May Peace Rule Over Our Hearts

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3: 15

Too often I allow bad things to rule in my heart.  I used to think that I couldn't control it, that the heart had a mind of its own...well...it's not so.  Paul tells us very clearly in Colossians 3: 15 that we are to "let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts."  We let it.  We intentionally open the door of our heart to let Christ's peace enter and take over.  It doesn't happen by magic.  Christ's peace is a gift, a most precious gift (John 14: 27) but we have to receive it.  What good is a gift if we don't take it and open it and use it?  So there is an active role we need to play in the path to peace...we have to let it rule our hearts...we were called to it. 

I love how this verse ends on a seemingly unrelated note:  "And be thankful."  It is not unrelated, though.  Not even a little bit, for we ought to be thankful indeed, for the peace we are given.  The gift of peace is a most precious thing.  What are we without Christ's peace?  I don't know about you, but I would be a shapeless mess.  

I still struggle with the things I let in my heart.  I still struggle with anxious thoughts that threaten to rob me of my gift to which I am called.  But Praise the Lord, it is by His grace that He brings me back to His arms where the river of peace flows and covers me in a current that surpasses my understanding.  Blessed be His Holy Name, for Jesus is Peace and in Him we rest.  Amen!

Seeing His Signs

 I have been frustrated with my students lately...actually...I've been frustrated with my students for what is becoming a seriously long time now.  I don't like feeling this way because it affects my teaching and my rapport with them. But...o boy...it is getting harder and harder to relate to them and to be patient.  They live in a world that I just do not understand.  Their struggles were not my struggles when I was their age.  Their delights were not my delights either.  I have a really hard time trying to figure out what they want.  I have no clue how to engage them.  I feel defeated most of the time...thinking that they either hate me or think so little of me that hating me would take too much effort...effort that they don't want to invest in me or in anything I have to say, so they just ignore me.  If they feel anything is probably indifference.

Sigh...

I'm not the only educator around me who feels this way.  I was talking to one of my colleagues today and I said, "boy, professors need to have like a support group so we can help each other figure out how to survive!"

Anyway, my point is, work is making my days pretty dull and rather miserable.  Maybe I'm just too old to do this.  I probably should retire soon.  I don't want to feel this way, though.  I don't want to just "survive" my days.  I love my profession.  I spent a lot of years going around in circles professionally until I found something I truly enjoyed.  So I want to have a better attitude, but I need help.  And I'm afraid the help I really need is not going to come from a professors' support group that is going to do nothing but feed my own grudges and frustrations with the kindle that they will add to the already hot fire burning in me.

What I need is perspective.  What I need is the Holy Spirit's help.

Today's devotional said:  "Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see.  Search for Me as for hidden treasure.  I will be found by you."  (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young).

The biblical reference is Jeremiah 29: 13-14a,

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,”

What a great promise by Our Almighty God! If we seek Him with all our heart, we WILL find Him.  Alleluia!  Now, let's get busy seeking Him.  And where do we find Him?  Well, all around!  Signs of His presence are everywhere, if we look with eyes that are focused and intentionally set on finding Him.  His presence is in nature, in the people He places around us, in our thoughts, in Scripture.  His presence is in the things, people and events that we encounter on a daily basis.  If we pay attention, we will see His Hand in everything.  The problem is, often, we are too distracted.  At least I am.  Today, for instance, I actually had a couple of students saying really kind things to me and expressing their gratitude for being accommodating to their needs.  When that happened, I didn't think anything of it and I continued with my usual grumpiness...until now...

My eyes weren't seeking to really see the wonders of Our Lord and how He lifts us up.  His gifts and signs are lost because we refuse to have a perspective of love. It wasn't until He reminded me through the devotional, that He places signs of His Presence along the paths of our days to brighten our existence, that I was able to look back and realize I did have precious instances of those signs today.

I pray that the Holy Spirit allows me to be more aware and to be more intentional about my seeing so I stop missing the fulfillment of His promises in my life.  In the Precious Name of the One Who Is Found by Us when we Seek Him with all our hearts.  Amen!

Prowling around...looking for someone to devour

I watched the video from the security cameras at the Covenant School in Nashville, TN where another tragic shooting took place this week.  The shooter took the lives of precious, innocent children who didn't have anything to do with whatever demons were in this person's head.  The shooter also took the lives of adults, equally innocent...

The video shows the moment the perpetrator shoots the glass doors of the school from the outside.  The view of glass exploding on the impact and shattering is mind boggling, but soon we see the perpetrator entering through the holes on the doors, and proceeding to walk the hallways.  That's when the sinister nature of the events begins to truly unfold.  

It is impossible not to sense the eerie feelings as we watch the shooter calmly walk up and down the hallways of the school, going into what looked like the main office and coming back out into the hallway again, rifle in hand, ready to shot at the first sight of life.  The last part of the video shows the shooter walking down a long hallway until it disappears from sight in the distance.

There's no actual shooting in the video...just the calculated calmness of a person prowling around...looking for someone to devour.

It felt like evil was there.  It felt like the enemy was in charge.  The images gave me a vivid representation of what Peter meant when he wrote,

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5: 8b

This verse has such an ominous feel to it.  It always gives me the creeps.  It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just by reading it.  Unfortunately, the verse came to life in a horrific way in the events at the Covenant School. This is not the first time these types of incidents have happened, as we all know, but it is certainly the first time I had seen the shooter in the school roaming the hallways, stalking their victims...It is an entirely different and deeply disturbing experience to see that.  I cried watching it.  I cried watching the school, the beautifully decorated bulletin boards, the classrooms, the lockers, the backpacks, all the surroundings that are supposed to be safe for our children to go and dream about their futures...being desecrated...defiled by pure evil...

What is left for us to do?

Peter says, we must be "alert and of sober mind" since these occurrences are and will continue to happen all throughout the world.  But he also gives us hope.  And it is to that hope that we have to hold on to with all we've got.  We have to hang on to the hope that tells us that,

...the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5: 10

Dear Lord, please help us to trust You and to hang on to the hope that You bring.  Help us as we travel through this valley of darkness and sorrow, that we may endure the suffering for a little while, knowing You are with us and that at the end, we will be glorified.  We overcome, because You have overcome.  In Your hands we place our lives.  Amen.

Wisdom

 As a teacher, I guess I'm in the "knowledge business," right?  I'm supposed to be imparting valuable knowledge and information to my students, which would be relevant to their success as future professionals.  I often wonder, however, how valuable the knowledge I'm sharing with them really is if they don't know or learn how to apply it.  Young learners have a hard time making connections between things.  They don't stop long enough to reflect on how learning Spanish could be really beneficial to them in this country.  They are in a hurry to get to where they want to go and if they feel they are told to do things that they don't perceive as important, they are quick to dismiss them.  This is why for a few years now, rather than just going through the language lessons to help them become more proficient in Spanish, I have tried to incorporate exercises, situations and comments that are designed to show and demonstrate the relevance of what they are learning.  I try to make the language lessons be applicable to potential, real life scenarios that they may encounter so knowledge of Spanish clicks as something key to help them fulfill their professional goals.  

I believe that being able to find the application in things requires wisdom.  Therefore, I hope by incorporating these notions into my lessons, I'm actually guiding my students through the road that leads to wisdom, which according to some dictionaries, could be defined as the ability to have the necessary insight to apply knowledge effectively.  

We are supposed to seek and ask for wisdom.  But, what is the Biblical definition of wisdom? In many verses we see it defined as "the fear of the Lord." (Job 28: 28, Psalm 111: 10, Proverbs 1: 7, Proverbs 9: 10, Micah 6: 9)

We believe that "fear" in these instances points to reverence and respect, more than fright.  I mean, there is an element of "fright" in the concept of "fear" even in this sense.  After all, we tend to respect and revere because we know the object of such devotion is powerful and worthy of being feared.  The idea of fear also points to being more aware and conscious of what we do.  It sharpens our senses and makes us be in full attention mode.  I believe all those actions are required in wisdom.  That might be why Revelation 13: 18 represents such a sobering warning:  This calls for wisdom.

There is never such an urgent and grave comment, seeing "this calls for wisdom" in the midst of the book of Revelation while talking about encountering the second beast in all its evil presence is utterly profound and it makes my soul tremble.  That is the moment when we are to be able to not just recall everything we know, but implement it so we are not overcome by the enemies who rise against us.  That is the moment to fear, revere and respect Our Great and Almighty Lord who is the Only One who can defeat and does defeat all the beasts and dragons that may think they can get away with their evil-spreading actions.  That is the moment to hang on to His Hand and don't be swayed by the enemy's schemes.  Without wisdom...we succumb.  But He won't let us, because He has been preparing us for this all along by teaching us and granting us wisdom.

I'm sure whatever path to wisdom I might or might not be able to open up for my students can't be compared with the holiness of the mission of wisdom we are supposed to take on, but I pray that the lessons I learn as I meditate on it help me be wise when the moment comes.  In the Precious Name above All Names, and upon which every knee will bow.  Amen!

Joy Around the Table

 I'm not a social butterfly, but I truly enjoy gathering together with friends and family in fellowship over a meal.  There's something about sitting around a table with the people you love...even those who sometimes irritate you.  Once you are sharing a meal and enjoying time together things feel just right. There's something about it, after all the hectic preparations are over and all that is left is to sit and just be...it's hard not to feel joy.  It is part of human nature to find satisfaction being near those we love, especially if there's yummy food involved.  

Jesus showed us His humanity in the many instances of fellowship around food and lively conversation that we see in the Gospels.  From weddings, to dinner parties to Passover celebrations and everything in between, Jesus fully participated and took active roles in this very human ritual of hanging out.  

The calling of Matthew is one of those instances.  Let's hear it from Matthew himself:

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9: 9-13

This passage is not only a moment in which we see Jesus being a normal person, eating and having exchanges with other people, but it is one of those moments that fill our hearts and souls with hope.  Not only was Jesus displaying His humanity, but He also infused the room with His Majesty when He pronounced the purpose of His coming: "to call the sinners."  Sinners of which I am the worst...

Praise the Lord for giving us these passages of Scripture that record the seemingly mundane events of His earthly life, but that in reality state His Divinity and Glory in the midst of His humanity.  May we remember Jesus' fellowship when we gather together with our loved ones to commemorate Our Lord's death and rejoice in His resurrection.  May He remind us that He is waiting for us to gather around His table again soon. In the precious Name of He Who Came for Us...the least deserving of all.  Amen!

Jesus Wept

 Dylan was telling me the other day how he was having a conversation with his special "friend" about how he has been known to cry at movies more than once.  We laughed and began to recall all the movies we have cried at together.  Some we have cried while watching them here at home, but we have cried rivers at the movie theaters too.  The one that came to mind right away was I Can Only Imagine.  Boy did we cry.  It was so bad my shirt sleeves were completely wet at the end.  We had no tissues so...I tell you, it was bad.  I remember how Dylan said to me at the end of the movie that he was sobbing so loud that he was self conscious about the people next to him until he realized they were sobbing too.  

I am a softy.  My movie-crying experiences are not limited to dramatic/tragic stories either.  I've cried at movies like Rogue 1, from the Star Wars series, and Avengers End Game... I mean, really!  I cry every time I watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie.  I cry at cartoon movies!  Forget about dog movies...sigh...anyway, tears flow freely because like Dylan once told me:  "we have too many emotions."

There's nothing like tears to demonstrate a person's humanity.  In this era of technology, when we have Artificial Intelligence performing tasks that used to be reserved only to humans such as flying a plane, driving a car, carrying out all kinds of surgeries, writing a composition, poetry or even a novel, only humans are capable of producing emotional tears. That is why there are two words in Scripture that reveal Jesus' humanity like not many others can:  "Jesus wept." (John 11: 35)

Those two words make one stop, don't they?  They are as powerful as they are melancholic.  Jesus, the Lord of Lord and King of Kings...the One to whom the winds and the waves obey...the Creator of all that there is...wept.  I can't help it but to just pause and be in awe.

Jesus shares humanity with us in every aspect, except in sin.  He walked on the dusty roads of Israel.  His feet got dirty and tired.  He sweated.  He got hungry and thirsty.  He enjoyed Himself.  He suffered.  He loved and continues to love and He wept.  He knows what it is to cry.  He knows the tightness we feel in our chest.  He knows the knot that forms in our throats when crying is about to begin.  He knows the head ache and heart ache.  He knows what causes tears to roll down one's cheeks because He has felt all of that.  He felt it over the pain of loved ones experiencing loss.  He felt it over the hurt of knowing His Sacred city being lost. (Luke 19: 41)  He felt it over His own sense of loneliness and terror during the agony at the Garden of Gethsemane. (Hebrews 5: 7)  He experienced it all...just like we do as we journey through this valley of tears.

Sigh...

Well, I don't think Jesus cried at the movies like Dylan and I do...that's just silly to even begin to consider...but He did cry.  He tasted the salty discharge that is a sure sign of being alive and made out of flesh and blood.  And He did it all for us.  Blessed Redeemer, how we love You.  In Your Precious Name, Lord Jesus, for You were obedient to be fully human so you could experience it all with us, even death...even tears.  Praise You and Thank You for Who You Are.  Amen!

Righteous Anger

 The wind is blowing with scary fury outside.  It's impossible not to notice.  The weather app says to expect wind gusts up to 55 mph...yikes...not my favorite.  The whistle-like noise of the wind filtering through the front door is a reminder we need to replace it soon.  The noise of the gusts beating on the windows and rattling the downspouts makes me really nervous.  All I can think of is how scary it must be to be in a tornado.  It'd be like being hit by the whip of God.

While I'm trying to keep my mind occupied in this windy March evening, I started thinking again about Jesus' humanity and about how He experienced a wide range of human emotions.  The fury of the wind brought me to moments in the Bible when Jesus expressed His righteous anger.  Being about one week away from Holy Week, the passage of Jesus overturning the tables at the Temple popped into my mind.

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2: 13-17

This is quite a moment.  Meditating on all its details would take volumes.  Tonight, all I want to highlight is how the incident showcases Jesus the man.  I have a ton of experience with anger.  I guess that's why this portion of Scripture speaks to me so loudly.  I have no problem imagining someone being so irritated that he'd improvise a whip and start swinging it in the air to drive away the perpetrators like a regular Indiana Jones.  All I could think of is: "boy, I'd loved to have seen that!"  Notice, He didn't whip people...Jesus used the whip on the sheep and cattle.  Then He flipped tables, scattered the money and yelled at people.  "Get out of here!" was most certainly the message. "Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"

He was indignant...angry...annoyed...but the difference between Jesus' anger and mine is that His was justified.  It was righteous anger.  He was angry at all He saw because it opposed God.  His disciples got it when in verse 17 they recall Psalm 69:9 

for zeal for your house consumes me,

and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

Jesus could not look the other way while the people desecrated God's House.  The zeal spoken by the Psalmist many years ago in his prophetic image had to be seen.  My anger is selfish in nature.  My manifestations of irritation are usually all about me and how my agenda has been disrupted.  My annoyance is mostly about me not getting my way and feeling disrespected.  It's all about my pride.  My rage is very far from righteous.  That's why Jesus' example is so perfect for short-temper people like me.  This passage seems to say, "hey, it's OK to be angry and to display it publicly...but only if it is not misplaced.  Like Paul says:

26 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4: 26-27

Notice he doesn't say, do not be angry ever.  He says when you do get angry, "do not sin...do not give the devil a foothold."  Paul knows how anger can so very easily unfold sin and weakness which the enemy takes advantage of right away to grab a foothold immediately.  The admonition of not going to bed angry can't be more perfect.  It is one of the greatest tips to avoid going down the slippery road of sinning while angry.  

In both John's and Matthew's gospel, the conclusion of this incident seems to indicate Jesus went back to serving people, healing them and performing wonderful signs.  That's another amazing example of what to do when experiencing anger: redirect your energy into something productive like service.  Amazing!

I hope I can remember these tips for anger management the next time I feel the volcano inside of me about to erupt.  The wind seems to have slowed down a bit.  The whip of God appears to have been put away.  It's time to look at the damage.  I'm sure we're OK...maybe a little cleaner since the wind could be seen as God's broom too...which purpose is to make things healthier and better.

May the inspiration of Jesus' human reactions take up residence in our heart so we know how to act in every situation always in His righteousness. Amen!

The Humanity of Jesus

 I have to admit that I don't think about Jesus, the man much.  He is always in my mind as my Lord and Savior, but I don't stop to meditate on Him as a human being as much as I probably should.  Not considering this very important truth about Jesus, though, causes me to miss out on His fullness and greatness.  It is a blessing, then, that there are passages of Scripture that move us to see His humanity.

Today, I ran into this moment in Luke chapter 12 that did just that for me: it pointed out the man,

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Luke 12: 13-14

Honestly, Jesus' response here on verse 14 makes me smile.  It makes me chuckle...I'm not sure why, but I think it is because, in a way, I can identify with it.  I can actually see me and hear me saying something like that.  "Why do you come to me with this? What am I? The President? Your Mom? Why are you asking me?"  I've also been known to say slightly different takes on it...a different perspective such as, "Who made you the judge?"  or  "You're not the boss of me!"

I know...not quite the same...but somehow the tone is similar...a bit...

In my opinion, Jesus expresses frustration in His reply...a very human and common reaction to foolishness.  And that's what we're dealing with here, isn't' it?  The foolishness of greed.  How many times can Jesus preach, teach and demonstrate with His own lifestyle that seeking the material is completely counter productive idiocy...and yet, we continue to strive for it to the point of fighting and creating division among our own flesh and blood. 

I don't know about you, but I can almost hear Jesus sigh at the end of verse 14...a sigh that seems to show understanding and compassion before He continues,

15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And He is back in His role of Divine Teacher and Guide.  The authority of His voice is perceived by the tone of the statements in verse 15.  A warning replaces the frustration of the previous lines.  He remembers how capricious our will is and He brings us back on track with His admonition.  That's the moment when His humanity gives way to His divinity.  And that's when the blessing of His nature becomes evident. And that's also when our similarities end, because I get too hung up on my frustration, and forget to take the next step.

Praise the Lord that He is fully human and fully God, so He is able to realize that we need Him to be both.  In the Precious Name Above All Names: Jesus Our Redeemer and Friend, Amen!

Laugh Without Fear

 I've been told, upon occasion, that I take myself way too seriously.  Dan has been telling me that I need to learn to laugh at myself more.  He says that's the key to staying humble and out of misery.  I know he's right, but I struggle.  I don't think...or at least I hope it is not so, that the reason I tend to not be able to laugh at myself is because I think I'm superior.  I hope not. It's not that I believe I'm so important that I must not be messed with.  I don't think that everything that happens to me is of such importance that life must stop until my troubles pass.  I don't think that's it.  I believe the reason I take everything so seriously and I tend to overreact is because I grew up in an environment where every tiny mishap was treated as a huge problem and as a great inconvenience.

It might have something to do with the fact that my parents were older and they were not planning to have another child coming along to disturb what they thought was their smooth sailing towards retirement.  If I think about it, I was a big inconvenience for my parents.  My Dad retired from the field of Education after 30 plus years of service when I was 5 years old...my Mom when I was 8.  To top it off, the same year my Mom retired from teaching, also after 30 some years of service, my Niece Nicole was born and she came to live with us while my brother (her Dad) finished college.

So, my parents basically had 2 young children still in the house after they were retired!  And, of course, their pay was so miniscule, that money worries forced my Dad to take another job, which happened to be in a completely different field of which he knew nothing about...but necessity is the mother of many things, so he learned the trade and eventually became very successful at it. But there was a lot of stress in my household as my Dad worked full time in a new career so he could support his "growing family" in the autumn of his life.    

At any rate,  ever since I remember, we were always on edge.  I had a good and happy childhood, no question...but there was an element of fear and stress and nervousness always there, which didn't make it conducive to developing the ability to take things lightly. 

That's all I knew.  So, when I met Dan and he started talking about laughing at myself more and taking things easy...I had no clue what he was talking about.  So I'd react with the same and only response I knew:  anger.  I've been hanging out with Dan for almost 32 years now...and it has been a huge learning curve.  I still do not claim to master this lifestyle of laughing at myself and at life itself...but I am trying.  Maybe some day I will get it.  Maybe it will become part of who I am for real.  In the meantime, I will claim Proverbs 31: 25 as a verse to live by as I try to laugh at my present and future without worry and fear: 

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;

And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared]. (Amplified)

I Don't Know

 There are so many things I don't understand about God's plan for me, my loved ones and the world.  Let me rephrase that:  there is very little I understand about God's plan for me, my loved ones and the world at large.  There isn't much I understand at all.  I guess, if we could know and comprehend everything about God with our limited minds...He wouldn't be much of a God after all, right?  It is actually by design that some things-many things-are supposed to remain a mystery.  

He has revealed much through His Word in Scripture.  I believe He has revealed all that He thought was enough for us to know.  But it would be foolish for us to think that there isn't more-much more-that He has decided is not the time yet to disclose.  I believe we see a hint of this truth in Revelation 10: 4 when John heard a Voice from Heaven saying,

And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

John witnessed something God didn't want revealed to humanity yet.  It's like when Jesus tells us not to be anxious about the future (Matthew 6: 34).  The future and its hidden things do not belong to us, so it is useless to be obsessed with it.  We have received enough information and guidance for what we have to do today.  There's no need to try to figure every single detail out.  Some things are meant to stay secret. 

This is why I should not be shy to say: "I don't know," when someone asks me things like: "Why does God do this?" or "Why does a supposedly loving God allows bad things to happen to good people?"  We can reply the standard, "we live in a fallen world and this is the consequence of our corruption brought unto us by our sin," but an honest and heart felt, "I don't know" could probably be very effective too, because it shows our humility and how we depend on God for meaning.  He doesn't need us to defend Him.  We are not the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes a simple, "I don't know...but I trust Him," can soften a hardened heart or plant a seed.

One day all the mysteries will be revealed and we will learn the fullness of God's plan.  For now, we rest in His care, trusting in His timing.  Trusting that He is Holy and Good, and that His will is perfect. In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our Sustainer and Redeemer.  Amen! 

Our Song

 Pastor Dan has been unfolding a sermon series called "This is Your Song," which I believe has been a great blessing for all of us listening.  I have to admit that thinking of God as my Lord, Savior, Father, Guide, Redeemer, even as my Friend does not take much of an effort.  Attributes that emphasize God's Omnipotent Power and Might...Love...Light...Peace...Wisdom and all those are easy to assimilate.  Thinking of God as "My Song," however...is both challenging and fascinating!

Isaiah 12: 2 says:

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation."

I will trust and not be afraid because the Lord God is "my strength and my song..." WOW...I mean, like I said earlier, it is not difficult for me to understand and see the the concept of God being my Strength...but how is He "My Song"?  I read a devotional today that spoke a bit about it:

Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song. Think what it means to have Me as your Strength. I spoke the universe into existence; My power is absolutely unlimited! Human weakness, consecrated to Me, is like a magnet, drawing My Power into your neediness. However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you. Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can strengthen you.
Remember that I am also your Song. I want you to share My Joy, living in conscious awareness of My Presence. Rejoice as we journey together toward heaven; join Me in singing My Song. (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

I love how this short reading reminds me what it means for God to be Our Strength.  It is very clear.  But I REALLY like the part about God being Our Song.  It is not super detailed, but it surely is intriguing as it sheds some light on what this idea means:  joy!  

By using the analogy of God as Our Song He wants us to understand that He is the Giver of all joy.  What is music if not beauty?  Have you ever listened to a song that is so beautiful it just makes you cry?  That is God's Song in us.  He is the Creator of music and it all belongs to Him!  Its purpose is enjoyment so deep that it touches our soul.  That beauty that evokes such profound joy can only come from Him who is Our Song! 

He didn't have to be Our Song.  He could have just been Our Master.  But that's not what He did when He thought of us.  He didn't want to be a Dictator of rules and Keeper of accounts.  He wanted us to have joy in abundance so He became Our Song to bring beauty to make the journey doable and bearable.  And for that we are eternally grateful.

May we always remember this about Our Great God.  Blessed be His Holy Name, Our Lord and Our Song.  Amen!

Light Yoke

 I love my job, but I'm exhausted.  Even though we just had spring break and I was able to relax a bit, being back to work has worn me out.  I think it's because I keep stressing out about two of my classes and also because I'm still doing some administrative job that I truly dislike...anyway...I'm just plain tired.  It was great to have Pastor Dan give a sermon regarding being weary yesterday at church.  His first point was just spot on for me:  "Know that Jesus came to strengthen you when you are weary." What a great reminder.

Weary is defined in the dictionary as feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.  The lack of sleep really rings a bell in my life.  I don't know why, but sometimes I just can't sleep.  My mind keeps racing and my thoughts keep me up at night.  I pray the Lord helps me sleep...but often the minutes become hours and before I know it, I have to get up.  Of course, sometimes I do fall asleep, but it is shortly before the alarm rings.  It feels like I just blinked and it's time to roll out of bed...and the vicious cycle of tiredness continues.

This is why it is such a wonderful thing to hear the good news that Jesus is the Great Help for the weary...for the exhausted...for the worn out...for the drained...for the depleted... for the dog tired...It is wonderful when you have someone bring back Matthew 11: 28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Notice that Jesus is not telling us that we will be free from carrying our yoke, though...we will still have to carry it.  He is not going to magically take away my need to go to work just because I come to Him for help.  What He is saying is that we need to exchange the world's yoke for His.  We need to leave behind the things of this world that weigh us down and take up the things of His Kingdom so we can be relieved from unbearable burdens that don't take us anywhere but to a place of constant weariness, and instead, embrace Him and His will, which when performed according to His plan, it is light and allows us to find rest and contentment.  

A light yoke is an oxymoron if reasoned through the logic of this world.  However, when we see it through the reasoning of God's Kingdom where the first are last and the last are first, a light yoke is the perfect example of balance and abundance.

I pray I can keep these things in mind so as I walk through the weeks leading to the end of the semester, I can be renewed and refreshed when I drop the heavy load this world places on my shoulders and pick up Jesus' light yoke.  May we be strengthened by Him who came for that purpose.  Amen!

Happy Birthday, Dan!

 It's funny how birthdays cease to be about us as we become parents, isn't it?  Today is Dan's birthday and compared to when we were young, we didn't do anything "special" to celebrate...though by our current standards, I'd say, it was a pretty special day all in all.  

We went to church, which is always special.  Then, we had lunch with Grant and a couple of his friends from college.  That phrase in itself is SUPER special: "Grant's friends."  This boy spent his entire life before college pretty much on his own.  He had very few friends and he never really did anything with them.  He didn't go to their houses much.  They never came to ours.  Outside for marching band activities, he didn't really do or go anywhere.  Ever since he went to Geneva College, however, he has been blessed with a group of friends that seem to really get him.  He seems comfortable and more confident.  He seems happy...and to see that is an amazing gift.  I don't know about Dan, but I'd take that present over any other thing I could ever get for my birthday.

Later on, we went to Dylan's basketball banquet.  This event closed this year's season, which by our standards was fantastic.  The team did not win any championship or anything ever remotely like that, but it was the most exciting season for Dylan since he began playing the game in third grade.  He got to play more than ever and he learned valuable lessons that I'm sure he'll carry with him through the rest of his life.  Seeing him there sitting with the team, smiling and having fun was a true joy...another very special gift, more impressive than anything I could have bought, for sure.

We are wrapping up with night with a silly movie at home, a father-son video game soccer match, and the usual Sunday evening blues before another week of work starts, but praising God for the jobs we do have and for the moments of rejoicing we were able to experienced today to add to our memory boxes.  Nothing special by the world's standards...but plenty special to us...and for that we Praise Our Lord, because we acknowledge that:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights...

James 1: 17

May Our Heavenly Father continue to bless Dan with good health and long life to spend it with us.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our Redeemer and Friend.  Amen!

Happy Birthday, Love!

Who Wants to Eat an Elephant?

Often, whenever I'm talking to anyone who is having a particularly rough time, I notice I tend to say things like, "try to take it just one day at a time."  However, when I think about it, I don't know how well I follow my own advice.  How about you? Do you find it difficult to live one day at a time?  How hard it is to eat that elephant?  Yeah...remember the elephant?  I don't know who ever came up with that saying about, "how do you eat an elephant?"  I mean, who'd want to eat an elephant in the first place?  I always found that adage kind of gross, but the truth that it encompasses makes up for it, I think.

Dan and I were talking about this hard-to-live-by general rule and we both agreed (at least I think we did) that it is very difficult, indeed.  We tend to want to project to the future, which usually causes a great deal of tension, added stress and unnecessary worries.  The future is not ours.  It was never meant to be.  All we have is the now.  I know we can't just throw caution to the wind and adopt a 100% YOLO lifestyle. But the opposite is not fitting either. 

I believe the answer is trust.  The One who promised is trustworthy, and He said:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...Matthew 6: 25a

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6: 27

...do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6: 34

My devotional spoke about this today also.  I liked it so much that I will reproduce it here:

Trust Me one day at a time. This keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor. Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting.
Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don't let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously, as you live in deep dependence on Me. Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don't get tangled up in its worry-webs. Trust Me one day at a time. (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

Like Jesus said, "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness," (Matthew 6: 33a) and He'll take care of the rest.  Let's just keep taking one bite at a time, right?...and that elephant would be gone before we know it. 

Thank You Lord for your promises.  We know they are true.  We rest in Your arms.  We trust Your plan for us.  May Your will be done. In Jesus' Precious Name.  Amen!

We Sing for Him!

 What did you ever answer to the question, "what super power would you like to have?" I never knew how to answer that question.  The only thing that always came to mind was: "I want to be able to sing really well!"  Yeah...I know...that's not what the question meant.  But I always daydreamed about singing.  I thought it would be so totally rad to be the lead singer of a band or sing in a choir or be a backup singer...or just being able to sing in the shower and sound better than the pipes...sigh...

Anyway, I've been made aware of the fact that I am musically challenged, and I've made some sort of peace with it. But I still wish I could sing...sigh... It is particularly difficult at church, though, because I really, really love the songs we sing.  I love both, contemporary and hymns, but I just can't follow.  I can't find the right pitch.  I'm monotone.  I have no range.  If I ever were to sing in a choir, I would most likely be placed to sing among the men.  Therefore, singing is a bit problematic for me.  Often I worship by just reading the lyrics.  Hymns are especially troublesome.  I'm surrounded by people who can sing beautifully...so I just quietly read.  I refuse to subject anyone to my jarring and irritating, tuneless and pathetic attempts at singing.

OK...yeah...

Today, though, as I make my way through the Book of Revelations - talking about faulty attempts - I was reminded of something that filled me with joy: there will be singing in Heaven, lots of it! And it won't be just angels, important people, heavenly creatures and rock stars the only ones singing.  I will get to sing too!  

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!” Revelations 5: 13

This passage doesn't say only those who made it to honors choir get to sing.  I believe what it says here means everyone, including me, no audition required.  It doesn't say anything about gorgeous voices only, pitch-imperfect need not apply.  I think I will be singing the new song too, and so will you!  The One who sits  on the throne and the Lamb just want our praise.  That's the only requirement.  There's no high-expectation levels or ranking on the performance...the only expectation is that we do it.  And how can we not!?

While I won't be the lead singer of any band ever here on earth, my dream will become true one day, and I will sing as if no-one else was listening except the One I sing for.  

May the Lamb who is worthy of all our worship and praise help us realize He wants us just like we are, so we may sing with confidence because we sing for Him!  Amen!

Walking in Love

 Kids are notorious for pushing boundaries and testing limits.  It's what they do.  And it sort of makes sense, I guess.  They don't really know where the "line" truly is until they experiment with it.  This is actually a learning process for them.  Thus the incredible importance of setting those boundaries.  Typically, kids that grow up without rules never learn and go through life thinking everything is permissible.  And their lives become chaos for them and for society as a whole.

In many instances, today, our world is becoming more and more chaotic probably in part to the fact that less and less people are interested in following rules and keeping within the borders that have been drafted and traced for our own protection.  Yes, we have freedom and we certainly want it, after all, "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free!" (Galatians 5: 1).  In our freedom, however, we ought to recognize also what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10: 23,

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive.

In our freedom, then, as we seek our own good, we also must seek the good for others (1 Corinthians 10: 24).  Rules and boundaries exist so we respect and actively participate on pursuing what's good for everyone.  It's the rule of love, like 2 John 1: 6 says:

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Walking in love ensures that we remain mindful of others, even those who are not particularly lovely to us.  After all, Jesus did say, Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6: 31.  He didn't say do unto those you like...or unto those who are nice to you...He said "others" meaning, all others.  But if we don't walk in love and in obedience to His commands, or put into practice what we read in the Bible...it's chaos.  So, let's be different.  Let's obey rules and live with a sense of morality based on God's Word.  I believe that's where the blessings are.

Just like with kids, Our Heavenly Father has established the regulations and set borders for the benefit of all...so we can coexist...so we can have some structure in life.  He is not the God of chaos.  He is the God of order.  And order is in place for our own good.  This is a hard pill to swallow in this day and age...but the alternative does not present a successful outcome.

May the Holy Spirit help us walk on His way, the way of love.  May Your Word be the lamp to our feet and the light on our path.  May Your Word, sweeter than honey and your commandments give us the understanding we need to acknowledge the need for boundaries and rules.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Knocking on Doors

I don't like making phone calls or knocking on doors.  As an introvert, those two actions fill me with anxiety.  I stood at a counter today for a long while waiting for someone to come out from any of the closed doors around me to help me...but nobody did.  If I hadn't gathered the inner strength required to start knocking on doors, I'd probably still be there 2 hours later.  I'm not sure what it is that makes me nervous, but I guess it's something that has to do with the uncertainty of what I will find if someone actually opens the door or answers that phone call.  I don't want to interrupt or disturb anybody.  It bothers me to think that I am imposing myself upon anyone's time or circumstance...so I avoid calling or knocking as much as possible.  And when I can't avoid it...it takes a lot out of me...sigh...

Another consideration is that the person who does the knocking on the door is usually the one who wants or needs something.  The person who is inside decides if they want to open or ignore.  They are on a more powerful position than the one knocking.  Those inside have the prerogative to tend to the needs of the one knocking or not.  If you think about it, the person knocking on the door is kind of helpless and at the mercy of the one on the other side of the door.  Like when I'm angrily knocking on Dylan's door and he doesn't open because he: a. can't hear me because he has his headphones on or b. simply ignores me and I just stand outside his room ready to explode, but unable to do anything unless I'm willing to kick a whole on the door, which I haven't done yet since I don't want to pay for the repairs...I'm in a position that poses disadvantages.  Maybe that's why I don't like knocking on doors: because I don't want to be in a subservient position.  I don't want to be rejected.  I don't want to be ignored.

Knocking also involves waiting and I just can't deal with any type of wait...sigh...

You know who is not afraid of or bothered by knocking on doors?  Yep, you got it: Jesus.  Our Lord.  Our God.  Our Savior.  The Kings of Kings.  The Sustainer of all life.  The One through whom all things were made.  He humbles Himself to the position of being the one who knocks on our doors.  He lowers Himself to be the One at the mercy of those on the other side.    

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3: 20

There isn't much I understand of the content of the Book of Revelation, but this passage does speak to me loud and clear.  Jesus wants us.  He loves us enough to humble Himself and stand outside the door of our heart and knock...KNOCK...and then wait for us to open.  Jesus, who could say the word and demolish that door, knocks and waits for us to open...how amazing is He...I just pray, trust and hope I hear the call and rush to it to swing it wide open to let the dinner party begin!

Deciding to Forgive

 "Forgiveness is not a feeling.  It is a decision."  This is what the minister in the mini-podcast that I listen to in the mornings said today.  I don't know about you, but the idea was very thought-provoking to me.

I try not to struggle with forgiveness.  I try to give it freely...in most instances...but there are a few cases in which...well...I wrestle with it quite a bit.  I'd rather not go into details, but there's been times when I have decided to forgive the same person more than once. It's like I forgive, but something happens, and I find myself picking up the hurt again, which makes the grudge tighten in my throat until I realize I'm choking because I'm rescinding my forgiveness...then I remember how Jesus Himself told us...forgive and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6: 36).  Sigh...and after a deep breath, I decide to forgive again.

I don't know for sure, but that might have been what Jesus meant when He had this exchange with Peter:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18: 21-22

I believe Jesus knows us so well, that He recognizes that often the damage is so profound, that we will find ourselves having to forgive the same person over and over and over again.  He also realizes that we are so full of pride, that when our ego is bruised, we tend to withdraw our forgiveness...until we remember that we are supposed to forgive to infinity and beyond.  

How do we make the decision to forgive, be it once or repeatedly?  Do we do it only because we're afraid that we won't be forgiven if we don't?  I guess that's a big part of it.  But like in other situations, decisions made out of fear usually don't run deep.  It is the decisions we make out of love the ones that grow roots that help them stick.  It is when we decide to love others the way Jesus loves them: as His precious creatures, that we would be able to forgive for real.  Once I begin to see my "special case" with the eyes of love and care...the same eyes that Jesus looks at them with...I might arrive at a point when the memories of the pain don't hurt anymore and I'm more concerned with the well-being of the person than with protecting my pride.

I pray that this season of Lent gives me the ability to love others the way Jesus loves them...and me too:  undeservingly.  In His Precious Name I pray.  Amen!

Running the Race

 Lately, I've been trying to use my treadmill less like a thing to store junk and more like what it was originally designed for...but boy, am I out of shape!?  I have been trying to walk...but everything hurts, so I had to take a break for a few days, LOL.  I tell you, if I ever had to run for my life, just kill me know, because I'm not going to make it 😂.  

My feeble attempts at getting in some sort of fitness related shape came back to mind this morning when I was reading a short devotional that used the last part of Hebrews 12: 1 as its inspiration,

...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

The writer of Hebrews uses a great analogy here.  Running requires endurance.  It is impossible to run if we don't have the stamina to perform this most difficult (and unpleasant if you ask me) process without giving way.  The power of staying on task...without giving up...that's endurance, and that's what's needed to remain in the race, the road, the plan that God has set before us.  Regardless of how challenging it is, just like Jesus did.  He who, 

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 2b

Jesus is our model, our perfect example of how to endure the pain of the race, for the reward is a spot by His side, and what more could we ever desire?! But, how do we ever get that power to stay without faltering? How do people like me, weak in every sense, ever get the needed endurance to run the race?  Well, just like Hebrews 12: 2a says:

...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Keeping our eyes on His face is what makes us walk on water!  Like Jude 20-19 also says in its call to persevere:

 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

That's the recipe to stay in the race, enduring the pain, hurdles and obstacles that do show up on the track, by keeping our eyes on the Prince who is the price, by building each other up, by praying and staying in constant connection to the Holy Spirit, and by keeping ourselves in God's love...waiting and trusting in His mercy in the hope of eternal life.  This is the only way to run.

May the One Who Designed the Race for each one of us infuse His endurance in us so we have the power to stay in it until He calls us home to give us our price.  In The Precious Name of Jesus the Author and Perfecter of all we are.  Amen!

Reminders

Do you ever "know" things, but you need to be reminded?

We were playing a trivia game the other night called "I Should Have Known That." Men, is that an appropriate name for that game... There were things that I knew, I knew...but then...I couldn't remember enough to produce an answer that was satisfactory.  As soon as I'd hear the correct answer, I'd be like, "I knew that!!!" But of course, it didn't count that I remembered it after the fact.  It's soooo frustrating!

I was reading through the book of Jude in the New Testament.  I don't think I've ever actually read it through and through.  I don't really have an excuse for never reading it.  This short little letter can be read in a couple of minutes...but for some reason, that's one of those books in the Bible that are easily skipped.  At least for me.  At any rate, I read it this morning, and WOW!  It is packed full with important admonitions and information...but for some reason, there was this one half a verse that really spoke to me:

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you...Jude 5a

I don't know how many times I've been in the middle of a "moment" when someone or something would remind me of one of the many promises of God and of the fact that they are true, no matter what.  It usually happens when I'm allowing fear to creep in and pierce my very soul...then, a song would play on the radio, or a passage from Scripture would pop into my mind, or someone would say something in real life or in a show or podcast...and I'd be reminded...though I already knew all of it...but I'd allowed my thoughts to wander off track and I'd forgotten...

So...I just love that half verse from Jude.  Jesus knew and knows we need constant reminding.  He knows how our brains work and how easily we lose focus.  He knows how anything can and does distract us, making us take our eyes from Him and begin to sink.  He knows we know He is Love, and Peace, and Truth, and Light, and The Way and The Life...but he knows that we also are forgetful and that we need to be reminded.  How Merciful is Our Savior!  Our Lord, in all His Glory, tucks away in little, modest books like Jude, tiny phrases that pack an incredible punch, just when we need them.  And unlike in our trivia game, it does count! Even if at first we didn't remember, and we have to be reminded...it counts!  We don't have to always produce the right answer to win.  We have already won...even if we need help.

Even though we should have known it...the Bible is our constant reminder that God is Love...that He is Present...and that He is Able.  May we find evidence of Your Faithfulness all around us, always.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!

The Power of Music

 Research indicates that music does have great powers.  It is increasingly used to promote healing and to reduce stress.  At SRU we have a Music Therapy program that is booming.  The program claims that  it provides the skills necessary so future graduates would become professionals who could offer therapeutic support to people of all ages with a wide range of physical, intellectual, emotional, behavioral, developmental, sensory and social needs. Like one devotional reading I read this morning commented, God knew about that all along.  He designed it this way.

Back in the Old Testament, we see young David playing the lyre for King Saul when he was tormented by demons, resulting on Saul feeling refreshed and at peace, and the evil spirits fleeing from him. (1 Samuel 16: 23)  In the New Testament, Paul tells us to be careful how we live our lives.  He said to not be foolish, avoid debauchery and to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5: 15-20)

Music can be a formidable force for good when composed for the Lord.  It can move us and renew us as part of worship.  It can transport us to a place of praise and peace.  Have you ever sang a song at church that touches you so deeply that you can't stop the tears from freely flowing from your eyes? The Spirit within us rejoices and stirs inside manifesting Himself in ways beyond our comprehension.  It cleanses us, clears the clutter in our mind and hushes the usual, daily noises that keep us from hearing the One True, Holy Ghost speak directly to us.  Like with Saul, music was the instrument God used to chase the evil spirit away, so the Spirit of Peace could take hold and release his tortured soul.   

The same way, I believe, music can incite to violence and darkness too.  Therefore, we should pay attention to the music we let into our brain.  "Be careful little ears what you hear..." we tell our kids...well...there's a lot of wisdom in that song.  Like everything else, music's power can be used for the wrong purposes.  Music created as an offering to the Lord should be the priority in our play lists.  I know it is difficult to exclusively listen to Christian music all the time.  But at least we should strive to enjoy a big dose of it on a regular basis.  We should share it with others when we hear one that makes us think of someone who would benefit from listening to it.  We should have our go-to-songs for all occasions.  I know I don't always take notice of my own advice...but ever since I discovered Christian music not quite 20 years ago, I can testify it did change my life.  And I pray it changes yours as well.

May the Lord Who Sings Over Us, teach us the way to keeping music as a part of our worship and praise.  In His Precious Name I pray.  Amen!

Encourage One Another

 I always give up too soon.  I lose confidence too quickly.  I just throw my arms out and quit.  Like this evening, we were playing a board game.  We got it as a gift from good friends for Christmas and had been waiting until the 4 of us were home to play it.  It was actually fun and educational at the same time.  It was kind of a trivia game so it tested our knowledge of ... everything!  

Every time it was my turn to answer a question, though, my first reaction before I even had a chance to really listen to the question, was to say stuff like:  "there's no way I know this." Most of the time, however, thanks to Dan's encouragement, after thinking about it for a moment, I could actually figure out many of them.  If I hadn't had anyone encouraging me to pause and concentrate, I would have ended up with no points on the board.  Left on my own, I'd just do what I always do: quit.

I wonder if that's one of the things Paul had in mind when he wrote 1 Thessalonians 5: 11,

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I tell you, without the help of those along my way, it would be very difficult for someone like me to do life.  Sometimes I wonder, though, if I ever make a difference in anyone's life the way my encouragers do in mine?  Am I allowing my life to be of any benefit to others at all?  My own kids complain about me all the time: "you're too harsh! You have no patience!  You expect too much!"  Those phrases don't sound like thank you notes to me.  Am I forgetting this command to encourage and build one another up?

I like the last part of the sentence, where Paul says:  "just as you are doing..." I'd like to think those words are also meant for me.  That in itself is an encouraging thought: to know that I might be actually doing it already...even if ever so slightly.  To think that my actions are not a complete waste of energy is encouraging. It encourages me to believe I can do it...and to do more every day.  So, I'm going to claim those words too, and use them to propel me to be better at this calling to encourage and build one another up.  It is part of love.  And in this world where there is so much to be distraught about, a little encouragement goes a long way.

I pray, that the Holy Spirit will fill us up with a desire and an ability to lift people up, to bring cheer and to invigorate others.  And at the same time, to remember that this calling usually comes back two-fold.  In the Precious Name of Our Lord.  Amen.

Wear Your Crown Well

 March 8 is supposed to be International Women's Day.  I don't even want to get into this because it is all so very political...but my sister sent me a video that truly gave me perspective and made me glad to be a woman.  The video is in Spanish, but the gist was this:  Jesus is the real Champion of women.  

The video relates a sample of the instances in the Gospels when Jesus showed the value of women as precious jewels of creation.  From allowing Himself to be humbled to the condition of a baby born of a woman...to choosing women to be the first witnesses of His glorious resurrection, Jesus exalted women to a position of high regard where it had never been.  

Jesus and His actions toward women showed the world the worth of women regardless of what society may have decided.  He sought them out of their sin.  He saved them from being stoned to death by making her accusers realized we are all equal opportunity sinners.  He healed them spiritually and physically.  He let women come to Him and touch the hem of His tunic or wash Him with their tears.  He listen.  He comforted.  He addressed their concerns. He walked with them.  He never dismissed them.  He always gave them of Himself and covered them with compassion and mercy as He enlighten them with His wisdom and knowledge.  He literally went out of His way to meet them.  Nobody took them seriously, but He called them by their name.  He made women a bridge upon which He'd cross to humanity and to the lost. What an amazing inheritance of love.

What a blessing to be counted among the women.  What a blessing to be the spiritual heiress of the women who went before me.  What a blessing to be a bearer of Jesus' design for womanhood. This is the real revolution.  We were born to be His princesses.  I'm proud to be one of them. May we all wear our crowns well. 

Love Doesn't Go Away

 I was watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie...I know, I know...with all the trash that's on the media today, this is about the only show we can watch anymore! At any rate, the episode was about the family losing their dog.  Having gone through that recently, the episode stirred tender emotions in me.  I got sad all over again about losing our Link...I just can't believe he is gone...sigh...I identified with the character of Laura Ingalls because she was so heart broken about losing their dog, that she just didn't want to even consider the possibility of having another dog again.  The loss was too hard to bear.  I'm right there.  I think I even said that, "I never, ever want to have another dog, ever!  I don't want to have to go through this again."

But then, another character told Laura to remember that, though she understood the reluctance to open her heart to another dog for fear of experiencing loss in such an intense way again, it was important to remember that "the hurt goes away, but the love doesn't."

That phrase stayed with me.  I don't think I ever thought of this before.  It is so true, I think of all my loved ones that I've lost over the years.  I think of my Mom, gone almost 23 years ago...the pain of losing her cut me so deeply, I thought I've never get over it.  I think of losing a pregnancy.  I was so devastated, I thought I'd never laugh again.  My Dad.  My Father in Law.  My Step Father in Law.  Dear aunts. Even some friends.  Link.  The intensity of the pain that accompanies loss is deep, indeed.  But eventually, the pain does become less acute.  The intensity of the love, however, never gets dull.  We continue to love them no matter how long they've been gone...always...the love never changes.  Love never fails.  It's true!  I love the Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 13: 8a

Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].

I've read this a million times, but today, I think, I'm finally starting to get it.  Love does endure all things...even loss.  I think back at the memories of Link and of all my loved ones who are departed, and the love jumps, and my heart smiles.  Of course, the raw emotions of recent loss would not allow us to think beyond our hurt...but it does get better...and the love remains, just as it was when they were with us.  WOW! What a great mystery love is, isn't it? It really never ends...like the One Who Is Love.

I pray that we can remember this truth when we face the sting of loss, so the knowledge of the enduring promise of endless love may cover our wounds with a thick blanket of comfort.  In the Precious Name of Our Loving Lord.  Amen!

Feeling Superior?

 I have such a hard time remembering names anymore.  I hate to admit it, but after more than half of the semester gone, I still only know the names of maybe 30% of my students.  Back in the day, during my first years as a teacher, I was able to know all my students by name after the first 2 weeks of class...how low I´ve fallen...

This is why I could never be a name-dropper, LOL!  I can't remember any names to drop! :)

At any rate, I'm not sure why I'm thinking about this, but maybe it is because I was listening to my usual morning podcast and the minister was talking about how ridiculous it is for us to think that we are so important. Our inflated ego often betrays us and makes us belief that we can just say something like: "don't you know who I am?" And that at the mere sight of our presence, the waters would part, and mountains would move so we can get through.  The minister challenged us to imagine Jesus doing that: "Don't you know who you're talking to?  I'm the Son of God!  The Second Person of the Trinity...shoo, shoo..."

It was kind of hilarious to even consider that.  But it was also a slap on the face.  I might not drop names, but I have occasionally pulled rank.  There's moments when humility escapes me, and to get things done...or to feel a sense of preponderance of sorts, I've used a version of "don't you know who I am?"...and that is totally shameful.   

Jesus, the Word, the very One to Whom the Winds and the Waves Obey...Our Lord and Our God...did not do any of this.  Instead, He,

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness. Philippians 2: 6-7

Why would I ever think it is OK for me to do it?  That's what's ridiculous: me feeling superior.  

May the Holy Spirit guide us in our path to humility, and allow us to put God first in everything.  May we extend mercy, grace and compassion in the same measure we have received it from above.  In the Precious Name of Jesus, Our King Who Humbled Himself to Save Us.  Amen!

Our Mighty Fortress

"Mom, when are you going to put that stuff away? You've been working on it all weekend!"  Dylan said to me on Sunday night, pointing at a mess I had on our coffee table...sigh...

The thing is that I actually spent the entire weekend stressed out looking for fun ways to teach a poem to my classes today.  The reason I was stressed out about it was because students in these classes despise anything to do with literature.  They are absolutely NOT interested...especially in poetry...They don't get it.  They think is boring.  They don't see the point of it.  They don't want to have anything to do with it.  They can't relate.  So, I was tempted to skip the poem and move on to a film.  But I said, no...I am going to teach them the poem.  But that resolve cost me hours upon hours working on a strategy that would not put them to sleep. 

After thinking about it from many different angles, I came up with my intro line:  songs are poems we sing.  And poems...and songs...always tell us a story.  Sometimes we don't fully understand the story we've been told in a poem, but there's always one.  

From there, I proceeded to read the poem, which contained several words that I knew they would not understand...but that was part of the learning experience.

Yesterday at church we sang one of my favorite hymns: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."  I don't know what it is about that song, but it speaks to me.  Not unlike the poem I was teaching in class today, this hymn contains many words I don't understand.  I don't even know how to pronounce many of them.  But, I can't help it to be inspired and moved by it.  Regardless of my shortcomings with the language...  there is something about it that makes me want to take a deep breath and go fetch my armor of God.  It's a battle cry.  It's a call to arms.  It's a reminder of Who He Is and why He is deserving of all of our worship.

The hymn tells us the story of God's mighty power, and of His strength.  It tells us the story of how the enemy tries to devour us, but his efforts are futile, for "one little word shall fail him."  And even if the body is killed, it doesn't matter, not one bit, because, "God’s truth abideth still/His kingdom is forever."

...sigh...

The lesson today flowed in unexpected ways in my classes.  Not all got it.  Not everyone showed intense interest.  I doubt it that I made my students suddenly love poetry.  But the story was told.  I didn't skip it.  I believe that by making them do this exercise, they experienced the power of words...the power of rhythm...the power of beat...and for that, I believe they are better off.  Just like I'm better off having been exposed to The Mighty Fortress that is Our God ... "a bulwark never failing."

Restlessness

 "Isn't it amazing that the waves never stop? They just keep going and going and going forever!" I remember, many years ago, on our first trip to the beach as a family, my Mother in Law said this to me as we were launching in our beach chairs just chilling.  I didn't think anything of it back then.  I was just so thrilled to be there, her comment didn't really impacted me...though...the fact that I remember it, going on 9 years later, might indicate something different...

Today, we read Isaiah 57: 20 at the first Lenten study of the season, and her words came back to me as she was sitting next to me at church again.  

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.

The Pastor asked us what we thought of the passage, and my mind immediately went to that summer morning all those years ago.  I could hear the constant roar of the ocean fresh in my ears.  I could taste the salt in the wind.  I could feel the burn of the sun on my skin.  The word restlessness came to mind.  Then, I thought about me and how a sense of restlessness has always surfaced in my heart and soul.  A constant desire to move and to be on the go has characterized me to the point that it leaves everyone around me exhausted.  It's OK to be on the move, isn't it?  Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for pests and disease, right? It is the movement what keeps it clean, vibrant.  

But then, I see the last part of the verse...and remember that often, the constant waves "cast up mire and mud too."  That reminded me of last year's beach vacation.  We went to the Outer Banks and one morning, the waves made it impossible for us to enjoy the beach because with each tossing of the waves, the water brought up hundreds of nails and debris. We couldn't believe it!  We've never seen anything like it.  But, apparently, the nails and debris were from a house the sea had taken not long ago and it was bringing it it back to shore...spitting it back out...casting waste on the beauty of the area.  

Restlessness often equals no peace.  The incessant current could bring pollution too.  The soul has a hard time breathing when there is no time to be still.

I didn't say anything tonight at the study, but now that I'm taking some time to think back, I just want to lift up a prayer to Our Father in Heaven who can make all things new, asking Him to grant us the wisdom to look around and see the blessings so contentment can fill our wandering spirit and quiet our restless hearts.  The ocean never ceases...neither does the Lord. In Christ name, the One Whom the Winds and the Waves Obey.  Amen!

God's Timing

Do you get impatient with people who seem to always be dragging their feet? I do.  I think it comes from growing up with my Dad.  He was a very demanding and imposing man...larger than life...and he wanted things done his way and in his timing, which allowed no lapse...no slack...when he asked for something, he wanted it done 5 minutes ago.  I spent much of my youth making sure I never made my Dad wait for me...it was exhausting.

I guess that kind of conditioned me to be impatient in my own life as an adult...as a Mom and Wife.  But, boy, have I had a learning experience here?! My boys, all 3 of them, have taught me the very hard lesson of adjusting my expectations.  From asking Dylan 35 times a day to empty the dish washer, and asking Grant if he has already found some graduate programs for his Masters to asking Dan to paint that wall, replace that light, take me to Hawaii, buy a beach condo, move to Florida...nothing gets done when I demand it.  I always have to wait for it to be done in "their time."  It drives me CRAZY!

Well, I guess the same happens in my relationship with God.  I pray for things...and often, they do unfold in a timing that is according to my schedule.  But, there are some that have been years and years ... and the response continues to be "wait."  "Not yet."  Hang tight and wait in the Lord...which is very difficult for me, but I believe the lessons I've been learning while I wait are precisely what the Lord intends for me, and I feel closer to Him for that.

I think that's what Peter is trying to tell us in his second letter, chapter 3:

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 8-9

God's timing is His own, and not ours.  Kind of like me making an effort to develop patience with my kids, trying to give them space to be their own persons and not making unreasonable demands, I believe God reminds us of His sovereignty in the way He manages time.  He is in control, not us.  And this is a very effective way to remember this fact.  There aren't many things that make a person realize how little control they have, than to have to wait.  The sense of self-importance that comes from immediate obedience at one's demands crumbles when those who we expect to react to our commands, just sit around and lollygag.  Of course, I'm not saying God is lollygagging.  I'm saying He is King over time and over all.

May the words of Peter remind us that God's sense of timing is different than ours...and that in the end, He is most interested in our character, salvation, sanctification and glorification, than in granting our every wishes, like a genie in a bottle.  

The Voice of Truth

 I remember, when I was a teenager, the absolutely most totally rad thing ever was a device called "The Walkman."  I mean...there was nothing better than that thing...at least in my book.  Of course, I didn't have money for an original "Walkman" so I had to make due with a generic brand.  At a small fraction of the cost of the slick, Sony-no-baloney, my player did the work.  I loved that gadget.  I'd slide a cassette in, put those spongy, orange headphones over my ears, hit play...and it was as if the world would disappear. It was pure bliss.

I did not walk around with my headphones on, though.  My parents would not have allowed it.  I could only use it in my room, after I was done with my school work...but boy, were those moments of uninterrupted music enjoyment the BEST!

I guess I forget about those days when I too, used to shut the world out with my headphones...sigh. Nowadays, I complain about the youth permanently wearing their earbuds, like unseemly appendixes sticking out of their earlobes...I complain about how they come to class with those things inside their ears, and how, if I'm lucky, they might take one off to half hear whatever lesson I've spent endless hours preparing.  I complain about how they walk around like zombies, completely disconnected from the world around them, listening to who knows what, being played straight to their brains...and I forget I might have done the same thing to a degree back in the day...

There are so many voices in our heads, it is hard to hear when the truth calls.  We can't recognize it in the noise.  We all walk around mindlessly.  Lost.

I am guilty too.  I might not put on headphones at night to dive into my musical, parallel universe anymore.  But I surely spend countless hours listening to voices that feed my insecurities and my doubts.  I hear the drum, drum, drum of my negativity.  I block the words of my loved ones trying to speak the truth to me, and only hear the rattle and hum of lies.  The orange headsets are long gone, but I'm still disconnected from my source of life...

God's love does not yell.  He whispers.  He doesn't generally use a megaphone.  He speaks as soft as the gentle breeze of a summer eve...and yes, it could be easily missed.

I pray this season of Lent allows us a chance to tune in to the voice of Truth.  I pray for the youth of today, but also for the youth of yesteryears, because we all need to hear the lessons the Lord has prepared for us so tenderly...we all need to reverse our course, block everything else, and just hear His voice, calling out our names.  May Jesus' voice prevail.  Amen!

 

Our Father

 I know...I know very well, how the word "Father" is not a term that has a good and positive connotation for many, many people.  The sad reality is that, regardless of the area of the world where we might be at, many children grow up either without a Dad or with one who causes tremendous damage.  And that is a consequence of the fallen condition of our world...of our sin...it really doesn't have anything to do with the actual concept of fatherhood.  Being a Father is one of the greatest honors, privileges and gifts God has bestowed upon men.  Parenthood in general, is one of those "jobs" that really, really, teaches the person a lot about the heart of God.  It is a position of the highest responsibility, but it is a true, incomparable blessing too. 

When Jesus says that we ought to call God, Father...Our Father...it is a most wonderful and profound invitation...no matter how horrible our experience with our earthly Father might have been, being able to call God, Our Father is a great comfort in this hard life.

With the first two words of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus opens the door of His family to us, saying, He is your Father too.  He is Our Father.  You too are a child of God too.  You will learn, and experience, and taste, and enjoy, and know the wonders of having a perfect Father now.  You belong.  You are wanted.  You are loved.

I had a good earthly Father, but he was far from perfect.  There are things he did that marked me in not a very positive way.  But I know he loved me and he wanted the best for me.  I have no doubt my Dad did all he could to help me.  His efforts fell short often, but not intentionally.  I loved him dearly and still do.  The very thought of him brings tears to my eyes because I miss him so much, and I would give anything to still have him near.  How much more I should be assured of God's love, that is greater, much greater than my earthly Father's imperfect love, which he could only have, because God first loved him.  How much greater is God's love...for God is Love...pure and perfect Love.  

That's why the privilege is also ours...to be able to call God, the God of All Power and Love, Father...Our Father.  I pray we can have the clarity of the Holy Spirit to assimilate this mystery, in which we, lowly, stubborn, selfish, unfaithful, self-centered creatures, get to call the God of All Creation, Our Father.  Thank you for the blessing, Lord...Thank You for showing us this truth, Jesus.  Amen! 

Signs and Wonders

 For years now, I have been praying that the Lord will give the world special and even supernatural evidence of His presence so people would come to Him and believe.  This morning, I was, yet again, convicted by a minister I listen to daily who challenged me to question my desire for "signs." He asked why do we spend so much time and energy looking for these "signs" when the most important and greatest of signs we have already received in Jesus and His love and forgiveness.

Sigh...

Jesus knew this about the nature of humans...John 4: 48 recorded Jesus' words lamenting that,

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

Not that knowing the fact that people want to "see" to believe kept Jesus from performing signs and wonders, not at all.  Jesus continued to do all kinds of signs and wonders as an act of mercy...because He knew that about us, and because He wanted us to believe...but, in reality, the truth is so much bigger than the supernatural acts of Jesus.  And that's why Jesus was troubled by the small-mildness of mankind.  The true and most important "sign" was Him walking on this earth...but we are too confused to see it...to see Him.

Jesus actually warned us about the signs and wonders of the last days,

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. Matthew 24: 24-25

So, signs and wonders can actually be tools of the great deceiver, performed to bring us over to his camp of destruction.  Of course, God is bigger than the one who is in the world, and God's signs and wonders can never be confused with those of the devil...but our focus should not be on such signs and wonders.  Our eyes should be fixed on the revelation that has been provided in Scripture, which keeps us with our eyes on the face of Jesus, armed with the knowledge of the truth so we can spot the counterfeit and the lies.

Jesus is the only sign we need.  If one won't come to God through Jesus...no amount of signs and wonders will do the trick.    

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14: 6