Unwind

The day my dearest friend Indira left after a wonderful and healing visit a few months ago, she left me a precious card topped with a stone that says “Unwind.” I love that stone. I love looking at it, holding it in my hands, admiring its beautiful shade of green and meditating on the meaning of the word it has engraved on.

Unwind…

According to the dictionary, to unwind may mean to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping, to uncoil, to release from tension, relax…

Yes, yes, yes…check, check, check, I surely need all of that!

How glorious the day we are free from all our bindings! Blessed be the day we uncoil from our tight winding. Praise His Name for the unfolding of His Mercies that causes us to find peace, to be released from our tensions and finally relax…

Sigh the deep sigh of relief at the sound of His voice calling you by your name, telling you, “come.”

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 
Matthew 11: 28

Precious, divinely provided rest, the kind of rest that allows the weary to find peace like a river in the desert of this world, to refresh the soul and infuse new life…that is the rest that only Jesus can provide.

Like the calming green of my stone that reminds me to unwind, green are the pastures He leads me to so I can be released from my burdens and finally find rest.

As this world tries as hard as possible to bring us down and make us believe that it is all a lost cause, let us hang on to His promises of freedom and put our trust in Him who Redeems us. 

May we all hear His voice and follow His lead as He tells us, 

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22: 17

I will treasure my friend’s gift as a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ gift…His command and promise given to us through Paul,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7

How Do I Know I Love Jesus?

How do I really know I love Him?

This question was prompted into my soul the other day after finishing my Bible study lesson. The lesson encouraged us to serve others in love, to be ourselves in service the way we are when we are bursting with love for Christ.

I found it a profoundly complicated revelation. That is why it evoked such a sobering question. 

Humans are sensory creatures. God equipped us with five senses…or six, I’ll let you decide : ) When I think about how to discover my own love for Christ, I cannot help to associate love with my senses. Even though I cannot see Him or touch Him with my human eyes or hands in the material realm, when I think of my love for Him, I have to put it in material terms so I can perceive it through my being. 

That is why one of my most memorable and sensory experiences of God’s love for me was a few months ago at our Church’s Women’s Retreat. We did a study called Café Chocolat, and it was a delight for the senses. It truly was 24 hours of experiencing God’s love through the smell, the taste, the touch, the sight and even the sound of chocolate! I can honestly say that at that retreat I was able to taste Grace, and it tasted just like Hershey Kisses… (if you have an opportunity to do this study, “Café Chocolat,” please take it and do it. You will love it…unless, of course, you have an aversion to chocolate : )

The point is that when the question, “how do I know I love Jesus?” popped into my mind, in order to discover my answer, it helped me to think about it in material terms. 

What I discovered was that I do love Him, intensely!

How and when do I discover my intense love for Him? Like the poem says, “let me count the ways…”

One of the main time/places I discover my love for Jesus is in worship. When I sing His praises in humility for what He has done, my heart melts as music reminds me of His own love for me…little, sinful, out of control, old me. 

As the needy woman that I am, my cup overflows with love for Him when I see Him as my Rescuer, my Deliverer, my Prince, my Knight in shining armor, my Redeemer, my Savior. I cannot contain the emotions in my chest when I realize His hand is extended toward me, ready to grab me every time I stumble…every time I fall. When I remember that His Name is Faithful, I am filled with unstoppable love.

I love Him because He is in me. He is the air I breathe. He is my sustenance. He nourishes me with the sweetness of His Grace which He offers to me in abundance. He is the eternal spring that quenches my thirst with living water. I am nothing without Him. He is my identity and my destiny. My worth is in Him. He keeps me close to Him. He has my name written on His precious palm. He shed His blood for me and called me to be His own.

How do I know I love Him? Because He first loved me…(1 John 4: 19)

How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 - 1861

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Make Me a Fountain!

Don’t you love Church signs? They often reflect a profound wisdom packed in a few simple words. It is a true gift to be able to come up with a message of great impact in 25 characters or less : )

At any rate, for the past several weeks, a church around our area had a sign that kept convicting me…the words said: “Be a fountain, not a drain.” 

The first time I saw it, I thought it was cute. Then, as I kept seeing it each time I drove by, I began to really see it for what it meant. A fountain…hm…what does a fountain do? A fountain pumps out water, like a spring, continuously drawing out fresh water, causing it to flow forth, as if spraying fresh life all around. What does a drain do? Exactly the opposite…a drain draws off water, gradually, depleting it “to the point of exhaustion,” like the dictionary definition so clearly depicts it. 

As you may have guessed, the sign convicted me because I have been feeling more like a drain than a fountain lately. I’ve been feeling like I’m drawing the fresh water of life off those who walk beside me. My anxiety, fears and short temper have been combining to turn me into a real drain. I’ve been dragging my loved ones into places of instability by my lack of self-control. Rather than having my words be “a fountain of life” they have been a source of discontent and anger. (Proverbs 10: 11)

I want the words of James 1: 19-20 to be tattooed in my mind and permanently embroidered in my soul in a way that it becomes part of my DNA…part of who I am…

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

I want my actions to produce “the righteousness that God desires”! I want the Holy Spirit to guide me so I become a calm, good listener of few words. I mean, really, don’t we all love people like that? Those are the exact qualities I seek in a friend! I want to be that! I pray the Holy Spirit helps me to be intentional about my walk of faith and to refocus my sight so I see with the eyes of Christ.

I don't want to be a drain that depletes the life off of those around me to the point of exhaustion.  I don't want to let my anger, my insecurities, my fears and anxiety draw the life off those I love most. Instead, I want Him to use me as a vehicle to pump out His love and grace and spill it into His children.

I want Him to make me a fountain!

Sigh…

The sign has since been replaced with a different one now. It is another clever and thought provoking one. It says: “Exposure to the Son prevents burning”… think about it! : )

In All Circumstances

Thanks to my Sister in Law Kerry who took this picture!

I am doing a Bible study on 1 and 2 Thessalonians this summer, and today’s Scripture cut right through my heart and soul. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

Needless to say, the phrase “in all circumstances” was the part that really got me.

I have meditated on this verse before. However, the truth in this portion of Scripture is so crucial that it needs reviewed often. Besides, for those like me, who tend to forget the unlimited faithfulness of our Lord, constant reminders are a must.

What does it all mean?

In all circumstances.

To me, it means that regardless of the situation, we are to find God’s hand in it. We are to discern God’s will. We are to experience God’s unique kind of love.

Not just when life goes our way.

Not just when we are cruising on a country road in a lazy, summer, Sunday afternoon.

Not just when our children are succeeding, and healthy and protected.

Not just when the love of our life is all we dreamed of.

Not just when we are surrounded by loved ones.

Not just when we get good test results at the doctor’s. 

Not just when we were delivered from the fire, the mountain or the dark valley.

But always…in.all.circumstances.

Even when life takes an unexpected and undesirable turn.

Even when we are caught in the rollercoaster of life.

Even when our children disappoint us, break our hearts, scare us half to death.

Even when the longing for children or a spouse is more than we can bear.

Even when we are so alone that no one around can hear our crying for help.

Even when the phone call comes announcing the diagnosis you thought you would escape.

Even when we are destined to go through the fire, climb the mountain or walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

We will fear no evil…for He is with us…His rod and His staff, they comfort us and protect us (Psalm 23). And this is His will for us…His good and perfect will.

It’s not easy to see it this way. When faced with life’s scary moments, it is very normal to break down in despair. But we have the source of power inside of us. The Holy Spirit, who comforts us, who protect us, who even fights our battles for us…He is the One who can help us live the crucified life so we can endure what may come and see it all with the eyes of Christ. (Galatians 2: 20)

Let’s not be afraid of the plan of God. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit may empower us to accept it in confidence, and to rejoice in it, whatever it may look like. So we may always know that it is still a good plan…a perfect plan. May we have the strength in Christ to embrace it, rejoice in it, pray and give thanks, in all circumstance.

Linking with: Rosilind Jukic.com and Whole Hearted Home

Happy 4th!

Growing up in Panama, the 4th of July was nothing special. Of course I knew it was the USA’s Independence Day…but there were no fireworks, no picnics, no parades to celebrate the event. It was just like any other day.

In the 20++ years I’ve lived here, however, I have learned to love and appreciate this blessed land. This land has given me so much. It has given me a new life. There are so many things I would have never had, had I not been here. My husband, for starters, my sons, my career, my house…my faith… I can honestly say that I would have none of these, had God not brought me here.

Somewhere along the path of reinventing myself, Christ showed up. He met me on the way and made me new. Of course, He could’ve found me wherever I’d been…but He chose to put me here, separated from my old, familiar surroundings, detached from what I loved, so I could clearly see Him, realize my need for Him and embrace His calling.

This is why the United States will always be a special place for me for as long as I live. Also because here I’ve learned that there is another way to be…

free…

It is easy, though, to lose hope when we turn on the television, the radio or the internet. The direction of this great nation may not be what we’d wish for, but there is always hope for those who put their trust in Lord. There is always hope for the nation whose people pray. There is always hope because hope is not a destination, true Hope is a Person…the Person of Jesus Christ.

This 4th of July let us remember to take some time to pray for our beloved country. Let us gratefully remember what it has given us. Let us praise the Lord with thanksgiving for placing us here. Let us humbly ask that the Most High would continue to bless it and keep it. Let us hope we continue to be a nation under God.

Happy 4th!

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7: 14

Linking with:  Essential Thing Devotions

Does God Show Up In the Flower?

As I have shared in other occasions, I am not a gardener by any extent of the imagination. I do, however, appreciate nature, especially flowers. I LOVE lilies! They are my favorite by far. I think most of my fascination with this type of flower comes from the fact that they are perennials. I don’t really have to do a thing! That’s my kind of gardening : ) I thoroughly enjoy the marvel of seeing them pop out of the ground in the spring like magic…or divine intervention, I should say, the kind that only The Creator is able to perform. 

I love seeing the lilies grow and develop its buds. But of course, my favorite moment is when the first one opens up. The intensity of color, all neatly contained within one flower is a delight to my eyes. Only God can paint such a wonderful combination of colors onto the small canvas of a flower. 

Looking at my lilies made me think of a speaker I heard on the radio the other day. Don’t ask me who he was…all I know is that he was in the show called “Family Life Today” in Moody Radio. I just caught his final words, and something that stuck with me was this question: “Does God show up in the flower?” 

Hmm…

I am striving to live my Christian live intentionally, paying attention, focused on trying to see His hand in everything that happens to me and around me. But do I really see Him in the mundane details? Do I see Him…in the flower? Do I hear God’s voice in the beauty of my lilies? Better yet, do I see Him clearly and hear Him loud enough to point Him out to my children and those who walk alongside me in this life?

There is no excuse…even those who have never known about God can experience His revelation in nature…

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1: 20

Now, am I paying attention? Am I tuned into His frequency so sharply that I can appreciate how, without a doubt…

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19: 1-4

I know I fall short all the time. The good news is that we serve a loving, faithful and patient Lord and His mercies are new every day. Therefore, every day He gives us a new opportunity to recalibrate. With His help, we can become more and more intentional the longer we walk with Him. 

My lilies are not going to be around for a long time, though…so I better get out there and see, if as I contemplate their beauty, I can also discover His presence and discern His voice for He surely shows up in the flower, whether I am aware of it or not.

Linking with:  Graced Simplicity

Believe!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14: 1

I am clinging to the words of Jesus today…and actually, every day…

In times of trouble, He is our Rock, our Shield, our Refuge, our Strength, our Answer, our Peace, our Hope…

And what is trouble? Trouble could be anything that causes us affliction, anxiety, fear. Trouble is whatever robs us of our joy. Trouble is whatever takes over our minds and makes us take our eyes away from Christ. 

Trouble penetrates our heart and fills it up with dread, anguish, sadness, hopelessness and despair, leaving little room for the soothing presence of Jesus. Our awareness of Christ in us diminishes when we allow trouble to overflow our souls.

The antidote? Believe!

Believe in God and believe also in Jesus, our Lord, who conquered it all. 

Believe that He will take good care of us.

Believe that no matter what, He is with us and He will not abandon us.

Believe that He loves us.

Believe that He will carry us through whatever troubles our heart.

Believe that He will take away the hurt in due time.

Believe in His sacrifice.

Believe in the redeeming power of His blood.

Believe that He can give us peace like a river…not like a dripping faucet.

Believe in the healing power of His hand.

Believe that He will deliver us from our current circumstance.

Believe in the all-sufficiency of His Grace.

Let us believe in God the Father, in Jesus the Christ and in the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Let us believe in the promise that He is coming back again. Let us believe in the promise that every tear will be wiped away. 

Believe!

Linking with: Whole Hearted Home and Rosilind Jukic.com