Your Fragrance

 

In our downstairs bathroom I have a soap called, “Fresh Balsam”, that I am obsessed with. It is, indeed, the single thing that remains from the holiday season and I’m not upset about it.

When I use the downstairs bathroom, which is regularly since it is the one closest to my home office, I use this soap… and I remember.

Smells do that for me.
You too?


They take me back.

They take me to a time and a place in my past.

This smell, in particular, takes me back to happy times.
Good times gathered around the tree with my family.
Joy-filled moments of snowfall, and cozy evenings by the fire, and gift-wrapping until midnight.

When I smell this soap, I am suddenly right back to those peaceful moments of loved ones and baked goods and holiday music and Christmas movie marathons.

Fragrance is captivating and serves to direct our attention in unmistakable ways.

And I thought about it this morning.
What aroma do I leave?
What fragrance is my life?

When others have an encounter with me… do they leave with the fresh aroma of Jesus?
When they spend time with me… is the fragrance of Jesus so evident that it takes them to a place of joy and peace? Does it invite them in to a story of healing and redemption, grace, mercy, and genuine love?

An encounter with you, dear Christian friend, ought to leave a sweet scent behind.

2 Cor 2:14-15 (NLT), “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”

Eph 5:2, NKJV, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

It matters.
It’s worth thinking about.

Two Reaction Options

 

Recently there was a verse I ran across that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.

 

It’s found in Job, chapter 13.

 

Here we find Job is attempting to plead his case in the presence of his friends.

 

And in verse 3 we see the integrity of the great man of Job say, “As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God Himself.”

 

He goes on to attack his friends whom he blames for smearing lies, and, “being worthless as quacks.” (verse 4)

 

Even in Job’s suffering, he understands the importance of keeping silent lest speaking incorrectly and looking foolish while doing so.

 

I love verse 11 that helps us to see with clarity just what kind of man this was. He says, “Doesn’t His majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of Him overwhelm you?”

 

I often question this today.

 

It’s an important one to seek the answer to in our own lives, for sure.

 

But then we see in verse 15 a reaction we should take away from the life of the one who knew suffering and pain and discomfort and difficulty. 

 

Job says this, “God might kill me, but I have no other hope.”

 

I have no other hope.

 

He has left himself with no other options.

 

And neither should we.

 


Can this be our response in times of turmoil and distress?

“I have no other hope.”

• I have no hope in people.
• I have no hope in things.
• I have no hope in this world.

My only hope is in Jesus!

 

Immediately upon seeing this verse I remembered a wonderful place in scripture found in the Gospels.

 

John, chapter 6.

 

Many followers of Jesus had deserted Him.

 

Partly because the words Jesus was saying were far too difficult to understand, and partly because of their hardness of heart, they were much more difficult to accept.

 

Scripture tells us in verse 66 that, “many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him.”

 

Then Jesus turned to the 12 closest band of brothers and asked them the question my heart can barely even type out this morning, “Are you going to leave too?” (verse 67)

 

But it was Simon Peter who replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life!”

 

Peter was saying, “Where in the world would be even go if not here with You??”

To where would we go?

 

Oh what if that was our response to all things hard and challenging and difficult:

“I have no other hope and To where would we go?”

 

Something to ponder today…

Dear Church: Stop Trying So Hard To Be "Relevant"

 

It’s not a new thought.  It is a matter I have been thinking about and wrestling through for a long time.

And it would be something I discussed recently with a good friend at great length about.

How we are doing church matters.

Probably now more than ever before.

According to a recent Barna Group study, the number of non-practicing Christians is rising while the number of practicing Christians is declining.

Non-practicing Christians grew to 43% in 2020, while during that same time, “Christians” declined to 25%.  The result is, undoubtedly, Christians still need help navigating their faith.

In addition, weekly church attendance has declined from 45% in 1993, to 29% in 2020.

While we can make a good arguments that this is all pandemic-related, the “return to numbers” following the reopening of many churches nationwide, has proven that attendance of a place of worship is not a priority for a growing number of those who follow Jesus Christ.

While so much of this is affected by the current state of our country, it is important to key in on some reasons we see much of this happening - especially as it relates to Boomers and Millennials.  

I was telling friends recently that sometimes it feels like I am trying to answer a question that no one is asking.

And I wonder if the same might be true for the church.

I don’t have the answers.
Not all of them, anyway.
But I have some thoughts.

I think we’ve lost our way.
I think what worked 20 years ago, doesn’t work anymore.
I think “relevance” isn’t enough.

I remember walking into a church when we first moved to Indiana almost 2 years ago.
We visited the “cool” bookstore, bought some “cute” little trinkets and some seemingly innocent “self-help” books, made our way to the coffee shop to purchase our “hip” coffee in the ever-contemporary coffee cup made from recycled material, gave an appropriate donation to the missionaries overseas in the very area represented by the coffee we were being served by the adorable beanie-wearing barista who said things like, “Nah, you’re good”, and signed with our finger on an iPad for our purchase.

My daughter happily “checked in” on Instagram, tagging the church, and us, her parents, to the post.

As the countdown began, the worship team made their way to the stage and the excitement was building for what had the potential of being our new “church home.”

And then it happened.

Red lights illuminated the stage.
Fog from machines filled the atmosphere.
And 3 “back-up vocalists” appeared behind the leader who’d made her way up front to center-stage.

It was kind of strange to see it, but the sea of people we sat alongside of seemed preoccupied with something else as well… their phones.  It was as if they knew something we didn’t, or like perhaps we’d missed the memo giving instructions to a secret code we were unaware of or something.

But on closer examination it seemed to be a mental absorption they were all consumed by.  I saw apps open to Facebook and Instagram almost simultaneously and collaboratively.  And there were many photos “snapped” as the band began to play.

I recognized the song at once.
A familiar Adele tune.
“Rumor has it.”

At first I wondered what on earth the song could have to do with the message of salvation.
What kind of lyrics like, “She ain’t real, she ain’t gon’ be able to love you like I will, She is a stranger.  You and I have history, or don’t you remember?  Sure, she’s got it all, but baby, is that really what you want?”, had anything to do with the Holy Spirit and the bride of Christ.

It was more than strange.
It was a disgrace.

As the vocalists - with swinging hips in their skinny jeans continued on - I immediately sank in despair.
And shook my head as my daughter immediately deleted her post from 3 minutes prior, un-documenting her visit.

And I get it.
You’re trying to be “relevant.”
You’re tying to compete with the things of this world.
You’re attempting to make Jesus more “palpable” to broken people.

But I would come home immediately from that experience, heartbroken.
I mean, honestly, the message may have been good.  
I don’t remember.
I was lost in the concert performance, and checked out emotionally long before the opening prayer.

And here’s the facts from where I sit:
People are drawn to Jesus, not to church.
So if Jesus doesn’t have a place in our house of worship, we’ll never get them to authentically desire to be there.

Relevant means this = bearing upon, or connected with the matter at hand; pertinent; suitable, fitting, lending aid or support.

We’re trying desperately to be “relevant” to a fallen world who’s god is the enemy himself, Satan.  
By bringing in cool, hip, secular music, we’re saying the Gospel message of salvation is not enough by itself.  And in attempt to “stand out”, we’re simply “blending in.”
We’re frightened that those we’re trying to “reach” will ultimately choose another way, and so we must adorn ours with pretty bells and whistles.

Yet aren’t we the ones who are called to, “be holy because I am holy.”  (1 Peter 1:16).  Holy here is just another word from “set apart.”

First John 2:15 says this, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”

Are we missing the mark?
We are not in need of, “wining over the culture” to bring people to Christ, as John MacArthur said recently in an interview at his church, Grace To You, in California.  Surprisingly the same church who might’ve been considered, “highly irrelevant” 5 years ago, saw an approximate 2,100 people increase over the last 12 months - and during covid none-the-less.

I have to guess it’s not because of the glitz and glamour.
There is none.
I would suppose it’s not because of the fog machines and bright lights.
There are none of those either.
And I would venture to guess it’s not the “sermon-in-a-box” they purchased online speaking on self-help topics such as how to be a better parent, how to have a successful marriage, or one more examination of the prodigal son we’ve been exhausted by now for decades.
There are none of these things there.

But the Gospel is preached there.
And not just there, scores of churches all over the country preach the gospel message every week.

But here there are real conversations being had about salvation, love, and mercy.  But there, mixed in, are also real issues being talked about - like judgement, hell, and the need for repentance.

I have outgrown the need for relevance.
I need Jesus.
I need a message of hope.
I need to know what the Bible says.
I need to understand what’s coming for those who refuse to live according to their faith.
I need to commune with those who have an urgency for the gospel.
I need to be empowered to live like Jesus did while he was here on the earth.

I heard a pastor say this recently, “The church has always been sucked in to this lie that somehow there is, in the world, a way that the kingdom of darkness can help the kingdom of light.”

And there simply is no way this is possible.
We need absolutely NO help from the world in order to be the church that sinners separated from Jesus are desperate for.

There is nothing in the darkness that is going to help the light.

A return to the world relevant = bearing upon, or connected with the matter at hand; pertinent; suitable, fitting, lending aid or support.

It’s not just a matter of not “needing” to be relevant.
We can’t be relevant.
Because being so would mean we are downplaying the gospel.  It would mean we are connecting with the world,  making ourselves “suitable” to the world - discounting the fact that we are called to please the Father only, like our Jesus did.  (John 8:29).

We forget that Jesus didn’t come to show us how to be accepted and loved by the world by being relevant.
Jesus said things like, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”  John 9:39
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”  Matt 10:37
And the one who said to Peter after he told Jesus all they had given up to follow Him, “you will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution.”  Mark 10:30.  

He promised trouble.
Division.
Persecution.

And He demanded the picking up of a torture device to follow Him once the full price of following Him was well calculated.
There must be sufficiency of scripture without the worry of the competing world around us.

We must be okay to be irrelevant if it means faithfully choosing our Lord Jesus every day.

It’s worth thinking about.

Let's Think Differently: Compliment To Your Consistency

 

Today I want to begin a mini-series (maybe) of sorts.
I might just post one of these a week or so for now.
Let’s see how it goes.

I am calling these, “Let’s Think Differently!”

Because after all… we can!  we should.  And it’s possible!

Today I want to share with you a thought I had a couple years ago.
I found it recently in my journal from the year 2018.

I can’t tell you what made me think of it… but this is what I wrote down:

“We always say we don’t want people to take us for granted.  We hear complaints a lot like, “She is just taking advantage of me.’  And we think things like, ‘I wish they would just appreciate me, and stop taking such advantage of me.’  In fact, recently I heard someone say, ‘They’re just taking advantage of me because I’m a nice person.’"

BUT MAYBE…
it’s a compliment to our consistency if people take you for granted.

Because you know you’re doing a good job when others stop telling you you’re doing a good job - because it just becomes what they expect from you is all …. and isn’t that a good thing?!?”

Let’s think about this.

Here’s a scenario:
Your sister calls you to pick up your children from school again because she’s running late at work.

• She called you because she trusts you.
• She knows you are never late.
• She knows you love her children.
• She has confidence in your driving her precious cargo around.
  

She has faith in you and knows you will drop what you are doing to help her.

And all you can say is, “She’s taking advantage of me because she knows I will say yes.”

Yeah.
It’s true.
In part it is true.

And can I ask... what’s wrong with that?

• 
To be the one who’s trusted.
• To be the one who is dependable.
• To be the one with love and compassion for others.
• To be the one who is faithful and constant.
  

It’s okay.

And of course I am not saying to put yourself in ANY kind of abusive situation.

I am just asking that we begin to consider thinking differently.

About asking God for a different perspective.

Choose to see the good.
Choose to believe the best.

And then celebrate this and receive it as a compliment to your character!

Be a Doer of Good

 

Maybe it’s because I am not much of a traveler that I can say this.
Or maybe it’s just that Jesus has been working on my heart in ways I could never quite articulate.

I hear people say it all the time.
They can’t wait to, “get out of town.”
They’re counting down the days for their, “long-awaited vacation to begin!”

I get it.
My hubby likes to travel.
And although our trips these days primarily consist of visiting my daughter and her husband all the way on the other side of the country, he enjoys the getaway from the craziness that is his daily life in the hustle and bustle of his work.

John 9:1-5 gives us some insight into how Jesus did life here on earth.

“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ‘We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ‘While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.’ When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, ‘Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?’ Others were saying, ‘This is he,’ still others were saying, ‘No, but he is like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the one.’ So they were saying to him, ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.' They said to him, ‘Where is He?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’”

Jesus brings light to a blind man.

Compassion consumed Him.

And scripture tells us that He, “went around doing good” (Acts 10:38) every chance He had.

He knew why He had come.
And it was central focus of His entire earthly ministry.

Jesus didn’t go around the world as a sight-seer.
He went around as a doer of good.

The disciples, who still had a worldly perspective, didn’t get it.
Even with Jesus beside them, they still didn’t understand.

In Mark 13, as they were leaving the temple, one of the disciples who was overcome by the awe-inspiring sight that the temple was, said to Jesus, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings!  Look at the impressive stones on the walls!”  (verse 1)

And Jesus’ response could be anticipated, “Yes, look at those great buildings.  But they will be completely demolished.  Not one stone will be left on top of another!”  (verse 2)

This was a shocking response he gave to his students.

Jesus was predicting total and complete devastation that would result from the Roman army’s attack.

And they were confused and perplexed.

But as I look around this place I long to think like Jesus did.

Because this too, will all be destroyed.
All of it.
Every bit.

And so I beg God to keep me fixated on Kingdom-realities while I am in this place.
What will live on into eternity?

Can I take Paul’s directions… the ones he gave to the Colossians, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”?  (Col 3:2)

It’s worth considering.

Because all of this will one day be gone.
But what will live on will be your kindness.
Your time.
Your sacrifices.
Your love.

It matters…

God, You're Calling Me Higher

 

I wrote this on a sticky note and placed it in my journal some time in the year 2018.

And here's the deal.

 

There's such truth in this one single statement.

 

I remember a few years back my husband and I loved to take car rides in the evenings, just slowly touring the countryside of our hometown.

 

Pretty routinely we would pass one house that's construction appeared to have come to a complete halt.

It was a gorgeous 2 story home that once had all the promise of being a residence for a large family one day, but mid-construction... something happened.

 

And that house sat desolate for many years following.

 

As weeds began to encircle the foundation, we grieved what, "might have been."

 

We never found out what happened exactly. Our guess was a financial issue arose, and the would-be homeowners simply couldn't afford to finish it.

 

In fact, come to think of it, I don't know what ever became of that sprawling country home on several acres, as we have since moved away from the area. But God brings it back to my memory often... and I still wonder what happened all these years later.

 

Some times we circle around the same mountains like those stubborn Israelites.

Some times we stay locked in our mess. Entangled with sin. Trapped in disappointment.

 

And, friends, there's good news for that.

 

God is a Redeemer.

He is full of grace.

And He pursues those He calls His children.

 

And He finds us in our mess... in our mistakes... in our uncertainties... in our doubt... and He rescues us from that place.

 

But He is absolutely not comfortable to leave us there.

 

In you, He longs to finish what He started.

 

So I don't know who needs to hear this.

 

I don't know in what season of suffering you find yourself in today.

 

Just know this... He leaves room error.

But He is calling us higher.

 

There's so much more He has for you.

So. Much. More.

 

Will you allow Him access to complete the construction that is your life?

You Are Not Alone

I do not know who needs to hear this today… but I really felt like I needed to say it.

It is a story that has stuck with me for years.
I have wrote about it.  Spoke on it.  And taught lessons on it.

The text can be read in its entirety in 1 Kings 18 and 19.

The story is of the prophet Elijah.

To make a long story short he had just witnessed God’s loving favor in chapter 18.
In a contest upon Mount Carmel, Elijah proved to the prophets of Baal that his God was the One true God of Israel.  
And as a result, Elijah’s men wiped out the entirety of the prophets of Baal who had insisted upon worship of worldly little “g” gods, and Elijah successfully had them demolished in the Kishon Valley.

In addition to this success, Elijah also participated in the lifting of the drought that had plagued the nation for over 3 years.  Scripture tells us that, “The Lord gave special strength to Elijah.”  (1 Kings 18:46)

And then King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, got involved.
And it would seem to Elijah all was lost.
That it was over.

And he ran for his life.
He hid in a cave.
He cowered in fear.

And he told the Lord twice, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”  (1 Kings 19:10)

And they were.

But not all of his statement was correct.

He wasn’t the only one left.

God would tell him, “I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him.”  (verse 18)

Unbeknownst to Elijah - he wasn’t alone.

There WERE more out there.

There was, indeed, a rescued remnant who were being preserved by God.

Some commentators call it, “God’s Remainder.”

If you are anything like me, sometimes it can be lonely.
This serving God.  
This choosing of right living.

It can be hard.
And all can seem uphill.

But you are not alone.

Maybe you just haven’t found your tribe yet.

Or maybe God is calling you to be in a season of separation, so that He can form you and mold you and prepare you for the greatness He has for you.

2020 made us all feel a little lonely.
And 2021 isn’t shaping up to be a lot more improved - albeit more tolerable.

But maybe we’re not alone after all.
Maybe there are others out there who, in walking the same path, need reminded that they, too, are not alone.

In all honesty, I am a recovering numbers-centered girl.
I falsely looked to numbers as a measuring stick for success.

If this amount of people liked a post - I was worthy.
If this amount of people came to a study I hosted - I was a good teacher.
I this amount of positive responses came from a choice I made - I was validated.

But I was wrong.

And I am not alone.

Elijah had it wrong too.
He was using the wrong method of measurement to legitimize his effectiveness.

By the way it looked - all was lost.
He was alone.
And if he would have been better… done better… had more strength… he would have seen greater success.

But God had a hidden number of “remnant” people that Elijah knew nothing about.

And so just maybe there was victory after all.
Just maybe God kept the success hidden for Elijah’s protection.

Maybe you can’t see your effectiveness right now.
Maybe it’s lonely where you sit.

Elijah thought himself to the the only surviving remnant.  He judged incorrectly.

My commentary says this, “True greatness doesn’t stand in great results that can be seen.  Success doesn’t lie in numbers counted.  Power is stored up in hidden places and in lonely consciences.  Do away with measuring God’s power with your geometry or estimating His army by arithmetic.  Do the duty that lies nearest you.  It scatter doubt; overcomes opposition; breaks up despair.  The Almighty takes care of His reserves.”

And I will leave it at that. Something for you to ponder.
So so so good!

Be encouraged today, friends.

You are not alone!

Power Lost In Proclamation

 

I just heard very recently what became of the prophet Isaiah.

This God fearing man would ensure the harshest kind of treatment from the people he had been called to preach.

As legend has it, and as scripture points to indirectly in Hebrews 11:37, it is believed that the prophet Isaiah suffered torture and death by being literally sawed in half.

The one who had been called to a nation of reckless unbelievers who would have, “ears, but would not hear, and would have eyes, yet would not see”, would suffer an unbelievable death at the hands of those same stubborn, rebellious people.

Oh that Isaiah would have counted the cost before his endeavor.

And yet he did.

God told him that he would be embarking upon a mighty call that would include hardship and rejection.

And Isaiah still said yes.

He still proclaimed the message of judgement for the sinful people God longed to rescue.

And he lived with the same bold message until his final breath.

As did Paul.
As did Peter.
As did our Jesus.

Each of these individuals considered their why… counted the cost… and proceeded with boldness into their callings.

These heroes of faith never allowed the power to be extinguished from their proclamation.  They were careful not to be a contradiction.  They lived with purpose and died with that same purpose.

Too often we see brave soldiers begin the uphill march into battle.  
And yet somewhere along the way, the conflict gets painful and the journey gets too difficult.

And what can happen is a sad reality in the end.
We say one thing, yet live in complete opposition.
Some call it believers atheism.

We unknowingly give way to the darkness by permitting the power to be zapped from our proclamation.

We are to be bold in our broadcast, yes, but we cannot allow our actions to contradict our advertisement.

How will others know if not for us?

Evaluate Your Frustration

 

If I am being honest, one of the things I pray for quite a bit for my daughter is her frustration.

In part because she tends to be much like me - her momma - who also has a stubborn streak in her and can become easily frustrated, especially over things that really don’t matter - but also in part because she is young and the world can be such a difficult, disappointing place.

And one look back at a prayer journal I see the words.  Words I had heard the Spirit speak to me in my prayer time.  And I share them with you today:

“Often we’re frustrated because we’re not holding up our end of the bargain.”

The date I had written that in my journal was February 15, 2018.

I was in the midst of a disappointing season in my life.
And unknowingly we were about to embark on a more painful and challenging season.  

It was just around the corner.

And in our frustration sometimes we are so tempted to blame others.  Or blame circumstances.
“They make me so mad!”
“If I didn’t have to put up with her, everything would be fine.”
“It’s because I am living with this chronic illness - that’s why I’m frustrated!”

We say things like - “You don’t understand how hard it is.”
And as the words are leaving our mouths the enemy secures his victory over our abandonment of the truth we once knew.
Because you know the enemy can’t read your thoughts, right?  So the minute the words leave your tongue and exit your mouth, you’ve already embarked upon a slippery slope.  We’ve now given him reason to confirm his thoughts about our weakened faith.

Ahh friend.. don’t let him!

Sometimes we’re frustrated because we aren’t holding up our end of the bargain.
Maybe we’ve stopped praying for God’s rescue.
Maybe we’ve been too busy to get alone with Jesus.
Maybe we’ve separated ourselves from His truth and His promises.

Whatever it is.. return to Him.
It’s not too late.

May we always properly evaluate our frustration.
May we ask ourselves questions like, “Why do I feel like this?”  “Where is Jesus in all of this?”  “What part do I play here that I need to take ownership for?”

It truly changes everything!

Be Careful Who You Let Sit In The Front Row

 

Years ago I heard a famous pastor say these words, and I have never forgotten them.  Speaking to a room filled with other pastors and ministry leaders he said this, “Be careful who you let sit in the front row of your congregations.  Their negative spirit can actually hinder the Spirit’s anointing on the message.”

I’ve thought about those words a lot since I heard then.

And as a speaker myself, I understand them well.

There’s nothing quite like communicating to a crowd of people only to see lifeless souls sitting in the front row.

Of course there are others in the crowd seated more toward the rear who also bring sluggish lethargy that makes the message more difficult to deliver… but there is something about those front-row dwellers that if they aren’t positively engaged, it’s nearly impossible to remain encouraged, let alone strengthened to continue to zeal and passion that once filled your heart to preach a good word.

And it got me thinking.

The same has to be true for our lives.

There are people we have allowed too much access in our lives.

You know the ones.

Those individuals who always bring the negativity.  Always have a harsh word to say.  Nit pick, complain, reject, and downright make it difficult to remain passionate in your pursuit.

I remember excitedly sharing some really good news (to me) with someone I held in high regard in my life… someone I thought would be thrilled for me.  Someone I placed way too much emphasis on their opinion.  But their response was anything but enthusiastic.  Instead, it almost felt like I had become a threat, and I could instantly feel the bristle.

That’s when disappointment set in.
Bitterness took root.
And I even became ashamed, for a bit, that I was feeling so good about my news.

But as it turns out… I was giving way more access to someone who didn’t authentically desire victory for me.

So I tell you the same thing that pastor told his hearers… “Be careful who you let sit in the front row of your life.”

Consider the ones who want God’s best you for.
Go with the ones who point you to Jesus.
Let those who love well occupy the front row and let them fill your bucket - speaking life instead of draining life.

I don’t mean disassociate with them altogether.  Simply choose wisely those who sit close.  The others may unknowingly (or knowingly) distract you, disable you, and deter the work of God in your life.

The King of Life is on the Move

 

When out in California this past week, we had the privilege of being in the room where my daughter and her husband were a part of leading worship at their home church.

The song Chloe led was, “All Hail King Jesus.”  
The perfect song for the Easter celebration.

I’ve heard it countless times.
But this one day seemed different.
And this one phrase hit me in a way I can’t quite explain.

“There was a moment when the sky lit up
A flash of light breaking through
When all was lost He crossed eternity
The King of life was on the move”

Ahh yes… “The King of life was on the move.”

In a conversation with a best friend yesterday afternoon we would talk about seeing God’s goodness and her words to me left tear stains on my face.  She’d tell me, “You see differently.  You look for Jesus in the world around you and that’s why things look different to you.”

And it may not have always been that way.

But God… in His kindness.
He has given eyes to see.
A different perspective.

And the week after Easter can be so impactful if we allow it to be.

Because He didn’t stay in the grave.
He didn’t waste away in that earth covered ground below.

He rose.
He’s alive.

And the King of life is on the move!

In my life.
And in yours too!

The King of life is on the move.

Do you see Him?
Can you perceive Him?
Feel the wind from His robe?
See the marks from His sandals?
Hear the sound of His whispering voice?

He’s on the move.

Yes - even when you can’t see Him working - He is!

The King of life is on the move.

In my life.
In your life.

In the trials.
In the pain.
In the suffering.
In the doubt.
In the despair.
In the grief.
In the loss.
In what remains.

He is on the move.

Open your eyes.
Look around!

He’s working all things out for OUR good and HIS glory!

He’s in the tough conversation you’re getting ready to have.
He’s in the burden you’re carrying around.
He’s in that sunrise you see on your way to work.
He’s in the face of your children.
He’s in the hospital bed as you lay in worry and fear.

He’s there.
He’s alive.

The King of life is on the move.

Do you see Him?

Make Space For God To Do Something!

 

I am living proof that a heart honestly searching… finds.

 

And so has become my habit, I ask Jesus to speak to me when I leave the house.

 

Even on vacation… no, especially then… “give me something new… a word… a vision… a lesson.”

And in His kindness, He does.

 

It came in the words of a pastor during a beautiful Easter Sunday service.

 

This one phrase stuck out to me… maybe more than the rest.

And likely because this weary heart needed to hear them most.

 

And I would reach for a piece of paper… a receipt is all I could find… to scribble down the words I didn’t want to forget.

 

He said this, “Make space for God to do something.”

 

Because our tendency… at least mine… is to rush too quickly into the doing.

 

A Martha in a room full of Mary’s has been my downfall many times.

 

Always the rushing.

 

Rushing in to do the work.

Rushing in with a solution.

Rushing in to solve a question no one is even asking yet.

 

I see the marks of rushing all over my life.

 

Coming out of a season years ago filled with pain and hard lessons, I would tell God, “I am ready! Whatever You have for me, I’m ready.”

 

But I wasn’t.

 

It wasn’t wrong.

My heart was good.

I was well-intentioned and aching to be used.

 

But it was the rushing that needed tending to.

 

Peter knew well the rushing.

One of the closest in the inner-circle of friends that Jesus had, and he knew well the rushing.

 

His rushing led him to prematurely jump from a boat just to be where Jesus was - even though they were only about 100 yards from shore.

 

That one makes me chuckle out loud a bit.

 

And mostly because I get it.

 

For me, too, there is always the rushing.

 


And then I heard those words and I was stopped in my tracks once again.

 

“Make space for God to do something.”

 

Quiet your heart.

Still your hands.

Steady your stride.

And give Him some space.

 

In the week after the celebration of His resurrection, can I look to Him with calmness and patience and offer Him the gift of space to do what only He can do?

 

No striving.

No rushing.

No hastening at warp speed.

 

Can I look around?

Pay attention?

Listen intently - without need to contribute to the noise?

 

See God in all things.

Give Him room to move.

 

He can.

And He will.

If we let Him.

Whirl In The Waiting

 

Are you currently in a waiting season?

It’s hard. I know.

I think all of us find ourselves in a season of waiting from time to time.

Waiting for a job promotion.
Waiting to be married.
Waiting to have children.
Waiting to be recognized for a job well done.
Waiting for the perfect time to do the thing (fill in the blank.)
Waiting on a test result.

We can all relate to “waiting.”

And it’s not always fun.

Especially if you find yourself to be impatient like me.

In Psalm 37 David gives us some advice.
In verse 7 he says this, “Be still in the presence of the Lord.”

Hard for the Martha’s in the world.
But so good for us who long to know Mary’s secret of rest at her Lord’s feet.

“Be still.”
Allowing the Lord to do what only He can do.
Surrendering to His work.

It’s often difficult for those of us whose work tends to be the thing they feel most comfortable doing.

But now let’s move into the next part of that same verse.
David says this, “wait patiently for Him to act.”

“Wait.”

Yeah. That.

It’s just as painful sometimes to read as the word “still.”

Wait.

But take a look at the three different meanings of this word found here in this passage:
1.) to set up an ambush (lie in wait; a concealed position)
2.) to give birth
3.) to whirl in the dance

To wait is to lie in hiding… a concealed place with the Lord.
To give birth… oh those of us moms know well the waiting of delivery of your beautiful gift!
And to whirl in the dance.

This one stuck out to me the most.
To whirl in the dance.

Could I see my waiting season as an opportunity to whirl (spin, circle, pirouette, twirl) in the dance?

Do I even see the waiting as a dance?

Ahh… all is a gift!
A dance.
An invitation to join with Him in His work.

How?

By whirling in the dance.
Celebrating the season.
Taking opportunity in the time we’ve been preciously given.

May we learn to whirl in the waiting!

Rabboni!

 

Three days later, after the brutal death of our Jesus, Mary Magdalene was found standing outside of His tomb and as she did, she wept.

Her grief was overwhelming.
Her sadness was unthinkable.
Her loss was intense.

And when she peered inside the tomb in search of her resting Savior, she perceived that His body had been stolen and she was deeply distressed because she couldn't imagine where they put Him.

Ahh... but then the voice.
The voice of the One who was missing, broke His silence. And in His gentleness and kindness, He asked her, "Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" (John 20:15a)

Thinking He might be the gardener, she replied, "Sir, if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go get Him." (verse 15b)

And in that moment... His calling her by name... changed everything.

"'Mary!' Jesus said." (verse 16a)
It was a personal call from the One who knew her as a friend.
And her response brings me to tears.
"'Rabboni!'" she cried out.
"Teacher!"
She recognized Him at once as the One with whom she knew intimacy. She recognized Him as the One who loved radically.
And it was in the calling her by name that awakened her very soul to His ever-abiding presence.

Today, friends, He's calling you by name.
He's not dead.
The grave would not keep Him.
He has come to rescue you from your loneliness, from your fear, from you isolation.
He is your redeemer.
And He is your friend.
And He knows you by name.

He's calling you today.
Are you listening for His voice?

Happy Easter, friends... He is alive!!!!!

Jesus - Advancing Kingdom Work

 

Jesus required some pretty impossible tasks of His disciples.

He tells them in Matthew 10:16, “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.”

He goes on to say in verse 17, “Beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.”

And even further He warns in verse 18, “You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are My followers.”

Ahh… but isn’t it just like our Jesus to look for ways, even in the midst of danger and setback, to have kingdom work advanced.

He tells His students 2 important things following these tough-to-read warnings.

“THEN”, He says, “you will have an opportunity to tell them about Me.” (verse 18)
“God will give you the right words to say at the right time.” (verse 19)

Yep.

Just like our Savior.

Focusing on the redemptive solutions that will advance His Kingdom agenda here on the earth.

He is our sweet pattern, friends.

And so in danger and setback and failure and hardship… we, too, have been tasked with the charge to look for the opportunity to let our lives tell the story of Jesus.

God will give us the right words we need when we need them.

Acts 14:17, in part, says this, “He {Jesus} never left them {disciples} without evidence of Himself and His goodness.”

What He has commissioned for His students (you and me), He has not only evidenced in His own nature, but he has enabled us by His Spirit.

Jesus’ focus on Kingdom work is our pattern!

Jesus Commands The Impossible

  

John 5:1-18.

It’s a powerful story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man.

The man was too feeble to get into the healing water at the pool of Bethesda.
And Jesus asks him, “Would you like to get well?” (verse 6)

“I can’t, sir”, was the sick man’s response. “For I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up.” (verse 7)

And Jesus’ words are arousing and commanding of the one who had long suffered from inactivity and lethargy.

Jesus comes to the one too weak to make it to Jesus.
And His words strike to our core to hear them, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk.” (verse 8)

Wait.
What?
I thought this man was paralyzed.
I thought he couldn’t do so for himself?

We may have been tempted to think Jesus would have healed him there.

But not is the case for this miracle.

This one was going to demand participation in the process.

Jesus was commanding the impossible, because competency was given in the miracle.
Ability to do the impossible WAS the miracle.

I was talking to someone just the other day going through something that seems insurmountable. While it’s not strikingly devastating, it has posed as an impossible assignment that is going to require more faith than she feels she has at the moment.

And in my gentle and loving, yet honest and straightforward response, I shared with her about tests of faith. Those challenges that come ever before us to evaluate our faith and approve our devotion.

Because sometimes God chooses to initiate restorative solutions without persuasion.
And sometimes He invites us in to the process that seems at the onset, impossible.

And in it - the impossible assignment - is His favor.
He welcomes us to co-labor with Him.
And it is a gift far beyond our ability to conceive.

Peter considered the suffering (trial) a gift, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

Jesus commands the impossible from those who are His.
While yes, He will happily meet you right where you are, He is NOT content to leave you there.
And that… is the character of a glorious Savior!