Life on the Edge?

As a mom, I’ve always been told that it is my job to set boundaries and enforce them. I’ve been told that the greatest need my children have is for me to create boundaries for them, and then stand guard over that line. I’ve been told my children will thrive if I am firm about the border. I’ve been told that boundaries are healthy.

But here’s the thing about boundaries: they’re on the periphery, on the verge of disaster. They form the dividing line between two regions – acceptable and unacceptable, safe and dangerous, profitable and bankrupt. Is that where I want my children? Is that where I want to be?

When we travel to see family, there is stretch of road through the mountains. I assure you that the view is magnificent, but you better believe I am driving as close to the center line as I can without crossing it and getting hit head-on. Why? Because that is as far away from the sheer drop on the other side of the guardrail as I can get. I feel safer on the mountain than on the edge.

So it is with the spiritual life. I have spent a lot of years trying to find the boundaries. Can I do this? Is it okay to do that? What will happen when I try this? I have looked at scriptures like 1 Corinthians 6:10 and 1 Corinthians 10:23 and thought, “yes, all things are permissible for me.” They may not be edifying or profitable, but as long as they don’t master me, they are permissible and lawful. There is freedom in Christ, right?

Then I think about 1 Corinthians 8:9, the directive not to abuse my liberty and put a stumbling block in front of the weak. Will pushing this boundary cause someone else to fall off the cliff? Worse yet, what if the “weak” here is me? What if I’m the one going over the edge?

You see where I’m going with this, right? If I spend all my time setting boundaries, I am spending all my time living on the brink of disaster. I am in danger; those around me are in danger.

What if, instead of looking at the outer boundary line, I was focused on the center line? What if I had my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith? (Hebrews 12:2) What if I thought about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy? (Philippians 4:8) What if I set apart Christ as Lord in my heart, and I was always ready to give an answer to those who ask about the hope that lies within me, doing so with gentleness and respect? (1 Peter 3:15) What if I kept the main thing (being a disciple and making disciples) the main thing?

Would I be worried about boundaries??

I’m sure you’ve heard the example of the bank tellers and the counterfeit bills – you don’t train them to spot counterfeits, but you train them by letting them handle the real thing. They become so familiar with the real thing that the counterfeit is easy to see. Are we so familiar with the real thing (Jesus) that the counterfeit (man-made boundaries) is easy to see?

Now lest you think I am suggesting we abandon all boundaries, I am not. There is a good purpose for them, especially the ones God has set. They should not be ignored or crossed. But I am also suggesting that if you are seeking to live as one abiding in Christ and with Christ abiding in you, crossing those boundaries is less of a temptation and poses less threat. It doesn’t alleviate the wandering eyes and heart completely, but it does change the response to the temptation.

So in my own life, and in the lives of my children, I have started to shift my focus away from all the “don’t” sentences. I have stopped walking cautiously along the edge, and moved more toward the Savior. As we each begin to fix our eyes on Jesus, He transforms even our very desires from the inside out. We no longer want to walk as close to the guardrail as possible; we want to be in the center of His will. We don’t want to stand on the very precipice and look down, trying to keep our footing on a slippery slope. And when we do find ourselves on that ledge, we trust Jesus to pull us back to safety and set us back on the right path. From the safety of the center, we can fully enjoy the magnificent view!

Student, Teacher?

Do you realize that the teacher is also the student?

Quite some time ago, God gave me the privilege of and responsibility to teach. I took it on with some trepidation, knowing that those who teach are held to a higher accountability (James 3:1). I have taught children, teens and women. Each comes with a unique set of challenges, but all come with one common thread: God uses the experience to teach the teacher.

Sometimes the learning comes through my preparation. As I study to teach others, I find new pieces of information, see scripture in a new light or realize that application is necessary in my own life in that area. Other times the learning comes through a question asked in class that propels me toward digging deeper or causes me to break something down to a simpler level of understanding. Then, there are the times when I don’t even realize I’m teaching myself.

Just last week, as I was teaching my ladies’ Sunday school class, I said something that was not in my notes. I looked around the room and realized the statement didn't really apply to many of the women in there, and wondered briefly why God would have opened my mouth to speak that particular example. I finished teaching the class, and moved on through my week. A couple of days later I knew exactly why God opened my mouth to speak that example… because it was for me! I faced exactly the example I had used in class. Because I had spoken it in front of everyone, I had a layer of accountability built right into my tough situation. God knew, even if I did not, that I needed that point driven in deep so that it could resurface at just the right time. He knew I needed His word hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Him. Even as He has, on other occasions, opened the ears of my students, on that morning He opened my ears. He drew my heart to Himself, and eventually gave me courage to trust Him and to follow Him in love and obedience (just as I encourage my students to do).

I often say that I will prepare and teach whether one woman shows up or 20, and now you know why: even if the teacher is the only one in the room, there is a student present who needs to hear the Word and be transformed.

Sick of Women's Conferences?

I read an article today by Erin Davis that I thought (last paragraph notwithstanding) was worth sharing: Why I'm Sick of Women's Conferences



How often, in our true desire to help and be helped, do we distort or dilute the gospel?



Let this stand as a challenge to me as a woman, as a mother and as a women's leader.
Let this stand as a challenge to you as well.

I hope you feel better soon...

Why do we short-circuit conviction in others?
Is immediate relief and feeling good about ourselves really better than walking through suffering?

When someone is feeling bad about themselves, why are we so quick to bolster them?
When someone is beginning to recognize sin, why do we brush it off or try to make them feel better?
When someone realizes that God is longsuffering, why do quickly compliment them on other areas and tell them they’re good?

I believe we are trying to be good friends.
I believe we are trying to reassure.
I believe we are trying to shorten or lessen their suffering.

But are we hurting them more than we’re helping them?

Maybe they feel bad about themselves because they are idolizing the praise of man. When we come in quickly and bolster them and tell them nice things, we are really feeding their idol worship.

Galatians 1:10… For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. (HCSB)

Maybe as someone is coming to see their sin, they try to confess it. But we don’t want them to feel bad about their sin (or don’t even want to acknowledge it at all – we don’t want to call sin “sin”), so we change the subject or downplay the seriousness of sin.

2Corinthians 7:10… Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (NIV)

1 John 1:9… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

Luke5:32… I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Maybe they are starting to see how often they sin, rebel, reject God. But they’re also starting to understand the magnitude of His grace. But instead of acknowledging their sin and praising God for their repentance and His grace and mercy, we offer words of assurance that the sinner is really a good person.

Isaiah 5:20… Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Mark 10:18… “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Romans 1:25… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

We think we are helping. We have good intentions.
Maybe we really don’t know what to say.
Maybe we really don’t know what God says.

But please, Christian –

Speak the truth, in love.

Don’t short-circuit the work God is doing in a heart and mind just because it’s uncomfortable and you want them to feel better right away. Our anguish, our despair, our lamentation has a higher purpose!

Lamentations 3
55 I called on your name, Lord,from the depths of the pit.

56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”

57 You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

58 You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life

When someone is calling out to God form the depths of the pit, trust that He will hear their plea. Trust that He will come near, take up their case, and redeem their life. In your words to this pit-dweller, don't deny, cut short or circumvent the work God is doing in their mind and heart to draw them close to Him and fill them with praise.

Psalm 103

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all

From everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, keep his covenant, remember to obey his precepts. That bad feeling, that recognition of sin, that acknowledgement of longsuffering – those are all signs of God’s grace! Rather than trying to make them feel better with human comfort, let me point them to the grace of God in the person of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord, my soul – praise His holy name.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What Disney Princess Are You?

When I say the word princess, what comes to mind?

Was it a Disney film you love? Was it a Disney film you hate?
Was it a damsel in distress? Was it a strong female? Was it a spoiled, pampered, self-centered girl? Was it a classy, elegant, graceful young woman?

Can we all agree that princesses, at least of the fairytale Disney variety, have dramatically changed over the years?

The “classics” are Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). I grew up with Ariel, Belle and Jasmine. My daughters watched Pocahontas, Mulan and Tiana. Now girls want to be like Rapunzel, Merida, Elsa & Anna.

And of course there is tiny little Sofia the First on Disney Junior.

Somehow Tiger Lily (Peter Pan), Giselle (Enchanted), Meg (Hercules) and Esmeralda (Hunchback of Notre Dame) were forgotten. How many countless Disney princesses were dissed, lying on the cutting room floor of our memories?

We are obsessed with princesses. I found no less than a dozen quizzes designed to show me which Disney princess I am. So I thought about the basic story...

Through no fault of her own, a girl is in trouble. The handsome and strong prince comes to her rescue and they live happily ever after. That's the fairytale, right? Not anymore!

Now we have emasculated princes who are rescued by strong princesses. We have princesses who neither need nor desire a prince of any sort. They are independent and resourceful - they can find their "happily ever after" all by themselves! Parents everywhere encourage their daughters to follow this lead. Be strong. Be independent. Don't sit around waiting for a man to ride in on a white horse and rescue you or to make you happy. We tell our girls that they are strong and capable on their own. They are smarter and faster than any man. 

They are wittier, and prettier.

And the gospel is suffering!

Yes, you read that right. Our infatuation with and immersion in the world of Disney is distorting and diluting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now before you bail on me and denounce me as a heretic... I love Disney princesses. I have my favorites, I watch the movies, I daydream. But - I don't base my perception of princes and princesses on what I see on the screen. I use them as teaching moments, but I'm teaching a far different message than most of the modern moms I know.

Consider Paul's letter to the believers in Galatia:

Galatians 4:1-7(NKJV)

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,² but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. ³ Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The scene opens on a young girl, bound by some evil force in the world. Perhaps she is an orphan, or has evil parents. Perhaps she is cursed, dreaming of a different world, deceived by looks, stubborn, misunderstood, looked down on and discounted, poor, trapped, underestimated. Maybe she's still young, or completely forgotten. (vs. 1-3)

But then, at the right time, the prince comes! He comes as a man to rescue and redeem her, to release her from her bondage and take her home to the castle of the kingdom. (vs. 4-5)

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:30-31)

Yes, he comes ride a white horse, the crowned prince. Yes, he battles his way to her, fighting and conquering the enemy to reach and rescue the girl.

Now I saw  when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

How does the girl respond? She is grateful to be rescued! She recognizes her state of bondage, and appreciates his bravery and efforts to save her. She respects his nobility. She falls in love with him, and is humbled by his love for her. She recognizes that he chose her and fought for her, and he intended to provide for her. She adores, even worships, him. She goes gladly with him.

Exodus 15:11  “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? ¹² You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them. ¹³ You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.

1 Samuel 2... “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. ² “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. ⁴ “The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. ⁷ The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. ⁸ He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.

The girl is sealed with a promise - she becomes his bride, his princess. She is no longer a slave, but a daughter of the King and heir to the kingdom (vs. 6-7). She believes he is the prince, and she loves him. So the King loves her on his behalf, and treats her as family. 

In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. (John 16:26-27)

Have you ever considered the transition she must have faced? 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Together with the prince, she overcomes every obstacle and lives happily ever after.

If happily ever after is what you’re after, the plot is not in a new Disney film.

If someone to emulate is what you’re after, the character is not a new Disney princess.

I WANT my girls to realize that their stubborn independence keeps them from being the princesses God created them to be. It is only when they recognize their own bondage to sin and receive the gift of salvation from the Prince that they can live happily ever after.

Romans 5:6… For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Is it baaaaad?

I have been learning about sheep.

God's people are "the sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 79:13; Psalm 95:7; Psalm 100:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Appetite is a strong indicator of health. Healthy sheep display normal eating and cud-chewing behavior. They will chew their cuds for several hours each day. Healthy sheep are eager to eat. They are almost always hungry. Sheep bleat in anticipation of being fed and will rapidly approach the feeding area. Lack of appetite is probably the most common symptom exhibited by a sick sheep. (Schoenian, 2011) Sheep are ruminants. They have a four-chambered stomach, using the first chamber to store quickly ingested food (cud) which they then bring back into their mouths to chew again before fully digesting it. Sheep spend about a third of their life ruminating and need peace and quiet. (Embar, 2004-2007)

Our appetite for God’s Word is a pretty good indicator of our health.  Do we take in the Word quickly and store it, then bring it back into our minds to “chew” again before digesting and applying it? Are we seeking out that peace and quiet several hours, or even several minutes, each day to ruminate? Are we eager to eat, always hungry? (Matthew 5:6) Do we bleat in anticipation when the shepherd feeds us, flocking eagerly to the feeding area? OR… do we display the signs of a sick sheep: lack of appetite?

In a grazing situation, [sheep] need to see other sheep. Ensuring that sheep always have visual contact with other sheep will prevent excess stress.  (Schoenian, 2011) Sheep are social animals, but the most important reason they like to flock together is for protection. Sheep are timid, nervous and easily frightened animals and for the most part defenseless against predators like coyotes and wild dogs. Their only means of survival is to flock together in large numbers and to run away from predators. (Embar, 2004-2007) Sheep are reluctant to graze areas that have natural predator cover. (Canadian Sheep Federation, 2002) Jesus says to His disciples, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Did you see it? Look closer.

We know that we are sent out into a world full of wolves – some obvious, some masquerading in sheep’s clothing. We are reluctant to graze in areas where we know, or suspect, there are predators. We are timid, nervous and frightened because we feel defenseless. We don’t want to read our Bible in a public place or pray over a meal or talk to a neighbor. We don’t want to face the atheist, the Jehovah’s Witness, the drunk. We are not able to discern the scurrilous shepherd, the false prophet. We allow the wolves to devour us from within the flock.

[Sheep] have a strong flocking instinct and maintain social spacing and orientation in pens as well as in pasture. Isolation of individual sheep usually brings about signs of anxiety and may cause the sheep to try to escape. (Canadian Sheep Federation, 2002) A sheep or lamb that is isolated from the rest of the flock is likely showing early signs of illness (unless it is lost). Even the last sheep through the gate should be suspected of not feeling well, especially if it is usually one of the first. (Schoenian, 2011)

We look around, and see other sheep. We flock together, for protection and for social connection. We become more comfortable when we are with those who are like us – there is strength in numbers. It is harder to pick a sheep out of the flock than to devour the stray. But, when we are separated from the flock, we experience anxiety. We feel alone, defenseless… lost.

In sinning they become like lost sheep (Isaiah 53:6 Jeremiah 50:6 Ezekiel 34:6 Luke 15:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013) 

We isolate ourselves. Through curiosity or rebellion, we wander away from the flock. We cross boundaries, and try to hide ourselves from the watchful eye of the shepherd. We think we know best, never realizing we are forfeiting the very protection we so desperately seek and questioning the provision of the shepherd. We eat something we shouldn't (worldly wisdom), we get bit by gnats carrying disease (false teaching), we end up on our backs. We need the shepherd to come rescue us.

We put the safety of the entire flock, and the shepherd, in danger as he leaves the flock behind to come to us. We cry out as he breaks our legs and bleat in protest as he lays us across his shoulders.

But he is restoring us to the flock and helping us to heal. He is teaching us about trust and reminding us who he is. He is sending a message to the other sheep about second chances at life and about his care. He is laying his life down for the safety and health of the flock. 

The people without leaders are likened to sheep without a shepherd (Numbers 27:17 1 Kings 22:17 2 Chronicles 18:16 Ezekiel 34:5). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me.... and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14f).  (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way; Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray. (Thrupp, 1836)

We’ve probably all sung that hymn at some point. We seek the pleasant pastures and tender care of the Good Shepherd; we cherish His friendship with us. We ask Him to defend us against sin, and to seek us when we stray.  But do we desire His leading and guidance? Are we asking Him to prepare us for HIS use? Are we heeding the under-shepherd appointed to care for our little flock? Are we pressing into one another for protection, or are we butting heads to establish our superiority in the flock?

Bibliography

Biblos. (2004-2013). Bible Enclyclopedia - Search: Sheep. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible: http://bibleencyclopedia.com/search--sheep

Canadian Sheep Federation. (2002). Virtual Tool Box: Grazing. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from CSF-FSM (Canadian Sheep Federation): http://www.cansheep.ca/User/Docs/VTBox/Grazing%20Section%206.pdf

Embar, W. (2004-2007). Animal Facts - Sheep. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from Vegan Peace: http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_facts/Sheep.htm

Schoenian, S. (2011, June 18). Sheep 201: Behavior. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from Sheep 201: Behavior: http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html

Thrupp, D. A. (1836). Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.

Breaking the Silence

Yes, it's been a while. Funny how life has a way of distracting...

However, an even funnier thing happens when you can’t talk. The world sounds different. Your energy is poured into different areas. You realize how much you talk.

Now I’ve always known that I talk a lot. Sometimes I even have a lot to say! But I never realize just how much until I can’t speak. This laryngitis happens once or twice a year.  It’s usually only a day or so, but it’s aggravating. It slows me down. This time it’s even painful – painful enough I went to the doctor. But here’s the catch: my regular doc is out of town so I’m seeing someone else in his office for the very first time. How do you communicate with someone who has never even met you?

I am thankful for technology, and for whispers. I typed all my symptoms on my laptop and showed it to him. I answered his questions with nods of the head and fingers held up. I whispered when I had to. And we communicated. It wasn’t usual and it wasn’t easy, but it worked. He has the info he needs to make a diagnosis and tell me what to do next. (Which, by the way, is… stop talking – and whispering – for at least the next three days in order to rest my vocal cords and allow them to heal.)

My communication with God isn’t always pretty either. I must confess that I am often guilty of going on and on like a heathen in vain repetition, using many empty words. (Matthew 6:7). Listen, I can pray for a long time without really saying anything valuable! I also must confess that too often I take for granted the access I have to the Father through the Son. I forget what it took for Jesus to be my high priest, making intercession for me. He was tempted at all points, but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. He does not need daily to offer up sacrifices for his own sins (because He has non) or for mine, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. (Hebrews 7:26-27) Instead, he sits at the right hand of the Father, waiting for his enemies to be made His footstool. (Hebrews 10:11-13) I forget that because of high priest Jesus, I come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) I forget that when He went back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit not only as a deposit, but as an intercessor (Romans 8:26-27).

When is the last time I was truly still before God? The last time I was quiet?
As a woman prone to anticipating what someone will say and forming my answer before they even finish, I tend to interrupt. I tend to say more than I should. I tend to distract, and to get distracted. But in my silence, I have listened more. I have heard what people say. I have thought about the most concise response (because let’s face it, who wants to write ten words when you can write two)? I have been more aware of all the “empty sounds” around me. I see how busy my life is, and hear how loud my brain hums. Today is perhaps the hardest, because my voice has returned but I am still not allowed to use it.

God, in my silence help me to hear YOU.
God, in my silence, help me to communicate YOU, even if it is through my writing tablet or whiteboard.

Zacharias heard you. After months of silence, Elizabeth gave birth to a miracle from you. Zacharias asked for a writing table and wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone around him marveled, and Zacharias’ tongue was loosed and he praised God! (Luke 1:63-64)

Matthew West emerged from his season of silence with ‘Something to Say’. He was unable to speak for two months, but You used the time to refocus his priorities and renew his purpose. (Read the full article here.)

Sometimes you’re given the message before you know what it means. Then the test comes and you can see how God intended everything to be. 

I’m not always sure what you have for me to say, or where you would have me say it. But as I wait in silence and listen for Your voice, I know that you are giving me the message. I know that the testing is coming. When my voice is once more restored, may Your praise be found on my lips!

Knock, knock...

I have been trying to get my parents to move to North Carolina for a long time. There always seems to be a house for sale in our neighborhood.  Seems perfect, right?  Yeah, except that I always say I would love my parents to move here, as long as they’re not in my neighborhood. Now, my mom reads this blog – so help me encourage her to move to this area…just not in my neighborhood. J

There are lots of reasons I want my parents closer: more quality time with them, less travel, great memories for the grandkids, the ability to effectively help with the medical issues that come with aging parents, the amount of home improvement help my dad still gives!  There are also lots of reasons I don’t want them right next door or even around the corner – you can probably guess some of those.

But it started me thinking… do I say that about Jesus?

?         Do I want Him close, but not in “my” neighborhood? 

?         Do I want Him close enough to reap the benefits of His presence, but not so close that He might “interfere with” my own plans?

?         Do I want Him close enough to call Him whenever I need Him, but not so close that He interjects and tells me how to run my life?

?         Do I want Him close enough to fix everything, but not so close that He can come in with his own key and fix it on His own time schedule instead of mine?

Revelation 3:20… Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Though my conduct has been loathsome and offensive, Jesus is still knocks. All attempts at reconciliation are originated in Him, initiated by Him and affected through Him. Though I am a sinner, He announces His presence and desire for admittance; he waits for my permission to enter, recognizing my right to open the door, or not. He does not forcibly enter, but waits – calling to me by His word and the Spirit to repent. And when I open the door, He reveals Himself to me. He comes in, bringing pardon and provision.

He is not a meddling neighbor or a busybody, seeking his own good. He is not aloof or holed up behind his fence, uncaring. He is that neighbor who knows your need and stands patiently on your porch, waiting to bless you with a meal you did not have to prepare. Open the door, Sinner… let the Savior in!

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

You Look Like Your Father

Last fall I saw some cousins I hadn’t seen since they were small children. “You look just like your dad,” I said.  “Gee, never heard that before,” he responded.

To his father I said, “You look more and more like your dad the older you get.”  “Good thing,” he said. “If I didn’t look like my dad, we’d have a slight problem, wouldn’t we?”  I chuckled at his perspective.

I thought of a friend of mine who is adopted.  People often tell him he looks just like his father, which is ironic given that the man they know as his father has no genetic link to him whatsoever. And yet, through years of living together (and possibly because people see what they want to see), they have come to look like one another.

So I started thinking about my own father.  My whole life people have told me that I look like my mother and I act like my mother, but those who know me best know that I have a healthy dose of my dad in me as well.  These thoughts went far deeper than my earthly father, though.

According to Hebrews 1:1-4… God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

He has spoken to us by His Son, who is the heir and the express image of the Father. He has purged us of our sins and sat down at the right hand of God.

In Romans 8:29-30 we read… For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

The Son is the image of the Father.  I am called to be conformed to the image of the Son. I have no control over how much I physically resemble my earthly father.  I don’t hear it very often in regard to me and my father, but I know others who hear it all the time: You look like your dad. Do they get tired of hearing it, or annoyed? Is it a compliment, or an insult? I also don’t hear it as often as I'd like about me and my heavenly Father, but I have a little more control over that. He has given me the opportunity to look like Him; I desire and strive for a striking resemblance. When people look at me, I want them to see and know my Father. Through the shed blood of Christ on my behalf and the power of the resurrection, I have the opportunity to be adopted into His family and to live as an heir to His kingdom and glory. I am no longer a slave to sin, but to righteousness.  My flesh still rises up and I must contend with it, but no longer in my own strength. The Holy Spirit is my ally against a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) foe, and the battle belongs to the Lord!

At that same event, I met some new folks. “You must be a Harner…” they said.  Even though they didn’t know me, they recognized the family resemblance…some by my physical appearance, some by my behavior, some by my sense of humor. I differ slightly from each member in the rest of my family, but at the core I am one of them.  And I am recognizable as such.

Acts 11:26c says… the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

This became the distinguishing name of followers of Christ; they were given the name of their great Master because they took Christ for their teacher, following His doctrine. Prior to this they were called disciples or scholars, but in Antioch they first were given and took on the name of Christ, believing His promises and following His precepts and example. They were known not for their own traits or characteristics, but for the traits of their family – Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

In my own family, we are separated by physical distance, cultural differences and personal taste. We have many different gifts or abilities that sometimes seem odd to the others, but we are kin and bonded by blood.

So too in my church family – some are separated by physical distance, cultural differences and personal taste. We have many different gifts, but are all part of the same body (I Corinthians 12). We are bonded by blood... Christ's. We can choose to embrace those differences, allowing them to enrich and strengthen the body, adding depth and giving glory to God.  Or we can choose to accentuate the differences, dividing the body into sectors and giving preference to some over others. The problem is that division dishonors Christ. Let’s abolish the aisle that divides us, give up our seat, tear down the walls. Let’s focus on the fruit that unites us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5). Let’s take the family bond and care for widows and orphans (James 1:27). Let’s be prepared, in season and out, to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2), knowing that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

I’ve been redeemed, adopted, given a new name. And my heart’s desire is to see this family grow and grow and grow, until one day we are united at the largest and loudest family reunion you can imagine:

Behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothes with white robes, with palm branches in their hand, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  

(Revelation 7:9-10)

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."