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Persuaded

I believe when Paul says, “I am persuaded…” in Romans 8:38, he wasn’t speaking from his well-educated theological understanding, he spoke from deep-down-personal-gut assurance.  Persuaded, we see this also in the life of David.  Remember in 1 Samuel 24 when David and his men were hiding in a cave when in walks Saul (um…to relieve himself).  David was encouraged by his men to take the opportunity and kill Saul and he’d finally be king.  However, David didn’t.   He did cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, but even in doing this David was troubled in heart.  When Saul was leaving the area, David went out and called to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him. David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground…” (v8)  In that moment David’s heart was ‘persuaded’ (conviction is not only pointing at the wrong but also points to the RIGHT) his heart was won over by the amazing certainty of God.  He didn’t HAVE to kill Saul.  Who was he to push his hand, to attempt to push God’s.   God’s purposed plan. Persuaded.  His-timing-is-perfect! 

THIS is what Paul is saying, he like David is won over by the amazing certainty of God, that “Neither death nor life, angels or demons, present or future or any powers high or low, indeed nothing in all creation can or will be able to separate us from God’s love – His willful – active good on our behalf whether we deserve it or desire it! (Romans 8:38-39, paraphrased) Persuaded.  God-loves-us!

James and Jude, two brothers of Jesus, John gives the account of the brothers trying to push Jesus out there for popularity sake and a personal jab of sorts, “You can’t become famous if You hide like this! If You can do such wonderful things, show Yourself to the world!” (7:4 NLT) In the same pen stroke, “For even His brothers didn’t believe in Him.”  Yet, years later, both brothers open their letters with “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”  What was it that took them from unbelief to full surrender to Who Jesus is?   Persuaded.  He-is-Lord!

Peter, don’t you love it that God didn’t withhold the rambunctious side of His servants. The guy was here – there – and saying just about anything at any given time.  One day after fishing all night Jesus says, “…go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish…”  Now nearly noon, Peter is skeptical, however, he replies, “But if You say so, I will…”  He did and the catch was tremendous.  (Read his story in Luke 5) Trusting Jesus with the lifestyle of obedience.  Persuaded.  “I-will!”  

I am challenged by this, what areas of my life is there hesitancy, where do I stop short in my confidence in God.   I ask of you the reader the same of myself: What WILL it take for us to be persuaded, being won over by the amazing certainty of God?  Knowing with a deep-down-personal-gut assurance that His timing is perfect, He loves us, He is Lord and live the “I will” lifestyle of obedience.   Whatever expectations we might have, whatever prerequisites we may have mentally listed, let’s lay’m down, giving full surrender to Who Jesus is.

Persuaded.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  October 17, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

Slowing Down

Recently I had the opportunity to teach a discipleship class on Bible translations and offer a brief overview of how to study the bible.  I wanted to come out of the gate with a listed fist full of the most excellent and current resources Amazon can provide!  But instead, I opened with “S-L-O-W  DOWN!”  We are a ‘grab & go’ society!  We fly into circumstances and jet out just as fast; we do the same with our devotions and study time.  We seem more concerned with that glorious moment of ‘Check’ in our daily reading box that we miss understanding what we’ve read.  We close the Book, put our half-drunk now cold coffee on the counter and head out into our day.  If we think of it – there is a quick over the shoulder glance with a rushed “Thanks Lord…”

Slow down.  The Bible is a Spiritual book, not to be all-mystic and such, but it is, spiritual.  Paul says it is “God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”’ (2 Timothy 3:16) Folks, it’s our manual.  As the Pastor of Hebrews declares it is “living and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Why rush the divine process.

Slow down, pray before you even open The Book, and invite the Author to walk you through it.  Pray while you’re reading, “Show me Lord, speak, teach, grace my heart to hear and heed…”  In doing so, we not only read the Word, but we allow the Word to read us!  God designed His holy writ to be interactive.   As we close that wonderful Book, pray… ask Holy Spirit to take the words you just read and speak them to you throughout the day.

Slowing down.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  October 11, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

My Response

I was recently reading an article on our secret mindset of God.  You know, those things we wouldn’t dare share or even write in code in our journal.  I was taken back to a mindset, back to years ago. Confession is good, I pray this encourages someone.

I lived in the shadows of disappointed for about 5 years, 5-solid-anguishing-years.  Survival was my number one goal, and to be very frank, getting through the day without eye contact was hefted to the top of my priority list.  I was in full-time ministry, loved God, served my church and sat on the other side of Starbucks tables sincerely encouraging other women in their God journey.  But then life rolled in, thick dark discouraging, disappointing clouds filling each corner of my horizon.  In my steps to salvage my marriage, a marriage that was never happy,  I stood in front of 40+ women and after 5 years of teaching, I told them I was stepping down. Within the year, the marriage failed, and soon my ex-husband was remarried. I was now working full-time outside the home in a job I HATED, just to pay the bills and take care of my two sons, who at the time were 9 & 15.

I clung to the one-liners, “Draw near to Him so He can draw near to you …Press in to worship and He’ll meet you there … God won’t give you more than you can handle.”  All true, but at the time I didn’t see them flooding my reality.  I found that following stepping down from ministry, that women treated me differently, they distanced themselves, there were no invites for coffee, lunch or even chat time on the phone.   I felt alone.  It was painful.  One gal had the arrogant nerve to come up to me in church (Yes, I was still attending church, HOPING it was my lifeline) she stepped forward, with an accusing tone, and no love of God in her, and proceeded to tell me she could not figure out how “I” could let all this happen, she thought I was a ‘woman of God…’ etc… (tears) … etc.   Although she didn’t know my home life or the history of my story, her voice rattled around in my head and heart, those words slid down and found their place among my own self-tagging of ‘worthless’.  We know that the enemy of our soul will use any and all circumstances to break us and I … I was allowing it.  I was broken.  In that dark time, in my pain and confusion, I put my calling, my Bible, and any relationship I thought I had left with God aside, not disowning, just – aside.  And with slumped shoulders and down casted eyes, I made incredibly STUPID mistakes.

But!  I LOVE the ‘But…’ of God, someone told me in that dark season, that yes, I was broken, but was I broken over what breaks God’s heart?  I was beyond broken over the unmet expectations that lay scattered all over the floor.  I was torn in two with what happened to my family. I was shredded with the accusing and hurtful words of others.  Although all valid, it wasn’t until I realized I needed to be broken over my ‘response’.  Life is tough, life is hard, I just assumed because I was God’s, I was His, that what Paul wrote, stood as a monument I bowed to, ‘that ALLLLLL would work out for good’.  MY definition of good!  The restoration process didn’t start until I genuinely (keyword – genuinely) understood God’s love.  ‘I’ was defining God’s love by how ‘I’ thought HE should act, to me and for me.

Now nearly 10 years later…  I am no longer falling for or allowing the enemy’s breaking tactics, he attempted to destroy me and destroy what I was going to speak into others for God’s glory.  God loves me!  He loved me then, He loves me now. I am a daughter of the Most-High God, I walk in my calling and my Bible is right here and read – devoured daily!  My head is up, my eyes are clear and looking – I am seriously accountable to 5 Godly women.  I repented for my response to ‘life’ – how I assumed I should get special treatment, that somehow I was exempt from the ick, the pain, and disappointments.  That my response took me in a tailspin of despair and yes, sin.  I hurt God with my response.  I put it all out there on God’s table, honestly and transparently.  One by one, us together, me and the God that loves me, we took things off the table and He put them away, far away.  God’s grace-filled filing system, ‘away, far away.’   God restored me (not ME doing it) He re-created me. (See David’s honest words in Psalm 51) I am married to an amazing Godly man, now have a granddaughter, and I’m teaching again, teaching with passion, teaching from the platform that GOD LOVES ME!  And when those ugly accusations of worthless begin to resurface, I think of the woman at Jesus’ feet, (and have this posted on my bookshelf), when others began to spout off, Jesus tells them, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much.” (Luke 7:47)  And we all know we can only love, ‘because He loved us first!’ (1 John 4:19)

Disappointment and even bitterness can hold us captive, a captivity that will lead us in the wrong direction.  The only way out is our God!  It took me years to realize I needed to put it out there, honestly – genuinely and without attempting to help God with a detailed outlined expectation, like we (especially women) obsessively enjoy.  I surrendered, to His love, to His grace.  As a friend recently shared “God didn’t cause it, but He will use it!”   I can honestly say, God is using it ALL – I am a better version of the God in me because of it!  God’s working out is not how we would do it, He does it RIGHT!  (Please lean in ) “And it is good!“

How is your secret mindset of God?  

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Music is an amazing tool God uses:  This was my progressive worship journey… when I could not raise my head, when my hands too heavy  (Keep singing folks!  Keep singing)

When in the midst of God restoring my heart: I sang this over & over

Now, now… as I stand in front of others teaching them about our God:  “Sing with me How great is our God…”

Posted by  |  October 5, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | 2 Comments

Prior Moments

Yesterday at church during worship, there was a pause, pause of silence in-between songs.  I LOVED it!  It wasn’t long, only about 8 seconds, it was extremely noticeable, for it was a holy pause of reverence.  The silent pause set the tone for the rest of worship.  How often do we pause?  We are a run-full-force-forward society that taking pause seems awkward.  As I sit to review my teaching notes for an upcoming session of Inductive Bible Study in our discipleship class, I pause.  A preparative pause.  I take my cue from Ezra.  WHO?

Ezra was a scribe and a direct descendant of Aaron of the Old Testament; he was full of passion and zeal for God and God’s word.  He along with Nehemiah was instrumental in creating an environment for revival among the Israelites and rebuilding the Temple.   One verse that jumps out defines the sincere outcome, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (7:10 NKJV, emphasis mine)  Ezra prepared his heart.  Prepared his heart to seek, to do, and to teach.  In the Hebrew, the imagery is not just merely putting God’s word in front of him, Ezra put himself in front of the Word.  Yes, there is a difference.

We need to purposely take pause, creating ‘prior moments’ and position our heart, mind, and understanding.  How often do we grab a mug of coffee, slide into our comfortable chair and open the Bible and begin reading?  What might be the outcome if we were to pause before opening the Book?  Before reaching for our pencil and journal?   A quick 8-second pause of reverence might make noticeable difference, setting the tone for what came next.  Revival and rebuilding!  Perhaps a sincere prayer of “Father show me, teach me, speak to me.”

May we like Ezra purpose with prior moments and prepare our heart.

* We can read Ezra’s story in the short book with his name and the sequel, Nehemiah.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  October 1, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Expectation!

There is a story of a farmer that had an icehouse, during the winter he and his workers would cut ice blocks from the nearby pond, and then place them on a bed of sawdust in the icehouse, and cover the ice blocks with more sawdust.  At one point, the farmer noticed he lost his beloved pocket watch in all his work.  He and his workers went in frantically raking through the sawdust to find the watch, but to no avail, it wasn’t found.  The farmer’s son, about age 10, heard of the situation and at noontime, while the workers were on break, he slipped into the icehouse, and after a lil time, he came out with the watch in hand, giving it to his father.  The farmer was so excited; he asked, “HOW did you found it!” The boy answered, “I laid down in the sawdust, laying there quietly, I just listened.”

What a beautiful example of purposeful positioning with EXPECTATION!  King David penned, “In the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3b) David didn’t sit there filling the conversation, he leaned in – leaned forward in eagerness, expecting God’s response!  He knew if he were quiet enough, he would hear Him.  How often do we too go in looking for God, noisily, raking around, turning things over?  Perhaps if we were quiet, so very quiet and still, we’d hear Him.

Laying in the sawdust, leaning in – leaning forward in eagerness.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  September 22, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Sticky Note From God

“Backup.” For the past week or two every time I opened my laptop I would see the now bent and ruffled orange sticky note that simply read, “Backup.” I put it there to remind me.  Each time I sat down to study or read emails or peruse through Facebook, that sticky note was glanced at, unheeded and then quickly forgotten.  Although I had set the reminder there for me to take action, it soon became familiar. So familiar that I really didn’t give it much notice anymore.

As I took the sticky note off yesterday (AFTER I finally backed up the computer) I felt Holy Spirit nudge me that at times I treat others the same, (OUCH!)  and Him as well (DOUBLE, “Ouch!”)  We do that, don’t we?  We take less notice or tend to overlook what is right in front of us because it’s something we always see.  Oh, we take for granted the familiar!  Paul writes to the folks in Galatia, “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone…” (Galatians 6:10 NLT)  How can we do good when we don’t see them – we are looking over their heads at something or someone else?  (Well, we shot that opportunity right out of the sky).

May we SEE and heed the sticky notes of God, right in front of us.  Our family, friends, and the pile of stuff we are tripping over.

Right in front of us.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  September 17, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

A Day I Can Forgo

It’s here, THAT season, it’s already in stores. Halloween.  Stores have freshly stocked shelves with 30% off ticketed items by the rows. Tons of stuff! Okay, I am not fully certain of the weighted measurements, but there’s lots of ‘blackness.’  Black cats, witch hats, spiders, eerie tombstones and yes, the ever dreaded skulls.   I LOVE the fall, it is my favorite season, the colors are so rich, I decorate seasonally my home with the warm orange, burgundy and brown tones, (my mantle pictured above) but Halloween does not roll this gals socks.

I am often asked why I have chosen not to celebrate Halloween, why I don’t find it ‘all in fun.’  What is fun about it – the basic theme is of fear, death, and witchcraft, um… no, not for me. Before I get all kinds of comments, emails, texts, and smoke signals, please let me explain, why (for me) I chose not to.   My family used to do the Halloween thing when I was little, sure I wore the thin fabric climb in costumes with the sweaty plastic masks.  But, after I came to understand and was adopted as a daughter of the Most High God, learning of His Majesty and His glorious light, I do not participate in the day of darkness. Yes, you would say darkness and light struggle 365 days a year, why be bothered by one day, one-singled-out-day.  A day I can forgo.

For the life of me, I cannot understand WHY someone would voluntarily, even cheerfully submit themselves to haunted houses and ghost hunts.  All in fun?  No, not for this gal.  I have seen and experienced too much from the dark side to play with it like a child’s toy or pretend in dress up.  While the ‘all in fun’ is masked with candy, parties, costumes, and laughter, in the background when no one seems to notice, there are cultic activities taking place.  The number of self-identified witches in the U.S. is doubling every 2 years, those deeply into the occult take this holiday very seriously and yes, the dark forces they are dealing with are very real!  (* See the history of Halloween below)

Paul wrote, “Hate evil and cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)  Is it God-honoring if we are clinging to good, while we cheerfully allow evil to run rampant around our feet?  That running around could soon become a snare.  Sadly, there are many who ‘all in fun’ participate in seemingly innocent activities, when ‘our great enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8)  We need to remember darkness ALWAYS has an agenda!  Always.  It will come again and again for any crack, any opportunity to subtly peek in with the ugly and demonic.  If not addressed, it will crawl in, slither about quietly.  If we think it will stand up in the middle of the room and wave “Here I am!” then we are only fooling ourselves.

According to Wiccans, Halloween is the time when the veil between the living and the dead is considered to be the thinnest, they celebrate and take advantage of such status.  And by the way, (standing a lil taller on my soapbox) there is no such thing as a ‘Good Witch’ regardless of how Hallmark wants to title it.  Adding one more (not in detail) note. For satanists, Halloween is one of the most important celebrations of the year, it is documented in their ‘book’ that after one’s own birthday and another icky day, Halloween is most important. I chose not to give detail on this subject, satan (lil ‘s’) is not worthy of my time or to have his name capitalized or in print.

Gently climbing down off my soapbox (as not to hurt myself) and dragging it back to the corner.  You are loved.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

*History of Halloween: “Halloween’s customs are thought to have been influenced and dated back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities, this done in attempts to appease them. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.” [History.com] In addition, other articles speak of folklore that costumes were worn so as to disguise the living, so the dead returning could not identify them. Also, the bonfires were built with the intent to keep the souls of the dead from falling to earth.

Posted by  |  September 10, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

The Pause of YOU!

This morning, on my drive to take my son to work, while his ‘67 Mustang looks GREAT, nicely parked waiting for a new engine,  he is successfully deposited and I sit quietly on my way back home.  There is no music, no radio, and no deep-toned voice reading to me the book of Hebrews.  While the car was quiet, I too sensed a ‘quieting’ coming over me.  As the quiet caught my attention, I began to thank the Lord – I KNEW it was Him. To be very frank, my mind is usually firing in multiple directions.  (SQUIRREL!) But not today.  Quiet.  There was Presence. There was peace. It is amazing how God knows what and when we need to experience Him – His acceptance, comforting, renewing, and refreshing.  This verse came to mind:

“The LORD your God is with you,

 He is mighty to save;

He will take great delight in you;

He will quiet you with His love;

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

 – Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV, emphasis mine)

To put this verse in context, in Zephaniah’s day, the Lord had brought judgment for the sins of the people, He speaks of lifting His hand on those who come humbly and trust in the name of the Lord, now He is rejoicing and He is restoring.  He is now comforting, renewing, and refreshing.  You can almost hear the tender whisper: “He will quiet you with His love.”  How many of us can use some renewing – some quieting?  Perhaps we need to stop trying to fill the quiet, turn the noise off.  Perhaps the quiet is our God trying to get our attention.  His Presence, His peace. Do whatever it takes to not miss it, miss Him.

Thank you, Lord, for the pause of YOU!  For being a ‘with you’ God, and because You love us, You quiet us.

Happy Friday.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

 

Posted by  |  August 31, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Desert Declaring

Desert, the short definition is ‘a barren region of landscape.’  How is our landscape, metaphorically and spiritually speaking?  Are we parched, drying up and quite weary from trekking through the rugged terrain? Recently on one of my many rabbit trails, I was taken to Luke chapter 4.  Here Jesus is lead by the Spirit out into the desert place.  The desert place. He encounters the devil, where he tempts the Divine with some pretty cool stuff (not that they were his to give mind you) Jesus’ response, ‘It is written…” In these 3 responses, Jesus reaches back and quotes Moses from Deuteronomy, (6:13,16 & 8:3).  “Man does not live on bread alone… worship the Lord your God and serve Him only … do not put the Lord your God to the test.”  Here’s the cool part, this whole ‘God talks – man receives’ – where did it happen as Moses speaks?  In the desert place.

Seeing a pattern?  Oh, we don’t have to go out running towards the dryest region we can find to hear God, and be strong, but there is a significant desert purpose!  The desert offers a lack of distractions. (Use it!)  It offers true, genuine desperate need for survival. (Long for it. Long for HIM!) That desert is designed.  (Accept it!) It is instruction time, just before time.  Remember Moses and the Israelites, Deuteronomy was just before; Moses last words just before he dies and just before Joshua takes them into the Promised Land.  Instruction time – just before. (Listen for it!)

Be encouraged folks, there IS a purpose,  listen for the words of instruction like Moses, and declare the word like Jesus.

The desert place.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  August 20, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

WAIT! Don’t Jump Ship Yet!

Waiting. Isn’t it HOARDS of fun? Yes, that is a rhetorical – sarcastic question. Nothing floats my boat, rolls my socks, more than … waiting. I am kidding, of course, whether it be in a checkout stand, gas line, or in a season of life, I am not a good wait-er.

Recently studying in Genesis, (LOVE that book, I always seem to be in Genesis) I was again reminded of just how ‘human’ the characters are. Noah. Quickly setting the scene: God is grieved over mans ‘ickiness‘.  He’s starting over. He instructs Noah to build the first Titanic; however, this one IS unsinkable. Noah obeys beyond the critical looks, and behind his back snickers. He builds the ark and gathers the animals. Loading up, God shuts the door and it begins to rain.

Forty days it rains. (Genesis 8)  FINALLY, the rain stops. Noah sends out the raven, then the dove, they both return because there is no place to land yet. Verse 10 “He WAITED seven more days …” (emphasis mine) Noah waited. In the Hebrew, this waiting is a painful waiting, as to wring the hands, not a mere sitting on a crate playing cards passing the time. It refers to either pain in the physical sense or in the emotional. Noah and his family in the ark, God preserves them, now he (they) … wait.  Perhaps Noah’s thought bend towards, had God forgotten him? Will he forever spend the rest of his life in a stinky ship full of animals?  “How many rounds of ‘Row row row your boat’ do they HAVE to sing, those silly sons!”   I must mention, Mrs. Noah, what a trooper, not one mention of complaining – in contrast to the dusty folks in the wilderness. Think about it, she’s on a voyage of no destination, no itinerary, with no time of arrival determined, with plenty of animals and animal stuff.  No complaints.

BUT, the story, the waiting does NOT stop there. Noah sent out the dove AGAIN, that evening the dove returned with an olive branch, “Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but THIS TIME it did not return to him.”  (8:11-12)

Noah waited and waited some more. We read that and think … ‘the guy is getting good at waiting.’ YET, his waiting has changed, the narrative uses a completely different word for wait. First he ‘hil’ (Hebrew) ‘painful waiting’, now after the olive branch, he sends the dove out with hope, ‘yahal’ (Hebrew) a confident expectation in his wait.  His pain has turned to hope. The results of his hope … “but this time it did not return to him,” knowing the dove had landed happily in an olive tree somewhere. I LOVE the ‘this time’ of waiting, the ‘this time’ of God.

Hope – it will carry us a long way, as long as it doesn’t carry us in the wrong direction. “Hope is NOT a pacifying wish of the imagination which drowns out troubles….” * Folks, whether we are in a season of painfully waiting, or our waiting is full of hope, don’t jump ship yet!  Keep sending those doves, perhaps God is in the ‘more.’  Take heart, God is just preparing us a dry place, His timing … perfect. Look for those olive branches, they will be there.  Our ‘this time’  … is coming!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” –Hebrews 10:24)

* Quote from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (LOVE those geeky books!)

Posted by  |  August 12, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Don’t Back Down

Jesus, the disciples, and the crowd were leaving Jericho. A blind beggar named Bart (Bartimaeus) was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Dude Be quiet!” The people yelled at him. But this only got him more excited, he shouted even louder, “SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man.  “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked.  The blind man said, “I want to see!”  (Mark 10:46-51)

I love the quotes of Jesus, this is one of my favorite. Blind Bart, works his way to Jesus, VERY apparent he lacks the ability to see, Jesus being God … KNEW! Yet, Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” When the people tried to hush Bart, would he quiet himself? NO, he was desperate! Bart initiated the ‘ask’, would he follow through? How often do we ask, yet not follow through for a boatload of reasons? Are we desperate enough? Jesus wants us to come to the place that we tell Him. Notice too, that when Jesus asked, Bart’s response was NOT full of excuses or explanation, “Well, when I was 10, I was in a scuffle with my brother, I fell, my head injury resulted in my blindness, actually I am sure my brother pushed me. We haven’t spoken since. I have sought help from the doctors for years, but to no avail, it did not help. I am still blind, so here I sit every day waiting…”

He simply stated, “I want to see!”

May we too, in Jesus’ presence, not shy away, don’t back down, stay desperate, get straight to the point and ask of Him.

What happen to Bart? Jesus healed him.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  July 20, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

How We Impact Others!

Recently my friend Deanna and I were visiting a classmate from our growing up years.  We toured the blueberry fields with fascination as Beth points out the different varieties. Rows, and rows of lush green and blue.  Soon, we drive up to the farmhouse, when out steps Beth’s mom, Esther.  Full of a hospitable smile, she waves us into the house.

Once in, as introductions were made, and our conversation comfortable, I asked Esther what church she attended in the small farming community I grew up in. “The church across from the Grade School.”  Her response brought back memories I hadn’t thought about in years.  Memories of being handed a small red book, and reading the cover ‘New Testament’ and knowing nothing of God, or the Bible, I honestly thought the ‘New’ meant it has just come out and that ‘I’ was privileged to even have a copy.   I went on to tell her, that when I was little, we used to have ladies walk over from that church and get a small group of us and walk us back to the church and teach us about Jesus.  Her next words have forever changed my life – “THAT was me!”

At that moment, my eyes welled up; I walked across the room, enfolded her in a warm hug and told her “Thank you!”  She asked me, “Do you love Jesus?”  With heartfelt enthusiasm “Oh yes!” I replied.   Beth proceeded to tell her, “Mom, DeDe is an ordained minister now.” I shared that it wasn’t until about eight years later, when I was 16, that I was again shared the gospel and gave my heart to Jesus, I went on to Bible college and now after years of study, a Bible teacher.  Esther was so thrilled; she could not wait to share this at ‘testimony night’ at church.  I would have loved to have been in the grandstands with the angels when Esther rose to tell her story!

Esther sharing flannel graph stories about Jesus to a group of school kids seems so trivial, but OH NO it isn’t! She planted a seed that laid there until years later when Brenda, another woman of God sat me down and shared the gospel in terms a teenager could understand.  That action and those words caused the Esther seed to come alive!  The Holy Spirit watered it, it sprouted and gave new born-again birth to a confused and hurting 16-year-old.  God is AMAZING!

Never EVER doubt how we impact others! Regardless! Regardless of how small and trivial it may appear.  Solomon wrote: “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.” (Proverbs 3:27 MSG) Paul says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) Thank you, Esther, for being obedient and being God’s hands and looking to the interest of those lil kids, THIS now grown gal is head over heels in love with Jesus and teaches HIM to others.  I am so thankful God orchestrated Esther and I meeting after 45+ years, our faith is encouraged, our faith is grown!  Be someones Esther!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Note: I looked up what the colored coded lil Gideon Bibles mean: Red, in-school distribution. Green, for college/university. Orange, street evangelism. White, medical use. Dark blue, any other language other than English.  (Thank you Gideon’s!)  I am still in awe that I am privileged to own, and now teach the Bible!

Posted by  |  July 15, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Sin Not, Our VERY Best!

I have been studying Romans, verse by verse following Paul’s thread of thought.  I studied it in college, but that was a boatload (two trains, and a couple of semis) years ago.   I’ve revisited circumcision, atonement, and salvation, and now, now the ‘s’ word … yup … sin.  I have learned much more than I ever wanted, I’ve been forced to stop writing, and push away from the table having to bow my head multiple times.  (This is not a complete thesis on the subject, just what I am learning).

Sin is biblically known as to fail or miss the mark. The mark is the target God set out there for us, to not only aim for – but HIT.  Sin is a verb, an archer’s term, let me paint a picture: The archer takes a stance, the bowstring is drawn, and then released, the arrow flies and misses the target, the arrow has failed to fulfill the goal, due to the contemplated aim of the archer.  The archer has sinned.    Here’s a good example, in the book of Judges (chapter 20) it talks about a group of left-handed warriors who could sling a rock so accurately, they could not ‘miss’ (they didn’t ‘khata’ / sin) their aim was right-on, their slinging was ‘sinless.’  How is our aim?

We want to make sure we know what we are aiming for, WHAT is the targeted goal of our thoughts, behavior, and choices.    We look to Jesus, the ‘sinless’ One, Who did not fail to love and love completely.  In His response when asked what the greatest commandment is, His answer (in short) “To love God and love others.” (Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:28:31) When we sin, we fail to love as commanded; our mindset works out in our actions in disobedience, we either hurt God, ourselves or hurt others, (usually all at the same time).  We miss the target, love.   If we are loving God with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, and ALL our mind… and loving our neighbor as our self, well our target is hit.   BUT, when we don’t and we miss, (and we will) John gives us the solution, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9) Confessing is coming back into alignment with what GOD says!  How’s our re-aligning?

Funny thing is, it does not stop there, in the original language, sin is the act of doing wrong(missing the goal) yes, but it is literally also ‘not the best‘ (OUCH!) The goal of the enemy of our soul is to kill, steal and destroy, he does so by getting us distracted, deviating from the truth, get our eyes OFF the target,  not doing and being our best. How many of us, if we were REALLY honest would be bold enough to say we are lazy, (my hand goes up!) we don’t always give it our best, we are undisciplined and often times just do a haphazard fling of our bow, not truly taking it serious enough, when our response is wrapped in lame-slang, “My bad!”  James understood this:  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (4:17) He is describing what is theologically known as ‘sins of omission.’ It is not only what people do that matters; the good that they fail to do (due to the contemplated aim of the archer) is equally important to God. *

Here is an amazing example of how I feel Paul is strongly exhorting us all to do and be the VERY BEST.  He KNEW, he knew because Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) Yes, it is hard work, yes it is painful, yes, we do so by faith, and YES, it helps to have someone crawling alongside us!  I love how the mocking crowd changed their tune as they see the determination, can you imagine how the world would view us (and our God) if we responded in life like THIS!  Watch … watch until the very end “Alright, who’s next?”  May this clip and the words of Jesus ring true as we are taking proper aim and ‘giving it our very BEST!’  God gave His very best, why don’t we.

Paul, the coach…  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sUKoKQlEC4 (Click on link)

 

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

*Sins of omission defined in ESV Study Bible notes, commentary on James 4:17. Please also note, this author chooses to not capitalize the name satan, he is not worthy of proper grammatical rules.  Movie clip above is from ‘Facing the Giants’.

 

Posted by  |  June 26, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

Prayer

This morning I was reminded of a time when prayer became more real and on a relational level for others.  A few years ago, while driving to work early at O dark hundred in the morning, I became aware of something, “Where’s Linda?” Linda is a gal I would see riding her bike every morning, she was but a speck of light at first with a headlamp on her forehead and flashing backlight.  I had never met Linda, I just gave her that name.

For a couple of months, this Linda and I passed each other every workday. I had begun to pray for her. She not knowing, but it doesn’t matter, our paths intersected for a reason. So I’d pray. I prayed for her safety on the road, for any unknown needs, that while she rides “YOU, God are speaking to her.” One particular morning, I didn’t see her. For never meeting this gal, my heart sank. However, about a ½ mile up the road, there she was. I again began our morning routine, unknown to her!

Prayer, an amazing thing. Some make it more complex than it is, more lengthy than needed and by golly more King James than understood. Paul shared multiple times about our CALL to pray for one another.  He bluntly states, “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5:25) Again, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)  James shares, in a more intimate environment, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 emphasis mine) Astonishingly, this was said of Job in the Old Testament, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

Prayer, simply coming to our God, and talking to Him. I would venture to say, most of our prayers may be “O God, help!” and that’s okay, “In Jesus name!”  Whether it be a quick bow of the head for a loved one, on our knees on behalf of the nation, face down in a battle for deliverance or heartfelt while driving by a stranger, let us converse. I would add, conversing is two-sided, remember to take pause to allow God to respond … and listen.

Prayer.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  June 22, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

It Has Purpose!

As I sat on the edge of a prickly field in Pendleton, Oregon visiting family, I am again, in awe of God! In my morning devotions, I was directed to Luke 15, specifically verses 11-32, the parable of The Prodigal Son. I have read this numerous times, heard it preached and teached, (ok, it is really ‘taught’ – but it rhymes) it is packed FULL of wonderful principles. We can look at it through the eyes of the wayward son, through the frustrated older brother and the father, oh the father! Today I see it through new eyes, a fresh perspective; this is what Holy Spirit showed me, this is what I am learning. (Stay with me this is good)
The parable begins with “Jesus continues…” What was He continuing? Looking at the prior verses, there are two parables above, First: ‘The Lost Sheep’ Jesus ends the mini story with “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” (v7) Then, the second Parable of the Lost Coin, He too ends with “there is rejoicing … over one sinner who repents.” (v10) Jesus is teaching on repentance. Even then, I go back further, the first verse of the chapter; it says, (Looking for where they were, who was there) “Tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Him.’ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (NIV, emphasis mine, can you hear the ‘hissing’ in their muttering!) The principal pulled forward: Do WE position ourselves to listen or so distracted with criticism, perhaps MISS what Jesus is saying. (Ouch!)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son: In brief rundown: A father has two sons; the younger decides to leave, demanding he gets his inheritance NOW! It is given, he takes off and treks far away completely wasting all his money on wild living. When his pockets are empty, a famine hits, he’s hungry – he finds work at a farm, his boss puts him to work feeding the pigs, he sees what he is tossing to the pigs, being so hungry, even THAT looks good! The story comes to a pivotal point when “He finally comes to his senses…” (v17, complete sermon in those few words) He says to himself, ‘even at home, dads hired servants get better than this, I will go home to dad and tell him; “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, I am not worthy to be called your son, please take me on as one of your hired servants.” Here’s the key verse (to me) Verse 20, “So he returned home to his father.” As he nears home, the father sees him, so excited the father takes off running, meets him, embraces and kisses him. The son begins his speech. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son …” Not getting to finish, his dad turns and calls to the servants “Get the robe, the ring, sandals, and kill the calf we’ve been fattening up – let’s celebrate! My son who was lost is found!” (The story goes on; the older brother notices the celebration, he begins throwing a smaller ‘pity’ party version – the dad comes out and tells him to get over it, all I have is yours already!)

I want to reach down and unpack a few things: I noticed as Jesus told this story, there is no reference to the father speaking any words to the younger son; we only hear a one-sided conversation. When the son returns and gives his dad his speech, the father does NOT reply to the son but calls to his servants. The father gives no verbal response – but only ACTION. His dad’s forgiveness is action-filled, he gives him a ring, robe, sandals and a BBQ. (The significance of each for another time).

I also noticed, the son refers to his dad’s servants, and his dad calls to his servants. Each time they both use different words. The son (see verses 17, 19) uses (in the Greek) ‘misthios’ meaning ‘wage earner.’ The father (v22) uses ‘doulos’ – meaning, ‘one whose will is consumed with the will of another.’ The son was going back ‘for the paycheck’ – NOT to be taken over by his fathers’ will. Let that sink in. HOWEVER, (pause) I am fully convinced, that as the son saw his father’s response, no words, just action – regardless of how empty his stomach was, everything changed! Actions speak LOUD! Action can detour any conversation, there were no ‘follow up’ words, ‘BUT DAD…’

I see also that good intentions only profit – IF we act on them, while the son was still in the pig pen, ‘he said’ – he not only ‘said’ but also he got up and went TO his father. He could have continued in the pen and rambled on and on and on, the neighbors could hear him lamenting over at their place! But he truly repented – repentance is not just turning away FROM, but in the same movement – it is turning TO! It has purpose! Repentance took him away from his icky pig pen, and home TO his father. His dad couldn’t do anything about his son’s situation until he came home. (Read THAT again) Yes, Jesus is teaching about repentance.* (See defined below)

The prodigal son, YES, he messed up, but took notice of his situation, was humbled, responsible and sought resolution, (RIGHT AWAY, ‘when he came to his senses’ – there was no delaying, sat on it – wrote ‘Dear Abby’ – consulted his friends) – he put action to his personal repentance. This father put his forgiveness into action as well. What about us, are there circumstances that have us in the pig pen, whether small or fills the back 40. Do we need to quit just talking about it, but get up and DO! A purposed turning from and turning to (God). Or perhaps, we need to offer forgiveness to another, oh we may not need to throw a robe over their shoulders and put sandals on their feet, but we may need to back up our forgiveness with action. Point to ponder – remember, the father gave his son his portion of the inheritance, but upon returning, the father had MORE to give, – our God has and IS more! And sometimes, God allows us to go the full run of our sin, to truly appreciate the MORE of HIM when we come home!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

*Repentance means a change of place, or condition, to exercise the mind, to relent, a true change of heart toward God. The OPPOSITE of repentance: To continue. [The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament] Those who, conscious of their sins, are intent on obtaining God’s pardon. [Thayers Greek-English Lexicon] To change one’s purpose [ Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament] Perceiving one’s prior opinion, feelings, or purpose was wrong, taking on the sense ‘to regret’ – in so doing, a change is made. [Theological Dictionary of the New Testament] Interesting side note: ‘Prodigal’ in the Greek means: Extravagantly wasteful because of “loose living.” [ Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament]

Pictured above, the sunny skies over Pendleton.

 

Posted by  |  June 18, 2018 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment