Cleanse.Fill.Pour.

Consider the Lilies...

2012-01-27T21:11:00.002-05:00

“’Consider the lilies of the field’… (Matthew 6:38). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere.”- Oswald Chambers.

Wow, powerful words from Jesus and from Oswald. Consider the lilies….they grow, blossom and flourish right where they are. They wait in the dark, cold winter season….doing what they are designed to do waiting for spring and summer, all the while ready.

How many times have I refused to grow where the Lord has planted me? Refused to grow either in a season of life, a circumstance or even with some strategically planted people in my life? I’d rather not count. How stubbornly and rebelliously have I crossed my little plant leaf arms (you get the picture) and refused to grow and take root in that season or circumstance…..longingly looking for another season or place to be planted? Again, rather not count!

Sobering thought; this make me useless in that particular area because of my lack of rooted faith in the Sovereign God of the Universe who knows what He is doing. Considering the lilies today….they are currently doing what they are suppose to do, waiting for Spring-taking root in this winter season. Ready to grow where they are planted. Am I? Are you?

Joy to the World...

2011-12-25T20:25:00.002-05:00

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Merry Christmas! The birth of Jesus Christ certainly did bring Joy to the World! A phrase in this first verse really needs to be considered is…” Let every heart prepare Him room”.

As Christmas 2011 is coming to a close….are our hearts prepared for Him, to give Him room? Either for the first time or for continued growth and space in our lives? Love this hymn. The Lord has come, He is King….Heaven and nature sing and we are called to sing too, not just with our lips but with our lives. Making Him room….in everything! Merry Christmas!

Silent Night...

2011-12-24T21:57:00.000-05:00

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of Redeeming Grace

Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

I’ve been talking and thinking about this verse of Silent Night, specifically the phrase….”with the dawn of Redeeming Grace”- Jesus Christ birth certainly was not only a Silent Night, Holy Night….in a Judean countryside, but also in all of History!

The world was dark, sold to sin and condemnation. Yet, God in pure Love and Light sent His Son…to pierce the darkness. And with the birth of Jesus, Grace dawned in the midst of darkness the Redeeming unfolding plan and accomplishment of Love- culminated at the death, burial and resurrection! What a beautiful Silent and Holy Night. Praise the Lord.

Darkness...and Light

2011-12-23T23:54:00.000-05:00

When you think about it the end of the advent story is really very dark. A wicked fearful king- plots- chaos-child murder-unthinkable pain.

God’s Hand is upon the magi and upon the newborn King….who could be up to the age of two it seems and they all escape the terrible plans of Herod. Think about the evil surrounding this plan, annihilation of any would be king…the reasoning? They don’t know who, so kill them all. I can’t even imagine.

Make no mistake, Herod is responsible and will be held responsible but there is a much deeper and evil being at work here as well. Satan himself. Feel the hatred, the fear, the rage….and then the murder. Darkness wanting to snuff out and extinguish the Light. But is cannot be so….

Matthew 2:12-23

12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.”
16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene."

Even these events were prophesied about hundreds of years before….nothing is going to stop the Redeeming plan of God-Jesus. Interesting that Jesus eludes death on the front end and willing succumbs to death at the end- to bring Life….and Light. Darkness will not win. Praise His Name.

Rejoicing...Worshipping...Gift Giving

2011-12-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

I like to think about the process involved in our decisions. What motivated these Gentile Magi to leave the east and travel a long distance with a clear plan…worship and gift giving. One day we’ll have all the answers, but for today. I’m imagining.

This trip was thought out, intentional seeking for a King. This is NOT, “Hey, guys, let’s take a road trip, throw some stuff in a trunk and see where the highway takes us” kind of stuff. How do we know? Because verse 10 says, after much travel, inquiry in Jerusalem and careful searching the star stood still and, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”. Maybe there were “high-fives” and back slapping…or maybe not. Maybe this exceeding joy let them to reverential awe and worship?

Matthew 2:7-11

“7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their joy led them to worship and offer the gifts previously planned for….they had to have planned on giving these gifts, these were expensive thought out things. These were kingly gifts given to the King. This plan started for the magi well before they left the east….faith led them. A star guided them. Rejoicing, worshipping and giving were the end results of intentional seeking. Seek Him and He will be found, that is what wise men (and women) do.

2011-12-21T18:52:00.000-05:00

Sometime after the birth of Jesus and after His presentation to the Lord, visitors (magi) come from the east…seeking a new King that has been born.

As a side-note, I find it very interesting that they head to Jerusalem. Of course it’s logical I suppose, where else would a king be? Interesting that Anna is still at the temple testifying to anyone looking for the redemption of Israel. This verse speaks of Anna, coming up to Joseph, Mary, Jesus and Simeon. Luke 2:38,” At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”. Don’t you wonder who she talked to? Was there any sort of “stir” about this baby born?

Then travelers come…Gentile travelers, inquiring about a King born of the Jews and a sign in the sky. A star. It was troubling to all…evidently the news of their arrival and inquiry traveled around the city. The king and all of Jerusalem heard this and were troubled. There is a little Truth seeded in Jerusalem…it is a woman though- Anna never leaves the temple.

By the way, I’m supposing…but for these magi to be received by Herod and actually be seen and heard and then their inquiry to cause such a troubling…it must have been quite the entourage. They must have been very wealthy and commanding of some kind of authority, these Gentile men. Just thinking…Read the text.

Matthew 2:1-9

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”

Herod calls a private, secret meeting. This is very covert. Much more is at work here than simple interest…its conspiratorial fear and unrest on Herod’s part. He needs to know, if indeed this is true, that a baby King has been born…he must worship too, but Herod is smart enough to play his cards right. They inquired, he inquires….let’s help each other. We all want to worship? Right?

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

Do you see the Hand of God in this? God is working and nothing, including a wicked king’s insecurity issues will ever thwart the work of God. Truth will prevail. So much at work…so many issues, but God is in control. It’s not over yet…it’s just beginning.

Another Word, Another Witness...

2011-12-20T14:25:00.000-05:00

Simeon had been told he would see the Lord’s Christ before he died… on the exactly right day he is drawn to the temple, by the Holy Spirit and meets Jesus. Being filled by the Holy Spirit, he praises God and speaks of the work of the Messiah, both for the Jew and Gentile.

Simeon speaks…

Luke 2:29-38
29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

Then Simeon turns to Mary and speaks another word…

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Mary has had a lot to ponder. Angels have appeared, messages given and now this. It’s a very interesting word. Not the typical, “What a cute baby!” or “May the Lord bless you and keep you.” This word is also not strictly encouragement…there is no, “Life is going to be all ok and easy.” Instead this is a gracious word of Truth from God Most High to the young mother Mary…who has a long road in front of her and who will feel like she is drowning a time or two before the completed work of Jesus Christ is done. I am sure she does not understand the full implication of this statement….but, God in His Grace is giving her more Truth to ponder and hide in her heart. His Hand is upon her. She will lose her husband at some point…and then she will lose her Son, but she will never be lost. Mary is playing a small role in the grand story of redemption.

Then another witness is on the scene….

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

At the same time that the Spirit drew Simeon to them, the same Spirit drew Anna to them. Now, in the temple, a woman who basically lived there is given the privilege of seeing the One who will be the Consolation and Redemption of Israel. She is left, long after Joseph, Mary, Jesus and Simeon are gone…to witness and testify that the Messiah has come. Marvelous how God works…so precious and so personal and so very intentional.

Born of a Woman...Born under the Law

2011-12-19T14:56:00.000-05:00

Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,” The fullness of time came and Jesus was born of Mary and under the authority of Law. Joseph was a righteous Jew, who kept the Law so Jesus was circumcised on the eight day and named Jesus. Then, Joseph and Mary traveled with 6 week old baby Jesus…God in the flesh would be brought to Jerusalem to be presented before the Lord, according to the Law. Imagine. See the reality.

God Himself….for the very first time EVER was truly “in the house”. Do you realize that throughout the entire Old Testament only the tail end of God’s Glory every dwelt in the house of the Lord? Now, 6 week old Jesus God is here. It’s no surprise that eyes and hearts were open for this historic event. The eyes and heart of Simeon and Anna- today we’ll look at part of Simeon’s Spirit-filled words…

Luke 2:21-32

“21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.””

Simeon had been looking for the consolation of Israel….the Spirit led Him on the very exact day that Jesus was presented Holy to the Lord (that’s an understatement huh?! He is Holy Lord) Simeon blessed God and was Spirit filled in his statements of Truth….after thanking God for allowing him to see this he says;

1. Jesus is God’s salvation

2. Which God has prepared in the presence of all peoples

3. Jesus is a Light of revelation to the Gentiles

4. Jesus is the glory of God’s people Israel.

Please consider the importance, the strategic importance of this very public place and statement about Jesus while He is a 6-week old baby (His public ministry is 30 years away!) It is strategic for them…but also for us. I just LOVE the inclusion of the Gentiles…we were part of the redemption story from the beginning too. Oh Bless the Lord….He is our redemption! Too.

Shepherds...

2011-12-18T18:29:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:15-20
“15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

Can you even imagine what this event must have looked like and felt like to them?? No wonder, AGAIN…the first words out of the angel of the Lord’s mouth is; “Do not be afraid!” Amazing! This is not just a cool experience, this is life-changing. For many. Look at the series of events and all the people involved. Angel of the Lord-Shepherds-many angels-Mary/Joseph-all who heard it….all of them- marveled, wondered and pondered on these things. And the experience propelled them to action, especially the shepherds. They hurried to Bethlehem to recount the events and message…

This is what the angel of the Lord said….

“10 But the angel said to them ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

This is what the angels sang….

14“ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

This is all true! They found exactly what they were told that they would find….then the rest of the message must be true!? The “sign” was true….Jesus was wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. To the shepherds, time will tell about the rest of the message….history would confirm and Jesus God would fulfill to completion the message. The Messiah had come. They marveled, others wondered…Mary treasured and pondered. Jesus had come. Glory to God in the Highest!

Angels we have Heard on High...

2011-12-17T23:36:00.000-05:00

We are going to weave together some thoughts….in the first days of Jesus’ birth and of His last days before His death. If the angels proclamation wouldn’t have cried out, the plains and mountains would have. Glory to God in the Highest….the Messiah Jesus is born to explain the Father and fully give the correct opinion of who He is! Gloria in excelsis Deo- Glory to God in the Highest!

Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The Angels exclaimed….”Angels we have heard on high”, English version translated in 1862. The chorus is; Gloria in excelsis Deo which is Latin and is translated. "Glory to God in the highest”. Read the beautiful words of “Angels we have heard on High”

Angels we have heard on high
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo
See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Now weave the thoughst full circle….33ish years later, the baby now a man. Jesus Christ the Messiah born to die and give life. On Palm Sunday days before His death, burial and resurrection….another proclamation is cried out by the crowds in Luke 19:29-39. If the crowds wouldn't have proclaimed the rocks would have cried out;

“ 29 When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. 37 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, 38 shouting;
“BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

I don’t know about you, but I see the parallels and the beautiful weave of glorious Truth in the same proclamation …. The Angels in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” at the beginning of His life and the crowds in Luke 19:38, “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” at the end of His life. He certainly is the King who brings peace!

From Heaven...

2011-12-16T23:51:00.000-05:00

Today, we are thinking about God coming from Heaven. The Word becoming flesh…literally confined to dwell in flesh. The incarnation and deity of Christ- Jesus, fully God and fully man.

John 1:1, 14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God…14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Luke 2:6-7
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

God came. Immanuel- God with us. A thought that I am overwhelmed by is the importance of understanding the reason that God came from heaven. God- Holy and completely untainted and untouched by sin-came from heaven.

John 3:16-17
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

This is such a time of grace, God did not come to judge the world….had He, the moment that Jesus would have come forth from Mary’s womb…the earth and all of mankind would have been completely destroyed. Jesus is God. God is holy. Holiness and sin do not mix.

If God simply came….the world would have been annihilated. Poof- gone. Unless….by grace God did not come to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him, Jesus. God loved the world….enough to make a way, through a completely Holy God-Jesus Who would become sin and pay the price for sin so that we might have the free offer of eternal life through Him.

John 14:6
“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

To Earth...

2011-12-15T16:50:00.002-05:00

Luke 2:6-7
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Today and tomorrow we are going to look at just these 2 verses…from 2 different perspectives- To Earth and From Heaven. Jesus has come to earth….in a very normal, natural, lowly, poor yet very supernatural way. As the census drew Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, at the right time and to the right place, the “days were completed for her to give birth.” Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law”. Jesus has come to earth.

God wrapped in human flesh…small, vulnerable, and completely helpless. He is loved, cared for and provided humble things….there was no room for any of them in the inn. Isolated yet surrounded. Intimidated yet prepared. Jesus has come to earth as a baby, born of a woman and born under the Law…in order to accomplish everything needed to offer salvation by grace and faith.

Thinking about the birth process, Mary and Joseph and this helpless completely dependent Jesus, causes me to marvel at the trust of the Father. The Father had to trust Himself in sending Jesus as a newborn baby into a harsh sin-filled world and into the care of fallen people. All of this required faith and trust….but of course His faith was always appropriately placed, God only trusted Himself-at all times and in all circumstances. I find this simply amazing and actually extremely gracious. Even the Father exercised faith in Himself, so there is truly nothing that God has ever asked of us that He has not already done and provided for us. Just thinkin…

A Census with BIG Purpose...Luke 2:1-5

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

We’ve been looking at the birth of John, which if I’ve done my math right….he is born about 6 months before Jesus is born, because Mary visited Elizabeth in her 6th month and Mary had just conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. We’ve seen some very personal and small picture interactions with angels and people….then Zacharias prophesying to a group of friends and relatives from the region of Judah about the coming Peace, Rescue and Salvation.

Today, we are going to get even bigger picture…the known world bigger- Rome.

Luke 2:1-5
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

Rome was considered the world power of the times. Rome ruled…everything. Many things changed under Roman rule. Taxation, a standing army who really knew their stuff and the roadway systems were totally overhauled and re-worked during this time. Life was hard under Roman rule and expensive. In the midst of this, Caesar demands a census…for the purpose of taxation and expanding the empire. Rome must know what Rome must have. So the decree goes out and there are no “exemptions” or “get out of taxation cards” for anyone, so Joseph and Mary (a VERY pregnant Mary) travel to the city of David, Bethlehem.

There was no other reason that Joseph and Mary would leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem except by a decree of a powerful authority…I am SURE if given the choice, staying home would have been at the top of their list, but there was no choice. Off to Bethlehem they go. If this was me, I would be thinking; how annoying- how inconvenient- how troubling and troublesome!

Unless, there is an even greater decree of an even more Powerful Authority…One Who is authoring the decrees of world leaders. Yes, there is. The Most High God is fulfilling a prophecy given of the Messiah 700ish years before in Micah 5:2 (quoted in Matthew 2: 5-6, so evidently the Holy Spirit when inspiring the Word agreed this is prophecy fulfilled).

Think on that…. When Caesar Augustus and any other Roman big-wigs thought up the idea of a world-wide census, it was God moving and working. Getting Mary and Joseph right where they were supposed to be for the birth of Jesus. It was not seemingly inconvenient or burdensome…it was strategic and intentional. It was a total God-thing. Big picture, little picture…God is in control. Working, moving, initiating….speaking.

Look Who's Talking Now- Part 2. Luke 1:67-80

2011-12-13T18:20:00.000-05:00

Zacharias’s mouth is un-muted and he is praising the Lord, but then….he is filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Remember there has been a 400 year silence to the nation of Israel….this boy, John the Baptist will be the final Old Testament prophet. He will be the mouthpiece of the word of God announcing the WORD of God’s arrival - Jesus.

The Spirit filled Elizabeth when she spoke to Mary, but that was in a very private setting…still amazingly precious but nonetheless private. This setting is different….it is public; news has traveled from friends and family to the region about the birth John and how miraculous it is. Now Zacharias’s unmuted mouth is speaking Truth…Truth about what is to come. Things are going to be publically quiet for quite a few more years, at least 30 or so, until the pubic ministry of John starts, introducing the public ministry of Jesus.

So look at the words and see the significance of what the SPIRIT is testifying too. It is SO powerful and speaking of the Truth of what the New Covenant is going to do because of the finished work of Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. I’ve bolded the amazing Truth that the Spirit is speaking about what the New Covenant will accomplish…it’s a pubic peak into the plan of God. Salvation from our true enemy- sin.

Luke 1:67-80

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Jesus is our Peace, our Salvation and our Rescue from our enemy, darkness and death. What mighty Spirit- filled words of the Hope of our Salvation….even to the Gentile. What a blessing!

Meanwhile Joseph...

2011-12-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

The Luke account simply says in Luke 1:56; “And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.” Meanwhile…Joseph her betrothed was back at home. Doing what? Waiting, wondering, worrying and maybe even seething a bit? Again, not exactly sure of the timeframe of things…did he find out about her pregnancy before, after or during her 3 month visit with Elizabeth? All we know for sure is 3 months is a long time… to be in “meanwhile” mode. All the plans have changed.

I suppose it could be any or all of those worrying things he was doing, but we know from Scripture that he was righteous, kind and loving by not wanting to disgrace her. We also know that he was afraid…when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, first words again….”do not be afraid” but it is very specific, don’t be afraid “to take Mary as your wife; for the Child Who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” In other words, what Mary has told you is true.

My paraphrase; She is preggers (that is my word for pregnant) but she has not be unfaithful…it’s the reverse, she has been found highly favored and is now carrying the Son of God- Immanuel, God with us. He was told it’s a boy! His name is to be Jesus (in case he didn’t believe Mary) and here is another amazing and stupendous piece of the mystery…not only as the angel had told Mary will Jesus will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. He will be given the throne of David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. He will have a kingdom that will have no end. (Luke 1:32-33) but also, “He will save His people from their sins.”

Joseph is on his own faith journey….one that involved being an earthly father to a heavenly Son, who will, in turn, do all the work required by God Almighty to save him from his sins as well. Joseph awoke from the dream and “meanwhile” was over. He acted and did as the angel of the Lord commanded…he “took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”

Mary Rejoices...

2011-12-11T17:21:00.000-05:00

Today I’m just imagining what Mary must have been thinking and feeling. She has been totally shocked by the news of her new assignment, being the virgin mother of the Lord, she has submitted to God…then she hurriedly went to her relative Elizabeth’s home in the foothills of Judah and received Spirit filled confirmation from her. Indeed she was a blessed woman and this Child was blessed. As you read her rejoicing response to all that is taking place, look at the text and see what she speaks of the character of God. The bolding emphasis is mine in the following text…but think about what she states about God’s Character as she exalts the Lord. She chose to rejoice...and she knew the Character of her God.

46 And Mary said:

“My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my SaviorM.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION
TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Mary ran, Elizabeth gets filled...Luke 1:39-45

2011-12-09T23:26:00.001-05:00

I love this section of Scripture, it’s just so precious. Seemingly impossible news has been given….a virgin is going to give birth to the Son of God and Elizabeth an old barren woman is going to bear the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. Mary beautifully submits to the word of the Lord as His bondservant and then runs (or went in a hurry, runs sounds better) to Elizabeth’s, as she walks in and Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit….the Spirit and the leaping baby in her womb fill her.

Have you ever been 6 months pregnant before? Can you even imagine how this would have felt? A baby leaping for joy and the mother being filled with the Spirit all at the same time? For real?! I had some pretty strong kicks with my babies…but leaping? I can tell you right now, this has never happened before and this is huge. Not just pregnant huge, but huge in the sense of God is doing very new and very profound things….because this baby Jesus is going to change everything!

Upon her Holy Spirit experience, Elizabeth gets an even bigger glimpse of God’s purposes and responds; “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? …Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Elizabeth's spiritual eyes are opening. She recognizes that her Lord is present, within the womb of Mary and she also recognizes the simple yet profound faith of Mary in believing what the angel had spoken to her…Mary was blessed not only because of Who she is carrying but also because of the faith that she had to believe it was going to happen. In all this, Elizabeth is blessed as well by the filling of the Holy Spirit and seeing, catching a bigger glimpse of what God is doing for her and for the world. How precious and gracious of the Lord…to both of them.

Mary said Luke 1:34-38

2011-12-09T10:12:00.000-05:00
Can you even imagine how overwhelmed Mary must have been given all this information?? She, a virgin, was going to carry the Son of God in her womb. He was going to be great with an enduring eternal kingdom. The Lord was with her and she was told to not be afraid. Mary said and addressed the obvious, “how can this be, since I am a virgin?” How is this even possible, literally? She understood the biology involved here and her question was one of genuine understanding…how?

The Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will conceive….at the fullness of time, Jesus was going to be born of a woman and born under the Law by the power of the Holy Spirit. “For not any word, nothing will be impossible with God.” Nothing, including a virgin birth. Nothing, including God being made flesh to dwell among us. Nothing is impossible with God.

Then Mary said….amazing words. Worshipful words. Words of submission….and humility. “Behold, the bond-slave of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” Deuteronomy 15:12-17 talks about the concept of being a bond-slave, a voluntary slave joined permanently to a master’s household, by choice. Mary chooses the place of a bond-servant, she bends the knee in her heart, mind, and will to submit to God Most High. What beautiful words of humble servant hood. It was going to “cost” her greatly…on many levels. It was an amazing task, I understand…but think about it from an earthly perspective, there would be much speculation and potentially much trouble, yet she bends her heart and knee, “I am your servant….do as you will”.

Jesus, He will and He is. Luke 1:32-33

2011-12-09T10:10:00.000-05:00
Gabriel visits Mary with greetings, encouragement, big news (really big!) and comfort. He tells her; the Lord is with her, she is going to have a baby and she doesn’t need to be afraid. Then he goes on to tell her a little bit about Who she is going to birth.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

1. He will be great.
2. He will be called the Son of the Most High.
3. He will be given the throne of David.
4. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
5. He will have a kingdom that will have no end.

These are five very powerful statements about who Jesus will be. Don’t you think there were some expectations as to what this should “look like”? 30ish years later as He hung on a Roman cross….would this seem true? Jesus is the promised Messiah. He is God, in flesh. I think what hits me the most is; these five statements are totally true, He is King of kings and Lord of lords….but He is coming as the suffering Servant to die for sin and that is going to look very different to the human eye and perspective yet it does not change the truth of these statement one bit.

Jesus came to satisfy and walk out the righteous requirements of the Law, willingly die in order to pay the price of sin and take upon Himself the wrath of God and be raised again to life from the dead. His first coming looked very different than what was expected ….but His death, burial and resurrection proved that the statement s are exactly Who Jesus is. He is great. He is the Son of the Most High. He has the throne of David. He is reigning over the house of Jacob forever and His Kingdom endures forever….

Mary Richly Blessed! Do not be Afraid. Luke 1:26-31

2011-12-06T20:46:00.002-05:00
I really cannot even imagine the day (or night) of this historical event, when Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth, to Mary…an engaged young virgin. Gabriel came in and said to her, “Greetings, favored one (you who are richly blessed), The Lord is with you.” I find it very interesting that Gabriel’s address was so personal. It was a non-threatening greeting, a statement of how fully graced she was and then the statement, “The Lord is with you.” That was an understatement considering He was going to be “with her” in a whole new sense really soon….as a baby in her virgin womb.

She was stunned, confused, perplexed, wondering and pondering, to which I say…REALLY!?! I would have been fainted on the floor! Immediately though she was comforted…”Do not be afraid, Mary.” Do not be afraid. I’m not Jewish and you and I can’t really think Jewish but Mary was and she knew the Torah, she has heard all the stories of the Old Testament, she was devout. So when an angel appears with this kind of word I’m thinking fear was an understatement as well! Yet she was told to not be afraid.

As we know Mary treasured and pondered all these things (and all the things to come) in her heart. She treasured them, held onto them….remembered them. What is told to someone at the beginning of a journey is usually very important and this is no exception. She’ll have to hold on to the Truth given her and remember it for a long time. “The Lord is with you” and “Do not be afraid.” The God of the Universe knew exactly what she needed to know…like you and I, I’m sure she would have liked more information (she’ll get a little more, but that is what we’ll look at tomorrow ) than she got but in His Grace, Love and Sovereignty He gave her what she needed.- Out of the gate, at the start of the journey Truth. The Lord is with her, she will never be forsaken…and she need not be afraid. What blessed words…

December 5th....Disgrace Gone, Luke 1:18-25

2011-12-06T15:50:00.000-05:00
Well, the 400 year silence is broken to an old priest with a barren wife, with news of the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah’s, what an experience! Zacharias can hardly believe it (no really he can’t!) and questions Gabriel. The response? Well let’s just say Zacharias mouth was shut for a good long time! As he is delayed within the temple the people start to wonder what is going on and when he comes out mute. Well, there is a lot of speculation. Imagine the trip back home once his duty of service is over. Imagine trying to “explain” all this to Elizabeth. She’ll get the picture soon enough I suppose, when her old barren womb is alive for the first time.

As we look at Elizabeth today and then in a few more days….imagine the disgrace she had felt for literally years- feel it. In a culture that said women’s value was simply what they could produce she had to have been looked down upon with distain and judgment by many, both men and women…especially women. At first glance she responds with human eyes…eyes that simply see a desire and dream come true and a type of oppression lifted but she also sees God grace. Luke 1:24-25, “After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, ‘ This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.’”

God had certainly graced her and shown favor but it was so much bigger than simply her disgrace among men. Earthly eyes simply see our oppression and dreams that die here….His eyes, spiritual eyes see the true disgrace that will be take away as Messiah dies for the sins of Elizabeth. She will catch a glimpse of it and oh….what great grace that will be. Elizabeth is relieved from her human disgrace but the promise of the removal of spiritual disgrace is also given…Through the Messiah Jesus Christ, all our disgrace will be taken away- the disgrace of sin.

I just love how personal and patient and yes, gracious the Lord is in His dealing with people. She was thrilled to be pregnant and I’m sure very set free from the distain of men….but soon her Messiah will be in the womb of her close relative and that day she will see a bit more clearly the hope of genuine permanent grace, grace that is greater than all our disgrace… true disgrace that will be taken away by the shed blood of the Lamb.

December 4th…..Forerunning

2011-12-04T22:37:00.000-05:00
Webster’s defines Forerunner as; one that precedes and indicates the approach of another. Luke 1:16-17 states; “and he (John the Baptist) will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘To turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’”

So let’s look at John’s forerunning and then at Jesus’ forerunning…did you know Jesus was a forerunner too? John’s forerunning “job” was going to, in the power of God; turn back the hearts of the people and make ready a people prepared….prepared for what? John was the one who was going to plow up the hard ground of Israel’s heart to open up the ground and make it ready for the WORD of the Lord- the Word, in the flesh, Jesus. He was to make ready and go before the Lord, so that the good seed of the Word itself might be planted and grow up!

John was the one who preceded and indicated the approach of another namely Jesus BUT Jesus was also a forerunner and an even better one. John tilled up the ground and then Jesus planted the Seed, Himself…and that Seed had to die (Check out John 12:24-25, 27-33!) so that it could bring life to many. In doing all of this, Jesus became our forerunner in the True Temple, in heaven itself…in the very presence of God. Hebrews 6:19-20 states, “This hope (the hope of the Gospel) we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizekek.”

Jesus preceded us into the presence of God to present His own blood….God approved of the payment and Jesus rose from the dead! But Christ forerunning role also indicated that there would be the approach of others…through His sacrifice, the believers can now approah. Christ accomplished an invitation to draw near through His blood, right into the presence of God, in Christ Jesus! John tilled the ground of a nation to make the way for Jesus to till and change the heart in the person. Forerunning….

Advent Musings....The Holy Spirit!

2011-12-03T23:12:00.000-05:00
In reading Luke 1:1-17, these verses are talking about the birth of John the Baptist, verse 15 says “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.” The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead and has been a real Person from all eternity, yet in the Old Testament there was no permanent residency of the Spirit within any human. The Holy Spirit would “come upon” people for a certain time or task…and then leave, but the housing or indwelling of the Spirit was not available under the Old Covenant, because every person (even the really good ones) was still under the condemnation of sin.

In the case of John the Baptist this is very strange and odd that he would be filled while still in his mother’s womb. Interesting….very interesting. John’s task (as forerunner of the Messiah) is very unique and I believe it marks the beginning of a complete and total change that is about to take place. A New Covenant is going to be established through Christ where the presence of the Living God, by the INDWELLING of the Holy Spirit will be in the life of every believer in Christ. John is the last Old Testament prophet and his “job” is going to be the most important one of the entire Old Covenant time. As he decreases and Jesus increases, it’s a picture of the Old Covenant times coming to an end and a New Covenant being ushered in by Christ.

Now, why do I find it so interesting that he is filled with the Spirit while still in his mother’s womb?! Who cares, right? Except it seems to me that it says something about what Power source is going to be needed to accomplish this task of “preparing the way” of the ending one Covenantal time and a New one beginning. Everything is going to change. Everything.

Years later, while John was imprisoned, Jesus would say of him in Matthew 11:11-13, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesies until John. “ John “prepared the way” and prophesied and then Jesus came, the One who is the fulfiller of the Law and Old Covenant - Jesus the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world- Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith- Jesus the Light of the world….the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus.

John the Baptist was awesome and his “job” was one of a kind and huge….but anyone of us in this New Covenant who has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with 100% complete access to the Living God at all times and a relationship that beckons draw near is greater- not greater in value but in availability and access to God. The Luke account of breaking the silence to old barren people with news of a filled forerunner of the Messiah is Kingdom altering and life altering for you and me. Wow.

Old and Barren...Luke 1:7

2011-12-03T23:10:00.000-05:00
Zacharias and Elizabeth were both old and she was barren. In other words, time marches on and they got no babies. God had been silent for 400 years to the entire nation of Israel and that included silence to them. I’m sure they had given up any hope of ever having a child. Old-ness and barren-ness are really big problems and there was nothing that either of them could do about it.

There is always more going on than we can see with our eyes ( even when it come to something as sweet as babies) and as I have been thinking about being old and barren, I’ve been thinking about the spiritual climate of the nation of Israel at that time and yes…even the world. It was old and barren. The nation of Israel (as a covenant people) was at least 1500ish years old and as spiritually barren as you can imagine, but so was the rest of the world. The entire world because of sin was old, dying, barren and without any hope of bearing life at all-ever.

How interesting that God breaks the silence with news of a new life the little baby John, a forerunner (more on that soon) who will make the way ready for Life itself, to an old and barren couple. It paints a much bigger story of what is to come…God alone was going to get the glory for all the work…and He alone would do all the work in the most impossible situations.

If it’s impossible to make old barren ground of a womb fruitful and life-giving, how much more impossible to make dead barren hearts alive and life-giving? Impossible to us, but possible to Him, He excels in the impossible. Old and barren might sound really depressing, but seeing what He can do in the midst of it? Astounding.

Advent Musings….Silence Broken, Luke 1:1-13

2011-12-01T23:39:00.000-05:00
400ish B.C. (you know I love the ish!) The Old Testament historical and prophetic accounts come to an end with Nehemiah and Malachi – with the wall completed around Jerusalem, the rebuilt temple and a lone prophet speaking - then all goes silent. Obviously God is still at work and in control but He does not speak to the children of Israel for 400ish years. 400 years is a long time with no formal declarations, words, encouragements, correction, prophets or spokesmen on the scene….simply silence.

Silence can be deafening….especially as oppression is getting louder. Many things change over the 400 years, Israel is both hurting and hardened…waiting and trudging forward. The noose around their necks is getting tighter from all angles. Life was volatile. What they didn’t understand (and frankly I don’t think a lot of people understand) is; the real oppression is within.

At the right time, at the fullness of time the silence is broken and God is about to speak. The 400 year silence is broken to an old priest who is serving in the temple of the LORD by burning incense before the LORD. Gabriel’s first words to Zacharias, by the order of God Most High, were “Do not be afraid”. Silence broken, God is speaking and will continue to do so.

I wonder how much fear ruled the people of Israel in those 400 years of silence. I wonder if any feared that God had abandoned them or if their covenant God had simply forgotten them? He had not. Of course Zacharias was terrified and needed the word, “Do not be afraid” but that is not all that Gabriel said… God was ready to speak in a way that had never been spoken before….God was going to become flesh. Silence Broken and never again would God be silent. Think on that. He has now spoken to us through His Son and He is still speaking.

Ode to Expectations...

2011-11-23T22:10:00.001-05:00
I get myself into trouble every holiday with my expectations….expectations of myself and others. Whether it’s trying to have a Martha Stewart look, Norman Rockwell setting or Leave it to Beaver image….if I’m not careful, very careful I can get myself in a lot of trouble. It might be an unfinished side-dish, dry turkey… a sideways look from a cranky Aunt or a snarky comment round the table. You name it, it can be big or small but simply put; life is not Norman Rockwell or Christian Leave it to Beaver.

As I have been preparing for Thanksgiving I’ve been thinking a lot about my “expectations issue” and seeing how connected it is with my perceived value and finding approval- When even part of my worth and approval is based on my performance and the performance of others AND/OR their reaction to my performance . Uggg. No wonder I get myself into trouble!

SO, as I’ve been praying about this, the Lord has landed me in Romans Chapter 8….in a vital truth for the believer in Christ, an expectation that is FULLY met in Christ. Nothing (not even holiday mental meltdowns) can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. These are the verses I’m writing down on my 3x5 card for Thanksgiving, verses that I desperately need to be convinced of. Here are my added thoughts…

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life (including not having dinner done on time for all the waiting guests),nor angels, nor principalities, (including that crabby person who has issues) nor things present, nor things to come, (including past hurts that surface, unfinished family drama or even any present drama) nor powers, nor height, nor depth, (including the really great times and the really hard times, emotional highs and lows…and other people, especially others!), nor any other created thing (including all the holiday traditions that go well and go south and all the in-between stuff. Including being lonely in a crowded room or isolated from a conversation…all of it) NOTHING, not one thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

That is something to be truly thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving….may He give us eyes to see where our true expectation is met, in Him!!

R.I.P.

2011-10-11T13:09:00.000-04:00
Rest in Peace….a very common phase when people die. Our hope is that they rest in peace in the afterlife. I’ve been thinking a lot about this phrase because there has been a lot of death this week but I suppose there is a lot of death every week. It’s sad and it’s hard.

In thinking about this phrase and mulling it over- I think it is a better statement for the living. Rest in Peace. The reality is only if we REST IN PEACE here and now can we have the security of resting in peace after death because Hebrews 9:27 says, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Resting in peace after death is completely contingent on resting in His offer of peace while living.

Jesus Christ is our Peace. Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” Paul is talking about the Body of Christ being both Jew and Gentile, but one of his main points is; we all needed peace and Jesus provided it! Every one of us is born at war with God, enemies by our position of being born in sin. Sin is not what we do, it is the state in which we are born in and need rescue from. In other words, we need peace and we need it now!

Jesus came for that reason…to give peace. Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ came to make peace…by walking out a life under God’s law of perfection and walking it perfectly, then willingly laying down His life and taking on the wrath of the war, the judgment of sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He (the Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus died, was buried and He rose again on the morning of the third day….for peace, with peace, in peace and now….offering peace!

Now we must rest. Oh my sister….when Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, take My Yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” This is rest from the war…rest from the lack of peace with God and rest from working to be at peace, because we can never work enough. This rest is what is offered by His finished work on the Cross….Resting in Peace. Resting and Trusting go hand in hand. When we trust we rest. So today….are you Resting in Peace? Have you seen your need for peace in the first place? If you have are you continuing to rest? Rest in Peace- a wonderful and very true statement for the living. Jesus Christ is our Peace-Rest in Peace today.

Fabric...Ephesians 2:1-10

2011-08-09T11:59:00.000-04:00
What are your thoughts filled with? Doubts? Fears? Plain old life? Are they fill with the knowledge that you are part of God’s Workmanship… His masterpiece. His fabric.

How do you think He feels about His work? Do you think God is just half-heartedly or haphazardly throwing your life together? WE, all believers in Christ, are part of His workmanship… what does that thinking do for your sense of value? What should it do?

So, let’s think for a minute, believers are all part of this fabric, which is a masterpiece. Have you ever cut fabric? Have you seen how it is woven closely together and then you see the threads? You and I are the “threads” of the fabric masterpiece… a masterpiece that spans history, age, ethnic groups and so on… just a thread. Now before you think your thread doesn’t matter, how difficult is it to keep the fabric all together if the threads won’t stay together? When it starts to fray...

God is creating a HUGE masterpiece that each and every believer is part of… and by the way, every believer has a role to play too! Your thread matters. You matter. It’s not all about you but it is also not ,not about you. Get it?

You are part of His masterpiece, His workmanship, His fabric… by grace and by faith. Oh my sisters, you have such value, such purpose, you are so loved and cherished… you are priceless and He is absolutely positive He can make His masterpiece, using you. He is absolutely sure He can restore you… you were dead, an enemy, lost and now you have been found, redeemed, remade, and infused with value and purpose by His Grace and faith… His workmanship, His masterpiece… walk in that grace and walk in faith, He has work and a walk for you-be Filled with that kind of intention and purpose! Filled with His purpose.

"I'm done!"...for today

2011-05-24T21:08:00.000-04:00
I’m DONE! For today…

One of my “girls” is famous for declaring…”I’m done!” meaning…done with the drama, done with the situation, and more than likely done with a person. I must admit, that phrase has rung true for me more times than I can count on any given day. “I’m done!” The real questionfor me is…done with what?!

A status hit me this evening….from Wes/Laura Spain (thanks again guys!) “Frustration sets in when we focus on sin.” Hmmmm…..yes, it does and that is when I’m most likely to say (in my inside my head voice, of course!), “I’m done!” So what do I need to be done with? It certainly can be the drama…or the situation but people? I don’t think so, if I want to live biblically.

Do I get to just wash my hands of difficult people and be done? I wish…at least sometimes I wish! Do I need boundaries? Of course. Do I need to re-evaluate the situation and the people in the situation? Absolutely, but in a way that is not screaming, “I’m done!” Yep. Easier said than done? Yep again.

So, what do I need to be done with for tonight? Well, for me, I need to be done with me and my need to be heard, understood and right and I need to be done with my focus on the sin and instead focus on the finished work of Jesus and the freedom found only in Christ. He has never said to me or of me, “I’m done!” Praise His Name…His grace is enough.

Warning, Same Issues...New Versions....

2011-03-23T16:40:00.000-04:00
I don't use big words often but as I have been thinking a big word has come to my mind- syncretism. Syncretism is the attempt to reconcile contrary beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought...

"Aaron took the gold rings from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.' Now when he saw this, he built an altar BEFORE IT; and made a proclamation saying, 'Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.' So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play..." Exodus 32:4-6

In the midst of their questioning...wondering....fearing why Moses wasn't coming back. They sat down to eat a feast to the LORD and rose up to play the harlot in celebration with the calf god....trying to reconcile contrary opposite beliefs. It doesn't work but we try to make it work all the time...in small seemingly insignificant ways. How many "other gods" do we fashion? Good things, moral things....things we end up worshipping, just a little as we wait for the Lord Jesus to return? The questioning...the wondering....the fearing sets in and this is ripe ground for any and every kind of idolatry. Theological idolatry, pleasure idolatry, relationship idolatry, personal idolatry...you name it.

Paul wrote, "Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. THEREFORE, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 1 Corinthians 10:11-14

As I look over my life and the Church culture of today, I am very sobered. ANYONE can fall into this trap...anyone, including you and me. Paul uses the golden calf example and several others for a reason. Syncretism, the blending all kinds of beliefs and things together to try to make our faith work is idolatry. My sister, several things really hit me.

1. We need to be aware of the temptation towards this! Please read the text above...the minute we think it could never happen to us, we are RIPE to fall right into it!

2. We need to remember that God is faithful. This truth is NOT supposed to bind us in fear but draw us in faith to the One who holds us in His Hand not only this but also, draw us in faith towards His divine system, the Body of Christ. We NEED each other...we ALL have blind spots and we ALL are at risk of falling into idolatry at any time, it is common. My sister, are you walking with other believers? Are you seeing your need of the Body but also the Body's need of you?

3. FLEE from idolatry. Are we, am I...looking, aware, actively considering anything (even good things) that shift my worship, devotion, and love to anything other than Christ? Quite honestly, not as much as I need too. Instead it seems I can tend to try to meld the worship/love together and add Christ to the mix...that is called syncretism and that is a problem. Beloved, flee from idolatry.

Praise the name of Jesus, He has run this race before us perfectly and He has finished...may we keep fixing our eyes on HIM and Him alone! Amen.

.

Always learning...

2011-02-05T15:26:00.000-05:00
Outbursts of Anger = unyielded "rights" . I learned this equation in a class a long time ago, and it has stuck with me. Although, for obvious reason, not totally changed me....as you will soon see. Think about it, if there is a personal "right" or a perceived "right" and someone or something violates that "right", we get angry. If you think about it backwards...when you are angry there is always a "right" or perceived "right" that has been violated. Everytime.

Think about the last time you got angry. Think to the root of it. How often does the phrase (or something similar) " How dare you!" "Who do you think you are?" "You have no right to treat me that way!" or "I will not be...." come to mind? Some "right" is on the verge or has been violated and our defenses kick in saying; HOLD ON TO YOUR RIGHTS! For crying out loud, if you don't who will?! Now for some of us more, shall we say....more overt people, this looks like outward anger but even you passive ones...it can be very internal.

I saw red today and my anger exploded...again. The first thing I thought was, "How dare they!!!!!!!!! Who do they think they are? Do they not realize I am NOT their maid? This is so disrespectful and it is wrong!" Immediately followed an angry tirade against clean clothes in the laundry. Here is the kicker. I was right-100% correct in my assessment on all counts BUT I was 100% wrong in HOW I handled it. UGG.

Hang with me, this is the highly important part...my "rights" became the issue, instead of the issue being the issue. If I want to be a good mom who trains her evidently untrained children....it can't be all about me! I justified my anger, but in doing so...I lost the immediate opportunity to correctly address the issue. Now I'm just angry psycho mom AND I owe them an apology without my justification!

Now, think about it practically, was my moment of holding onto my "right" (the "right" to not be disrespected and treated as a maid) worth the missed opportunity to train them? At the moment in my justified feeling, it was true....it felt worth it. In hinds sight though, it was not at all. I have to ask myself; What do I value more? My rights or their training? My rights or Christ's way? My rights and pride or love for what He loves? Oh, He loves Truth but not at that cost. The Truth in that moment, ceased to be Truth when clouded by my unyielded rights cloaked in anger.

It's worth thinking about...considering...meditating and praying over. Take a look at Philippians 2:1-11. How many "rights" did Jesus yield? All of them. He never compromised on Truth but He always yielded His rights.

Mark of Time Musings....

2010-12-31T19:53:00.001-05:00
As we close out yet another year 2010 and enter into the New Year 2011, I have been thinking about the first time that our time began. In the beginning….God. He is the “I AM”, self-existent One Who is fully content, NOT bound by our time and space, He simply is- I AM. He was not lonely or bored. He was fully content, happy, existing and needing absolutely nothing. He still is.

That is why I’m thinking about the time that He decided to mark our time as we spend tonight marking our time. “In the beginning….God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” Genesis 1:1-5.

Think about this marking of time….our time and space began but He just always was the I AM- Self-existent One outside of time and space...

“For He (Christ) was foreknown before the foundation of the world”. 1 Peter 1:20a Before I AM spoke our time and space into existence…Jesus planned to be limited by time and space Himself- the I AM who would put on flesh. That really blows me away..."Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself (Christ) partook of the same..." Hebrews 2:14a (If you have time, look at the reason why in Hebrews 2:14-18!)

We mark yet another year in a few short hours. He marked time for eternity with Himself. May 2011 draw you closer to the One who took on flesh, was bound voluntarily to our time and space, walked out a perfect life in our place, was beaten beyond recognition as a man, nailed to a cross and received the full wrath of God for sin ….the I AM was dead and buried and walked out of the grave. He is alive! Happy New Year…may your year be marked by His time!

Windy day...

2010-10-26T22:47:00.002-04:00
Boy, today sure was a windy day. If you looked around or if you were out in it, EVERYTHING was blowing. It reminded me of me and of an exhortation in;

Ephesians 4:14-16 “ As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

I had a childish moment today (ok, a series of moments) and was carried away by a “wind” of doctrine that sent my “windy” emotions flying about! It was not pretty. Then John spoke the Truth in love to me, and it calmed my “windy” emotions and brought my thinking back into a correct line about a particular faulty pattern of thinking/teaching.

I’m thankful for him and for the body of Christ. I’m thankful we are called to grow up into maturity in Christ. I’m even thankful for “windy” thinking and emotions…it is another opportunity to grow up. If we never see how childish we can be, we just stay content with being a child. Faulty thinking is deceptive…so I’m thankful to see it! Windy day….outside and inside, but good. He is good- Thank you Lord for growing us up.

6 Students on a Couch....

2010-09-21T17:52:00.001-04:00
6 High School students casually sitting on my couch and living room….whose sin is worse? Where do ALL these sins lead? What do ALL these sins produce? Which ones are we more “comfortable” with? Which ones is Jesus more “comfortable” with?

Which ones live in you and me….and are we simply “comfortable” with? Which ones are you SO glad you don’t deal with? What do even the “comfortable” ones produce in you?? How do we see this list? How does Jesus see this list?

From first hand conversations this list of sins and struggles of these 6 begins…

Lying -Cutting-Depression-Suicidal thoughts/attempts-Regular sex outside of marriage-Oral sex-Anal sex-Rage-Pornography-Pride and arrogance-Drinking-Homosexuality- Self-hating-Others-hating

A mix and a match of sins and struggles of just these 6 students…how many more are unseen? How many reside in the 80+ students coming to Campus Life tonight? Please pray for them.

What happens in your heart as you read the list? What happens in mine?

Look through Jesus’ eyes. What did He see and what did He feel? …Matthew 9:36-38, “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were dispersed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.’”

Is it love and compassion....or relief that my sin is more "comfortable"? or is it? My arrogance and pride is just as deadly....deadly to the Truth of the transforming work of the Gospel. Is fear and hopelessness produced or hope in a Redeeming Lord of the harvest? Pray for us and for them...pray for more workers. Pray for more people with His eyes for the lost and hurting.

Issues....

2010-08-30T14:25:00.001-04:00
I have some issues and I'm burdened. I'm tired and I'm struggling with the coming year...so many things are changing. I have some life issues, relationship issues, practical issues, ministry issues and so on. I'm "here"...and I'm not particularly looking forward to some of the "there" places I will have to go this next year. Don't get me wrong, in the big picture I KNOW things will be fine BUT the little picture can be overwhelming at times...know what I mean?!

I was really struck by these verses penned by the Prophet Isaiah, thousands of years ago...he is addressing some idolatry issues. I wonder if I have any of those?! (I say knowing the obvious answer!)

Isaiah 46:1b-2 "The things that you carry are burdensome, A load for the weary beast. They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity. "

What struck me most is how appropriate the words are to how I feel right now. I feel burdened and weary...stooped over and pulled down by the weight of these issues. The more I try to alleviate the burden, hold it OR rescue it...the more I actually am enslaved by it! The real question is; do I believe the words..."They could not rescue the burden"? As my burdens become my issues...my idols, I feel so very responsible for them. I try to rescue them-in my flesh, every time. I justify them. I modify them. I re-model them. I calculate and "work" on them.

I get weighted down by them so easliy or do I simply and repeatedly acknowledge that I can not rescue them and drop them? As Matthew 11:28-30 says;

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and 'you will find rest for your souls.' for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Jesus is our burden bearer...He already bore ALL of the burden. My issues are His issues....He knows that they will weight me down and will only enslave me, thus the reason I need to learn, by faith, to come early and often to this living breathing love and grace-based relationship with my burden-Bearer. I don't want to go into captivity, do you? Praise the Lord we have One with constantly initiates and beckons "Come".

My Ring…

2010-08-26T19:21:00.000-04:00
We celebrated our twentieth Anniversary yesterday. Let’s go back; August 25th 1990 I received my wedding ring. It was a simple, etched gold band that my engagement ring rested against- simple, sweet and beautiful. John was new in youth ministry and didn’t have much money, so the rings were also thin. Very thin. Within the first year of marriage, I got the idea of having the two bands soldered together and having 2 small diamonds placed on each side of my engagement ring, making it one ring, and my sweet husband graciously accommodated me. SO, for 20 years…I have lived with a lovely and very delicate ring.

I approached marriage quite the same way. I was simple, delicate and weak yet filled with lots of expectations. Like my idea within the first year about the ring, I had A LOT more ideas of what needed to change and be modified in our marriage and specifically John within that first year as well. You could guess, that took its toll.

Here’s the problem…evidently I am rough on rings. Over the course of the last 20 years I have had to have the ring “fixed” twice….on the underside of the ring-time, wear, pressure and years of just wearing it had worn it down to a bear thread…the metal simply wore away and was ready to break, two separate times. The last time I was at the jewelers he told me, “I’m so sorry ma’am but I won’t be able to do this again. Next time you will have to have the whole ring re-set. This band is simply not strong enough.”

You have no idea how much this parallels parts of our 20 year marriage. There have been several times where we have been worn through to a thread, with the threat of our marriage breaking apart. As with my ring, life happens. Time, circumstances, pressure and sin wear us down and wear a marriage down. There was a time when, like the jeweler, I said to myself, “One more time…and I’m done. I can’t fix this. I’m simply not strong enough.” Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all bad at all, but we have seen several very ugly times in our 20 years.

Joel is a great little book…this prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel was given a message. Trouble was coming and part of that trouble was going to be locust- locust that stripped EVERYTHING bear. 15 years ago, that was my life and our marriage- stripped bare, useless, held together by a thread. Later on in the book of Joel however, there is a promise given…it won’t be realized until the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the New Covenant but it is still a promise in the midst of coming devastation; Joel 2:25, “I will restore to you the years that the locust have eaten…”

I have to testify that this is what the Lord IS doing in our marriage. We still fight sometimes, I can be the biggest jerk ever and John can be a real treat himself BUT the Lord has redeemed each of us personally and done major amounts of healing in a marriage I wouldn’t have given you $5 for 15 years ago. He is restoring to us the years that the locust have eaten…what was a barren land is now becoming useful, by His Grace and through His enduring love and patience towards us. Christ became the foundation of our marriage in more than word but in reality. He became the foundation to each of us individually. He is the One who is secure.

John gave me my new re-set ring yesterday. My delicate broken ring was stretched out over a thick gold band…soldered together, the two becoming one. The jeweler told him, “Nothing is going to break them apart. You could throw it against the wall all day and it won’t break. You want to try?!” Ummm….no. That wouldn’t be wise.

The simple truth is; there are times still coming when we might feel like we have been hurled against the wall, again. We don’t want to add to the complication of life but life will continue to happen for the next 20 years…each of us will still be living with a sinner in a fallen world but we have been set together, like a solder, by the One who will never change. As we grow closer to Him and then to each other…He literally restores the years the locust have eaten and makes the years to come fruitful and useful for His Kingdom purposes- solid and secure. Thank you Lord for setting us together 20 years ago, You are the Cord that cannot be broken- may we continue to trust and cling to You!

Fall TV (and other stuff) schedule 2010.

2010-08-21T23:57:00.000-04:00
I love TV. There, I said it…I’m embarrassed and ashamed but I really do love wasting my time and “vegging” in front of the TV. I feel entitled about this time. Honestly, I have to put a personal boundary on myself because I do think I could become a couch potato! I told my family today, that I think a great vacation would be to just go into a room with a TV, movies, snacks and a comfy couch and veg for a couple of days. I like TV and yes, I feel the judgment of that! I can “hear” some of you….who cannot believe people can waste time like this and then there are the others who know exactly what I mean!

As we enter into this new Fall TV season I was looking over the new show listing…some “old” shows have been cancelled, others are coming back...and yet others, are brand new or a re-modeled new. Some sound interesting and others not so much…As I perused what was coming for this fall, I was struck by how much personal opinion matters. I know that I very obvious. Have you ever had someone say they just LOVE a show and then you give it a try and uggg, you hate it! You cannot understand how anyone can like it, but many do. Personal opinion. I do have a point here…really.

I wonder if we ever approach the Church and its “programs” with the same ideas of personal opinion. If we peruse the upcoming events of our Church and give a knee jerk reaction like we do with TV shows. Or maybe we are like the executives who “view the ratings” and cancel…programs or unfortunately even people. We try to re-make old ideas into new or try for brand spanking new ideas across the board- just to increase the ratings.

Hmmmm…..it makes me think and it also causes me to be aware that I need to guard my heart and my attitude about my personal opinion and preferences, making sure they don’t get in the way of what the Lord wants to accomplish the Fall.

What is your Fall lining up to look like? What do you have scheduled? Are you making sure to "slot" in time with your Church and other believers? Make time, schedule the time…don’t let your personal opinion of the options keep you from trying something new or old. Your opinion matters don’t get me wrong BUT His opinion keeps the ratings right where they need to be. Get involved in your Church this Fall…the couch will still be there when you get home!

Musings Prompted by Oswald...

2010-08-17T12:41:00.000-04:00
August 17th My Upmost for His Highest- Oswald Chambers…”Our Lord knows perfectly that when once His word is heard, it will bear fruit sooner or later. The terrible thing is that some of us prevent it bearing fruit in actual life.” Ouch.

In today’s devotional Oswald leads us to the rich young ruler who leaves sorrowful after being told a hard word- sell all you have and follow Me. The young man left sad and Jesus didn’t follow…He didn’t argue, plead or threaten…He simply let Him go. Christ trusted His Word to do its work in him.

The above quote struck me, ok, it stomped me on the toes. It reminded me of Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain and the snow come down from the heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

God has a lot of faith in His Word. Do I? Do I believe that His Word is working in me and in the people I love? Am I cooperating with His Word or working against it…in me and in others? Am I getting in the way!? OUCH!

How do we “prevent it bearing fruit in actual life”? Well, like the rich young ruler, I wonder if MY plans don’t get in the way. I wonder if the box that I have constructed which I think the God of the Universe should fit in, in how and why He does what He does gets in the way. Faith in ME gets in the way…as if I have something to offer.

Hummm….Oswald’s simple statement makes me pause and think and then pause again and ask…”Lord, what do YOU see that hinders or prevents Your Word from working in me and in me to others?” I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want to stand in the way, sit in the way, do in the way, or any other “in the way” you can think of…of what He is desiring to do in me and in others. He will do what He is going to do and His Word will accomplish what He has set forth for it to do. I need to continually get on His page and ask, submit, agree and respond in faith to Him, trusting Him that He is enough.

The days ordained....

2010-08-15T23:12:00.001-04:00
I celebrated my 41st birthday this week, and I’ve been pondering the aging process. I know, fun thoughts! Yes, 41 is half of 82, as John so lovingly reminds me. I woke up on my birthday thinking about;

Psalm139:13-16, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

I also woke up thanking my mom for her fortitude...I was a late in life baby, my mom was 40 when she had me and my dad 48. Do the math, she's 81 and he's 88. In addition to celebrating my birthday this week, I also went to the doctor with my dad, where his rights to drive were permanently revoked. As I sat, listened and watched my dad be stripped of his “privilege”- the aging process took on a whole new look. My dad is a dying old man….and I am a dying middle-aged woman. Again, with the the fun thoughts, I know! All those days, even the day where my dad sat bewildered, yet with grace, hearing of another change of life phase…that day was written down in God’s book. I was struck by the fact that one day that will come for me too.

How will I handle that day and phase? Will God’s grace seem to be enough then and will I remember that even that day was ordained and known by Him? Will I still know and believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made…even in that stage of life? I had the joy of learning this lesson from my dad. My dad’s outer man is decaying (as is mine!) but his inner man is being renewed day by day-2 Corinthians 4:16. Even in these decaying years my father is STILL fearfully and wonderfully made…made with a purpose and with days still ordained for him. God’s word says; our soul knows that very well. My dad’s soul knows that even in this time, God’s works for him and in him are wonderful. This aging process, this dying process is ugly, hard and sometimes unwanted BUT He is still in the midst of it. He still has His purposes in and through us in it. Praise His Name!

It has been a long time....

2010-08-14T23:17:00.001-04:00
Wow...it has been a really long time since I posted- 5 going on 6 months. Where does the time go?! I don't know about you but it goes awfully fast! Summer is almost over and the school year is starting...again. I don't feel particularly ready. Although who says "ready" is a requirement? Time simply keeps marching on.

As I think about the last few months they have been filled with a lot of good things, busy things, and some hard things. John and I have grown a lot these last months, as we have been faced with some difficult circumstances and relationships. Its amazing how connected our growth and trials are!? Take a few minutes and read 1 Peter chapter 1. That seems to be the plan and I've been learning a whole new level of this and honestly, been asking if this REALLY has to be the plan?

What I've seen in me is; I like comfort. I like peaceful times. I like status quo...evidently the Lord likes conformity to His Image. HMMM...do I? I want to say "yes, of course" but looking over some very strategic things in our lives these last few month and what has surfaced in ME, things that are not too pleasing to the Lord...this shows me how much I really like to cling to ME, instead of embracing and leaning into His conformity and His plan to conform.

I don’t know about you but are you learning to lean into His conformity through people and circumstances…through trials? I slowly learning by His grace and I'm also learning to know HIM. Let us learn to lean into Him in all things and let time march on until we see Him face to face and our faith is made sight and our conformity in practicality is perfected-when we see Him!

Living life in the "ing"

2010-04-13T20:33:00.001-04:00
For as long as I can remember I have tended to look at my Christian walk as a series of events. A formula here. A check list there. Know what I mean? I see a need or a problem so I surrender. I yield. I trust with this or that. Obey. I want to follow and so on. Not a bad plan...except everything about the Christian life is really more of a verb.

The Christ-followers walk is a progressive process based upon an event-my salvation and Sanctification based upon His finished work, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a verb! When looking at the original Greek and you will find many continual repeated verbs...we find a call to live a life of; surrender-ing, yield-ing, trust-ing, abide-ing, obey-ing, love-ing, walk-ing. Living life in the "ing". Grow-ing in a process that will be finished when we see Him face to face. Praise His Name He is confident of complete-ing what He has started! I'm learn-ing to live my life in the "ing".

I have gotten myself into trouble…again.

2010-03-10T22:45:00.001-05:00
SO, Maggie is 7 and I noticed over the last week or so she has been saying the phrase, “Dang it” and I decided it was time to address it- to use this phrase as a “teaching moment”. In casual conversation, I explained that “Dang it” is short for “Damn it” (which she knows is a bad word) and it is probably best if we don’t use this phrase.

She asked what does that “Damn it” mean. Well, in my infinite wisdom I gave a rather lengthy explanation and then explained in essence, “It means to send someone to hell…and you wouldn’t want to say that to someone, would you?” After the horrified look left her face, we both agreed that is not what she wants! And to my relief she agreed, that was not what she wanted to communicate and she would choose another phrase.

Great “teaching” moment right? Talking “real”. Talking truth. Not putting my head in the sand and just letting the issue pass! I was so proud of myself EXCEPT, now, she has gotten confused…she has said “Damn it” at least two times in my hearing and this morning while putting on her shoes for school…said, “Now, I’m allowed to say Damn it ,right? Or wait, what is it that I’m suppose to say!? I’m just so confused”

Can you believe it?! It is just too NOT funny! UGGG! Talk about taking a mole hill and making it into a mountain- I over explained (shocker)! Now, my 7 year old knows TOO much and she just doesn’t know what to do with it! I told her to skip any word that starts with a “D”. How’s that for a plan?

Funny in a childhood kind of way and interesting…but it reminds me of how patiently the Lord deals with us and how our learning curves are very personalized by Him. He knows when to correct and instruct and His “teaching moments” are always on time and in the right perspective- with just the right amount of information. Oh how He loves us and leads us…oh how He grows us up! Maggie will be fine, I know, and this will pass but may I not pass on the lessons that the Lord wants to show me that parallel in my life.

Lunacy "down on the farm"....

2010-02-02T22:11:00.002-05:00
I went to dinner at an undisclosed restaurant (we’ll just call it the restaurant, “down on the farm”) in an undisclosed location this last weekend, and let me say…it was quite the adventure or should I say, disaster. Literally, there must have been 10 under the age of 18 (all looking like they were 12) young women running (or should I say not running) this restaurant. It was awful.

These poor girls simply walked around in circles, looking like deer in the headlights. I can honestly say, I don’t think I have EVER had such poor and lengthy service…we were literally there 1 ½ hours and they got the meal wrong. We waited and waited and waited for missing food-untoasted bread-no potatoes and well…you get the point. It was terrible service.

The kitchen manager finally came out…after another table left because they were all served the wrong food, asking us how our meal was going. My host kindly told him of the lunacy “down on the farm”- we received our incomplete meal (one of our guests never did get her food!) Free of charge. Trust me, it was the least they could do! It really did turn comical after a while. Ugg.

I really did feel sorry for our young waitress, bless her heart, that looked like she was 12. I do have a point here….even though the meal itself was awful the company was great! I had the privilege of listening and learning about my host family and I must tell you it was beautiful! This family is a masterpiece. They all came to know the Lord later in life and watching and listening…the Lord has done marvelous things in all of them.

I learned a wonderful lesson of grace that evening…as we were leaving. My host motioned for our terrified 12 year old waitress to come to him…and he handed her a $10 bill. She hadn’t earned it. She didn’t deserve it. Frankly, she stunk at her job and I think she should definitely stay in school so that she can try another career BUT here this man who now has Jesus living in him…graced her. Freely gave her what she did not deserve. It was truly a beautiful picture. One I’m sure he has and is learning from his Master. My host extended grace in the midst of the lunacy “down on the farm”. Thank you for a great example and reminder of grace!

What am I Drinking?!

2010-01-18T12:57:00.001-05:00
Ok, so it’s the New Year and as so many of us have decided….I’m trying to be careful, balanced, and wise with my eating. I’ve found several “new” protein drinks that are filled with vitamins, minerals and protein to satisfy my hunger and they really do BUT the one I had this morning tasted horrible!

This morning on my way to a Mom’s in Touch (we pray for our kids in the public schools) I drank one down and I remember thinking…”don’t taste just swallow”. I breathed through my nose and just chugged it. Hunger satisfied…but the cost? Uggg. No wonder this new habit is a hard one for me.

Now, my point is not to have you suggest what protein drink to start swigging BUT to remind us…we swallow all kinds of things in the name of health and I don’t mean literally. What do you swallow or chug, just to get it down? Quiet time? Church? Certain people?

How has the Word of God been hitting you lately? Does it ever seem to be a horrible tasting, just swallow it experience? Or how about someone’s interpretation of it? My sisters, we are not called to just “don’t taste and just swallow” the Truth of the Word. We’re called to examine it…to savor it. We’re called to more than just chugging whatever someone of offering.

This morning it hit me, that if I approach the Word with the same “healthy decision” I am with food, I’ll miss all the enjoyment of the meal. God’s Word is a feast…it is rich, filling, something to be enjoyed and savored. Let’s not approach it as something to just get down or just take what the “experts” are offering for the sake of convenience. Let’s be women who sit at the table of the King and see the bounty and take the time to dig in and be satisfied. Just me thinking…what are you drinking and eating?

What is on my heart….new year 2010

2010-01-09T21:57:00.001-05:00
I was recently asked…What is on my heart? That is a really good question to ask ourselves every so often. What is the Lord placing on our hearts? Many times He uses things in my life to speak His Heart to me. I see an extreme amount of brokenness, both brokenness that I can actually see and then the unseen brokenness. First the visible brokenness in families, friends, churches, emotions, conflict, and drama filled lives, self-infliction of wounds (both physical and emotional) and so on. I see a whole lot of just plain broken people and situations.

But then there is the brokenness we don’t see…especially in the Church. I’m afraid I have to call it; the lack of care by the Body towards this seen brokenness. I see among the "less broken" the desire to survive this world unscathed and without dirtying our hands with all the brokenness (especially when it comes to our families and our kids) I see an almost contempt towards the broken- as if they and their situations are disgusting. I even see a “poor thing” mentality towards the broken, along with “awww, poor thing…I’m just so glad it’s not me or mine”. Here is my point; all of this (lack of care and pride) is brokenness as well, it’s just prettier from our perspective.

So 2010 is ringing these types of questions in my heart- Does my heart break for what breaks the Lord’s heart? When was the last time I asked myself what breaks His heart? Doesn’t the sin of pride and self, (even in regards to family preservation) break His heart as much as flagrant sin? Does my life love what He loves? Not just my theology or words but the outpouring of my life…the conviction is strong and begs one last question; why do I cling so tightly to my life, my rights, my desires, my needs, my time, my energy, my “pretty” idols…when there is a lost and broken world, both inside and outside the church walls?

I'm tired of fighting...

2009-12-13T23:50:00.003-05:00
I’m tired of fighting, everything. My flesh, this world, this world system…I’m tired of fighting people and philosophies. I’m just plain tired. Do I need to say more?

Why does it seem like this time of the year, the supposed “most wonderful time of the year” seems to be filled with more internal fighting each year? I just don’t get it! I want to just be at ease and go with the flow and be happy, for crying out loud- "it's the most wonderful time of the year!" or is it? Instead I just feel an inner turmoil- I’m fighting.

Is it my expectations? Or lack of them? Ok, realistically, I don’t think I ever struggle with LACK of expectations! I’m really not trying to be a total scrooge but is it horrible that I just want the holiday’s to be over!? Don’t tell my family!

SOOOOOOO, as I’m purging here, I realize how much of a perspective shift I need. How much I need to continue, even in ALLLLLL the busyness, to look up! To live up. Or should I say, because of Ephesians 2:6 where Paul says, as believers we are “seated in the heavenly places, In Christ”…I need to live looking down.

I need to live, by faith, where in reality I really am- in Him, in the heavenly places. I guess that does give me a much bigger perspective about this fighting feeling, huh? It gives me a bigger perspective, in general. Thank you Lord.

2009-12-08T17:16:00.001-05:00
Merry Christmas! Can you believe Christmas is here again…already!? Where does the time go? Honestly, this year has been a blur-the older I get the faster it goes. I know this principal is true, I’ve heard it all my life and now that I’m middle aged, I see the reality of it! Time flies and not just when you are having fun. It flies regardless.

I wonder if it seemed to fly as fast 2400ish years ago when the recorded “word of the Lord” ceased and there was 400 years of silence in the nation of Israel. Did time seem to stand still or fly when this people were seemingly abandoned by YHWH as the Greeks and Romans ruled? Sure, false prophets spoke in the name of the Lord but He was silent- for 400 years.

Until…the exact right time! Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoptions as sons.” God spoke through His One and Only Begotten Son- He spoke the ultimate message of Grace, Mercy and Hope. God’s wrath against sin and His Holiness would be met by Himself- by a baby born to die…born under the Law in order to grow into a man to fulfill the Law and then die under the penalty of the Law. He died to sin. He became the sin.

Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” These are the last days…God spoke through Jesus, His message of Truth. He is over all and He redeemed us- He finished it all. A baby, under the Law…grown into a man- fully God and fully man…the Way, Truth and Life. In these last days, may we remember God’s message of Grace and Truth- His message to a lost and dying world, His message of Hope and Peace. Time flies. May we remember our lives are simply a vapor or a mist, here and then gone. May we be women who live in these last days with the Hope, Grace and Peace only He can give. Merry Christmas, in this His Season!

The Stew

2009-11-17T16:34:00.001-05:00
I have always and will always hate stew. Sorry for all your stew fans but from my earliest memories of stew I have hated it! My dad and I even came up with a code when it was “stew night” and we managed to almost ALWAYS avoid it…that is probably why my mom still has cool whip containers filled with stew in the freezer while we speak/write! Just kidding, kinda! Well, I’ve been thinking about stew. The question is what kind of stew!

So, this past weekend I had the privilege of going to the TieUsTogether Conference in Valparaiso and it was great! (Thanks Jackie for all your hard work!) Jan Silvious was the Keynote speaker and she talked a lot about wisdom and how that applies to our life, she did a great job too! (Thanks Jan too) She talked about Joshua 6 and the idea of needing to “Pay attention, you have never been this way before.” Meaning, every day…every situation really is new and we need to always pay attention to the Lord because WE haven’t been there before, He has though. (I know you are wondering what in the world this has to do with stew! I’m getting there!)

Anyway, she posed the question in her last session, “what can we run into when we have ‘never been this way before’?” This first thing she mentioned was our family issue…or if I may, the “pot we stewed in”.  See my stew thoughts?? I’ve been pondering it since Saturday…how many things, maybe family things, or church things, emotional things, default reactions in my life are just beliefs or knee-jerk reactions to the things I have “stewed” in?

You know, “things have just always been that way or this is just how I am” kind of thinking, it just all kind of melds together and mushes together…like stew. All the parts just kind of cling to the flavor of the stew. How much of how I live life is a reflection on my flavor of stew?

I’ve really been thinking on that…does my flavor taste like me or my family or my denomination OR of Jesus? I don’t hate the “Jesus Stew” but I do want to reflect on what other “flavors” my life might be giving the flavor of….just me thinking!

Kinda Creepy...

2009-10-31T00:02:00.002-04:00
This past Monday I got to do the “wrap up” for Middle School Campus Life. I’ll be honest, 20 or so middle school kids is NOT my normal teaching venue and slightly out of my comfort zone, but we have a lot of fun!

For the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about who we are and how God made us. This week our topic was; God knows us. He knows you. I used Psalm 139:1-6, that Psalm is a personal favorite of mine…check it out if you don’t know it!

Anyway, as we were discussing how God knows EVERYTHING, including what we do, think, feel and so on. Two boys, almost at the same time say; “That’s just kinda creepy!” It made me laugh, but you know what? I can totally see why it seems kinda creepy. Especially, if you don’t know His Character.

It would be creepy if He wasn’t a relational, loving God. It would be creepy if He was just watching…but He is a God who is constantly interacting. Initiating. Knowing. Creepy? Kinda, but as we get to know Him and His character the creepiness lessens and it turns to cool.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption...

2009-09-29T16:00:00.001-04:00
I had a simply sweet and wonderful day…I heard my Mom speak for Ladies Bible Study and she did a wonderful job!! Ok, it was the Lord in her but still it was a huge inspiration to me. My Mom turned 80 this year and she is still…still serving. What an example to me and to all of us! He wants to use us until the day we draw our last breath!

She spoke on Joshua Chapter 2, the story of Rahab, the harlot. She spoke of God wooing (calling her to love Him) her to Himself and the scarlet thread of redemption, just like the scarlet cord that hung from her window. It is a wonderful story of faith and redemption! I have to share one quick thing. My mom and I worked together for 15 years in the family business and we had a blast together. In the last couple of years we were open to the public (we started out as a wholesale only company) and we made great friends along the way with lots of women!

Anyway, this morning a former customer was at Bible Study and heard my Mom speak. She shared with me afterwards that she needed the timely and encouraging word and it ministered to her heart. That ministry started years ago…when she was our customer! How cool is that? My Mom was used years ago in this women’s life as a store-owner and now as a speaker! What a wonderful scarlet thread of redemption…of the story of Christ meeting people right where they are, of wooing them. He is wooing our friend! He is wooing you. Whether you know it or not, He has a scarlet thread of redemption in your life too. In your life and in the lives of those you touch…He wants to use you, until you draw your last breath!

Engage...

2009-09-23T22:48:00.000-04:00
This morning I drove around Laporte…seeing the Pole. Today was the national “See you at the Pole”, student led prayer around the flagpole event. I always get teary…it deeply touches my heart to see 100+ kids gathered around the flagpole to pray at a public school.

This year’s theme was…engage. I’ve thought about that word all day. Honestly, I’m struggling. I have kids in 11th, 7th and 2nd grade and honestly, ENGAGING is the last thing on my motherly mind…DISENGAGING is more like it! I want to build walls and protect. I want to see them come through their teen years unscathed…you know no drugs, no alcohol, no sex…hard working, good grades and so on and so forth. Hear my heart, those are not bad things, of course they are not bad things BUT what about being Godly? What about loving what our Lord loves? What about engaging with a really lost and dying world…engaging a sea of faces, with names?

What am I teaching my kids as I engage or disengage in my world…my sea of faces, with names? Engage. Is my goal just to be unscathed by the world…or to engage the world, with the only True message of Hope? I loved this morning. It inspires me. My heart is so full with the desire to see those kids engage- being in the world, engaging BUT not of the world…to see them know exactly who they are in Christ. Engage.

The Bag...

2009-09-14T22:59:00.005-04:00
I must tell you a sweet, sweet story- 17 years ago or so I sat in a Chinese restaurant in Minnesota, with my Mom and 2 sisters…celebrating my oldest sister’s 40th Birthday. We ate well and sat drinking our “Birthday” tea. As we enjoyed the time…the conversation turned to gifts. What would she LOVE to have? What would be a great “marker” for her 40th Birthday? In a moment of sheer unguarded clarity she spoke…”A Coach purse.” We laughed and oohhhh and ahhhhhed and then…my mother said, “Let’s go get one, right now.”

Now, you have to understand, my mother is a Great Depression Era child, she is a seriously NON-frivolous person. She re-uses foil! Not knocking the foil re-use…I do it too, sometimes. But you have to understand, the last person IN THE WORLD who would buy a $200ish purse would be my Mom! That was simply unheard of!

No joke, we paid the bill at the restaurant and we marched right up to the Couch counter, in Macy’s (I think it was Macy’s, or some department store) and my mother plunked down the money for a brand new Coach purse for my sister’s 40th. Unbelievable.

That was the beginning of a family tradition…we did the same thing 2 years later for my other sister’s 40th. And baby Mandi? She wouldn’t be turning 40 for quite some time, so she got a knock-off at a flea market. :) I must tell you, I’m really not that big of a Coach fan, or a $200 purse fan.

Anyway, this summer I turned 40 and low and behold my Mom, sisters and I found ourselves at the Coach outlet. HMMMM….honestly, we were there because of my niece and I really had no idea we would be looking for me! As my Mom came up to me and said, “Well, which one do you want? “ I was really quite dumbfounded…not to sound ungrateful but I really didn’t WANT a Coach purse!

I looked around…handled a few purses and was getting ready to settle for one when my sister brought me a sleek black Coach briefcase-satchel-like-thing, she said; “Wouldn’t this be great for all your Bible Study stuff?” My Mom looked at me and said to me something like, “That’s the one.”

I don’t think I can put into words what it meant to me to have my mom buy something so extravagant for what I have been called to do. To Teach. We talked about it later…she was so pleased to “invest” in a bag that would carry the Word and be a help to me, as I minister the Word to women.

My Mom turned 80 this year, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have her in my life, but her extravagant purchase of tradition, for my 40th, meant the world to me. I’ll think of her always as I carry my bag week by week. When you see me in class don’t notice the bag, but remember what the bag contains. What it contains is worth all the investment in the world. Had to tell you my sweet, sweet story…thanks Mom.

Fall 2009 Bible Study..."The Relationship"

2009-09-11T15:12:00.013-04:00

Fall 2009 Bible Study "The Relationship"....5 distinct parts, yet all connected! Trying out the web-cam and no I don't have anything in my eye...evidently I just like to blink and talk with my eyes! I don't really think anyone looks at this anyway, so I'm going out on a limb and posting it! I need to seriously work on my promo skills! By the way, at the end...I meant to say "join me" but I crossed it with "enjoy" and got..."en-join me!" LOL!! Seriously though, I am excited about Bible Study this year. Obviously...there is no video. Darn. It wouldn't upload. You'll just have to trust me, it was a hoot! Still excited about Bible Study, hope you can come!

A child will lead them...

2009-08-05T10:37:00.003-04:00
I must say, we all know kids can be, well…kids. Cute. Funny. Annoying. Kids. I have a unique relationship in my life with a 56 year old adult, who has the mental capacity of about a 4-5 year old. My friend “Lilly”. Lilly comes to church with us every Sunday as long as the weather is ok, otherwise she’s on “vacation”.

Lilly has been “dropped in my lap”, by the Lord, and honestly I’ve struggled with that. Please don’t get me wrong, I love Lilly but I have my own kiddos to take care of and sometimes I struggle resenting the fact that I have another. Honestly (I’m ashamed to admit it) I’ve thought to myself, “what is the point of all this?”

Until on a Sunday a few months ago, I picked up Lilly for church and we were driving along talking about her week. She mentioned something she was “teaching” her little 2 yr old niece…something that was not appropriate at all. Lilly thought it was SO very funny and I gently mentioned that teaching her niece that particular song/action could really teach her something wrong. Not much was said but as you would correct a kindergartner…I corrected Lilly, end of story…so I thought.

We went to Sunday school and Church as usual and I “watched” Lilly…again, slightly annoyed at times. At the end of the service, Lilly broke down in tears, hung her head, and cried into her arms…it was really quite heart-breaking. I put my arm around her (lots of times she cries over things she wants, or people who might be sick in her family) and said…”Lilly, what’s wrong?” She looked up at me….”Mandi, I don’t want to teach *Carrie bad things. I want to teach her good things…things about Jesus. I want her to grow up and be a good girl.”

In a span of just a few hours I saw such genuine, beautiful, and authentic brokenness in this 56 yr old/ 5 yr old. She understood what she taught her niece mattered. So was torn up and broken before God that she might led her niece away from the things of the Lord. That hit me like a ton of bricks…Lilly led me. Simply, sweetly, not even being aware….she taught me about brokenness over sin and softness toward others. What we do, matters…what we teach with our lives, matters. I was in danger of teaching my children that all people, don't matter-as I can be impatient with Lilly. What we teach by our brokenness over our own sin or lack of it, matters. A little child, in a 56 yr old body can and….will lead them. That morning, Lilly led me to my own brokenness over how I treat her. It was quite beautiful!

My Mom...

2009-07-14T21:32:00.003-04:00
My Mom turned 80 today…amazing, how did she get that old!? I just hope I’m a lot like her in 40 years. She is sharp, active, loves life-family and Jesus. She is truly an amazing woman. I spent the day celebrating, watching, asking reminiscent questions and listening to her answers. Wow, it was fun and I loved it. I have heard all this before, but listening to her again, my how things have changed in 80 years.

Here is a few things that she shared...She was born in the year of the stock market crash 1929, the year the Great Depression hit our country. They had no telephone…they “shared” with a neighbor. They did have running water and electricity but no refrigerator, just an icebox….a literal box that held ice! My grandmother had 3 sons and the nun at the hospital promised my grandmother if she had the baby before midnight it would be a girl and if after midnight a boy. Well, my mom was born at 11:54pm….and my grandmother had her girl! Go figure!

Life was simple and my mom has seen so much in 80 years…I can only imagine that I will see and have seen so much too. Life and time just flies by. Only a few things last…may we be like my Mom and invest in things that WILL last.

Just thinkin...

2009-06-22T15:26:00.001-04:00
I’ve spent 20 years “preparing” for an event….dreading an event. And you know what? I’m not prepared. I wonder how much time I have wasted over the last 20 years in my “preparing”, ok, I’ll call it what it is. Worry.

Ugg. This is a lesson I really need to learn, and the Lord is patiently teaching me. It struck me like a 2x4 today…all that “preparing” did nothing; I’m not prepared at all, at least not prepared because of the worrying.

I have a tendency to be a “glass half empty” kind of gal and a “let’s just be prepared” worrier. It’s a chronic kind of condition for me. I’m not justifying (ok maybe I am) or just saying that is the way I am and I can’t help it. I’m confessing. I was reminded very clearly today…

Matthew 6: 27, 33-34 says…
27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I’ve been thinking on the merge of theology and practicality lately, because honestly there seems to be such a gap for me sometimes. Where what I believe and what I live don’t really match. Thus speaking to what I truly believe.

I tend to justify my chronic sin issues in the lane of indecision between my theology and my life. There lies the problem. That doesn’t speak very highly of the relationship that was purchased for me on Calvary, by Jesus, does it? This relationship He purchased is living, breathing, changing, growing…in spite of me. Maybe my focus should be more on the “preparing” of that eternal relationship, instead of “preparing” for all that life has? Worrying. Just me thinkin….

3rd Annual Cleanse.Fill.Pour Retreat

2009-06-13T12:13:00.001-04:00
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Who's Leading Who?

2009-06-03T15:58:00.008-04:00
The Cornett's are dog people, but usually we are "used" dog people. In our 19 years of marriage we have had 3 fully grown "used" Airedale's- all loved and then buried...until now. We have a puppy from the pound. My how different puppies are, needless to say, we were not prepared.

I usually give Oliver his morning walk, in my PJ's and a coat and I'll tell you, the real question is; who is leading who on our walks? He tries to lead me, or should I say...he drags, pulls, yanks, and runs his way around the block. I hold tight of the leash and give him only so much rope. We have tried the "spike collar", it has helped but boy...he has a mind of his own.

Sound familiar at all to your life? I sure act like Oliver sometimes...OK, more than I'd like to admit. The Lord is leading and I'm running around the block, pulling and yanking. Sometimes I think I need "spike collar" yet what I receive is grace and mercy. God is so good, so patient, so faithful. He is an ever capable "Trainer". He knows what He is doing, where He is leading. He fully supplies all that is needed. I think I just need to get a grip and maybe a bit less distracted...and follow.

I Don't "One Two"!

2009-04-17T21:34:00.007-04:00
My daughter is almost 7 and I was just reminiscing about her young life this morning. When she was just a toddler one of her cute phrases was..."I don't one two". What she really meant was "I don't want to." Well, the phrase, "I don't one two" stuck and John and I laugh thinking about her sweet voice saying it to this day. Funny how those cute phrases from childhood stick with you!

I was just telling the Lord this morning something...."I don't one two" do. I don't want to love a particular person. I don't want to. I know I need to. I know I'm called to but the fact of the matter is...I don't want to. Sometimes we need, like I did this morning, to ask the Lord for the "want to" in things. Things that, I don't want to obey. I don't want to wait in. I don't want to...you fill in the blank.

It made me think of Maggie's "I don't one two" phrase. One....I need to see the need to "want to" in the first place and Two...I need to acknowledge the fact that I can't just suck up the "want to". I need Him to give me the "want to" of this Christian life. It's His work in me and you...do we have the "one two" He wants to impart to all of us? Are we in the pattern of asking Him to give us His "one two"?

Is He Alive Today?

2009-04-13T18:24:00.003-04:00
Well, we just celebrated the most important holiday on the Christian calendar yesterday...Easter. He is alive! Churches were packed, bells were ringing. So many acknowledging the fact that He is risen...Jesus is alive!

So, I've been thinking and I question; Is He alive today? Of course, He is, that's the obvious answer but what does my life really say? What does my life testify too today? Yesterday my mouth testified that He is alive...but how about my life today?

Fundamentally speaking, what we believe is what we act upon. Think about it...what we truly believe is what we do. Belief and actions are directly connected. If I think I won't get caught, I just might...you fill in the blank. If I think I can, I will. If I don't think I can, I won't. If I believe I'm going to go for a walk later....I'll eat those jelly beans now. Whatever. What we do is directly connected to what we believe about something.

So, we need to ask ourselves....what do we believe about the resurrection of Jesus, today? Is He alive? What we believe about who Jesus is and if He is alive, today is directly connected to how we will live out our lives. The resurrection is not about a holiday we celebrate once a year...it is a reality that is suppose to transform how we view the world and transform us 24/7 ....365 days a year. What does my life speak really speak about what I say I believe? Not what I know about. Is He alive today? Yes. The question is; what do our lives say that we truly believe?

Pea soup...

2009-04-02T14:33:00.014-04:00
I hate pea soup...always have. It looks, how shall I say it, like baby poop and the smell of it? Well, let's just say, I've had my issues with pea soup. I know I sound childish but I'd rather eat practically anything other than pea soup.

Earlier this year, I was at a weekend retreat where all the women involved were to make a meal...you won't believe it, at lunch one day, it was pea soup. I had seen her making it, I had desperately hoped two choices would be available, but no. The lunch menu was pea soup. This was a small gathering of ladies, no flying under the radar here, so I did the only polite thing I could think of; I took as little of it as I could to still look like I was eating and grateful. The childhood memories of pea soup and the hope of pea soup escape over-took me as I sat down for lunch... no way of escape. We prayed, I prayed harder that I would not shame myself at the table. Taking my spoon and with a "MMMMM" smile took a bite.

What happened next totally floored me...I liked it. This pea soup tasted nothing like the pea soup I have had in the past. This was good, it wasn't only good...it tasted great. I actually enjoyed it. I went back for more. I asked for the recipe. I went home and bought split peas for the first time in my life. In my book, pea soup has been redeemed. Wow. Never, ever thought I would think that! Pea Soup.

So, what does this have to do with anything? It made me stop and consider, how many things in my life, in my circumstances, or even a few people, I can tend to look at and even treat like pea soup. Yuck. There are things in my life that make my stomach twist and turn, I dread...things and issues that I hate, just like pea soup. Things that I have conditioned with a response, just like my pea soup response.

But, what if the Lord is able to make things that we have issues about, preconceived opinions about...even unpleasant experiences we have had and change the "taste"? What if He could make them "taste" different? What if these people or circumstances could be transformed into something other than what they are...what if I am transformed? What if my "taste" for these things changed...and it was great? Or am I just so conditoned with my response of "Yuck" I don't even give them a try? Do I just asumme it's the same old, same old. Ummmmm....

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Our God is in the business of making and re-making. He makes things new....even a pea soup life. How am I viewing my pea soup?

Faith...

2009-02-22T23:11:00.002-05:00
Hebrews 1:1; "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen."

Do I really hope/trust/anticipate that I will really be completed in Christ? Am I convinced and convicted that it will be a reality? Am I convinced that He is enough? That He is able? Faith has such a high price tag to God...faith in Him. He knows exactly Who He is and what He is doing. He is supremely confident that He is able, that He is enough. I'm the one who doubts, who walks so often in that doubt- not by faith but by sight.

Philippians 1:6; "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began the good work in you will carry it out into completion in the day of Christ Jesus."

I need to operate today in the reality of the future...in faith, not by sight...not by feelings or circumstances not by what seems to be my current reality of life and situation. By faith in Him and in what He accomplished in His finished work on the Cross. He purchased my freedom and my completion. He is supremely confident He is enough and able and that I am not. He "betting" on Himself and not on me. I guess there really is a lot of freedom, grace, love, and assurance in that- now faith needs to be applied. I once heard Beth Moore say that we need to be Christ followers living lives of "faithing"...faith is a verb. I like that. I need that. Faith.

Where does the time go?

2009-02-15T15:04:00.002-05:00
Where does the time go? I haven't posted since January and now it is the middle of February! What's up? Life. Busy, busy life. All is well but honestly a little crazy and more crazy. I'm not even sure anyone notices...know what I mean? This whole cyber-world thing is actually a bit creepy. Who is watching? Is anyone there? Hee, Hee...I crack myself up.

Well, one thing is for sure. The Lord is always there...check out Genesis 16, the account of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar. God reveals Himself as El-Roi, the God who sees. He sees. Hebrews 4 also says that all things are laid out before Him. He sees.

I need to be reminded that He sees. Not just for the sake of Him seeing all things I might try to hide but to know that I am seen. He sees me. He more than just notices. He sees.

Thank you Lord, that although I try to hide I'm seen but also thank you that you just plain see me. All of me. He is more than just aware or around...He sees.

Carrying the Weight of the Groceries…and the World.

2009-01-27T20:05:00.001-05:00
Went to the grocery store last week, it was just an average trip but boy, was it cold! With that in mind, I decided that I needed to make as few trips as possible into the house. SO I decided to make one trip…I piled and spaced the plastic bags up my arms and on each finger. I was determined. Finally, I looped my small suitcase sized purse (in other words, my very large purse) over my last finger and headed to the door.

The first problem was to get the sliding door of the van closed…with much shoving, pushing and “foot tactics” I was able to get the door shut. Up the steps and to the door- literally arms extended, every muscle and finger strained and feeling like I was dying, I tottered. Really, this is not JUST a case of being out of shape; it was just a really bad plan- way too much stuff! No joke, my fingers were pinched and hurt for an hour!

Needless to say, I looked burdened and heavy-laden, which I was. Frankly, I looked like an over zealous idiot! It wasn’t until I realized that I didn’t have a plan to get the house door open that it hit me. This is what my life feels like, more often than I care to admit. It can feel like I’m carrying everything, in one trip. I can be heavy with life, with worry, with stress, with the lack of control- heavy with everything, even good things! Are you hearing me? It hit me, as I had to PUT DOWN all the groceries…

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

What a lesson to learn and re-learn. How’s it going carrying the weigh of the world and all the groceries? It’s not a great plan. Lay down your burdens; exchange them for His light load. He already carried it all.

Eating Peanut Butter on a Rice Cake, in the Car, on a Snowy Day...

2009-01-14T16:46:00.006-05:00
Eating peanut butter on a rice cake, in the car, on a snowy day...that is how my morning started. I was on my way to teach class this morning and I usually eat my breakfast in the car (yes, I am always late and multitasking). This morning was no exception. Except, I choose a rice cake and it was a very snowy day. Driving slowly and carefully and eating my peanut butter rice cake. Not a good scenario. Why you might ask? Well, rice cakes are... how shall we say...rather crumbly. And as I'm driving and eating my rice cake, crumblies (is that a word?) are falling all around. I was rather distracted by this...I hope you seeing my dilemma, on a snowy day.

Silly? Yes, I know. But I do have a point, really. I had to literally tell my self, "Let the crumblies go!" (I spoke to myself in my head...I'm not totally crazy!) I can deal with the mess later, when I'm safe and not driving on a snowy day. So I did just that and made it to Bible Study just fine and on time. Whew. The crumblies got taken care of and all was well.

Does life ever throw you a few "crumblies"? At a particularly difficult time or place...or "inclement weather" season of life? Can you relate to being totally sidetracked with cleaning up the "crumblies"...in turn, putting real serious issues at risk? Do you need to hear the words;"Let it go". There are so many things in my everyday life that I really need to treat as a "crumblie". I need to let them go...they will be there later. So few things really last and so much is at stake.

When God says "No"...

2009-01-09T17:52:00.008-05:00
Has God said "No" to you on any particular issue lately? I have recently had a confirmed "No" from the Lord and honestly, I'm learning to be grateful. I thought I would be devastated but I wasn't. I'm learning that "No"s are not all bad...yes, it has taken me 40 years to discover that! That doesn't mean we always like it or enjoy the "No" but we can trust God and then, even in the "No"...

Psalm 37:3-5, "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it."

Trust, Do, Dwell, Cultivate, Delight, Commit, and more Trust...all verbs. All surrounding "getting" the desires of our heart. How does a "No" from the Lord work into this? Well, when I receive a "No", I'm tempted to drop in a heap and stop...Trusting, Doing, Dwelling, Cultivating, Committing and so on. My tendenacy is lack of faith in the midst of a "No".

He is good and He is God and He is actively and accurately designing a change in our desires. He is enough. Am I desiring Him, even in the "No"? Am I dropping in a spiritual heap to throw a spiritual fit? Sometimes. Today, though, I'll choose to thank Him for the "No" and continue to Trust, Do, Dwell, Cultivate, Delight and then Trust some more...

A New Year...

2009-01-02T00:17:00.003-05:00
Can you believe it? 2009, another New Year. Where does the time go? I've been reflecting on 2008 and trying not to "look" too far into 2009- a general problem I have. I like guarantees, I want the promise that this year holds only wonderful things. What do you feel as you "look" into this New Year? Hope? Fear? Certainty? Uncertainty? Faith? Or, like me, all of the above and then some?

Proverbs 31:25 " Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future."

Honestly, that seems to sting a little...ok, a lot. I'm not so sure I'm smiling at the future and strength and dignity? I think my holiday pounds are causing me to not fit into that clothing, right now! LOL.

Where am I going to find the strength and the dignity to wear for the smiling at the future part of the New Year? 2008 left me exhausted...unless. Unless. Yes, that is it. It is His Strength. His Dignity or should I say my identity in Him, that gives me dignity, that I need to wear- holiday pounds or not!

Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

2009 a New Year...trusting, revering the One who is Redeeming. Trusting the One who is the Strength and who always smiles at the future. Happy New Year. May our eyes be on Him this year, no matter what the year brings.

Days of Mercy, Grace and Peace....

2008-12-26T18:28:00.011-05:00
Well, it's December 26th...Merry Christmas. Late. I've been meaning to blog but due to the excessively crazy holiday...yet, striving to remain "Christ"-mas in the season, something had to give besides my last nerve! WHEW....

I've been thinking on some things and I just want to share one thing. I hear the collective, "Ya, right, just one" :) That's OK.

John 3:16,17- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

We are all very familiar with these verses, sometimes I find myself, too familiar. God did not send Jesus to judge the world. I've been struck by what that looked like, 2000-ish years ago. Mary, full-term and in the agonizing labor...desperately alone, naive, terrified. Face it, my sisters, she did not have an epidural or a wonderful labor coach with cool cloths!

Jesus was born. YHWH- God Himself...fully God and fully man, the Word became flesh. He entered this world like any other baby does; with pain, blood, water...relief. He came not to judge. If He had come to judge, the world would have ceased to exist by the sheer presence of His Holiness. He came not to judge but to die...to save.

We live in an unprecedented time, we live in a time of great mercy, grace and peace. We live because He came not to judge. The days are relatively few,as I am becoming more and more aware of. He will come again- this time He will judge. Where is our focus the other 364 days of the year? Christ needs to be our focus of everyday...the mercy, grace and peace He offers needs to be the focus of all our days- until we see Him face to face.

Let the reality of what that looked like...God NOT judging-at Christ's birth, sit upon your heart. Let the reality of His coming not to judge but to offer Salvation, Mercy, Grace and Peace rest upon you soul. Merry Christmas...and Peace on Earth- the real peace that every soul is longing for. Jesus.

The Gas Gauge...

2008-12-16T20:28:00.004-05:00
Well, we just paid off our van! WHOO HOO!! This is a big deal for us and very exciting too. Of course, John and I have been joking every time we are together in the van..."She doesn't sound so good." One of us responds, "Shhh, don't say that too loud. The van is listening. She is going to break down as soon as she is paid off." We laugh together often, it's like she (yes, the van is a she) knows she is almost fully ours! Windows are not working properly, one door has had trouble and so on. You get the point. No big deal, but very funny.

The latest thing to go is the gas gauge. It always shows at a full tank...well at least most of the time. That's how I realized that it wasn't working. It was full, full, full and then full and then right at empty. Made it to the gas station and I had .2 of a gallon left of my 24 gallon tank. Close call. Please tell me you can already see my problem...I'm a busy woman who admittedly doesn't pay much attention to car details, SO this gas gauge thingy, it could be a real issue for me! The amount of gas left...after driving say a week, is "unclear" to me so I just keep driving until I realize...Hello! I need to get gas. I do not want to run out! Then I think to myself...it will be all right and I drive a little longer. :) Still haven't run out of gas...YET! I never realized how much I appreciated the gas gauge and the low fuel light!

I do have a point. It's the holidays...a busy,busy time of year. How is your spiritual gas gauge? Are you like me, driving-driving-driving. Assuming you'll have enough "gas" to get you through? Make sure you take some time to "fill up" with the Word, with worship and just with Jesus- in this His Season. I'm guilty of doing the same thing to the Lord that I do to my car. I'm off to "fill up"now , how about you?

A pile of rubble...

2008-12-06T23:27:00.011-05:00
I saw a huge pile of rubble tonight...this particular pile was 20 years of memories and 15 years of lots of my hard work. I saw a pile of rubble of what use to be the building of our family owned business, a business that I was a part of for 15 years. It is all I have ever known in my adult-working life.

I turned the corner on my way to my parents house and it was just gone. My folks sold the building 2 years ago and the door of my professional life (in that business) closed 3 years ago...but I had a reminder every time I went home to my parents, I drove past the place and now it is gone. Tonight, I had tears in my eyes and memories flooded my mind. A very significant chapter in my life closed with that business and now the only tangible reminder of that season of my life is gone- it is now, a pile of rubble.

I loved the 15 years of business I was in. I learned a lot about my industry,business, people...I learned a lot about life. I wouldn't change those years but I also wouldn't go back, it was time to close the doors of the business. Those years molded me and my days there prepared me for what I'm doing now. I wouldn't change how things happened but change can be difficult. I spent 15 years building a business...pouring into it and do you know what is left? A literal pile of rubble. It is a very sobering thought.

I'm no longer pouring into a business but it is an important question to ask ourselves...what are we pouring into and what will be left when it is gone? Will it be a pile of rubble? Am I pouring into a house? Am I pouring into a ministry or church program? Am I pouring into my success or my possessions? Or am I pouring into people? Into Kingdom Purposes? All I have left of the Fringe (that was the name of our family business) is the memories and the relationships. Those are all that is left.

What are you spending your life on? What are you pouring into? Spend a little time in Hebrews 12...there is only one thing that will not be left in a pile of rubble...it is the unshakable Kingdom of God. There are so few things that are eternal. People and God's Purposes and His Word.

The conversation...

2008-12-01T19:05:00.014-05:00
Here's how the conversation went...

Mandi/Mom, "Ummm....who moved this?"

Maggie, "Tommy did it."

Tommy-from the other room, "I did what?"

Maggie, "None of your business."

Does that strike anyone else as funny? OK, I'm have to admit it. I might sound just like this exchange sometimes. Blame-shifting and avoidance. Her objective? To fly under the radar. I'm positive Maggie moved it.

This small and very funny exchange reminds me of me....how often do I do the same kind of thing to people, situations, and even the Lord. OK...I'm a big girl, I don't do it out loud...I do it in my head and that doesn't mean I'm nuts-o! My objective? Get the spiritual spotlight on to someone else...and then tell myself not to worry about it.

Blame-shift, avoid and try to fly under the Holy Spirit's radar. I guess I can be kind of like a spiritual 6 year old...and in a child of the King, it's really not funny or cute. I'm grateful I'm starting to see it. I'm grateful that the Lord will not allow me to "fly under the radar". In reality, with Him, there is no "under the radar"! He sees it all and He is in the business of transforming His Own. Love you all.....

To tolerate....

2008-11-24T14:57:00.005-05:00
Do you ever feel like you just tolerate things? You know, the next task, job, commitment or maybe a person you just tolerate? To tolerate, it's a very draining way to live.

Dictionary.com has one definition for Tolerate:
to put up with something or somebody unpleasant; "I cannot bear his constant criticism"; "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"; "he learned to tolerate the heat"; "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"

I'll be honest, sometimes it just seems like I tolerate a lot of things and people in my day. Here's the thing, I don't want to just be tolerated. When I wake up in the morning, that is not on the top of any one's list; "I hope the world and my friends and family just put up with me. I hope that I am just tolerated today!" How horrible! Yet, that is what I do with certain people in my life, (Can you tell I'm being convicted out this!?) I simply tolerate them...they drive me crazy or annoy me or whatever and I simply tolerate them and the holiday's are sometimes the worst time of year to do this. Are you hearing me?

Well, as I struggle with this and as we come into this week...I don't want to have the attitude of just "putting up with", I don't want to just tolerate. I want to see with my Master's eyes and do you know how He sees you? And me? Not with the eyes of one Who just "puts up with" us! Let that sink in...do you ever feel like God is just tolerating you? He is not...He has gone to radically great lengths to have a personal intimate relationship with you. He loves you. He's not disgusted and putting up with all the unpleasant things about you...He's in the business of changing you from the inside out, by the power of the Holy Spirit because of the finished work of the Cross of Jesus.

He is wild about you and more than excited about the work that He is doing. Now here is where the rubber meets the road for me, Am I going to look at all those people who I tolerate with my eyes or His? He is not done in them either... and I am called to be His Hands and His Feet. Love you my sisters...

I am not God...

2008-11-21T10:00:00.008-05:00
I am not God....I know, I know no shocker there but I had another "moment" this morning as a funny reminder of just how true that is. I am a thinker and I have been wrestling with a particular doctrinal issue lately and being who I am, a lot of times I think while I multitask...and being who I am, I am usually in some kind of hurry as I do my task.

Case in point, while getting ready this morning sitting in front of the mirror I put on my mascara and grabbed the blow dryer with my left hand and the body splash with the right hand. Here's the picture:

1.Thinking deeply about this doctrinal issue and trying to wrap my brain around it.

2.Drying my hair with my left hand.

3.Spraying body splash with my right hand...right into my eyes which of course had mascara that hadn't dried yet.

4.Frantically blinking to get the body splash out, I then had huge eyelash marks all underneath my eyes- did I mention while pondering the deep issues of doctrine?

HELLO, I am SO not God- but I did look very funny! I can't even multitask and put on my makeup for crying out loud. If you see me today, I may still have some raccoon eyes, that is why!

Point of the day, God is God and He is totally able to multitask and take care of "doctrine" and He is certainly not in a rush. Actually, I don't think God has "doctrine"...He just is and He is completely OK with that. He's certainly not thrown off the throne with my need to know. So, I'm learning to rest in Him and in the fact that He is in control. I'm learning that it is OK, if I just don't know...I can rest in the fact that He is known. The question is; Am I knowing HIM more, not just knowing doctrine? He desires to be known and He has made a way...that is eternal life. John 17:3

Shocker...2 hr. delay.

2008-11-18T16:42:00.005-05:00
Well, the morning, we had the first of many snow-related 2 hr. delays for school. Shocker. The snow has hit and it's only November 18th! Here's the deal with 2 hr. delays, you wake up and don't know what you are going to get and then it's only a 2 hour setback. Simply put, it messes with my day. It throws me off. It messes with my mind, it messes with my plans. 2 hours delays.

Does life ever seem like it has its share of 2 hour delays to you? Or does it sometimes seem like God is just in a unexpected delay pattern, due to some sort of "weather" situations? Does life ever mess with you and leave you out of sorts, with plans delayed? Praise the Lord, He is not like the school board! (Hey now, I'm not trying to be mean to the school board!) I'm reminded of this Truth. God is always on time. There are no delays from His Perspective. My perspective says..."Why the 2-hour (or 2 day, 2 month, how about 2 year...you get it) delay? Why is this? The 'weather' doesn't seem so bad. Why does it seem like the Lord is waiting...delaying?" Maybe I do treat the Lord like the school board!?

Isaiah 26:3,4 says, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. "

So, as I'm experiencing my "2 hour delays" from the Lord I can have peace, as I trust Him. He is on time. He is unmovable, even in our "weather". He is the Rock. He's not messing with my mind or my life. Wow. Whole new perspective on those delays and maybe I should stop judging Him like I do the school board? He sees all the roads and what is safe...He knows what He's doing and what He is "delaying" and it is not His Purposes!

Log in my eye.....

2008-11-13T17:09:00.010-05:00
Well, I clearly had a "Mandi Moment" today. It seems I'm having trouble thinking clearly and it is not because of my hair color. As I drove home from Valpo I was multi-tasking, by catching up with my mom on my cell (that is a total other issue, I know). Anyway, got home and went inside...did a load of dishes, load of laundry, checked my email and even spent a few minutes "on the couch" with John. We decided we needed milk and bread (didn't have a thing available for lunch, again, a whole other issue), I asked him to ride with me to CVS. Had some "extra" bucks...lunch would practically be free and we could have some time together. A CVS date. :)

Anyway...I went on a search for my car keys. Shocker, they were no where to be found. No, I didn't have them in my hand...as I grabbed John's keys and we headed to the car. Well...the car was open and totally running, in the middle of the street. Found my keys. I burst out laughing...and so did John. I seriously am losing it. I had spent at least a half an hour inside doing stuff as the running car sat open in front of the house in the middle of town. What a blond! Maybe it is because of my hair color!

Here's the thing, I laughed. John laughed. It was dumb and a total mistake but do you know what? Had John done that...I would have reacted totally differently. Honestly, I would have been totally mad. My mind would have gone in a hundred different directions from someone stealing the car to the car blowing up from over-heating! No matter, I wouldn't have laughed if it was John. That is just the truth of it.

Today's events make me pause and think, how do I react to the "speck" in other people's eyes, when a huge log is hanging out of my own? I made a mistake and had a "blond" moment today. But honestly, sometimes I can have real trouble cutting other people slack when they do dumb things-things that have nothing to do with silly things like car keys, but things like keeping a commitment or an off-handed remark. Things we all tend to judge people on.

Grace is an amazing thing. John cut me a lot of grace, I cut myself a lot of grace. Taking the time to look at the circumstances around a situation does amazing things. Cutting people the same break I so desperately need does amazing things. Face it, so many of our moments, spiritually speaking, are "blond" moments and we all need a ton of grace constantly! Lesson for the day...get the log out, and cut some grace, before I react to someones speck.

A Vote for Change....

2008-11-06T11:06:00.010-05:00
Well, millions of people showed up at the poles on Tuesday to "vote for change" and a change in our government, there will be. No matter what your personal political views are, it doesn't matter to me, I don't want to talk about politics but I would just like to share an observation and then a conviction that I experienced this week, because of the "vote for change."

As I woke up on Wednesday morning to the overwhelming "vote for change", I was hit like a ton of bricks...Americans have voted, they have spoken and this American culture says, "Status quo will not do, we want change." My sisters, we live in a culture that is crying out and voting for...CHANGE.

Here's a thing, you and I know but we tend to forget. True Change can only happen when the human heart is changed by a personal relationship with Jesus. HE is the True Agent for lasting change. Presidents can't give true change (any of them), Politics can't, Government can't, Churches can't, and programs,with or without Jesus' name attached, can't change people. Only Jesus can, though His finished work on the Cross and the Power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. He changes people. Does the Church in America look like that?

What hit me and convicted me to the core is...People are desperately looking and seeking change and many, if not most (many church-goers included), don't have a clue that Christ is the answer. Do you see what kind of opportunity that this is? The fields are ripe for the harvest...this is a huge opportunity for the Church (not for the buildings and the programs), but for the Body of Believers to answer the call for change. Christ is the answer. The world is not satisfied with status quo, and the church is responsible for what they have been "selling"...the status quo brand of Christianity that looks like just another option, like another brand of another religion. Please hear my heart, I'm not talking about the words we use, I'm talking about the results in our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ works, it changes people from the inside out! The real question is; does it look like it, in your life and mine?

This is a strategic time and place in history, and I don't want to be a part of the status quo...I want to display the grace and power of True Change. "Christ in me, the hope of Glory", pointing the many who are seeking temporary change, in my little sphere, to the Real Source of the change they seek. I believe this is a wake up call to the Body of Christ. A call for our lives to display the change that the Gospel makes in a life.

Can we look back and see that the Lord has and is changing us? Is the Gospel not only proclaimed in our words but in our lives? Not perfectly but progressively...is Jesus changing us? Americans want change. I believe we need to confess and repent, personally for the lack of change in our lives, the lack of love and power...not lack of love for the issues but lack of love for Christ. Not point the finger at who and what...but in humility, raising our empty hands up, asking the Lord to change us, so that the world...those who seek change will see it, in us and as they see us...they would see Change-which is Jesus.

On the Lip....

2008-11-01T08:10:00.005-04:00
Have you ever noticed that the lip is a very sensitive place? Yesterday I started what I thought was a cold sore on my lip, man it hurts! I started to apply some medicine and went to bed. So this morning...the pain has increased, not the size just the pain. Looking in the mirror...it really is small. Actually, I don't think it is a cold sore after all, just a zit. Small, yet it feels like the size of a baseball...right on the lip! Goes to show you how big things come in small packages and they are not always "good" things!

So often the pain in our hearts can be the same way, something or someone hurts us and it's really not that big of a thing, but the pain? Feels like it's been inflicted by a baseball bat! Have you taken "one on the lip" this week? Is there a pain that shouldn't be "that bad" but it is? A pain when you look in the "mirror" it seems small or even different yet, you can't get past the pain? Do I have a point? Yes, I do.

I think it is very important to acknowledge our pain for what it is and acknowledge that some places in our lives are more sensitive than others. I also think it is so important not to diminish the fact that if something seems so small yet hurts so badly...that the Lord may have allowed a sensitive place to be "wounded" so that it may heal.

I have been in Hebrews 12 for quite some time, it is a great passage! I can get really messed up on what the "discipline" of the Lord looks like- at the root of one of the Greek words used here it means- "the sum total of child-rearing" and we learn that discipline-training heals. Catch that...the Lord trains/grows us up/disciplines to heal.

Hebrews 12:11-13 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet those who have been trained by it, afterwards it (discipline/training up) yields peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, BUT rather be healed."

Have you taken one the the lip and it really hurts? Know that the Lord is doing good things...acknowledge the pain and rest in Him. He is working. He is growing you up. I'm almost 40 and still getting zits! They are painful, especially on the lip! We will never be "fully-grown" until we see Him face to face. Don't get so weary that you give up...know that the pain heals.

On that day...scattered

2008-10-29T20:25:00.007-04:00
I just had Bible Study this morning and we were in Acts 8. If you don't know the history, check it out. Stephen has just been martyred (in Acts 7) and "on that day" a great persecution started in Jerusalem and the believers were scattered. Everything changed that day for the average Jewish Christian-they were torn from their safe and comfortable life, whatever that may have looked like and scattered. My first response? How horrible! How would you have responded? Me? I think I would have responded in total panic and fear...scattered to who knows where and then my tendency would have been to close myself into my "new" home and be silent, questioning God. "Where are you in this?"

What was the Lord doing? He was literally scattering His Church to fulfill His Great Commission (Acts 1:8). What was the tool? Persecution. What was the reason? The gospel going into all the world. The gospel was to be "scattered" and that happened by means of the believers being literally scattered, because of persecution. What does the Lord use in our lives to accomplish His Purposes? Sometimes...troubles, trials, sometimes scattering. How will we respond? Panic and fear? Or faith and boldness? Check out Philip in Acts 8. What an example of a man filled with faith not fear. What an example of the gospel of Jesus Christ infusing life into the scattering experiences.

$ 3.75...to spare!

2008-10-23T13:27:00.008-04:00
I just have to give a word of testimony of how Great and Big our God is...even in the small things. Our family is a ministry family, my husband is in full-time paid ministry and I...well, I do ministry and the Lord has made it VERY clear that I am just to "do" ministry and He will see that I'm "paid". He provides every month but I'll admit it is not an easy way to live.

I have to share with you, this month we were $96.25 short of making our bills. There you have it, that is the black and white of it. I got up this morning first thing, before I even spent any quiet time with the Lord, and immediately checked our bank account, online. I was trying not to be stressed but we needed the money by tomorrow and well...you know. :)

Anyway, I did the math twice, three times...got Maggie to school, went to the bank with one deposit and then the store for our groceries (which was paid for, with a "love-gift" from one of my classes! See the Lord providing!?) came back home and did the math again...just checking for any spare money, sure enough $96.25 short.

I wish I could tell you that I got on my knees with a wash of sunlight pouring down upon me and prayed...no, instead I sighed, got up and went to the mail box. There was a $100.00 check in the mail. Now, you have to understand...I really am not that surprised. I could tell you story upon story of how the Lord has and does provide for us BUT isn't that just amazing?!? I'm learning to share with others what He does! He Provides.

$3.75 to spare...here's the thing, I have a dinner appointment tonight at Wendy's with one of my Bible Study girls, $3.75 isn't just a little extra, it is just perfect, they have a great $1 menu!

"Thank you Lord, for all You do in Your sheer Amazing Grace. We don't deserve it...I'm overwhelmed. I'm humbled. Thank you. Praise Your Mighty Name. YOU are enough"

Where are you looking?

2008-10-21T22:15:00.007-04:00
Where are you looking, these days? There is a lot going on in our world, nation and I dare say...there is a lot going on in most of our lives. This week alone I have heard of at least 6 very serious life changing illnesses, 3 ugly and huge family dramas, and a host of other messed up things. So where do we look?

I've been thinking about 2 phrases which compose actually philosophies of dealing with life and issues; "the grass is always greener" mentality or the "someone always has it worse" mentality. Do those mentalities really work? Where do these philosophies really point? Is the grass truly greener or is it the perpetual crisis of "fence hopping" to get to the never-ending, ever greener pastures? Does the fact that some one does always have it worse than me really solve the heaviness of heart and give me hope?

Tonight, as I think on this, I am reminded...Jesus is the Great Shepherd who knows where the grass is most plentiful..there really is no greener pasture and no matter how much worse another sheep seems to be, Jesus is the only One Who is the Shepherding Healer, the True Caretaker.

Where do I need to look these days and every day until I go home? To Jesus and to Him Alone! Where are you looking? Where do you tend to look? Do you tend to look at another pasture or at another sheep? Me too, keep looking at Him.

Seeds...into Flowers.

2008-10-16T23:36:00.006-04:00
Maggie got some seeds somewhere...I can't remember exactly when or where. I'm not very good at the whole garden/planting thing, but I do enjoy looking at the flowers. I'm just not very good at growing anything but weeds!

So back in the summer, Maggie "planted" some seeds. Literally, she threw them on a dirt patch by the front of our porch. Well, low and behold...in October zinnias are growing. Those seeds, without any care on our part, they grew and we actually have a producing zinnia plant. It's amazing.

I can't help but smile and be amazed at the same time, every time I pass the plant. It looks really random and definitely out of place, but the plant really is beautiful. Just when I think all the blossoms are done, another pops up. Wow, it's amazing.

I'm reminded of just how many things in my life may seem random or out of place to me...how some seeds seem to be scattered carelessly but really are growing into something beautiful. I'm reminded that the Lord is not careless or seemingly uninvolved (like I am with my gardening ability!), He is tending, sowing, weeding, watering, growing...pruning.

So many times, I can get sidetracked by what I perceive as lack of growth. When in reality there are beautiful blossoming plants and all kinds of seeds growing in various stages and places. I need to take the time to notice, smile and be amazed by what the Master Gardener is doing in the garden of my life, in an unlikely season and unlikely place. Sit back and look at your life...no matter what it may look like to you, He is gardening in this season.

Rolling through the stop signs....

2008-10-09T22:54:00.004-04:00
My first born child is driving and in a very short amount of time, he is going to be taking his driving test. AHHH!!! Wouldn't you know it, our insurance company has a policy in place where he can receive a "discount" if he finishes a program of logging his drive time AND of all things, critiquing another driver. It should be no surprise that the driver most often critiqued in this scenario...would be, me.

Excuse me, I've been driving for 20+ years...I would really rather not have my 16 yr-old critique me! I must say, in addition to my heart failure at the fact that I am old enough to have a licenced driver, I am also greatly offended and I dare say, unfortunately convicted of the fact that all of my driving experience has produced a bit... of how shall I say it....arrogance and laziness. It has been brought to my attention a number of times that I have a tendency to roll through the stop signs.

Here's the thing, I tend to roll through those familiar stop signs due to the fact that I know what I'm looking for (other cars coming- thus the arrogance) and they are the same stop signs day in and day out (I really don't get out much, I stay on the same routes-thus the laziness). Hump. Now that Peter has done, or shall I say, is doing all that critiquing I've really had to recognize this as a real part of my "skilled" driving pattern. I don't even think about it...so often, I just roll right through.

Translate that to the spiritual realm for a minute. How many times do I tend to just "roll right through" God's stop signs. When He says...wait, stop, look, watch. When He says things like...stop, "the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" or "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger". Hump again. My tendency can be to just roll right through with those same issues with arrogance and laziness. "I already know what to expect, Lord." Or, "I've done this a million times, Lord." So often, I'll just keep rolling on through. What am I teaching my kids? Both physical and spiritual? Wow, who knew I could be convicted over driving? Keep your eyes open, yes for the real stop signs but also for God's Stop signs. Don't just keep on rolling through.

Squirrel!!!!!!

2008-10-03T15:16:00.006-04:00
"Squirrel!!!! " Have you ever seen the movie,"Christmas Vacation"? You know, the Chevy Chase movie (the TV version is pretty cleaned-up and a Christmas-time favorite of mine.)...anyway, everything goes wrong at Christmas and in a fit of sheer frustration Chevy cuts down a tree from his front yard and puts it in the living room where...A guest sees a live squirrel in the tree and yells, "Squirrel!!!" Everyone panics, it a ends up jumping out and landing on Chevy's back...he runs all over the house,with the squirrel attached. I'm embarrassed to admit but I laugh until I almost cry at that scene- at how absurd and hilarious it is every single time I see it. So...this week I had my one and only (at least I hope) chance to yell, "Squirrel!!!! "

Wednesday morning 1a.m. I awoke to the sound of scratching, got up and looked behind my dresser,at the source of the scratching...yes, it was a squirrel. All I could yell was, "JOHN!!!!!" at the top of my lungs! Man, what a missed opportunity! Anyway, what could we do at 1 in the morning? Not much, after it ran over my foot and into the closet...well, I slept on the couch and John... he stuck it out in the bedroom. So I had a squirrel in my closet.

You must understand I live in a close to 100 year old home with not much storage space besides the basement and yes, you guessed it, the closet. I have been meaning to clean the closet in my bedroom for the last...well, you can imagine. After my lovely experience on Wednesday, I figured there was no better time than now and frankly, a squirrel just isn't acceptable in the closet. So,I went to work...you know the saying, "it has to get worse before it gets better?" Well, that is very true in the Cornett closet. It was horrible.

After 6 bags of goodwill and 4 bags of garbage (give me a break, it is a big closet!) Still no squirrel. I know that is a good thing. I figured out he came in the window and then must have exited...at least that makes me feel better. :) Here is my point, yes I have one.

The squirrel was the catalyst to fix a long-term problem that needed fixing...the closet. I've put that off, longer than I want to admit. Isn't that so true of how our lives so often look spiritually? You see, I got pretty good at ignoring the problem of the closet because I just keep the doors shut! Until the squirrel ran in...then I COULDN'T ignore it any longer...sometimes the Lord allows squirrels to "run into the closet" of our lives...places we have gotten rather comfortable keeping shut off and closed. While the Lord, He wants to clean it out and up...make it truly usable space. Get it?

I'm getting smacked right now, in my life... with yes, my real closet but also some heart issues that are requiring cleaning up, and I want to just shut the door...thus the spiritual squirrel. Praise the Lord for your squirrel...maybe they are suppose to get in so that He can do the cleaning? Trust Him. Whatever your hidden mess, it isn't too messy and overwhelming for Him. He wants and designs to make every area of our lives usuable...for Him and His purposes. Do the squirrel's freak us out? Duh! Ya....BUT He can take care and use it all!

Loving fall....

2008-09-28T15:46:00.005-04:00
I just love fall. The cooling temps, the turning leaves, the pumpkins and gourds. Love it. It's a beautiful time of year. Fall is definitely here...or at least coming. Today as I saw the leaves gathering a thought just kinda hit me.

Fall is so beautiful and yet, fall is a time of death. A season of dying and a season of preparation. The fall leaves were once attached and alive on the tree...green and full of life, until they dried and blew/fell off- at the proper time. Now, there purpose is complete. What kinds of things dry up and fall off my life? What is in a season of death, in your life? What is blowing away? Dead and gone, and yet the Lord wants you to see it as beautiful? What in your life is like fall?

I'm thinking of quite a few things...expectations, attitudes, trials, friendships, thought patterns, emotional baggage and so much more. Some things I wish wouldn't die...other things I can't wait to get rid of. If we think about it, so often, life is a time of dying and preparation and He sees it all as beautiful...the question is do I? Or do I just mourn over it? Or get overwhelmed by the mess of the "leaves"...do I look up and see the beauty? Do I see that this is just a season?

I need to be reminded that God is working and He is on time. I need to be reminded that the "dead" leaves in my life need to fall off...to prepare me, for Winter and for Spring. I need to be reminded that the mess of Fall and the leaves are beautiful...because He is Beautiful and I am His.

Loving fall....and choosing to see Him in it.

What did you see at the Pole?

2008-09-24T08:26:00.004-04:00
"See you at the Pole"...if you have no idea what I am talking about let me fill you in...this is a once a year event for kids in the public schools (maybe all schools, not sure) . On the fourth Wednesday of September kids meet at the flagpole all around this country to pray. Wow.

Well, I'm still in my jammies and I have to leave to teach in 30 minutes but I have to tell you, I just got back from seeing what was at the Pole (yes, in the car in my jammies) . What I saw was beautiful and made me cry. I saw probably 6-10 middle school kids at each of the middle schools and I saw what looked to me like at least 100 students at the High School.

Do you know what I saw at the Pole? Part of the next generation of the Church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of truth (1 Timothy 3:15) in their generation...What I saw was so beautiful. What are we investing in this next generation? Love for the lost? Love for the Word? Love for Jesus? Love for righteousness and Truth? A small part of this next generation of what the Body of Christ will look like....some of them were at the Pole.

Off to take a shower...I'll come back to all this later! :) Back now. :) Well the count I heard was...Boston 14, Kesling 12, and Laporte High 137. Wow. Amazing. May these kids all grow up to stand firm on the Truth. May they grow into fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ. May they lead their generation in Truth and Love. Oh...what is this generation following? What am I teaching them? How about you? They are all seeing this generation of the Church....what are they seeing? What I saw at the Pole was a glimpse of what the Lord wants to do in the next generation.

I feel sad.

2008-09-22T15:16:00.019-04:00
I just feel sad. Sick and sad because of "drama", sick of the lack of peace and unity in the Body of Christ. Sick of myself and my worry issues. Sick and sad. I could go on and on...I know, you are so thrilled. Why is it just so difficult sometimes? My heart is so heavy, a little sick and yes...sad.

I'm having real trouble looking up and catching a glimpse of the Big Picture of Our God. Why doesn't the gospel of Jesus Christ "look like" it works in so many Christians lives? In my life? Honestly, so often it seems to "look like" just another option..and a not very effective one ,at that. Kinda like the latest diet thing on the market...that may or may not work. Sometimes I feel I/we treat the ministry of the Holy Spirit under this New Covenant just like that...optional and no real guarantee that it works.

Jesus said it works. Spend some time in John 17 today. This is Jesus' "High Priestly" prayer right before He goes to Calvary. He prays for them, He prays for us. He prays for protection. Truth. Unity. Oneness. To be with Him. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is like the "glue" of the Body of Christ. The "glue" that the Body is going to be held with. The Holy Spirit is the common denominator every believer had. It works. He works. It is working...He is accomplishing everything He said He did and will. He is in control. The question for is...am I being Spirit led? My flesh is so strong sometimes, OK most of the time but my old man died at the Cross.

Galatians 2:20 " I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me...I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law than Christ died needlessly."

Righteousness comes thorough the finished work of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. So again, am I being Spirit filled and led? If I was, I wouldn't feel so sick and I would be able to operate in the realm of reality, the reality of Hope- confident expectation. So now I'm repenting and looking at the finished work of the Cross and yeilding to the Spirit Who sealed me.....

Just another day...

2008-09-20T21:01:00.014-04:00
Just another day. Today is Saturday and it was just another day or was it? I cleaned and tried not to flip out...those would be the words of my 12 year old. " You did a good job, Mom. You didn't flip out today." Man, out of the mouth of babes, huh? So what makes you flip out? Me? Well, messes for one and the lack of help is another.

I just have to say, aren't you so very thankful...that the Lord never looks at anything as a total mess and He never feels lacking for help. First of all, God is not "put off" or "flipped out" by any sort of so-called mess and secondly God never needs help. Wow.

Isaiah 46:9-11 "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it."

Right now (now it is Sunday), I have a few things in my life that seem to be...or at least potentially seem to be very messy. My instinct is to "flip out". I really, really want to as a matter of fact. And of course, I think He may very well need my help to sort it all out! Obviously He doesn't.

So, wherever you find yourself today. Cleaning a real messy house or trying to clean an emotional or spiritual one...remember Who you belong to. He sees it all and is not "flipped out" and He is Able to do what He has promised...which is to bring great glory to His Name. If you belong to Him, you bear His Name...Praise the Lord.

Redeeming God...

2008-09-18T13:56:00.014-04:00
Our God is a God who redeems all things. All things. Do I really believe that? Honestly, it certainly doesn't look like it sometimes and so I struggle. I just love the book of Habakkuk. If you have some time read it...it's short.

Habakkuk was an Old Testament Prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah and he had a conversation with God, we get the privilege of reading it...if you read it just look for the exchange of conversation. They go back and forth.

Habakkuk just can't wrap his mind around the fact that God was raising up a nation for the purpose of destroying His nation, Israel. How could that be? What about me? How is that good? It was going to happen...period. How was Habakkuk going to respond? How do you and I respond when things seem very much like God is not in control or He is at least "asleep at the wheel"?

Habakkuk 2:3,4 "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come,it will not delay. Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith."

What choices do we have? Two. Pride or faith. Pride doesn't always look like we might think, I believe at its root, pride is simply "all about me". It can be pretty, ugly, vain or insecure...it can look so different for each of us but really our pride is just "all about me".

Faith on the other hand, is all about God. He is Who He says He is. He has done what He has said. He is working. He is good. He is able. He is enough and so much more. So, how do I live when all looks bleak or for crying out loud when all is peachy? How do you choose to live, when God may seem to be distant....He is Redeeming, all things for our good and His Glory. The righteous will live by their faith- faith in Him. How are we walking today? By faith, sight, emotion or all of the above? Yep, me too.

Striving to be found walking by faith....and actively amputating the "all about me" pride(I get pleanty of chances!) .....and looking to Our Redeeming God...

Clean the table...

2008-09-11T18:20:00.005-04:00
We have a great porch...we also have a bunch of "porch kids". The porch itself is nothing special but the kids that sit on that porch, they sure are. We live in a very kid-a-fied downtown neighborhood so....we get all kinds of kids. We don't live in a very big town but nonetheless we live near 3 schools and we get a lot of different kinds of kids.

So yesterday Maggie (my 6yr old) was playing outside with some neighborhood girls and well drama broke out. What is up with girls? I have 2 boys and not near as much drama! Anyway, we had some trouble and I had to go out and sit on the porch. We've had problems with 2 girls in particular not getting along and I asked them if they needed to "clean the table"? They looked at me like I had a third eye...so are you, I know. Hang with me...I asked them if they were to eat their snacks and dinner and have the table covered with junk, garbage and dishes. Would it be hard to get their books out and do their homework? Of course they answered "yes", so what would you need to do? "Clean the table", they answered.

Ephesians 4:26,27, "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity."

These girls needed to "clean the table" of anger, bitterness and hurt feelings...guess what, they couldn't even remember why they were mad at each other. Shocker. If I'm not careful to "clean the table" in my own life, relationships can get pretty messy, pretty fast. "Clean the table" so that we don't give the enemy an opportunity....he's out to rob, steal and make us useless and unfruitful for the Kingdom of God...we need to "clean the table" early and often.

Hands in your mouth...

2008-09-09T17:39:00.004-04:00
I just had two sets of hands in my mouth and numerous drilly thingy's ...yes, I was at the dentist. Sorry, but I have to say...I'd rather been cleaning toilets or a vast number of other things. Yuck and Ouch. As I picked a spot on the wall to stare at and as I bit down on my "bite block" (a very nifty gadget) I thought I should make some time to pray (I have issues and always feel the need to multitask) ...but as my mouth was stretched and pulled and as what seemed like hundreds of other "tools" were used, I just couldn't concentrate. Shocker.

Needless to say, I felt out of control... as Maggie my 6 year old sat in the corner chatting away,it only added to my lack of control...not knowing what was going to come out of her sweet mouth! "My mom yells at me when I don't brush my teeth." That was one thing...and with ALL that was going on in my mouth I couldn't defend, shrug or even smile my way into one little smig of control over the situation.

If you can't tell, I didn't like that experience very much...actually, it reminds me of how many areas of my life I tend to feel like God has "His Hands in my mouth"...working. He does know what He's doing...I just don't like how it feels so often and the lack of control it gives me. Like I have any real control anyway! Honestly sometimes I feel I'd rather do anything else but have Him get "His Hands back in my mouth".

After what seemed like hours (probably 20 minutes) the dentist gently laid her hand on my shoulder and said, "We're almost there, you're doing great." It meant a lot to me, I know I sound like a baby, but how often has the Lord gently laid His Hand on me and said in His Word or quietly in my spirit..."We're getting there Mandi...you're doing great." I need the reminder to let Him do His work...for my good and His glory. He knows what He is doing and He is in complete control!

Whose approval?

2008-09-08T18:03:00.011-04:00
I had a break-through today...I realized again, yet another thing that the Lord is asking me to lay down. Approval. I'm a approval-holic....there I've said it. The news that I have this issue is not new but I realized (through the wisdom of my hubby) that I seek approval for the sake of pleasure.

I want the pleasure of approval so I seek to please. Here's the thing, it's never enough. First of all ,the seeking of the approval of others is never enough to make everyone happy and the pleasure of the pay off (of making some of them happy) is never enough- is doesn't satisfy me, I'm dissatisfied with the pay-off. Am I making any sense?

I've been in this cycle...pleasing, approval seeking, dissatisfaction, pleasing, dissatisfaction, approval seeking and so on. Here's the thing...I'm not doing anything wrong, per sea...BUT my focus is all wrong. This is where I'm looking: Approval- others. Pleasure- me.

Approval- Others. I fall into that trap so easily...others can not give me what I am looking for, only He can. Some rulers in Jesus' time struggled with the same thing: John 12:42,43 says," Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God."
What were these leaders looking for? Their own pleasure...their standing and the Pharisees could not give them what they were truly look for, approval. The rulers focus was all wrong, just like me.

Pleasure- me. So what is the answers to my approval-holic situation? Answering the question...where is my pleasure found? What pleases me? Is is all about me? This is where the trap lies...and the Truth. Is God's Word true? Do I really believe it? Can my greatest pleasure and need be met in Christ? I want to yell YES, at the top of my lungs but what does my daily life really look like (on the inside, where only me and the Lord see?) Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Do I really believe He'll give me Himself and that will be enough? That I will be satisfied? That in Him I will find the True Source of pleasure I seek.... Him-approval-pleasure-satisfaction. Where are my eyes, this moment?

Buy For Free.....

2008-09-05T21:38:00.006-04:00
Isaiah 55 is one of my favorites Old Testament Chapters...read it sometime, how about right now? Verse 1 says, "Ho, (Hey, my translation) Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost."

Isn't that an interesting thought? Come buy...it's for free. Not much in this life is really free. I'm always getting those "free" offers in the mail...there is always a catch. Is there a "catch" with God? Is there a catch here in Isaiah 55?

Verse 2 say, "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance."

What is abundant? The "food" we are to buy for free...and eat abundantly from. It will satisfy. Do you know what that food is? It is the Word of God. It is the Lord...He reveals Himself in His Word and satisfies our hungry souls with His Food and Himself. There is no catch. There is just faith...to buy for free. He will be abundantly Enough and He will satisfy. Are you hungry and what are you eating today?

I Hate Laundry!

2008-09-02T14:56:00.013-04:00
Laundry. I hate it. I don't hate a lot of things in life...I can handle doing the toilets, I can even do the dishes with some gusto, but laundry, I hate. Currently, at this very moment I have a mound (and that is putting it lightly) right beside me....needing to be folded, please don't tell my Mom. As I sit...typing away, the mound seems to grow in my peripheral vision. Laundry.

Life can be kinda like laundry. Problems- big and little, fears- big and little, sin- big and little. You pick, any of these things can mound up and get out of control. Our peripheral vision as well as our straight ahead vision can get pretty blurred with the laundry of life and if left unattended...wow, what a mess.

So, how's your walk with the Lord going...are you doing the "Laundry" with Him or are you letting it get piled up and out of control? Are you overwhelmed? If you're at all like me with my real laundry, at some point I don't even want to try. Why bother? It won't ever be done! If I'm not careful, that kind of attitude can spill on into my spiritual life too.

I love the book of Hebrews,especially how Jesus is explained in His role of Great High Priest. He is above all. He is "greater than" the angels, Moses, the law, any priest, any sacrifice...HE went to the better and greater place and we have access to Him at all times.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the in the of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Let the Lord do your "laundry" today....don't get overwhelmed, don't try to hide it (I've been known to move the real laundry from room to room or shove it in the closet! Then again, I can try to do that with my spiritual laundry too!)...He knows how to deal with it and finish the job. Draw near to Him, you will find nothing but grace and mercy to help in the time of need and One Who understands your weaknesses... Do your spiritual laundry today. I'm off to do mine...

Fairy Tale Endings....

2008-08-29T21:57:00.021-04:00
Is there such a thing as a fairy-tale ending? I just finished watching Enchanted...a modern day princess fairy-tale. It got me to thinking. How many of us have hoped and dreamed that there was? How many of us have spent tons of time (or at least a fair amount of time) discontented because our lives have not been so fairy-tale like? Let's be honest, some (maybe quite a few) of our expectations have gone unmet. I sure have...I celebrated 18 years of marriage this week. I love my husband and I really wouldn't trade him for anyone or anything for him but the last 18 years are not what I would call a fairy-tale. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been horrible or anything...just normal.

As a little girl and even into my twenties...I had dreamed that my life would become like a fairy-tale...or at least like "Leave it to Beaver." (yes, I'm dating myself!) But real, grown-up life was not like that. It was and is at times very difficult. Don't get me wrong, life is good and life in Christ is wonderful but somehow living in this world with my very,very strong flesh and constant misplaced expectations...well, real life is complicated. The Lord has redeemed so much of me, my marriage and my husband (he truly is a a wonderful, growing, Godly man) but my point isn't to talk about him and us but about my unrealistic expectations...that have stolen so much from my heart.

Do you ever feel the tearing between the two worlds? This physical life and the Life of the Spirit...the life that the Lord said was suppose to be abundant? What does that "abundant life" of John 10 really look like? Let's connect the dots from a Scriptural standpoint, look for a moment at John 10:1-18 and see its context...the context of sheep, thieves, robbers, other shepherds and a Good Shepherd that was going to lay down His life for His Sheep. By the way, does that sound much like a fairy-tale ending? I don't think so. He is going to take His life up again, but the process of the laying down was not going to be pretty.

Please hear (OK, read) my heart...I'm not trying to blow the whole fairy-tale idea out of the water BUT...do we ever build our expectations based on those fairy-tales? Honestly, I'm afraid, for me, that is true too. Maybe listening to my fairy-tale hopes is like my listening to the thief and robber...who are out to steal some of that "abundant Life" that is available from my Good Shepherd. Interesting...just me thinking. If I get devoted to the expectations of the "fairy-tale" life...then am I really listening to the Shepherd? Or am I just caught up in the voices of the world's fairy-tales and the thieves are climbing over to rob, steal and kill?

I need to constantly be learning and getting to know the voice of the Shepherd, so that I can follow His voice. Ending in a fairy-tale? No. But result is the "abundant life" and becoming a sheep who knows the Shepherd's voice and follows. By the way, as two sheep...the married ones, individually follow the Shepherd's voice, they will find a peaceful and unified ending. That is what this sheep is slowly finding...but it is only found by me, knowing and listening to the Good Shepherd and not listening to the world's version of the fairy-tale ending.

I think I'm spiritually ADD.

2008-08-25T17:24:00.000-04:00
I think I might be spiritually ADD. Here's where I'm going. I have a wonderful child with ADD (Attention Deficient Disorder) ...he has trouble with concentration and focus...most of the time he struggles with completing tasks. If I send him upstairs with more than two tasks, he gets totally sidetracked. He is a wonderful boy, he has such a soft heart. But there is no way around it, his brain is wired differently and he struggles at home and at school. We're working on it (I just had to send him back to school to get a forgotten item) Now, my point is not to tell you all my issues with working with him BUT to see a spiritual parallel in me.

Sometimes, I think that totally looks like me- spiritually and even emotionally. I can be all over the board, can you relate? I can jump from thing to thing...task to task...ministry to ministry...emotion to emotion. I hardly finish a thought and I'm off to another. We're all busy doing our tasks-whether it is loving our husbands and children , working at our jobs or doing a ministry task...and then we're off to another thing. All the time dealing with the emotions of it all. Know what I mean?

In reality that is our lives...we are all so very ADD (all over the place spiritually and sometimes emotionally and we all have difficulty concentrating on the Lord) , so how does the Lord respond to us? I'm telling you right now...better than I respond to Tommy sometimes! I can get so frustrated, so overwhelmed...and just plain annoyed with how he is wired and what is required to help him.(I'm just being honest) Sometimes, I'm what I need to be which is patient, clear, scheduled and specific in my instruction and other times...AHHH.

Isn't is amazing how patient, clear, specific and yes...even scheduled (in His time) our God is ? All the time. Not just on good days. All of His days are Good Days!Psalm 103:13-14 says, " Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." He knows us...and He is not surprised at our state. Praise His Name! I'm the one who gets stressed out by "my frame", He on the other hand, is totally up for the task...the task of completely transforming me.

Actually, I think we need to recognize just how ADD-like we all are, how much we need His patience, His structure, His guidance...His Supply and His Wisdom to sort out all our thoughts, emotions and tasks. No wonder He only gives us a few things to do at one time! He knows how side-tracked we can get on our way to the first task! Just some food for thought...from one Attention Deficiented (is that a word?) follower of Christ to another.

If you're tired-out... raise your hand!

2008-08-20T18:58:00.000-04:00
If you are tired-out... raise your hand!

OK, so I bet all 2 of you are raising your hands. (and 1 of you, is me) But seriously, don't we just get tired-out sometimes? Tired-out from our own busy, busy lives and the lives of other people too. Sometimes I feel like my life is one big stove top and I have all these pots simmering... you know, stir-pour-add-taste and so on. "Put that pot on the back burner for awhile, this one is about to boil over"! AHHHH. Tired-out, at times, that's me.

I'm reminded of the prophet Elijah, he was one worn-out dude. Make some time to check out 1 Kings 18-19 for the whole story. Love this bit of Israel's history. The 10 Northern tribes, Israel, is under King Ahab's rule and things are not going well at all. Ahab is a idol-worshipping king...with a major idol-worshipping wife and the land is undergoing a severe drought. Israel had run straight into more and more idolatry and their King was leading the pack -Did you know, there were no good kings in all of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's existence? None, not one followed the Lord...yet the Lord brought one of the greatest prophet to them. Elijah. Think on that one, would you consider that a good investment? Evidently, our great God did.

Elijah did a lot of things but one of his most famous moments was the fire from heaven...licking up the water all over the alter thing. (if you didn't read the history, you should, 1 Kings 18) Well, that caused quite a stir and even a bit of a revival of sorts with the people...but then Jezebel caught wind of it and she was beyond hopping mad. She told Elijah he was a dead man and he ran. He ran hard, fast and long. Imagine...he had really seen God "show-up" and do some really amazing things, he was on a "mountaintop" like experience...He was directly in the will of God and being used by God and now he was smack dab in the middle of the wilderness- worn out and ready to die.

So, I'm not ready to die (I might be tired out but not at that point!) but I can sure relate to seeing the Lord do great things and even being a small part of some cool things and then...in the "wilderness" spiritually and emotionally, worn out and ready to quit all those things (sometimes motherhood is at the top of the list!) . Can you relate?

Well, an angel ministered to Elijah and he was strengthened to go on to the mountain of the Lord where he would hear from Him. Catch that, he was strengthened in order to go on to meet with the Lord. Interesting. Well, the Lord asked him why he was there and Elijah tells Him straight-up his perspective..."I'm all alone and everyone is against me" (Mandi paraphrase) . Please tell me you can relate to that feeling! The Lord proceeds to "show-up" to him, only He was not in the wind, He was not in the earthquake, He was not in fire. God did not "show-up" as might have been expected...not in the big show. He spoke to Elijah in the "sound of a gentle blowing." That is exactly where the Lord spoke to him. In the quiet. Do we ever slow down long enough to hear the quiet blowing? Are we ever just too tired-out to listen?

Here's the thing...Elijah once again, pours out his concern, "I can't do this anymore...I'm all alone and there is no hope." (Mandi paraphrase) How does the Lord respond? OK, in the first place, make sure you remember the Lord did respond and what does He say? "GO, and return on your way..." Love it! Love it! God tells him to go back to what he was doing! God doesn't change a thing...what He does do is equip him with what he needs to do his job. Do you realize that, if you are a Child of God, you are equipped with exactly what you need? You are not alone...there is hope! God proceeds to tell him that he is not alone...there are others and tells him to appoint a few others to help with his job.

My dear sisters, I hope that encourages you as you get tired-out in this life...it greatly encourages me. We don't get to quit but we can get tired-out...we get to be strengthened so that we can hear from the Lord, He wants to speak to you in His Word...and He will call you to GO but He will equip you and give you exactly what you need. - He'll give you Himself, in the "gentle blowing." Are we listening?

Cleanse.Fill.Pour. -What does it mean?

2008-08-18T20:20:00.000-04:00
Cleanse. Fill. Pour.

Is it a water purifying system? Is it a method of doing the dishes? Is it? Well...the answer is no. Cleanse. Fill. Pour. is a way of life. Honestly, I believe it is what we as believers in Christ are called to do-daily, hourly or for me sometimes moment by moment.

I just got back from Chicago and I need to cleanse! Here's the thought-we all as parts of the Body of Christ, are all vessels of some sort. Vessels that the Lord has ordained to use (Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Timothy 2:20) What kind of vessels does He want to use? Cleansed. Clean. Holy. Not rocket science but you know what? We live in a "dirty" world...and I'm all flesh and blood. After my tense drive back and forth to O'hare and hours of waiting and roaming in a crazy airport. After a rather crabby security guy, I'm rather stinky...spiritually speaking. Annoyed would be another word. So, what do I do? I need to cleanse.

What I mean is: I need to acknowledge how stinky and sinful I really am. So that I can be clean. Cleansed. Why?...because we are all Pouring. For crying out loud, I'm a mother! What else do we do? Even if you are not a mother...as women, we are always pouring out, into something. Well, when we are dirty vessels, no matter what we fill up with...we pour out dirt with the pouring. Get the thought? Cleansing is a really, really important part of the process.

Filling is important too. What is the easiest thing for you to fill with when you are empty? Me? Definitely a good snack! Just kidding, although that may be true on a particularly crazy day (by the way, I did pass up the pretzel store at the airport!) What I do NEED is to be filled up with the Lord, His Spirit, filled with His Word....Filled with faith. So what do you fill with? Are you filled with what comes naturally, things like the stuff of life or busyness or fear? Or do you consider that you need to be filled with Him and His Word? Filled with the Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18)

Finally, the pour. I absolutely love how the Apostle Paul looks at his life of pouring. He poured out to others, yet he understood that his pouring was not about Him. It was about the One Who poured out first. Jesus. Check out Philippians 2:1-17 and connect the thoughts of Paul's exhortation. Verse 17, "but even if I am poured out as a drink offering". The "drink offering" is hardly even mentioned in the Old Testament...if I could simply sum it up, it was almost like a afterthought. (OK, nothing is an afterthought to God but it certainly wasn't a "big" offering) Anyway, Paul likens his service- his pouring out to other people's faith, he calls it a "drink offering" - an afterthought. WOW. That is some kind of perspective...from the Apostle Paul! I think he understood, it wasn't about him. It was all about HIM. Jesus.

Cleanse. Fill. Pour. a way of life for the disciple of Christ. What are you pouring your life into? Me? Honestly, at a good moment...Him and then I'm overwhelmed by life again. But I'm learning the cycle...cleanse early and often with Him and others...fill, not just in morning devotions but all day... and pour. Pour out to Him for His glory, what He has cleansed and filled me up with. It's all about Him and He has a work to do in you and in me.

Blogging? What is blogging?

2008-08-17T14:04:00.000-04:00
Well...here we are. Blogging. I just made a random comment to my husband John about it and "presto" here I am...blogging. Humph. SO, I'm in agreement...blogging is the way of the present/future. Posting thoughts, ideas, concepts for the whole wide cyber-world to see. So here's the deal, I'm not all that artistic or creative. I'm intentional. If I'm going to blog, there is going to be purpose and substance to it (well, at least what I call substance).

I'm a close to middle aged full-time ministry wife (my husband is full-time with Youth for Christ) and we have 3 children (ranging from 6-16) I currently teach and write women's Bible studies and in my spare time....well, there is no spare time!

I am passionate about my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Word of God. I deeply desire to see all people (but especially women) understand what the Bible says and what it means to their lives- to see His Word change them from the inside out...I deeply desire to see the Body of Christ healthy and be a true light in the world...so that the Name of Jesus would be made great and lifted high.

Blogging...oh, by the way, I really like the (...) thing, so I'll use it a lot and I'm slightly dyslexic...So bear with me! The next time I post I'll explain the Cleanse.Fill.Pour. thing- by the way, it is not a water purifying system.