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."

Continue, or Careless?

Proverbs 19:16 (NKJV)He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,But he who is careless of his ways will die.


Do I keep the commandment, or am I reckless? Do I concern myself with the Word of God and secure my eternal life, or am I inconsiderate of my end, living in misery, despairing and in danger of perishing eternally?
Matthew Henry writes that if we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from everything really hurtful. We secure our present peace and eternal bliss by keeping God's commandment. On the contrary, those who live randomly, giving little care to obedience, must die. They are on the road to ruin, destined to perish eternally.


So, do I keep the commandment, or do I live carelessly?


This was a real-life, in-my-face kind of lesson this week. I know what I ought to do, but actually doing it is a whole different thing. I have looked into the Word, but walked away from it blinded to the type of woman I am. I found it so easy to look at someone else and think to myself, "Why is she acting like that?"; it was much harder to acknowledge that she was probably, simply put, following my example. Ouch! My way had indeed been careless in that incident, and many others. I want to be constant and keep the commandment, but it's so easy to be careless.


I could choose to continue in my life of careless ease, deceiving myself. Or I can run back to the Word, not only reading what it says but continuing to do what it says. Note:


James 1:22-25 (NKJV)22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.


Am I careless, like the woman who observes her natural face in the mirror, goes away, an immediately forgets what kind of woman I was? OR, do I keep my soul by keeping the commandments? Do I look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it? Am I a forgetful hearer, or a faithful doer?

I'm not talking about works for the sake of busyness or to earn my salvation, but works born out of a grateful heart...a heart that looks into the law, sees exactly what kind of sinful woman she is, and then sees God's grace poured over her freely - washing away that sin and creating her anew. What kind of love is this, that while I was yet a sinner, God anointed Jesus, sent him to earth to die for my sin, raised him again the 3rd day, revealed him to hand-picked witnesses, appointed him judge of the living and the dead, and then seated him at the right hand of God? As His love is shed abroad in my heart and I am quickened to belief in his name <the Lord saves>, so I am commissioned to share that same love with my neighbors so that they too may share in the free gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ.


As my daughters, my students, my co-workers, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my enemies watch me and follow my example, are they on the high road to ruin or the narrow way of Christ?


Lord, guide my steps! Help me to put aside carelessness and continue in keeping the command, keeping my soul.

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

Matthew, Henry. "Proverbs 19:16." Matthew Henr'ys Commentary on the Whole Bible. <http://mhcw.biblecommenter.com/proverbs/19.htm>.

Control

There's a sign I drive by fairly frequently... the ones where you can put a pithy quote on it. The sign often bothers me.  I always think to myself, "I think I understand what they're trying to say, but do they really realize what they're actually saying?" 

You've seen the vanity plates and bumper stickers:

Realizing the error of that statement, many have tried to correct it with this: 

But I still have a problem with it. An internal struggle - because I feel like I should be sitting in coach, not in the cockpit.

The first statement actually comes from the title of an autobiographical book (and subsequent movie) by Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, Jr. - WWII fighter ace. Never shot down, the general never lost an aircraft and his feats in the early years of the war inspired an entire generation of young pilots. The book tells of his wartime experiences. He has poured countless hours and dollars into the museum at Warner Robbins AFB in Georgia. He died in March 2006, but his famous title lives on. (see reference, below)

BJ Gallagher is the daughter of an Air Force pilot, and she loves the second statement. (see reference, below) She says this about her dad: 

He taught me the difference between a pilot and a co-pilot. The pilot calls the shots; the co-pilot is the number two guy (or gal). The pilot is in charge; the co-pilot assists him -- supporting, helping, and providing an extra pair of eyes, ears, and hands. The co-pilot's job is important, but he never forgets who's in charge.

Now we're getting somewhere.  But still, it nags me that we think we have the right to the co-pilot seat on our own merit. Does God need an assistant - does He need support or help? Are we as important as we think we are, and is the job we do really vital?  Surely this is better than thinking we are the pilot, but I fear it still causes us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

And yet, that line about an extra set of eyes, ears and hands niggles at me.   Not because I think God needs an extra set, but because I think He's called His followers to BE His set here on earth.  He calls us to see as He sees - we look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  We cannot truly know the heart of man, but we can surely know the heart of God (Colossians 2:2-3). He calls us listen - first, to His voice; then, to the cries of those around us.  And He calls us to be His feet and hands - going to the lost and serving them. Our job (sharing the pure gospel of Jesus Christ and loving our neighbors) IS important! 

I love facebook because I am "friends" with several Christian artists.  Mandisa said this today:

Can I encourage you to allow God to establish your steps? The kingdom of God is very different than this temporary world we live in. Our society says to brainstorm, plan, strive, and initiate. And while I believe it if good to have a dream and goals, I also believe in taking those dreams and goals to the feet of the Person we call "Lord", and letting Him actually BE the Lord of our lives.

Jonny Diaz's post also caught my attention:

Never get so high as to think God needs you. Never get so low as to think God doesn't desperately want you.

There is no doubt that God is the pilot - and He doesn't need a co-pilot.  But He wants one! He has, through the shed blood of Christ as an atonement for your sin, invited you onto the plane (Hebrews 10:19-20).  And while you would have been content to sit in coach, He even calls you into the cockpit - the holy place where He moves and dwells (Psalm 91:1-2). He's called you to abide with Him - to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him (Luke 10:38-42). He charts your flight plan, and gives you navigational  instruments. Will you demand the pilot's seat, or learn from Him how to fly?  Will you trust your own sight and feelings, or use the instrument panel He provides - the Holy Spirit and the Bible? (John 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:16) Will you follow the flight plan He designed with His glory and your good in mind, or veer off course by allowing pride or self-righteousness or worldly thoughts or something else to cause deviation? (Matthew 13:18-23) Will you land safely and peacefully in His presence one day, or crash land - escaping through the flames? (1 Corinthians 3:15)

I don't know about you, but I want to soar with God.  The view is amazing!

Read more about General Scott or more from BJ Gallagher here:
*"News > General Scott, “God Is My Co-Pilot” author, dead at 97." The official web site of the U.S. Air Force. USAF, 01 Mar 2006. Web. 15 Feb 2013. <http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123016793>.

**BJ, Gallagher. "If God Is your Co-Pilot, Switch Seats." The Blog. Huffington Post, 01 Jul 2011. Web. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bj-gallagher/if-god-is-your-copilot-sw_b_883166.html>.

Lost Cause?

While browsing facebook today I ran across this:


I laughed out loud because at my house I am known as "Mom, Finder of Lost Things".  Literally, no one despairs about something being lost until Mom gives up.  But when Mom gives up, the search is over.

As I pondered that idea, I thought... "no one is really lost until their life on earth ends without Jesus."

In my human frailty, I am very quick to give up on people.  I write them off as a "lost cause" and assume that God cannot work in them.  Of course I know God can do anything, so I have to amend the statement to read, "God will not work in them."  Except, I also know that His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts.  Praise the Lord!

2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. I am not patient, and if I'm honest I'm not that concerned about anyone perishing.  Sometimes I want them to repent for my sake, not for God's glory.  I can totally related to Jonah's attitude.  But I can also see the folly of it.

According to 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  But we don't always want God to forgive 'others', do we? Ever hold a grudge? Ever write someone off? Ever sit in judgment, thinking this one or that one can't be or shouldn't be saved? Ever withhold the grace that was so freely given to you?

Recently I was challenged with another devotional thought, which I have been pondering now for several days.  When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He had sent the disciples away so that He could work.  They were shocked that Jesus would save a woman, and a Samaritan at that. Oh, and did I mention her sins were also pretty "big" by human standards? Yes, to the disciples she would have been a "lost cause" to be sure.  But Jesus offered her living water.


Several other articles have come before me this week that remind me no one is really lost - Jesus leaves the 99 sheep safe in the flock to go after the one stray in danger every time. And when He finds that sheep, He brings it back to the fold, even carrying it on His shoulders if necessary.

Recently, Megan Phelps-Roper left Westboro Church. You can read the article here, but author Mohan Karulkar says: Overcoming the problem starts with accepting that no one within a group like Westboro is a lost cause. The Bible is full of examplies of unlikely people being changed and used for good, from Moses to Matthew to Paul. We must give up betrayal as the unforgivable sin and always leave the lines open for redemption. We need prayer for those we consider lost - even those lost to a distorted vision of God.

On February 26, iChoose Pregnancy Support Services will host their 5th Annual "A Love for Life" Gala. Their keynote speaker is Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Director. Talk about redeeming a "lost cause" and displaying God's glory in the way only He can!

Or what about Rosaria Champagne Butterfield? She was a self-proclaimed leftist lesbian professor who despised Christians...until she somehow became one. You can read her "trainwreck conversion story" here.

And maybe I could even find one of those "lost cause" stories in my own mirror. Sometimes the hardest ones to reach are the ones who sit next to us in the pew every week. They have the appearance of religion, but they are playing church - and probably don't even know it. Jesus says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27) Through the testimony of the wife of Youth Pastor candidate, I realized how wretched I was. I gave all that filthy-rags righteousness, my resounding gong and clanging symbol, my heart of stone over to Jesus. And He gave me a heart of flesh. He never gave up on me. he never labeled me a "lost cause". He sought after me, pursuing me, wooing me. And now I have the joy of falling in love with Jesus more and more every day. I am not lost, because my Jesus found me!

Blessing, or Blessed?

I love it when we get to serve alongside our girls.  As part of our summer mission week, summerSALT, we went to With Love From Jesus, and Allie fell in love with the ministry.  She's been anxious to get back, and today we got to go with our HOPE home group.  Jenna and Joe went for the first time. They were more than a little anxious.

During circle time (which is a brief devotion and concentrated prayer), Linda shared that we all come here with the goal in our hearts to be a blessing to someone in need, but often God has a blessing in store for us as well. That blessing usually comes through one of the folks who is receiving help, the one where you least expect it.  Jesus works in the lives of those we quickly cast aside (the Samaritan woman, for example). But today, He chose to bless me through my very own daughter.

For Jenna, who is 9 and small for her age, there wasn't a lot that she could do to help.  But man oh man can that girl stack some yogurt!  We were giving way four-packs of yogurt at our table, and she and her little friend got to be pros at taking the yogurt out of the boxes and stacking them on the tables.  They had such sweet attitudes and beautiful smiles!  I thought to myself, "Lord Jesus, please let me have that attitude when I am doing the mundane things of my life! The things that seem small, or tedious. The things even I can do, or only I can do. Help me to rejoice in the Lord always."  You could not help but smile watching those two.  It was something so small and so simple, and yet so valuable.  And they worked at it diligently, did a good job, and never complained (well, until several hours in when they were bored and hungry!). They blessed my heart. <3

Allie is a blessing too.  She had worked that station before, and she helped the rest of us (3 adults) "get it" before the crowds came through.  She was not intimated to take the lead, and she did it with respect. She talked to complete strangers. She was firm yet kind enforcing the rules. I sat back for a moment just watching her and thinking, "When did she grow up?"  I have lots of moments when I think, "Will she ever grow up?"... so this was a pleasant surprise.  In the middle of all that chaos I was able to step back and see my daughter the way others see her, maybe even the way God sees her.

And then there's Joe.  He will be the first to tell you that compassion is not his forte. He is quick to judge, and legalistic.  I didn't know what we would be doing today but when I found out we were working the deli counter I was nervous for him. But here's the thing -- it was an appointment from God, and HE showed up!  It was not easy for Joe, but I saw him purposefully interact with (predominantly) women trying to shop for meat for their families; it was uncomfortable for him. It stretched him. I think it changed his perspective a little, and softened his heart. In big ways and small ways, God answers prayer.

I could share other stories, but I will leave it at this - when we set our hearts on meeting Jesus, drinking of His living water and telling others to come follow... He shows up and does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20).

Come join us next time.  You'll be a blessing to others, and you might find yourself blessed as well. ;)

My Broken Dishwasher

If you know me, you know that I have a kitchen because it came with the house. I have always disliked the dishwasher, but it was here and I couldn't see spending money we didn't have on buying a new one. Then one day, my dishwasher broke. My first response was jubilation – I was finally getting a new dishwasher. Then dread set in -  I had to shop for a new dishwasher. Then I found the silver lining - my daughter and I could bond over doing dishes by hand. Except that didn't work out and I found myself doing the task alone. What a conundrum. It looked like I had a good dishwasher; upon closer examination you realized it was completely broken. I fiddled around a bit with it, figuring it was already broken...how much more damage could I really do? And I fixed it!

Sometimes relationships are like that dishwasher. Looking back, I see I never really liked that dishwasher; but, it worked - sort of - so I kept it. But I spent a lot of time mentally cursing that dishwasher for not being a good dishwasher...not meeting my needs. And one day I realized that dishwasher was completely broken. Should I replace the dishwasher, go without, or try to repair it? Well, replacing it wasn't an option.  This was not a relationship from which I could just walk away and begin again with someone else. The cost of that was way too high.  So I looked at the option of doing without this particular dishwasher, or any dishwasher. Maybe God would let me walk away, do without for a while and wash dishes with Him instead of this person who clearly did not want to bond over bubbles. I thought, “as long as God is washing dishes by my side, I don't need a dishwasher anyway.”  But, I found God speaking gently into my heart that the dishwasher was fixable if I would just put in a little effort. Okay, a LOT of effort.  Over the long haul. I couldn't just flip the breaker switch or replace a decorative panel and think the thing was going to work. No, this was a matter of tearing it apart and gutting the thing, cleaning out the junk, and putting it back together.

I'm still in the process of cleaning out the junk, so I don't know if we'll be able to put it back together right or not.  Relationships are so easily clogged up, even repulsive at times - sin is nasty!  But once you begin to clear away the mess, you just keep clearing and trust that He who began that good work WILL be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6). God quickened me to faith, and with it love and obedience. And He will continue to work in me until I am perfected in Christ. He will not abandon me or leave me unfinished. I needed that eternal perspective to cope with my temporal trouble. I was so focused on what the dishwasher wasn't doing for me that I never saw what I wasn't doing for the dishwasher. A little TLC goes a long way. 

I haven't seen results in my relationship yet, but I have seen results in me. I know that God is not calling me to fix that person, only to pray and to do my part to encourage. Inasmuch as it is up to me, I choose to live at peace with this person. (Romans 12:18) It is not a hindrance to my peace when that person chooses war. It saddens me and breaks my heart a little, but I am not responsible for the actions of another...only for my own heart attitude and how I behave as a result. I must choose to do the work because I love God and want to obey Him, not because I expect to see change in the other person. I must love God, and then love my neighbor...showing the same concern for that person which I have for myself (Romans 13, Galatians 5). 

I may or may not be able to fix this relationship, but I've decided it's worth trying.

True or False? This IS a test!

I love writing because it helps me put things in my own words and gain a fresh perspective. The hill hasn't changed, but it looks different if you're at the top instead of the bottom.  As I endeavor to help others understand, I find that it increases my understanding as well. You know you know it if you can teach it, right?

Today I was studying in Galatians, and verse 8 caught my attention.

Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

"Accursed" is a pretty strong word, so it caught my attention. I turned to some of my favorite commentators.

According to Clarke...that Gospel which I {Paul} have already preached to you is the only true Gospel; were I to preach any other, I should incur the curse of God. If your false teachers pretend, as many in early times did, that they received their accounts by the ministry of an angel, let them be accursed; separate them from your company, and have no religious communion with them. Leave them to that God who will show his displeasure against all who corrupt, all who add to, and all who take from the word of his revelation. Let all those who, from the fickleness of their own minds, are ready to favor the reveries of every pretended prophet and prophetess who starts up, consider the awful words of the apostle. As, in the law, the receiver of stolen goods is as bad as the thief; so the encouragers of such pretended revelations are as bad, in the sight of God, as those impostors themselves. 

Harsh words. Words designed to wake us up and open our eyes to the danger of false gospels masquerading as truth. Words which indicate that if we believe them, we are as bad as the preachers preaching those false gospels. Time for some self-examination.  DO I know the truth? Am I willing, like the Bereans, not only to receive the Word eagerly, but to look into it daily to see if what my teachers are saying is true?

How many times have you heard, "An angel told me..." or "The Lord revealed to me..."? Now how many of those times did whatever follows that statement conflict with God's revealed will in scripture? Maybe you've even had someone tell you that if you were mature enough, you'd understand the way they do. From the fickleness of their own minds they devise and promote a false gospel; and from lack of understanding, you follow and perish. God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

It's not that we don't know stuff about God.  It's that we don't KNOW God...that intimate knowledge that comes from experiencing His personal protection and perfect provision in our lives. Abiding. Sitting at His feet. Spending undistracted time reading His word.

When we know the truth, we will not be led astray by doctrines or philosophies of man that sound like they could be from God. We will recognize that fake bill someone is trying to pass us rather than being taken in by the counterfeit and paying the price. We will reject what looks good for the sake of what is real.

Beware of seduction and enticing words, false teachers perverting the gospel; instead, walk in Christ, abounding in faith and holiness. Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

It will take strict training, and a reordering of my perspective. It will not always be easy. But I CAN find the simple truth, right there in the pages of His word. Having a grasp on the true gospel message keeps me from being drawn into other versions which dilute or pollute...versions which complicate my life, draw me away from Christ, and bring curses upon me. The break my communion with the Lord, and with other believers. Even as I continue to grow in my knowledge and understanding of God, I am learning to be content to obey what I already know.

<>< Blessings! ><>

Welcome!

Have you ever known that you were supposed to do something, but had no clue how or what or maybe even why? Welcome to my blog!  

You see, God has laid an impression on my heart that I am to write about the lessons I am learning as I sit at the feet of the Master. I'm not sure exactly sure how to do that, or what that's going to look like, or even why He has me doing this thing at this time.  But I trust Him, so I obey.

Maybe He will bless, encourage or challenge you with what you read here.  More likely the blessing, encouragement and challenges are meant for me. I find that when I tell it to others, my two ears hear it too...when I write it down for others, my two eyes see it too. So let's take this journey together and see where the Lord leads.

><> Blessings! <><