Table of Olives

“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.

 

With all this time at home, I am getting to hear my kids more. They are really funny and insightful. We have conflict and we lose our patience, but overall we enjoy being together. The time around the table lasts longer and even lunchtime is included now. My husband told me the other day that we prepare 27 meals a day! Easy math I know, but I had not taken the time to calculate it. This explains why it seems we run out of food so fast and why I am a fan of paper plates. Paper napkins have been hard to find these days, so we have been using up all of our leftover party napkins. Last night our napkins said, “Give Thanks” and I smiled. I am thankful for these closed in days and pray for the circumstances that have us here often.

When school doors were still open, we would be gone to track meets a couple of nights a week. While I loved watching the kids run, it meant we were not all together. They can last really late and the younger kids needed their sleep. One thing I like about sports teams is how they teach you to work together for a common goal. You also can make lasting relationships. With sports being cancelled, I had a thought. Family has not been cancelled and we are definitely a team. We are all working together for a common goal, to know and live loved by God. Many relationships come and go, but a family is lasting. I can think of no other greater investment of our time.

So, as our doors are closed to much of the outside world, lets spend time team building inside. Perhaps your family is all grown up; pick up the phone often or set up zoom meetings to see each other’s faces. Some of our distractions have been cancelled and we have been given time back. It is up to us to decide what our team will look like when our doors open again. Will we have built stronger relationships as a team? Will our hearts be better for all the practice we have been given to love? I am praying for families to be reset into kingdom minded, loving teams.

If you need help, ask Him. Begin your day with your Bible open and truly turn your house into a house of prayer. Think of your role as a coach and spend time asking how each team member feels and expresses love. You might have missed something. I do not know how long this season will last, but I do know the work done in this season will matter for a lifetime. With Him, we will win!

*The picture was taken when the kids met #7 for the first time. I had shirts made with their birth order printed on them. That was 6 years ago:)

 

Today we took communion as a family and with our church family, doing the same in their homes. As we watched our service online, our pastor led us in this sacred act of remembrance. I had tears in my eyes for a few reasons. One was the sweetness of just being us and the ease of the morning. When everyone meets in the living room wearing pj’s, hair not fixed and no worry of not finding a seat, there is so pressure. The other was because of how often we have done this act, while sitting side by side with other brothers and sisters in our bigger family of believers. It has always been significant, but I never thought to really appreciate gathering together. When that day comes again, I will never stop being grateful for the privilege of meeting with others.

When my husband and I were gathering the juice, representing the blood shed by Jesus, and the bread, symbolic of Jesus’ body given in our place, I had to think about what to serve it in. I looked around our kitchen and an idea came. I got all our medicine cups out and we had just enough. When the juice was poured, I thought this is where our healing truly comes from. I put it all on a heart shaped plate, because this is love. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16).

There is no substitute for what He did on our behalf before we even took our first breath. Who would do such an extravagant act of love? Only the One who knew you were worth it. In light of this sacrificial love, it makes what has been claimed to be love, a cheap imitation. For love “…does not dishonor others and is not self -seeking…” (1 Corinthians 13:5). How can we even begin to serve our precious Jesus who is perfect love? We can begin by accepting His love and obeying His Word.

Taking communion also makes me think of the beautiful hymn by Robert Lowry, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. We so often fall short in our love and obedience, but there is good news. ”What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” With such an emphasis on being clean these days, I pray every time we hear a reminder or see someone wipe down a shopping cart, we remember the precious blood of Jesus that washes away our sins once and for all.

The hymn reminds us that communion has been freely offered and we cannot earn it. “Nothing can for sin atone; nothing but the blood of Jesus. Naught of good that I have done; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” A gift to be received is offered today and hope is ours for the taking. If you were here, I would extend a heart shape plate, grape juice in a medicine cup and a bit of a cracker. “This is all my hope and peace; nothing but the blood of Jesus. This is all my righteousness; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” This love is so amazing, consuming and available. With all the extra time many of us have on our hands these days, I pray we will live thankful for this pardon made possible by our precious Savior. For truly, there is nothing like the blood of Jesus.

*Hymn written in 1876

 

 

“Revival begins when you draw a circle around yourself and make sure everything in that circle is right with God.” – Anne Graham Lotz

 

I have been wondering what Billy Graham would do during this time and then I came across this quote by his daughter. She is also a speaker and writer like her father. He was such a powerful proclaimer of truth. I pray more voices like this will arise during our day. He never seemed to have a personal agenda, just to tell people that Heaven and Hell are very real and that the choice is ours to make. It is very black and white really. Relationship with our Creator forever or in bondage to satan forever? Worship and mansion living or a place so terrible that words are hard to type? To not decide is a actually a decision. I am praying many chose Him who died for every sinner ever born, which means the whole world.

I love reading the autobiography of Billy Graham, Just As I Am. It is such a detailed behind the scenes look into his life. It is fascinating to read words that could easily be written today. To make my point, I read that his team would advertise upcoming events. One ad announced the theme, “Christ for the Crisis”. He said that he “…wanted to let people know that the Gospel had a uniquely dynamic relevance to life as they experienced it here and now.” He brought current events right alongside the Gospel and in doing so, made Christ present; which He very much is and not just old fashioned as some would have you believe. For Jesus Christ has not changed and is completely in control today. Yes, Christ is here in our crisis that rages with the Coronavirus.

You know he use to hold meetings in tents? People would flock to these week long, and sometimes longer, revival meetings. Wikipedia says that “Revivals are seen as the restoration of the church itself to a vital and fervent relationship with God after a period of moral decline.” To say we have declined morally is an understatement. We are primed for a revival I would say and many are praying it to be so. And I will have to say that I am one of them. Just today when I saw the field hospitals set up outside of New York, I thought they looked very similar to revival tents. I pray that many miraculous healings take place in those tent hospitals and those around the world. And in the miracle, I pray that the only explanation points hearts to God.

The copy of Just As I Am that I read is the revised version and happened to include the sermon he gave on September 14, 2001. Our country had been attacked and everyone seemed to be looking for hope. I think we would all agree that we are in a similar state now with an unseen enemy. Interesting how an attack can bring people together again with the common need of hope. To those promoting division in our government, I would say this seems completely non-American right now. I would like to ask whose kingdom they are really trying to build? Yes, darkness is being exposed during this time.

I must share with you a passage included in his message from that day. It can be a prayer we unite in. “But we especially come together to confess our need of God. We have always needed God from the very beginning of this nation, but now we need Him especially. We’re facing a new kind of enemy. We’re involved in a new kind of warfare and we need the help of the Spirit of God.” Billy Graham was going to the Lord on our nations behalf, as many are doing now. Only God can truly help us be healed, not only from this virus, but from the turning away from Him in this country.

As his daughter reminded us, for revival to begin, it must start in each of us. I would ask you if you have gotten on your knees and confessed your need to God? He knows our sin and need anyway, so there is nothing hidden with Him. The most amazing news is that He loved you before any of your sins were ever even a thought. He died for you in spite of our rejection of Him. “From the cross, God declares, ‘I love you. I know the heartaches and the sorrows and the pains that you feel. But I love you.’ The story does not end with the cross, for Easter points us beyond the tragedy of the cross to the empty tomb. It tells us that there is hope for eternal life, for Christ has conquered evil and death and hell. Yes, there is hope!” We could use a good dose of hope right now.

Evil is not from God and is actually the complete opposite of His heart. Does He allow things? Yes, but He always works satan’s evil attempts for our good and His glory on His timetable. Just look at all the good that came following 9-11. I read in this book something I had forgotten. Congress actually stood together and sang, “God Bless America”. Can we dream that this might happen now? Rev. Graham also said, “One of the things we desperately need is a spiritual renewal in this county. We need a spiritual revival in America. And God has told us in His Word, time after time, that we need to repent of our sins, and we’re to turn to Him and He will bless us in a new way.”

I can think of no better time than now. Tomorrow we will celebrate Palm Sunday. This is the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem before the Passover celebration. A crowd heard He was coming and, “They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13). In my study Bible notes, it says that palm branches were used in celebration of victory. Unbelievable! I wonder if they knew that in just a short weeks time, Jesus would be victorious over sin and death? A victory we get to live in today. And the word hosanna means save and becomes an expression of praise. Jesus’ death saved us and is worthy of our praise. Billy Graham wanted everyone to hear this good news too.

As I read the conclusion of this message given to us after such a horrible event in our nations history, I see more words of hope for us today. He prays for wisdom and courage for our President and for us to feel God’s arms around us. I pray you know these comforting arms. We are never alone and in days of quarantine, this brings such peace. Billy Graham declared that, “this is going to be a day that we will remember as a day of victory.” Palm branches will be waving in homes tomorrow if they can be found to celebrate. May our voices of praise be raised to our victorious King as we watch to see Him be glorified.

Lord, start with each of us. Start in our hearts and do what only you can do. As one of my boys prayed tonight for the families, who sent us Christmas cards that are now out on our dining room table to pray over, “God, fill their hearts with your Holy Spirit.” Amen. Do it a again, Lord! Do it again!

 

*Picture was from Easter 5 years ago. The kids have grown so much!