Planted by the River

Check it out!

2011-10-18T15:22:00.002-04:00

So, I did it. Even though I said I wouldn't.

Anywho, check out my new blog!

The Musings of an Active Apostolic

This is, okay, will be more about my day to day life and show why I don't have time to blog! Yes, that's right! A new blog about why I am not blogging.

Yeah, we'll see how this one goes...

Here I Go...Again.

2011-03-07T14:48:00.002-05:00

Planted by the River, scene 1, take number 518,798,926,456. Despite the slightly overestimated number this has been an interesting blog journey of creating and maintaining, with more creating than maintaining. I have deleted and recreated this blog so many times I’ve lost count. I’ve made it private and public, I’ve revised and changed, I’ve done everything except stick with it. So hence, here I go again. It’s time to give this another try.

Unfortunately though our internet at home has been spotty and every thought from “God doesn’t want me to do this” to “the devil knows what God can do and is preventing it” has crossed my mind. I finally came to the conclusion that this is what we get for relying on an unreliable internet connection. But I digress, the truth in fact is the slow progress of this blog is not God, the devil or the internet, it’s me. I have been battling with my fears of being found lacking when I so much want to be found capable, fears of being judged and critiqued and possibly being laughed at and fears of feeling vulnerable because I have allowed myself to open up in order to be able to minister. But through all those fears and struggles with my numerous insecurities, I have realized that if I always hold back God can never use me to give out.

In my time with God recently He has been helping me to slowly begin readjusting my priorities and to give all of my dreams and plans over to Him. It’s been hard. There are dreams and plans I have held on to for so long, this blog being one of them, that it is hard giving them over knowing they may never turn out the way I have always wanted them too. The things I have always wanted may actually be discarded for another dream that He has for me and His plan may point me in a different direction than the one I want to go. But slowly, inch by inch I am learning that if it’s His will, it’s okay.

And so if my husband and my mother are the only ones who ever read this blog, that’s okay. And if I am the only one who will ever benefit from what is written, that’s okay. If the blog visitor count never goes beyond 100 and my mother will always be my one faithful follower. If no one ever leaves a comment or hits the “like” button or subscribes by email, that’s okay too. Because I am slowly learning that at the end of the day, this isn’t about me, it’s about Him. It isn’t about getting my name out there; it’s about getting His name out there. It isn’t about what I can get but about what I can give.

I plan to continue on but with a new mindset, a better perspective. And so whatever lessons I learn I will continue to write, whatever issues or situations I am faced with or have overcome I will continue share. Whatever God lays on my heart I will continue to express. But whatever God chooses to do with it is up to Him.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

Housekeeping

2011-03-04T14:22:00.000-05:00

If you were to visit my home in this moment, I would welcome you as I opened the door and allowed you to step inside. After locking the door I would follow you up the flight of stairs and into the one bedroom apartment. It would be lit throughout, as my husband prefers it that way, and you most likely would make your way into the living room, glance around and take a seat on the gray sofa. You might be impressed as your eye takes in the bare counters, picked-up floors, and made up bed. Everything would be in its place and most likely, nothing would be scattered about. The thought might cross your mind that my house is clean. It appears to be clean, kept up, put together. But if you were to look closely, which I prefer you not, you would notice the furniture bears a fine coat of dust, the beige carpet camouflages crumbs and more dust. The kitchen floor, depending where you step, has a sticky substance to it and the bathroom mirror has a few toothpaste stains, though how they found themselves there, I have no idea.

I wouldn’t recommend it but if you were to open the cabinets in the kitchen you would find food items haphazardly put away or an overflowing trash can. Thirsty? Try not to look through the refrigerator too long as the food you think you crave might not be so edible. And please try to keep out of the closet as you will find hangers and clothing in disarray and shoes and their partners scattered about.

For underneath the appearance of it all, my house is certainly not clean. If you are OCD, a neat freak, cleaning queen, whichever title you prefer, you most likely have no desire to visit my home after reading this post. It sounds disgusting. It is disgusting. It’s alright, I can admit it.

However, I like to give the illusion that it is not by simply picking up after myself. When I am finished with an object, I put it away. I make the bed in the morning; I put my dirty clothes in the hamper. It takes a little work, a few extra minutes but it is it worth it as the overall appearance leaves me feeling somewhat satisfied and slightly organized.

But it does not take too long before I am aware that simply picking up after myself is not good enough nor does it go far enough. And I find myself on hands and knees, scrubbing, washing, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming until every area shines and dust no longer reigns.
And if I am feeling particularly pleased I might light a few candles to give a nice aroma and I’ll pop in a CD to give it a nice sound. For as every good housekeeper knows, there is more to cleaning then its appearance, it also affects the smell, sound, touch and if you’re an odd one, even the taste.

And then I feel good. I may be a little sweaty, it may have taken up more time, and I might have missed out on doing something more exciting but I still feel good. Because I know what has been accomplished. My mind is cleared, I can focus, and somehow even though the appearance before was passable, the appearance before is now immaculate. While you might not have noticed my house was dirty before, now you might notice it is now spotless. It gives off a good feeling because the work behind it shines through.

That is until the weeks go by and I realize I don’t have that time anymore. I made the time before, but I really don’t have it. And now I am just getting by because I simply keep picking things up.

Sadly, this so parallels my spiritual life. I have learned how to "pick up" after myself. I say prayers when someone or I need them, pray over my food and at church. I keep up with my responsibilities at church; meet with others to form new ideas. It takes a little work, a few extra minutes but it is worth it as the overall appearance leaves me feeling somewhat satisfied and slightly spiritual. And so my walk with God is passable, a glance at it and it seems as though I am doing everything right. It might impress some, inspire others. Some might think I am a “good christian”, some might think I have it all together but when I take the time and open up the closets and the cabinets, walk by on the floors and pull pack the covers on the bed, I know it’s not enough.

My cabinet hides the overflowing trash that I do not want anyone to see or know about, the closets hide the attitudes that I can’t seem nor want to keep in check, stickiness from situations I allowed myself to get involved in even though I knew it wasn’t my place cover the floors and dust from lack of attention covers it all. And then I look around and realize it’s not good enough and I find myself on my knees weeping, praying, repenting, confessing.

And then I feel good. It may have taken up more time and I might have missed out on something more exciting but I still feel good. Because I know what has been accomplished. My mind, heart and soul are clear; my eyes are once again open. Before how I lived was passable for a Christian but now its true holiness that shines through. You may not have noticed, it might not have caught your eye but now His glory reigns in my life. It gives off a good feeling because the prayer and commitment behind it comes through.

That is until the weeks go by and I realize I don’t have that time anymore. I made the time before, but I really don’t have it. And now I am just getting by on those few prayers when deemed necessary and fulfilling the obligations I have.

But that is not good enough. My housekeeping should not be every few weeks nor once every month or so but daily do I want to find myself on my knees. The attitudes need to be put in check, the trash needs to be taken out, the sticky situations need to be avoided and the dust should no longer be an issue. I want my heart to be clean; I want to be white as snow, spotless. I want the right attitude to be noticed, a right spirit. But I want it as badly as I want my house perfect and immaculate. Meaning, I desire enough to want the result but not enough to actually do the cleaning.
This is something I know I need to change, must be changed. Being a child of the King is not just a privilege. It is a responsibility. The sacrifice on the cross was not made for “when I feel like it” or “when I have the time” but it was given for those willing to die daily. A sacrifice so great, gifts so lovingly given, blessings so often shared. And I can’t sacrifice my time, I can’t give all of me, I can’t share the good news?

“Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14

God Has Called Us. It's Time to Go.

2011-03-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

Each day I am on my job, I check countless people in and out of rooms and talk to even more on the phone as they make reservations or ask questions. Each time I step into a store I am greeted by people going up and down the aisles as they check off items on their shopping lists or are there just to browse. I leave saying goodbye to a cashier whose name I never know even though they bear it on their name tag. As I drive home I pass car after car driven by those who have places to go and then as I pull into my neighborhood I pass houses that are called homes by those who live in them. So many people, yet who are they? What are their stories? What is their purpose in life, their goals, their dreams, and their hopes? Do they know that there is a God who loves them? Who gave His life so that they might live? Do they know about the promise that He has for them? Are they saved?

There are so many people in the world that we deal with daily even if it is just for a brief moment. Yet we never take the time to stop and think about who they are and how much our God loves them. We become so focused on our needs, our desires, our problems and our wants as if the world really does revolve around us. Yet we stand proudly and proclaim as it says in Romans, "for whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." How quickly is it for us to forget the verses that follow after; "how then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" We are commanded by God to go into all the world and preach the gospel. In the end we know that when we lean on God and trust in Him that He will bring us through. But do we know what will happen to the ones around us if we do not reach out? Do we know where they will end up if we don't take the time to tell them about God's love?

I had the opportunity the attend General Conference and was able to go to the most awesome, inspiring and eye opening services. For the first time I realized how many people need to be reached. There are so many ministries that have been started and need to be started. Ministries for men, women, teens and children. For the multi cultures living in our country, the Spanish, Asian and African American just to name a few. For the deaf, blind, and handicapped. For the abused, neglected and used. For those in jails, orphanages and on the streets. For the rich and the poor. For the sick and the well. For those held back by language barriers and those who are multilingual. It is overwhelming when you think about it. There is a song that the Sunday school kids sing that starts by saying; “I want to be a missionary, taking the gospel into my world.” We all have our own world so to speak which includes our family, friends, job, school and neighborhoods. To reach the lost we don't need to go to another country, state, town, city, or even another community or neighborhood. All it takes to reach the lost is for us to walk out our front door. If we all reach our world together we can reach the world. God has called us. It's time to go.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and into the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 1:8

Directionally Challenged

2011-02-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Dustin Kramer

It has taken me some time to admit this. At first I blamed my problem on my lack of driving skills, my driver’s license that took a little too long to acquire and my habit of not paying attention to the passing surroundings. But as time has persevered on, I have come to realize that what was excused as an embarrassing conclusion is now an obvious fact.

I am directionally challenged.

I was first made aware of this misfortune while working the front desk of a hotel; I was asked to give directions to an unfamiliar, gung-ho tourist. And so I did. They thanked me, I felt good and helpful, and five points were chalked up for the Historic Hotel. But hours later this drastically changed. The no longer gung-ho, but now irritated tourist stormed up to the front desk. “You know you gave me the wrong directions!” She shook her fist, eyebrows raised in a rather intimidating way, the volume of her voice rising. “You sent me in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go! Our day was ruined because we spent our valuable time turning around and going back!” I stood strong with all of the intentions to utter a sincere apology and maintain my dignity as a helpful and friendly front desk clerk but all I could muster was a small, quiet, rather squeaky, “oh”. Needless to say, that particular guest did not give us rave reviews. But slowly, I learned how to direct guests to certain points and if I, myself, was unsure learned to direct them to a fellow co-worker. I would not make this same mistake again.

Fast forward four years later and you will find me out of the historical town and tourist clutches of abounding questions regarding the best museums and quickest routes to the battlefield. I now live in another area that spans out farther, is more commercial and the battlefields instead of vast grasslands, a local guide and use of imagination to bring forth the grisly, historic images, now consist of 5:00 traffic that portrays various weapons aka vehicles that plunge ahead, horns screaming “out of my way” and angry glares of business men and women as they bravely, gallantly and albeit selfishly fight to head to their respective homes. And while it may be odd, I’ll confess, I love it here but don’t ask me how to get around. My directionally challenged self is still the same if not more so as surrounding towns, roads; businesses and neighborhoods that surround the area overwhelm the small direction assigned portion of my brain. Which is why, this past year, the top of our Black Friday Shopping list was a GPS, which my husband so wisely purchased. Knowing this you’ll expect me to say I use it quite frequently, but you would be mistaken.
If you are wondering why, the answer is because I know where I am going. I know that this goes against the previous rant but most of the driving I do is to places where I know the route. So I find it silly to use something when I feel I don’t need it. My husband on the other hand, always turns it on, I find this unnecessary but he finds it quite helpful as he owns it, so might as well use it but also the GPS has a traffic feature. Its little map and large and annoying female voice, which I often mute, is quick to inform the driver of traffic that may delay them. And so, whether he knows the area or not, when my husband drives, the GPS goes on.

Along life’s spiritual roads we tend to get lost, or maybe we are a little directionally challenged. We know our left from our right but we are not sure which path to continue on. Most will agree that our road map is God’s word, while His voice is not annoying, our communication with God rings forth to guide and direct us. But it is easy to turn the GPS off, feeling as though, we’ve done this before. We’ve been in a similar situation; we know how to handle this. Or we may mute God’s voice by cutting off our prayer time with Him and only glancing once in awhile at our road map, occasionally reading a few scriptures when we feel a little confused or misguided. And by turning off our GPS we are preventing ourselves from hearing the traffic report, events or problems that may delay us and in doing so we are unable to take an alternate route that God may feel is best for our life. In some case, others who are slowly learning to use their own spiritual GPS, learning how to tune in to hear God’s voice, to open up communication through prayer and reading His word, can often turn to you for help or advice. And if our GPS is turned off or muted how we can help them? For in this situation we are sending them, as I did years ago, in the opposite direction of where they need to go.

When my husband and I were dating we drove to a popular nearby city that was a few hours from where we lived. At the time we borrowed my mother’s GPS, it worked fine and we easily found our way. But upon the journey home the GPS did a strange thing; it went blank and we were unsure as how to get back home. We turned the GPS off and then back on and still the GPS continued to be blank, no roads were highlighted everything was a dull, gray color. Slightly panicking, we called Dustin’s father who gave us the directions to head home and as we began to drive, the GPS once again began to work and the correct roads home were shown. Curious as to why the GPS had done this, I looked online. The website I found informed me that because of the location we were in the GPS could not get the correct signal from the air borne satellite. Not because the satellite had moved but because the area we were in was affected by other frequencies and signals that hindered the GPS from connecting to the correct signal. Therefore it could not direct us; I shared this with my mom who told me that this does happen and that each GPS is equipped with a reset button that enables it to reconnect to the signal that once was blocked.

How often do we spiritually find ourselves in a location or a place where we no longer can connect with God? Not because He has moved or walked away, but because we have placed ourselves in a place where other influences have affected our signal, our communication. Our signal or relationship is lost or weakened because of where we have allowed ourselves to go and who we have connected ourselves to in God’s place. In these cases, while it is good to call on a Pastor or friend who can help guide or direct you, it is important to use the reset button. To once again pull out the Bible that may be a little dusty from lack of use or maybe “have a little talk with Jesus”. And then bring ourselves away from the other influences that may hinder our signal and affect it from strengthening.

While a GPS in the physical sense may seem unnecessary at times and while a conversation with God or the reading of His word may not feel required it is indeed necessary to keep that communication open. For though we may feel we know the route, we do not always know what will lie ahead. The roads that we will travel may be blocked by situations, events and circumstances that may cause us to look to an alternate route and we will not always be aware of the best one to take.

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:4-5

Stepping Stones

2011-02-25T13:29:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Dustin Kramer

When crossing a body of water, an obstacle, most people do not prefer stepping stones. Stepping stones are stones that are placed in a line and used to cross to the other side. These stones cause a person to progress or advance by taking one step at a time and to trust that stone will hold their weight and they will be able to carefully cross to the other side. The stones are usually various sizes and can become wet and slippery causing an individual to be cautious and not rush ahead. In event of this, bridges are generally the chosen choice of means, for a bridge, if built right, is sturdy and solid. An individual can go as slow or as fast as their heart desires for they can trust, without stopping to think or confirm it, that the bridge will hold their weight and they can safely, quickly cross over to the other side. It’s not easy for it to become wet or slippery and the individual does not need to worry about delay as they continue along their path.

We continue on our journey, we follow the path that is set before us. For the most part the journey, or life, can be almost, but not quite effortless. But as we continue along we are stopped for before us lays a body of water, a situation that we cannot cross over on our own. So we pray. We pray for God to use us. We pray that He will make a way. We pray and trust, trust and pray that He will come through for us. And He does. Each and every time we cry out to Him, He hears our cry. And we become no longer an idle vessel but one that He uses lovingly, skillfully and gently. He makes way, as the song says, where there seems to be no way. And we’re thankful. Most of the time.

For whether we would like to allow ourselves to admit it or not, what we are praying for is a bridge. We want an obvious, solid, sturdy answer. We want an overpass that will take us right where we want or need to go. We want nothing that will delay us or cause us to progress slowly, but something that would expedite and make events happen quicker. But sometimes the connection between where we are and where we are going is not
a bridge but rather stepping stones. And the ways God wants to use us are ways that we are uncomfortable with. They are through outlets that we have declared just “not our thing.” They are areas that on our own, we shy away from. Sometimes the way He makes through a situation is not the way we wanted. It’s not the way we would have chosen to go, looked to go, or asked to go. Its different from what we know and being the humans we are we prefer it this way.

But as much as we may dislike them, stepping stones are necessary. For if God always placed a bridge in front of us how could we learn to truly trust in Him? In a trial God places stepping stones for when we are required to take one step at a time, it causes us to see Him in a way we never have before. When the stones are wet and it’s easy to slip, it causes us to trust in Him, that He will keep us safe. And while the progression is slow, we learn things along the way. We learn to count our blessings, to wait on Him, to trust Him. Many times our prayer is for God to use us; we expect this willingness to motivate Him to place a bridge before us so that we are able to rush ahead and be used by Him. But He places stepping stones to remind us to take it one step at a time. For the slipperiness of the stones cause us to rely on Him and to realize that without Him working, being used is solely to boost us up. And progressing slowly causes us to learn that it’s not about the ministry, it’s about ministering.

Yes, He can place bridges for us. When we are ready to be used, He can quickly push us ahead so that we are able to impact many lives. In a situation, the sturdiness of the bridge can cause us to cross over unafraid. The fact that He chooses to place an alternative that is not always to our liking does not symbolize his lack of love for us; but rather, it is because He loves us. For when we learn to walk through trials and when we allow ourselves to be used wherever there is a need and we do this all just one step a time. We learn to trust, believe and hope. Our relationship with Him grows deeper and stronger, we can hold our heads higher, and the doubt slowly fades away. And in us is a faith that He can and will do all things and we find ourselves being formed into a vessel that is solely of and for Him all when we go forward in Him one step at a time.

“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”
Psalm 17:5

Such A Time as This

2011-02-23T13:29:00.000-05:00

We live in a day and age where the time is as the time of Noah. Sin is no longer hidden in corners or stuffed in closets but rather displays itself proudly through all types of media. It proclaims itself on billboards and advertisements. It becomes common as it is glossed over in books, movies and shows. The news is infiltrated with stories of crimes committed of not just man against man but mother against father and children against parents. Stories of abduction, lust, murders, thieves. It continues to grow, sprawls out and spreads like a virus that infects and rages in a human body.

We are in the End times. The ministers cry it out and the saints hold fast to it. For the souls that sin has laid claim to speak of the day Jesus for spoke of. And the signs are all around us. We’ve dreamt of this moment. We’ve hoped for this time. We’ve prayed for this day. The day where God raises up men and women to preach the gospel in ways and through outlets no one has dreamed of. The day where the tug of reaching out becomes not just a longing and desire but rather a force that pushes us out of our comfort zone and into a realm of 24/7 evangelism. The day where a revival sweeps our world, and we, those who have been placed in this time, work to reap the harvest that men and women of generations past have sown through fasting, prayers and tears.

It draws us to the realization of what this time really means and what we are to do about it. For the time is now to stand up for what you believe in. The time is now to go forth. The time is now to answer the call. And yet we hold back. For sin so abounds in the world around us that we wonder if what we are capable of doing will really make a difference. If it is really what God has called us to do. If the talents and abilities He has placed in us are enough.

We continue to dream, not of the day, for it has arrived. Not of the moment, for it is being fulfilled. But rather of what we could be in this day, in this moment. We have become dreamers instead of doers. Wishers instead of workers. Hopers instead of helpers. But if all we do is dream, if all we do is wish that’s all we’ll become. Just a dream that will one day fade and find us searching and reaching for the next one, just a wish that will fall short of every star. For if we really believe that we are in the last days, which we are. If we are the generation that is to rise up, which we are, we must believe that God would not place us in this time unequipped, unable and without the talents and abilities to just stand up and be. To be a part of the royal priesthood, a chosen generation, a peculiar people.

You have been created for such a time as this. And greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world.

But what kind of creation am I? You ask yourself again and again. You pose the question to your Creator and the men and women of God around you. What is my place? How can I be used? You’re unsure of where your place is. Where your calling is leading you too. My pastor recently said, “If you want to find or know your calling. Just do what you know.” What is your purpose? Reach the lost. Just reach out, just speak of Him. Just glorify His name. If you have been talented with a gift of song, then sing unto Him all ye children. If you have been given the talent of playing a musical instrument, then glorify His name upon it. If you can speak, speak of His goodness. If you can teach, teach others of His grace and forgiveness. If you are friendly reach out to new friends. If you are caring, care for those around you. If you are an encourager, encourage those who are down.

No one has been placed on this earth without a purpose placed inside of them from the Creator Himself.

Fulfilling your purpose, answering the call is more than becoming a preacher or singing a special song. But really fulfilling what God has called you to is to recognize your purpose through doing, praying, fasting and believing. And then rising up and allowing it to come to pass.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

Change

2011-02-21T13:27:00.000-05:00

It was finally happening. I was going to have my own room. At seven years old it was a very exciting moment. And so far it was the highlight of my little life, my brother and I had always shared a room and this time we could have our own. There was just one slight drawback that I hadn’t thought about from the start.

My parent’s bedroom and the bedroom that my brother and I shared were upstairs and my bedroom was downstairs in the basement. It didn’t cross my mind in the preparation though, I was too excited. My parents took our bunk beds apart and brought one of the beds downstairs. My mother put on the bedding and arranged my clothes while I carefully put my toys in the proper places. I was in and out of the room that day, a room that I could actually call my own. And then when the sun set, the moon came out to shine and the stars twinkled, my parents announced it was time for bed. I rushed into my room, quickly changed and climbed into my bed. I laid there with the light off but with my nightlight on of course, and waited for my father to come tuck me in. It was a tradition; my parents would always tuck my brother and I in and pray for each of us. I was waiting for my turn; while I waited I looked around. I hadn’t realized how scary it was with the lights off. The shadows were rather large and the noise from the kitchen right outside made more noises then I thought possible. I held very still and watched as my father made his way in. I was relieved as he sat on my bed, tucked me in and prayed for me but as he went to leave I grabbed his hand. “I’m scared Dad.” He sat back down, “there’s nothing to be scared of Karissa” he said gently. “Mom and I are just upstairs and Jesus is with you.” “I know but it’s dark and the kitchen makes a lot of noises”, I replied. My dad just smiled and prayed with me again. It helped a little but there was more thing that I needed to be sure of. “Dad,” I said “what if there is a fire? How will I get out?” My father looked me straight in the eyes. “Karissa, if there is ever a fire I will come right away and get you.” I remember feeling so relieved at hearing that. Knowing that my dad would take care of me and rescue me if anything happened made me feel as though everything would be ok. And it was only then was I able let him go and fall asleep.

We all go about our lives just living. And then life takes a turn and a change happens. At first, it lights up our lives and we become anxious for all the benefits we feel it will bestow upon us. It will be exciting, it’s new, it’s different. It’s either what we have always wanted or better than we could have hoped for. Excitement continues to rise as we prepare, putting things in order so that the new change can take full effect. We are ready. But then night falls, and suddenly the disadvantages of the situation, the change, seem more noticeable. We find ourselves at a place where
the problems seem bigger and the situations seem more complicated. We are scared and often times feel alone. Our excitement about the change has now disappeared and we wonder why we had desired it so much in the first place. And we decide that we no longer like the change, want the change and want things to be exactly the way they always were. In prayer, we bring forth our concerns to our Heavenly Father. Sharing with Him our doubts about this new situation, wondering if maybe this change really will benefit us or only set us back. We share with Him our fears, how this new circumstance causes us to feel alone, scared and uncertain. We tell Him we doubt that this is a “good thing” for us. But in sharing all these feelings with Him, He looks us straight in the eye and says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

But oftentimes we forget this and become 21st century Israelites. The Israelites had been kept as slaves in Egypt for years. Their desire, their exciting change was to be set free. When Pharaoh finally told Moses to go, they rushed forth eager to leave behind the land of bondage. But as they journeyed on to the land of milk and honey, there were many times they began to doubt that this was a “good thing”. They often felt that if they had just stayed in Egypt, if things had never changed, they would have been better off. They forget that this change though sometimes difficult to deal with, sometimes uncertain and even sometimes mundane, was going to bring them to an even better life. The result of their doubt and disobedience was forty years of wandering in a wilderness that had become to them a change they no longer embraced. They did not know that some changes don’t always bring us along turns that we continue to embrace, but if we continue to hold out, to believe, to preserve we will watch as the road ends at something greater than we could have ever known or imagined.

As a little girl I did not appreciate the chance to have my own room until I was older, for it wasn’t long before I decided I wanted to be with my brother again. But as I grew I realized the benefits of having something of my own. But at the time it was a change that I had only felt I wanted, until the darkness set in. The Israelites did not appreciate the change of leaving Egypt and the journey towards something better. In fact most of them did not even make it to the Promised Land. But the next generation realized what a wonder the land of milk and honey was but only after they kept on. It was a change they thought they wanted until they realized they were to travel through the wilderness. For sometimes the opportunities and new circumstances that are offered to us seem to be all that we dreamed of, the continual doubts, fears, concerns nag away at the excitement, at the prospect for reaching forward to something better. And instead we find ourselves so afraid of the dark we go back to what we always knew or we are left wandering in the wilderness stuck in the middle of a change and not receiving what we were supposed to receive when the change first occurred. But if we just hold on, continue forth, persevere and trust we would realize how wonderful the promise that has been given to us could be. And most of all, we are to look to the One who in the midst of the change, no matter how dark it might be, will never leave us nor forsake us and will come to our rescue. Only then are we able to let go and enjoy the change.

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Joshua 1:5

What Sunday School has Taught Me

2011-02-18T13:26:00.000-05:00

There is something about teaching Sunday school that can highlight any teacher’s week. Teaching Sunday school is fun, inspiring, challenging, motivating and most certainly a learning experience in every sense of the word. And it’s most certainly not always easy; the different personalities of each child often come forth through their various responses to your teaching. There is the child who sits with his head in his hands, showing only signs of boredom. There is the child who seems to be more interested in being the life of the class and making his friends laugh. There is the child who sits with eyes wide eagerly taking in all of the words that you speak. There is the child who can never ask enough questions, searching; wanting to know more and more of the God you speak of. Some of the children have been attending church all of their life and know many of the Bible stories and scriptures by heart. Some are there for the first time and don’t always understand that the stories you tell are not from a book of fantasy but rather the Word of God. There are the children who have been in and out of churches and understand and may believe in God but have not had the stability or the consistency in their life to understand that His truth reaches beyond an occasional Sunday at church. But no matter what the personality, home life or attendance you put everything you have into that lesson because in your heart you know that deep within whatever their response may be is a hungry heart taking in everything it hears. Deep within is a soul who is reaching for what will sustain it, and deep within is a child who will grow up and hopefully one day realize that the lessons they have learned and the relationship that they will maintain will be the most valuable thing they will ever posses no matter what they may achieve in life.

In dealing with children from all walks of life and varying personality you quickly learn that to become a great teacher is not to have the coolest classroom, the most creative lesson plan, the tastiest snack or the most interesting activities. But rather the mark of a great teacher is being so tuned in with God that His love shines through you and reaches out to a child and embraces them in a love they have never felt before. Being a great teacher is allowing God’s agenda to take place and having an up-close view to watch as through various activities and ways of teaching His power comes through and they realize that with Him in their life nothing is impossible. Being a great teacher is preparing for each Sunday and viewing it as though it is the only opportunity you have to tell a child about Jesus; as if this window of opportunity for sharing His love may be the only short moment they might experience it in their life. It’s praying that whether or not that child walks through the door of your classroom again whatever they have felt stays with them on to their adult life so that when they reach a place of making their own decisions that love will draw them back to a place that welcomes them with open arms no matter where life has taken them. Being a great teacher is realizing that there is nothing more
inspiring then sitting in a classroom knowing that the little faces that surround you are the missionaries, evangelists, teachers and ministers of tomorrow who will one day light their world. And it’s realizing that there is nothing more humbling than knowing you have been given the privilege and the responsibility of helping to pass on the torch by sharing the love of Jesus and watching it light up their lives. For what is greater than knowing that you are passing on the truth to the next generation so that light of God’s grace and mercy never dies but rather continues on so that our world shall never darken.

I often wonder if I am allowing myself to take what I have learned in Sunday school outside of the four walls of my classroom. For how I can encourage a child to raise the torch of truth and light their world if I don’t light mine? For really, what is a better way of teaching them then by being an example? Am I viewing each moment I spend with a co-worker, neighbor or friend as a chance to allow God to work through me so that He might light their world? Or do I consider it as just another day, just another moment. I would be wrong to view each Sunday school lesson as just another lesson or just another Sunday to teach. So how can I view each moment with an unsaved friend as just another work day? Like the children that sit in my classroom some of the people I come in contact with I will see almost daily, some occasionally and some only once. Am I viewing each opportunity like I should? Viewing it as though today might be my only chance of sharing God’s love with them? As though when I leave my place of employment or place of meeting I might never see them again and those eight, five, two hours or maybe less are my only chance, my only opportunity to share my testimony with those who have not yet realized how much God loves them. Am I willing to look past the rolling eyes, the skeptics and doubters and continue on knowing that deep within is a hungry soul who like a child is sitting there eagerly taking in every word of love and every testimony of God’s power. Am I willing to look past all of the “how can you’s”, “what if’s” and “why do you’s” and know that they are produced from a soul that deep within cannot ask enough questions and just wants to know more. Will I allow each moment of my life, not just Sunday’s, to be a way of sharing, telling and showing the love and mercy of God? For really, being a great teacher or a great minister is not just teaching within the four walls of a classroom or church building, nor is it preparing the best lesson or sermon. And being a great teacher or minister does not stay within the confines of Sunday school, Evangelistic services or Bible study night. But rather being a great minster or teacher is allowing God to completely use us to share His love in every single moment of our life, for to be a teacher is to answer the call.

"Go ye therefore and teach all nations..."
Matthew 28:19

Enough

2011-02-16T10:23:00.000-05:00

It is so easy to stand in awe of the natural beauty God has created. The beautiful sunset that paints the evening sky with elegant, soft colors. The vibrant rainbows that arch over us that radiate not only of color but of promise. The rolling mountains that stand strong, tall, almost majestic. The ocean whose waves rush to the shore whispering of the unique world beneath it. The animals, the land, the sky, the list goes on. To think God only spoke the words and this beautiful earth which we inhabit was created. To think of its beauty, its mystery, its perfection and even the imperfections make it so miraculous and wonderful. Whether you appreciate the strength of the mountains, the unpredictably of the ocean, or the feel of the land, you appreciate, love and are thankful for God’s earth, His creation.

And yet there is one creation that does not seem “good enough” or “beautiful” or “as good as”. And that creation is us. We pick ourselves apart, dwelling on all of our imperfections, comparing them to the perfections of others. We make mental lists of things we feel we should change about ourselves. We want to be like her, we admire him. We wish we were as talented, as creative. We wish we were funnier, smarter, skinnier, prettier. We wish we were witty, outgoing. We focus so much so on what we are not that we forget what we are.

We are God’s creation. For the God who created this,

Created this,

And this,

Created us. And He did not just speak the words, but rather He reached down to earth and formed man out of the dust and breathed life into the body. He took the rib of the body and formed another creation, woman and breathed life into her. In His image He created them. Man was not just spoken into creation but rather created personally. Man was created for God’s glory, with them He walked and talked with, for them He died on the cross for their sins, for them He is preparing a place, for them His love, mercy and grace never fails or forsakes.

And yet we still do not like who we are, we continue to strive to be what we are not, constantly looking to others for the mold of what to be. We look to those we admire, we look to magazines on the shelf, we look everywhere but up. Beyond what our friends are, beyond what the world says, beyond all of it to what the Creator says. For when we look up we will realize our place, our purpose, our plan. Comparing ourselves to others only makes us less than what we are and what we were created to be. By desiring to be different, more of this or more of that is as to compare the sun to the moon, the land to the sea. Each of God’s creations has a plan and a purpose, they are needed. With two suns, the day would be blinding and the night would shrouded in complete darkness. Without land there would be no place for man or beast to live or lay their head. But rather land is needed, and the moon is needed. They each are necessary in their own way as it is with God’s last creation. Us.

In our own unique way we have a plan and a purpose, a job just for us. A job that no one else can do, no one else was created to do, no one but us. When we realize this, that we are God’s creation as much as the beauty of the earth is His we will realize that we are beautiful enough, we are witty enough, and we are smart enough, we are talented enough, we are creative enough. Even through all of our imperfections, because we are by His design, we are enough.

Love Letter to My King

2011-02-14T13:25:00.000-05:00

Twenty-six letters in the alphabet. That’s it. That’s all I have. They make up countless words with countless meaning yet no words would be adequate enough. I could pour through dictionaries and thesauruses yet no word would be the one I search for, I could even string many words together yet the meaning still would not be there. For every positive word, every spectacular phrase, every song of love would simply not be enough. No make-up of letters in the alphabet could accurately state how I feel. And so, I stand before You thinking, dreaming of ways to say how I love you. To say thank you. To say I adore you, I worship you. Yet no word is enough.

For there was never a time when you weren’t there; there was never a time when I did not feel your hand. There was never a time when I could not turn to you; there was never a time where you broke a promise. And all the countless times when I run to you, in the times of heartache, loneliness, fear, disappointment. Feelings that are consequences of my own foolishness; or caused by others, things in this world. You never turn me away. With open arms you embrace me, comfort me. You help me to stand when I have fallen, never impatient but constantly and consistently there. You hold my hand and guide me; you make my path straight and shield me from every storm.

Though at times I can be selfish and push you away. Your love knows no bounds. You look past my faults and continually, lovingly mold and shape me into what I need to be. Your mercy is never-ending for you forgive and forget my every sin, and cover it in your blood. I am nothing. Yet you make time for me, I could fade away tomorrow for my tomorrow is not promised yet you know everything about me, you desire and long for me and most of all you simply, purely love me. You welcome me to come to you with all things. For no care, worry, sorrow is too small to bring before you and no problem, situation is too big for you to handle. I ask for your wisdom and guidance, and though sometimes I heedlessly plunge along not waiting for your answer. You cause me to be still, to trust in you. There are times when you gently push me to go forward, and you open every door. And there are times you cause me to wait, and in time I see your wisdom through my impatience.

I cannot imagine a life without you. A life without your presence is unthinkable; a life without your love is unbearable. I do not ever want to stray from your way, for you have kept me, lifted me, raised me. You have become my everything, for the more I learn to rely and trust in you, the more I realize how strong your hand is around me, how you’ll never let me fall. My provider, my healer, my deliverer, my protector, my comfort, my joy, my rock, my father, my king, my friend, my confidant. You are all things and yet so much more to me.

This is just a simple letter with simple words. It is not brilliant enough, accurate enough, or hold enough. It should be longer, should say more, should hold more meaning. It should have more words, maybe longer words or words with more definitions. It should list more of who you are, your traits, what you have done. But no word is strong enough, means enough, can ever be adequate enough. No word can say everything you have done, no word can ever describe everything you are, and no word can say how I feel. All I can lift up to you are three small words.

I love you, oh how I love you.

I Can Do All Things

2011-02-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

My brother and I had been given an assignment. Being homeschooled may have had its perks but it also had its downfalls. Like when your dad, also known as the principal, would step in and give you an additional project on top of your other schoolwork. This was one of those times. And so there we were sitting at our desks and flipping through our Bibles to read a scripture that we were to write a report on. I turned to it. Philippians 2:14. “Do all things without murmuring and disputings.” Great, I thought, I knew I hadn’t been the most angelic daughter lately but I didn’t think I had been that bad. This couldn’t be the scripture. I looked over at my brother, “what was the scripture Dad said”, I asked. “Philippians 4:13,” he replied. I turned to it, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This was better and a rather easy assignment and so I quickly wrote out my report.

We were supposed to hand in our report to our dad that evening when he returned home from work. When he was ready we were called into our parent’s bedroom where he was waiting, our reports in his hands. We waited to see what he had to say, this assignment had taken us by surprise after all. We were greeted with a question, “do you know why I asked you to write a report on this scripture?” We did not of course so he continued, “first off, I have to say I was very impressed with what both of you had to say. This scripture talks about how we can do anything if we do it with God on our side and you both have written that in your report. The reason I had you write on this was because lately both of you have repeatedly informed your mother that your schoolwork is too hard and you cannot do it. I wanted you to read this scripture and understand what it means so that the next time you feel as though your schoolwork is too hard you will remember and ask God for His help so you can finish it.” I felt cheated, how could my dad use a scripture to motivate me to do my schoolwork? This should be illegal, but you couldn’t argue with it when it was your father also known as the principal, who was teaching you this lesson and you definitely could not disagree when God and His word were brought in to it. And so we agreed with what he said and left.

Even though at the time I felt as it should have been a crime, what my father had done was actually teach us a very valuable lesson. For too many times do we relegate the ability of doing things in Christ to spiritual things and anything pertaining to God or church. But it’s not so and my father had opened my mind to this that day. It is so easy to become frustrated with living life. Too many times it seems as though things pop up on the job, school or at home that we are unsure as how to handle. Situations arise with family, friends and colleagues that we feel incapable of dealing with. Our attitude can start to turn sour and it just seems as though we can not do anything right anymore. Constant berating from others can cause us to doubt our abilities and disappointing them causes us to stoop to an ultimate low. For we have forgotten that we can do all things through Christ. All, by definition means every thing, all sorts. To limit what we can do through Christ is to limit God’s ability to fully use us and take care of a situation. When we go to the Lord with our situations and problems He can and will give us the wisdom to solve the problem, the strength to approach the situation, and the peace to work through it all. From getting through a tough day to being there for others on theirs. From handling a mini project at home to finishing a large project at work and even doing your schoolwork, God can and will give us the ability to do all things if we could just trust in Him. There is nothing that we can not handle or accomplish when God is on our side.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”
II Corinthians 9:8

Stop Signs & Coloring Books

2011-02-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Dustin Kramer

I am convinced that those who speed through stop signs even though every one at the intersection knows it is your turn to go did not learn anything in kindergarten. They were probably the child who grabbed at every cool toy or new school supply and refused to share. And so, most of the time that is why I end up sitting at a stop sign for five or so minutes waiting to pull out of the parking lot. Apparently the local school district has some stepping up to do. Everyone should take turns...you stop at the stop sign, you wait for any others whose opportunity may be before yours, look both ways and then you go. It’s black or white, yay or nay. Life could be so simple if we just let it be. On that note, I guess it all comes down to how you look at life. Kindergarten seems to be where most of us are molded into who we are to become. Take for example the common “did you color inside or outside the lines?” theory. Most people pride themselves on saying they colored outside the lines and rules were made to be broken! But I say, not that it’s worth much, that the lines were set there for a purpose. How can you enjoy the finished product if you have not followed what was set before you? To color all over is to mess up the picture. Nothing is defined, it’s just…a mess. To color inside the lines is to understand the picture and to be able to fully enjoy what was started. It’s that simple. It’s black or white.

Our walk with God could be just as black or white. And I do believe that God designed it to be so. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” That is found in Proverbs 3:5-6, and it really is as simple as it sounds. Just trust in Him with everything, don’t always do what you want or what you think is best but instead talk to Him about, bring it before Him and let His will be done and He will direct you. Again, it’s black or white. So why is it that we struggle with it? It should be simple, it seems to be but often times trusting in God and acknowledging Him in everything becomes too difficult. Why is that?

Because we are too impatient to wait at the stop sign. We don’t give God His turn and just rush ahead hoping we can beat Him out before He puts His foot on the gas. We are too caught up in where we think we need to go and what we have to do that we end up flying past something that is supposed to make us stop and seek Him. Running spiritual stop signs is just as heedless as coloring outside the spiritual lines. God has a plan for us and it is set out like an uncolored picture in a coloring book. We have the freedom of choice to color inside the lines or outside. When we do want we want to do and crazily, like an impatient five year old “color” our life we end up losing sight of the picture and turn our life into a mess. It becomes a crayola disaster that cannot be understood because the real picture is hidden beneath all of our impatience and attempts of doing it our way. If we trust in God and color inside the lines of His plan then we will be able to see a beautiful picture unfold. Like in a coloring book the picture or our life may be obvious as to what it could be, but it cannot really become what God has envisioned until we live our life according to His plan. Then the colors of His might and mercy can come through and the plain picture can become a beautiful testimony of God’s love.

It’s simple…we must stop at our spiritual stop signs and color inside the spiritual lines. When we can accomplish that then God’s plan can really unfold and He can mold us into what we need to be. And all of the things that God has for us can take place and He can use us the way He wants and desires too.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

Nothing Can Separate Us

2011-02-02T11:59:00.000-05:00

I begin to wonder if I’m worth anything. My mind and my heart are clouded by doubt, self-consciousness and insecurities. I question my every motive, doubt my every ability and second guess my every chance at life. Sin has destroyed my spirit, leaving me tainted and undesired. My soul is weary, my heart heavy and my mind is troubled. What I thought was a light shining into the midst of my darkness was only a mirage, a fantasy of something better, something worthwhile. In vain I reach for it only to have my hand grasp pain and disappointment as the picture of hope fades before me. My sole desire is to reach past all of my fears and failures but it is as if the wall between who I am and who I could be is separated by glass and I can only glimpse what my future could hold if I could just break through. Break through the wall that I have built out of my transgressions and my disbelief. The wall of my defeat and sorrow.

I turn to others for help, hoping someone will hear my cries; that they will take heed to my pleas, or feel for my pain. And yet no one notices, no turns my way or reaches to lift me. I’m desperate...I cry out louder but it is not loud enough, I throw myself against the wall that surrounds me and it does not move. I yell, I scream, I cry….I break. I’m shaken with sobs; I am weary, so weary that I can not go on. I begin to crumble in despair and faint for exhaustion. And as my body begins to give way, I find myself collapsing into something that I’ve never felt before. Beneath me had always been a hard cushion of lies and failures. But looking down I realize what I feel is a hand…a loving, caring, nail scarred hand. I gasp as I realize that this hand is slowly, gently lifting me up. Up and away from every heartbreak, every sorrow, every mistake, every sin, every horrible regret and wickedness of my past. I dare to look up and I find myself awestruck by the most beautiful face. The eyes that meet my gaze are full of love yet they mirror the very hurt that I feel. Tears run down the cheeks and fall on to lips that form into a smile of adoration.

I wonder who this is. Who can know what I have done and be so willing to bring me away from it? Who could truly understand my emotions? I feel my lips stammer as insignificant words try to force their way out. "Who are you?" The words make their way out as slowly as a stream trickles through a rocky bend and are as quiet as soft breeze. Yet as slowly as the words made their arrival and as quietly as they are announced, He hears and He understands. In words as quiet as my own but spoke with more power and love then I’ve ever known, He answers. I am the one who feels your every pain, rejoices in your every success,
loves every part of your being and cares for your every need. I am the one who created you and designed every detail of who you are. I am the one who watches out for every giant that may stumble your way, every mountain that may block your path and every valley that may hinder your journey. I am the one who guides you, lights your way and shields you from every storm. I am the friend who sticks closer than a brother, the father who does all things for you in love, the God who makes your path straight.

Confused, my brow furls. This time the words pour out faster for I am angry. “But have you done those things? Lord, I have been cast into a pit that I have been unable to pull myself from. I was too low for anyone to hear me; it was too dark for anyone to notice and it was too deep for anyone to dare reach for me. Have you been all you said you are? For if you were I would not have fallen.” He shakes his head slowly and once again tears begin to spill from the eyes that reflect all pain, sorrow and love. “But my child,” he replies, “how could I hold you when you stepped out of my hand? How could I catch you when you have pushed me away and how could I raise you up when you refused to be lifted? When you brought yourself before me, when you realized you could not do it on your own, and when you turned to me for help only then can I be all things to you. My love has never left you for it can reach any place you strive to go. My worry and my cares for you never ceased instead they increased, my heart broke every time yours was broken and my tears fell faster than your own. You are my child and I will never leave you or forsake you.”

I understand now. I throw myself before him, bowing in his presence. “Can you forgive me?” I am afraid to speak the words for how can I ask such a thing? Yet they slip out before I can stop them. For this time my heart speaks before my mind. “Lord, forgive me, forgive what I have done. For pushing you away and sinning against you.” The light around me brightens and again I look up. “Arise my love,” he gently says, “for you are forgiven and your sins are forgotten. Nothing that comes against you can stop you and nothing can separate my love from you. For I have called you my child, my heartbeat, my love; you are my own.”

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

For He So Loves the World

2011-01-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

Imagine just living to die. Imagine reaching out to others, performing miracles and healings all the while knowing that one day those same people who look at you with love will not be able to see beyond their hatred for you. That the hands that grasped you in thanks would be the same hands that beat you and bruise you. The mouths that sang of your praise would be the same that mock and spit upon you. Those that were closest to you, the ones you called friends would betray you. Your dearest friend would deny you and say he didn’t even know who you were because he was ashamed of you. And the words of truth, trust and faith that those who knew you spoke would turn into words of crucify and kill him. You’re God, if you wanted to end this tragedy you could. You could use an earthquake, a fire, any type of natural disaster. You could command your angels to come and take you away. You could end it all with just a simple command. But you don’t. Because those very people who perform all sorts of horrible acts, shout terrible words and untruths are your children and your people and despite all of their faults and sin you love them with every part of you. You created them; you know them inside and out. You know their fears and confidence, you know their failures and accomplishments, you know their doubts, concerns, dreams and desires. You know every part of them and look upon them in love. And so you’re willing to die.

You struggle to carry the heavy wooden cross upon your back, the very cross that will become your death bed. You groan as your body is thrust upon the un-sanded and rough wood, nails that are to be the only thing to hold you up, are hammered full force into your hands and into your feet. You hear laughter, shouts of terrible things all about you, all of them lies. You hear the hatred in men’s voices as they mock you. And there you hang, your body bruised and beaten. Nails in your hands and a crown of thorns placed in mockery upon your head. And as you cry out a veil shielding the temple from all people rips in two. Symbolizing the reason you left your throne to become a mere man, just to give your life. All because you desire a relationship with each and every one of your children. You want their sin to be wiped away and forgotten and you long for them to come to you with every pain, need and want. Personally you want to wipe away their tears and see them through the pain. And personally you want to smile as they stand back up and bless your name. You want to take them by the hand and guide them, you want to shield them from the storms and carry them in times of exhaustion and fear. You want to be their friend and their confidant, the love of their life. They are yours; you want them to call you theirs.

And so because you are God you rise three days later and are again sitting upon your rightful place, the throne of the King of Kings. But as years go by the abuse does not cease, it is not a physical abuse yet mockery is still heard and hatred comes forth in the voices of men and women. Disbelief and doubt covers the surface of the earth and man refuses to push away his wicked ways. Have they forgotten?
Your heart still breaks for those who do not hear. You try to reach out to comfort those and while for a time they are grateful it’s not too long before your hands are pushed away, unwanted. Your words of wisdom and guidance are sometimes heeded but most of the time they are ignored. Considered an annoyance and not necessary. They don’t seem to believe your promises for long forgotten are your miracles of healing and provision. They don’t stay long enough to hear how much you love them and they don’t linger enough to feel your presence or your love. They are too busy, too preoccupied. And so you do everything you can to share with them your promises. You paint rainbows in the sky to show your beauty and grace. You equip the birds to sing of your love and wonders. You part the skies for the lightning and let the thunder rumble to show your might and your power. Flowers die just to grow again to show of your mercy and forgiveness. You do everything to turn their head once again, to gain that relationship that you so desire and long for. The intimate relationship you died for. But nothing seems to work for in their wicked ways, in their disbelief and doubt they continue to shout out crucify him.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

Pedestal of Adjectives

2011-01-27T13:30:00.000-05:00

She’s beautiful. He’s smart. She’s funny. He’s talented. She’s clever. He can do anything. Everyone loves her. I wish I was her. I wish I was like him.

You build them up with your words. Through adjectives and ways of emulating them, you find that you have placed them upon a pedestal. In your mind, they are the person to be. In your mind they are the one you feel you should strive to be like. They have the ability to do all the things you wish you were capable of. You admire them from a distance and in doing so you find that your pedestal is becoming encased by jealousy and slowly, dislike. No longer do you like them, in fact you find yourself loathing them. Which in it's self can cause you to stumble. Yet you stray away from them; not wanting to reach out but deep down you long to be able to call them your friend. And in a way, the jealousy has made them your enemy. The very person who you had so wanted to be like has become the very person you want nothing to do with. Not only has this become so, but now you find that you no longer believe in yourself. You are afraid to attempt anything for you feel as though they could do better and there is no use for you to try. You find you are embarrassed if they are present or see something you have accomplished. And in your eyes your small talents seem to be a meager attempt compared to what they are most likely capable of. No longer are they the person you admire and no longer do you believe enough in yourself to progress. Simply because your pedestal of adjectives stands in the way.

We tend to create our own heroes. We pick an individual and paint them as the person to be. They become the one to emulate and we find ourselves striving to become like them and we are prevented from progressing in our own talents, ministry, and goals. Who they are consumes us and we lose sight of what is important, why we are here and what makes us unique. No longer do we accept what we have been given to do, no longer do we love as He loves and no longer do we find ourselves searching and seeking His face. Instead lack of confidence causes us to push aside God’s calling or truly fulfilling it, jealousy has consumed our love, and the pedestal now stands between us and our Savior. For as we continue to build them up in our minds their pedestal grows higher and higher and blocks the sight of the One who is the true example of grace, mercy, and love. But when we look beyond the pedestal,
when we look higher then the individual we will find a greater example. We find an individual who is so capable that He created the heavens and the earth by simply speaking the words. We find someone whose knowledge extends beyond what we can comprehend so much so that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. We find an individual who is so beautiful that the heavens themselves cannot speak of His beauty or grace. The heavens and the earth worship Him and at the mention of His name every knee will bow and every tongue confess.

And who is greater to follow after, strive to be like then the One who created you. For He who created you is no respecter of persons. He gives us what we can handle, what will benefit the ministry He has called us too, and will impact the lives of those around us. He has created you for a purpose. When we strive to become as another we are taking away from the gifts and abilities God has placed in us and they become useless. When we seek another and follow after them we lose sight of the One who placed the purpose and meaning in our lives and we find ourselves falling back instead of reaching forward. But when we look to the heavens, when we seek His face only then can we truly grow, progress and become what He has created us to be. For though another might seem to be the blueprint of what we feel is something, God’s plan and design for our life is so much greater. For His design was created and formed just for us.

“…And follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…”
I Timothy 6:11-12

To Go Beyond

2011-01-25T11:57:00.000-05:00

What would your life be like if you went beyond the expectations of this world’s culture and lack of values and strived for God’s expectations? How would it boost your confidence and esteem if you reached beyond your self doubt and insecurities and stood secure in knowing who you are, a child of the King. How could your talents and abilities glorify God if you went beyond “just dreaming” to “just doing” and beyond jealousy to your own achievement? How would people respect you if you went beyond temptation and allowed God to place the conviction in your heart so that you could be separate and be distinguished as one of His? What would happen if you looked beyond all your past regrets and unwanted memories and looked towards what God holds in the future? What would happen if you just went beyond?

To go beyond is to go outside the understanding, the limits or the reach of something. To go beyond what is asked or expected of you is to reach deep within yourself and stretch yourself to limit. To give everything that you are able and to hold nothing back. It’s a phrase that is often used. Someone who is a willing individual is considered someone who will go “above and beyond” but when it comes to God we tend to find countless excuses and reasons to prevent ourselves from giving Him our everything. It becomes too much to go beyond what others think and what we expect from ourselves to reach forward for what God has planned. It doesn’t seem as it should be so difficult but so often it is.

It took a young man who went beyond what was expected of him, beyond what was asked of him and beyond what many people doubted to slay a giant that plagued and put fear in the Israelites, God’s chosen people. David, a shepherd boy was tending sheep when his father called him to bring food to his brothers. He was asked to do something that was not a usual task; his responsibility was to tend the sheep. But God had something greater for David that went beyond the norm of shepherding. David, obeying his father took the food to his brothers. His brothers were in the midst of a valley fighting a battle. On each side of them rose a mountain, with Philistines claiming one and the Israelites claiming the other. And right in the middle of the valley was a giant, Goliath who only had to spew threats to make the Israelites tremble.
His sword and spear hung uselessly in his hands and amusement shone in his eyes as he watched as his mere words caused men to flee. David was taken aback, they were children of God! How could they back down knowing that the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings was on their side? The king listened to him in doubt, his brother’s listened to him with anger and annoyance and what was expected of solider, soldier’s armor did not fit him. It seemed as though he was foolish, only five rocks and a sling accompanied him out to the battlefield. But David knew that very little was needed. God had used him before, for with his own bare hands David had slain a bear and a lion. He had gone beyond self doubt and insecurities for he knew who he was and what his God could do. Beyond the king’s useless ideas, beyond his brother’s thoughts, beyond what was considered normal for a soldier and faced the giant that plagued his people and his God’s children. He had reached forward to go beyond and God would carry him through. Even Goliath mocked him, laughing at the small boy and his paltry weapon. But David with confidence in his voice said “I come not at you with a sword and shield but in the name of the Lord.” And with one small stone Goliath was slain. It seemed so simple. What started out as fear and a defeat in progress ended in victory with just one small boy and one small stone. All because that boy was willing to go beyond.

What kind of giants could we defeat if we went beyond the norm, beyond what is expected of us and beyond what is defined by an ever changing culture? How could God use us if we just gave Him everything? Those are questions only we can answer. Matthew 20:16 says many are called but few are chosen. God can call us and place a tug on our heart but if we can not and will not give Him everything He cannot choose us. If we refuse to reach forward, to look beyond our problems, thoughts and fears, He is forced to turn and choose someone else. He has called us, but our choice can prevent us from being chosen. David ended up on the battlefield because he simply answered his father's call. He won the victory by looking beyond what everyone else thought. God has already called us but it’s up to us to go beyond. Beyond our doubts, our fears, our worries and our insecurities. Beyond the expectations and the opinions of others around us. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. It is easy to remember that He knows the beginning for He is the one who created it all. But have we forgotten that He also knows the end? No giant stands too tall and no valley is too low that God can’t conquer if we can just look beyond what our human mind can grasp and reach forward to what God has planned for the end.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand…”
I Samuel 17:45-46

In Him Do I Trust

2011-01-21T11:56:00.000-05:00

Life doesn’t always hand you what you want. It seems as though it has this inconceivable ability to throw something at you that you either never expected or thought would never return. It seems as though it can make your most secret fears a reality and your dreams a lost and forgotten memory of the past. In its day by day moments, events and circumstances can happen that can cause you to doubt that there really is a silver lining in every cloud. It can make you wonder if God does hear your every prayer and see your every tear. It can be lonely, it can be frightening. It can be heartbreaking and it can be the most difficult thing that you can endure.

The Bible tells of a woman who grieved by the way, her body was shaken with sobs, her lips moved yet no words were heard. Only her heart did cry out to the one whom she spilled out all of her anguish and grief. She was thought to be drunk by the priest who watched from nearby. Appalled that she would bring her sin into a place of worship, into God’s holy temple, he rebuked her. But she turned and said, I am not drunk but in sorrow and I have only come to pour out my soul to the Lord. To this did Eli the priest then bless her and send her on her way. The woman was Hannah and her grief was born out of the reality that she could not bear any children. It was her desire, her dream. It was what she lived for, yet what she desired more than anything she could not have. Her fear of never having children had become a reality, yet she would not let her desire to become a memory of the past. So she brought forth her petition of prayer and her heart’s desire to the Lord and gave it completely to Him. In Him did she put her trust that He would answer her prayer and give her a son. But not only did Hannah bring forth her prayer but she also made a promise. That if God would give her, her very heart’s desire, she in turn would give her desire back to Him in full.

It must have been a beautiful day. Though there was pain and travail, it did not come out of sorrow, it was out of joy. For after the pain had ceased Hannah held in her arms her precious little boy. She kept him until he was ready, and then she gathered him up and brought him to Eli. The priest who had watched her pour out her hearts desire would now take her desire and teach it in the ways of the Lord. Wasn’t a child what she had wanted? Wasn’t it what she should keep?
Yet Hannah had not forgotten her promise to the One who had fulfilled His promise to her. And she gave over her son with thanksgiving and praise in her heart. Hannah was a great woman of faith; she trusted that God would answer her prayer. She trusted that He would bring to pass what she could only dream and long for. Life had not handed her what she wanted. But God had supplied what she needed all because she had put her trust in him.

To trust, as the dictionary puts it, means to have confidence. To say that you “trust in God” is to say that you have complete confidence that He will do what He said He would do. It means to have a strong belief, to believe strongly that God will come through for you. It’s easy to have that belief or that confidence when you are surrounded by keys that can open the door to what you are looking for. But how about when all of those keys can only turn a certain lock or you can find no keys at all? Though Hannah did not see any keys to the door that she longed to open, she trusted that God could open that door. We can try to take situations into our own hand and try to “make things happen”. Accomplish what we need to accomplish, climb the mountain that stands in our way or open the door any way possible. Yet when we take things into our own hands, none of this will happen. For oftentimes that accomplishment we strive for is not as great as the one God longs to help us win, the mountain we try to climb on our own is a mountain that God would be willing to move if we only let Him, and the door we try to break through, in His hands does God hold key. God knows that plans He has for us, plans of good and not evil. Though God could have answered Hannah's prayer the moment the she felt the desire for a child, He did not. For He knew that Hannah’s little boy, Samuel would grow up to be a great man of God. It was in God’s plan to use him to accomplish things that no one else could have done. Samuel could only fulfill God’s purpose for him at the time that he was needed. He was born at a time and raised in a way that was necessary to God’s plan for Samuel’s life. God’s way is perfect and if we trust, believe, have complete confidence in Him and let Him do what He has intended to do our secret fears will die away, our dreams will no longer be forgotten but made a reality. Things will happen that you never expected and things that you no longer want to return never will. You will realize that the silver lining in the cloud is God’s promise that He will keep you and hold you, and you will watch as your prayer is answered and feel His presence as He wipes away each of your tears. For life will not always hand you want, but God will always, always supply you with what you need.

“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."
Psalm 18:30-32

Beyond What We Could Ask or Think

2011-01-18T13:32:00.000-05:00

If you were to ask each individual you passed on the street if they had a need, they most likely would answer yes. Many are familiar with prayer requests that seem to always be placed on a prayer request sheet, spoken from an individual or sent out through an email, a phone call or even a text message. Some needs are sent before God to be answered immediately, while others seem to take time. Some watch as other’s needs seem to be answered before their needs and wonder if God has forgotten them. If maybe God feels as though other needs are more important than their own. It is easy for them to feel neglected, as though God did not care enough for their request, no matter how serious the need may be.

Jairus, known as a ruler of the synagogue in the New Testament, pushed through the crowd making his way towards Jesus. He had heard of this man, this man who healed the sick, cast out devils, made the lame walk, the dumb talk and the blind to see. He knew others of his faith and belief and fellow rulers despised Jesus, that they ridiculed the teachings and healings that came forth from his lips and hand. Jairus himself did not altogether understand who this man was or how he could cause such things to happen. But one thing he did know, his daughter lay sick and dying and this man could heal her. The throng of people was so thick and many were not eager to let him pass in their own desire to be closer to Jesus, to hear what he had to say, see what he was about to do. But finally, Jairus was able to push forth and he fell at the feet of the Ultimate Healer, Jesus. His body shook with sobs and his heart began to break as the realization of why he was here, and why he had come to this man was brought forth. “My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live,” he asked the words willing and praying that Jesus would come straight away to his daughter’s bedside. He looked up to see Jesus nod his head, bid him to stand and then began to follow him.

Jairus felt they could not move fast enough, and never did the distance seem further than it seemed now. His mind was still by his daughter’s side knowing that at any moment she could take her last breath and be no more. If only the crowd would slim and not so many people would hinder Jesus from walking faster, if only he had an animal to ride, some way to transport them all to his daughter quickly. His hope was slowly fading but he still clung to it as each step brought them closer and closer to his house. But just when Jairus thought they might be there in time, Jesus stopped. He looked about him, “Who touched my clothes?” What now? Jairus thought, surely with this crowd of people Jesus would not stop for one person who touched him when they all stood so close together? The disciples of Jesus echoed this thought and posed the question to Jesus. He did not answer but looked around him to find a woman trembling at his feet. Jairus thought he recognized her but did not take the time to look for his eyes turned again to Jesus hoping he would push the woman away so that he could continue on. But the woman began
to tell all of her story to Jesus, an issue of blood, twelve years, many doctors. Jesus’ hem, healing. Jairus could not catch all the words; he realized that selfishly he was not sure he sympathized. He worked to push down the bitterness but the cries of his daughter seemed to ring louder and louder in his ears. His thoughts were interrupted by the words of Jesus, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Yes, he thought, now they could continue on! But he turned only to see a friend, “thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” His daughter was gone? He had worked so hard to get to Jesus in time but now he was too late, his precious daughter was dead. He felt a hand on his sleeve and through his tears he saw it was Jesus and he heard him say “Be not afraid, only believe.” Believe? Believe in what? His daughter was gone! But he did as he was bid and led the multitude on towards his daughter’s lifeless body.

They finally arrived and were greeted by the sounds of weeping. Jairus’ eyes met the eyes of his wife and he knew his eyes mirrored the pain and anguish hers held. The soft words of Jesus floated through the crowd of mourners. “Why make ye this ado? The damsel is not dead but sleepeth.” But he was only answered with laughter. The damsel was gone and the preparations for burial were being put into place. Jesus motioned for Jairus, his wife and the few disciples that had continued on with him, to follow him. He went to the girl’s bed and leaned over her, taking her by the hand he softly said “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” Jairus heard his wife gasp and he too looked on in astonishment as his daughter, who once was no more began to breathe, her eyes opened and she began to stand and then walk! Jairus’ heart overflowed with praise, he had thought he was too late, that his daughter would forever be gone from him and yet here she was as if she had never been sick! Jairus’ lips began to sing praise towards God as he knew that this man, Jesus had done the impossible and brought the dead to life!

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” King David wrote this verse in one of his many songs to Lord and how true it has held in the Old Testament, the New and today. Though Jairus’ thoughts were penned by me, one does wonder what thoughts might have run through his head as his mission to save his daughter’s life was interrupted by someone else’s need. Knowing that his daughter could die at any moment one could easily think he felt bitter, maybe even angry towards the woman. Maybe selfishly and impatiently he waited for Jesus to finish with her so he could continue on. Or maybe he did not feel so but whatever the case, Jairus’ attempt to have Jesus heal his daughter was thwarted and Jesus did not do what he was asked to do. Sometimes it feels as though our prayers and requests are thwarted or forgotten. As though Jesus has neglected them, but if we would do just as Jesus has command Jairus, be not afraid, only believe, how astonished would we be? For though Jesus did not heal the damsel, what he did went beyond what Jairus had asked or thought, for Jairus watched as his daughter, who was dead, was brought back to life. The Lord most certainly had perfected that which concerned him, maybe not as soon as Jairus had asked or hoped, but he had done so. Our needs may not be answered the way we want, when we want or how we want. But when we bring forth our petitions to the Lord, He does hear our cry and will answer them. As long as these needs are met according to His will, it cannot go wrong but will only bring more glory and honor to him that it is due Him. We will be left in astonishment as we watch the power of God go above and beyond all that we thought was possible or could have asked.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”
Ephesians 3:20-21

Just the Way You Are

2011-01-17T11:03:00.001-05:00

-Spoken at Youth Service, Oct. 2010

The joke goes...little Johnny sat in the bathroom and watched as his mother began to spread cold cream across her face. “Why do you put that stuff on your face, Mom?” He asked in complete confusion. “To make myself beautiful” his mother replied. Johnny nodded at her answer and then watched as after a few moments his mother began to slowly wipe the cream off of her face. Little Johnny stared intently at his mother and then gave a shrug, “That’s okay Mom,” he said “you can try again tomorrow.”

In the world you and I live in today there is a constant message that is communicated through the media, glorified by those in the limelight and usually embraced by our peers. And that is the message to always strive to obtain the so called perfection of physical beauty and a forward behavior. The effects of this message find us picking ourselves apart, dwelling on all of our imperfections and comparing them to others. We make mental, sometimes even written, lists of things we feel we should change about ourselves or we wish were different. We want to be like her, we admire her. We wish we were as talented, as creative. We wish we were funnier, smarter, skinnier, prettier. We wish we were witty, outgoing, bold, stylish. We focus so much on what we are not that we forget what we are.

Imagine that before you stand two mirrors. They both serve the same purpose, stand in front of one and you will see your reflection. But who holds your mirror makes all the difference.

The mirror on your left is held by the standards and expectations of this world. Look in it and you will see your reflection and all that it should be but is not. For if you look past your reflection in this mirror, you will see the reflection of what is considered perfection. Listen closely and the whispers of “don’t you wish you were” and “too bad you aren’t” will be heard.

Statistics show that the average human being sees 400 – 600 advertisements a day. Between magazines, TV commercials, billboards, fliers and the internet…the average girl is exposed to how she can achieve the perfect hair, the perfect skin and the perfect outfit. She is shown how to lose weight, how to cover every insignificant flaw and
be the most popular girl while doing it all. The advertisements show each model or celebrity as the life of the party amidst her perfect family, a large group of friends and a line of guys waiting for her hand. And yet none of this is possible without looking perfectly perfect, for it all starts with her.

Satan is the ultimate deceiver, and he does work where he can and when we allow ourselves to look through his mirror, in our eyes our value slowly diminishes. When we believe his lies we will find ourselves striving to change flaws and to cover others but never being completely happy with the outcome.

Because what Satan doesn’t want you to know is those who are deemed beautiful don’t often believe it themselves. In a world of technology and hype, what you see on covers of the magazines and other ads isn’t what it seems. Airbrushing and photo editing change our perspective on what beauty is. It teaches those willing to learn that beauty is skin deep and you must do whatever it takes to maintain it. And tough talk of being bold and forward in reality covers and hides a realm of insecurities and just wanting to be loved and accepted.

On a side note, this does not mean we shouldn’t take some pride in our appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:20 tell us that we are ambassadors for Christ. And in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 we read that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in us and we are to glorify God in our body and spirit for they are God’s. Being clean, decent and presentable are important and necessary but by standards that are of God.

Now, look towards the mirror on your right. This mirror is held by Jesus Christ himself. Look in it and you will see your reflection and all that you were created to be. For if you look past your reflection in this mirror, you will see the reflection of Him, you’re Creator. Listen closely and the whispers of “you’re my special creation” and “I love you just the way you are” will be heard.

Scriptures show that not just the average human, but all humans are valuable just the way they are. Between stories of men and women in the Old & New Testament, the written epistles and revelations of God’s grace every girl is exposed to how she is special in God’s sight. In Deuteronomy 32:4 she will read that His work is perfect. She will realize in Psalm 31:30 that “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” And most importantly she will see for herself in Ephesians 2:10 that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. This is all to prepare her for a life of holiness, pureness and a closer relationship with her Savior, for it all starts with Him.

When we begin a deeper relationship with Jesus, we will realize just how much went into our creation. In Genesis, the story of creation, we read that man was not just spoken into existence but rather created personally. Genesis 1:27 says that in His image God created them.

God wants you to know that you were formed exactly the way you are because that is the way He wanted you. And He wants you to know that the beauty you have within you is a beauty that will make a lasting impression, one that may even affect others for eternity. He wants you to know that the modesty of your outward appearance, which some may call old fashioned and outdated, is in fact making a statement of humility and pureness which are all representations of Him. He wants you to know that meekness and gentleness are not a sign of weakness and submissiveness is not to be a coward but rather they are behaviors of holiness and profess of godliness. He wants you to know that comparing yourself to others only makes you less than what you are and what you were created to be. And He wants you to know that while everyone else may think that we should all be perfect. He did not create us to be. He made you the way you are, imperfections and all, for a reason because through our weaknesses He is made strong.

Maybe you feel as though that really doesn’t matter, for tomorrow you will go back to school, work, your community. Tomorrow you might see those same magazines at the check-out counter. The same commercial might flash across the tv, you might drive past the same billboard or see the same ad on the internet. And those thoughts will be there telling you despite everything you still are not enough. And the temptation to strive by someone else’s standards will be at your door.

Your worth will never change in God’s eyes but in your eyes your worth will be based by whose mirror you look in, it’s a matter of perspective that only you can change. I can personally go to each of you and tell you that you are beautiful and you are, I can tell you how you are special and important, and you are. But no one else can put that confidence in you but the One who created you. Before we can ever let inner beauty shine through us, we need to realize that we possess it.

It all comes down to two choices, striving for unattainable beauty that will fade away or acquiring internal beauty that will last for eternity. 1 John 2 says “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Compliments and pats on the back from others will come and go, styles will change, ideas of true beauty will evolve but the hands that formed you, the eyes that shine with love for you and the One who died for you will always be standing, waiting for you to realize your full potential and your ultimate worth is through Him and His grace.

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves..."
I Peter 3:3-5 (NKJV)

Simon & the Alabaster Box

2011-01-13T13:32:00.002-05:00

Courtesy of Dustin Kramer

Simon the Pharisee watched from the outskirts as Jesus, the so called Messiah, told tales to a multitude of people. Tales that always seemed to have a moral with a heavenly or spiritual context, but tales yet the same. He and the other Pharisees had yet to trap him in a tale, for every question they had, he had an answer that stumped them. Men, women and children constantly crowded him, begging him to heal their diseases, cast out devils and other miraculous occurrences that somehow this mere man performed. Simon and the others could not understand how he did such things but one thing they knew for sure, Jesus could not be of God. Only one such as this could be from Satan, the enemy, the dark one. Oh, how they hated him. Jesus with his kind words, teachings, miracles and sermons. The way he commanded attention from those who surrounded him. Even Simon himself though he would not admit it, was captured by the way the man spoke, how the love shown in his eyes, how those who were healed were healed immediately. His compassion for the people of Israel was apparent in every word, every deed and every look. The twelve men who followed him, his disciples, stood by looking upon him with the same sense of awe, admiration and respect that deep down Simon himself felt. Yet this same feeling caused him to hate Jesus even more. He despised him for his teachings, he said he was of God yet he went against the laws of Moses that were set by God himself. Simon and the others followed these laws, these traditions. They knew they were right, they knew they stood righteous before God while others, mere dirty sinners lay at Jesus’ feet. Simon was determined to catch this man in one of his lies, one of his silly stories that so many seemed to believe. So he offered an invitation for Jesus’ and his disciples to dine at his house.

It seemed the man captured attention wherever he went. Simon made the way to where his house stood while Jesus followed him. His disciples walked around him as though they were guarding him from the many who sought him. Simon entered his house; he quickly waved away the servant who stood with a basin of water and cloth for the washing of feet. Again, he waved another servant away who stood with a bottle of oil for anointing the head of the man who followed him. It was the custom of the Jews for the host to wash the feet of his guest, to anoint his head with oil and greet him into his house with a kiss. Yet Simon would do no such things. This man, Jesus, did not deserve such an honorable greeting. His feet could stay dusty, and Simon would not allow himself to use his oil to anoint this man’s head nor would he dirty his lips with a kiss on this man’s cheek. No, he would invite Jesus to dine but he would not honor him with a greeting he did not deserve. Simon’s sole purpose was to catch him in a lie, trap him in a corner with the words of the law so that he and the others could bind this man for heresy. He motioned for Jesus and the disciples as well as the other men he had invited to sit at the low table and rest upon the cushions that were provided for them.

They began to dine but soon were interrupted by the sound of weeping. Heads turned to find a woman weeping at Jesus’ feet.
Her long hair surrounded her face but did not hide the praise and humility in her voice. Not once did she meet the man’s eyes whose feet she knelt over but tenderly she broke open an alabaster box and poured precious ointment over his feet, valuable ointment that must have cost all that she had. She lovingly began to dry his feet with her hair. Simon was aghast, first that a woman would interrupt his dining experience, his chance to behold Jesus tell a false truth, his chance to expose his heresy to the others only to have a woman ruin it all with her weeping and her…her worship. He was amazed for not only was this a woman, but a woman who had greatly sinned. Simon could not help but grin, for this itself he realized exposed the “great prophet.” For “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.” Simon glanced around the room hoping others noticed this only to find his eyes meeting the eyes of Jesus. “Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee.” “Master say on” Simon replied. Jesus spoke again saying “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” Simon thought for a moment and then replied “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” And Jesus said to him “Thou hast rightly judged.” He then turned to the woman and continued on to say “Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” Then turning to the woman who still sat at his feet he said, “Thy sins are forgiven. Thy faith has saved thee go in peace”.

Simon and the others were quiet, Simon out of embarrassment, but all in the sense of wonder. For not only did this man, who when others came into his presence, believing, were healed and delivered, but also forgiven. Who was this man who could forgive sins?

This story, with the exception of those things in parentheses is all based on my perception of this event. This was a Sunday school lesson that, as other Sunday school teachers might agree on was taught only for me to realize that the one who most needed to hear it was me. I cannot help but think of Simon’s indignation towards the woman, named Mary who gave all that she had, and in humility and love kneeled before Jesus and offered him the very things that Simon had rejected him. Simon, a proud man who felt as though he lived his life right but was so blinded by the traditions of the Law that he neglected to see that the man who dined in his very house was the Messiah, the one the Prophet Isaiah had foretold of. Because Simon’s eyes, ears and heart were not open to this revelation he, though he was in the presence of God Almighty, purposefully neglected to give Jesus the honor that was due him, the honor due as a fellow Israelite and the honor that was due him simply because of who Jesus was. Yet Mary, though as Jesus said, her sins were many was so humbled in the presence of Jesus that she spent all she had on ointment to anoint his feet and it was her tears that washed those dusty feet, and her hair that dried them.
May we never neglect to give Jesus what he is due and may we never be blinded by our laws, our traditions of the way things always were that we miss out on glimpses of God's might, power and love. May it not come to pass that we can stand in his presence and not willingly give him our heart in praise, our hands in willingness and our feet to go where He asks us to go. May we not reject Jesus of this offering even though he is worthy of it, but also to not do so because we feel obligated by traditions of the Christian Society. To not stand before him and praise him because our Pastor asks us too or we feel we are supposed to do so but to offer him praise as Mary did, in humility and in love knowing he is worthy of such honor and such praise. Not just because of what he has done but most of all because of who he is. To hold nothing back and give him all that we have, to not kneel before him in embarrassment but boldly go before His throne and kneel at his feet in worship. May we never neglect to give God all the praise, glory and honor he is due. And may we not withhold from him our alabaster box that contains our life, our heart and our soul, but to willingly give it completely to Him.

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
Psalm 9:1

I Love You. I Love You Not.

2011-01-10T13:27:00.000-05:00

Love. It’s a game that is played over and over again. The childhood game of pulling colorful petals off of a blooming flower becomes a game of pulling and pointing out faults and strengths. You love others for their strengths but decide against them for their faults. A game of “he said, she said” that causes love to slowly fade making room for grudges that last a lifetime. A game of not reaching out but rather pulling back, waiting for another to reach forward first because you are unwilling to love unconditionally without a “good reason”. A game of holding others to a certain standard and not loving them due to the fact that they simply do not meet your expectations of what you feel your love deserves. A game of not loving another because of the pain they have caused, the hurt that they have bestowed upon you. A game that includes surrendering because the person who receives your love and friendship only seems to take advantage of it when it is needed and does not seem to know how to reciprocate it when you need it. A game that goes on and on. A game whose players are disagreements and agreements, weaknesses and strengths, bad habits and admirable traits. All aspects of the game that changes our feeling and our stance. I love you. I love you not.

And so love becomes what we make it. We define our love by the world’s definition, a definition in a dictionary that was created by man. To us love is just “a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection” or something that “brings us benefit.” For love to become a verb is simply to just have “that feeling”. With that type of love, it is easy to no longer appreciate it. It becomes easy to push away a long-time friend, for a disagreement or a fault that has caused your warm feeling to grow cold. It is easy, for pride or jealousy has separated you and your attachment has loosened. And so your love for one another has drifted away and your love waits to be given out, to be shared. Grudges, revenge, arguments, jealousy, pride, anger all stand in the way and cause us to resort to such a naïve version of “love”. Yet we cling to this form of love because real love, true love, is just too hard, it’s difficult and challenging. We prefer to love within our rules, our conditions and our boundaries. But this is not genuine love. For to love, to truly, purely, simply, really love is to love like He loves. For His definition is that “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

And what are we without love? We are nothing. Paul says it best when he writes to the church in Corinth, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.” To love is also
to obey a commandment. Jesus simply said to his disciples “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” For He had also shared with them, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.” Jesus gave and is the greatest example of love. He proved this to his disciples and to us for not only did he say “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends” but he also allowed himself to be brought forth a cross of shame to die for us. For “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Our lack of true love can affect our souls and walk with God for “he who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” That same lack of pure love will leave us an empty and unusable vessel, for how can we reach out to those who are lost, to have a real burden and desire for them if we do not know what it is to purely love them? And how can we lift and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ if we do not truly love them? For to love others is to love Christ. For God has said “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Love should be more to us than a commandment, but it should also be our goal and desire to love others despite the type of response we will receive or whether our love is reciprocated or not. To not hold fast to a negative outcome or reply, but rather to look past it and forgive and love anyway. To not push away someone who takes advantage of your friendship, but to love them in spite of it. For “thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against thy children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” To “let brotherly love continue” and allow ourselves to be “knit together in love” For to be a true friend as King Solomon penned is to “love at all times.”

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Colossians 3:12-14

Scripture References: I Corinthians 13:4-8; I Corinthians 13:1-3; John 15:12; John 15:9; John 15:13; Romans 5:8; I John 2:9-11; Matthew 25:40; Leviticus 19:18; Hebrews 13:1; Colossians 2:2; Proverbs 17:17

Both King James and New King James versions are used.

What is Your Attitude?

2011-01-04T13:21:00.000-05:00

We give the devil way too much credit. It seems as though when things go wrong we give him the “praise” for it. In reality the devil has very little power at all. The only power he has is through sin and sin is only here on earth because a man and woman ate of forbidden fruit years ago. God didn’t place it here, the devil tricked it here. Through lies, manipulation, sickness, disease, drugs, alcohol and other forms of sin the devil does what he can to bring us down. He’ll try to tempt us and sway us from our beliefs. He will whisper lies that can cause doubt and disbelief by twisting situations and circumstances that go against God and all of His mercy and grace. But no matter what lies the devil tells, no matter what type of manipulation he tries or what form of sin he throws our way, he can’t have the victory. Unless, of course, we give it to him.

It all comes down to our attitude. Our attitude is what gives God the glory and the praise. It is also what gives God the victory. In good times and in bad times. In times of sadness and in times of joy. In times of heartache, healing and growing. How we honor and glorify God is by our actions, by our speech, by the way we live our life. To have a clean heart and a right spirit. The devil knows this and does what he can to take the victory from God and claim it for himself. The only way he can accomplish this is by doing what is in his power to change our attitude. The moment our attitude and thoughts go against God and doubt the King of king’s mighty power is the moment we hand over the victory to the prince of lies and deceit.

A perfect example of this is Job. Job was a man who lost almost everything. It started when the devil roamed the earth looking for someone to torment. God, who has His hand on all of His people, asked the devil to consider his servant Job. Not only did the devil do so, but he went after Job with full force taking away his children, his possessions and all of his wealth. He even sent sickness upon Job. It is easy to wonder why God would allow this to happen. Wouldn’t God want Job, His servant “who feared God and eschewed evil”, to be left alone? But God knew something about Job that the devil didn’t. Job had given his life whole heartily to his Lord and Master and in doing this he surrendered everything, all of his wealth and fortune, his family and his friends. And most importantly his attitude. Job’s attitude and desire was for everything that his life contained to please and glorify God. We look at what Job lost and shake our heads at that, but Job did not lose what is the most important and valuable thing that we can possess.
The devil’s goal was not to take away everything that Job had but to take away what he could to get what he wanted; and that was the victory of Job, doubting God’s love and mercy. The devil could only take away “things” for God’s hand was upon Job. God had only given the devil permission to take away what Job had. For God had told him “behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” This means that the devil could not touch Job’s spirit which is why he was forced to go after Job’s “things.” The devil can only use sin to get to us because God will not allow him to touch anything else. On that day, however; the devil lost. For in the midst of the trials and the tribulations, the discouragement of his friends and wife, Job looked to the heavens and said, “Though he slays me, yet will I trust Him.”. God knew that Job had full trust in his God and his Creator and knew that whatever went against him, Job’s attitude would continue to glorify Him.

This can also teach us another important lesson. When it seems as though God is not moving or working in our life, take a look at our attitude. The walls that stand in the way are most likely the walls that we have built. It is one of the hardest lessons to learn but one of the most important and necessary ones to know. For when it comes to glorifying God or lifting Him up, it all comes back to our attitude. A doubting and unbelieving attitude not only hands the victory over to the devil, but builds up the only walls that God can’t get through. Walls that we put up ourself. Each moment we doubt, each moment we put down God’s grace or mercy, each moment we go against Him by our actions or thoughts we build a wall brick by brick, moment by moment that God can’t get through. He has given us the freedom of choice and He will not go against us if we push Him away but He will be there standing, waiting when we are ready to tear down the wall and receive Him back into our hearts and our lives. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”, this means more than dealing with getting out of our comfort zone or making things happen. It means He will give us the strength to have the attitude that glorifies Him no matter what the situation.

It does not matter what the devil takes away or throws at us as long as our attitude continues to glorify God and lift Him up, the devil will never win the victory.

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.”
Job 13:15-18

Preparing for the Race

2011-01-03T11:54:00.000-05:00

-Spoken at Youth Service, 2008

Imagine you are about to run a race, but it’s not just any race. It’s a race that will affect your future. It is big and it is important. The prize is extraordinary and beyond what you could ever have dreamed. It’s a long run but you are determined to finish it. You are determined to acquire the prize. You are at the starting line waiting for the sound off, you do a few stretches; jog in place and then position yourself to start. The signal sounds and you’re off. You race ahead, anxious to get to the finish line but then, all of the sudden, you find yourself tiring rather quickly. Your stomach begins to cramp and you are now out of breath. Looking up, you realize that these dilemmas have caused you to lag behind and now your fellow runners are way ahead. You wonder what happened and then you realize that you have failed to acknowledge the fact that the greatest challenge isn’t so much crossing the finish line but the challenge lies in preparing for the race. Inconsistent or lack of training has found you far behind in the race and unable to continue on, unable to endure.

In the New Testament Paul writes to the Hebrews and tells them to run with patience the race that is set before them. Reading on, he encourages us to live for Jesus, or in this case, to effectively run the race for Christ’s namesake. But how can we do that if we do not prepare? Without preparation we would find ourselves in a predicament that would end only in disappointment. It takes consistent preparation to run the race.

So what exactly does it take to prepare? How can we spiritually prepare ourselves for the long run? For a long distance runner there are four very important things that they must do to qualify.

The first is nutrition. What the runner takes in effects how he or she will perform. Obviously they are discouraged from eating many fried or high fat foods, but to stay to a healthy diet. They also drink lots of water and do not rely on whether they feel thirsty to know if they are dehydrated. They drink water consistently.

Spiritually what we “take in” is very important. The type of music that we listen to, the movies we watch and the friends we hang out with, the places we go; these are all things that we spiritually take in. Some of these may be healthy and good for us spiritually, while other could bring us down. And just like a runner does not rely on whether he feels thirsty to let him know he is dehydrated, he drinks water all the time. We should do the same. Just because we read two chapters of the Bible yesterday, or maybe prayed an extra ten minutes last week or went to church twice already does not mean we don’t need it. It does not mean that we are far from becoming spiritually dehydrated. God tells us that we are to pray without ceasing. Whether you feel “thirsty” or not, drinking in God’s presence and His word are so important to our running the race.

The second thing in preparing is exercise. A runner does many stretching exercises and does weight training so that they will have the strength and endurance to run the full race.

Taking the time each day to pray, to read a chapter of the Bible and going to church are not only things that we take in but also things that make us stronger. In a race a runner has stops but in the end has to rely on the strength that was built up before the race to continue on.
Your prayer life and time for God will and does matter when you run the race. You may and most likely will have stops, times of refreshment but your time in preparation and drawing closer to God is what is going to bring you through in the end. Your body in the physical race and your soul in the spiritual one rely on what you have built up over time.

Preparation isn’t just in preparing our bodies but also what we put on our bodies. In making arrangements for the race a runner will make sure that he has the proper garments but especially the right running shoes to be able to run in. The type of attitude we put on each day is very important. When a runner puts on his shoes, he is putting on something that he is going to stand on, to run in. What kind of attitude are we standing on, what kind of attitude are we running in? Is it the type of attitude that is annoyed with what we believe or those around us? Or is it the type that rejoices in what God has given us and loves those around us? Do we run with a smile or do we run with a frown? Our attitude affects our performance, how we run and how we look at the race. But it also affects how others view us. On the side of many races you will find many people who haven’t joined the race but are watching it. Most likely you will find more onlookers than you will find runners. There are people who have yet to join in the race, people who are lost, that are on the sidelines watching us as we run the race. The type of preparation a runner puts into running shines forth when he runs and people notice. The type of preparation and the time you take for God shines as you live your life and people do notice.

The last thing in getting ready for running the race is rest. Without rest a runner will become exhausted before he even makes it to the starting line. Then obviously he won’t be able to run or won’t be able to endure. If we do not rest in the Lord we cannot endure the race. In Psalms 37:7 it says we are to rest in the Lord: to wait patiently for him. To rest also means to stand still, it can even mean to wait. In Isaiah it says that, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as of eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.” We are running a race and, yes, it can be a long one and, yes, it can be exhausting but when we rest in the Lord He gives us continual strength. He also will give us guidance and direction as we continue on.

In the end how we prepare for the race affects how we run it; how we run it affects how we finish it. Many runners have walked away with injuries or dropped out because they did not prepare or were inconsistent with their training. We cannot finish if we cannot run and we cannot run if we do not prepare or are inconsistent in our preparing. So then how will we also be able to say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” if we do not make the arrangements to endure the race that is set before us?

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2