I’ve Got This

During Lent, I am taking a journey with Jesus to the cross using a book called Journey With Jesus by Larry Warner. I am going to periodically post thoughts on that journey here.

The book invites me to enter into Jesus’s suffering and sorrows and to recognize how he let go of his divinity for his humanity. The journey is both self- and God-revelatory. One of the meditations that meant much to me was one when Jesus is being arrested and hauled away. In the meditation, I am a disciple getting ready to flee. I am to imagine what is in Jesus’s eyes as they catch mine. What’s in that quick glance? For years I’ve imagined disappointment and grief, never anger, but a measure of sorrow at my failure. But this time, that’s not what I saw. I saw understanding, sympathy for my weakness, and a look that says, “I know and understand, and I love you still. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” And if his hands had not been bound, he would have given me a thumbs-up. There’s no doubt he would have appreciated a little more courage and faithfulness from me, from us all, but he already knew we would be scattered. He saw it and told us.

Later, of course, the disciples would be filled with the Spirit, and that power would give them an ability to resist sin that they had not known before. They would still fail, but they would understand God’s grace to them in Christ and would be able to recall the cross as that visible reminder of his love and forgiveness. They eventually would be able to die and give their lives away for Him and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

If you are trying to follow Jesus closely, you want more from your life in God. Along the way, God has given you a glimpse and a hope of what life with Him might look like. Maybe you read it in a book or in a person’s life, saw it in a movie or heard it in a song. That desire is from God. So, whatever your journey might be, “Please, press on!”

Phil. 3:8, 20-21 NASB20 … I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. … For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Reflections on a Long Absence from God

(I wrote this the Saturday after the children and grandchildren left on Friday)

Today I feel like a young wife returning home after a long trip, a long absence and abstinence from her husband and lover. My five grandchildren (7, 6, 5, 3. 1), my son and daughter-in-law have been here this week. And as much delight and joy as I have in all of them—individually and as a group, my true rest and joy, and even my excitement and delight has been delayed, neglected because I have not taken as much time to be with my Lord.

I have an urgency to be with him.  There is a satisfaction that I receive from the presence of God that none other can fill. In the whole world, he is the one who cares most about me. He sustains, holds, and keeps me. I am protected and enjoyed, delighted in and cherished. We laugh together, cry together, and I expose all I am to him. I know this theologically and emotionally. Today my body feels it to the point of tears—the moment when longing to be cherished and to cherish is fulfilled.

I love the word cherished. It is better than the concept of  “love” which has been diluted and damaged through over- and misuse. Cherished, for me, means intimately held, never abandoned, valued, thought-highly-of delighted in and provided for. It means safe. It means intimate conversation. Tender and gentle care. It also means a calling upward. When someone cherishes you, they seek your best. Your gifts and desires are considered and called forth into fulfillment. This blesses you and the world around you, as you become what you were intended to be.

A contented homemaker or teacher, a cherished CEO or health-care worker, a laborer in the fields, the owner of the fields, the manager of the fields can all offer more joy and hope to the world when they know they are deeply cherished.

If you breathe, you are cherished.

But believing this significant truth takes time, for we are often filled with a sense of being ugly and deformed, undeserving and too weak to be so cherished. These lies arise from darkness, and they keep us from the eternal life with God we are meant to live NOW—not just later.

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

Our Father, Who Art In Heaven

Praying the “Lord’s Prayer” is a wonderful practice—especially if you pray it slowly and with intention. It was Jesus’s answer to the request, “Teach us to pray.” There is so much truth here that it takes books to plumb the depths.

Jesus With His and OUR Father

The first six words have paradigm-shifting power—beginning with, “Our Father.” God’s kingdom is meant for all who will come. This phrase should unite all Christian believers. In the U.S.A., we are individualists, and our tendency would be to pray, “My Father.” There is nothing intrinsically wrong with claiming God has my father because he wants to be both personal and inclusive. However, Jesus used the word, “Our” and that should be instructive regarding unity and love and concern for one another. He also used the word, “Father” and that implies so very much!

The early church knew the meaning of “our.” They gathered daily and weekly to pray, worship, and to “speak to one another in psalms or hymns or spiritual songs.” When they bowed their knees HE was “Our Father” the family’s Father. They needed community for they were heavily opposed because of their faith. Faith in and obedience to Christ juxtaposed them against Rome and Jewish legalism. Faith, because it is God-centered and not man-centered, is very oppositional culturally and politically. We have a different leader. Christ lived a life of resistance to evil and love for mankind, and we should do the same. Of course they killed him for it, but this is OUR struggle, too—to live in obedience to the ONE who unites us by His Spirit together for his kingdom and his will (which is to love and help mankind into his kingdom of truth and love). And we may, as they were, be persecuted for following Christ, but let it NOT be for doing wrong–as Peter warns against.*

The last four words of this phrase, “who art in heaven,” can also shift our perspective. Our Father is in heaven, and he is all powerful and above all things. According to Ephesians 1, Jesus is also there with our Father, raised and “seated with Him far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Eph. 1:21) He is heavenly–not bound by earth’s flawed perspectives or the limitations of time or space or any other resource.

Our Father is all-powerful, all knowing, and full of compassion and grace. HE RULES. HE KNOWS. This should give wings to our asking. We are going before a loving, tender, heavenly Father who loves us and who is able to provide our needs, “according to his riches in glory.” He also has the wisdom to know what is good and bad for us. Christ is inviting us to deeper trust in a heavenly Father, not a legalistic tyrant. Growing to trust in that Father’s love and wisdom (and not our own) is as challenging to us as to a child who isn’t granted something deeply desired but unwise. Trust is something I/we must always work toward.

I need to dwell in that six-word phrase for a while—maybe for the greater part of my life, or at least until it rings completely true—“Our Father, who art in heaven.”

What truths might God teach you as you meditate on that tiny phrase? I’d love to hear what you learn. (There’s much more than I covered here.)

*But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. I Peter 3:15-17. (NIV)

You are the Salt of the Earth

Pink Sea Salt

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world,” and “you are the salt of the earth.”

To the latter, he adds, “but if the salt has become tasteless, it is no longer good for anything but to be cast out and trodden under foot by men.” In those days, tasteless salt was used as a kind of gravel put on roadbeds. When it was good, it was as useful as cash is in our economy.

So often, I have thought about “salt” as a means of preserving the good. Salt is used as a preservative all over the world—even today. However, what Jesus says is, “but if the salt has become tasteless.” Did you know that this can happen if salt has chemical impurities or is exposed to atmospheric moisture? Interesting image.

Lately, I’ve become more aware of the power of little things done by small, seemingly unimportant Christians (like me). As we walk with Christ in the world, we powerfully impact it. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.“ (II Cor. 2:15 NASB)

Brother Lawrence

About 12 others and I are trying to practice the presence of God as we live our everyday lives. So, we pray as we go through life and encounter people who look like they need prayer. We pay attention to the faces of those who seem downcast, and our prayers in the power of the Holy Spirit motivate our movements outward. We perform an act of kindness, pay prayerful attentiveness to suffering, offer a gift of generosity or simply help someone carry groceries. We are also led to repentance as we pray for those who aggravate or oppose us.

The world needs us—because it needs Christ.

It needs our compassion, our truths, our small acts of kindness and mercy. We wonder, “What does this matter? It’s such a small thing.” But what if all believers began to salt the earth daily with prayer and love and mercy? What if we prayed everywhere we went—with a desire to love the earth back into a love relationship with the King of Kings? What if we demonstrated his love and compassion in millions of ways? What might happen?

If we put into action the Kingdom that Christ came to present to the world, we would become that city that cannot be hidden. We wouldn’t be simply words and judgments; we would be the catalyst for hope and light in a dark world. Jesus called us salt. We matter.

Right now mankind treads the Church under foot. Why might we deserve that? Where have we/I become tasteless? Jesus was so winsome, that sinners loved to be around him—he salted society and they wanted more. If we lived and loved like Christ—going about doing good and showing compassion, praying at all times in all places in the Holy Spirit, maybe the world would get thirsty to possess some of that essence as every little grain of salt played its teeny tiny, humble part.

But if mankind didn’t want the tastiness of Christ, we would still have the privilege and joy of loving the world a little closer toward the knowledge of Him.

The Light of the World?

I am on the Internet informational group, “Neighborhood.” On it people complain and express opinions and inform one another of local happenings—wrecks, town meetings, animals in the area, and thefts, for instance. It’s an informational page that is often a place to vent. I like the information it provides, and occasionally I look at the rants–they reveal the condition of our society.

Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe, holding out the words of eternal life. Philippians 2:14-16a (TPT)

Yesterday, someone posted a story about a daughter who works in the restaurant service industry. A customer lambasted her. It was a Sunday, and the malicious people had obviously come from church. The young girl, who was working to save money for college, went home undone—broken. What a testimony to the love and grace of God!

Scripture teaches us that we, the children of God, His family, are lights in the world. We are to accompany God on Christ’s mission of offering grace and kindness, truth and mercy to a world that is covered in despair, darkness and deceit. Our best light pours from us as we are attached firmly to Christ in daily worship, the word, prayer, and loving, mutual intimacy with God. Abiding in Him produces fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is the light we are supposed to shed. WE are to broadcast God’s beauty as seeds in a world trapped in darkness.

It breaks my heart when my precious Lord and His Family are defamed in these ways. Jesus said that light can’t be hidden. If we are full of light, we cannot hide it. It will shed abroad. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” That’s what happened in the early Church. They were full of loving testimony and a behavior that lit the universe. People wondered, “What kind of people are these who are turning the world upside down?” They were indeed, “shining lights in the universe.” However, if our light in the world is darkness, how dark are we? Are we in the light at all? Can a tree bear both good and bad fruit? If we are disciples of Jesus Christ, our light should be growing more intense as we reflect the beauty and glory of our magnificent Lord and Savior.

I know, we all sin. (At least I do.) Our hearts are impure, and we get angry and put out from time to time, but we can still attempt to make the world a kinder gentler place. We can seek God when we see the rottenness in our bones, and minds, and hearts. We can cry out for mercy and help. We can come before our loving Father and tell him our lives don’t reflect well on the Family. If we are guilty of contempt, impatience, cruelty or harshness, we can apologize and repent before God. And honestly, because our behavior reflects badly on Christ and his Bride, we must also repent to those we’ve sinned against—if we are made aware of it. O, dear Church of God, please let your light shine—not in rules and regulations, opinions and demands, but in Christ-like love, truth, and gentleness. Our world desperately needs this light.

Incarnation—How Low Did He Go?

There is growing in me the awareness that I don’t have as much knowledge of God as I thought. Finite humans cannot grasp infinite spirit and mystery. I might stand in the ocean, and in that moment comprehend the ocean that touches me, but I don’t fully know the essence of the other 352 quintillion gallons in it (that’s 18 zeros). How can I ever boast that I understand God or how low he had to go to put on human flesh? I can only appreciate what he reveals, and any person who appears on the pages of scripture, was stunned by his presence whenever God showed up in glory. I can only embrace their faith or try to see through their eyes, and what I can see takes my breath away.

Nativity at Night by Guido Reni (1600’s)

Nothing I can write has enough luster to paint the appropriate images of the God who goes that low.

Perhaps this is one the greatest invitations to wonder that God offers: to consider and ponder these words for more than a minute—and then to stop, drop, and worship.

“He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God,” and “all things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.” (v.2-3) “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

That God should choose to walk among us as Immanuel, God with Us, in human flesh is absolutely stunning, and it’s one of the deepest mysteries and most intimate expressions of limitless love.

May we know him as fully as we are able to know him until we see him face-to-face! “Then, we shall be like him, because we will see him as he is, and whoever has this hope fixed on him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” I John 3:2-3

How Barnabus Came to Live With Us

(We have had Barnabus for many years, but I wrote about this and never posted it.)

I swore off pets after our cat died a few years ago. One of the reasons is that I have friends and family with allergies. I want to be able to have them over—that, and the fact that we travel.

O well.

My husband, my daughter and my youngest son frequently asked for a pet—something not as wet as a goldfish and larger than a hamster—preferably a dog. We bought new furniture—untainted by pet dander, replaced old carpet, and bought a couple nice rugs. I refused to relent. Still, occasionally I’d hear whimpering, “Why can’t we have a pet?”

Over the past few years I’ve been spending time with people who have pets. I thought the visits would be a continual reminder that I didn’t want a dog—you know—slobber, stink, chewed furniture. I’ve enjoyed playing with them and participating in the joy and laughter. But dog ownership wasn’t for me. It was too much—well—dog.

I went to my friend’s farm and stayed the night. She and her husband had just adopted a blue-eyed puppy named Barnabus. He would be the third in a trio of rambunctious, hairy dogs. Hair. Yes hair. One common theme among most pet owners: dust bunnies made entirely of hair. Like I really need and want that.

O well.

So, Barnabus, (a name that means son of encouragement) and I became friends over night. His blue eyes, edged with black liner, and his soft cream-colored fur won me over. He was on a test-run at Paula’s house and was so feisty with her other larger dogs, that she feared someone was going to get hurt—probably the big dogs. That night, as this petite-fireball wreaked havoc on the deck, the dogs, and my feet, Paula decided he needed to go back to his former owner. He was simply too much work for her already over-filled schedule.

You know where this is going.

I had been feeling selfish for not letting the rest of the family own a pet. As Paula’s determination to remove the puppy from the premises solidified, I waivered. I started chasing puppies in my head. Dog. No dog. O my goodness, he was so cute.

So, by morning I thought I’d let my husband meet him, then, if he agreed, our daughter would get a new pet (my son had moved out). Duh. Love at first sight. I can never count on my husband to bring me to my senses in situations like this.

Paula had to leave to take her big dogs to be groomed, and while she was gone my daughter came to the farm.  Paula had told her she had a little gift for her. We sat down and played with Barnabus and waited.

Paula surged through the door carrying a bag full of doggie toys.

“Hey, how are you, Leigh Ann?”

“I’m great. I’ve really had fun playing with Barnabus. He’s so adorable.”

“He’s something, isn’t he?”

“Yep.”

“Why don’t you show her your little surprise?” I said as I winked and head-pointed to the bag of pet toys.

Quickly catching on, she handed her the bag.

Leigh Ann opened it up and saw squeaky stuffed toys and chew-things.

She smiled a huge grin and was genuinely grateful but confused. “They’re so cute,” she said as she pulled out a rubber ball, “but what are they for?”

Grinning impishly, Paula replied, “They go with the puppy.”

“What?” Her face beamed as she looked at me hopefully. “Really, Mom? I can have a dog?”

“Yes, your dad and I agreed to it,” I chuckled.

She laughed her jolly, down-from-the-heart laugh. I don’t think she could have been happier—even if we had bought her a pony. (Well, maybe if we bought her a pony.)

So, now we have a nipping, yelping, smart, furry, chewing, blue-eyed creature (part Australian Shepherd, part Border Collie) who has promised me that he will never be more than forty-one and a half pounds.  He’s already gained 7 pounds in three weeks—I think he may have lied.

He also promised he wouldn’t shed, but he lied about that, too. He has tinkled and pooped on the rug and carpet (more than once), wakes Leigh Ann to take her for a walk at 3:00 am, but he’s learning. Or maybe we are learning. Somebody’s doing something. We are exhausted, have new laugh wrinkles, nip wounds, and the living room coffee table is littered with shoes and puppy books.

O well.

A Presence to Be Reckoned With

Jesus was often pursued by great crowds

Jesus was often followed. Crowds tracked him down seeking healing, truth, deliverance, and hope. It was hard to escape, and frequently he found himself surrounded by people simply wanting to touch him. He was, above all things, undeniable. He was a presence to be reckoned with. He still is. 

Brother Lawrence at work in the kitchen

Two of my heroes are Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach. Both sought to pray without ceasing—to always be aware of Christ’s presence in their lives. Lawrence’s little book, Practicing the Presence of God, is a must-read for all Christians. Whether peeling potatoes, scrubbing floors, or dealing with fellow brothers, he found a way to commune with God consistently and by doing so, it transformed his heart and gave joy for his journey. 

Frank Laubach

Laubach’s writings include two that are in the public domain: “Game with Minutes,” and Letters from a Modern Mystic. He found that by developing a practice of constant awareness of God’s presence, he experienced a transformed reality. They are worth reading. His life was amazing. He was consumed with literacy and developed a reading program (Each one Teach One). He was missionary to the Philippines. He was a very influential Christian mover in the early 20^th Century, and he gave credit to God and his practice of unceasing prayer. Both of these men KNEW that being with Jesus—following him as closely as possible—was the best of all possible lives. It wasn’t legalism; it was unceasing joy and hope. Both of them knew that prayer was more than just words. It was companionship and presence. 

Here is a link that tells about Frank Laubach and some of his journey into companionship with Christ.

https://renovare.org/articles/living-each-moment-with-a-sense-of-gods-presence-frank-laubach

The Unqualified “Yes!”

Lord, do I give you an unqualified “yes” to everything you ask? I know I choose you daily. I intentionally look at you in your word, sit with you in prayer, and notice when I have bad attitudes or resentful thoughts. I repent when I am aware of sin, I rejoice over many daily gifts, and I think I am giving you myself everyday to use me as you will…but is it an unqualified “Yes!”?

When all grows dark, help me say, “Yes!”

Help me, Father, to long for your kingdom, your love and grace, your hope and truth so much that the only thing that will satisfy me is to your Spirit ruling over the hearts and minds of others and myself. I want to be a gentle warrior. Let my sword be the truth of your grace and love, as well as the unyielding truths that flow always from your holy presence. Let my shield of faith be the faith of Christ—not just faith in him. He trusted you completely; I long for the same. Keep my mind safe as I wrap it in thoughts of your salvation—free and full—everyday in everyway for the rest of my life. As I put on your righteousness—that breastplate that keeps my heart from the accusations of evil, help it to be real—not just imputed—a righteousness that is full of your love, grace, and truth. And when I put on those gospel shoes—remind me that your Kingdom and all those things you did and said when you arrived 2,000 years ago is the best of all possible worlds. All the grace you granted on the cross, and the supernatural ways of a Spirit-filled life led by your wisdom and your grace is the most beautiful way to live, because you are a good and beautiful God. And, you are king, whether we bow or not.

To say, “yes,” I must listen for your instructions.

I see where I waffle. And it is in minor things. Those are the little traps that are set for me. They aren’t usually evil—just less than glorious. But I look at my little frail self, and I wonder if I can stand in your intensity, your burning fire of love for the length of a full day? For the length of an hour? A minute? A breath? Am I so impacted by this world that your supernatural fire is simply more than I can bear?

As I pray for your kingdom to come and your will to be done, remind me that it is not so that I can be right, but so that your love and grace, your gentleness and kindness, your hope and your salvation will take over the heart of the world, beginning with your Church. 

Help me keep my eyes on you so that I will always and forever give you an unqualified, YES! 

 

Fire in the Bones

When babies are baptized, they are often startled by the cool water and cry out. Much like us, we feel uncomfortable when God’s mercy falls in strange ways. On Pentecost the Spirit fell and all were stunned. When Christ promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to them, they could only speculate what that might look like. John the Baptist had warned them that he (John) baptized with water but that one would come (Jesus) who would baptize with fire. Fire! Fire in the bones, in the heart, in the soul. 

uniteboston.org

However, I doubt that many were expecting winds, literal tongues of fire on their heads, and foreign tongues to be part of the scenario. I’m fairly certain they were astonished—not that Christ fulfilled the promise but that it happened in that particular way. They knew it was happening—all the way to their bones aflame with reality. They felt it. Spirit roared through them, empowering, enabling, and granting new courage. Any cowardice Peter might have showed when he denied Christ was GONE, burned up in the furnace of God’s grace, power, and love! 

So, there it was—new power to walk fearlessly obedient to God. This was no ordinary, limp, or legalistic faith anymore; it was a surge of holy glory, and these disciples—all 120 of them—were empowered for their new walk of life and love in Christ.  I often forget this as I try to live a supernatural life naturally. Jesus would say, “Please stop it. It is impossible to be like me apart from ME!”

So, walking with Christ is filled with surprises from birth to immortality. 

Water baptism surprises little ones. Walking aware of God’s Spirit in us, and that we are in Christ and children of God is astonishing–surprising, if you will. All of God’s grace is amazement—all the way to life everlasting. It is fire in our bones.