Grace Growers - Hidden Blessings

A number of years ago when I started ministering full-time in a church I found my expectations were a wee bit different than the reality. One of the areas that I found myself lacking in was patience for people who annoyed me. Sound familiar? 

I struggled to comprehend why some people just couldn't "get it all together" or "function like normal people" or "behave properly." (I was, and often still am, struggling with the idea that the universe doesn't revolve around me...but that's another blog!) 

In this church there was one specific person that I couldn't seem to figure out, fix or even avoid. Let's call her Joan. Joan has gone to be with the Lord but at that time she was an older person with some traits that just irritated the daylights outta me. She always sat in the same place and had the younger kids go get stuff for her since she had difficulty going up & down the stairs. Her speaking voice grated on my ears - she had 3 volumes: silent, loud and screeching. Joan would routinely interrupt services to state her opinion - or give the minister a cough drop, give those singing Mardi Gras beads, or something similar. On top of that she didn't always smell so good. 

I remember telling the Lord that if He would just keep Joan out of my way, things would work better. (Oh my Jesus- what an obnoxious person I have been.) I remember our conversation so well because it changed me. The Lord asked me if I remembered my commitment to love His people from an earlier conversation we had. I said yes...but, she's so...! The Lord then very gently said, "Pray for her and watch your love for her grow."

The chastisement of the Lord is sweet although it tends to sting. 

I began to pray for Joan. Not the "Oh God do something with her" kind of prayers - but the kind I wanted others to pray for/over me. "Bless her today, Lord. May her heart be filled with Your love and presence." Anything that I needed/wanted for myself - wisdom, discernment, patience, love- all these I prayed for her.

Guess what? Yup - funny how God is always right, eh? (That's just a little sarcastic.) My heart began to turn towards Joan and instead of wanting to avoid her, I looked forward to seeing her each week. I started treasuring her as God's person rather than judging her by my standards. This was a great blessing to me as ministering got so much easier. 

The second blessing was unexpected. One Sunday as I was picking up the sanctuary and stopped to help Joan gather her things she said this to me, "I pray for you everyday and am so thankful that God put you in my life." I was stunned. If I hadn't trained my heart through prayer I would have missed knowing that she prayed for me. I would have missed the blessing of knowing her and my life would have been duller for the loss. A few short years later Joan went home to be with the Lord. I miss her to this day.

Do you have a grace grower in your life? They are called grace growers because they help grow grace in YOU! Begin to pray for them. Begin to invest Kingdom time into their lives and watch your life change....watch your love grow. "They will know we are Christians by our love."

Blessings - La

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!)