ran off to get the foil from the kitchen. I began cutting those empty boxes that remained from our unpacking, into the shapes of the season. Shapes of angels, stars, doves, stockings and round ornaments. The children covered the cardboard cut-outs with the shiny foil, and decorated them with markers, glitter and tubes of T-shirt paint. While they were making decorations, I was cutting out white paper snowflakes and popping corn for stringing.

Then it came . . . the moment when I fully realized that God restores to us those things that we feel have been stolen, and then decorates us as with the ornaments of His promises! It wasn't a lesson for my children . . . it was a lesson for me! In the glow of twinkling lights and "Away In A Manger" playing all around us; we sat with cocoa in hand and a sense of satisfaction, and peace on our faces. Tears filled my eyes sitting in this moment of silence, blurring the colors and sparkle even more beautifully as I gazed upon this tree with ornaments that declare, "with God, all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Isaiah declares that God will not forget about us. Instead, God says the things that attempt to "lay us waste," to turn us into rubbish or worthless trash . . . as divorce can; as poverty or loneliness or barrenness can, God uses as ornaments to make beautiful His bride! They are used in our life as "things transformed." Transformed into useful reminders of the very present, active work of God in our lives! As priests, we are promised by God to be remembered by Him since we are tattooed on His hands . . . the very hands that guide our lives . . . the very hands of the potter who is shaping our lives into shapes of the season . . . the season of grace!

A Silent Inhale

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17

I wonder about the sounds of creation, the day of Jesus' baptism. Was it a day of silence and stillness when it seemed all of creation paused upon it's inhale? You know the kind I speak of, right? An inhale when everything stops and waits; waiting . . . expecting, with it's lungs filled to capacity, frozen in time, and space, as one does when sensing impending pain, anguish, and outcome?

I recall taking my babies to the doctor for an illness that required more than a quick fix such as written prescription of antibiotic. Although I knew what must be done for the sake of the child; for their health and restored wholeness, I also knew the pain that must be endured along with the shock to their little system, as their tiny appendage was invaded by the "stick" of a needle causing them to cry out in pain. In the split seconds before my precious babies body was so necessarily invaded, I inhaled a frozen breath that was held with the grimace of knowing what was to come. Was the sound on the day of Jesus' baptism . . . this same kind of silent, frozen inhale?

Or, was the day filled with the air clapping its hands as it blew through he trees, rustling to attention all of creation, as a crowd would usher onto the stage an anticipated performer, or like an audience responding to the announcement that the "Maestro" of heaven was about to lead a symphony of praise. . . the "Opus Christo" if you will. Were the locusts tuning up with their rapid buzzing? Were the birds practicing their pitch with their chirps, quacks and caws? Was the water licking at the rivers edge in a rhythmic melody? Was all of creation preparing to hear the hymn "This Is My Beloved?" I wonder.

I wonder . . . as Jesus approached the rivers edge, was He drawn in by the inhale . . . or was he moved on by the exhale of the breath of God. Did He know the invasion that was about to come? Humanity needed more than the written prescription of the prophets; but did He know that He . . . the Incarnate Christ; God with us, would soon follow through; filling the prescription, by offering the sacrifice of His blood? His blood being the only sure cure that could restore the world to wholeness, and rightness with God. Did Jesus know that by stepping into the waters of baptism, He would be required to be pierced; an invasion of his humanity; so that His divinity could spill forth? One thing is for sure, whether He knew it at that moment or not, He was willing to be obedient!

And yet, as I think on it . . . isn't that what is required of us as well? That we, in obedience, live out the promises made at our baptism. Promises made to God by us, and the covenantal community of faith surrounding us; that we live our lives in such a way that the divine nature of Christ within us, can be spilled out onto a world that needs the healing, restoring and atoning work of the blood of Christ.

Whether we are drawn by the prevenient inhale of Gods wooing, or if we are nudged on by the sanctifying exhale of God, are we not yet moved? Is God NOT the one who longs for us to be made whole and restored to rightness? And, isn't the promise to be with us, our Helper, our guide in life . . . whether at the times in our life, when God is silent on the inhale . . . or whether at the times in our life, God is a-buzz on the exhale . . . aren't we, at both times, filled with all the necessary abilities we need? And aren't we then, always equipped for the journey?

I realize the affirmation that God gave Jesus "this is my Beloved, in whom I am well pleased," wasn't based on Jesus' performance, since He had not yet performed any great works or a miracle great or small! This affirmation came only to acknowledge who and whose Jesus was, based on that alone . . . comes the affirmation, and it's the same for us!

WOW!! So, now I know that the constant ringing in my ears is much more than "Tinnitus Audible." It's the sound of locusts tuning up and encouraging me. It's the sound of birds chirping out a praise chorus in my ear, it's the sound of all creation spurring me on in the faith, during the inhales and exhales of life!

Evil Reports

Isn't it interesting the judgements we make about people . . . judgements that we are pretty sure we're correct about, only to find out later how wrong we were? I was thinking about that this morning, as I reflected regarding an individual I heard speak recently. I was prepared to be underwhelmed and found myself, quite frankly, overwhelmed with their depth of heart and passion, our shared values and theological positions, and teaching styles. The more I heard, the better I felt about this previously somewhat rejected individual; and the more I heard the more I realized how wrong I was to form an opinion, such as I had, in the first place.

I began to think about the things I heard . . . these statements which influenced and "colored" my thinking about the person. I asked myself questions like "what did the teller know first hand, if anything, that would have caused them to feel sure enough to share such inflamatory remarks about another persons character. It was in that moment of reflection, that the Holy Spirit nudged me, and reminded me that there are those out there, who hold or, have held certain inflammatory judgements regarding me, that were based on intangible, obsecure and incorrect facts; rumors, and gossip. I remembered how that felt to me to be judged on such things. And here I had done the same thing! I was contaminated by an evil report! Armed with wrong information, I formed a judgement, and made a conscience decision to distanced myself from a creative, insightful and Godly person . . . and all because of an evil report.

You know those evil reports, right? In a nut shell, an evil report is a "distortion of facts; incomplete facts; or false information, which is usually given with wrong motives, causing the hearer to come to an inaccurate conclusion, and to respond with unscriptural solutions." Now, that's a mouthful isn't it! But, it's a wealth of truth to pay attention to.

Numbers 3:32 & 33 says "And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

Now, that's an evil report . . . and, it was the kind of report that swayed opinons, discounted trust in God, and was based on anything but truth! Instead of faith rising up in the face of challenge, fear rose up. Satan will always try to thwart the victory of God in our lives. 10 spies went into the land, 8 came back with evil reports. It took the faith of two men to convince the people to trust and obey God for the victory. Whose report will you believe? Will you believe an evil report or the report of the Lord?

After this period of reflection, I asked God to forgive me for my small mindedness and my sin of believing an evil report. I was the loser in this deal. I could have had relationship with this one, but instead I lost out on their counsel, guidance, influence and wisdom. "O, Lord keep me from being infected with evil reports in the future" I cry! I pray I remember this moment, and ask the appropriate questions next time, like: "What is your reason for telling me?" And, "where did you get your information." And, "Have you personally checked out all the facts?" Finally, "Can I quote you if I check this out?" Had I asked those, I bet I would have had a heads up and not responded so foolishly! I could have been one of the two whose faith and right response swayed the multitude. Instead, sadly enough . . . I was one of the eight who passed on the same evil report I had been given. Sharing an evil report, once contaminated by it (believing it is true) is just plain gossip, slander and sin! What if . . . what if we all quit believing so quickly the things we hear, and we took them to the Lord and responded out of trust and honor? What if!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I've been humming the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" all day. It was written by Thomas Obediah Chisholm in 1923 after one of his many, many seasons of illness. Chisholm had been sickly all his life . . . so sick in fact that he was on his death bed more than once! Because of this he had a real appreciation for good health, and he didn't take it for granted. Chisholm so believed in God's faithfulness, that it wasn't based on any current life situation such as sickness or health; poverty or wealth; or any other conditions that we tend to base our well-being on. It was out of this tremendous belief in God's faithfulness that he was able to pen the words to this song. Look at how powerful just the first verse alone is:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no
shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions
they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning
by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath
provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Thou changest not . . . thy compassions they fail not . . . as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. WOW! These words need to sink deep into my heart, and soul, and mind.

I examine my own faith journey and I must admit that there have been times when I have said things like "God told me . . . or God directed me . . . or, God led me." And, at that moment I believe it. But, for one reason or another some of those have sort of fallen by the way side . . . and forgotten too quickly. I'm not alone, I see it all the time in other Christians around me. We're all just so fickle. We change our mind as fast as we change our underwear! But, God doesn't change like that, and He's NOT fickle. So what does that say about me? Did God speak or didn't He? If He did, why on earth do I let anything get in my way of accomplishing the thing or direction He led me in the first place? Why am I not more like Abraham who, when God spoke about taking his only son Isaac to the mountain to offer him as a sacrifice; he didn't wait to hear for more clarification from heaven, he acted; he didn't pray for a sign or handwriting on the wall for confirmation before moving; and he didn't try to figure out what God meant before responding . . . instead, he believed he heard God's voice and he obeyed! One thing is for sure, that is faithfulness!

In contrast to that, I find myself allowing my humanity to bleed through my Christianity, spilling into my actions as doubt and fear; hesitation and fickleness; and questions regarding what I believe to be a word from God. There are times when I allow my current life situations, to direct my actions instead of my God, directing my actions. What a sad truth for so many of us.

Ahhh, but the blessedness of the hymn "Great Is Thy faithfulness," is that it is based on Lamentations 3:22-23 that says "His compassions they fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." And for me, this is surely something to rejoice over. For me, this means that despite my doubt and fear; God is faithful to me! Regardless of my hesitation and fickleness; God's mercy (His forgivess of my sin of doubt, fear, and lack of action) are new (I get a clean slate) every morning! That grace helps me to take those steps of action when I question if I've heard from God at all; it helps me to respond to the hard things I think I hear God say; and it helps me to know that I don't have to have all the answers before I begin being obedient to His direction, voice, or path. Selah! (a Hebrew word used in the Psalms that means to reflect, pause, and ponder) So, I take a moment and realize . . . "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" Lord, unto me!

Micah 6:8

If I had a nickle for every time that I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, what direction He wanted me to take or, what He expected of me . . . I'd be rich!! Those are valid questions for a Christian who wants to walk in God's will. A Christian who wants to live a life that is pleasing to God, asks those kinds of questions.

However, God has already made it abundantly clear what He wants from me. And those instructions are written in Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God."

Whew! That is a pretty tall order isn't it? But, at first blush I have to admit, reading this verse still leaves me with some of those same questions. I mean, what does that really mean for how I live . . . daily? Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly . . . sounds pretty standard, but what does it mean when applied to real life?

Doing justice isn't just hearing about an injustice and saying a prayer; it's more than just feeling bad about anothers plight; and just sending a check to ease our conscience as though that would be enough, just doesn't cut it for Godly living. Instead its all about seeing an injustice and doing something to make it right. It's about seeing a need and meeting it, and it's about getting personally engaged in being the hands and feet of Christ, in spite of our own level of comfort regarding the matter.

Loving kindness means to embrace it with heart and soul. That kind of kindness is catchy, its quite frankly, unexpected these days! Kindness is more than just being nice . . . it's more than doing sweet things for those you love . . . it's actually doing kind things when you don't feel like it, when you don't care for the person your encountering and when the last thing you want to do, is look beyond yourself to another. To love kindness is something you do because you can't not do it! Kindness is about attitude, actions, words . . . it's like having a heart-a-tude! I like that, a heart-a-tude bypass that bridges over my own self centeredness and prefers to do for others first.

Finally, the "walking humbly with my God" part is really interesting. We go about our daily lives doing our own thing, and seldom do we think about God. To walk humbly means to respect with reverence and awe the justice of God, the righteousness of God and the power of God. It means to be in a conscience state of awareness how small we really are, and how big our God really is. Walking humbly has to do with honoring God in all I do, since it is God who holds my future in His hands! I said it was interesting because I'm very aware how little thought I actually give to God in my daily living. Yet, there isn't a breath I draw that isn't given to me by God. There isn't a sight I see that isn't a gift from God. There isn't a thing I have that doesn't come from God . . . reasons to humble myself to the one who is supreme in my life . . . not me . . . but Thee!

Measure This!

I heard a long time ago, that if you truly want to measure your growth in the Lord, that you should measure . . . not so much your actions (good, just not good enough) you should instead measure your REACTIONS! Measuring your reactions is a much better gauge for how you've grown in the Lord. It's the "good that you can do the right things when you think about it, but what do you do when you're not thinking about it," thing.

With that in mind, and I re-read James 1:2-3 I realized that James is making clear that those unexpected afflictions and trouble, that we call trials, are to be received as though a joyful thing has come upon us. We should be joyful, because its just one more opportunity to develop endurance. James knew that endurance was equal in essence to patience.

The problem for me comes when I looked up the meaning of the words patience and encounter. To be patient is to bear without provocation (something that instigates, irritates or angers), without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation . . . yeah right! The word encounter are those times when something comes upon you without expectation. You know those various trials that you didn't pencil into your schedule.

Seldom, do I encounter an irritating moment and NOT complain about it. When was the last time I experienced a various trial (those that come when you least expect it) and wasn't irritated or didn't loose my temper? When was the last time I acknowledged that to be provoked is to surrender my will, to an other's challenging attitude?

And yet, God our Father, desires that we be complete. That we lack nothing in this life to live successfully and rightly before Him. And as James, the brother of Jesus is saying here, we can! But its all about our attitude, and all about our reactions! We need to give ourselves an attitude adjustment the next time we encounter a various trial. We need to set aside our aggravation, our anger, our irritation and face it with joy!

Facing trials with joy requires faith . . . sheer trust that God has it all under control, so we don't have to!!

The Surrender of Baptism

There we were singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" every night of Vacation Bible School at the Baptist Church we attended in Yuma, Arizona somewhere around 1961. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior!

Then of course, on the last night of Bible School there was a baptismal service. It was an incredible spiritual moment for me. They placed me in a white robe and put a wreath of small velvet flowers that had red bead like anthers atop the filament. They gave me instructions on what to expect and how to hold my nose when I went under the water. I was afraid! Then, when the baptism was over, there were ladies waiting in the wings with towels to help dry me off, and I was shivering as much from the cold water and air, as I was this moment of death that I just experienced.

As a five-year-old I didn't fully understand all the symbolism attached to baptism, but I full well understood that Jesus died on a cross to save me from my sins! In our Bible School room, there was a picture of Jesus on the Cross with blood spilling down His face from the crown of thorns on his head. I looked at it intently every night that week!

As I got back to the room to change into dry clothes, I reached up to wipe away some of the wet that was starting to run from my head and hair, into my eyes. Instinctively, I looked at the wet in my hand which was full of a red liquid, I thought was blood. I asked one of the ladies if I was going to die like Jesus . . . and at that moment, I was recalling what the pastor said as he put me under the water about dying.

Come to find out, the red liquid was the dye in the little bead-like part of the flowers in the wreath on my head mingled with water. But, as I look back on it now it represented exactly what was required during that baptism . . . that I die so that Christ in me can live! And wow . . . that is not as easy as being baptised! John Wesley called the grace with which we live after baptism "sanctifying grace," which is the work of the Holy Spirit helping us to live a life that is sanctified with Christ. It's that grace that helps us lay down the flesh and live into faithfulness and righteousness. This requires nothing more . . . than surrender! Absolute surrender of our will to the will of the Lord! And surrender like that requires a conscience decision many times a day! Would it be that we would all surrender and serve Christ like that . . . Yes?

A Soul That Is Composed and Quieted

I remember when I was a little girl, we had a dog named "Taco." Taco was a small black dog with the largest body and smallest head you ever saw! She grew that way after giving birth to litter after litter of pups until she couldn't have anymore. But, it seemed that Taco was always expecting puppies! It was so sweet to watch those little helpless babes rooting around looking for a source of nourishment. They would crawl around, digging with their noses, their eyes still sealed tight, pushing other puppies off the "food chain," just struggling to get enough for themselves!

Psalm 131:2 says "Surely, I have composed and quited my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me."

The psalmist is saying that he learned not to be driven like a baby who is always "rooting" and searching; smelling out their next meal, as a means of finding contentment. Contentment is a learned product of peace, but it does NOT come naturally. These are the words of one who has learned to relax so that contentment could abound, in the midst of calamity, chaos and pain.

I visited with a precious friend today who is the midst of chaos, calamity and pain, and the thing she desires more than anything else in her life, is to have a spirit that is composed and quited, in the presence of her Heavenly Father. Don't we all want to be able to understand what it takes to be truly content? To be truly content in the midst of any circumstance. This kind of contentment is a difficult concept to understand, but even a more difficult concept to live.

It isn't difficult because it's hard to acheive, but because it's easy. Charles Spurgeon, a preacher from the 1800's said "It is not our littleness that hinders Christ; but our bigness. Not our weakness but our strength. It is not our darkness, but our own light that holds back the hand of God."

All it takes is remembering God's promises; believing them; and allowing God to fill us . . . rather than all the time we waste thinking we are big enough, strong enough and able in our own power to create some false sense of quiet. It's like we're rooting around, and constantly searching to fill the God size hole in our lives, that can only be filled with God!

So, I realize that contentment grows out of peace and peace flows from quieting our soul. Quieting our soul is a decision we make to mature in the Spirit. We need to get off of breast milk, and be nourished on the solid food of the Word of God.

Rivers In The Desert

One of the first people to walk in the door at church today, the first day of opening our food pantry, was a woman a few years younger than I, with two of her grandchildren in tow. She could hardly make eye contact, and through tear filled eyes she said "this is the first time in my life, I've ever asked for help." She had recently been laid off from a job she had worked for years. Her daughter is going through a divorce, so her daughter and two grandchildren live with her; so she could help THEM out . . . and now, she is without a job.

I remember a moment like that myself, and suddenly it didn't seem as though it were that many years ago. I was a single mother with two children living for many years on a salary that paid below the poverty level. I was proud. I couldn't imagine asking anyone for help. I prayed and prayed and then one day . . . I was out of money, out of food and out of answers. I drove to an office to seek help for the first time in my life and oh, how nervous, anxious and broken I felt.

Today, watching this woman . . . who I can relate to so well . . . I was reminded of a song by Don Moen called "God Will Make A Way." The verse says "like a roadway in the wilderness, He leads me." And, I recalled the passage of scripture in Isaiah 43:19b where this is found. As I turned back to it tonight to examine it again, I found the neatest thing. God is saying in this verse that He is a spring in the desert! Just imagine it, a spring in the desert where the parched come to drink. A spring in the desert where the weary traveler is refreshed. A spring in the desert where the fearful find hope.

Today, this woman found hope. Today, many found hope, but for sure . . . this one found a place of refreshment. I may never see her again, but I can't tell you how good it feels to be used by God to be an oasis in someones desert! Thank you God for the opportunity to serve.

Oh, To Be Betrothed!

Many mornings (when we are not running off to an early appointment) my husband and I share breakfast together and always, quiz each other with Bible Trivia cards. We read the easy blue card first and then the hard white card. It helps to keep our brains in tune to names, places and stories that are often (white cards) obscure.

This mornings card asked a question about Hosea the prophet's wife and I couldn't remember her name. She didn't have a pretty name like Rachel, Rebeccah, Sarah or Mary . . .no, her name is Gomer . . . no wonder I couldn't remember it. So, naturally I had to go look it up and read a little in Hosea. I got so caught up in the story that I had read the whole book. It only has 14 chapters, so that wasn't hard to do.

What caught my eye was the passage from chapter 2 verse 19. It says:

"And I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord."

I am still marveling after reading that. I mean, really! God's people had been unfaithful to Him for generation after generation. His people turned away to do their own thing, they played the harlot, so to speak, meaning they declared they loved God, then in a flash turned their backs and worshipped other gods. And yet, here God is saying "I will be married to you anyway. I will love you wholeheartedly and singleheartedly forever! In MY justice and MY righteousness and MY love and kindness, and in MY compassion . . . and then when I've loved you like that . . . with total and complete devotion . . . you will know that I am Lord."

The thought of this brings me to tears, I am so moved by the thought of how much my God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, loves ME! I consider myself a good Christian, a moral person, and an upstanding citizen. And still, I fail! I too, play the harlot! Knowing that just breaks my heart and I'm sure it breaks the heart of God too. How do I play the harlot? Well, when I fail to come to Him in prayer about a particular thing and go about handling it on my own. I play the harlot when I don't spend time building relationship with God daily, all the while, declaring how hard I work for Him. And yet, in spite of myself, God is there to embrace me; He's there to reconcile me back to Himself, because He loves me that much! Now that is love!!

The Law of Kinship

I love the verse in the Bible that says "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." (Psalm 107:1) But, what I like best about that verse, is the fact that the psalmist goes on in the following verses to define who the redeemed are, and, what they've been redeemed from.

Back in the day when this was written, the reader understood what the word redeemed meant. They knew there was a provisional law that enabled a family member to buy back a relative, or a piece of property. It was known as the "law of kinship." The Law of Kinship has less to do with being set-free by an owner, and more to do with the reclaiming of a thing or person, by a family member.

As I read this I asked myself who the redeemed were and what they needed to be redeemed (bought back) from. So who are the redeemed? According to the following verses, they are those who have been delivered from the hand of the enemy; those who are outcasts; the lonely and alone; the parched and dry; the depressed, They make up the population of those who were between a rock and a hard place; persons who have dwelt in darkenss; folks who are prisoners of their own making; people who have ignored good counsel; the ones who are distressed; shattered and foolish. And the list goes on. They are the rebellious, those who act without reason and all those who need to be ransomed. But, it is clear in this passage that in order to get ransomed, one must be willing to humble themselves, cry out to the Lord (Psa. 107:13)and be prepared to be redeemed!

Be prepared . . . hmmm, I realize that preparation requires something on my part. It is not only a stand I take, it is decision to accept change; a decision to participate with God in the excitement of being redeemed, as a person would seeing someone coming to their rescue. We need to be prepared to be redeemed from ourselves; redeemed from our wrong decisions; and redeemed from being prisoners of our own sin. Redeemed by your nearest kinsman . . . and who is that? No one else but your Heavenly Father! He loves us so much, there is no length that He won't go, to reach us. So remember, there are some things God does NOT know! That's right. He doesn't know a life He can redeem. He doesn't know a marriage He can't mend. He doesn't know a sin He can't forgive, or a darkness He can't bring light to!!

Unimpaired Integrity

Websters dictionary defines integrity as "unimpaired moral principles." I wonder what life would be like if I had unimpaired moral principles. You know the kind I'm talking about, right? Moral principles that are always, always, always consistent! Moral principles that don't waiver, despite ever eroding cultural values. Moral principles that don't shift to suit my many "reasons" for doing, or better yet, not doing a particular thing.

There is a story in Genesis 20:1-18 that displays the opposite of unimpaired moral principle. This is a story of Abraham who is acting in "some" truth, but not complete truth . . . and he does so out of fear for his own life. His first concern is NOT that of his wife Sarah. Instead, it's as if he says "so what if she is taken to the bed of some foreign king, just so long as the king doesn't kill me in order to have my beautiful wife, as his own. Abraham didn't trust God to protect him. He didn't trust God to be big enough to take care of all of his life situations . . . and so often . . . neither do I. As much as I'd like to think otherwise, I know it's true, that my moral principles are impaired. No, not all the time, and, not even most of the time. But, certainly there ARE times when I don't obey the speed limit; times when I justify my actions because my actions weren't Godly; and times when I am quick to look down my nose at one of God's creation! I can be judgement, critical and inhospitable. I can be closed-minded, self centered and like Abraham, I can be . . . much afraid!!

Taking our life situations into our own hands is the first step away from integrity and into impairment. Our judgements are impaired; our decisions are impaired and our results are impaired! They are NOT whole, they are not undivided and they are NOT sound. Sound decisions come from operating out of integrity and integrity grows out of trusting God for EVERYTHING! What a concept . . . yes?

Ahhh, but the grace of God in this story, as in my own story, is that in spite of myself, God intervenes and changes the outcome, so that what could have been turns out to be what should have been! Sarah was not compromised; Abraham wasn't killed and Abimelech wasn't cursed. Read the story, it is a beautiful testimony of how God turns events around for us; His terribly flawed; incredibly impaired; and all but trusting, people. One thing is for sure, one may not be able to count on me . . . but one can always count on God!

Peace Making vs. Peace Keeping

"And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).

If you're like me, then you've said more than once . . . "why do I have to be the person to make things right, and apologize." Oh brother, how many times have I said that, and if I've not audibly said it, then how many times have I thought it? Oh, I usually go on ahead and do the right thing, simply because it is the right thing . . . well, that, and the fact that I have an over active conscience that demands, even insists, on humbling myself and doing what is right.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm usually not liking it one bit and it certainly doesn't come any easier to me than it does to you! As I've heard before "I may be standing up on the outside, but I'm sitting down on the inside!" I have a feeling that this isn't really the attitude that I'm supposed to have, or that the Lord requires of a peace maker is it?

This verse from the book of James is clear that peace making is the fruit of the seed of righteousness. Therefore, if I want to be a righteous child of God, then I will be a peace maker, whether I like it or not!

Let me be clear about this however, peace making is not peace keeping. What do I mean by that? I know people who hate confrontation, and who would rather just ignore a situation, as though it doesn't exist, thinking that if they don't look at it, it will eventually just go away. And, I know others who think that trying to keep eveyone happy, exhausing themselves to keep the peace on all sides is the right way to go. When actually, neither of those two things are what we are called to do.

My mother used to that sometimes a "blow up, clears the air." I don't mean we are to stir up trouble, but I am saying that when trouble already abounds, we should face it, deal with it, and settle it. That is peace making, but it is not peace keeping. In order to be the kind of peace maker that God would have us to be, we first need to examine self. We need to take a good long look at our own agenda, our own wrong doing, or our own motives for who, and why, we are ready to confront. We need to spend sufficient time in prayer asking that God would resolve in us any selfish ambition regarding the situation. We need to pray long and hard that God would give us love for the person and understanding for their postion (right or wrong) of the others involved. It doesn't matter if we like the person or their behavior, we are still called to love even the unlovable. Then, when we are ready, and our heart is right, we humble ourselves and become a peace maker!

Silent Obedient Marching

Last night I had a conversation with a dear friend who was saying that she and her husband felt the Lord's leading to put their house on the market, down-size in their expenses, whereby lifting some of their financial burden. This move would enable them to do more with their family, instead of so often having to say "sorry kids, we don't have the money to do that. They followed God's leading, and while there have been a few "nibbles" on their property, nothing for them really, has changed. There are no clear signs that this is, in fact, God's will for them, despite what they had earlier believed. And, while they have worked through other issues regarding money, the burden is still the same, and in some ways it is even more difficult, since one of them is in business for themselves and their services are being cut back due to the current economy.

In response to this, I heard myself say "well, yes . . . but remember it was God's will for the walls of Jericho to fall (Joshua 6:1-27), but it took silent obedient marching around the city 7 times before they did!

All night in my sleep I had been thinking about this, and it was on my mind this morning when I awoke . . . "silent obedient marching . . . until God moves." So, I got up and read the passage again and found nuggets of gold from God, tucked away as little notations I had written to myself in the margins of my Bible, from another time of study. It was a "blast from the past" of sermon preparation from some years back. Six simple points that came forth, beginning in chapter five.

#1. When faced with any challenge; know who is on your side!
-When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and noticed a man standing across from him, alarmed, Joshua grabbed his sword and basically said "friend or foe?" The man responded that heaven was on his side. We always need to remember, that if God be for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

#2. -Respond with acknowledgement that God is at hand, by being quick to worship Him! (Joshua 5:14)

#3. -Take God with you through the plan (Joshua 6:6). Meaning, don't get your marching orders and then take off on "your" own journey. Keep the main thing, the main thing. And the main thing is GOD! Keep Him at the center of all that you do.

#4. -Keep your mouth shut! (Joshua 6:10) Don't complain about how long it is taking. Don't question how small the steps are, that you are taking. Just silently keep marching. Don't doubt, don't fret and don't re-think the plan.

#5. -Shout For The Goal. (Joshua 6:16)Interestingly, the victory of the walls of Jericho falling didn't happen on their own. Instead the shout came first and then the victory. That tells me that we need to declare God's victory BEFORE we SEE God's victory!

#6. -Don't covet anything from the victory and take no part of it for yourselves, that guarantees trouble will come! Don't keep any of the bounty, nor any of the victory. If you do, God's blessing, will become a curse to you. (Joshua 6:18)

So, If you believe God has spoken about a "battle plan," keep marching; be quiet for a time . . . and then shout for the victory, and watch those walls tumble!

In Jesus' Name

Today, one of the ladies from my church who I respect and love, shared with me a dream she had about me, last night. She said she saw a snake with two red dots on the back of his head, raise up and strike me on my ankle. She said my ankle swelled and swelled, but I just kept ignoring it. Finally, I allowed them to take me to the hospital, but on the way, I saw a yard sale and I insisted on stopping. Finally we ended up at the hospital . . . that's the point that she woke up.

As she related it to me, my spirit was quickened that this was not literal, but figurative. I believed at that moment that God was speaking to me a warning that I needed to take note of. Exactly what that means . . . I don't really know. I immediately thought of a few things that this could pertain to.

One, that since our church is just embarking on three huge ministries right now, this is the time that the enemy would want to strike, when God is moving in big ways, and if the enemy can remove or interrupt my leadership, how much damage can be done, stopping the flow of powerful ministry going out the doors of this church!

Secondly, I thought of my own health. I've been neglecting some things regarding my health, and God may be saying it's time to attend to those issues, and stop ignoring them as though they are not important, or as though they don't exist.

Lastly, that this could be about "the lump." Tomorrow, I have the mammo and ultrasound . . . well, who knows where this will go except God.

But, one thing I do know, my Heavenly Father has a plan and it's up to me to seek His direction and guidance for my life. I rebuke satan in the name of Jesus Christ who died that His blood could be applied to my life and my situation, and in that name I bind the work of the enemy against me or Crimora United Methodist Church and the ministries going forth from there!! In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!!

Do Overs

This summer we found ourselves in the beautiful Yellowstone National Park fishing with our grandkids. What a sight to see these four lined up on the beach, filled with excitement of catching the big one! And soon enough, I heard a squeal at which I turned to see one of the younger ones cranking as fast and hard as he could to pull up his fish. Now this fish wasn't all that large, but to him, you would have thought he just landed the whale that swallowed Jonah!

As I was reading this morning in the book of Jonah, I remembered the above story and I began thinking about the many, many lessons that are found in chapter one, alone! Now, I realize that there are many theologians who would argue whether in fact a big fish could have actually swallowed a human. But, as for me . . . I believe my big Creator God could see to it, that a whale could swallow a disobedient man such as Jonah. In fact, recent history has more than one story of sailors being swallowed by whales, and live to tell the tale! Albeit, I'm not making that case today.

I did however find a great deal of interest in three verses. The first is found in Jonah 1:5 that says "Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep." As a pastor I have witnessed what I call the "Jonah Syndrome" in more lives than I can count. Meaning those walking in disobedience to God seem to begin a process of falling asleep. They drop out of the ministries of the church, they become less and less engaged in their own lives, and the lives of others around them; and they become so complacent that their answer to life is just to go below and fall asleep. This sleep isn't just any kind of sleep. Look at the story! There is this terrible storm; a storm of epic proportions, so much so that the sailors thought they were going to die. They thought that the ship would over-turn any moment, and they went to work. But, where was Jonah? He wasn't helping to save the day. He was not engaged in being a part of the solution, instead he remained willfully a part of the problem, and slept through it all. He turned a deaf ear to the storm and allowed the effects of the storm to rock him into APATHY!!

The next thing I observed, was found in verse 12 "He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you." Those walking in disobedience always make statements like "I'm not hurting any one else." That is simply not true! Their actions hurt a lot of innocent victims; their apathy affects the unsuspecting; their running causes pain for others, whether guilty or not. The wake of destruction is much larger than the guilty party ever realizes!

BUT . . . I find peace in reading the last verse of this chapter. Jonah 1:17 which says "And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." WOW! How incredible to know that even when we are disobedient; even when we are running from God; even when we are just plain asleep in our sin, God has already made provision for that very moment of repentence. The second Jonah admitted that he was the problem, God provided a big fish to swim by at just the right moment; gobbling Jonah up as a means of protecting him from his watery grave. Ok, so you're thinking . . . "yeah, right! You call being thrown over-board; swallowed by a whale; barfed up on the beach . . . provision?" YES! I mean, personally I think anything short of death is an opportunity for a do-over. Jonah then had the opportunity to turn his life around, make the right decision and because of that, in his obedience, thousands came to know the Lord! Now isn't that a tremendous thought! I love "do-over" stories . . . and this is one of the best!

A Lost Art

Thinking about yesterday's blog regarding God's goodness, I began to realize that a response about God's nature. . . is just that . . . a response. Thankfulness, period, is a response and, in fact, I believe it to be a lost art.

Years ago when I managed a lot of women in a medical office, one of the things I used to hear from them, was how much they appreciated my gratitude for the work they performed.

I too, want and quite frankly, need to hear that what I do is appreciated. A need that I think it is just plain human nature. Unfortunately, we live among a generation, or should I more correctly say, a few generations, who are ungrateful for much of anything. Instead there is this sense of entitlement that abounds. An attitude of "I deserve . . ." An air of superiority that outranks those we view as below us . . . since after all, we have rights! Right?! We are a people of demand, and we want it NOW!

And yet, I am no better! God gives me life, and every day of life is a gift. There are many who will die today and who would be so grateful for just one more! This daily life I live, I take for granted. My life is so filled with blessings, that who am I to want more? Who am I to expect more? Who am I to whine over the little? But, I do. And, I realize now, that I'm not as good as I used to be at letting others know how much I appreciate them . . . to say nothing of my Heavenly Father!

Today however, is a new day, and God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Hallelujah!! So, with renewed spirit and resolve, I declare this morning to be a day of thanksgiving. I will shout joyfully to the Lord! I will come before Him with gladness and joyful song, and I will enter His gates with thanksgiving! For He is GOOD and His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalm 100)!! I will respond to God's goodness with a response of thanksgiving. A response demonstrated with the joy of the Lord on my face, and a song in my heart!