Thanksgiving is for everyday

Now that the busyness of the Thanksgiving celebrations have come to an end and the short break before the Christmas excitement starts I find myself reflecting on all the really good people I have in my life. There truly is so much to be thankful for. It’s easy to get our focus caught up on the negatives in our present world and miss all the positives in our everyday. If you think about it, there are so many daily blessings that we take for granted. There’s a lot of kindness out there. On a recent roadtrip we encountered a number of people along the way that just displayed a joy of heart. They were everyday people in everyday jobs, cashiers, hotel clerks, fellow travelers, people who choose to be kind rather than grumpy. Yes, life is challenging in many ways but how much less stressful can we make it for someone else? It doesn’t take much to be kind and friendly. It doesn’t cost us anything but what a difference it may make in the life of someone who is struggling just to see a friendly smile and feel a bit noticed. It can be like a warm blanket on a freezing cold day or a cool glass of water in the heat of summer. Do you think about the impact you could have in someone’s life just by being kind?

We visited family we hadn’t seen in many years this holiday and I was just overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of them all. My heart was filled with thanksgiving to them and to God who has put me in their lives. He has been so gracious to me all my life. There have been so many good people that he has brought in and out of my life over the years. In all the different cities and countries we’ve lived in and visited, he has provided good souls I will never forget. And then there are the deep friendships both old and new that have sustained my heart with laughter, comfort, refreshment and grace beyond words.

I pray that I can be that person who puts a smile on someone else’s face even if it’s just for a moment in time. The way I see it, we can choose to be thankful or we can choose to be grumpy regardless of our circumstances. It seems like a no-brainer if you really think about it. Why would you want to be grumpy and miserable rather than thankful and kind. This life will always have its ups and downs— that’s just the nature of things. But, if we take the time to reflect a bit we can always find something to be thankful for and pass it forward to others. A smile is a gift to those who need it. Let’s be that gift.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭35‬-‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Well-watered

Do you feel like a well-watered oak tree planted along the riverbank growing strong and tall with its leaves abundant and supple? Or, are you more like a dried out pine trying to survive in the desert sun desperately stretching your shallow roots to no avail? Life can feel like that sometimes, can’t it? Things are either going well, or they’re not. Why does it seem so hard to have a steady middle ground no matter the emotional weather forecast? Our circumstances are often in a constant state of flux and feeling well-watered is a challenge for most of us.

I was reading Psalm 1:3 this morning and the description really caught my attention. “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do.” They bear fruit in each season. The metaphor of seasons is so aptly placed. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, all have their particular marks of a life cycle. How well can we relate to the ease of Summer, the quietness of Fall, the harshness of Winter and the joy of Spring? While these seasons all have their distinct pleasures they have a way of affecting our moods.

When life’s circumstances hit us like a harsh winter storm we can easily fall prey to the beating winds that tear off all our leaves and leave us feeling bare and empty. We can pull back and retreat into hibernation. Deep inside we can long for the days of Spring when the new shoots will start to pop out all fresh and green with life abundant. Probably many of us would prefer a steady stream of Summer and the easy, breezy days it conjures up. Well, this verse tells us that we can!

The previous verse tells us how we can “bear fruit in every season”. In other words, how we can thrive through the harsh storms with all our emotional leaves intact and lush, Verse 2 says “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night”. To read God’s Word and to meditate means to listen to him, to hear what he is telling us about navigating life. If we begin to see things from his perspective— a heavenly view— it can be life-changing.

But this is not a “one-time” thing. It takes daily intention. We can’t just do a 30,000 foot aerial view and then drop back down and expect it to stay Summer. It’s a daily practice. A discipline. It is in fact a choice to be made. Do you want to be that strong oak whose leaves never wither no matter the circumstance? I don’t think most of us would prefer to end up like the dried up pine blown away like chaff, hollow and brittle to the touch. Rather, most of us prefer to be people of substance—flourishing even in our hard times. Our circumstances don’t have to control us. We can pray through our circumstances and trust in the promises of a God who sees all, knows all and is concerned about every aspect of our lives. Ask him to speak his truth into your life and feel your roots reach down deep into the well of his love. Feed your soul in the rich soil of wisdom and stand firm no matter what the seasons may bring. You are meant to flourish and flourish you will…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” Proverbs 9:10

The healing

I was reading in the gospel of Matthew this morning and thinking about all the physical healings that Jesus performed during his earthly ministry. These were some really amazing and miraculous healings that occurred. The blind received sight, the crippled were able to walk, the lepers were made clean, the mentally-ill and demon possessed were restored to normal. It got me thinking about how we often pray for healing both for ourselves and for others when health problems arise. We want good health and well-being. We can often expect that this prayer should be answered as we pray it. And we should pray it—and sometimes these prayers are answered with healing—but healing wasn’t the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. Well, at least not physical healing. He healed many to validate his claim that he is the Son of God. These miracles demonstrated his authority over sin and the broken and fallen state of the world. Illnesses, both physical and mental are the result of this fallen state. These miracles drew attention to the love and compassion he has for humanity. But the true and necessary healing is that of the heart. The heart is where the real work is done. The heart is where a life changes.

I have seen these life-changes happen countless times over the years. My own life being one of them. I was young, aimless, feeling like a misfit on the inside while acting self-confident on the outside. There was a certain brokenness that I didn’t quite know how to fix. Most people want so much to feel like they belong somewhere. Deep down there is that need to feel like you aren’t on the outside looking in. Everyone needs to feel loved to have a healthy life. Knowing that your life matters is very healing for the soul. But, relationships come and go. Stages of life are constantly shifting the foundation on which we stand. While belonging to a certain community or circle of friends is a wonderful part of life, it isn’t enough to sustain that deeper core of you, that inner self that you can’t quite communicate to another in such a way that they really fully understand you. They may relate on a certain level that makes you feel understood but they aren’t inside you. They haven’t experienced the impact of those things in life that have played a role in shaping who you are. So, humanely speaking, you alone know you. Does that make you feel lonely?

Well, this is where the healing of the heart comes in. This is what Jesus was all about. We were created to belong to him. But sin has broken that connection to his heart. So, we have wandered from one camp to another looking for that place called “home”. That place where we finally feel at ease. That place where we can kick our shoes off, put our feet up and know that we are known, really known.

Many people don’t see themselves as sinners. They think it is an antiquated idea with no relevance to anything today. But deep down, everyone really does know that something just isn’t right within. We can feel it— our discontentment, our fears, our anger, our distrust, our resentments, our insecurities, they are all so obvious. We make excuses and try to justify them but they are there embedded in our hearts.

So what is the answer? Forgiveness. That is why Jesus came. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1;15; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.

It’s so simple that its hard for people to believe all they need to do is ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness brings with it the indwelling Holy Spirit and he knows you in your deepest core. He has seen and felt all that you have lived. There are no secrets from him. But, he is the comforter. He soothes that inner angst. He welcomes you into the community of God— the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The only community that truly understands who you are—so go there—go “home”—you will never want to leave.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

The shattering

Can you remember what shattered you? Do you know what I mean? That moment in childhood when you intuitively knew that this wasn’t Eden anymore? What broken shard pierced the canopy of your innocent understanding of life with its first thundercloud? The moment when your heart felt its first devaluating cut of your significance? Maybe it was a rejection of a jealous sibling who resented your presence, or the first day of school when someone called you stupid or ugly. Worse yet, perhaps it was at the hands of a trusted yet abusive adult or parent. Somewhere, at some point, we all discover, like our Garden parents, that we are naked with shame. That we just don’t quite measure up. Then, deep inside our personalities begin to take shape with this sense of unworthiness nagging at us and leaving us with a need that we can’t quite explain.

You know you’ve felt it from time to time. We’ve all been affected by the Fall of long ago. Most of us push it down deep and then pour cement over it as though it were Fukushima. And, as we have seen, that hasn’t worked so well for them either. The neurotoxins start seeping up to the surface and the poison fills our minds. We can’t manage this sense of unworthiness through containment or denial, busyness or mindless distractions, try as we may. These are just bandaids that eventually peel back and fall off —leaving the wound exposed. We need our innocence restored. But, how do you put the genie back in the bottle? There is no “undo” icon for the soul. Or is there? Can the shattered be raised whole? Can the broken be restored?

The ground shook hard with the power of heaven as the outstretched arms of the Cross weighed heavy with shame. All the thunderclouds descended —piercing with rejection, anger, abuse and taunts —straining against the flesh of innocence. A Life for THE life. The humiliated became accepted, the abandoned became welcomed, the unworthy became loved and the shattering was undone. Lift up your head! Do you see how much you are loved?

‭‭”For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT

El-roi

As I flip through the pages, year after year, chapter after chapter of my life, this name for God El-Roi (the God who sees me) becomes more obvious and demonstrable. All the little moments that at the time appear inconsequential— in retrospect have enormous impact. The cumulative workings of the hand of God over the course of a life determines an intended purpose for which that life was created. Some of the choices we make may waylay those purposes from time to time but could it be possible to hinder the purposes of God ultimately? Given the fact that we are equipped with free-will, could we possibly not fulfill the purpose for which we were created?

Scripture informs us that God is sovereign over everything that exists. There is nothing outside of his purview. Within this sovereignty of all creation he works his providence of divine guidance through various circumstances. So, while we may get off the beaten track we cannot wander indefinitely, if we are truly his. He will bring about the circumstances in each individual life to fulfill that purpose for which it was created.

My life’s pages display the wandering footprints going sideways and even backwards at times. Sometimes there were even years of walking in circles purposely avoiding El-Roi’s eyes to my own hurt. This gift of free-will comes with great responsibility. Our choices have consequences. Yet, this is one of the most beautiful qualities of our Father, he doesn’t program us to respond, he gives us the freedom to choose. He is not threatened by our freedom. He desires that we choose the path he has laid out for us because it is designed for a life well-lived and meaningful for his kingdom. But choose, we may.

I am many chapters along now and I find I have less and less the desire to go off the pathway he has chosen for me. I can see more clearly now the benefits of living under the eye of El-Roi. He knows me in and out. He sees my desires, my fears, my insecurities, my frailties and his eyes tell me its all okay. He has a plan, he has a purpose for my very existence. And he will walk with me through all these moments— nothing is insignificant under my Father’s eyes. His hand will guide me until my last breath and even then I will look into his eyes up close and personal as it was always meant to be.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The risk of remedy

I know someone, someone whom I have loved for many years, someone who was made beautiful inside and out, that overtime began to just disappear into utter brokenness. This little girl, with curls and a nose that crinkled up when she laughed, started out like all of us when our innocence is precious and our hearts are simple with trust. We embrace the world with open arms and jump with curiosity at every extended hand. But sometimes, that trusted hand can be a kin to grabbing a red hot poker and it burns deep scars into the soft flesh that takes a lifetime of careful attention to the healing remedies.

I watched this young sharp-minded, quickwitted, full-of-so-many-possibilities-girl, escape into voluntary anonymity. This took on different forms at different times but always, she was on the lam. At first, it was just from men. She started dressing like a boy with the hope of avoiding any more burns. I suppose it seems like the logical thing to do when you think that the creature that is you will only bring you pain. It’s easy for a little girl to get lost in all the hurt and confusion, left to figure it out all alone.

It wasn’t long before she gravitated toward a deeper escape, one that would begin to let her escape from herself. Looking back, this was when she started the slow evaporation of her soul. Believing she was breaking free she walked straight into captivity. She built a prison around herself but sadly never even noticed the barbed wire, though it sliced her relentlessly. So numb had she become, so covered in gnarled scar tissue she couldn’t sense the danger.

Addiction is a devil incarnate. What makes it so successful is the very deceptive nature it embodies. It’s clothed in the dazzling jewels that lure the hurting like a fish to a shiny hook waiting to snag at the first nibble. It sends out decoys on reconnaissance to entice and seduce the broken wandering souls with promises of freedom. No one ever intends to get addicted. It’s relief that we all seek in this fractured world.

There are remedies, but as I said, they require careful attention for the healing of the soul. It requires divine intervention from the hand of God, a new-birth of heart and mind to begin afresh. There are no “overnight” fixes. It is hard work to break up the gnarled scars bit by damage bit. One has to be willing to submit to the healing pain that comes with renewing. And God so desires to renew our souls. But there will be a cutting away of the damage as the new and supple life begins to flourish. But oh, the renewing of a broken soul when they begin to see themselves as they were always meant to be, is so strikingly beautiful!

That little girl has been a woman now for some time. She is still locked in her prison with walls so thick with barbed wire that barely a shot of light gets inside. She knows about the remedy but she’s been numb so long she fears the pain of feeling, so afraid to take the risk. The curls are long gone along with the beautiful smile although the sharp tongued-wit has remained intact; recognition of a soul I know and love.

“Lord, help!, They cried in their trouble and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and the deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them give praise to the Lord for the things he has done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.” Psalm 107:13-16 NLT

Back to the garden

I would assume that most of us are quite familiar with the term the “terrible two’s”. You know, that very specific age of childhood where these beautiful angelic creatures suddenly seem demon-possessed? We often joke about it but when confronted with the behavior we are astounded at the innate rebellion in their little hearts. Where does this come from? How do little two-year olds know how to say NO! It’s not as though we teach them this behavior. They seem to be hard-wired this way. We can often speak of children as pure and innocent and, in terms of worldly knowledge, this is probably true. But their spirits know exactly how to rebel against their parents with a test of the wills. Pure innocence, in terms of their nature, is just a myth. That was lost long ago in the Garden—in the beginning of time.

One of the blessings of being re-born by the Spirit of God is the freedom to choose not to rebel—sin. As adults we often make it much more complicated than it actually is. We say, “we can’t help ourselves, its just how we are wired.” But, the simple truth is that, with this rebirth, we no longer have to be driven by that sinful wiring. We can actually say “NO” not in rebellion but to rebellion. We have a choice.

We just celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. The whole purpose of his birth, death and resurrection was for the restoration of this lost innocence. The Garden was a place of exquisite beauty, peace and joy. Everything that was needed for life was available for the pleasure of our first parents. They walked in the Garden in the presence of God. Life was good. Why ruin such a good thing? There was only one directive from God that came with limitations. “The Lord God placed man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the Garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) The Lord was speaking not only of a physical death but of a spiritual one as well. As you may have heard— they didn’t listen. They made a choice to disobey the very One who met all their needs. The One who breathed life into them. Why? What happened? The shrewdest creature in the Garden caused Eve to question whether God was holding out on her. Why did he want to keep her from this specific knowledge? Why couldn’t she know everything? If she could know everything, would she then be just like God? How great would that be? “The woman was convinced…so she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband…and he ate it. At that moment their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt ashamed.” (Genesis 3:6-7) Shame was the result of spiritual death. It happened instantly. They went from enjoying the presence of God to wanting to hide from him. This was a drastic heart change.

The Shattering of the human race…

…the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you’ll struggle and scratch a living from it…by the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19) So, The Lord God said “Look, they have become like us knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out and take fruit from the Tree of Life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord banished them from the Garden of Eden and he sent Adam to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.” (Genesis 3:22-23)

We have been trying to get back to the Garden ever since. One philosophy after another seeking to replant the Garden. Our latest and revisited— being a utopian hope of socialism and equity etc.—but time and again it fails. Each generation intuitively knows something isn’t right with us. Each one longing for a better way. A better life.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He is the bridge back to the Garden, back to the life in the presence of God. At present, it is a spiritual Garden. One in which he is cultivating one heart at a time. When the Lord banished them from the Garden he did so out of love and mercy. He didn’t want them to live in a state of eternal spiritual death. He knew his Son would be the Way to breath new life back into mankind. And so he is…

Do you feel it? That unsettled need to make things right? I’m not talking about the world but your heart. God will deal with the world in his timing. You see, it’s one new birth at a time in this Garden. It’s not a lifestyle. It’s a heart change. It’s a renewed relationship with the One who made you. It’s time to get reacquainted. It’s time to release that grown-up version of the terrible-two’s and say yes. Yes, to the God who gave his Son for you. Yes, to the freedom from the power of rebellion. Why? Because you are loved! The Garden awaits you…

Vessels of glory

I woke this morning to the rhythmic melody of songbirds. At first I resisted this intrusion into my most cherished time of sleep, fighting the awakening of my senses. It’s still dark and why must they wake so early? But, there was just something compelling about their need to express themselves so emphatically. It was as though they wanted to tell the world some important news. What are they saying in their beautiful language of song? Do they have some knowledge that cannot help but pour forth at the break of a new day? Perhaps it is the simplicity of their lives that gives them the ability to start afresh each morning with the recognition of the beauty that surrounds them. They have slept in peace beneath the stars, perched among the trees under the watchful eye of the Father of heavenly lights. They herald the dawn and their eyes catch the first trace of pink as the sun begins its journey across the day’s sky. They welcome in this new day with expectation and joy in a simple understanding of the rhythms of life‘s design. They seem to know instinctively what John Calvin wrote about, “there is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.“

It’s easy to miss the simple glory truth. We wake to violent headlines of evil intrusions, darkness that is trying to overtake the light before it even cracks the horizon. Wicked thieves spent on stealing our joy and peace are on the move pounding their path of destruction.

But there is much to be learned from the song birds of the morning. Their sleep is sweet and their joy is new each day. They were created to know their place and they live joyfully within those boundaries. They are vessels of glory singing out the praises of the One who taught them to sing. And this whole world is filled with glory vessels from one end to the other. All of creation sings its own unique melody to the glory of the Creator. Each bears its own voice of beauty. Some display such majesty that a heart is brought to tears without a sound being uttered. Can the eye behold the sunset or the fullness of the moon or the tender beginnings of a child crowning into existence and take its first breath, without a sense of awe, without seeing glory? Each one of us is meant to be vessels of glory, the crowning jewels of creation made in the image of God himself.

Yes, it’s true, the shroud of darkness threatens this world daily but its scope is limited and it’s boundaries are certain. If we each do as we were meant to — how bright would we shine? How much beauty would fill the earth?

“The word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John1:4-5

Breathe

The Word of God…when I hear this phrase, when I really ponder it, I am struck by the magnitude of its meaning. If you believe in a Creator of all things seen and unseen, wouldn’t you want to know what he has to say about this world we walk around in everyday? Of course, if you don’t believe then it will be irrelevant to you. However, for those of us who do, it should be of paramount importance. You would think there would be a driving-force pushing us ever deeper in our search for some functional guidance for the dynamics of life. After all, this is why the Word of God exists. He has made known some of his wisdom for our walk-about, as the Aussies say.

However, how hard is it at times to ponder this wisdom with all these competing talking-heads shouting out their endless opinions? There’s a tribe and camp for everything under the sun. The noise can be deafening. How desperately do we need some quiet away from the maddening crowd? This crowd breeds distrust, discontent, division and disgrace.

Close that door behind you and step out into the wide open space of the breath of God. Here in this space, his spoken word breathes out life-giving nourishment for the worn-out hearts and minds battered by the angry invasive mobs. His words are not shouted with a pointing finger of accusation but rather those that say, “come along, walk with me. I have so much to tell you, so much to show you. “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt.11:29) It’s so refreshing to breathe in deeply from this sacred breath of his. So calming. So reorienting. So needed.

These tribes, camps, mobs—they just leave us breathless. Yes, we must mingle in with them at times on our walk-about. There are issues we all deem important and its good and right to address them. Yet, lets remember where the purest air is found, that oxygen of the soul that sustains us and keeps us from suffocating. The Word of God…the breath of life…breathe in as deep as you can. It will give you strength along the way.

”For the Word of the Lord will never fail.” Luke 1:37

”But even more blessed are all who hear the word and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12

Faaamily

Our granddaughter was adopted. She was longed for and prayed for, long before she existed. She wasn’t chosen for her good looks or her wit, though she possesses both in abundance. There was nothing known about her when she became the very love of her parents’ hearts. They waited with ever-increasing excitement for the day they would bring her into their home and call her by her name: Eloise! I’ll never forget that day. It brings tears of joy and thanksgiving to my heart even now. It’s so amusing to watch her now as she seeks to emulate everything about them. She observes them with such a deep concentration. She watches their expressions and mimics their gestures. She puts on their shoes and tromps around the house in great dramatic fashion. I wish I could crawl inside her mind for a peek at what she thinks and feels. It’s so obvious how much she admires them, how much she truly loves them. She wants to become the likeness of them. She’ll draw them both close to her simultaneously to have a family hug. She says, as she is doing this, “faaamily”. She is as much bone of bone and flesh of flesh as any natural-born child could be. The natural DNA is of minor importance under the shadow of the DNA of love. This adorable two-year old is their daughter. She is our granddaughter. And although adoption is a beautiful gift, we never think of her this way. She is our family.

I love this relatable image God gives us through adoption—of how we come to be a part of his family. The Bible says he chose us before the very foundations of the world. That means before there was even any human need for God—before any of the typical struggles of life may cause us to look to God for help or answers or relief. It says he chose us in love to be adopted as his children into his family. This choosing wasn’t based on our looks or our abilities or our potential for goodness, but rather, because it gave him pleasure to choose us. This speaks of the warm and tender emotions of a Father’s love and the joy his children bring him. The Bible says that Jesus was his only natural-born son, born of a virgin, divinely Fathered. We, those he chooses to call into his family, are adopted through Christ and for Christ. We are given as gifts to his Son, to be his brothers and sisters. These are deep mysteries of faith, hard to comprehend. But, with that calling comes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and it is by this divine power we can believe even in the mystery. Faith is a gift from God and nothing we can muster up for ourselves. (Eph.2:8)

When I consider this adoption language God uses in the Scriptures I have to ask myself if, like my granddaughter, I am observing him with great interest and desire to be like my amazing and interesting Father. In other words, in the likeness of him. The Scriptures say that “Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God.” (Col. 1:15) Do I resemble him in any way? When I look in the mirror of Scripture what image is looking back at me? Do I seek to emulate his life, his actions, his love for others? Of course, I am fully aware that my efforts will always fall short of his perfection because unlike Jesus, I am born in sin and carry the tell-tale signs in me. But, his blessing of adoption shows me that his spiritual DNA has overshadowed my nature and born me anew into a life where all things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26). I can put on his gigantic shoes and make my way, one step at a time, down that long road of obedience in the same direction. I can simultaneously draw in close to him for a hug with my brothers and sisters of faith and say “faaamily”.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure .So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his Son”. Ephesians 1:3-6 NLT

Divine intrusions

Mothers have a very special role. The connection that exists between mother and child is deeply profound. It is the way God has designed the order of things. Of course, there are exceptions to this — there are damaged women who lack the natural bond—but I think most women have the innate ability to observe and ponder the nuances of their child’s developing personality.

This isn’t to say that fathers don’t experience these deep bonds but I think their observations tend to focus on different things. Mothers tend to be nurturers, comforters, the ones who soften the various aches of life. As a result, their emotional intimacy has its own framework.

Reading in the Gospel of Luke this morning, there was something that really struck me. In several passages Luke points out certain key moments in Jesus’ life that were profound and divine moments. His mother Mary, when observing these moments, “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart“ (Luke 2:19,51). I couldn’t help but notice how these moments seemed like “reminders“ for her—divine intrusions, if you will. She was told before her pregnancy that she was to bear the son of God, the coming Messiah, yet every day life was just that —normal and routine. He was a kid growing up in a family. He was fully human. And then there were these moments, these divine intrusions reminding her that he was the Son of God. It’s hard to comprehend being in that singular, unique role of such great import. The responsibility, the privilege, the seminal weight of it all. Yet, she was an ordinary woman in the every day ordinary world.

The question that comes to mind for me is, as a believer in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, what weight and privilege do I bear in my every day ordinary life? As I go about my daily routine, is the life of the Son of God noticeably evident? Far too often, I need these divine intrusions to remind me who he is, that this life is not just about me and the mundane temporal moments of my days. There is a far greater picture here. Beyond what the eye can see, there is a world that bears the weight of eternal glory. The reality is rather that these every day ordinary moments are the intrusions that interfere with our intended purpose here. And yet the beauty of this mystery is how God chooses to use the every day ordinary moments to bring his life-changing power into individual lives.

Mary and Joseph were common people in a common city. And yet they were chosen to raise the Son of God, the Savior of the world. His message was and is, “Come, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

“I tell you the truth, unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God…I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit. Humans could reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.“ (Matt. 11:5-6)

It’s an open invitation, an out-reaching Hand from the timeless eternal unseen world into the every day world which we see.

Have you ever experienced a divine intrusion from God? Have you pondered it in your heart? Are you watching to see the glory of God displayed in the everyday? If your answer is yes —be prepared for joy!

The key

It’s easy to look over the course of a life and wonder what it would look like if different choices had been made. Life is full of choices. We make them everyday. Some are minor and of no consequence but some are major and affect not only us but those we love. There have been times that I’d wished I could go back and redo some of those choices; the ones where I disregarded the Words of my Lord. I didn’t cherish them in my heart. They’d been written there but I didn’t regard them with honor for their life-giving power. I was foolish. I thought I could circle back around later on, when I had more time for God—when it didn’t interfere with my plans. I didn’t see the harm seeping in through the cracks. I didn’t see the wounds that would cause disability. I wasn’t aware that a kind of disfigurement was beginning to form; the damage was already taking shape.

And yet, here I am, full of hope. I have been washed in the river of forgiveness and I have been given the key to the throne room of God— a place of prayer. I enter in freely. My steps are certain and confident. The key has given me this privilege. But, as I cross the threshold, my eyes behold the massive space and I become self-conscious, bashful—simple. The quality of the air in here is different. I can almost touch it. It’s full of the sweet breath of the prayers of all the others who have entered in here before me. The fragrance is pleasing and I breathe in deeply. My lungs fill up on the sweetness and I am reminded why I’ve come.

I have come to see his face. The Ancient of Days has seen a lot and his face is etched with the burdens. These are not worry lines but rather the marks of his sorrow. He sees the brokenness of his children. All day long he hears their pleas as they drift up to his throne. Echoing their need for restoration, they cry out, “How long, oh Lord? How long must we wait until evil is no more? How long, oh Lord, until all sickness is eradicated? How long must we wait until the lion sleeps with the lamb? How long, Oh Lord, until we see the fullness of our salvation?”

He grieves their suffering and exhales the sweetest of breath. I suddenly realize why the air is almost tangible. It’s the grace. The grace of his breath as his words pour forth soothes our ache like an emollient balm. Etched in his face is the infinite wisdom of the Creator, Father, Savior and sovereign Lord. He alone knows how long—but I have the key until then. I take another deep breath of grace as I look up at his face. I feel no need for pleas right now. I only bow and whisper, “Oh, Lord!”

”You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8

”For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But, you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there; create in me a clean heart, Oh God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Ps. 51:5,6,10 NLT

I Remember

When I consider all the things in this life that invade my thoughts with relentless concerns for the present and the future – – it’s enough to make my head spin. What if? Why? Where? How? When? The list can coil around me like a spinning top about to unfurl itself into a whorl of vertigo. It’s easy to lose your balance when these thoughts take you captive.

But then, I remember my God. I flip back through the pages of my life and re-read the stories that I have walked through. I see with my mind’s eyes the various circumstances that sent me reeling. Every time, my God was there. Every time, He heard my plea—for help, for strength, for faith to endure what has come my way. His presence and his grace were always sufficient even though I couldn’t always see that in the moment. He has never let me down.

In my humanity, it can sometimes be hard to trust that a God I cannot see will oversee all my concerns. I wish I could see Him. I wish I could look into His eyes. I wish I could feel the comfort of His physical presence and hear His voice.

But then, I remember His Word. The Scriptures that tell me all He wants me to know about who He is and what I mean to Him.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers the Prophets, but these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1:1-3a ESV

”For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Roman 15:4 ESV

This is my God. He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. All the pages of my life unveil this truth to me over and over again. If His past help was there then —His future help will be too. I am now in the future of my past. Therefore, my present and future are assured of His presence, His future grace.

So, I will capture these invasive thoughts and reshape them into prayers of praise because whether I see Him, feel Him or hear Him—matters not. He IS near. I take Him at His Word. With every challenge, He is reshaping me, building my faith and making it more certain of His unchangeable character and unstoppable Fatherly love.

The dizziness will soon settle down and my balance will slowly level off. He will never let that top spin off from His unbreakable cord. He has promised me that for all of my life.

” Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

The avengers

View fullsize

Most of my life I have thought of prayer as a petition that is answered with either a “yes”, “no” or “not now” outcome. But lately, I have been more inclined to see it as a process. Certainly some prayers are answered with an immediate response such as, “please protect me on the road today?“ Or “please let these test results come out OK?“. But there are those ongoing heart-deep prayers we pray for others that appear to evaporate as they leave our lips. How many years have you prayed for someone only to see no change or affect on the horizon, no dawning of a heart awakened to a fresh new understanding of the Voice who spoke them into being? Or perhaps they’ve heard that Voice but allow the other competing voices of the snake charmers to drown out the still and gentle eternal one. These hard fought prayers of love are not being ignored. They are not being evaporated as they are whispered. But rather, they are already in the process of becoming answered. The action has been set in motion from the first whispered words of your heart.

In the book of Daniel chapters 9-10 he is praying to God with a heavy-burdened heart for his people. He is interceding on their behalf out of love for them and sadness for their lack of reverence and love for God. An angel appears to him and tells him, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, the command was given…” The angel goes on to explain the way in which his prayer will be answered. Then a bit later he has another similar experience with an angel of God as he is praying once again and the angel says this, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you… For I have been sent to you… Then he said, “don’t be afraid Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble your self before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” He goes on to tell him that he was delayed because he had to battle the evil spirits that were attempting to thwart the prayers.The battle continues to rage on and he left other angels there fighting while he came to encourage Daniel in his angst. Again he told him how precious he was to God and that he wanted him to have peace and be encouraged and strengthened in the knowledge that God was at work answering his prayers.

There are unseen forces in invisible dimensions that are loyal avengers to the King of glory and his children. They are our allies, protectors and warriors for our faith. But they are at war with a fierce opponent whose time is limited in which to steal and destroy. Our prayers have not gone unanswered but rather they are the power that energizes our angelic avengers. Our prayers fan the cleansing flames as they fight for the ones we love. You are precious to God. The cries of your heart are precious to God. Be encouraged. Be strong. Battles are being won and your answers are coming around the corner.

“Regarding the angels he says, “he sends his angels like the winds, his servants like the flames of fire… Therefore, angels are servants — spirits sent to care for the people who will inherit salvation.”
Hebrews 17:14 NLT

The hope of Light

I’m thinking about all the things in this life that I so easily take for granted.  There is so much beauty that surrounds me everyday from the moment I open my eyes until I lay my head down at night. The simple beauty of the light as it casts its shadow through the window leaves an imprint of shapes and patterns that are so pleasing to look at.  Most days I barely notice them—distracted by technology driven information I descend into a digital world and miss so much of my physical surroundings. 

How often do you stop and take in the beauty of this world? I think for most of us, this past year and half, has been a bit like living in a submarine—each of us in our individual pods, glued to a device connecting us remotely to a form of life but lacking the essence of it. Preached at by the pundits and “scientists” of the horrors outside our doors, many have either lost hope and live in a place of sunless grey and doom or have taken to the streets in rage and destruction. 

But, this life is not a hopeless mess. Yes, there is disease and injustices but these are nothing new. The sun still rises and sets everyday in all its glory. The ocean ebbs and flows as it always has before. People still fall in love and babies are born and a new life begins. 

There is so much to be thankful for and a thankful heart can turn the sunless grey into a warm amber ray of hope. When I take the time to observe my surroundings, both that which God has created in nature and in the people he has placed in my life, I am overwhelmed by the goodness that I see. I wish I had the power to refocus everyone’s eyes that they might see all the goodness in their lives too. 

The world is a broken place but it is not a hopeless one. It’s time to come up out of that sunless pod and breath in the fresh air again. See the people in your life for the gifts they are and rejoice. Embrace this beautiful life again for all its worth! Turn off the pundits and the “scientists” and hug someone. All this isolation is bad for the soul and dividing our souls is its aim. Don’t listen to the lies about all that separates us as people. We have way more in common than they want us to believe. Refocus your eyes on the bigger picture. Let the light and shadows awaken your heart again.

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:34-36

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won’t have to walk in darkness.”  John 8:12

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”  James 1:17

”For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

A black hole

We said goodbye to our nephew Cody. His life was cut so short, darkened by a harsh and oppressive world of addiction that gripped his soul like a pit bull. When those fangs latch on it can seem near impossible to break free. The darkness keeps circling in and dragging the soul toward a black hole.

I remember him as a little boy, so innocent, so happy, his face all lit up with a wide smile and a twinkle in his eye. As the years moved on that smile didn’t show up as much and the twinkle began to dull over into a kind of flatness that was hard to read. Life’s wounds and traumas etched their way down deep to places he kept locked up and hidden. Rather than bare his soul from the shame that branded his heart, he just kept painting it over with the blackness of chemical relief. The thing about that kind of relief is the deception of its lure. It’s powerful promise disguised as peace, with no need for understanding, is a temporary escape only to lure you back for more until you are bound and chained in submission.

There is so much hope in the face of a child. All that wide-eyed wonder of discovery and the innocence of ignorance, How I wish I could protect all these young ones from the harsh realities of a world where the light grows dimmer with each passing year.

But, despite this encroaching darkness, and my inability to save them all, there is still great hope amidst the loss of innocence. While life’s traumas and wounds can’t always be diverted, they don’t have to end in a black hole. A black hole happens when a star is dying, when it is falling in upon itself and collapsing. Even the light gets sucked into it. This is what shame does. It hides in the darkness, too afraid to come into the light, turning further and further inward. But, there is a light that is too great to be drawn into the blackness. On the contrary, it blasts open the black hole breaking its powerful, gravitational pull and releasing all the dark matter that formed it. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) because he wants this for us, “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:15). Because, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God..For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.(2 Corinthians 4:4,6) The god of the black hole doesn’t want freedom for the wounded souls. But the God of the universe is all about freedom.

Cody knew about the light. He even stepped into it, felt the warmth upon his face and the peace that passes understanding. He just didn’t stay there long enough to bind up those wounds and release the shame. So he suffered. He didn’t think he was worthy. But who is? Only the Son of God —and he is shining his light into the darkness with an outstretched hand that was pierced for you and me. He took all that shame so we wouldn’t have to. He makes us worthy by that act of love. Step into that light. Cody would want you to. He knows the truth,,,

A place of feral glory

This world is a wearying place. The weight of it all can buckle the knees and cloud the mind. Lord, I look to you. I lift my soul with all its weakness and need and put my trust in you. Don’t let me be put to shame for my faith in you. Rather, strengthen me in your steadfast love.

The enemies of your spoken word have multiplied and want to extinguish your name and all who love it. Don’t let them gain your holy ground!

I live within the mighty walls of your salvation. I look for you – I wait for you to show me the way —to teach me your truth. When you see me, remember your mercy from before time. Remember not my sins but remember—me. Take me by the hand and lead me on the path within your walls of covenantal love. You have pardoned me and given me a glimpse of your might. I bow in holy fear— loved yet understanding yours is an undomesticated power — a feral glory that humbles me with a submissive awe. This is a place of humble petition. You shall pluck my feet out of the net of the enemy when needed. I wait for you.

psalm 25

Looking Up

How has original sin distorted me? And how does indwelling sin manipulate me?

Original sin causes me to forget about God. The distortion of my mind and heart causes me to look first on the lateral level. I take in my immediate surroundings and strategize my navigation. It’s all self-directed. Without the distortion of original sin my first impulse would be to look up. I would seek the eyes of my Lord. I would instinctively know that in his eyes I would find wisdom. Looking into his eyes would settle me, give me perspective —set my course.

But I have indwelling sin and it daily seeks to manipulate me. No sooner do my feet hit the ground and my thoughts are way out in front of me. My sinful distortion often plays out in the form of worry. I can start out with the personal, familial ones that begin to radiate out into the cosmos. The weight of a broken world can sit on top of my shoulders.

I am so thankful that God’s grace permeated my heart —filling it with his Holy Spirit. This is my redeemed side. This is the side that takes captive those runaway thoughts and reminds me to look up. Those eyes are so comforting. They bid me to speak. They ask me to unburden my heart and they assure me that I am heard. Those eyes are strong, clear, wise and tenderly affective. They offer me peace in the midst of uncertainty, confidence that they know all things and trust that they are at the helm. Original sin’s manipulations are not working today. I am looking up!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Living art

The mind is an astounding piece of art. It’s living art. It’s always in a state of flux being influenced by it’s experiences both past and present. It is capable of bringing complex ideas into physically engineered realities of great usefulness. It has unraveled mathematical mysteries that revealed truths about our universe. It has plunged the depths in search of meaning and purpose of life in this mystifying world.

The beauty and greatness of humanity is clearly evident —we are the crowning glory of creation. It’s easy to look around at all the accomplishments of mankind and feel noble, entitled, preeminent.

The Scripture says, ““For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29) This means that our deeply complex, ever fluid minds, are fashioned after the mind of Jesus. He is our prototype.

Looking through the historical account of the life of Jesus — entitled is not the image that burst forth. Although he was preeminent, he lived in the ordinary, the average, the every day. He walked along the dusty roads seeking out the messy ones; the ones who knew their need. The preeminent ones of society saw him as insignificant, then a fool and finally a threat. But what did this first-born crowning glory of creation do?

He lived out the simplicity of his purpose and the shame of the cross changed the world. Societal giants were clueless but one by one messy ones were becoming well-ordered. The forgiveness and grace of God unclutters the mind—freeing it up to make sense of life in a world where mysteries are still unfolding.

The key to stability and endurance is to live in the every day ordinariness of life, letting that forgiveness and grace spill over into the lives of others. And as an ordinary caterpillar becomes an ordinary butterfly, one by one, the artful mind of Jesus brings about a new life.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2-3 NLT

Above the Ridges

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?” Psalm 121:1

When you find yourself in the valley you can feel quite vulnerable. The wide open space leaves you with no cover. There’s nowhere to run to for shelter. You can suddenly feel very alone and exposed. You lift your eyes to the hilltops scanning the ridges for a fellow traveler, another soul to bolster your courage along the way. But sometimes, the valley must be navigated solo. Others are trekking on different paths— no doubt your paths will merge further along the way.

This moment in time is meant to be this way. This moment has a weightier purpose. The hills, while beautiful and imposing, are insufficient to meet your need. Their purpose today is to draw your eyes upward, high above the ridges, to the one whose great strength formed their foundation. His eyes see far and wide. They take on the whole scene. Nothing escapes your Watchman— every step, both now and forevermore.