Month: April 2020

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 (NIV)

I started this morning in Psalm 18 and just kept reading. When I got to the twenty third Psalm, I stopped at the first verse. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” That was it. We have all we need because of who the Lord is to us. He is our Shepherd and we can entrust ourselves into His care. Who better to take care of us than our Creator? The rest of the chapter is familiar and beautiful, but I just could not get past the first verse. During this time of unknown, what more assurance can we ask for than this?

With these thoughts still on my mind, I came across a wonderful quote that summed up my heart. Jonathan David Helser said, “The wilderness has a way of revealing what you really believe about God.” If I were to stick with my analogy from yesterday, I would say that the crashing waves have a way of getting to your true belief. During days of ease, your beliefs are true, but not always tested in my opinion. Perhaps we have been given these days to find out if He is our trusted Shepherd. Because when you know and it is your deepest belief, it changes absolutely everything.

When we are able to get past the first verse, we read words of peace, refreshing, guidance, honor, courage, comfort, blessing, goodness, love and about a place to belong forever. We truly are offered everything we will ever need by our Shepherd. All that tries to capture our affections cannot make these promises. A cheap imitation maybe, but not eternal. May we spend our days close to our Shepherd and find He truly is all we will ever need.

Oh, the man the quote is from wrote an incredible song called, “Raise a Hallelujah”. It’s been out for quite sometime and it is powerful!!

“The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”   Zephaniah 3:17

 

This morning I was reading the book of Zephaniah and smiled remembering this verse that has meant so much to us. I might have mentioned it before, but it is a happy memory worth repeating. Over 20 years ago, I was reading this same book in the Bible. It was the day after our first date and I was still on cloud nine, not knowing at the time that that date would lead to marriage. On that morning, I came across Zephaniah 3:17 and had never remembered reading it before. I loved it and could not wait to share it with that boy I was still thinking about. We were both working at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp in North Carolina at the time. I shared it with him and he turned around and shared it with the high school kids he was in charge of.  It is just as powerful, comforting and encouraging now as it was then; maybe even more so during this time.

When I read it again today, I thought about the song by We the Kingdom called “Dancing on the Waves”, which is based on this verse. It is beautiful and one I have listened to over and over. What was really fun was seeing this group do a video of this song on the stage at none other than Windy Gap. It was actually on that same stage that I saw my now husband before we even went on that first date. It is fun to remember and I love that a verse can spark such a smile. The song will make you smile too and makes you feel like the words are actually being sung over you. I picture myself like a ballerina, dancing and spinning over waves. The water is of no concern, nor the height of the waves, just sweet music and precious peace that washes over my heart.

If we go back a bit further to another song that talks about waves, we find Hillsong’s very popular song, “Oceans”. When we have sung this song, I think of it as a prayer where we are asking the Lord to take us to a place of increased faith. It is based on the story found in Matthew 14, where Peter walks on the water with Jesus. Peter steps out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. In a moment of doubt, he looks at his surroundings and begins to sink, crying out for help. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). This song was sung for so long and in so many places. It was very popular. Do you think we are now getting what we asked for? No, we did not ask for a pandemic and people to die, but we did ask for our faith to be increased. We asked for the Lord to take us further out from the safety of the boat. However, now that we are out, how are we doing as a church? Are we sinking or are we dancing? The waves remain the same and Jesus is still right here, but how are we responding?

For those that do not know or trust the same God that is so mighty to save, able to quiet, rejoices and sing over us, it could be getting very hard during this time. The waves are crashing and one might feel like they are living in a time of drowning. Each day brings the same crashing circumstances. Nothing is stable and identity is being washed away with each wave. What do you do now? I can tell you in the last 6 years I have tried two things. The first was to fight to stay afloat, anxious in heart and not very quiet about my dislike of being in the water at all. I was more of a toes in the sand kind of girl. Then something shifted and like Peter, felt as if the Lord had taken my hand and pulled me to himself. We have been dancing ever since. Not perfectly on my part and I trip over my own feet every now and again, but my faith has increased greatly. What I have found is He is exactly who He said He is back in Zephaniah 3:17. The waves do not look to be going away anytime soon for any of us. So, what will it be? May we choose to dance. There’s a song about that too, but I will let you hum that one on your own.

 

Today is my dad’s birthday and he we will celebrate him from afar. This will be no different than any other birthday since we live states apart. We talked on the phone, caught up a bit and of course laughed. It is interesting to compare how our states are handling this pandemic, but there is a very common theme. People are ready to have businesses open. I can hardly imagine the pressure that must be on those that make that call. When you are given authority and put in charge of others, there is so much responsibility placed on your shoulders. This is also true when it comes to parenting.

My parents had been married a couple of years when I came along. That first time parenting feeling is something all generations can relate too. They did the very best they knew to do and I see that now. Sometimes it takes years into parenting for us to realize that truth. One of the things that I am most thankful for is that my parents always made sure we were involved in church. Because of the sweet church we spent my early years in, a firm foundation of biblical knowledge was put into place. In this same church, my dad used his artistic abilities and would do chalk drawings of Bible stories during the main service. I remember being proud during those times that he was my dad. He continued to perfect those drawing skills and for decades has designed furniture. You might even have some of his work in your home.

My dad has always been a hard worker, another quality I did not always appreciate. He is also extremely health conscious and told me the other day how he plans on being able to play with great-grandkids too. I know my kids like him being able to keep up with them, especially at the trampoline park. I don’t even join in on that activity. Our kids are getting to experience the fun side that my dad has always had. We had plenty of adventures growing up and he led the way. I am thankful and smile remembering. Oh, the stories we could tell that would make you laugh.

A prayer that I have prayed for my dad for a year or so, will continue through this year as well. “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.” (Job 42:12). I replace Job’s name with his of course. I will also add a bit more. “…he saw his children and their children to the forth generation.” (Job 42:16). When I picked the first verse, I had read about the suffering that Job went through and how he responded. It would have been so easy for him to take his friends advice and give up, but he did not. When you truly believe God is who His word says He is, you might not understand what He is allowing, but you continue to trust Him. My dad has walked through much suffering with my mom having cancer and then watching her die from it. He continues to walk with God.

There is a lot of my dad in me and for that I am thankful. I do wish I had been given some of his artistic ability though. Because of his talent, he would be busy pushing that pencil in his office while my mom and I were out spending the money he made. Neither of us could draw well, but we did know how to pick out pretty things. I am thankful for those memories. One time we went out of town as a family and it ended up just my dad and I in a store. He bought me a pair of pearl earrings that I wanted. I wore them some, but bigger ones were in fashion and I tucked my pearls away.  Years later I would pull them out and wore them up until recently when they finally broke. I picked up a cheap pair and continue to wear them as a reminder of the sweet gift from my dad.

Sometimes we tuck treasures away and do not fully appreciate or see them for what they really are. Other things get in the way like immaturity, rebellion or misunderstandings and we miss the gift we have been given. My dad really is a treasure and I am blessed to be his daughter. He is full of life, laughter and mischief. It really is a great combination for a dad and grandfather. So, happy birthday, dad! May this year be full of unexpected blessings that you did not even ask for.

I love you, dad.

 

 

“And for those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

 

Have you ever just known something? The answer might be hard to explain, but you know it down to your core. Perhaps it has been happening over time, this answer gaining certainty. The answer to this one question – “Are you going to trust God or not?” In light of what is happening around us, we need an answer if we are going to have peace. There are two ways we can go here, possibly three. We can go all in and say, “Yes, Lord, I trust you.”  We can dive into scripture, pray often and let worship music play. We can remind ourselves of the many times that God has been faithful. He may not have given us the outcome we want, but a little bit out, we see His faithfulness and trust Him. We trust His love for us. Another option is we could cross our arms and say “No, I will not trust Him and I can figure this out.” Then the other possibility makes for a tug-of-war in your heart. You can trust Him with a few things, but not all things. To trust in all things is a bit too risky, one could argue.

How is your response working? Do you sleep at night? Do you find your heart pounding and your stress level rising? Do you respond unkindly to those you love? Sadly, I have walked through not trusting wholeheartedly and I remember how I felt and responded. The unknown was scary and everything seemed unstable. Just when things looked like they were looking up, circumstances would only get worse. Up and down I went. When I would be reading and praying, there would be peace. Then news would come and the shaking in my heart would start. Maybe that is why I feel such empathy for what our world is experiencing. Maybe that is why I fight now to keep truth front and center. This is why I want everyone to believe me when I say He is worthy of our trust. Remember the cross and the empty tomb?

I wish there were a way to look people, feeling this shaking, in the eye and tell them with absolute certainty to trust Him and you will not regret it. I could tell them tons of stories and share scripture. I could take their prayer concerns to the Lord on their behalf. I could hand them my Bible and let them pour over the pages that are marked full of dates and explain why that particular passage was meaningful. I actually had to start studying in a new Bible because some of the dates would hit tender spots and so much margin space was taken up. I needed clean margins and to see scripture fresh. Another testimony would be to open up journal after journal and read at the bottom of the pages recorded answers to prayers and praises. It has been quite a journey and I know there will be more. However, I pray I will be more prepared when the valleys come again. In the meantime, I will keep encouraging everyone the Lord brings in my path to not just know His name, but to truly seek Him and watch as trust comes. It is the only way through the valley, friend. If you need someone to help walk you out, just let me know. It would be a privilege to walk alongside you.

”Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

 

*I took this picture at our families favorite restaurant. A simple heart on the curb, that served as a reminder of His ever present love for me no matter what.

 

“We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.” Acts 21:3

Before the virus came, you would find me sitting in one of my favorite homes, surrounded by precious woman, studying the Bible and praying together. We have been going through the book of Acts and we picked back up this morning. We happened to be on the twenty first chapter. We were to read it this morning and then share what stuck out to us during our group meeting. Can I just say how good it is to see sweet faces on my computer screen that I have dearly missed? I miss people. I miss talking to strangers and just interacting with people in general.  I wonder if cashiers will find it odd that I hug them when stores reopen? It will be a happy day!

Now back to Bible study. Before I studied our chapter, I read an email that talked about the importance of dropping our “sandbags” into the water, if we are going to sail into the new things the Lord has planned for us. I do not know what yours are and mine might be different than yours. There is not blame here, so please do not misunderstand. For me, sandbags are my own baggage that needs to be dealt with that is not related to anyone else. So often I have found myself letting things go and then diving back in to pile them back up in the boat. A reminder triggers something and instead of “taking every thought captive “ or “thinking on what is true”, the familiar sandbags get inspected again. The problem is your boat gets weighed down and you begin to sink. Perhaps you never even leave the dock.

Fast forward to when I read Acts 21 and Paul is sailing towards Jerusalem. One of the ladies in our study pointed out that Paul stayed on a straight course (vs. 1). He never ventured off from the destination the Lord had set for him to spread the gospel. He was so closely tied in relationship with Christ, that he was able to hear the Holy Spirit well. His response was obedience, even when it meant suffering. In fact, Paul makes an incredible statement is verse 14, “The Lord’s will be done.” His trust is such a powerful witness to us today.

With all the cancellations and closed doors, maybe you have had time to re-examine your sandbags or cargo. Maybe you have felt the weight and know it is time to let it go. I have a feeling that even before we are allowed out again, the Lord is going to set many people free, lighten our boats. In fact, I am praying so and look forward to seeing you out on the seas towards Home.

 

*I took this picture in college while taking a photography class. Being in the dark room was one of my favorite things, just waiting to see how the image would turn out. I started seeing everything framed as a picture during that class. That concept will have to wait for another day.

”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19

 

What an intense weekend we all just walked through! From the reminder of the horrific death Christ chose on our behalf, to the day where the tomb remained sealed, and then the celebration of our risen Savior yesterday, it has been quite a weekend. Because of our current quarantine, time seemed to slow down. Maybe we were given the gift of awareness, perhaps like never before. I know that was true of me. Our family participated in other church services and learned a lot from our own church too. So much was available to us because of technology. As much as it can frustrate me at times, I was very thankful for it.

We had another reason to celebrate yesterday and that was due to our 8 year old deciding it was time for him to be baptized. He accepted Christ a year ago, but had not yet followed Jesus’ example in baptism. It was the perfect picture for our family to summarize the weekend; buried to our old life of sin, made new in the resurrection of our Lord. All possible because of the sacrifice made on our behalf. How can we say thank you the day after and the days that follow?

One of the services we watched was from Oak Hill Church in San Antonio, Texas. They even included a segment for kids and it was perfect. Max Lucado read one of his children’s books, You Are Special. The story was simple and told about how all of us have a Creator. Over the course of living, we collect “stickers”, as he called them, that shape who we believe ourselves to be. The main character had collected a lot of negative stickers and becomes quite downcast. He meets a girl who doesn’t have any stickers and he wants to know why. She is different than anyone else and she tells him what makes her different by taking him to meet the Creator. She also tells him that she spends time with her Creator every morning and lets Him tell her who He has made her to be. Then, when stickers come throughout the day, they just slide right off. Could this be how we live out a life of returning thanks?

One of the boys and I talked about this famous pastor/author last night. He said how much he liked him because he didn’t try to be funny. I thought that was an interesting observation, but there is more. This particular child struggles to be funny to be accepted, but it is not at all necessary. He does have a great sense of humor, but can try too hard at times. Seeing someone with such a calmness and ease was a sermon in itself for this boy. Another unexpected gift from this weekend.

Maybe just maybe we can all begin to see new things springing up during this closed door season. There will come a day when our doors will open again and I pray we do not walk out the same. I pray we walk out sticker free and with a heart that knows our Creator more. May we take time to meet with Him each morning and read His words to us. May we remember when stickers do come, that we get to see if they line up with the truth spoken over us. There is also a chance that they are not meant to be stickers at all, but confront us with sin. It is uncomfortable, but done in love, can lead us to repentance. Again, another gift we are being given during this time. We can quiet our hearts and realign ourselves with our Creator. His way is perfect and He alone can straighten us out too. What a way to live in response to what we have been given, don’t you think?

We celebrated Good Friday yesterday and tomorrow will be Easter, but today is a day of waiting. Have you ever thought about what you would have done some 2,000 years ago, when the reason for our celebration died? I spent some time walking through it in my mind and heart. The first day had me at the cross, barely able to move past the eyes of Christ. Tears would have continued all day and would not have stopped when they took Him down off of the cross. I probably would have gone home, exhausted and with so many questions. I pray I would have then gotten quiet enough to remember His words of rising again on the third day.

On Saturday I would have gone and sat as close to the tomb as allowed, watching the stone. Maybe I would have engaged the guards in conversation and told them about the life of the One they now guarded. I would have wanted to know if they had ever guarded a tomb before? The waiting would have gone on all day and at night I would have gone home, but returned early the next morning; perhaps catching a glimpse of the stone rolled away and later sweet Mary looking in. To have seen Mary might mean a chance at seeing the resurrected Jesus. She did not even recognize Him until He said her name. Can you even imagine?

Waiting is not easy for most, but there is an appreciation that comes when it is over. To have resurrection come a second earlier, might have not made the moment as sweet. Reminds me of fruit picked too soon, it needed more time. Our family experienced a moment today that we have been praying for now for almost two years. You better believe it was incredible and a day we marked down in our thankful journal. This has been a lesson of God’s faithfulness and hope to keep praying, even when “Saturday” seems to stretch out year after year. Another reminder that He is always in control and His timing is perfect.

Keeping waiting…Sunday is coming!

”The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many insulting things to him.”   Luke  22:63-65

 

Silence. As mocking words and blows flew, not a word was spoken from our Savior. In the book of Mark, he records that they also spit on Him. Still nothing. Blindfolded, yet He could see far more than who it was hurling things, for He could see into their hearts. And the interesting thing was, they had to know something about His power because they mention one of of His gifts, prophecy. They also had no idea that they were actually living out Old Testament prophecy. None of this makes logical sense. It goes against all that rises inside of us to defend our Lord. However, when we stop and quiet our hearts, we see His.

More shouts and accusations came. Then a journey, while carrying the cross, until another carried it for Him. In the noise, you also hear wailing. Jesus speaks a warning to those mourning. Then the actual act of crucifixion takes place between two criminals. Then words come that I hear today. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Mark 23:34). We may not have been in the crowd that day, but we are part of the whole world crowd He came to die for. What grace He offers in the midst of pain. Can we do the same?

Remember the words Paul writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12). Our eyes often see and hear a person or situation , but the reality is this is not our true enemy. Our sight and feelings are limited, but His are not. From His vantage point of the cross, He knows He is covering all of our sin – past, present and future. We so often do not know what we are doing or saying, but in His grace, forgives us. Today as we remember the most extravagant demonstration of love that has ever taken place or will take place, may the Lord see our hearts too. May He see hearts that are easy to forgive, focused on fighting the real enemy, extravagant in love and steadfast in faith.

Tomorrow we will hear more silence as we remember the day He remained in the tomb. We will not lose hope, for we know what is coming. Keep holding on, Sunday will be here before we know it. Be ready!

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

This scripture was included this morning in New Morning Mercies, by Paul David Tripp. I needed the reminder. Towards the end of this devotional, Tripp says; “…he was content because he knew weakness is the doorway to real power, power that only God can and willingly does supply.” He was referring to Paul and the “thorn” that was in his flesh. What that thorn was, this particular passage does not say. However, looking at my study Bible notes, the idea is suggested the thorn being “a messenger of satan”. Felt any thorns lately? For me, thorns feel more like arrows. They can come through the news and the number of death reports for the day, a comment or even a thought from my own mind. Sometimes they come as reminders of who I use to be, which has been forgiven. Yes, messages from our enemy that would love to wound us and keep us from remaining faithful.

Another thought came this morning regarding these arrows. What if instead of thinking of arrows that can wound us or take us out, we use them for their other intended us, direction? I remember my mom and one of my younger cousins had this running joke between the two of them. My cousin did not like arrows when she was little. My mom and her would laugh every time she pointed one out. There was nothing harmful about the arrow, just a fun connection between the two. Maybe we can do the same. While arrows are not fun, they can serve as a connection between our weakness and Christ’s strength. We all have places the enemy seems to be able to get between our armor (see Ephesians 6). He has been watching people since the beginning of creation. We have’t changed in our weaknesses all that much.

So maybe today when an arrow comes flying, usually when you are not expecting it, remember to let it point you to the provider of all you need. When fear comes possibly through the news, remember He is always with you. When thoughts of who you once were come whispering in your ear, remind yourself that that person died with Christ and you now live as a new creation. We can no more change our redemption status than we can put Christ back in the empty tomb. Forgiven is now our story, regardless of our past if we have believed and accepted this Easter gift. This is good news, friends!

One more thing. As we keep walking towards Sunday, there will be thorns and there will be an arrow, or spear in the Easter story. Each pierce was taken on our behalf and for life now and for all eternity. These wounded our Savior and one confirmed His death, but He loved the whole world that much. I am so thankful!! May we each be reminded of His great love for us and His strength today.

The Lord uses my kids often to teach me things. They say and do things in such a pure and honest way, that I do not have to wonder about their motives. While not perfect, there is an innocence about each of them that is precious and to be guarded. I think that is one of the reasons I am enjoying this quarantine time. More time can be spent in building up their spiritual armor. More time can be spent hearing, learning and talking about truth. The more that sinks into their hearts now will act as a guard when the enemy comes knocking.

One morning our youngest daughter was playing with her Barbie Dream House. I was close by, putting my makeup on and she loudly told me there was an ant in her house. This did not go well and she took care of the invader immediately. She played a little more and then asked if she could borrow my label marker. I had no idea what she was doing, but later found out. She printed out our last name and placed it on the front door. Just in case another ant happened by, they would clearly see whose home this belonged too.

As silly as this might sound, this made me think of Passover. Each home was clearly identified and they were passed over. Each home that was marked was safe from the plague. This had to be the worst one of all because this one struck down the firstborn  of both people and animals (see Exodus 12:12). Can you imagine when morning came and the broken hearts of the Egyptians? I wonder if this fueled their pursuit later on when Pharaoh changed his mind and wanted the Israelites to return (see Exodus 14)?

The good news is that as followers of Christ, we know to whom we belong. This makes this day and the significance of this week a mix of emotions. On one hand, we are so grateful for what Christ did for us. On the other hand, the separation and cost is too much for us to even grasp. With the slowing down of our days and many of our doors closed, we can spend more time reflecting and being thankful. May this Holy Week be one to remember.