Scared Rabbits...

I don’t know about you, but I do not like change. To be fair, I like certain changes - the change of  the seasons- hairstyles, and changing clothes! BUT, in regards to life changes…not a fan!

Honestly, my faith can rock, a bit, in the midst of change. How do I know my faith is rocking? Because my emotions and fear factor get slightly (ok, a whole bunch) out of whack. I FEEL like a scared rabbit…looking nervously back and forth, ready to bolt- I just don’t know where!

When this happens, it needs to become a “red flag” for me. I need to recognize the “fearful rabbit” posture for what it is…so that, I can put Truth to those feelings.

I’m reminded of, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

It’s not a question of IF I get fearful and anxious…but WHEN, I do. I've tried the pull up your boot-straps, "I'll just get right on not being afraid" tactic, and it doesn't work!  

Which causes me to ask; what do I do with the fear and anxiousness? Do I “bolt” emotionally in the fearful rabbit posture?  Or do I look to the One who holds all things, including me? Do I look to Him, as the One who does not change? Is my faith in the One who is not freaking out about change? Do I realize HE is safe?

And Who is seated at the righteous right hand of God? Jesus…our Jesus!

“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. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus the One who never changes…We are safe, in Him, my fellow anxious rabbit. Now, this does not mean everything always turns out like I hope or dream...no, it doesn't, but it does mean He holds the anxious rabbit.  I’m reminding myself of that today… in the midst of change.

“Speak Up”…no really, speak up!

This was my second year at the “Speak up with confidence”, hosted by Carol Kent, and it was amazing. Talk about a packed schedule. It is non-stop. And I love every minute of it...you go home tired, but it is good tired! It’s a time of non-stop opportunities to be poured into and to pour out into others.

 I listened. A lot.

I learned. A lot.

I watched. A lot.

I interacted. A lot.

I can’t tell you how highly I would recommend this conference to anyone who desires or is currently writing and/or speaking in a ministry setting. “Speak Up” is a wonderful opportunity to learn, be challenged, be encouraged, equipped and spend time with other women (and a few men!) who love the Lord and ministering to others.

As I listened, learned, watched and interacted…I was struck, again, by the truth in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The corporate plural “we” are simply individual “you’s” in the singular workmanship. We are not many workmanship(s). We are just one.

Looking over the woman at “Speak Up”, I was in awe of the fact that we are all individual parts of the one workmanship of the Lord…one masterpiece, one Bride, one Building, one Body. One.  Each individually walking out our part with good works that God has called us to do. Everyone in that room was born in this particular time and history of the Church, of the masterpiece.  We need each other. We need each part.  So yes…we really need each part, to be their part, and to “Speak Up!”

Fellowship journeys

I just love "Lord of the Rings". Yeah, I'm a geek. I have two friends, dear sisters, traveling down roads they would rather not travel down. Yet, that is their road. Thankfully, they don't travel alone. Yes, the Lord will guide them...but they will also have a fellowship of sisters. Sisters who will walk with them, hold them up, fight alongside them, and remind them; when they can't remember themselves...that the leg of the road they are on, will come to an end. That He is there and His promises are true. 

http://youtu.be/TrJJ6ncp1fc

New Website

Check out our new website...there are a few video clips as well!  www.cleansefillpour.com

It matters where your roots are...

I noticed little trees growing in my neighbours gutters today. Actually, I'd hardly call them trees. Sprouts, are more like it, that are destined to die...but not before causing some real problems for my neighbor.

It reminded me the importance of having seed planted in good soil and the necessity of roots growing deep. They reminded me of Psalm 1:2-3, "but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields it's fruit in its season and its leaves does not wither."

These sprouts will never bear fruit...they will never produce what is intended. They will only cause stoppage and clogs in the gutter system. I wonder if a Christian without strong growing roots could do the same? Cause problems, stunt growth and cause clogs? It matters where we are planted and that our roots grow deep....are we like trees planted by steams of water or in gutters? 

The Last Adam...

" Our Heavenly Father is still carrying out His purpose of making man in His image. Although His original purpose is the same, He is not using the original man to bring it about. All is now centered in the Last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ." - Miles Stanford, The Green Letters.

The Last Adam, Jesus. The Head of a whole new correct image bearing race....the Body of Christ, sealed by the Spirit.  It's a profound thought, image, and mystery....nothing, absolutely nothing of the first creation- of the first Adams image will last. It's utterly and completely corrupted. Our flesh is sold, in every way, to sin....death....and destruction...and it must go. ( 1 Corinthians 15:36-50) Apart from Christ, there is no hope. 

But God.

" But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ, by grace we have been saved, and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7 

The Life, death, burial and resurrection of the Last Adam, Jesus....by grace and faith in His finished word secures us into His new creation.  We are strategically placed, woven with great intention and purpose into His singular masterpiece- the Church.  Sealed and given everything for life and godliness....to be formed and transformed into the correct image of God, as our individual part of His Workmanship. Praise you Jesus!! Yes and Amen!

Love this song....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWceJIBuPL4

Praying with Jesus

I've been thinking about prayer lately, I ran across this excerpt  from the book  Hidden in Christ by James Bryan Smith;

"Setting my mind on the truth that Jesus is praying for me has changed the way I pray. I now pray with Jesus, not simply to Jesus. Jesus is interceding  for me (and you) so I offer prayers for my family, friends, and myself with Jesus, to our heavenly Father."

How is this possible that I can now pray with Christ, not simply to Him?  Think on that, it's powerful!  I'm not sure I've ever considered what a privilege and powerful thing it is to pray with Jesus...He is not praying with me, He is praying for me.

Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

But as I learn to pray, I pray with Him. As my mind, heart, passions, desires, and kingdom heart-set is transformed my will aligns more, and more with His, I pray with Him....in accordance to His will. When I think of a "posture" of praying with Him I see alignment....coming together before the Father.  I see community. I see unity. I see grace-filled beauty ,and magnificence. I see transformation. I see boldness.

My eyes and faith are so small though, so as I learn to pray with Him according to His will...I am so thankful that the Spirit intercedes, transforms and translates for me. I can come boldly before the throne of Grace, in faith, knowing that it will be translated well....by the Spirit and Son.  

Romans 8:26-27, " In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."   

How do I learn this?  How do I practice prayer? Does this have to be all complicated?  And formulaic ? A system of prayer? No. I think it is very organic. Very relational. I'm not saying it should be disrespectful,  impertinent , or too casual...yet prayer in Christ shouldn't  be in whimpering fear.  I'm learning to pray with Jesus. 

I'm reminded of Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD; and he will give you the desires of your heart."  As we learn who we are in Christ...as we delight in the LORD, in Christ.  As we delight in Him...we are changed, transformed, eyes are opened, hearts softened. Desires changed. Kingdom heart-set altered. I think we learn to pray with Him...

Check out the website www.cleansefillpour.com

 

New website!

www.cleansefillpour.com

Wanting "Off", But Not Alone While Staying "On"...

 I'm what my mom would call; "a late in life 'surprise' to the family".  Back in that day women, with high-school aged kids, over the age of 40 did not have babies.  Well, "Surprise!", my mom birthed me at the age of forty.  My parents were thrilled, but my sisters were horrified!  This interesting new family mix gave me all kinds of birth-order issues. I've got only-child issues, firstborn of this new family unit issues, and according to my sisters....baby of the family issues, all wrapped up into one.  I guess this gives the Lord a lot to work with.  I have control issues on all levels. 

I was the only daughter to grow up, and remain near my folks so that has meant; as they have aged, that I became their primary family caregiver.  I'm so grateful for the forty years I had while my dad was healthy, and whole, when I could really lean on my parents.... I experienced their love for the Lord, example of faith, and I'm so thankful for that.

But as they aged, and as the Lord allowed my dad to go down the path of Alzheimer's, life got very tough for everyone.  My mom was his full-time caregiver, and it almost killed her.  For five years she loved, cared, and slowly started to waste away herself.  I actively watched.  During the last year of my dad's life as she got sicker, and weaker;  my job got harder and much heavier.  

I'll never forget a morning in May- driving my dad to a VA Hospital appointment.  I'm not a fan of not knowing where I'm going. I'd never been to this hospital, which was an hour away from home.  My mom was so sick that morning, so I had to take my dad to this appointment alone. We drove towards an unfamiliar place with no landmarks, and my dad was no help at all....he just sat in the passenger seat, quietly singing mixed-up songs.

That morning represented so much more for me than simply driving to an appointment.  I wasn't  just driving to an unfamiliar place....I was on a unknown path in life, that I couldn't get off of.  I had no idea where the road of Alzheimer's was heading, and I hated it. 

All those birth-order fisrtborn, only-child, baby of the family issues were surfacing...I demanded control- on some level- and cried out to the Lord..."I'm so scared!  I don't know where I'm going, not just today, but on this path... and I want OFF this road of life!"

 I'll never forget, driving seventy miles an hour down Hwy 65,  how the Holy Spirit dropped a verse that I had studied right into my troubled heart and mind.  Quietly, gently, but oh so very securely....God was in control. 

"I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them.  I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone."  Isaiah 42:16 (NASB)

He was calling me to trust, and follow Him, even on this path of Alzheimer's.  God promised, Jesus promised....those who are His are HIS, and He will never leave us or forsake us.

He didn't.  We were blind, and He led us,  it was rugged, but we walked sure-footed.  It  was a long, tough, dark road with my dad, but God was faithful, and He didn't leave anything undone,. And now...even now...He uses it for His purposes.  He uses all things, and I'm so thankful for that.

"Oh Lord, thank You that nothing is wasted in Your eyes.  Use all things, even the hard things for Your purposes in our lives and in the lives of others.  In Your priceless Name, Amen."