His Gifts

"Let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing with joy forever. Protect them, and let those who love your name triumph in you." Psalm 5:11
 
Taking time to fast and pray today, the first thing that entered my head was to praise Him.

You are the Lord who sings praises to us, Lord on High, through the birds and the sun and the stars and the evening breezes. You share your everlasting love with us every day, Lord, yet we-in our busyness, our self-absorption, our pride, our petty hurts and annoyances-turn away from You.

My heart grieves for those who do not stop to savor the simple splendors of a child's belly laugh in response to the excited licks of a puppy, or a tear escaping the eye of a man's loving look at his wife of 50 years as he takes her hand in his, or a piece of music, literature or Scripture written by one who knows our heart deep down to its core and touches us, weaving words that forever tie us to the moment we hear it or read it.

You, Lord, create these moments for us, binding us to You in love, in courage and in faith. You reveal yourself to us in all You do, Father God. You encourage us, teach us, favor us, and above all, sacrificed Your Son for us. What kind of love and mercy is that? 

The kind that brings me to my knees. The kind that makes me weep without ceasing. The kind that creates in me a thirst for You in a parched and deserted land. The kind that causes me to stand courageously and lift my arms to heaven and proclaim, "I love You with all my heart!"

You told us that we are Your masterpiece, Lord, yet we have done nothing to deserve this magnificent title and honor. You are the potter and we are the clay; if You see us as such it is only due to the strength and power You bestow on us, the beauty You see in us through Your eyes, Lord.

I pray today to live up to what and who You have created me to be, Lord. I know that You are not yet finished with me, and I pray that, in the finishing, You create in me a desire to make Your will my own, to make Your path mine, and to make my love for You greater than any love I have ever known. I pray, Father God, to know You more deeply with every passing day, to walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit and to be a living sacrifice and beacon of the Light of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My Mission

By ourselves we are not qualified in any way to claim that we can do anything. Rather, God makes us qualified. 2 Corinthians 3:5 GW

The Holy Spirit has given me a gift. Before I was born anew in Christ, I used that gift aimlessly, and for whoever would pay. I didn’t care about what I wrote, as long as I got paid to do it.  

As I develop maturity in my faith (and it’s a long, slow, uphill process) and an understanding of my dependence on the Lord, I joyfully submit to His yolk, realizing that the capabilities I have are only those that He grants me for His good purposes.  

For the last two years, I’ve been writing k-6th grade, homeschool, Bible curriculum. The Bible studies focus on foundational pieces of scripture in a way that helps Christian families come alongside their children to form a closer relationship with God and to walk in the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

This Bible curriculum is slow. It is developmentally appropriate for each age group. Each grade’s study takes a small portion of God’s Word and identifies how it is a reoccurring theme of the Bible. Students will see the threads that connect it all together, from Kindergarten to sixth grade, from the Old Testament to the New, from Adam to David to Jesus, and how God worked in each of them. The name of the curriculum – Branches – comes from Scripture, too: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NIV).

Each small portion of scripture is given to children as a precious gift to unwrap, enjoy, and marvel over for nine months. Students are given the opportunity to revisit the scripture again and again as they would a cherished photo album or scrapbook. They will build upon it piece by piece like a tasty puzzle until every morsel is in place to reveal His beautiful canvas.  

The writing is Spirit-led, which many marketing experts don’t understand. I can feel my heart expand as I sit and listen to the Holy Spirit lead me from one scriptural idea to the next. Some days I write for an hour or two; other days I write for five or six. I am amazed at the depth of understanding I have received from the Lord. He has graciously given me eyes to see and ears to hear. He has mercifully opened my heart to His word the way I have never been open before. He has shown Himself to me in new and glorious ways, and in doing this, He has prospered me and made me a wealthy woman.

This curriculum has become my mission, my way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout this country. By the end of August, I will be looking for about 200 moms from across the country to pilot-test and give honest input to this curriculum so that in the spring of 2013, if it is God’s timing, I will be prepared to go to a publisher and spread the word in a big way.

A Thicker Coat of Stubborn

Do not be stubborn as in the past when you turned against God, when you tested God in the desert. Hebrews 3:8 NCV

How often has the Lord given you a way out? How often has He pointed you to scripture to show you the way? How many times has He shown you, through friends, pastors, songs, or other avenues, what you need to do to follow and, just like Jonah, you have fled in the opposite direction?

You have grown, what my eloquent, newfound, friend KK Jones calls, “a thicker coat of stubborn.”

All through the Bible, God warns us not to be stubborn. He tells us to change our ways and listen to Him. 

The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. Psalm 95:8 NLT

He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are people from a nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have rebelled against me to this day.  I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn children. Tell them, ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says.’ Whether these rebellious people listen or not, they will realize that a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel 2:3-5 GW

Stephen continued speaking: "You stubborn people! You have not given your hearts to God, nor will you listen to him! You are always against what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you, just as your ancestors were.” Acts 7:51 NCV

That’s why the Spirit said, “If you hear God’s voice today, don’t be stubborn as in the past when you turned against God.” Hebrews 3:15 ERV (ref Psalm 95:7-8)

You’ve been hurt or rejected and refuse to let go of your anger; you want a certain job and won’t open to another path; you bear guilt and shame like a badge of honor and use it as an excuse to keep you from moving forward. You blame others for disappointment or lack, you fail to give grace or forgiveness, and you take offense at minor perceived insult. You become angry with God when He rewards others that in your judgment should be punished.

But we must also remember The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9 NCV

When we begin to judge God’s decisions, we are placing ourselves higher than the Lord. And do we really want to do that? 

I have learned over the years not to ask, “Why.” That is part of my trust in Him. When I had breast cancer in 2007, I asked Him to get me through it with grace and humor, and He did.

Take off that coat of stubborn. Ask Him to clothe you in grace, forgiveness and peace.

He will.

Thankfully Abiding in Him

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Dear Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for this glorious day you have made. Thank you for the sun and the wind and the roses and the sunflowers and the special fragrances you have created. Lord, I am so thankful you are in my life. I am so grateful you brought me to my knees and brought me to your son who gave His life to make me pure.

            Lord, I am nothing without you. I was drifting, heading for rapids in which I would drown. You guided me to the door of the house in which you dwell. You gave me ears to hear your voice and eyes to see the outstretched, welcoming arms of Jesus. You said, “Come to me,” and I came. You opened the door and I walked through. Jesus held out his hand and I took it, and felt the rushing, pulsing, breathing, living water He offered.

            I am so humbled to be walking with you now. Yet I know, even though I am yoked to you, there are times I turn my face away. How can I forget your warm, shining presence when you are beside me every moment? How can I forget you hold my heart captive now and for eternity?

            Yet, I do. And each time, you gently take my face in your hands and turn it again to you. When my gaze returns to you and we lock eyes, I remember. I am loved unconditionally, I am forgiven, and I know I abide in your heart, too. I am redeemed. 

I love you, too.

Ouch!

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT

I messed up big time. And I know better. 

When I am full of pride, consider myself a good and decent Christian, willing to do anything for the people I love – my family and my friends. 

Yet, when I humble myself and accept the Lord’s lessons, I see that I’m willing to do what’s convenient, what I can get away with, what doesn’t take me to my wit’s end. Ouch. It’s a difficult and tearful lesson.

In my discernment, I can see clearly that the Enemy was testing me. I just completed a Bible study that asked us to write up a covenant with the Lord. Our task was to place it in an unsealed envelope and give it to a trusted Christian friend to read. This friend was to return the covenant to the envelope, then place upon it her seal.

A couple of days later, I shot off an email to a beautiful, Christian friend of mine (a different one), asking her when she could meet me for coffee. I suggested a day and time, I didn’t hear back until the morning of the day, I made a plan to be there, but my entire morning became frantic with other commitments and I let time get completely away from me. I felt rushed and frustrated and my last straw had broken. I just didn’t see how I could get everything done. I canceled on her.

She texted me that she was annoyed. “I feel like I’ve set aside so many times for you and you either cancel or forget. I’m a little annoyed right now. Sorry.” 

Clearly, she didn’t understand my side of things. She was exaggerating. I’ll let it go for now and talk to her later when she isn’t upset.

Then I began to pray and He answered. “What was your part in this? Was she right? Were you being a faithful and loving friend?” Oh, my gosh! I had forgotten a couple of coffee dates. I had canceled on her a few other times. Ouch! I hurt her heart. Now, mine hurts as well. Lord, please help me with this. How do I apologize, repent and never do this again!

I had dinner that evening with the Christian woman to whom I had given my envelope.  She came home from work frustrated because she had been trying to set up lunch appointments for her bosses with marketing contacts. It seems they kept canceling the lunch appointments. “How can you maintain any kind of relationships when you don’t keep your commitments?” God drove home the message loud and clear.

I sent off a letter of apology – a sincere and transparent one this time – thanking her for the lesson she taught me about commitment. I told her in words how much she means to me, but I know I have to show her in my actions. I prayed she wouldn’t give up on me. And I will be at the next coffee date…if there is one.

If I want this dear friend to stay my friend – and if I want to abide in Jesus and have Him remain my Friend – then I’d better keep my covenants, both great and small.

Song of Praise to the Lord

I will honor you not just with my lips

But will assign all that I am to worship

My Lord Jesus, my Savior. You reign.

Take control of my heart; please don’t restrain.

You made me what I am,

The vessel that holds your living water

You placed upon my head a crown of beauty

And you lovingly call me your daughter

I offer my soul, my strength, my mind;

To you, Jesus, I willingly bind.

A living sacrifice to you I will be.

Side by side we’ll walk to eternity.

You made me what I am,

The vessel that holds your living water

You placed upon my head a crown of beauty

And you lovingly call me your daughter

You have planted me from a tiny seed

And your word and laws I obey and heed.

I seek nothing more than to reflect your face.

I’m the oak you water with your grace.

You made me what I am,

The vessel that holds your living water

You placed upon my head a crown of beauty

And you lovingly call me your daughter

I offer my soul, my strength, my mind;

To you, Jesus, I willingly bind.

A living sacrifice to you I will be.

Side by side we’ll walk to eternity.

A living sacrifice to you I will be.

Side by side we’ll walk to eternity.

The Heart of a Disciple

I believe in God. I believe He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to be crucified to save me. I believe that he rose from the dead three days later. I call myself a disciple because I work to learn his teaching and his ways. My heart belongs to Him who created me. 

I find an everlasting peace in knowing that when I pray, God hears my prayers and answers them. That I am not the center of the planet. That my purpose here is to glorify God in the way I behave, which was taught by His son Jesus. That if I stay true to Him by abiding in His word, I contribute to humanity one person at a time. That if I make a mistake, I can get back on track with His love, guidance and help – and yes, sometimes His correction. 

I have a guidebook to help me navigate through life. It’s called the Bible.

If I want to know how to treat others, it’s not all about me and my ideologies; it’s about loving and forgiving (Matthew 22:39; Matthew 6:12, 14; Matthew 18:21-22).

If I want to know how to parent, it’s about respecting my children, but giving them appropriate boundaries (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:6 Colossians 3:21; Hebrews 12:11; Ephesians 6:4).

If I want to know how to run a company, it’s not about corporate greed; it’s about ensuring the world becomes a better place in which to live (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 24:19-21; 26:12-13).

If I want to be consistent about abortion and the death penalty, it’s there, too (Exodus 23:7; Exodus 20:13).

Democrat, Republican, Tea Party, Green Party or Independent, I’m told to pray for my leaders. (Titus 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Do I accomplish that all the time? Of course not. I’m only human. God is the Perfect One. But I continue to strive to honor Him, to live my life according to His wishes, and have my Father say when my life here on earth is complete, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”