Redemption for Stupid!

Did you ever do something really stupid and then watch the Lord redeem it for your own good? (Of course, He also redeems for the Kingdom’s good.)

[Just for the record, it’s not always comfortable teaching when the Lord uses your own experiences as examples.  Part of the following story happens DR, during rebellion, and I thank the Lord often for His mercy and protection over me during that time.]

During my sophomore year of college I was home for a weekend break. I had spent the evening at a neighbor’s house with the other college students playing cards and drinking. When I got home I was hungry and got a block of cheese out. As I held the block in my left hand, with the tips of my fingers above the cheese, I sliced with a sharp knife in my right hand. STUPID.

My Dad looked up just as I sliced off the tips of three of my fingers. Since I was still rather fuzzy from the alcohol, he was the first one to grab a towel to stem the blood flow. I remember Mom coming into the kitchen, seeing the blood, and going back out again. Dad cleaned things up and then Mom came back out to get my contacts out and help me go to bed. Mom sat with me quite a while that night - I bet she was praying, that sounds like her.

The cuts were very shallow and didn’t need additional medical assistance. So, a couple of days later I returned to school with sore, bandaged fingers which caused a disruption in my volleyball practice- but that was about it. They healed and I forgot all about it.

Fast forward 15 years: I am now leading worship for Psalm 19 Ministries here in Syracuse. (Yes, there are lots; I mean lots, of stories between these…no time now.) My guitarist asked me if I knew anyone who would like her old guitar as her husband had gotten her a new electric acoustic. Before I could stop myself, I said, “Sure, I would.” I am so glad that our Lord is FOR us; otherwise this kind of interference in the norm of life would be scary!

My father is a retired music teacher and he had taught us kids, those who wished to learn, to play guitar. I hadn’t played a guitar since Jr. High…over 20 years! I took possession of this gorgeous acoustic guitar and began to reacquaint myself with it. When you begin (even begin again) to play a steel string guitar your fingers hurt. It takes time to build up calluses. However, mine didn’t hurt - I could play for hours without pain! 

The Lord took stupid from my past and REDEEMED it! Only God does this. He’s the only one who loves us so much that He uses all things for our good. Take courage my friends! He is an awesome God and He loves you and me.

Blessings,

Who is Like Our God?

Psalm 113:5  "Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high?"


The Psalmist asks this rhetorical question in the midst of a Psalm of praise. We could spend all day searching the Scriptures for statements about who our amazing God is!  That would be a fun Bible study!  This beautiful Book full of the Heart of the Father is intended to communicate HIM to us.  This relationship with an all-knowing, all-powerful and ever present Deity can be simple and overwhelming all at once.

My question is a bit more personal than the Psalmist's, "Who is the God you are serving?"

As we study the Old Covenant it can seem as if God is an angry, wrathful God. We can begin to struggle with who He is in relation to who we are; we empathize with the humans in the stories and wonder where the grace is.  This is a natural reaction; however, we must be cautious to recognize the covenantal differences that we now live in.

The Apostle Paul calls our New Covenant a better Covenant as does the writer of Hebrews.  It is better or superior in so many ways. For the purpose of this discussion, I want to speak only to the nature of our God and how He has purposed to be revealed to His New Covenant people.

The person of God has not changed. James tells us that there is no "variation or shadow of turning" with God. He is not fickle, does not flip-flop. He cannot abide where ungodliness, sin, rebellion or evil is and He responds justly.  (When He is the definition of justice, no one can call Him unjust!)

God has not changed; however, how He relates to humanity has.  Adam was not required to keep the Law that God gave through Moses, neither was Noah. With each of the covenants that God made with humanity there were differences in how He expected mankind to respond to Him.  As you trace these covenants, you discover that our awesome God continues to reveal Himself through each relational shift. These shifts are similar to the differences in parent to child relatings.  My mom's relationship and expectations of me shifted as I grew up.  Making dinner and running laundry were not expected at age 6, but rather at age 12. Beyond the activities (expectations & behavior), our conversation changed- the whole relationship was different!

In the New Covenant, Jesus took ALL the wrath/judgement at the cross. Colossians tells us the wrath of God is for the sons of disobedience; Romans works with that concept as well. The Gospel of John phrases it this way, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36 KJV)

We who are in relationship with Jesus are exempt from the wrath/judgement thereby giving us unfettered access to the Throne of God. Hebrews exhorts us to come boldly into God's presence by the blood of Jesus Christ, by a new and living way. (10:19) 

I can run into God's arms unafraid, trusting that He will not only catch me up in His arms, but He awaits me eagerly!  This is MY God- my Papa, Abba, Daddy....

O how He loves me.  And He loves you!!  Just ask Him- He loves to tell you so.

Metamorphasis

metamorphosis  [Gr.,=transformation], in zoology, term used to describe a form of development from egg to adult in which there is a series of distinct stages. Many insects, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, and fishes undergo metamorphosis, which may involve a change in habitat, e.g., from water to land. Metamorphosis is called complete when there is no suggestion of the adult form in the larval stage, e.g., in the transformation from tadpole to frog or from larva to pupa to adult in bees and butterflies. When the successive larval stages resemble the adult (as in the grasshopper and the lobster), metamorphosis is called incomplete. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Metamorphosis

At a leadership gathering last night, one of the ladies shared about the amazing experience she had on the National Day of Prayer. As she was driving home she encountered hundreds of butterflies all around, this continued for miles and on different roads. What the Lord shared with her is her story to tell; but this sparked a teaching my mother has taught for years.  As I shared this teaching another woman asked if I'd write it down and send it to her- so here we are!

The transformation/change/transfiguration of a butterfly is amazing. A monarch butterfly starts out as an egg, grows into a larvae with 5 stages, creates a cocoon and emerges as this gorgeous butterfly! What a phenomenal change - this metamorphosis!

The Greek term μεταμορφόω, from which we get metamorphosis, is used only 4 times in the New Testament: Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2, Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18. (met-am-or-fo'-o Strongs #G3339)

The Gospels tell us of the Transfiguration of our Lord on the mountain.

(2)And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (3)And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. (Mark 9:2-3 KJV)

The two Epistles speak of the transformation of the believer.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV)
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18 KJV)

Before we knew Jesus there was no power for change, not true change. We could altar our behavior, we could fake it, and we could wear masks or play roles. However, true internal life change is only possible through the power of our Lord.

When we said "Yes!" to Jesus, we were taken out of darkness and transfered to the Kingdom of the Son of God's love (Col 1:13). Our salvation is a gift from Almighty God through the blood of our Saviour.

With this miracle working, world forming, life saving power, we can be transformed....wait, let me reword that.  We ARE transformed into a beautiful creature. Past tense - not future tense.

We are no longer grub worms, dirt crawling, bottom feeding scavengering creatures only seeking our own pleasure. We are both transformed and being transformed!  We are changing - metamorphing- from one dimension of GLORY to another dimension of GLORY. (Note: we start with glory.)

Hang on tight- not for survival, but hang on as we change, as we get gooder and gooder things (sorry, bad English), shifting as we access the supernatural into and through the natural.

Let us press upward for the prize spoken of in Philippians 3. Get our gaze off the dirt!! Lift up your heads, hear the voice of your God and King!

I love you, my child. I redeemed you, I have cleansed you. I have made you holy and blameless in my sight. Come, rise up and embrace your Beloved. Walk with me, fly with me, and live in the freedom and power that I have secured for you. I love you.

Grace and Life to you,

Tea Bag Test

If you were to randomly pick up a tea bag which had no box or label, how do you know what's in the tea bag?  It's simple - stick it in some hot water!!

How do you know what's inside you? Examine what comes out when "life" hits! 

When I was in my 20's, I worked for a short time in Southern California cleaning an elderly woman's home and doing some shopping for her. Previous to taking this job I had the concept that older people were sweet, gentle and kind. You know, like a loving warm grandparent? Wow, did I have a surprise waiting for me. No matter what I did, she scolded me telling me I was just not smart enough for this. (Tellin' ya, it took much control to not react!)  Eventually, she and I got into a 'groove' and I got to know her a bit. However, she never, ever was going to pass for Mrs. Claus. I hope I was a blessing to her. Her core was angry and bitter- that was apparent.

When my Dad had knee replacement surgery, I got an amazing view of my Dad's heart. Folks who know my Dad usually know the gentle, sweet, kind, and extremely helpful man. Ya'll didn't grow up with him - he's a different man now. Not that Dad was ever mean- or at least he never meant to be. However, he could be sharp, demanding and impatient. The nurses loved my Dad. He thanked and blessed everyone who came in to help and care for him. His core was gentle and sweet - that was apparent.

As my parents grow older (don't we all), their personalities become more defined- or should I say less shielded. There comes a point when we drop the pretenses, the expected behavior and just become ourselves.

As believers in Jesus - this presents an interesting challenge. How can we be transparent and yet show Him to the world?  The answer is simple, yet complex.

We fill ourselves with HIM. (Time in the Word, worship, presence - 2 Corinthians 3:18) Therefore we can continuously radiate Jesus to those around us.  This is especially true in the midst of trials and tragedies. No, God doesn't send those; but He uses them to let Him in us be revealed.

Have you seen my Mom's coffee can demonstration?  On one hand she has a perfect, complete, gorgeous Maxwell house (sub Dunkin or Starbucks here) coffee can that represents her concept of what becoming whole in Jesus is.  The other coffee can is an old Brim (decaf) can which is punched, bent, mangled and deformed. This represents her real life- the one that has lived through much pain. Turn out the lights and put a lit candle under the perfect can- what do you see? Nothing.  Then put a lit candle under the broken one- what do you see? Light pouring from the holes, the wounds.  A "perfect life" not only doesn't need Jesus, it can't reflect Him.  The broken places are where Jesus shines. (2 Corinthians 12:10 b "...for when I am weak, then I am strong.")

Our "hot water" is life itself. What is being revealed about you? 

Who You Lookin' At?

When I was a teen we lived on the south side of Syracuse in a mildly rough neighborhood. Since I was a 4'10" scrawny little white girl, I seemed to be an easy target for bullying and such.  Strangers didn't know I had three brothers and could hold my own for most situations. When a group of kids would be roaming around and they encountered a single individual, the question/challenge was "Who you lookin' at?" This generated some interesting responses as there is no good way to answer that question. (Unless, of course, you wanted to get pummelled!)

This is, however, a valid question to ask ourselves. Who is our focus? Who are we looking to for guidance, provision, help, validation, identification, etc?  Am I looking at my family to determine who I am?  Am I expecting a spouse to provide what I need emotionally, physically and mentally?  Am I looking to my occupation to define me?

When my life crashed into a gazillion little pieces, I discovered that I didn't know who I was. Oh yes, I know my birth name and what people think that means. However, when you find yourself empty, broken, battered and clueless you start trying to find something or someone to hold on to. I longed for someone who wouldn't leave, someone who would speak truth. I needed the ROCK.

On my face on the floor I discovered that no matter what happened, or how bad I felt, Jesus was NOT moving. I knew with my mind that He loved me (or was supposed to) but struggled then and some now with receiving that unconditional, unwavering, powerful love. I discovered that knowing who I was depended upon who my God was.

If I expect anger and wrath from my Papa God, I will not go to him boldly like Hebrews exhorts us to. (10:19) How can we trust a God we're afraid of? Duh, we can't. So faith wavers and crashes and we wind up leaning on men again. No wonder we're weenie Christians! (Note: I said we...)


So who is this God we sing so loudly and long about? How is He great? Why would He love me? Keep watching for the next post....


Blessings,

Waiting for the Other Shoe

Did you ever find yourself waiting for the proverbial 'other shoe' to drop?

I had a weird sensation driving to work this morning; it was apprehension.  I was driving my mom's car along the same highway in the same lane as when I hit the goose (see post on Miscreant Goose) and I had this negative anticipation....what if the geese are there again?

This is what the commercials with the strange guy that pretends to be a raccoon, a Christmas tree, and other things/people that are mayhem is trying to create in us: FEAR.  Oooooo...fear makes me so angry (hear Marvin the Martian's voice). 

My three brothers and I would play a game every now and then when we lived in a large house in the hills of Vermont. The boys room was rather large and when someone was about half way through the room one of the others would turn off the light. The game was to see who would freak out or scream first. I only liked this game when I wasn't the 'mark' in the middle of the room! I discovered that I get angry when I'm frightened and I'll hit rather than run.

Of course, I can't strike the fear of hitting another goose...or the fear of anything else. So how do I, and others, handle this fear? I can rationalize the odds of hitting another goose whose beak will then penetrate an aluminum pipe; I can tell myself to not be silly to feel such things; or I can ignore it. The problem is that none of these options stops fear from doing it's job. Fear is a weapon of the enemy of our souls and we allow it rental space in our minds.

How on earth do we expect to stand firm in our faith when we're distracted by nagging fear that over time builds up to crippling, deadly fear? 

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Galatians 6:11)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore... (Galatians 6:13-14a)

A teaching on the whole armor takes more time/room than a post...but here's the key - we are to do this.  We don't pray for the armor, we put it on. We don't ask God to do it for us, we are obedient to do it ourselves.

Grab the WORD, trust our heavenly Father to know what He's talking about and stand. (Mayhem meet Jesus....problem solved!)

Don't Worry?? Really??

"Be anxious about nothing..." (Phil 4:6)

Really???  Nothing?? There are instructions in Matthew and Luke to not worry about clothing, food and these types of provision. But this blanket statement seems impossible.  Note the word- seems. Isn't it true that my perspective is what triggers worry or faith?

I was having a conversation with a good friend today who is worried about her husband's health. As we talked she's sharing her feelings and I'm sharing my thoughts (this is normal for our relationship).  She admitted that if she stopped worrying about one person that there were a number of others in line that would step into place. I could relate, but the WORD says not to worry.  How do we do that?

Please understand that I am NOT sharing from a position of "already accomplished this."  This is a learning process that we get, then get again, then get another dimension of....and it goes on.  (Dimensions are the norm when we work with our supernatural Maker; this is the nature of relationships.)

Worry, from the pragmatic side, wastes time and emotional energy of mine and changes absolutely nothing. From the spiritual view, worry is sin. Yup, flat out sin. We have clear, unambiguous instructions from the Word telling us NOT to WORRY. Worry tells God that He's not big, strong, or intelligent enough to handle something. Worry says that I think I'm better at handling this than God is...hmmm, doesn't that make an idol out of me? (I know, ouch)

Faith is the antithesis of worry- the opposite thing that eliminates it. How do we activate faith to eliminate worry?  What does the WORD say?

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 20-21)

Speak the WORD of God out loud to yourself! Pray in the Holy Ghost!  Shift your perspective from the mundane to the supernatural, from me to Thee!  When my mind focuses on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, I stop sinning and begin worshipping.

Yes, I know, it's too simple. Try it! I double-dog-dare ya!

Blessings in Jesus!

Teaching Moments from a Miscreant Goose

Last week I sent this out by e-mail to some friends. Thanks to all who sent me encouragement and some good natured teasing. 

These past few days have had some interesting challenges in them that the Lord is using to remind me of His love and care for me. What I'm going to share isn't one huge tragic incident that has rocked my world, rather a series of 'straws,' if you will, that threatened to break this camel's back!

Last week I took my truck to be inspected and get an oil change.  In return they called me to let me know they are ready to do $969 worth of work on brakes, wheel bearings, oil change including inspection.  HA!  Well, that sidelines the truck.  (I am getting a second opinion.)  So....Being emotionally low, I allowed myself to get over tired, I pushed too hard to sing one night and got cold. Add that to the incredible allergens flying around....voila!  I turn into a bass with a dripping nose and a cough threatening to bring up a lung. (NOT a pretty sight.)

For five days I was a dripping slug in my chair eating chicken soup, drinking water, and sleeping. I have some wonderful caretakers who made sure I had what I needed- thank the Lord. (Side note: I'm not a very good or easy sick person...there's a special grace for caretakers!  If you are one- BLESS YOU!!)

After taking Monday off, I borrowed my mom's car to get to work. As I was traveling in a pack of cars north on 481 at a decent clip, I watched a couple of geese come up and over the guard rail directly into my lane in front of the little, bitty car in front of me.  That driver braked and swerved to avoid them (almost causing a massive pile up) during which the lead goose got wise and flew away.  The second goose, a big one at that, was left standing directly in front of me.  I quickly reviewed my options and chose the least dangerous one: hit the goose.  So I did, twice with my right tires, sending that miscreant goose to his Maker.  There was a huge POOF of feathers behind my car, but otherwise no one else was affected. Thank you Jesus!  So I drove on thanking the Lord for His safety for us all.

All was well until after I stopped for the light at the end of the off ramp.  The car wasn't turning easily. It drove straight OK, but I had to wrestle the steering wheel to turn into the parking lot.  You know how your heart sinks and you just "know" the worst has happened?  Yup, that feeling.  I looked and saw something dripping...so now I'm grossed out on top of everything else.

I go inside to my office, sit down and just cry.  No, bawl is probably a better term. I'm mad, frustrated, tired, sick, and now I've killed mom's car. Totally pitiful. Thank the Lord more staff were coming in shortly, so I got myself together.  I called a friend to come check the car out and of course I hadn't killed the car.  However, there was power steering fluid pouring out of one of it's lines, hence the red dripping fluid. (I was a whole lot less grossed out then...whew.)

I called my mom, who woke my father, who then called the insurance company. They came and towed the poor car away. It turns out there was a bit of damage to the bumper and the beak of our infamous goose penetrated an aluminum pipe!  What are those odds? The car will be fine in a few days and I thank the Lord for insurance.

So, what are the teaching moments?  There are a few...just like our Lord to use every part of an incident to bless His kids! 
1) Being asked to come help and look at my car blessed my friend. He was struggling with being useless and then I call!
2) My father was going to rent a car and needed his license to do that. Turns out his license had expired 1 1/2 years ago. Since he discovered it less than 2 years out, it was a relatively easy renewal. (Don't ask, he doesn't know how he missed that either!)
3) My "melt down" was long overdue and I received comfort and reassurance from my Lord that I hadn't sensed before.

I have a tendency to "buck up" before I soak.  My instinct is to take things in stride, trust the Lord with the details, and go on with things.  Unfortunately, I often neglect to bring my emotional reactions to the 'straws' of life into my conversations with the Lord.  I am aware that we, women especially, are so self-aware that we stay stuck in emotional turmoil- so, I choose the opposite extreme.  However, my Lord requires all of me so He can minister to all of me.  Before I can quote Philippians 4:13,  ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.")

I need to process verses 4-7 FIRST

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Be encouraged, saint of God!  All the strange, weird incidents in our lives are awesome opportunities for our HUGE and AMAZING God to do His will in and through us.

Blessings,


PS: Check out this song...the words aren't perfectly rendered on the screen but they are close. http://youtu.be/hqeXuWrI7QY

Hebrews 12.5 overview

Grace and Life - What a name!

Life (Zoe) without Grace (Charis) would not, in my opinion, be worth living.  Jesus came to give us life- abundant life. He poured this Life of Spirit into His own so we can pour out His person to a dying and lost world. 

Tomorrow evening (Monday) I conclude my teaching from Hebrews in the Psalm 19 Institute of Biblical Studies (www.psalm19ministries.org).  We are beginning the night half way through chapter 12, starting at verse 18.

(18) "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and the darkness, and tempest, (19) and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words.....(22) But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels." (KJV)

This is the final comparison/contrast that the writer is using to provide the 'finale' to this awesome book describing how much better the New Covenant is than the Old one was. This is not just another statement telling us that we are no longer under the Law of Moses, it is that and more. The chapter ends with these two verses:

(28) "Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (29) for our God is a consuming fire."  (KJV)

There is a warning here for those of us seeking this heavenly Kingdom that echoes the warning from chapter 4: don't miss this! Don't be like those that come only so far and then fall short. Complete the race!!  

How sad it is to me that we, believers, settle for a covenantally confused Gospel. We mouth Grace and live Law. We are trying so hard to be acceptable to God, that we miss the fact that our Lord has MADE US that way. (Ephesians 1:4)  Our serving is out of obligation- a trying to make Daddy God happy with us and therefore He may give me something better than what I have.

The warnings in Hebrews are not to scare us into a relationship with Jesus- this is a book written to believers. These warnings are to motivate and encourage us to continue beyond the basics (Hebrews 6) into the fullness of what we have been given. Our inheritance is rich, full and BETTER than anything ever seen before.

It is out of the BETTER we then can serve acceptably. It is not by rote, obligatory or reluctant obedience that Jesus is seen. Rather, it is a joy expressed, grace filled, power flowing LIFE submerged in His Word and Presence that expresses the New Covenant- the New Jerusalem- the New, the Better....

O Lord, I crave more of You flowing out of me. As I study, converse with You (pray), and hang out with You, I trust that I will continue to be transformed from glory to glory as Your Word has promised. Thank you for your mercy and patience with me- thank You for Your Grace that continues to train me. You are awesome!! Amen.

Grace and Life in Jesus!