Table of Olives

”How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings good news of good things, who proclaims salvation…”  Isaiah  52:7

This picture popped up as a memory on Facebook. I had forgotten and was happily reminded. I asked why they had drawn a cross on their feet and the answer was so simple, “I love Jesus and He died on the cross for my sins.” This truth was spoken by a then 7 year old son. Why do we adults try and make it so complicated when the words of a child are so much clearer?

We talked this morning about this picture and he shared what was on his heart. He told me he sometimes does not tell me things because I don’t just listen, but add to his story. Trying to relate or fix is not always the best approach. I apologized and was thankful to learn. He will not come to me as he grows older if he thinks I do not listen. We can learn something new if we will take time to listen.

My prayer for each of us today is that we will have beautiful feet. That we will live from the overflow of the love Christ has placed inside of us and proclaim peace. May we willingly share the good news of salvation. And may we be people who listen.

 

“Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5

Report cards arrived in the mail today and we took time to look over each one. A younger child was a bit upset because he thought he had received a bill from school. The concept of grades was lost on him. The older ones were eager to see the outcome and we were all glad the year was over.

One sweet girl is struggling with not feeling like she is good at anything. Athletics is not her strength and nothing is measurable. Her grades were just fine, but her worth seems to be tangled up in the unknown. I asked her what she thought I cared the most about on her report card. It was the teacher comment regarding her character. This child loves well, is kind, a great leader, full of grace, discerning, fun and growing in her faith. How do you put that on a report card or make a team with these heart characteristics?

We talked about how the Lord has been teaching me the importance of the small, unseen things. Maybe we could call it the school of humility and I am in kindergarten. This is what will last well past the time of report cards and carry into eternity. The humility of Christ is our example and can be passed down through generations, making for a wise investment of our hearts now. Maybe if we all enroll this country might be turned around. Seeing everyone as human, worthy of hearing, serving and loving could go along way in our training. Are you ready to enroll? I’ll save you a seat beside me and share my snack if you like.

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Are you getting tired? Me too. I know this soul fatigue will not last, but it is here today. So what do I do? I walk my weary heart to my Heavenly Father and picture myself falling into His arms. No words have to be exchanged for that would require energy I do not have. There is something so comforting about being with Him. There is a protected peace that settles down deep and I rest. Arrows still fly and thoughts try to rattle for attention but I am at rest.

People are hurting and I have the solution – JESUS. Satan is fully aware of who Christians know, love and trust. To silence us in anyway he can seems to be his mission. I am weary from the fight today.

As my tears spill from heartache and fatigue, a song of remembrance plays and I smile. Then a sweet boy comes up and puts his growing arms around me. I am not as tired now. A verse pops up on my phone screen, another reminder. “You are the light of the world. A town build on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14. Satan is trying to hide the light within but He cannot be contained. I will not give up. A harvest is waiting and seeds need to be planted, but for today I rest.

*Picture was taken at Abilene Christian University

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Our kitchen was in full use this morning and the whole family was present. A few kids were slow in waking up and others were ready for the day. Before long discipline was required and I corrected a child in front of the entire family. I spoke words of correction and a face reddened, eyes looked down and ears closed. It is humiliating to be called out in front of others, having your sin on display. Change is not really the first thing on ones mind during these times.

In my better moments having our kids look up ten scripture verses, on whatever the sin issue happens to be and memorize one of them, has been more effective. I can talk and talk, but finding out what God has to say seems to be the most powerful. You cannot argue with truth and this sinks into their hearts. It is a way of planting seeds during these growing years.

One of the most foundational truths I want to sink deep is forgiveness. Satan would have them hide in their sin and convince them they were much too dirty to ever be clean. I see no stipulation placed on His forgiveness except confession on our part, do you? It is not complicated and I have not found Him to be one who finds satisfaction in humiliating a humble heart. In fact, I have found His correction to be extremely loving and confession comes easier.

If we see we have been wrong in our thinking, actions or words, perhaps now is the time to confess. Take sometime and ask the Lord to search your heart. If He brings something to mind, confess. Open your Bible and find out the truth and memorize it. And maybe just maybe these days will bring forth a spiritual revival like one that has never been seen before.

 

 

 

“On the day I called, you answered me; you increased my strength.”   Psalm 138:3

Do you remember the moment you finally felt like a grownup? Maybe it was when you got your drivers license, first job, went off to college or got married. I seemed to take a lot longer to grow up on the inside even after these big milestones. There was such an internal struggle.

The more the Lord unravels my heart, the more I see areas that I did not have full confidence in the One who made me. You do not call someone you do not trust. Then as only the all knowing God can do, He works in our circumstances and thankfully we began to call out to Him in trust. Guess what? He answers. It might not be in the way you planned, but He knows best and you trust Him to be God.

Something else comes in this calling out in trust, your source of strength is realized. It seems that you grow a backbone overnight and that can only be possible by God. Fear of man is broken and you fear only God. Obedience becomes most important and mans reaction begins to lose its hold on you. Words can still hurt, but the sting does not last nearly as long. You listen and see if there is any truth in what is being spoken. If so respond accordingly and if not you let them go. These are not the days to be easily offended. And as one of my girls says to me often, “Toughen up, buttercup.”

 

“The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

We are hearing so many words these days. Some are spoken calmly, some shouted, some painted on signs, words that aim to deliver a message. Do you feel overwhelmed? Can you sort out opinions from truth? Are you hearing and speaking words of healing or ones that tear down?

These are history making days for sure and we want to participate not add to the noise. Hate, division, stealing and violence are being documented, but so is kindness, love, reconciliation and forgiveness. What are we paying more attention too? We hear what we want to hear based on our opinions, experiences. We collect evidence to back up what we believe. I wonder if we are even mindful that we are doing this constant activity?

Quite possibly we have learned wrong. I am hopeful that we can unlearn and begin  anew. It might mean getting quiet, asking the Lord to search our hearts, read His truth on the matters at hand, repent and speak up in love. Our hearing might need some correction too. For what we hear, finds its way to our hearts and later spills out of our mouths. Just look at the good and the bad on display today if you need convincing. May the words we speak and choose to hear bring healing and life.

“Begin where you are.” C.S. Lewis

I was not alive when people were shipped like cargo into the United States and forced into slavery. I was not alive when segregation, the false idea of separate but equal, was announced and lived out. I was not alive when Brown vs. Board of Education played out in court. I was not alive when Martin Luther King, Jr. marched the streets and Rosa Parks sat down in the front of a bus. I was not alive when the Civil Rights, Voting or Housing Acts were established, but I am alive now.

Today is where we can begin to change. Our eyes are wide open and we are now hearing the cries of hurting people. Why didn’t we hear them before? Perhaps we were too separated, comfortable or overwhelmed with what was right in front of us. Maybe we did not know what to do or where to start. Now none of us can deny that something must be done.

Just the other night one of our girls was hurting. Her and I sat down on the steps and talked. She told me what had hurt her and then unraveled her heart from there. I listened. After many tears were shed, I asked some questions. I also apologized for the part I played in hurting her heart. Then we found some level ground and finished out the day together.

What if we invited each other into our homes and sat down on the steps and listened? What if we asked questions and apologized if needed? What if we found the level ground, we are all made in the image of God, and finish out our days equal together? Our home is open and we would love to visit. I’ll make dinner and you can bring dessert. What day works for you?

 

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”  Philippians 2:13

When we look at the events happening, who do you think it at work? Satan is definitely alive and well doing what he does best, stealing, killing and destroying. Who do you think whispers in the ears of anyone who thinks they have the right to take someone else’s breath? Who do you think fuels anger, encourages stealing, setting fires and acts of violence? Where do you think the idea of seeing people as anything less than human originated? Evil is rooted in the lies of satan and we are watching quite a display of his work these days.

What would God have us do? I have been asking Him this question so often during this time. I have asked Him to show me my sin, to reveal evil roots and to expose them, dig them up and cast them in the fire. I have repented and felt baptized again with cleansing water. I have told Him time and time again that I am available for His use. He has given me many opportunities to love well and thankfulness for being used rises in my heart. Is there more to do, I come again and ask Him. The answer is always yes and the day unfolds accordingly.

I do not know what He has planned for each of us, but I do know it is good. I am confident that He will use each of us to shine light in these dark times. There is much work to be done and opportunities multiply daily. Will you be found available?

 

 

”When Jesus saw her…” Luke 13:12

Do you not just love that those few simple words? Can you imagine having the loving eyes of Jesus see you? We know there is nothing good in us except that which God has graciously given, so there is no need to hide. In fact it is quite impossible to hide from God. This fact gives me great comfort.

If God sees us, then shouldn’t we make seeing others important too? Even when we are in a hurry, can we not spare a smile and eye contact with a stranger? How about a kind word or encouraging text? It is not costly to notice others and it feels close to a gift to give and to receive.

People are quite fascinating and different. We can learn from others and they can learn from us; for we are all walking stories just waiting to be read. So how about we take time today to notice and look a bit more like Jesus than we did yesterday.

“To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by this blood…” Revelation 1:5

When I think of being set free an image quickly comes to mind of our family  together at the beach. There is this relaxed, carefree lifestyle we all begin immediately upon arrival. We keep no schedule, eat great food, ride bikes together and spend as much time as we want in the sun. These memories are some of my very favorite.

The day we leave is always hard and none of us are in a rush to return home, even though we love home. We miss the bike rides, the beach and freedom from schedule. Food seems to taste better there too. It is also nice to have a break in household chores and a more simplified life restores something in each of us. We are better after our trip.

When I think of heaven, I am reminded of these feelings that come along with vacation. The good news is that heaven will be eternal and we will finally be home. There will be no more drive backs and return to normal. Can you even imagine?

The question I am thinking about today is how to bring more of heaven to earth, freedom to our days? How do we live free while we are traveling home? The first step is accepting the freedom we have been given in the shedding of Christ’s blood to pay for all our sin, but then what? Could it be that we take up a more simplified life? What if we did this, love God and love others? Perhaps we would enjoy the food we eat more, ride through our days giving grace and allow Him to direct our schedule. It will not be perfect, but we will not be wasting the days we have been given. And maybe just maybe we can help make someone else’s day be a bit better too. Now that sounds like the making of some really good memories, doesn’t it?