A Tribute to My Mom…

Another Christmas has come and gone where I had the privilege of pondering Jesus like His mother Mary did. Another Christmas has come and gone where I watched mothers and daughter love on each other. Another Christmas has come and gone with “my girls” loving on me and me on them. Another Christmas has come and gone where I was amazed by the gift of grandchildren.

And another Christmas has come and gone without a word, a letter, or a phone call from my Mom. Of course, another Christmas has come and gone for my mom without a word, a letter, or a phone call from her daughter – that be me! Why? What’s the hold-up? Is there still un-forgiveness between us? Do we have irreconcilable differences? Do we not truly love each other? So many questions could be asked, answered, pondered, debated, or argued. But in truth…none of them matter…only that I love my Mom and always will.

A tribute is an expression of gratitude or praise, something said or given to show admiration to someone. Most people write a tribute about somebody they are close to, has had a positive influence on them, or they have a deep love and respect for that other person. Most people do not write a tribute about somebody they haven’t spoken to in nearly six years, whose relationship has always been rocky at best but most often non-existent, where misunderstandings are abundant, and the walls are high and thick between the two.

But that’s exactly what I want to do…My mom is my mom…whether we talk or not, ever see each again other this side of heaven or not, like each other or not…She is my mom! I have only to stop and think my God chose to create me in her womb…isn’t that amazing? He didn’t choose some other woman, but my mom. That makes me smile!

Oh sure…there have been years of tears and no smiles…years of playing the blame and shame game…years of being the victim…years of accusations and wall building…years of complaining and grumbling; years of wishing for something else…years of wasted thoughts…but in the end, my mom is my mom and I love her.

Why do I love her? Because she was chosen for me and I for her! Because she said yes when God gave me to her though she might have wanted to say no; Because she chose life for me and not death; Because she held me close and rocked me at night making me feel wanted; Because she couldn’t just walk away on my first day of kindergarten as I sat, petrified, on the piano bench next to the teacher with tears streaming down my face. She peered through the little window in the door until I calmed down.

Because she cooked great meals and made sure I ate healthy and appreciated food; Because she sang “You Are My Sunshine, my only sunshine” when we did dishes at night. Because she held me close when my eardrums were infected and bursting, crying right along with me. Because she nursed me through chicken pox, fevers, and flu, mended cuts, a crushed trachea, fat lips, and all my other injuries from “going too far”.

Because she held my hand at the dentist and let me hold her hand every Sunday in church as I played with her veins and nail polish (weird but true). Because she took me to church, Sunday School, and youth group. Because she introduced me to independence; letting me play at the park by myself, go ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, play sports with the boys, even knowing I was going to get hurt.

Because she took me to the state fair every year and bought me goodies. Because she went with me on long bike rides in the summer. Because she signed me up for “beginning” swimming three years in a row because I just couldn’t learn how to swim. Because she let me take part in sports at school even though she never had the opportunity to play herself. Because she was a strong disciplinarian making sure I knew the difference between right and wrong.

Because she forced me to know and appreciate hard work by making me get a full-time babysitting job for three kids when I was fifteen years old, spending the summer wiping noses and changing diapers. Because she went to bat for me so I could get my first “official” job at Bridgeman’s Ice Cream though I had no experience. Then again at Montgomery Wards when I was in college (she worked at one and got me a job at another). Because she dropped me off at college and let me grow up though I was scared and she would be alone.  I could go on and on and on.

All this – yet we are not in relationship. We have tried. It just hasn’t worked. I still honor her though. In fact, it’s an honor to honor my mom! The Bible says “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

I could spend my time trying to figure out how to make right what is all wrong, how to restore what has been stolen, or how to reconstruct what has been dismantled.  OR… I will just love my mom for being my mom. I will count my mom as my blessing. I will count it all joy. I will thank God for choosing my mom for me! I won’t try to figure it out anymore. I won’t recount all the bad things .I won’t look at what I don’t have but what I do have. I won’t think what could have been but I will look at what is. I won’t talk about what I wanted but that God has given me what I needed. I can tell you, it has all worked together and it IS good. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Some of you reading this have great moms; imperfect but great. Some of you wouldn’t say your moms are all that great! If that is you, I pray you look for the greatness of God in the midst of imperfection! I never thought my mom was “great” but now? Wow! She is GREAT! Why? Because she belongs to my great God and He does great things with great people!

Another Christmas has come and gone…the greatness of God is here to stay! Thank You, Father God for my mom. You’re the greatest and You chose my mom FOR ME making her the greatest mom on earth! And mom…here’s to you! You’re the best!

 

The Winter Trip Reminding Me of Where We Belong!

–

While a lot of people in the Midwest look to get away someplace warm in the winter, especially those over fifty years old, my husband and I chose to take a brief three-day trip up to the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior. Even though I’ve been going up to the Shore for over four decades, because of ministry demands, Christmas activities, sermons, extra services, and preparations, we have never went up in the winter.

It’s about a five-hour drive to reach our final destination but 2 ½ hours into it gives our first glimpse of the Great Lake where I immediately get this overwhelming sense of joy and peace. I breathe easier, smile more, and simply feel at ease when “I’m back” at the North Shore. Another two hours of driving brought us to one of my favorite cities, Grand Marais, where we hit up our usual eating establishment for lunch, the Blue Water Café, known as “The Meeting place in Grand Marais”!  It always feels like we step back in time; people engage in intimate conversation; the atmosphere is relaxed; no one grabs a quick-lunch; and no phone orders are called in! It has a hometown, home-cooked feeling where everyone is welcome.

We heard soft Christian music in the background with one of our favorite songs “Where I Belong” playing as we settled in. Coincidence? I think not! The waitress kindly waited for us to finish singing before taking our order. An Advent book sat on the table so my husband read the days’ devotion to me. We prayed before eating and shortly after the owner came over thanking us for taking time to thank the Lord! Now THAT is COOL! He said it meant a lot for him to see us pray. Well, it meant a lot for me to witness his boldness in sharing our common faith in Jesus in his restaurant. If our get-away would have ended right then, it would have been perfect!

After a home-cooked lunch we meandered through the town unhindered by the swarm of tourists we’re used to. Many of the shops were either closed or emptied out, but there were enough open ones still so as not to leave empty-handed. Though the streets were practically deserted, and the cold air palpable, we still felt the warmth of this very special place; it’s innocence tangible as we passed the community board where two hand-written signs were posted, “Please use push pins” and “Please don’t pin the wood, use the board”. Simple, direct, kind, trusting requests making me smile, thinking we wouldn’t see that in the big city!

We drove another half hour to Hollow Rock resort where we unloaded the car and were immediatly struck by the noise of the thunderous waves, much different from what we hear in the summer, especially since there was no wind. The Great Lake waters were heaving, wave after wave crushing the shoreline to the point of being ominous. It was so intriguing we ventured out to the Hollow Rock in the lake even before unpacking inside, risking the violent waters as we leapt onto the rocks and climbing to the top. Once there, we gingerly looked down over the raging waters below, amazed by the sight and sound of so powerful a body of water, deafening but oh so beautiful! At that moment, all I could think is how much noisier and greater God is than the waters He created!

Psalms 93:4 “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.”

The next morning we bundled up with boots, snow pants, coats, mittens, scarves, and hats for a chilly hike, eager to climb boulders, cross creeks, skip stones, and see all the sights God had ready for us this day! As we maneuvered the rock formations we discovered winter hiking is a bit trickier than summer hiking, not just because of the thin sheets of ice covering some of the boulders but also because of the cold temperature effects on our bodies. I would definitely insist winter hiking is all about “mind over matter”, in this instance, the “matter” being our knees! As we trekked up, over, and down enormous boulders, our limbs stretched to their limits, sometimes beyond what we thought was possible especially with all the extra clothing binding us!

It didn’t take more than a few jumps down from platforms to discover the shock absorbers in our knees weren’t absorbing the shock because of cold. It’s one thing to watch each other scale the huge north shore boulders but a whole other thing to see us come OFF those platforms! Let’s just say we didn’t “stick” many landings! Humorous just begins to describe what we must have looked like! I’m just glad no video cameras were around to capture our inelegant boulder dismounts!

The challenge and laughter were evident as we had several opportunities to “take one for the team”, stumbling forward to keep our balance. But I can proudly proclaim we both managed to walk away with no falls, even though it wasn’t pretty! And through it all, I still find the North Shore mesmerizing; the beauty of God’s creation breathtaking, the waves crushing the shoreline fierce and formidable; the surroundings giving a sense of being lost in space!

One time while taking a breather, sitting on a fallen tree, stripped of its bark over time and wear and tear of the waves, I closed my eyes and turned my face to the sun while soaking up the greatness of God, losing myself in the sounds of many waters! Then, I remembered my husband was along so looked for him only to find he had hollowed out a place in the rocks to lie down and take a snooze, soaking in the warmth of the sun as well. Though our winter clothing was adequate in protecting our bodies from the cold, the sun did a far better job, and the warmth of Jesus on the inside was better than those two put together!

I had this tremendous sense of completeness sitting by the Great Lake soaking in the Son/sunshine and wondered how I could take this back with me to the hustle and bustle, demands, and simple necessities of life! As I pondered this, Holy Spirit reminded me I could and I can! This “completeness” can be a lifestyle no matter where I am or what I’m doing. He reminded me of the beautiful Psalm I had just used in a message on overcoming worshiplessness. In an age where we are so consumed with “stuff”, worship is often relegated to thoughts of “going to worship” or “attending a worship service” instead of being a way of life!  Completeness though is found in the Lord, wherever we happen to be in life!

Psalm 95:1-6 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

I was experiencing the Rock, the greatness of God, the deep places of the earth, the heights of the hills, the sea and the dry land right there in Northern Minnesota! I was in His presence, worshipping and bowing down, kneeling before the Lord my Maker! And that’s not the only place I can come into His presence! I can worship and bow down anytime and anyplace! I can kneel before the Lord my Maker all the time! I didn’t need to leave this peaceful, serene feeling on the North Shore! I could take it with me! Of course, I already knew this but suddenly it was real and tangible!

I also knew it wouldn’t always be easy. But then again…climbing rocks on the North Shore wasn’t easy either. My muscles were pushed, flexibility tried, and endurance tested by climbing and exploring. At times it was exhausting, painful, and took effort. But I didn’t give it a second thought because I wanted to do it! I wanted to climb, to search out hidden treasures in the crevices of the rocks and in the woods along the lake. I wanted to scale the highest peaks of the rock formations and walk to the edge with that slight bit of trepidation, looking over at the water crashing far below. I wanted to take the risk to see beauty where those who aren’t willing will never see it.

Turning away from the things of this world capturing our attention won’t be easy. But then again… experiencing the greatness of God isn’t always easy either. As we exercise our spiritual muscles, push on in faith we get stronger, more flexible, and our endurance knows no bounds. Sure…it can be exhausting, painful, and requires great effort but we won’t give it a second thought when we want to do it! When we want to scale the heights of faith, practice being in His presence, seek His face, study His Word, and walk to the edge of ourselves, we will see everything crashing beneath us. We’ll see beauty others won’t see just by our willingness to risk losing “us” by dying to ourselves!

The pain in my body was swallowed up by the experience, the soreness gone in a couple of days while the memories stayed! Likewise, all the pain we experience in this lifetime is swallowed up in the journey we take with God; all soreness goes as we learn life lessons which transform us to live in His presence! Walking in faith requires some effort but where there is faith in Jesus, there is peace, hope, serenity, and everlasting joy!

Wherever you are in life – risk it all to live for Jesus! You won’t be sorry!

 

Unscathed? Scathed? Jesus Is There!

Some people wonder how they ever made it through childhood! They had more cuts, stitches, bumps, bruises, and broken bones than they had years of life and can even give a detailed account of most spills and thrills, laughing at the insanity of the things they “used” to do!

I can’t relate since I am not one of those people! I came through childhood fairly unscathed except for two “accidents”. I got stitches in my forehead from slipping on our wood floor and diving headfirst into the VERY sharp, pointed corner of a wall vent! That’s what I get for wanting to be the first one to the car to go get a rare Dairy Queen treat! (As if being the first to the car was going to get me ice cream any faster! Geez!)

The other injury came when I put my finger in a cement mixer! Yes! That IS as stupid as it gets, but I did it anyway. I was amazed by the gear mechanism and the next thing I knew, my finger was IN the gear. Pulling it out wasn’t wise either as I nearly tore my finger off before a cousin figured out we needed to reverse the direction of the mixer to set me free.

Outside of those two injuries, I made it through my elementary and middle school years physically fit! (though we all know how those junior high years are brutal emotionally and psychologically!) In high school I played every sport possible; softball, volleyball, tennis, badminton (yes, it is a sport), floor hockey, ice skating, track (long distance running, discus, and shot put), basketball, and even tried some cross-country skiing!  It didn’t matter what it was, if there was activity involved I was there!

Even at home my life was filled with activity; Frisbee, tag, dodge ball, jarts, croquet, hiking, swimming, football, soccer, kickball, biking, and you name it! Through it all, injuries were limited to minor strains, sprains, and shin splints! I’m not bragging, just thankful! And don’t worry – I’ll get to my point soon!

I knew Jesus my entire life and was keenly aware of His protection coming through my childhood and teen years physically unscathed! I continued playing volleyball and basketball collegiately and still – no major injuries. After college and into married life I just kept going without much change in activity; coaching, biking, volleyball, softball, even during my pregnancies. It definitely got tougher with age, but still, every time I rolled an ankle or strained a muscle, I was able to get right back at it the next day!

Then the unthinkable happened; we were in a serious car accident! I walked away from it thinking all was okay and a hospital trip proved I was just shaken up and would be fine! After a week or so of recuperation, it did seem all was well and I had confidence my body would do what it had always done, heal!

But not long after that, I realized something was very wrong because normal activity was difficult and I felt my body declining in strength, less and less able to do anything without pain. About seven months after the accident, I woke up one morning with intense shooting pain through my neck, shoulders, back, and head; the beginning of a five-year journey through the perils of pain and perplexity!

At some point during those years I started asking God to bring me home to Him! I couldn’t take it any longer! Along with the physical pain, the emotional and psychological pain was taking its toll as doctors had no answers and I watched my family get on with life without me! Sure, I was with them physically but emotionally drained by trying to hide the intense pain while waiting for my body to do its’ thing! The goal each day was to make it through, one hour at a time! Overriding it all was my faith in Jesus as Healer, believing His Word even though my body rebelled!

One day as I collapsed on my bed crying I said, “Lord, either take me home or heal me! I miss dancing with You and jumping for joy in Your presence. I want to do it again but can’t. This is no way to live! If You heal me I will worship you with everything I have every chance I get!” Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Well, since you’re reading this, you know He healed me! And I have surely made every effort to honor my vow to Him. It hasn’t been pain-free though! There were years when I suffered in agony after worship because my body wasn’t strong and wouldn’t stay in alignment. But no matter what I felt, I remembered my vow to the Lord that day, and kept moving!

As the years go by, let me say, jumping for joy in the Lord’s presence, dancing and twirling with Him, running in freedom as I celebrate life in Him, well… it just isn’t as easy anymore! One night as I was praising the Lord, dancing and singing, jumping up and down in joy, I realized I was exhausted and could barely get enough air in to breathe! I stopped, stooped over, and said, “Lord, I don’t know how much longer I can keep my end of the bargain! This is getting hard! I’m getting old and out of shape. I want to keep worshipping you with my whole body, but if I can’t do it at 50 years old what’s it going to look like when I’m 80 or 90.”

At that very moment God said, “There’s a remedy for that!” I knew what He meant! Get in shape and stay in shape! It isn’t that I am totally out of shape or unhealthy! I just haven’t made the extra effort to make sure I am in the shape I need to be in to worship Him with all my might! I walk, jog, or bike for a while, then have a day or two of not feeling up to par, so then I take a break. The problem is I don’t come “off” break and get back into disciplining my body to be strong and flexible!

The Lord unveiled how we tend to accept getting old as an excuse for not dancing, singing, shouting, twirling, and jumping for joy in His presence! I could either excuse myself from worship using age as an excuse or include myself in worship into old age by losing this excuse and take responsibility now! Clearly, if I want to worship Him when I am older (I do), I have to prepare and remedy the situation by training now; not waiting until I am 80 or 90 to be there!

It is true our bodies get old and start wearing down! My teenage daughter explained to me my wrinkles are caused by a lack of collagen! Great! My grandson likes to point out and touch all my moles! Awkward! My husband likes to tease me about the loose skin on what used to be my well-defined triceps! Weak! Older people just grin at me and say, “Right now you think you will be able to keep dancing and moving when you’re our age but you will see. It isn’t going to happen.” Ouch! Why oh why Lord must we get old?

Overall, I think I’m finally getting used to the idea there are certain things I can’t control like loose skin, menopause, wrinkles, and a slower metabolism. But God says there are plenty of things I can control and one of them is keeping this body in as good of shape as it can be at any age. If I want to stay in shape to praise Him, I need to stay in shape to praise Him! Pretty simple if you ask me!

We can all be encouraged by God’s Word! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Proverbs 3:7-8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

Doctors told me I would only deteriorate over the years because of damage to my spine from the accident. But God had the first and last Word, giving me life and hope! Proverbs 3:21-26 “My son, let them not depart from your eyes – keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”  

These were promises for me! But I had to believe them and apply them! When I was in my darkest times, I memorized them, spoke them out loud when in pain (I said them A LOT), when I couldn’t walk , couldn’t sleep, or when I feared the next bout of torture that would surely come, especially when I stepped out in faith and praised the Lord with my body! And the battle didn’t end there!

I went through a bout with Lyme’s disease accompanied with fever zapping me of all bodily strength. The pain which accompanied it was enough to make me cry out again, “Lord, take me home, please!” I went to church and could barely stand much less dance. I remember thinking, “No Satan, you can’t stop me” even though I felt stopped dead in my tracks. As helpless as I was physically, my spirit grieved even more. So strong is my passion to praise God with all my strength, my heart literally hurts when I can’t.

But it is this very passion that compels me to give Him my all!  When you make a vow to God at the lowest point in life, it burns in your spirit at all points in life!  When I am at a high point, the exhilaration is out of this world! And when I am at a low point, His promises remind me “This too shall pass!”

Friends, whether you have made it through life unscathed or scathed, today you can be safe and sound in Jesus! I see myself praising God with all my strength until the day I go home to be with Him. I hope you can too! And when we see these truths as realities by faith, we can also believe them by faith! You’ve made it this far! Let’s go even farther! Whatever you’ve been through, wherever you’ve been, know that Jesus is for you! He has a remedy for every ailment! Just take Him at His Word and love Him with everything you have!

 

Oh, Yeah!

My two-year old grandson Solomon came up with a wonderful saying, “Oh, yeah!”  It all started when we picked him up to bring him home for a weekend overnighter and my husband asked him “Solomon, do you want to go for a ride in Papa’s car?”  Solomon promptly replied “Oh, yeah!”  To which we replied “Oh, yeah.”  At first we thought it was a fun game then realized he is very serious about it! When we ask him anything “positive” his exuberant and natural reply is “Oh, yeah!”  Interestingly he will simply ignore us if we ask him something undeserving of an “Oh, yeah”. “Solomon, do you want to get dressed?”  No response!  “Solomon, do you want to stay in your pajamas today?”   “Oh, yeah!” 

Of course being the kind of grandparents we are, we try to come up with as many things as possible for him to say “Oh, yeah” to,  in order to see if he ever gives up.  He doesn’t!  He outlasts us in the “Oh, yeah” department.  It is fun to see how many reasons and ways we can get him to say “Oh, yeah!”  It is equally humorous to witness how unaffected he is by our “laughing” but rather remains unfazed by our continual efforts to get him to repeat it as often as possible.  He is confident in his ability to do whatever he says “Oh, yeah” to and equally sure of our ability to give him whatever he agreed with.  “Solomon, do you have to go potty?”  “Oh, yeah!” “Do you want to read a book?”  “Oh, yeah!”  “Do you want to watch a movie?” “Oh yeah!”  “Do you want to eat supper?” “Oh, yeah!”  “Want to play cars?” “Oh, yeah!”  What fun we are having with his “Oh, yeah’s!”

This got me wondering if God has as much fun with our “Oh, yeah’s” as we do with Solomon’s!  I wonder if we are as willing and exuberant to say “Oh, yeah” as our two-year old grandson is! I wonder if we exhibit the same confidence in God and in ourselves as Solomon does.  Solomon brings a smile to our faces every time he says “Oh, yeah” and I’ve been wondering how many smiles I have brought to God’s face lately!  Have I been saying “Oh, yeah” or “Oh, no”?   

Oh, yeah!  Yes, Lord!  We might say that is music to God’s ears!  Life would probably change dramatically for all of us if we would begin to say more of “Yes, Lord” instead of our usual “What, Lord?”, “Why, Lord?” “When, Lord?”, “Where, Lord?”, and “How, Lord?”  Most definitely those are not bad questions since inquiring minds want to know!  There is certainly nothing wrong with seeking God!  In fact we have the great privilege of seeking Him and walking in His divine graces.  And when we ask those questions in faith, expecting an answer, it is even better!  But still – it wouldn’t hurt to add an “Oh, yeah, Lord” every time we ask Him a question KNOWING we are going to get an answer!  “Oh, yeah!  I know what You’re doing Lord! Oh, yeah!  I know why You do things like that Lord! Oh, yeah!  I know You have perfect timing in everything Lord!  Oh, yeah!  I know You are everywhere Lord so You lead I will follow!  Oh, yeah!  I trust You to show me how Lord!”  What a difference this would make in our lives!

So the question we must ask is does the Word of God instruct us to respond to God with “Oh, yeah”?  When two blind men were following Jesus and crying out for mercy He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  They said “Oh, yeah!” So Jesus touched their eyes and they could see!  Praise Him!  (Matthew 9) Then we see Jesus having “private” sessions with His disciples after sending the multitudes away and was explaining parables about the kingdom of heaven to them at their request.  At the completion He asked them if they understood all He had taught.  They said “Oh, yeah!” to which Jesus assured them they were like householders who would bring out new and old treasures!  Praise Him!  (Matthew 13)

Then we have the woman whose daughter was demon-possessed and she begged Jesus for mercy and help for her daughter while the disciples demanded she be sent away.  He said He was sent to the children of Israel and it wouldn’t be right for Him to take what belonged to them and throw it to little dogs (inferring the woman).  Her reply was “Oh, yeah!  (In other words she agreed with Him) But even little dogs eat the crumbs which fall to the floor.  Jesus applauded her “yes” because it demonstrated faith and her daughter was healed.  Praise Him! (Matthew 15; Mark 7)

We also have Martha, sorely troubled about the death of her brother Lazarus because Jesus didn’t show up to save him. Then, when she heard He was finally coming after her brother was dead for four days she went out to meet and tell Him if He would have gotten there earlier her brother wouldn’t have died.  Jesus proclaims Himself the resurrection and life and asks Martha if she believes that anyone who would believe in Him would not die but live, and whoever lives and believes in Him would never die.  Her immediate response was “Oh, yeah!”  The reward for her faith was the return of her brother to life!  Praise Him! (John 11)

Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and three times Peter replied “Oh, yeah!”  This story has been interpreted and reinterpreted so many times perhaps we miss one of the simple messages in it, Peter loved Jesus!  Peter had his problems as we do, but he believed and was quick to say “Oh, yeah!” each time!  (John 21) Jesus’ response later was “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  (Matthew 16:17-19)  That is an incredible outcome in the life of someone who said “Oh, yeah!” to Jesus! Praise Him!

Seems to me our Lord Jesus likes it when we say “Oh, yeah”, maybe even more than I enjoy hearing Solomon say “Oh, yeah!”  Even as I wrote this I asked him if he would like his “soothie” (pacifier) and sit with Auntie for a little while!  “Oh, yeah!” he eagerly responded.  Within five minutes he was asleep in her arms, safe, secure, completely in agreement with Grandma’s suggestion.  I guess when Solomon says “Oh, yeah” he means it!    

What about you?  Have you been saying “Oh, yeah” to God?  Or are you more apt to say “Oh, no!”?  2 Corinthians 1:20 says “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” Let’s bring God some glory today!  Let’s receive His promises as surely as did the blind men, the disciples, the Canaanite woman, Martha, and Peter and as surely as my grandson receives from the people who love him most.  And let’s cooperate in faith when we say “Oh, yeah” and see what God will do!

One last thing:  I can hear some of the naysayers thinking “Oh, yeah?  Well, just wait until he gets a little older.  He won’t say it and mean it! ” Or maybe something like “Oh, yeah?  Well things don’t always work out that great when I say yes to God!”  Well, we will see what happens with Solomon!  And God?  We will see with Him too!  As for me?  I will only believe!

Let us boldly and vivaciously exclaim with faith to Jesus

 “Oh, yeah!  Do it again Jesus!  Do it again!”   

 

Winter Blues? God Has an Answer!

(I was originally inspired to write this for young families. But single or older people can still “exercise” the truths and “share” them with others!)

Winters in the Midwest United States bring a deluge of snow, cold temperatures, wind, and lots of overcast and cloudy days.  Even knowing it is coming leaves people shocked, depressed, and with an ever-constant flow of negative speech.  Even people who love winter complain if it is not the fluffy white snow perfect for outdoor activities.  And then we have the concept of snow days (unless you live in urban Minnesota).  This creates another whole category of complaining from people, especially young families who “want” snow days until they get them, because if there is more than one in a row it throws their entire routine off kilter!  Then frustration sets in because they don’t know “what to do” with their kids.  Basically we have become people who complain no matter what we get or don’t get!  It seems we are never completely “happy” with what we are given!  And amazingly in our high-tech world, we still hear the infamous words “I’m bored”!  How these words ever come out of the mouths of American children is beyond me much less from Christian people!  My kids learned very early on to not even hint at boredom because first I would find something very much “not fun” to fill their time, and second, it is quite an insult to the Giver of Life to proclaim “boredom” when in Jesus we have all things! 

Wintertime gives the opportunity to “slow down” and center or re-center our lives around Jesus so that when Spring and Summer come and we are out and about more we are so filled with Jesus we still want to stay fixed on Him.  Creating an atmosphere of godliness in our homes is not difficult even with young children who just want to run and scream when cooped up in the house for more than a day.  We can prepare our homes to be places of refuge, peace, excitement, and joy all at the same time!

The questions come to me “What if we choose to stop complaining and start rejoicing?”  “What if we filled our homes with thanksgiving and the joy of Jesus rather than promoting the dark, dreary days of winter?”  “What if we entered into the energy and ordered chaos of our children, steering it rather than halting or wishing it was over?”  “What if we created an atmosphere where Holy Spirit is welcome and free to move in our children, homes, and families bringing with Him the presence and power of God?”  But I don’t ask “What if” questions anymore without looking for the answers and these are simple!  If we “do” them we will be praising the Lord for winter AND snow days and find ourselves wanting MORE!

Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!”    Rejoice in the fact we  “get” to spend time with our kids knowing they grow up fast.  As a grandmother now I can tell you the days I spent with my children are truly beyond priceless.  I had the privilege of homeschooling for nearly fourteen years (not one snow day in that entire time) and most certainly there were hard days but I cannot remember details of any one of them.  But oh, how I remember and treasure the “ordinary” days of ordered chaos!  Friends, all we have is “Today”!  Why not make the most of it? Tomorrow is too late to enjoy and rejoice in “Today”!  Living in “Today” causes us to guard our speech, making sure we live free of complaining and regret.  James 3:10 “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not be so.”

Perhaps we don’t associate complaining with cursing or don’t think our words truly reflect what is in our hearts.  But we should!  Of course, most people who complain about their kids driving them crazy are still passionately in love with them.  But understanding our tongues literally create or pollute the atmosphere of our homes should help us wisely choose our words and speak only words of life from the Life Giver Himself!  We ought to be people filled with the love and truth of God so that our mouths speak blessing out of the overflow of our hearts!  Matthew 12:34-36 “…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”  Maybe we don’t think our “innocent” complaining means anything!  Be assured it does!  And the great thing is we can change it today!  Speaking of today!  It is all we have so why not make the most of it?

Celebrate today!   “Today’s” are very important in God’s economy.  We really don’t have time to waste or risk one day we are gifted!  Think about these “Today’s”:

• Jesus came “Today!”  Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”  Truly that is an important “Today!” 
• “Today” is the day of Salvation!  Luke 19:9 “Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.’”  We would never want to miss “Today’s” salvation by wasting words would we? 
• How about that thief on the cross?  Good thing he didn’t miss his “Today”!  Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”  How do any of us know the effects our words have on others, the potential we have to speak truth so someone else can have a “Today” moment? 
• Then we are warned about listening “Today”!  Hebrews 3:7 “So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert…”  We have opportunity “Today” to hear His voice no matter what we are going through!  Let’s not waste “Today”! 

Today!  Go ahead and bundle your children up and go outside!  Snow days are fun days.  When I was growing up, we played outside all day! If the wind was too strong, no problem, we just built our forts that much faster so we could get out of the wind.  Of course this was before the days of video games, Wii, the overproduction of movies and television, phones, computers, etc.  And before you think I am opposed to technology, I’m not.  But just because we have the benefit of all these things doesn’t mean we can’t go back and occupy ourselves with the simpler things of life, especially since we still seem to be bored even though we have MANY more choices today!  It would seem much more plausible for boredom to be an issue “back in the day” than now, but this only goes to prove no matter how much we have, we always want more.  Instead of wanting more from this world, how about we foster a desire for more of God in the lives of our children?

How about getting that Bible out and reading with your kids?  Don’t read it in a monotone boring voice – read it like you read the books “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “Where the Wild Things Are” to them!  After all, the Bible IS the living Word and there is a while library of great stories and truths found within!  How will our kids know the greatest role models are Jesus, Paul, Moses, Peter, Ruth, Sarah, and Keturah if we don’t talk about them on a regular basis?  Our kids choose worldly role models because that is all we expose them to.  Expose them to spiritual role models and watch them grow!

Winter is a perfect time to foster their creativity and imagination!  Read about the feeding of the five thousand then have some fun “doing” it for lunch or supper!  Read about the conversion of Paul and experience it yourselves!  Read about the healing of the man by the pool of Bethesda, or the healing of the blind man with spit and dirt, or restoring Jairus’ daughter from death to life, or any other of the multitude of miracles recorded , and then lay hands on each other and experience God!  Read the account of the Last Supper, not just the actual breaking of bread and drinking of wine, but all the details surrounding it and then commune with your children!  Read an account of prayer and then pray with your children!  I could go on but you hopefully get the point!  Just pull out the Word of God and boredom will no longer be in your vocabulary!  The more you get into it yourself, the more you will want it for your kids!  Position yourself with Him, then position your kids, and watch out world!

Do your kids have a lot of energy?  There is a way to steer that energy into something that will invigorate  your entire home’s atmosphere and you get to partake as well!  Praise the Lord! I don’t mean just say “Praise the Lord” like it is just another thing to do!  But go ahead, get wild and praise the Lord!  Why have your kids dancing to all secular artists, mimicking their moves and voices when they can dance like David!  2 Samuel 6:14,22 “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight…” When is the last time you got undignified for God? 

Why should our kids just learn all the latest popular dance “moves” when the Bible is full of moves unto the Lord? Psalm 150:1-6 “Praise the Lord!  Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!  Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!  Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!”  Now THAT my friends is high energy!!!!

I have not always been the biggest fan of winter but I am a HUGE fan of God!  Since He created winter I decided I would love His creation!  I have decided to fan the flame of love between us and see it burst forth and blaze in our home!  You can too!  Trust me!  If you do these things you’ll be praying for more snow days and more winter!  It might be cold outside but your house will be on FIRE for God!  So…let loose and let God have His way in your kids and in YOU!   

 

Being Mean is Just Plain Mean! And it is Sin Too!

Meanness!  Not a word we hear every day!  It almost sounds a little childish, “Mom, he was mean to me!”  But sometimes “mean” is the only word that comes to mind to best describe the behavior of people.  If I were to ask you to think of a mean person, someone who does mean things, or if anyone has ever been “mean” to you it wouldn’t take long to come up with a person or situation.  When I feel the bite of meanness I usually talk to God about it exclaiming “Wow! That was SO mean!”  It is as though we go through life and all is well until someone plays their “mean” card and then all hell seems to break loose.  We get hurt, angry, confused, and either retreat or fight back.  The closer the relationship, the deeper the wound carved into our spirits when meanness rears its ugly head. Most often we are surprised and caught off guard when loved ones are mean to us. Yet, it is only in these intimate relationships that we are capable of hurting so deeply.  The fact is we are all mean at times even though some people think they do not have a mean bone in their body.

We should make a distinction between “meanness” and simple “rudeness”.  Being rude includes bad manners and though it is irritating to be the recipient of rude behavior it rarely wounds or makes us feel inadequate.  Meanness however includes being unkind, malicious, bad-tempered; behaving in an angry, often violent way; making people feel unworthy and uncomfortable; and being disagreeable.  The synonyms for “mean” bring out its’ full flavor making it even more distasteful; Nasty, cruel, callous, uncaring, despicable, unpleasant, shameful!  Meanness cuts deep into our souls making us feel inadequate, undeserving, and vulnerable.  The key word here is “feel”!  Feelings only describe emotions.  Even though they seem to “drive” us at times, in reality they do not control who we are. Only God establishes our identity. We must be in charge of our emotions, resisting hurt, anger, and other negative feelings resulting from people being mean to us. 

Before getting too far into the subject of meanness, let’s establish an important biblical truth.  When we name sin and call it out we are not passing judgment on others, but calling it what it is. Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

People often use these verses to tell others not to judge them for their sin since we all have issues.  But this rationale only removes accountability. When Jesus says not to judge, He is commanding us not to “pass” judgment on each other.  Think in terms of a legal trial with judge and jury.  A jury listens to the evidence gathered against an accused person as well as their defense and then decides guilty or not guilty. If the verdict is “guilty” the penalty is determined by a judge who uses the law to pass judgment.  The body of Christ is similar to a jury when there is evidence that members are walking in sin.  Based on the Word of God, we can determine guilty or not guilty. BUT, the penalty or judgment for sin is left to God, the only just judge.  We, the jury, do not “pass” judgment on fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  God gives leaders authority to deal with unrepentant sin but even they are not to “pass” judgment on anyone. With this understanding we are not afraid to call sin, sin, nor are we resistant to accountability.  Instead we welcome conviction so we may confess, repent, and receive forgiveness.  We all sin – so let’s all deal with sin! 

Now let me say, being mean is sin! Sin entangles and spreads quickly!  Meanness is ugly, entangles other people, and spreads like wildfire or germs and viruses. As I witness and take part in situations where family and friends say and do mean things, I see far more than just the meanness.  I see its effects as the atmosphere is charged with dissension, unrest, and discomfort. Interestingly, no one ever thinks they are the ones at fault for being mean so everyone feels justified in blaming others for hurting their “feelings”.  This is significant in light of Matthew 7 because when we refuse to acknowledge our part (our sin) and then remove it, we “pass” judgment on others, feel like victims ourselves, and spread the sin. When we do not deal with meanness and the resulting feelings, the lingering effects continue to damage and destroy relationships.

These lingering effects can be compared to the odor permeating the air for hours after cooking sauerkraut.  You won’t notice the strength of the smell unless you leave the house and come back to the simmering pot at which time the unpleasant smell wafting through the entire house is immediately recognizable.  Even when the sauerkraut is gone, the odor remains.  You can try to “cover” it up with air freshener or perfume but it will only worsen the smell.  You can try to ignore the odor but you would just be pretending. Or you may get used to the odor and accept the stink. All feasible options to enjoy a great meal!

Likewise, the lingering effects of meanness hang in the air, leaving a stench in the hearts of people long after things are said and done.  We remain oblivious to it’s after effects unless we “step away” from the situation and return.  It is only then we discover how unkind, malicious, violent, and uncomfortable we feel, and instantly recognize the effects of meanness. We can try to cover up the meanness with nice words, but it only adds insult to injury and worsens the situation. We can try to ignore the meanness and walk away, but we would only be pretending it didn’t hurt. Or we can get used to living with meanness, pretend it is no big deal, and eventually get accustomed to living in the sin.  All possible options to say and do what we please whether it is mean or not!

There is only one solution for getting rid of sauerkraut smell.  Open up the doors or windows and let fresh air displace and replace the bad odor.  Fresh air will get rid of the stink left by any food over time (assuming the house is otherwise clean).  Likewise, the only remedy to cure the effects of meanness is to open ourselves up to God and the freshness of His Holy Spirit!  We need to receive a fresh anointing to displace and replace the putrid effects of mean words and actions.  The fresh wind of Holy Spirit will cleanse and free us from holding on to negativity and hurt, from holding grudges, and from judging people who are mean (assuming the house, our soul, is otherwise clean).

When we smell the stink of “meanness” and acknowledge its far-reaching effects we can embrace the means God gives us to overcome! (pun intended)

We start first with the knowledge we cannot change those who operate with a mean spirit!  I hope and pray if you are reading this and Holy Spirit has convicted you of being mean, you are willing to admit and deal with your own sin and be changed.  But the truth is it is not our responsibility to “change” someone else. It is God’s! We can make people aware of sin, help them remove the speck from their lives, but we cannot “make” them do it. Very often when people are mean, we try to protect ourselves by demanding they be different. We say things like “You can’t talk to me like that!” or “Don’t treat me with such disrespect!” or “Don’t talk to me anymore!”  People of God!  We cannot tell people what to say or do as though they are children. What we can do is get right before God, hold up our shield of faith so the fiery darts of meanness do not penetrate, remain free from victimization, and pray! 

Secondly, we must forgive, pure and simple! Even though it is difficult at times, forgiveness is still God’s command by which we overcome. It is a good thing Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven because people who make a habit of being mean need continual forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”  

People need forgiveness, we need to forgive, and we need to be forgiven to get free from the hurt, degradation, and pain that come as a result of meanness.  In other words, to be free from the ripple effects of meanness, forgiveness is non-optional! We cannot wait to forgive until we “feel” like it.  Remember the key word “feel”?  We are not moved by feelings.  If we wait to forgive until we “feel” like it we may never get around to it. When we obey God’s command to forgive, our spirits are opened to the freshness of His healing, grace, and love just like we open our doors or windows to let fresh air in to replace the stench of sauerkraut. We MUST do the opening – and we do it through forgiveness! 

And thirdly, we overcome meanness by imitating good not evil.  Rather than being mean to someone who is mean to us we are to be kind in return.  Rather than being in denial that we are ever mean, we admit our own sin and shower grace on others.  Rather than running away to lick our wounds when people are mean we allow God to heal our wounds. In 3 John 1:9-11 we see the lingering effects of mean words and God’s remedy of imitating good not evil.  “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.  Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious (mean) words.  And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.  Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.  He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” 

Diotrephes wanted honor, respect, and supremacy among the church people. In this scenario, John had spiritual authority but Diotrephes would not receive him or the other apostles, choosing instead to “prate against” them “with malicious (mean) words”.  Prate means to chatter idly or to rant and rave against others in trying to make ones’ self look better, in this case, with malicious words. Not only that, he refused to receive the brethren, forbid others to receive the brethren, and put out of the church anyone who went against his will.  You can see the spread of meanness as it took its toll on others in the church. For the sake of the body of believers, John had to call him out (remove the speck in his eye).

When we prate against others with mean words and actions we do it to get attention, or because we are not getting what we want, or to make someone else look bad.  If we feel we are being short sheeted, ignored, or mistreated, we get mean.  In our ignorance we blame others of being mean and unfortunately like Diotrephes, we do not stop there.  We attempt to get others on our side and reject anyone who doesn’t agree with us.  At this point it is difficult to “pull” out of deception. This is a dangerous place to find one self. If we love preeminence we refuse godly authority, and we enter the cycle of meanness in trying to gain respect.   

The only logical solution to stop being mean is to follow John’s advice;  Recognize meanness is evil!  Do not imitate it! Imitate what is good because good is of God!  Those who continue to prate and defend themselves, being mean in the process and imitating evil, have not seen God.  Let us be “seers” of God!  Let us stop being mean! 

Father God, teach us your ways!  Remove the blinders from our eyes!  We do not want to defend ourselves – You are our Defender!  We confess to you there are times we are mean – sometimes we know it and other times we are unaware of it!  Forgive us Lord for prating against others with malicious words.  Forgive us for our unwillingness to surrender to You and allow You to change us and others.  Forgive us for not forgiving as You have both taught and commanded.  Forgive us for not imitating good but imitating evil.  Today, Lord, we commit to doing good!  To seeing You!  We thank You that we are Your beloved!  We thank You for Your truths!  We thank You for the strength and wisdom to walk in those truths today!  In Jesus’ Name we pray – Amen! 

 

My Heart Beats Loud and Hard!

(Inspired by my granddaughter, Harper!  Again, thank You Jesus for you willingness to teach us about You!)

I have special moments with each of my grandchildren and as these moments multiply I am still amazed at God’s goodness in revealing the deep relationship we share as family.  In the midst of these special moments He shares extraordinary truths about Himself and His children.  On one particular Sunday morning I was holding my two month old granddaughter while singing with our worship team.  I thought the sound from the monitors might be too loud for her but she cuddled in on my shoulder and neck so I just “went with it”.  Through all the singing, jumping, dancing, and celebrating, she remained wide awake but snuggled in, seeming to be completely “at ease” in the midst of “His glory”. 

There was a moment in time when Holy Spirit told me to pause, listen, and feel my heartbeat.  I promptly obeyed as I always do! (that was supposed to be funny – of course I don’t always promptly obey but it is surely my desire).  I did what I was told and it felt like my heart was literally jumping out of my chest and it seemed if I looked down I would see it pounding as well.  Then Holy Spirit told me to look at how my granddaughter was positioned.  Her body was directly over my heart where she could feel and hear my heartbeat making her feel safe and secure.  The loud music and movement did not bother her because she trusted me and was close to the heart of one who passionately loved her, and she felt it physically, emotionally, and spiritually.   

At the same time, I was cognizant of an instant explosion of love shared between my granddaughter and me. Then God shared something amazing; the same thing happens between Him and us!  Song of Solomon 4:9 tells us “You have ravished my heart, My sister, My spouse; you have ravished My heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.” In this poetic expression of intense love God shares what happens to Him when we look at Him. His heart is ravished, literally meaning that we encourage Him and His heart beats faster when we look at Him! There is a love explosion between us!  I was already stunned by the revelation of my beating heart of love ravished by my granddaughter, but to discover I ravish the heart of God is even more staggering.  Remember – this is the Creator of the Universe – Our Savior and Lord, the Lover of our souls whose heart we ravish!  Absolutely indescribable!

Without a doubt I was undone in the presence of God after this experience. Then, as if sharing this intense love with her was not enough for one day, the Lord said there is more!  In the same way holding my granddaughter close brought delight and comfort to us, when we rest in His arms we share delight and comfort with Him!  In the same way my granddaughter snuggled in as I held her tightly bringing a sense of safety and security, we can snuggle in with God, letting Him hold us tightly to feel safe and secure.  In the same way her body was positioned over my heart where she heard and felt the beat and received my love, we can cozy up and position ourselves in His heart, receiving His love as we listen to His heartbeat.  And just like the noise from the monitors and the movements of my dancing and jumping were not a hindrance to my granddaughter because she was “at ease” with me, we can be free from distractions in life and the chaos of the world when we are “at ease” with God. 

One would think with all this revelation we should desire to imitate my granddaughter in our relationship with God!  We get close to His heart when we position ourselves in His Word every day.  His heart beats loud and hard as He speaks “I love you, My children”!  You see, when we love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, we will love His Word in the same manner.   John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Jesus is the Word AND the Bible is His Word!  Beloved, as we read and meditate on the Word of God, we are close to His heart where we hear the beat!

Some people describe the Bible as an instruction manual using the acronym “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”.  I dislike this description because His Word is anything but basic and so much more than instructional. Others have described the Bible as a love letter to His people.  A little better but even this limits the meaning of the Living Word.  If the Bible is not just an instruction manual or love letter what is it?  The truth is that His Word cannot be completely or perfectly explained.  Any description falls short of describing the immensity and holiness of His Word! I like how one song’s chorus speaks of the Book:

The pages of the Book, are turned with trembling awe; As we witness wonders there, that only faithful saw; We go as deep as we can go; look as hard as we can look; But we only scratch the surface, of the meaning of the Book.

In His Book He answers our questions even before we ask.  Though the Bible is thousands of years old it continues to speak to people in our age and of all age groups yet seems not to have aged a day itself.  The very thoughts of God are written down in the Bible with wisdom pouring out faster and more powerfully than we can ingest.  The Word of God reveals our calling in life and gives commands to save and protect us! We reap security and protection when we open our heart and soul to His Word! There are vast and priceless treasures found only in His Word! The Bible is inspired by Holy Spirit, written with blood and tears as it speaks life and healing to every area of our existence.  All this is but a glimpse of what the Word of God is!  But one thing is certain!  The moment we let Him speak to us from His Word, from His heart to our hearts, they begin to beat loud and hard in response to one another!

The deeper we go, the harder we look, and the more we scratch below the surface of His Word, the more we feel, see, and hear His heartbeat!  One of the most poignant chapters in Scripture which portrays this heart relationship is Psalm 91!  Verses 1-3 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in Him I will trust. He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”  We have the privilege of dwelling in His secret place, close to His heart, living in constant communion with Him, in a place of complete safety, serenity, and security!

In the same way this sheltering effect in God makes us feel “at ease” no matter what life brings, be it storm or sunshine, my granddaughter felt “at ease” in Grandma’s arms, unconcerned about what was happening around her.  When we feel “at ease” we are better givers and receivers because we “trust”! As much as babies are great receivers of love, they are also great givers of love, especially when they trust the person holding them and feel “at ease”.  That day, it was as though my granddaughter had “set” her love upon me.  But we can only give because He first gave to us!  God is the all-time greatest giver and receiver!  He receives our love and knowledge of Him and then gives deliverance and sets us on high! Psalm 91:14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.” 

Setting our love upon God, knowing His Name, and abiding with Him allow us to fear nothing!  But there is more to this Psalm, more on the heart of God, because though there are great benefits to dwelling in Him, we must understand we are not immune to the mayhem of life. Staying close to God does not alienate us from the evil of this world.  However, it does provide a safe refuge for us to abide as we go through life! In other words it is because of all the destruction around us that we must dwell in the shelter of the Most High God! We must snuggle in with God and experience a love explosion because the world happens!  Look at some of Psalm 91!

• v. 3 He will deliver us from snares and pestilence in life:  BUT they still come or else we wouldn’t need deliverance!

• v. 4 He will cover us and provide a safe refuge for us: BUT there are still attacks or else we wouldn’t need a covering or refuge!
• v. 4 His truth is a shield:  SO falsehood must exist or we would not need this strong defense
• v. 5 We will not be afraid of the terrors by night: SO there must be something to be afraid of, evils that exist which are not obvious and cannot be seen (night).
• v. 5 We will not be afraid of the arrow by day:  SO there is going to be exposed evil we can see in the light (day).
• v.6 We are not afraid of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday:  SO again we see affliction and persecution will come at us at all times, night and day, things we can see and things we cannot see.

Take some time to draw close to the heart of God by opening His Word!  Start here in Psalm 91! Let His heart beat loud and hard in your ears!  THEN feel your heart respond to His! Snuggle up with God!  Pause! Listen! Feel!  Let the Word of God speak!  Then let your heart beat with His heart beat! 

After this experience with my granddaughter I entered yet another dimension of relationship and now when holding my grandchildren I instantly think about our “hearts” and the love explosions continue! And then…. There is God!  Let our love explosion begin! 

 

Remembering! Our “Grand” God, Our “Grand”parents and other “Grand” Things!

How many people have special memories of grandparents?  I do!   My grandparents lived in a country farmhouse with outbuildings, gardens, and lots of wooded acreage.  Grand memories are inspired when I think of times spent with my “grand”parents.  They lived over an hour away which never stopped us from visiting nearly every weekend.  Back in the day, an hour drive “seemed” like a lot more than it does today because traveling long distance was not as common. Nonetheless, I have a multitude of memories from childhood about time at Grandpa and Grandma’s!   

 I have become increasingly appreciative to my parents for making Sunday grandparent visits a priority.  Of course, it wasn’t all sacrificial since they benefited from the fellowship as well.  They played games, went snowmobiling, and fellowshipped with their siblings while all us kids played with Grandpa, Grandma, and cousins.  But there was some sacrifice involved because the fun and fellowship was followed up by a long, tiring Monday.  We would usually head up to Grandpa and Grandma’s after early worship service arriving in time for mom to help get everything out for the noon meal with extended family.  Grandpa always made the meat and gravy, Grandma the potatoes, and everyone else brought a dish to pass; casseroles, vegetables, salads, buns, desserts, and candy.  We were never short of food! 

Once the meal was over everyone got busy playing.  The guys went upstairs to play cards or outside snowmobiling, playing basketball, baseball, or some other activity. UNLESS, there was Minnesota Vikings football or Twins baseball games being broadcast which took precedence over all else as the men sat in the living room watching a “small screen” television while the rest of us enjoyed the yelling all afternoon. If it was really nice outside, the guys would break away from the television and play with us kids, but the radio accompanied them so we could listen to the announcer blasting away and the uncles could continue their outbursts of “For CRYING OUT LOUD, what are they doing!!!!”

The women did what women do – talk!  (I can say that – I’m a woman!) Most of my aunts did enjoy snowmobiling and games as well, but also threw crafts into the mix, as well as long walks and frisbee.  But no matter what they were doing there was a constant flow of conversation.  Our job as children was to get into as much trouble as possible without getting caught. We explored and got into all of Grandpa and Grandma’s things, digging into every drawer, crook, cranny, and crevice making sure we returned things EXACTLY how we found them (or so we thought).  We had our favorite games and activities that were exclusively reserved for weekends at Grandpa and Grandma’s.  We rarely asked permission which led to lots of lectures and disciplinary action. But my, did we have fun! 

After all the play, we went back to the kitchen where Grandpa and Grandma and a few aunts had stayed “in” to prepare an evening meal with all the leftovers plus a few “new” goodies.  This of course was after “snacking” the entire afternoon.  But like I said, shortage of food was never an issue, nor was the fun or fellowship.  Most Sundays, there was much more entertainment after the evening meal, but never before we sat together while Grandpa and my Uncle Sonny read the Bible along with a devotion with the family.  What a legacy they created for me and my cousins to which I am thankful beyond words!

Sometimes we would have a sing-along after devotions, which actually meant I would sit and be amazed as the guitars and harmonicas came out and the aunts and uncles would sing in four-part harmony!  Fascinating and inspiring indeed!   Other times we did a night snowmobile run or us kids would go outside and play games in which we could hurt each other and then blame it on our inability to “see”.   

Going home early was never an option. The sacrifice of being exhausted on Monday morning was worth the fun and fellowship we experienced.  But even leaving was an adventure because getting out of their long driveway which wound between a creek, swamp, and fields in the wintertime or heavy rain was iffy at best.  All the families usually left about the same time so if one family got stuck, everyone was stuck!  There were many nights one of our cars slid off the driveway into the ditch and the guys would attempt to free the car by pushing so that Grandpa didn’t need to rev up his tractor and come to the rescue.  Remember – no cell phones so this meant when someone got stuck, either man power prevailed or someone made the long trek back to the house by foot to get Grandpa.  The entertainment provided in our attempts to get out the driveway would be the end of many perfect days!  Such grand memories at Grandpa and Grandma’s house!

As I near the half century mark and am enjoying the grand role of Grandma, I sometimes wish I knew then what I know now about how special grandparents are. (Sounds like I’m tooting my own horn doesn’t it?)  I’m not!  I just mean I wish I would have taken the time to know my grandparents better than I did.  I wish I would have just sat and asked them questions about their lives instead of always bragging about my own.  I wish I would have thought to learn more from them instead of acting like a know-it –all.  I wish I would have told them how much I loved and appreciated them instead of simply soaking up all their love and admiration. 

But you know, wishing does not really get a person anywhere.  So… what shall I do with all this wishing?  I will remember so my children and grandchildren remember.  I shall invest everything I have into them, no holding back!  After all, I think that’s what my grandparents did without expecting anything in return, but surely they got a lot back!  I will ask my grandchildren about their day instead of only bragging about my own.  I will learn from them instead of acting like I know it all, and hopefully they will be interested in what I know.  I will tell them how much I love them often because the words “I love you” are never wasted.  I will saturate them with appreciation and admire them up close and from afar.  I will brag them up to whoever will listen.  After all, they are my “grand” children and should be treated in grand fashion!

Remembering and wanting my grandchildren to remember!  What a privilege we have been given in the Lord to remember!  Because many people have so many “bad” memories we have made it a habit not to remember.  I have made the claim I “cannot” remember things from my childhood, but in reality, the Lord has shown me that I “will not” remember.  I had stopped “remembering” anything about my childhood because I only thought of the negative things.  Recently, the Lord has shown me truth in His Word about “remembering” which is causing me to “practice” His Word by choosing to forget the things I should (which I usually remember) and remembering those things I should (which I usually forget).  By doing this I have discovered hidden blessings and have now embraced my past instead of hiding from it.

Then the Lord explained “why” He has encouraged me to reminisce.  Because by remembering, I see how grand my life truly was!  I have been able to more fully grasp the grandeur of God in my life through remembering my grandparents as I allow Holy Spirit to bring moments of time to my remembrance.   He is a grand God and I have done some grand remembering in Him!  I think remembering is something we should practice and not let it “just happen”.  If we are not wise in remembering, we tend to forget those things we should remember, and remember all the things God tells us to forget (and forgive).  God is fervent about remembering, therefore so should we.  

To prove how important the “art” of remembering is, consider the word is used over 160 times in Scripture!  God repeatedly tells us – He remembers.  He remembers never again will He send a worldwide flood to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:15-16). He remembers His covenant with the children of Israel, and with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be their God (Leviticus 26:42; Ezekiel 16:60). He remembers the iniquity of those who wander and do not restrain themselves from evil.  He remembers their wickedness.  (Jeremiah 14:10; Hosea 7:2; 8:13; 9:9).  This is a great reminder to confess and repent from sin so that God can remember our sin no more (Isaiah 43:25).

In the Psalms we ask God not to remember our sin from youth, but we want HIM to remember His tender mercies and loving kindness toward us, our offerings and sacrifices, and His congregation.  We also want Him to remember the enemy approaches us, and how the foolish man reproaches God daily. We want Him to remember so He remembers to “do” what He says He will do! 

Then there are the things we are to remember:  The Sabbath day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8), His name (Ps.20:7), Him (63:6), His works and wonders of old (77:11), and to meditate and muse on His works (143:5).  We are to remember people we have hurt so we can reconcile and be in right relationship with God.  One of my favorite bible verses is Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.” Ah, wouldn’t it be great if we did this instead of waiting around for people to forgive us, or refusing to forgive them?  Take notice the directive “to go” when someone has something against you!  Beloved, we do not need to sit back and feel sorry for ourselves or be angry at what others have done to us.  If people have hurt us we do not go to them and explain how much they hurt us and that we forgive them.  We simply forgive them, independent of their attitude or actions!  But we ARE to go when we KNOW we have done something to them OR we know they have something against us!  We generally do the same thing with forgiveness that we do with remembering.  We forgive others for what we need to be forgiven , and we do not forgive others for what needs to be forgiven, just like we forget what we need to remember, and we remember what needs to be forgotten.  Yep, that is a mouthful and a mindful!  Take some time to reflect and ponder that truth! 

More spiritual truths about remembering are discovered in the book of Deuteronomy, because “things happen” as a result of “remembering”. 

• We keep the Sabbath day holy by remembering God set His people free by stretching out His arm to save. 
• We are never afraid because we remember what God did to Pharaoh and all in Egypt.
• We discover the depth of our heart and know whether we will keep His commandments or not by remembering the Israelites did this as the Lord led them in the wilderness for forty years to humble and prove them.  Where is He leading in order for you to discover what you will do?
• We are given the power to get wealth in order to establish His covenant with us when we remember the Lord.
• We desire to be obedient to the Lord by remembering how the Israelites provoked the Lord to anger and were rebellious.
• We are able to stand against stubbornness, wickedness, and sin in our lives by remembering Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob instead of the stubbornness, wickedness, and sin of the Israelites.

Can you see it?  We need to forget what should be forgotten instead of forgetting what we should remember.  And we need to remember what we should remember instead of remembering what we should forget.  Oops!  Another mouth and mind full!  But stop and meditate on it! 

Deuteronomy 32 is a powerful song of remembrance Moses spoke to the people of Israel, reflecting on their journey with the Lord before they would enter the Promised Land.  He instructs them to “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations  Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you”  then continues with a narrative about the things of old that the people of God are to remember, ask, show, and tell!  We see the final “tada” in verse 47 giving us the grandest reason to value remembering!  “For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land….”

It is our LIFE!  We need to remember grandparents, consider the generations of our family, ask our parents to show us our heritage, let people older than us tell us true stories of where we come from…. This is not futile!  It is our life!  In the same way, we must remember God and what He has done with His people throughout the generations.  We should ask our pastors and leaders to share the Word with us, to tell us what God has done and is doing.  To tell the truth!  It is not futile – it is our life here, and forever!