Salvation & Power are Established

  At a Christmas tea, I was given a December calendar with one scripture reading a day focusing on the Christ of Christmas.    I really didn’t intend to do it, let alone make it a priority.  I’m already doing Lee Strobel’s the Case for Christmas study once a week and I have a daily devotion.  But, on a whim, I decided to read the scripture designated each morning from the Message.  Short and sweet.  Today was Revelation 12:5   I know, Revelation, what’s that got to do with Christmas? I won’t discuss that here but I’ve had enough Bible study to understand the connection.  So, I just kept reading through the chapter, until verse 10.  I have heard that verse, even heard it preached but today, well, it got me to thinkin’.

“Salvation and Power are established!”  Safety and miraculous power are installed, shown to be true, proven, and accepted permanently.   The word “established” has seven definitions on Dictionary.com.  All of them speak to stability, settled, valid, truth and permanence. 

We all know the story of Christmas, Jesus’ birth and how he came to die for us.  But THINK, this event absolutely settled any question about salvation and power.   I don’t question my salvation; I know his death on Calvary afforded me grace to accept that.  But, Power?  Valid and permanent power. 

I don’t think I live that way, a life in which power is settled.   I don’t think I live like all my comings and goings are under HIS power.  If I did, I would not be so quick to fear, to assume the worst.  To wander about the money in my checking account and rush to check the balance online.  To be impatient with those who don’t see things my way.    I’m not sure how my life would look if I lived like “power was established”. 

I’m thinkin’ on it.  Will you? 

  

Christmas is upon Us!

  The season is upon us!   Christmas.  The celebration of the birth of Christ.  If you haven’t heard Mallary Hope’s Christmas is All about You grab a device and you tube it now.  It’s my new theme song for Christmas. 

  

Those of you who know me KNOW I love black Friday, not the deals, the crowds.    I love Christmas décor, cards, music, school and church programs.  Pass the Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Mocha Latte while I watch  Hallmark movies!   But, like Mallary, I need reminding as “December rushes thru” what Christmas is all about. 

It’s been easier this year; I have fewer obligations than I’ve ever had in my life.  My smaller home takes less time to decorate and clean.  I’ve been to  a Christmas tea at my church.  This week will claim 3 evenings of Kids’ programs but next week’s calendar is clear.  So, I AM taking some time to remember what Christmas is all about.  I’m taking an only Bible Course with Lee Strobel and the case for Christmas. (Check out faithgateway.com )    I’m studying daily advent scriptures that parallel Old Testament prophecies with New Testament fulfillment. And it’s pretty amazing,  even for this born and raised, graduate of a Christian college, A/G girl.   

In all of this, I am very aware that there are those for whom this Christmas is just sad.  2018 was not kind to them.  Loss of loved one, some by chance and some by choice; devastating diagnosis,  financial woes and looming job issues,  threaten some’s “happy new year”.   And it gets me to thinkin’.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem wasn’t celebrated by everyone.  A king named Herod with jealousy in his heart and Satan on his shoulder was not excited.  I’ve never seen a Christmas play feature hundreds of slaughtered babies outside the stable.  But, it happened.  Herod murdered hundreds of Israelite children in an effort to murder Jesus.  Satan actively tried to rob us of Christmas 2000 years ago.  And he is still trying today, through devastating diagnosis, loss of loved one, financial woes, looming job losses and a thousand other things that are weighing you down today.  I John 3:8 says that Jesus came to “undo the work of the devil”.  Latch on to that today, and let the baby of Bethlehem undo the destruction Satan has bought or is trying to bring. 

It’s Christmas, the Season of Light.  Don’t let the Prince of Darkness rob you of the light.  Come celebrate! 

Gone but Not Forgotten

   A few weeks ago I was in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  We lived there for 8 years right after college and right after marriage.  It was my adult beginning and I loved Tulsa. It took several months for me to find a job, ( no teacher shortage back then)  and I immersed myself in a church family. I’ve been back several times over the past few years and took pictures of the home we built there and schools wherein I taught.  But, I had never gone back to the site of that church. On this trip, I found myself literally down the street, so I ran by.

   With heavy heart, I drive away from the places that meant so much to me, so long ago,  in another life. How can they be so run down, so dead? My memories of them are NOT dead,  they are vibrantly alive.

   The church where I sang, where my daughter began her life. Where she stood on the platform at age 2 ( I have the picture) and "directed" praise & worship one Sunday morning after church. It's the place  where we huddled in the basement during tornadoes and laughed around tables laden with food.  In that basement, every Wednesday night, we gathered with our spiritual family for dinner. Weddings and funerals of friends filled these walls.   The sisters I never had, the women who became mentors, all of their spirits float through this place.

  I knew it had been sold and became a funeral home. Today,  it’s an abandoned shell, the etching on the sanctuary windows coated in dust and grime.  The glass doors where we entered and exited laughing and hugging, boarded up with plywood and graffiti. The beautiful spring and fall landscaping that I remember is shriveled twigs and branches with barren brown dirt.  It’s just a place but, in my memory, a place of happiness and joy, a place that I grieved deeply when life moved us away.  

  The parsonage is still just steps away from the building. So many meetings, dinners and soirees took place there.  So much laughter and a place where tears flowed as I sat in on the patio or in the living room or even in the kitchen.  Dinners cooked by the amazing Brenda, truly hostess with the mostess. Her house was owned by the church, but she put her heart and soul into making it a home for her family and for us.  It’s now a BANK. The irony, that our parsonage is a BANK. How could that happen?

   The pink “mansion”  that was our nursery and Sunday School rooms is long gone. I think  It was demolished by the funeral home owners for more parking. The wooden building on the back of the parking lot is gone too.  It was our Girls Ministries/Missionette building and I spent many hours there. Several years we used one room of the three as storage for aluminum cans.   It was standing joke that we funded our program on pop and beer. Cockroaches love those beverages also and the building was generally infested no matter how much roach spray I used.  

  I sat in the car and let the memories wash over me.  These places that hold so many memories and were the locations that my life revolved around.     My sorrow is deepened by the reality that those who would understand are gone also. Both of the Brenda’s.   

  Brenda A. would sit across the table from me as I lamented this without a coffee, she doesn’t like coffee.  She would chide me, and not gently, for my sorrow. Life goes on,  move on.

  Brenda H.  would hold a coffee cup and empathize, then wisely counsel me to move on,  a full life is always evolving.

  So, I wipe away the tears, and drive away,  doubting I will ever drive by here again. And I smile, because this place and the people associated with it, happened.

CHALLENGE: Write a sentence about a place in your memory that is no longer there.  

Shelter

"It is in the shelter of each other that people live."

  Can I challenge you to write one sentence in response to this quote before you read my many sentences of response?

Years ago at a Dry Gulch Women's Retreat,  ( Dry Gulch is, of course,  what Heaven will be like);  a speaker spoke about "shelter".  From scripture, she took 3 Hebrew words meaning "shelter"  and spoke about each of them.  She had photos of the 3 different shelters and spoke of how God meant for them to be used in our lives.   I don't remember much of the message but I felt very comforted by the thought of those shelters. 

Shelter:   covered,  protected,  safe.

So when this quote popped up in my "one-sentence daily journal",  it intrigued me.  I started thinkin
about it.   Certainly children live within the shelter of their parents.  Many women are blessed enough to live within the shelter of their husbands.  I've sought and found shelter in my church family.   Thinkin on this,  I discovered,  I have indeed lived in the shelter of others.   I am beyond grateful for them. 

However,  I have also lived in the shelter of the Almighty God.  Living out Psalm 91:1   " Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." 

It should come as no big revelation that we have to move into the shelter.  Oklahomans know it's important move into the shelter before the storm gets too close.  We need to create and cultivate our 'shelter' of people before we need their shelter.  Additionally,  we need to cultivate living in the shelter of the Most High before we need His protection, covering and safety. 

Take shelter today even if you're living in the Son.     

   

Psalm 86

     THINKIN’ On  these words of David  in Psalm 86.    It was written during one of David’s many tough times.    He begins by asking God to “hear”  him and “answer”    He repeats this request again in verse 6.  And this time,   David asks God to hear him and grant him,  not what he deserves,  but mercy.  The Message translation calls David a “wretch”.  A wretch would certainly have earned punishment.  Because  Mercy is undeserved, David acknowledges he is asking for something he did not deserve.  Then,  he says something that he knows from experience,  God answers him when he calls.  He is confident in the request he is making of God.  He spends the next 3 verses exalting God and reminding himself of God’s deeds and faithfulness.  He acknowledges his foes and ruthless people around him and then he says the piece de resistance,   He reminds himself and God of the characteristics of God:  “compassionate and gracious,  slow to anger,  abounding in love and faithfulness.”

No wonder David trusted this God whom there was no one like and whose deeds cannot compare with any other.  Imagine,  he is kind and tender, giving,  patient, full of love and he never, never quits. 

 One morning not to long ago,  I was THINKIN’on these THINGS when I realized. This prayer of David in verses 6&7 encompasses all my (and your) needs  “Hear my prayer, Lord”   turn to me,  incline your ear to me,  listen, pay attention because in your presence there is all I need. Hundreds of chorus’ tell of the things that happen in his presence. When  I enter into His presence, I have set myself up for successful requests. 

“Listen to my cry for mercy”  Forgive us,  even though we are undeserving.   Heal us,  deliver us, save us,  not because of what we do but because of who YOU are.

“…in distress I call to you”   We need strength for the suffering, the trials that we and our loved ones are experiencing.    We have needs that require deliverance from cancer,  sin,  sickness, mental health issues.    This verse allows me to enumerate my four  cancer ridden friends,  two young men with traumatic brain injuries, the prodigals,  and their mothers.  These needs “distress” me but right in this Word,  it says I can call to God regarding these needs. 

“because you answer me.”   I ask these things because I know you will answer me. And should there be any doubt about this,  I can skip down and remember that my God is compassionate and gracious. 

  Praying Psalm 86 today and Thinkin´on it.     

Examples

A recent morning devotion sitting under a Colorado sky with a cool breeze  ( not wind OKLA friends),  and a cup of coffee made me pause.  It talked about leading by example and asked who, in  (My) life had led me by example.  Example is different than teaching me something or impacting my life.  Example is the person who lived what they taught me.
    

I thought immediately of the colleagues who shaped me as a teacher.  I can rattle off their names in a second.  My former classroom reeked of their influence and even now,  subbing and instructional coaching,  I still draw from them.  I even called one of them last night for reassurance about a recommendation I was making to my current boss.

I thought of my childhood mentors, most of them waiting for me in Heaven.   Versal Denton,  who knew the scriptures inside out,  who we would see praying before class and would look to the heavens before answering our adolescent questions.   Who modeled what she taught even if I ran into her at the grocery store.  She, who years later would hold me in prayer as I buried my first grandchild.  She battled cancer and a host of other health issues before going to Heaven,  but her example never wavered.  And most of you have never heard of her. 

As a young wife, mother and lay person,  I encountered many women who led by example.  Brenda Holder,  the quintessential pastors wife who taught me that pastor’s wives are just people too. 

Jean Cobb,  who would teach me about prayer and resources.  She knew so much scripture  but led by example to seek counsel. 

Estes Eubanks and Rosie Yandell who taught this Lay Person that she had a valuable ministry despite not being “in the ministry”.  Their example ( and trust in me)  inspired me to press on to my best. 

Dee McNeil,  Loretta Wideman,  Tina Morrow,  women who led me to see the beauty in sacrifice.   Tina,  15 years my junior,  would show me how grace and mercy can save relationships. 

   Steve Green sang a song in the 90’s,  “May all who come behind us find us faithful,  may the light of our devotion light their way,  and the footprints that we leave,  lead them to believe and the life we live inspire them to obey…” 

Thinkin’  about MY example today.  

Ancient

Ancient, I like the word.  It rolls off my tongue with nostalgia.  I have a bit of linguistic knowledge through my hours of Language development in college.  I haven’t used it professionally for some time now, but you don’t lose what you knew.  

“Ancient” according to dictionary.com means “of or in a long time past, dating from a remote period, of great age. Ancient, by its very definition speaks of age, but also everlasting worth.”

The Hebrews called God “Ancient of Days”     I love Michael W. Smith’s song “Ancient Words . . .    ever true, changing me, changing you”

I’m thinkin’ today about those Ancient Words.  The Words of the Bible, centuries old and yet still relevant.   Even the unbeliever has to agree in common sense scripture such as “sharp words cut like a sword”   or “lazy people irritate their employers”   and “thou shalt not kill”. 

These ancient words when applied to my life change me.  Not necessarily my circumstances, me.  

The ancient words change me when I am quiet  with them.   Many times I turn to the BibleHub app and read a scripture in several translations.  I let the ancient words drive deep down within me and reverberate in my heart.  When I open my heart, without presumption, to hear the wisdom of the ancient words.  

  “I have come with open heart, Let these ancient words impart”.  Impart wisdom, comfort, guidance, instruction, Ancient Words.

What ancient word is speaking to you today? 

You shouldn't have Joy

   Joy is a feeling you shouldn't have.  Not that we shouldn't have joy but joy is the surprise,  the shock of a smile when you've got nothing to smile about.  It's the good nights sleep when you've got plenty to keep you up,  the contentment when everything crashes around you.

   I remember the worst time of my life,  walking by a mirror and catching a glimpse of myself smiling.   I remember wondering why on earth I was smiling.   the smile turned to a puzzled look because of my circumstances.  My measured, perfect life was disintegrating  before my very eyes.  I was worried about housing, money,  my reputation and my children.  The puzzled look turned to wonder as I realized my circumstances had NOT stolen my joy.

   Paul's writings frequently annoy me.   "Count it all joy. . ."  Seriously,  I am not joyful when things are tough.  I want the world to know how bad things are and feel sorry for me.  If we're honest,  people who are always chipper are annoying.  Life isn't always Charlestons and Andy's  and that's okay.  Sighing over a flat tire doesn't mean I've lost my joy. 

   Sometimes we just NEED a pity party.  I set a timer for mine.  I dare suggest:  The next time  your life takes a left turn, set a timer for 15 minutes, 30 max.  Indulge in your personal,  private pity party.  You must do this alone:  Cry, remind yourself how unfair this is, how much more deserving you are,  blame everyone else.  Poor me,  nobody likes me, everybody hates me,  I'm gonna go eat a gallon of Ben & Jerry's.  When the timer goes off,  get up,  dust yourself off and with Jesus,  make a plan to get through this.  You haven't lost your joy or your salvation.  Give yourself permission to be who He made you.  And the fact is,  He made you with emotions,  positive and negative.  He also gave you the tools to deal with those emotions. 

Joy is  a gift,  a fruit of the Spirit according to the Word.   Grab a pencil and notebook and jot down one or two sentences on your definition of joy. 

Pride

     Thinkin’ on pride today,  not because I woke up wanting too.  I actually would choose not to think of pride.  I know some prideful/narcissistic people whose names I won’t mention but you do too.  My mama would say “Pride goes before a fall”  but I don’t see that happening a lot.  Most narcissistic people seem pretty successful  but I digress.

   I don’t consider myself prideful because I am not prone to tooting my own horn publicly.  In fact, I’m more likely to publicly put myself down.   But deep in the recesses of my soul,  I know.  My pride manifests in a more private, more quiet,  more deadly way.

   

   My pride manifests in fear of failure.  Fear of how people perceive me,  fear of people’s judgment,  fear of speaking out and being wrong.

 

   Pride keeps me from prayer.  I can’t boldly step out and pray for your need or promise to pray for you because,  what if?   What if what I pray doesn’t happen  and what if I fast for your need and God doesn’t deliver the way we want.  I don’t want to look like a fool or a lesser Christian.   I can’t risk my friends, family and congregation wondering about my walk with God because he doesn’t answer my prayers.    Fear of being wrong keeps me from boldly and courageously standing on the Word of God.  A fear born out of pride.  

   Webster says Pride is a "high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in conduct, etc.  

    I sincerely pray I don't "cherish"  pride.  However,  I am afraid I display a destructive  pride in my prayer and writing life.  Ouch.


What are you thinking 'bout pride in your life today?  

  

Truth, Whatever

   Truth.  A conversation with a friend the other day got me "thinkin on" it.  I said that I try to defeat worry by thinking about "whatsoever is true"  at this very moment.  She said truth doesn't change.  It got me to "thinkin".    

     At this very moment,  the truth is I am healthy, it's true I had the flu once,  but not today.   The weather here is beautiful, 68 degrees but the forecast tells me that won't be true tomorrow.   I won't share my "true" weight today but I sincerely hope that truth changes drastically.  
    
       I looked at 29 translations of Phillipians 4:8  and all of them,  ALL of them used the word "true".  Every other adjective in that verse had a variety of translations,  but not "true".   Now I was even more baffled.  I was grappling with the definition of "truth".  Dictionary.com says "in accordance with the actual state or conditions"   And that's the one I've used as deterrent to worry,  today's actual conditions.  

      So I did some studying, I believe  God's truth is absolute and does not change, nor can it be altered.   However,  the truth of our circumstances do change.   Today you've got a cough, hopefully it will  be gone tomorrow.   Today you've got a job,  it may be gone tomorrow;   today someone you love is here on earth with you,  tomorrow they may be Heaven.  The truth of my circumstances is ever changing but that does not change God's truth.  In the reality of my circumstances,  the truth is:  The Lord God is my strength,  He will never leave me or forsake me, all things work together for my good,    my steps are ordered of Him,  He restores my soul, I am forgiven,  blessed, chosen, and  redeemed.  That, my friends, is truth. 

   So,  when Paul admonishes us to think on things that are true, it's helpful to me to enumerate the truth in my circumstances.   I need to take my thoughts captive.   However,  I also need to think on God's truth,  to take His Word and apply it to my specific worry.   

   Take those worries into captivity by thinking what is true.  After you admit what is true in the circumstance,  you can  confess what is true in God's Word.  And that works even if the truth of your circumstance is  bankruptcy, illness, prodigal teenagers or adulterous husbands. 


Make a list of things that are true in your circumstances right now,  then apply that truth in the light of God's truth.   

Giftings

"Our giftings change over the course of time due to spiritual maturity and life circumstances."

   About a year ago,  I read this quote in a church bulletin and was intrigued by it.  As a graduate of a small Midwestern Christian college,  a district leader,  public school teacher,  a girls ministries teacher and director,  a CASA and a volunteer in camps for foster children;  I’ve taken my fair share of personality inventories.  I know my fruit, my color,  my communication style, and my “gifting”    However,   I read this at a transition time in my life.  I was retiring from 32 years as a teacher,  I had resigned my girls ministry position several years earlier,  not had a CASA case in five years and planning a cross country move.  I was interested in finding out where "gifting"  fit in with all these changes. 

As we took the Giftings inventory,  I was surprised to find that my results from 20 years ago were vastly different than currently.   Two of my top three “giftings”  had changed.  Upon reflection,  I was not shocked.

   Twenty years ago I was a single mom raising 2 kids, working at least 2 jobs and caring for aging parents.  I always laughed that I didn’t have time for mercy.   Not surprisingly it was my lowest gifting  20 years ago.    One of my jobs was teaching in a public school and at church I taught a girls Sunday School class.  Teaching was my number one gifting.     Administration was a second gifting and why not?  How else could I juggle all this stuff.   I’m not a morning person so those days were rushing about to get to work with a prayer life  on the run and Sunday afternoons  for house cleaning and laundry. 

   Today,  I ‘remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”.  Sunday afternoons are set aside to be DIFFERENT from the other days of the week,  (that’s a post for a different day).  Today,  I start every morning with Bible reading,  often a study or devotional and prayer.    Sunday afternoons are a date with the Lord where I bring him burdens but stop and listen to him.  I can do an online Bible study consistently and have even been able to actually physically join a Bible Study.   Out of necessity,  I did a prolonged study on prayer with Anne Graham Lotz,  David Jeremiah and Priscilla Shirer.  I have found the joy of conversing with Jesus.  Even so,  I was surprised to find Prayer as my number one gifting these days.  It wasn’t in the top five 20 years ago.   

   Intercession ranked second.  I actually pray for the needs of my friends and family and the list of prodigal children taped to my prayer room wall is added to regularly,  but I’ve also marked off some names on that list.  Knowing that prayer really does change things has brought me to my knees.   I was surprised to see it rank into my “giftings”.

   Administration fell to number 3 and teaching to number 5.  I was  little sad to see teaching fall  since I still love to do it!  But was humbled to accept that God had closed that season and given me new assignments.   

   I was thinking on these things today and I am over whelmed at God’s plan for my life,  it has never changed but he reveals it in pieces. 

What about you?  Has your "gifting" changed, why?  

Souvenirs

Thinkin' today about Souvenirs.   As a kid in the LATE 50's,  I had a charm bracelet and collected a charm everywhere we vacationed.  Later I collected little figurines and finally ticket stubs, brochures and all manner of memorabilia.  Recently, I have collected artwork from my travels,  usually bought from a street vendor.    My seven year old granddaughter has already jumped on the souvenir band wagon asking for a "souvenir"   of every trip we take, big or small.   All the  tourist spots  cater to that need for a souvenir.  Every parent cringes at the sight of the kiosk with inflatable everyone and flashing everything imaginable.  A Souvenir.  A memory.

Souvenirs keep us from forgetting the path we've traveled.  They remind us of where we've been.  When my Mom passed away,  I found a box of those figurines and paper souvenirs in her attic.  We had held onto those too long.

So today,  I'm thinkin' about the intangible souvenirs I've held onto over the years.   I am glad I've held onto the "souvenir" of salvation collected at age 9.  An Uncle I hardly remember who died when I was 11 took me to Kids Kamp,  over my mother's objections.  It was there I  acquired the "souvenir"  of salvation and a love of camp that transcended my aging. ( I went to camp last summer for the 16th year in a row! )

I kept the "souvenir"  of song that my Mom gave me early on but grew with choirs, ensembles, and solos.  I sang my first solo with a youth choir on "tour" in Duncan, Oklahoma. It was the first of hundreds I would sing throughout my life in dozens and dozens of places.

I've been blessed with many "souvenirs" of friendship.   As I type this, a picture of a friend I met  when I was six smiles down on me from the bulletin board,  we are still in touch.  She is my oldest friend but many came after her,  like the one in the other picture on the board who came into my life in the early 80's.  Then there is the group picture taken the night of my Oklahoma going away party,  eleven faces from the mid 80's till now.  All of them were a special gift to me during those motherhood years.  And those women from Evangel College/University,  the Wonder Women of W2S,  my vintage sisters,  what souvenirs they've turned out to be! 

I've collected a lot of souvenirs during my lifetime and  I  made room for many of them even during the downsize.  However,  it also occurs to me that it's time to throw some of them out.

Rejections, hurts, betrayals, sorrows, loss, and  bitterness  are souvenirs I collected against my will but collected none the less.  Like the box in my mom's attic, I've hung on to those too long.  They are yellowed, brittle, memories that I no longer have room for in my spirit.

I want to keep and continue to collect the souvenirs of  joy, laughter,  love and  friends.  I have room for those in my spirit and on my shelves! 

What about you?  What souvenirs are cluttering up your spirit?  Take inventory,  I am betting that you have some you should get rid of too.

Thinkin' about souvenirs today.

Think about God's promises

    When you pray keep God’s promises in view.  Think about that.   What if every time I went to the Lord in prayer,  I claimed one of his promises.  Not the name it and claim it technique many TV evangelists preach.  A simple taking of scripture,  delving deep into it and then asking God to give me something in light of his promises

   I was reading  I Corinthians 1:27-29   Paul was pointing out that God was using the weak, the maligned,  the silly to confound the world.  He says that God does this so that we have nothing to boast about.  I was thinking of that in light of my writing,  and in my constant prayer that God will lead me in this pursuit. 

    

     It’ not entirely crazy to ask God to use me to “confound”  the world,  because I definitely do not consider myself ready to take on the title of “Writer”.  In spite of the fact He has been reassuring me to do that for weeks now. 

    What are you hearing in your heart that seems "silly"?  Is God calling you to "confound"  the world in someway.   If it seems overwhelming,  it's because HE wants to make it happen.  

     What if our prayer was "here I am,  I'm all in for whatever you want me to do.   Whatever your label is for me,  if I'm successful,  I will never doubt is was you, Lord,  and not me."

The Power of Yet

      YET    defined by dictionary.com as "even, still".  In Isaiah 30, Isaiah has been admonishing the “obstinate”  children of Israel for their rebellion.  His words are harsh enough to make even the most resilient  feel hopeless.  Tonya's translation:   "God tried to help you,  but your wouldn't take his help,  You weren't willing to do anything God said,  You want to run,  you're going to,  but your enemies are going to be faster.  One of them will capture 1000 of you."   😲   

     However,  in verse 18,  Isaiah  brings forth a thought to give them hope. "Yet,  the Lord longs to be gracious to you..."    YET,   there are still conditions where God would,  in great mercy,  bring them back into His fold. 

       YET,  the power of yet.  Yet says that there is still hope,  things can still turn around,  even in the face of all our sin, all our rebellion,  all our failures,  even, still, Yet,  the Lord longs,  wants it more than anything,  to be gracious,  to give mercy.

Our Lord still longs to forgive.  "Longs"  has been translated as "craves, yearns,"  Imagine, the King of the Universe,  creator of the world,  “aches”  to be good to me, in spite of my failures, in spite of all my sin.

 

     This morning, I’m wondering what YET lies before me.

         

       Thinkin’ ‘bout the power of YET.

Thinkin' on Jeremiah

      Jeremiah,  the “weeping prophet”  the one who never had a good thing to say.  Jeremiah’s most famous words are  on pictures, plaques, journals, note cards,  even tattooed on our bodies but these words in chapter 17: 7,8   . . .     

   

       There was a popular hymn in the 50’s based on this passage.   “I shall not be,  I shall not be moved,   just like a tree planted by the water,  I shall not be moved.”   It had a great bass line.  But I grew up in Oklahoma,  and trees by the water were indeed moved.  If not, by wind, then by lightening,  split right in half.   That’s why I need to THINK about this scripture and ask God for some enlightenment. 

        For starters, we tend to take a verse out of context.  That’s why verse 8 makes no sense without verse 7.  Verse 7 is a contingency,  in order to be like the tree,  we have to ‘trust in the Lord’  and not just trust but put our “confidence” in Him.   Webster says confidence is total and complete belief in a person and their reliability.   So it starts with me. 

      I often consider trusting the Lord with my long list of requests for me and others who need help.  But as I THOUGHT  on this today,  it is also a complete reliance on him for salvation.  Trusting him for survival,  like the tree.

 

      The tree is planted by the water to gain nourishment's through it’s roots.   Trees are not afraid of heat, this tree’s leaves don’t curl up and turn brown and drop off to die,  the tree isn’t afraid of no water because the water is right there next to him and this tree NEVER fails to grow fruit.  

       Imagining myself as a tree is daunting but THINK on it,  if I (you) have completely trusted and put my confidence in the Lord,  He gives me the strength of a tree with roots that go deep in His Word,  worship and prayer.  Those roots reach out to the living water and find nourishment for my soul.  When Satan turns up the heat,  I draw from the living water and stand firm.  I cannot curl up and die as long as I draw from this living water.  I won’t fall from the branch,  (think about new testament teaching on branches, vines etc)   I don’t have to worry about not having the water,  my confidence is in the Living Water. 

       And,  I will bear fruit in every season.  There’s the real thought.  Imagine that in whatever season of life:  health or illness,  poverty or riches,  grief or joy,  you can be bearing fruit. 

Just thinkin’.

Thinkin' on Micah

  Yes, Micah, a little book tucked into the back of the Old Testament.  Micah was a country prophet who lived during Isaiah’s time.   He was a ‘rural’ preacher who was specific about the sins he observed.   He’s called a “minor prophet” by scholars but depending on your circumstances, you might find what he has to say MAJOR.  

In Micah 7, this “minor” prophet extols Israel’s misery; His words translated in the Message could have been my words at times in my life journey.    “I’m overwhelmed with sorrow!  Sunk in a swamp of despair,   the powerful rich make sure they get what they want.   Neighborhoods and families are falling to pieces.”    The NIV says “even with the woman, who lies in your embrace, guard the words of your lips.”  Yikes, you can’t even trust your own spouse or children,   yeah, some of us have been there. 

Reading this chapter can really ruin your day, until verse 7;   I’m always amazed at how prophets like Jeremiah and poets like David can write such sorrow and then, snap!  Pull it up out of the pit.   Micah says “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God, my Savior, my God WILL hear me.”    The message says, “But me, I’m not giving up.  I’m sticking around to see what God will do I’m waiting for God to make things right, I’m counting on God to listen to me.”    He goes on to count his blessings finishing with reminding himself and his readers that “(GOD) You will be faithful . . .  and show love . . . as you pledged an oath to our ancestors in days long ago.”

 

Whatever the day holds for you, whatever sorrows, heartaches or joys that wait, stick around to see what God will do.  Think on that.  

Thinkin' on 2 Timothy 1:6-7

I have heard, as have you, countless sermons and quoting of verse 7.  Usually in the context of a doctor's diagnosis,  a letter from a bill collector,  a lawyer or an ex-employer. 

We like to stand on the verse that God has not given us a spirit of fear.  And indeed,  He has NOT!  Some translations say God has not given us a spirit of "timidity".  A recent reading of that translation offended me because the debilitating fear that Satan attacks me with is much more severe than timidity.  So I took a deeper look into the context of this scripture and heard a different message.

Paul,  writing from a jail cell,  in the final months of his life, is speaking to his dear friend,  "son",  Timothy.  It is his second letter and he begins by reminding Timothy of his heritage of faith.  Then he launches into instruction.  Verse 6 indicates that Timothy has a ministry to fulfill,  a calling of God.  Presumably to spread the gospel although specifics are not mentioned.     After reminding Timothy of his "gift" which he should "fan into flame",  Paul tells him that he should not have a spirit of fear.  This is particularly applicable since Timothy must be thinking, look where your gift got you.  (That's what I'm thinking.) 

This must be why so many translations use "cowardice, timidity"  instead of the word "fear".  Satan uses fear in many forms but all of them are to stop the work of the Lord.

As I'm thinkin'  'bout this today,  I am boldly aware of a calling on my life,  a move God has asked me to make that frightens me.  I am timid about approaching those whose help and guidance I need for this task.  But I hear God saying,  He has given me power,  I have everything I need for this task.    He loves me enough to offer me this opportunity and trust me with this task.  And as for "self-discipline",   ie: " sound judgment,  wise discretion,"   that got me up at 5:30 AM to write this.

Thinkin' bout a nap.     

The Beginning

The mover chuckled as he shoved the big purple tub into the POD for my move to Colorado.  I turned pink with embarrassment at the bold, huge label on that tub. “Stalled Writing Career”.  Yeah, becoming a single mother on an Oklahoma teachers’ paycheck and taking on 2 extra jobs along with my volunteer commitments at church had STALLED my little writing career, er, hobby.  I simply couldn’t put time into things that were not bringing in cash.  So, twenty   years ago, I boxed it all up:  the notes from writing conferences, the how to books,   the rejection letters and the few congratulatory notes with check stubs, the slim file labeled “SOLD”.

20 years ago, the tub was packed efficiently away with its offensive label “Stalled Writing Career”   Career?  A career is something you do a long time and are very successful.  Stalled Writing DREAM might have been a better label.  At some point I must have believed I could have a writing career.  Otherwise that tub full of how to books, articles filed meticulously into themes, research notes, pages and pages of writing would have disappeared long ago.  I gingerly open the purple abyss of paper and stare inside. Here I am, unpacking it as if think I can do it.  20 years later. 

Today is my self-imposed deadline to launch my blog.  I lay in bed this morning, thinking, for the umpteenth time:   Is this what I should do with my time?  Why join the hundreds  of thousands bloggers in cyberspace?  Who, besides my wonderful friends and family, who, will read me?  And do I want them too?  

As is my custom, I took my coffee and current devotional book to start the day I might launch my blog.   Many years ago in a Beth Moore study, I learned the importance of asking God to open my heart before I read His word.  Imagine that the creator of the Universe has something to say to me.  I need to pay attention. 

So, before I opened the book I asked God to speak specifically to me, and added,   “SO, I’m going to launch that blog today unless you freeze the computer, please, please, reassure me that I’m doing the right thing.”

Seriously, I open the book to read the title “The Balls in Your Court” with Isaiah 6:8.  “This ball is for you.  Who’s the person? What’s the problem and where is the deficit that you might just be suited to fill?”  (Priscilla Shirer in Awaken)  Could I get you a burning bush? 

I cannot imagine that in the world of cyberspace, there are any “deficits”.  But, I meant it when I said, Here am I, send me.  So here I am, hope you read me!