I have to confess, my eyes fell off of Jesus this week…AGAIN!!!! My eyes fell off of HIM and onto my worries and concerns! I think I walked this way for several days before I realized what had happened. The only way I realized that my eyes had gotten off of HIM and onto ME was that my attitude began to stink. It began to stink so much that I could smell myself! I have two teenage football players and they never know they stink after practice until it’s really, really bad! Typically they only notice it when their belongings have remained zipped up in their bags for several days! That’s how badly I think I stunk!!!!
Looking back, I realize that I was irritable, I laughed a whole lot less, I was quick to speak, slow to listen and quickly got angry, (doesn’t James say to do that the other way around? “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry!” James 1:19) My eyes were off of The Savior of my soul and consequently my soul began to sour!
When I finally realized what had happened, I had to confess and repent of my bad attitude and actions, however, I found myself following up my confession with the word, “BUT”! “…But, God, you know I am worried about this thing….” “But, Lord, I am tired of waiting…” “But, Father, I can’t…” What I found rising up within me was not peace, BUT anger! I was angry that things weren’t the way that I wanted them to be! I was angry that my situation had not budged even though I was doing all the right things, saying all the right prayers, and walking all the right paths! Frustration finally spewed out of me and onto Jesus as I shouted out in prayer, “BUT, GOD, SOMETHING SHOULD CHANGE!!!! MY SITUATION SHOULD CHANGE!!!!”
You know what I heard? …Nothing! Silence! No response what-so-ever from the King of Kings! AND I didn’t hang around long enough to wait out the stillness to see if there would be a reply! I was fed up!
What fascinates me is that something began to melt in my heart as I poured honesty upon Jesus’ feet! Although it wasn’t sweet smelling, allowing my true emotions to spill out of me and onto Him seemed to awaken hope deep inside of me! As I walked away from the scene, I looked back over my shoulder and finally Jesus came back into view!!!! I ran back to Him and realized that the “BUTS” were all about “ME”! My eyes were on ME! They had fallen off of HIM!!!! True repentance began to take shape in my heart where hardness had reigned just moments before!
As I think of Santa Fe, I realize that there is a possibility that after all of the prayer things may not change; the situation may remain as it is. I also know that there are others who would say, “We just need to speak to this mountain and it will move!” I think back to 8 years ago when I was told that my one year old baby had cancer. Before the surgery, I couldn’t speak to the mountain! I could only surrender my baby into the arms of the One that I trusted! I realize today that THAT moment, was an intense time of worship! I told The Lord, “Whatever you choose…if you choose to keep my baby on earth with me, or if you choose to take him to be with you in heaven or anything else in between, it’s all ok with me, because I trust You!” I was telling the King of Kings that no matter what happened, I would continue to worship HIM! I laid MY concerns aside, so I could lift HIM up!
Standing before this Santa Fe mountain, I am choosing to do the same thing! I want God to know that I will worship HIM no matter how things turn out. If God chooses to breathe new life into this area of ministry, or if He chooses to close it down, I will worship Him!!!!
So, ladies, I have to turn around and ask each of you: Will you worship Him with me no matter how it turns out? Will you lay your own concerns aside so that you can lift Him up? Will you walk your heart through the process of resetting your eyes on Him? Will you join me in worshipping Him now on this side of the mountain not knowing how things will turn out on the other side? Will you surrender your baby into The Everlasting Arms? If so, let us worship Him together, not for what He does but for who He is! May we bow as one before “I AM”!
Oh, and as we put our faces to the ground, I just want you to know that my son is nine now and healthy as ever! Praise be to God!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanksgiving leads to Peace!
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4-7
This verse has an amazing Thanksgiving to Christmas transition! It says, “…with THANKSGIVING, (present your request to God.) And the PEACE of God (will guard your hearts and minds…)” I am asking that the Lord will guard your hearts and minds with HIS peace as you do your part in thanking HIM for all HE has and has not given!
Several years back I found myself in yet another difficult life challenge! During that time I committed to writing down one thing I was thankful for every day for 30 days! At first, I struggled to find things for which to be thankful. Some days I could only thank God for the 5 minutes of quiet in my day. Other days, with an ungrateful heart I thanked God for the weather. However, slowly, my attitude began to change; it began to infiltrate my heart! Suddenly the peace of God took over and my mind and heart were guarded against the stench which had been residing within.
In whatever situation you find yourself as you read this, I challenge you to thank God! Thank Him for the fact that you got out of bed today! Thank Him for the computer that is before you! Thank Him for whatever little ole thing you can muster up! Then do it again…and again…and again!!!!! Soon, you too will experience peace of heart and mind! I don’t understand how it happens; I just know that it does! God’s Word declares it! Go on, Sweet Sister; go find an ant to thank God for! Soon you’ll be thanking Him for the mountains- even if they are what stand in your way!!!! To HIM be the glory!!!
This verse has an amazing Thanksgiving to Christmas transition! It says, “…with THANKSGIVING, (present your request to God.) And the PEACE of God (will guard your hearts and minds…)” I am asking that the Lord will guard your hearts and minds with HIS peace as you do your part in thanking HIM for all HE has and has not given!
Several years back I found myself in yet another difficult life challenge! During that time I committed to writing down one thing I was thankful for every day for 30 days! At first, I struggled to find things for which to be thankful. Some days I could only thank God for the 5 minutes of quiet in my day. Other days, with an ungrateful heart I thanked God for the weather. However, slowly, my attitude began to change; it began to infiltrate my heart! Suddenly the peace of God took over and my mind and heart were guarded against the stench which had been residing within.
In whatever situation you find yourself as you read this, I challenge you to thank God! Thank Him for the fact that you got out of bed today! Thank Him for the computer that is before you! Thank Him for whatever little ole thing you can muster up! Then do it again…and again…and again!!!!! Soon, you too will experience peace of heart and mind! I don’t understand how it happens; I just know that it does! God’s Word declares it! Go on, Sweet Sister; go find an ant to thank God for! Soon you’ll be thanking Him for the mountains- even if they are what stand in your way!!!! To HIM be the glory!!!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Fragrance
On my walk this morning, I rounded a corner when all of a sudden a beautiful fragrance captured my full attention. Curious, I slowed down and looked around to see what could possibly smell so wonderful. At the very back of a garden wall I spied a group of Petunias snuggled together! They were few in number but their aroma was powerful and alluring. My mind immediately went to the Scipture that says, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” 2 Cor 2:15-16a
Those who have Christ in their lives ARE a fragrance! The fragrance doesn’t dissipate as we move among those who don’t know Christ. We carry the smell of Christ wherever we go! However, those who are lost are either captivated by the fragrance or repulsed by the odor!
This week, I want you to know that you smell! Though few in numbers, your fragrance is noticed, even as you huddle together at the back of the garden! BUT there’s another part to the Scripture I want us to focus on! The section in 2 Corinthians begins with, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Cor 2:14
Soon it will be time to leave the back of the garden and start walking again. I thank God that HE will lead you each in a trimphal procession! I see you throwing Petunias from your basket wherever you go. Some will follow those petals to you and will gain “a knowledge of HIM”. Others will side step those petals! Your job is to throw them with abandon as you step into that triumphal procession! The scene reminds me of the time that King David danced with all of his heart as he led the procession of the Ark back into Jerusalem. His wife looked down on him with contempt, but others joined in the celebration! He was an aroma that others could smell!
Let’s remember that we smell! Let’s begin to dance! Let’s trust God to lead us in triumphal processions! We are the fragrance of LIFE!!! I’m breathing deeply! I’m captivated by your fragrance!
Those who have Christ in their lives ARE a fragrance! The fragrance doesn’t dissipate as we move among those who don’t know Christ. We carry the smell of Christ wherever we go! However, those who are lost are either captivated by the fragrance or repulsed by the odor!
This week, I want you to know that you smell! Though few in numbers, your fragrance is noticed, even as you huddle together at the back of the garden! BUT there’s another part to the Scripture I want us to focus on! The section in 2 Corinthians begins with, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 2 Cor 2:14
Soon it will be time to leave the back of the garden and start walking again. I thank God that HE will lead you each in a trimphal procession! I see you throwing Petunias from your basket wherever you go. Some will follow those petals to you and will gain “a knowledge of HIM”. Others will side step those petals! Your job is to throw them with abandon as you step into that triumphal procession! The scene reminds me of the time that King David danced with all of his heart as he led the procession of the Ark back into Jerusalem. His wife looked down on him with contempt, but others joined in the celebration! He was an aroma that others could smell!
Let’s remember that we smell! Let’s begin to dance! Let’s trust God to lead us in triumphal processions! We are the fragrance of LIFE!!! I’m breathing deeply! I’m captivated by your fragrance!
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