G'day, Mate!
Lately, our home has been filled with the sights and sounds of Australia. No, we're not planning a big trip, although that is one of my dream destinations. We're getting geared up for Spring Valley Baptist's "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School! (It's being held from June 15-19. Come on and join us!! http://www.springvalleybaptist.com) I am serving as the Worship Rally leader this summer, so I've been playing the music, watching the DVDs, and brushing up on my Aussie lingo. Thankfully, my 9-year-old is quick to let me know if something I think of is "way cool" or "really lame, Mom".
The other day, as I watched the VBS DVD, I was drawn to the images they were showing.
The narrator was in Israel, and she was taking the viewers on a trip around the country to sites that were important in the ministry of Jesus, as well as in the life of Peter.
In one of the segments, they showed the steps to the home of the high priest, where Jesus was taken on the night before his crucifixion. The narrator explained that these steps were well over 2000 years old, and that they are believed to be the very steps that Christ ascended on that horrible night. As she walked up the steps, she came into the courtyard. She pointed out that this was the place where Peter was asked if he knew Jesus. Not once, but 3 times, the courtyard became the backdrop for his denial of his Savior.
As I watched, I thought about how awful Peter must have felt each time he passed that place. Even though he was later restored in his relationship with Jesus, how he must have anguished each time he had to pass those steps that led to the place he denied Christ! I thought to myself, "Wow, I'm glad I don't have a particular spot like that!"
It was then that I realized that yes, I do. I have more places of denial than I even want to admit, much less revisit. Memories began to flood my mind of all the times I had acted in ways that didn't show others that I belong to Jesus. Verbally, I may not have denied him, but words weren't necessary for others to see that I was only acknowledging myself and my own will.
Even though is was extremely painful, I began to pray and ask God to show me the times and the ways I had denied Him, and most importantly, to show me if any of those places were still active in my life. At the end of much confession and prayer, the Lord then began to bring to mind all the times He had found me in those places and pulled me back into His arms. Those habits, actions, and times of serving self--by God's grace---now serve as reminders of how empty my life was when I lived it in denial of Him. The only peace and fullness in life comes from acknowledging Him as the Ruler, King, and Redeemer of every circumstance!
May all my places of denial now become places of praise.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
My Jerusalem
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
Lately, I've had "the itch". With all the Baptist Collegiate Ministry students preparing for summer missions, and with other dear friends writing to us from the mission field, the desire to GO has been rising up in me! My passport is getting dusty, and I'm just feeling the need to pull it out and to go to a place where people really need to hear about Jesus.
You know what? All I have to do to go to a place like that is walk out my front door. Go to the grocery store. Take my son to school. Teach fitness. People who really need to hear about Jesus are EVERYWHERE around me, and I just need to take the time to ask God to show me who needs a word from Him.
This morning, I took a walk around my neighborhood. The weather was idyllic, and I was having a great time praying and worshipping as I got some exercise. As I walked, the Lord began to say to me, "You're looking at your Jerusalem."
Since Ken & I moved to Blythewood about 18 months ago, we have tried diligently to know our neighbors. We have believed from the moment the foundation of our home was set that we were being brought here to live for Jesus in this neighborhood. But as I walked, I realized that although I know many of their names, I really don't know many of my neighbors. What are their needs, their hurts, their beliefs? Do they know what WE believe? Oh, I pray they do, but I can't say that for certain, because there are still many of them I have not had that deep conversation with yet.
It's no mistake that Jesus told his followers to start in Jerusalem. We simply must begin where we live. God didn't put any of us in the place we call our "home" to stay to ourselves. Instead, he put us where we are to get involved, to care, to be His light.
For the last half of my walk, I began to pray for each family in each home that I passed. Even though I don't know their needs, their hurts, their fears, my Father does, and He is the only one who can do anything about it. My neighborhood walks are going to have a different focus from now on: reaching my Jerusalem with the love of Christ. I can't wait to see who God puts in my path!
I guess my passport will stay dusty for a little while longer, but that is fine with me. My mission field is right outside my door.
Lately, I've had "the itch". With all the Baptist Collegiate Ministry students preparing for summer missions, and with other dear friends writing to us from the mission field, the desire to GO has been rising up in me! My passport is getting dusty, and I'm just feeling the need to pull it out and to go to a place where people really need to hear about Jesus.
You know what? All I have to do to go to a place like that is walk out my front door. Go to the grocery store. Take my son to school. Teach fitness. People who really need to hear about Jesus are EVERYWHERE around me, and I just need to take the time to ask God to show me who needs a word from Him.
This morning, I took a walk around my neighborhood. The weather was idyllic, and I was having a great time praying and worshipping as I got some exercise. As I walked, the Lord began to say to me, "You're looking at your Jerusalem."
Since Ken & I moved to Blythewood about 18 months ago, we have tried diligently to know our neighbors. We have believed from the moment the foundation of our home was set that we were being brought here to live for Jesus in this neighborhood. But as I walked, I realized that although I know many of their names, I really don't know many of my neighbors. What are their needs, their hurts, their beliefs? Do they know what WE believe? Oh, I pray they do, but I can't say that for certain, because there are still many of them I have not had that deep conversation with yet.
It's no mistake that Jesus told his followers to start in Jerusalem. We simply must begin where we live. God didn't put any of us in the place we call our "home" to stay to ourselves. Instead, he put us where we are to get involved, to care, to be His light.
For the last half of my walk, I began to pray for each family in each home that I passed. Even though I don't know their needs, their hurts, their fears, my Father does, and He is the only one who can do anything about it. My neighborhood walks are going to have a different focus from now on: reaching my Jerusalem with the love of Christ. I can't wait to see who God puts in my path!
I guess my passport will stay dusty for a little while longer, but that is fine with me. My mission field is right outside my door.
Friday, April 3, 2009
His Eyes
As I was leaving the WalMart (a.k.a "Wal-Mahal") parking lot yesterday, I was singing along to Brandon Heath's song, "Give Me Your Eyes". In my heart, I was saying, "Yes, Lord, I really do want to see the world the way you do. Help me see people from the perspective you have." Who might it be, I wondered, that I needed to see differently?
At just that moment, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a dirty, disheveled man standing in the median of the parking lot exit. His cardboard sign read, "Need a job. Will work for food." To be honest, my typical reaction would be to say a quick prayer for him, think what a shame it is that he'd probably use any money he was given to buy alcohol, wonder if he was scamming, and then drive away.
Not yesterday though. The Lord opened my eyes to this man in a completely different way. My stomach began to get knots in it, but not out of disgust or fear. Instead, I felt the most overwhelming compassion for him, and I realized that truly, he is my brother because he was created by my Father. In that split second when I first saw him, it was as if God whispered in my ear, "Maria, if you met this man while you were on a mission trip, you would give him the shirt from your back and all the money you had with you. THIS is your mission field today. What will you give to my child?"
Without hesitation, praying fervently that the light wouldn't change too quickly, I reached inside my purse and grabbed some money. I rolled down my window and called out, "Sir! Sir! Please come over here." The man's eyes got wide, and before he even knew that I was going to give him some money, he said, "Oh God bless you! God bless you for calling me 'Sir'!" I was dumbfounded. Even more than money, his greatest need was to be recognized as a person of worth.
I fumbled to hand him the money, but I found myself with a lump in my throat and no words to say. The man, who no longer looked so dirty to me, repeated, "God bless you! God bless you!" Finally, I choked out, "Oh, He has blessed me, and now I pray He will bless you."
The light changed, and our exchange ended. Those brief moments have been in my heart and thoughts ever since.
You know, it's really not up to us to determine what someone else might do with money or time or energy that we give them. Instead, it is up to us to give freely from the depths of our love for Christ.
May I never forget that man, and may I always see with the eyes of Christ.
"Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlookd or ignored, that was me--you did it to me." Matthew 25:40, The Message
At just that moment, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a dirty, disheveled man standing in the median of the parking lot exit. His cardboard sign read, "Need a job. Will work for food." To be honest, my typical reaction would be to say a quick prayer for him, think what a shame it is that he'd probably use any money he was given to buy alcohol, wonder if he was scamming, and then drive away.
Not yesterday though. The Lord opened my eyes to this man in a completely different way. My stomach began to get knots in it, but not out of disgust or fear. Instead, I felt the most overwhelming compassion for him, and I realized that truly, he is my brother because he was created by my Father. In that split second when I first saw him, it was as if God whispered in my ear, "Maria, if you met this man while you were on a mission trip, you would give him the shirt from your back and all the money you had with you. THIS is your mission field today. What will you give to my child?"
Without hesitation, praying fervently that the light wouldn't change too quickly, I reached inside my purse and grabbed some money. I rolled down my window and called out, "Sir! Sir! Please come over here." The man's eyes got wide, and before he even knew that I was going to give him some money, he said, "Oh God bless you! God bless you for calling me 'Sir'!" I was dumbfounded. Even more than money, his greatest need was to be recognized as a person of worth.
I fumbled to hand him the money, but I found myself with a lump in my throat and no words to say. The man, who no longer looked so dirty to me, repeated, "God bless you! God bless you!" Finally, I choked out, "Oh, He has blessed me, and now I pray He will bless you."
The light changed, and our exchange ended. Those brief moments have been in my heart and thoughts ever since.
You know, it's really not up to us to determine what someone else might do with money or time or energy that we give them. Instead, it is up to us to give freely from the depths of our love for Christ.
May I never forget that man, and may I always see with the eyes of Christ.
"Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlookd or ignored, that was me--you did it to me." Matthew 25:40, The Message
Monday, March 23, 2009
Silence
Today, I went to visit my mom and dad. It's a 2-hour drive each way, so I had great plans for how I would maximize the time. The new session of Body & Soul fitness is gearing up in two weeks, so I was ready to listen to the new music. I had several phone calls I needed to return, too, so I was certain the time would pass quickly.
Well, it's hard to use your audio system when the fuse is blown! Yep, that's right--no music at all. To top it off, apparently the lighter/charger is connected to that same fuse, & since my cell phone had only a couple of battery bars showing, there wasn't much talking to be done either!
So what did I do to pass the time?
I prayed.
And then I prayed some more!
And then I found myself praying and singing out loud!
My Father met with me right there in my car, and it was beautiful. I'm sure I looked like an idiot to those who passed me, but I don't even care! The fellowship with the Lord was so sweet, and it carried me through the day.
My visit with my parents ended all too quickly, as it always does. The time today with them was filled with laughter, joy, fun, and memories. I must admit, though, a part of me was excited to get back in the van for my two hours of "silence" on the way home.
I dare you to try it sometime. Either in your home or in your car, find an extended period of time, in addition to your daily time with God, to get away from all the noise of this life. Let God speak to you from the silence. It will be profound!
Well, it's hard to use your audio system when the fuse is blown! Yep, that's right--no music at all. To top it off, apparently the lighter/charger is connected to that same fuse, & since my cell phone had only a couple of battery bars showing, there wasn't much talking to be done either!
So what did I do to pass the time?
I prayed.
And then I prayed some more!
And then I found myself praying and singing out loud!
My Father met with me right there in my car, and it was beautiful. I'm sure I looked like an idiot to those who passed me, but I don't even care! The fellowship with the Lord was so sweet, and it carried me through the day.
My visit with my parents ended all too quickly, as it always does. The time today with them was filled with laughter, joy, fun, and memories. I must admit, though, a part of me was excited to get back in the van for my two hours of "silence" on the way home.
I dare you to try it sometime. Either in your home or in your car, find an extended period of time, in addition to your daily time with God, to get away from all the noise of this life. Let God speak to you from the silence. It will be profound!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
When God Stands
"In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." Is. 6:1
Isaiah's glimpse into eternity emphasizes God's majesty, his awesomeness, and his complete authority and control. For those who lived in Isaiah's day, a king's death brought about turmoil, fears, and unrest for all the people. Who would be in command next? Would their new ruler be kind, or a tyrant? Would they become vulnerable to attack from another country? So many things were in an uproar. Remind you of today's world? With bailouts, war, unemployment, and economic worries all around us, it is easy to relate to what these ancients must have been feeling.
Yet, God was sitting. No matter how upsetting the circumstances may have seemed, God was in such control that he didn't have to pace, to wring his hands, to sweat it out, or to even worry for an instant. No, he simply reigned in His majesty, seated on His throne. What comfort to know that God isn't worried or terrified by any of the craziness of this world!
So what could possibly make God stand? Only one thing: His love for me and you.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion." Is. 30:18
The next time you are facing difficulties and times of uncertainty, even when the world around you seems to fall apart, remember that your Father loves you so much that he will rise from His throne to meet you right where you are.
"How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hers, he will answer you." Is. 30:19b
Isaiah's glimpse into eternity emphasizes God's majesty, his awesomeness, and his complete authority and control. For those who lived in Isaiah's day, a king's death brought about turmoil, fears, and unrest for all the people. Who would be in command next? Would their new ruler be kind, or a tyrant? Would they become vulnerable to attack from another country? So many things were in an uproar. Remind you of today's world? With bailouts, war, unemployment, and economic worries all around us, it is easy to relate to what these ancients must have been feeling.
Yet, God was sitting. No matter how upsetting the circumstances may have seemed, God was in such control that he didn't have to pace, to wring his hands, to sweat it out, or to even worry for an instant. No, he simply reigned in His majesty, seated on His throne. What comfort to know that God isn't worried or terrified by any of the craziness of this world!
So what could possibly make God stand? Only one thing: His love for me and you.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion." Is. 30:18
The next time you are facing difficulties and times of uncertainty, even when the world around you seems to fall apart, remember that your Father loves you so much that he will rise from His throne to meet you right where you are.
"How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hers, he will answer you." Is. 30:19b
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sewing Machine Leg!
I just went back to Body & Soul this morning for the first time in several months. FINALLY, my leg has healed enough from my muscle rupture that I am able to exercise again. After years of teaching fitness classes, I expected to be able to jump right back in, but man-oh-man! I had a rude awakening this morning!
As we went through the class, everything was going fine until we got to the floor work, and particularly to the LEG work. I've learned enough about my leg muscles to know that what we were doing wouldn't harm me, and that it would ultimately bring me strength. It just felt so DIFFERENT this time, since it had been months since I'd done anything like this. As we continued to work our legs, my right leg turned into Elvis Presley! I was shaking, jiggling, and wiggling in ways I didn't know were possible! Yep, I had the infamous "sewing machine leg", where my leg couldn't hold any pressure at all without bobbing up and down. I'm sure that my fellow strength-trainers got a great laugh!
Isn't it amazing how a relatively short period of inactivity can lead to such weakness? And isn't that true not only of our physical bodies, but of our spiritual state, too? Just a few days without focused bible study can leave me feeling weak & vulnerable. Going without concentrated prayer time leaves me wondering about my decisions and "bobbing up and down" with my thoughts. Time away from corporate worship can make my foundation seem weak and shaky.
It won't be long until my leg is back at 100%, and I'm looking forward to the journey back to full health. Isn't it wonderful that God has created us to be able to regain strength--both physical and spiritual--no matter how much we've lost? Most of all, I pray that I will always work my SPIRITUAL muscles to become a more fine-tuned, strong, and able follower of Christ!
As we went through the class, everything was going fine until we got to the floor work, and particularly to the LEG work. I've learned enough about my leg muscles to know that what we were doing wouldn't harm me, and that it would ultimately bring me strength. It just felt so DIFFERENT this time, since it had been months since I'd done anything like this. As we continued to work our legs, my right leg turned into Elvis Presley! I was shaking, jiggling, and wiggling in ways I didn't know were possible! Yep, I had the infamous "sewing machine leg", where my leg couldn't hold any pressure at all without bobbing up and down. I'm sure that my fellow strength-trainers got a great laugh!
Isn't it amazing how a relatively short period of inactivity can lead to such weakness? And isn't that true not only of our physical bodies, but of our spiritual state, too? Just a few days without focused bible study can leave me feeling weak & vulnerable. Going without concentrated prayer time leaves me wondering about my decisions and "bobbing up and down" with my thoughts. Time away from corporate worship can make my foundation seem weak and shaky.
It won't be long until my leg is back at 100%, and I'm looking forward to the journey back to full health. Isn't it wonderful that God has created us to be able to regain strength--both physical and spiritual--no matter how much we've lost? Most of all, I pray that I will always work my SPIRITUAL muscles to become a more fine-tuned, strong, and able follower of Christ!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Legacy
Last Sunday, I had the privilege of spending some "alone" time with my sweet Mama. She was having a pretty good day healthwise, so Ken & Matthew decided to take my dad to run some errands and go for a drive. It was a great and refreshing time for Daddy, and it ended up being a time of beautiful blessing for me, too!
Mama was doing great at first, and seemed to be fine with the fact that my dad was out for awhile. Then, as we went for a walk down the hallways of their retirement community, her mind began to betray her once more. She was worried, agitated, confused, and didn't know where she was. We quickly made our way back to their apartment, and then she began to pace. "Where is Tony? Why isn't he here? I need your daddy." I prayed, "Lord, please help me know how to show her your love right now. Please help me calm her, just like she used to calm me."
Now, my mother is very frail and petite at only about 90 lbs, and she has never been more than 110, but she has a huge sweet tooth! As I prayed about what might calm her down, I could hear her voice through the years as she would often say,"I sure would like just a bite of something sweet! And it would be great to have a sip of something fizzy to go with it." I thought that the Valentine's candy we had brought & the Coke on the counter just might do the trick, and when I offered it to her, she said with a relieved sigh, "Oh, that would be so nice."
As she sat with her piece of chocolate and her small class of Coke, the Lord reminded me of the other thing she always did to calm herself in any time of struggle. I picked up her Bible and asked if she would like me to read it. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine as she said, "Oh yes, please do!"
She has several Bibles, but the one I picked up was a Disciples' Study Bible. She had bought it in the early '80s on a trip to Ridgecrest, but I had no idea she had it. I have that exact same Bible, which I got in early '90s, when I became serious about studying God's word. We had "coincidentally" bought the same Bible! Then, I turned to the inside cover, and I saw where she had written over 20 years ago:
"Ephesians 3:14-21: My prayer for myself, Tony, and all our descendants."
A chill ran up my spine. "Mama", I said,"I know this passage so well. I've been drawn to it over the years, and I've taught on it several times. I even used it as my teaching passage last weekend at the women's retreat for our church!" I quickly turned to Ephesians in her Bible, and it was as though I were looking at my own. The things she had underlined in the introductory theological outline were exactly what I had underlined. The phrases of the passage she had highlighted were marked in mine, too. Notes in the margins were like the notes in mine. I was dumbfounded! I had had no earthly idea that my mom had been praying those words of scripture over me, my husband, my siblings, my child, and all my family, and she had been doing it for years. Yet God knew. And God had led my heart to be molded, changed, and touched by this scripture, and He had led my hands to underline the words that she had prayed for me. I can't help but wonder if I might've ever been reading those words as she was praying them...
What a gift that God would allow my mother to see His faithfulness in the amazement of her child that day! How beautiful that I could share with her, on this side of Heaven, that God had been faithful to hear her prayers and direct my life through them. Their legacy of faith is the greatest gift my parents could ever give.
"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21
Mama was doing great at first, and seemed to be fine with the fact that my dad was out for awhile. Then, as we went for a walk down the hallways of their retirement community, her mind began to betray her once more. She was worried, agitated, confused, and didn't know where she was. We quickly made our way back to their apartment, and then she began to pace. "Where is Tony? Why isn't he here? I need your daddy." I prayed, "Lord, please help me know how to show her your love right now. Please help me calm her, just like she used to calm me."
Now, my mother is very frail and petite at only about 90 lbs, and she has never been more than 110, but she has a huge sweet tooth! As I prayed about what might calm her down, I could hear her voice through the years as she would often say,"I sure would like just a bite of something sweet! And it would be great to have a sip of something fizzy to go with it." I thought that the Valentine's candy we had brought & the Coke on the counter just might do the trick, and when I offered it to her, she said with a relieved sigh, "Oh, that would be so nice."
As she sat with her piece of chocolate and her small class of Coke, the Lord reminded me of the other thing she always did to calm herself in any time of struggle. I picked up her Bible and asked if she would like me to read it. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine as she said, "Oh yes, please do!"
She has several Bibles, but the one I picked up was a Disciples' Study Bible. She had bought it in the early '80s on a trip to Ridgecrest, but I had no idea she had it. I have that exact same Bible, which I got in early '90s, when I became serious about studying God's word. We had "coincidentally" bought the same Bible! Then, I turned to the inside cover, and I saw where she had written over 20 years ago:
"Ephesians 3:14-21: My prayer for myself, Tony, and all our descendants."
A chill ran up my spine. "Mama", I said,"I know this passage so well. I've been drawn to it over the years, and I've taught on it several times. I even used it as my teaching passage last weekend at the women's retreat for our church!" I quickly turned to Ephesians in her Bible, and it was as though I were looking at my own. The things she had underlined in the introductory theological outline were exactly what I had underlined. The phrases of the passage she had highlighted were marked in mine, too. Notes in the margins were like the notes in mine. I was dumbfounded! I had had no earthly idea that my mom had been praying those words of scripture over me, my husband, my siblings, my child, and all my family, and she had been doing it for years. Yet God knew. And God had led my heart to be molded, changed, and touched by this scripture, and He had led my hands to underline the words that she had prayed for me. I can't help but wonder if I might've ever been reading those words as she was praying them...
What a gift that God would allow my mother to see His faithfulness in the amazement of her child that day! How beautiful that I could share with her, on this side of Heaven, that God had been faithful to hear her prayers and direct my life through them. Their legacy of faith is the greatest gift my parents could ever give.
"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
