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Speaking to the Corners

 

alone with God

Quite a few months ago my husband (fiance’ at the time) and I were on a 4 hour drive heading across Oregon to visit his daughter who is a nurse in Pendleton.  There is plenty of time to watch the scenery speed by, observe the geographical change from plush green, to gorge, to dry, to waves of wheat fields.  Quietly, oh so quietly I sensed the Lord whisper to me, “Speak to the Corners.”  Hm.  Speak to the corners?  Having no idea what He was referring to at first, I asked Him to SHOW me the corners.  Suddenly I was made aware of the circular irrigation systems of the fields just outside my window.  Studying those, I saw the ‘corners’.  Tall green stalks of corn grew lush, all rowed in a circular pattern.  Then there were the dry, almost intentionally forgotten corners of the fields.  Mark and I discussed the waste, how profitable those corners could be if watered and attended to.  Assuming the farmers ‘did the math’ and determined it wasn’t cost-effectivecircular fields to pay attention to the excess. The corners.

Over the course of these last few months, I have prayed about, mediated and asked the Lord to show me the corners of  MY  life.  May I state, “WHAT  WAS  I  THINKING!”  He is ever so faithful to gently (most of the time) point us to things we have tucked back, WAAAAY back into the corners of our life, or corners of waste land,  of no profit in our lives.  Concepts, perspectives, views of ourself and even those of God, perhaps wrong doings, habits or hurts. These potentially residing in the darken corners of our heart and mind.  As I pursued this, I was drawn to 1 Samuel 24.  King Saul is in hot pursuit of David, David and his men are hiding in a cave.  Far back, in the corner (if you will) they sat quietly.  Saul comes in to the cave to … um… ‘relieve’ himself.  Davids men encourage David, “THIS is your chance!  Kill him!” (paraphrased)  Can you imagine the split second thoughts that may have run through Davids mind?  “Yes, you are right, I am called to be King, I end this NOW!”  But NO!  There in the dark corner of the cave, David stealthily crept forward, cutting off the small corner of Saul’s cloak.  In this, David was quickly stricken with guilt, telling the men he was wrong to do so, and they too were not to harm Saul and took it further and revealed himself to the King.  In short, Saul is humbled by the ‘chosen not to’ opportunity by David, Saul genuinely shares with David, “May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.  I know you will surely be king…” (v.19, 20)

May we too be rewarded well for the choices we make in the ‘dark corners’.  May we consider our thoughts, motives and actions of what is hidden quietly in the corner.  You know what I am talking about, that mindset that we dont DARE share with anyone, that hurt we are replaying over-n-over again, that habit that is so dark we keep it tucked way back, further still.  Again David, he pens so honestly yet full cornerof truth,  “O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”  – Ps. 139:1-2  He begins the Psalm with ‘You have examined…” he closes with ‘dont stop THERE’, “Lord, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (v. 23,24)

God knows ALL, regardless of how often we try to tell ourselves, “This is private, it is MINE!”  We try to deny the reality of our corners, and tuck it back, yet it keeps untangling itself as if it had arms like that of an octopus, reaching and grabbing,  it becomes a constant fight.  Us against the ‘corner.’  “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” – Heb. 4:13    In Jeremiah, God gets in their faces, “Can anyone hide from Me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.”  I have taken to heart this ‘corner’ experience, had to be honest with myself and FACE my corner, asking God to shine His light, Himself on my corners.  It has been painful at times, I’ve had to yet again do some re-adjusting, taking down, throwing away and offering some things in exchange for His healing.  I am considering those dry and not watered places, pushing them forward to reach the ‘growth’ areas, areas cultivated and nurtured, to be productive again.  Peace, such peace.  God is good!

I close with the words of John, the beloved disciple, the guy KNEW Jesus, he KNEW his God: “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God!  We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.  Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.”  1 John 3:18-24 (MSG, emphasis mine)

Speak to YOUR corner, YOUR intentionally forgotten corner.

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

Posted by  |  November 15, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

A Re-Pitching

Tent

Ever find yourself in a place either geographically, emotionally or spiritually that just doesn’t seem right?  No matter how or where you turn it just ‘aint good.’  If you were to really (REALLY) be honest, could it be, you are THERE due to poor choices.  YOUR choices. (Please keep reading.)  I have.  I’ve been there. I found myself floundering about, trying ever so hard to just get some kind of foothold, but it is as if I am climbing a wet mossy rock pile, slipping Oh so slipping and never getting to the top.  The only view I see is that of a cliff off to my right and left and the threat of falling is so very eminent.  Choices, take us…

Genesis 13, Abram and his nephew Lot have found they need to make a change, too much ‘stuff’ and people between them, so they decide to part way, making more room, giving themselves some elbow room as we say today.  Uncle Abe took Lot and showed him the land, “Is not the whole land before you?  Let’s part company.  If you go to the left, I will go to the right, if you go to right I will go to the left.  Lot Looked. He saw the whole plain of the Jordan spread out, well watered, Like God’s Garden… Lot took the whole plain of the Jordan.” (v9,10) Abram went on to live in the land of Canaan, near the great trees in Hebron and there he built an altar to the Lord.   Interesting, with the WHOLE Garden of Eden like surroundings, Lot heads out and “pitched his tents near Sodom.” The very next verse, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.”  It was clearly known what that area was like, yet Lot chose to ‘pitch his tent’ there, RIGHT THERE!  In real estate lingo, one might say, “Location, location, location!”  The area the property is located in is so important, everything else you could say about it hardly matters. (DUDE!)

This ‘pitching’ is one of making your home, dwelling there, set up camp, as we would say today, it was where Lot hung his hat.  Yet it is more, it is ‘clearly conspicuous from a distance.’ Meaning, in Lot going THERE it attracted attention by being great or impressive. He was wealthy, loads of stuffimages0D2U6M07 and plenty of people to call ‘his.’  Was it THIS that kept Lot there? Among the ‘ick.’ Was this enviroment more conducive to his ‘greatness?’  Are ‘WE’ where we are, are we STAYING due to this same reason.  We are impressive here, we are great … HERE!  (Point to Ponder)

The next chapter (14) some time later we find Uncle Abe comes to Lots rescue. Rescue.  The word alone paints such drama.  Some kings come and take on Sodom and a few other neighboring places, they plunder  and take captive the people.  Verse 12, “They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living IN Sodom.” (emphasis mine)  Hm… first he was NEAR, now the guy is IN Sodom.  It would be interesting to know the ‘progression’ of the near to the ‘in.’ (or maybe not, maybe it would resonate too close to home for us)  It says that Abe brought Lot back and all his people and stuff.  Abe brought him back, it doesn’t say ‘where’ back is, but I would risk saying, Abram didnt park the camels right at Sodoms door step.

Jumping ahead, we skip over God making His strong covenant with Abram, his name changed to Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael, the promise of Isaac.  Some real intense times for Abram.  Picking up in chapter 18, God tells Uncle Abe He was going to destroy Sodom.  He pleads with God, narrowing it down that if he finds 10 righteous folks, would he spare them.  God agrees.  Guess who is there?  Lot.  He was rescued and went right back.  How many times does God rescue US, give us a way out, and what do we do?  G-o    r-i-g-h-t   b-a-c-k.

I have to interject, as I somewhat playfully jab at Lot, he was a RIGHTEOUS guy.  He made the top 10 list, God kept His end of the deal.  In the N.T. Peter too speaks of Lot,  “But that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued.  Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man (Lot) was in constant torment. So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day.” 2 Peter 2:7-9 (MSG)   We too, who are righteous have made some of the same stupid mistakes, choices. We know the story, God sends angel guys to get Lot, his family out in time, fully out, minus one, his wife.  I am confident Lot’s choices caused him great regret, it placed him, his family in great danger and it cost him his wife, his home and almost his soul.  TOUGH STUFF.

How many of us, find ourselves in the ‘wrong’ place.  We need a RE-PITCHING of our tent.  It is not just a want or desire, let’s face it beloved, it is a NEED!  We too have made choices where we find ourselves in the wrong camp (if you will) the ICK can be deafening, we seem to be somewhat paralyzed.  We were rescued once, and by golly we went right back.  In being ‘back’ it cost us, cost on our kneesus dearly, and painfully so.

Loved one,  be bold, be decisive, pull those stakes out, tear down the tent, throw your head back, chin up. Re-pitch.  Look at the land again.  Choose.  Choose the good spot.  Position yourself right up, near and IN the presence of God.  This pitching and dwelling is a ‘double occupancy.‘  “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.” – Paul, Eph 3:16-20 (emphasis mine)

A re-pitching.

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

Posted by  |  September 14, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

God is in the Whisper

stalisfield church window(1)

 

The world races in an alarming speed that would boggle the mind of Albert Einstein himself. Often within this world, life if full of landslides of pain, ravished with disasters and narrowing it down to just ‘ickiness.’ Many, if not most ask at one time or another, “Where is God?”

It is October 30, 2013. Sitting at my desk at work, I receive an email sent from my husband’s phone (boyfriend at the time). Hm… interesting. It simply says, “Could you call me when you get a chance?” This was out of the ordinary for him, so what does any adoring girlfriend do? She panics and runs outside to make that call. Once hitting cell phone coverage, a text comes in from Marks daughter. “Please call me ASAP!” Ok, this CANNOT be good! I prayerfully dial Marks number. He picks up immediately. THAT again is a serious sign, usually his phone is silenced and he would text me he is in a meeting. But today, he answered. “Hi.” He simply says. I of course cut to the chase, “What is wrong?” He in his always calm manner, says, “I’ve been in an accident.” “Are you alright?” I ask. “Oh yes.” He responds in a nothing wrong in my world tone. My mind whirls with exhausted imaginative horrifying pictures flashing as news reels expose the front end2accident. “Where are you?” I timidly breathe out? “In the ER here in Tacoma.”

As I dive out of my bosses office with faint echoes of “Keep me informed” I travel the 2-3 hours to get to Mark. Finding out he was in a 3 vehicle accident, he was exiting off the freeway, he alone going the speed of about 60. To this day, he doesn’t remember anything from the accident. Only to awaken in the ER two hours later. He hit the windshield with his head, and now bleeding internally under that wound. NOT good. What seem to be ETERNITY, I arrive and ushered in to be with him, my heart sank. One eye swollen shut, blood dripping from it, the other attempting to focus to believe it was really me there with him. He was in really bad shape. We spent the day in the ER, then a very long night in ICU. He was in agonizing pain as one would expect. When terrible things happen we always sway our heads in the direction of doubt and sorrowful questioning. Where was God?

I can sit here and say, at times “God is in the whisper.” Mark drove a beautiful 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, limited edition. You see Mark had 3 children, two lovely grown daughters and his baby… Pontiac sports car. Just hours prior to the accident, Mark felt compelled since the fall season was here, it was time to tuck the Pontiac in for the winter. Taking it for a thorough cleaning, parking it and tenderly covering it with the canvas cover. Tucked in and parked, THIS morning Mark climbs into his 2011 GMC Sierra truck. The night before the accident, Mark having been driving the sports car all summer and the last couple of months, he switches cars. God is in the whisper. You see if Mark had been driving the sports car, he would have been killed instantly in the accident. Oh how I LOVE that truck! Acting on the whisper of God and that truck … saved his life. The impact of the accident CRUSHED the front of the beautiful silver chariot, BUT stopped just at the fire wall, as if God’s hand reached out, divinely stating ‘THAT is enough!” The inside of the cab was untouched. Airbags deployed all over the interior, he survived. So did the other 2 folks involved in the accident. It took 10351379_758996764144178_6530844034717706651_nsome time for Marks blacken eyes and swelling to get back to normal, the headache to FINALLY go away. Ten months following the accident, Mark and I were married. I LOVE that man! God knew what He was doing. Not long ago, due to the only vehicle to drive, and causing the value to decrease, Mark traded the beloved Pontiac for another LARGE – safe, 2014 DeDe loving TRUCK.

You may say, but you don’t know what I have faced or am facing… where is God in MY  ickness of life? He is here. He is orchestrating, He is raising His hand, He is declaring. Oh the playing out of the symphony may not match our expected last stanza, but “He is….” The author of Hebrews quotes Moses saying of God. “I will never leave you or forsake you…” (Deut. 31:7-8, Heb. 13:5-6) We may NEVER –EVER know the ‘misses’ waved away by God.

O God, may we be sensitive to Your breath brushed across our ears. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Is. 30:21

God is in the whisper.

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

Posted by  |  August 19, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

Powerful & Effective

Bike

While driving to work this morning, I became aware of something, “Where’s Linda?” Linda is a gal I see riding her bike every morning, she is but a speck of light at first with a head lamp on her forehead and flashing back light. I have never met Linda. I gave her that name, frankly from a holiday family gathering. We were all loudly engaged in energetic conversation, when all of a sudden my Grandmother blurts out “Who’s’ Linda?” The room silenced, all eyes on Grandma, we ALL busted out laughing, there was NO mention of Linda in the conversation. So, now the saying goes, “Who’s Linda?”

For the past few month, this Linda and I pass each other every work day. I have begun to pray for her. She not knowing. But it doesn’t matter. Our paths intersect for a reason. So I pray. I pray for her safety on the road, for any unknown needs, that while she rides YOU, God are speaking to her. This 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 then needed and by golly more King James than understood. Paul shared multiple times about our CALL to pray for one another. For starters, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:3-4. He then bluntly states, “Brethren, pray for us.” – 1 Thess. 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 Prayerquiet 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, “The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.” – Job 42:10.

Prayer, simply coming to our God, and talking to Him. Often we speak on behalf of another, I would venture to say, most of our conversations may be as quick as “O God, help!” One of my most favorite moments of the day, is when Mark, my husband takes me in his arms, placing his face alongside mine, feeling his breath in my ear, he tenderly prays over us, our children and our day.

Prayer, whether it be in the arms of a loved one, on our knees on behalf of the nation, face down in battle for deliverance or heart bowed while driving by a stranger, let us converse. May it be said of us as said of Job, “ The LORD…” (“The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.” – Job 42:10.)

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

Posted by  |  August 15, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Personal Note & Announcement

“Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.” Ps. 37:4 “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt. 6:33   God, I delighted, and sought and You added… thank You!  Wedding Day

In all transparency, it’s been a rough last few years. But God.  But the God Who holds the stars in the sky, the One who designed the stripes on the zebra, the One who saw and too felt the pain of my failed marriage after 20 years.  He was there.  As I attempted to pick up the broken pieces of my life that scattered all over the ground, I seem to chase each one like that of a juggler who’s throw and catch went wrong.  But God. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps. 73:26)

On July 12th, one month ago from today, I married the most AMAZING Godly man.  Mark and I have known of each other for about 27 years.  Meeting again at the family farm last summer, we ‘noticed’ each other.  He too, had experienced a failed marriage, walking in the healing of Jesus, we developed a wonderful friendship.  I, with my quick wit and slight mischievousness and Marks solid calm manner and quiet strength, we make for a great balanced pair.

I have never experienced the love, acceptance, tenderness and protection like I am now as Mark’s wife.  What a gracious gift.  God’s gift of 2nd chances.  His mercy showered, His grace extended.  Not to mention we are having the time of our lives!  We laugh, poke fun, hold hands, play footsie, go for walks and the poor guy rolls his eyes (I’m afraid they will STAY that way one 20140712_124803-1-1of these days) from my energetic imagination! And when he smiles, my heart melts a thousand times over.

But God.  He designed this marriage. We sense the call to move as one in ministry,  I may sit down and begin a study and he is there as I grab his hand and off we go on one of my many ‘rabbit trails’, the discussions are deep, life changing and spiritually challenging. He holds me as he prays, for us, our 4 children and our love for Him.

As a symbol for myself of the committment I have for my God, about 4 yrs ago, I got my right ear pierced.  This I took from what St Paul would say in many of his writings, “I Paul a bondservant of Jesus..”  ‘Bondservant’ coming from years of tradition.  In the O.T. after six years, the 7th yr the slave could go free, however, they had the option to VOLUNTEER to stay with their Master, but doing so it was for LIFE! The Master would take the slave and pierce his ear against the doorpost of the Masters house, then place a gold ring in his ear. This symbolized the slaves volunteering servanthood and the ‘life’ mark for the Master. Doing so for myself was a reminder, that I too, am a ‘bonservant’ of God, He, my Master, for LIFE!  In our wedding ceremony following communion, Mark replaced the little crystal stud ear-ring with a diamond, symbolizing a new Southwick_Wed-148fresh start in Jesus. Mark too wears a Star of David necklace he got while in Israel, I took that and placed it on him with the same symbolism.  “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecc. 4:12  Husband and wife and our God!

Psalm 92:4, what King David wrote SO resonates with me,  “You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.”   (NLT) What You have done for US!

The God Who splashes the rainbow in the sky, the One who gave the bee his buzz and the God of 2nd chances, “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

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

Posted by  |  August 13, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Seeing THEM!

Big rig

 

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  – Paul,  letter to the Philippians 2:4

This morning while driving to work, cruising along, the traffic seemed heavier than normal for 5:15am.  Looking in my rear view mirror, I saw the pretty orange lights of a big rig truck.  The poor guy was trying to maneuver through the morning commute, cars full of folks that I am confident had not yet been caffeinated to complete awareness of their surroundings.  Like that of a ‘Chess’ game, I figured “If I move over one lane, move forward around this little white car, and return to my original lane, I could make room for the big truck to get around.”  Off I went, and NOT going over the speed limit I might add.  Doing so, the truck driver saw the ‘move’ and made his own advance.  As we continued on down the freeway for a few minutes, just as I began my exit off, the truck driver passed on by, but NOT without a reaching out of his hand and the ‘wave’ of thanks.

Do we look and ‘see’ those around us?  Are we aware?   Do we CARE? Do we see the need and heed?  Or do we see and ignore or hastily say “Go around me!”  While at it, “CROWN ME!” (Chess game…ouch!)  Paul speaking to the Christians in Phillipi, proceeds the above verse stating: “…being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves..” V2-3  As we cruise through this life, may we be aware, may we look and see how we can help others, whether that help be small or large.  Taking the time to offer a smile, holding the door while they carry heavy bags of groceries, allow someone to go ahead of us in line, give a word of encouragement, take a meal, hold them, laugh with them, cry and pray.   May we have a God focus… others.

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

Posted by  |  August 5, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Love Beyond Tolerance

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This last weekend whilest visiting a church I felt a ‘renewing’ (if you will) of the challenge to love like God does.  (Being gut honest here) Love like God. Sigh. It is easy to love the lovely, those that fall in line with us completely, yet when we step off  that platform, the ‘easiness’ seems to escape us.  Trying not to reach and grab nicely packaged excuses, when loving requires practical application or even TALKING to them … loving enough to share Jesus with them…”Oh they are not like me…. they wont understand….their lifestyle is SO different than mine… what would I say ” or “they are gay, pierced, tattooed, divorced, addicted, ugly, they swear and frankly some may … ‘stink’.”     But  in my reality, I humanly state:  “I will never love to the capacity that HE does.”  None of us will, just because we are humanly limited, does NOT stop the attempt. With His grace, His guidance, power, unction, and filling, I will love.   I have found that my desire is thrown beyond ‘tolerance’, beyond just getting around the person to move in a forward direction, treating them with invisible attentiveness.  NO!  God wants me to stop and ‘see’ them.  Love them, speak to them (not at them) connect, lead and serve.   “God so tolerated the world that He just let them go on their way.” NO!  “God so LOVED the world that He gave…”  Love, is giving… giving of ourselves.  Then, there is ‘whosoever’ (another study)

I am confident at times we make this so much BIGGER than it really is. More complex than intended, more ‘self-ish’ than assigned.  One of my dearest friends is a gay fellow at work.  We get along much like bantering brother and sister.  We have agreed to dis-agree.  He was raised in the church, he knows what the Bible says, he doesn’t need ‘preaching’, he NEEDS love.  He knows I care for him and yet I do not condone his lifestyle. He knows my love for God, His word and His stuff and people.  Even in all this, he KNOWS I love.  He jokes that we’d make a great prime-time TV show “Gay boy and preacher girl”.

One element that challenged me this weekend,  the pastor in the pulpit shared this true story: A pastor friend of his  felt compelled to barbers_pole230challenge his folks to step out and tell people about Jesus, even if it is as simple as ‘God loves you’.  Three different men shared with him later, that they felt God place someone on their mind immediately and chose to act on it.  One guy shared, he called his brother, whom he hadn’t had much contact with over the years, called to say “Love ya brother and God loves you too,” and quickly hung up.  The next guy was out working in his yard when his neighbor was out and as he  waved, telling him have a good day and “God loves you”, the man walked away fast.  The 3rd guy was sitting in the barber’s chair and gaining the courage, looked in the mirror and stated, “Bob, God loves you.”  Bob, swung the guys chair around and said, “WHAT is going on… Last night my brother called me, this morning my neighbor and now YOU tell me God loves me.”    Wonderful story.  THAT is our God!  What lengths will He go to get the message to us. Are we willing to be part of the orchestration of the message?

Paul writes to young Timothy, “…proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple. – 2 Timothy 4:2 MSG  (emphasis mine) As the King Jimmy puts it, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season”   When asked, may we have an answer.  When opportunity knocks us over, may we stand and stand FIRM on God and His word. And love.

Whom might we need to call, wave to and have our chair swung around in awe of what God is doing.  Love beyond tolerance.  Wake up to the invisible.

Closing with:  “This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in Him, and He in us: He’s given us life from His life, from His very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent His Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.” 1 John 4:13-16 MSG  John continues in verse 19, “We love because He first loved us.”

Love like God does.

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

 

Posted by  |  July 31, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Take a Stand

Take a stand

Quick stop – RIGHTEOUS REMINDER: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – Jn. 10:10 (emphasis mine) he (little ‘he’) comes to steal and destroy our JOY, our confidence, our trust, our LIFE!  ANYTHING that is good and right and brings glory to God, he will indeed attack.  Attack with fierce vengeance.  Cripple the person’s heart, mind and spirit, he has an ‘in.’  He can then play with insecurities, pain and even our sorrow.  Doubt, fear and a host of other non-God focused things are a result.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Eph. 6:12 Paul continues, “STAND FIRM, with the belt of truth…” (v 14) When we have struggles in relationships, or circumstances, may we remember the truth…it is not that person or the event, BUT the stinkin enemy who is attempting to destroy.

Take a stand… while we stand up, let’s grab the God stuff, and not just hold them in our hands but put them ON and USE them!  The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness. Get our feet fitted with the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and then wield that mighty sword of the Spirit, God’s word.  STAND FIRM against the dinky deceiving dude!

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

Posted by  |  July 2, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Confessions of a Geeky Gal

Patience Truck

Ever have a day, that you’d just like to crawl back in bed and pull the covers up, with just enough breathing room, peaking out wishing the day away, or at best START OVER! I had one of those this week. However, it was of my own making. Confession: As I drove to work that particular morning, while praying I sensed the Lord tell me ‘patience’, I was going to NEED patience. Alrighty then, that’s nice! But by golly who in their right mind (or lack thereof) would seek to PRAY for patience. I made note of it and went head first into my day. As the day progressed, I was easily irritated by those around me, even irritated by the time on the clock. I found myself reacting to the WORLD. The hardest was with a loved one, instead of loving beyond, I stood and confronted. NOT good.

Patience. (I KNOW better!) God told me.

Geeky Gal’s notes: In short, there are two words used for patience in the Bible, (N.T.)  both of which I have studied extensively. First, ‘makrothumia’, this patience is with people and motivated by mercy. Mercy, NOT getting what you deserve! In essence, it is extending an open hand, as opposed to a fist full of … stuff! And we got us some STUFF don’t we!  God’s mercy, is withholding what we deserve and loves beyond. Here His grace picks up … giving. One hand pulls back while the other reaches forward and gives. It is a God quality, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Gal. 5:22-23 Mercy. The other is ‘hupomone’ patience or perseverance (a bearing up under, in and through) circumstances, this is motivated by hope. Hope, waiting strong with great expectation. It is found in the ‘knowing’. KNOWING that God is, and does and will. Hope.

So mercy and hope. Without these, we fail with people (we humans are terribly inpatient with each other) and our ‘situation’ only seems to worsen when there is no hope. An example of both of these can be found in James, 5:10-11.

“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience (makrothumia ) in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of  the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance (hupomone)  and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

I failed at both that day, miserably! Especially when God told me ‘patience’ (I should have known!!! DUH!) I am ‘impatient’ in my current situation. Thinking in the wrong direction caused me to get upset. I am not walking in hope. Making it all worse. I was impatient with others, not granting them mercy, like the mercy I want granted to me. I had to approach my loved one and ask for their forgiveness for how I reacted to them. I again asked God to re-focus my perspective on some details in my current situation, turn me towards Him and Him alone. THERE lies my hope, my perseverance.

Patience, not something favorably to pray about, but a quality I desire and long to walk in. How is your extended mercy and hope? Rhetorical, now ponder.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” – Heb.10:36   As the picture above depicts, patience can be like being STUCK behind a slow moving boring rig. Don’t honk your spiritual horns, or attempt to pass on dangerous ground. Wait. Go the journey. Hope on…. a promise awaits YOU!

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

 

 

Posted by  |  June 18, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

WAIT NOT!

Have you noticed how the art of handwritten letter writing is increasingly fading? Our once, ‘hi how are ya’, or ‘
thinking of you’, followed by a more lengthy note of encouragement, has been replaced with a quick text “how r u ttm” (How are you, talk to me).

Fountain-Pen-WritingOur words of encouragement to others hold TONS of weight. To see in writing, that you are loved, appreciated, then with word imagery, we pull out the pom~poms and cheer each other on. I strongly believe ‘encouragement’ is universally lacking.

I have begun an intense study of the book of Philippians. I start by looking at Philippi, then Paul the author. Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome. This, his most personal of all letters to a church, his main directive is to thank them for their love and support.

So basically the letter is a huge ‘thank you’ note. Yet, he doesn’t stop there, he continues. Here’s a bit of encouragement … “I thank my God when I think of you … I have you in my heart …. stand fast…be of the same mind… rejoice in the Lord always… don’t be anxious … but by prayer… be thankful … let your request be made known…and the peace of God…shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus … think on these things (dandy of a list) …” Wrapping it up with “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit…” THAT is some high five-ing, high flying pom~pom action! “GO PHILIPPIANS!”

May we pause for a brief moment, Paul wrote this while in CHAINS in prison. He could have, in his humanity, turned the letter into a huge ‘whine.’ He could have withheld the encouragement until the ‘conditions’ were better. MANY excuses could have surfaced. He could have waited until he walked free in the streets, felt the warmth of rubbing shoulders with others, breathed in fresh air. But he didn’t. He spoke from his captivity. He had faith, he reached for his God and shared that experience with others.healing-words

What an example to us all, that we not “WAIT.” Wait, until we have it all together. Wait until ‘we’ think the conditions are just right to reach out to someone else, EVEN in our own pain, our own struggle. Sure, some of us are thinking, “But he was PAUL, the dude had a direct blinding link to Jesus!” Yes, yes he did. But so do we. We have the same Lord, the same Spirit dwelling in us.

Our words whether they be verbal, written, texted or twittered, posted or pasted. May we reach out. May we hug with our words. Remember a time when someone reached out to you? You felt the warmth, the love, the lift? The image of the old adage “Measure twice and cut once,” comes to mind. May we seek the accuracy of the fit. The fit of our words.

Don’t wait … someone out there needs YOU. The hurting, the lonely, the confused. Embrace them. They need your words of encouragement. They cant wait for you to ‘get it all together’. They need it NOW! They need US, now!  ” So thankful you are in my life …. Hang in there … stay focused … be happy in God … don’t freak out … cry out to God … tell Him like it is …. God will take care of you … think about God stuff.” Ok, so it’s not Paul fancy, but it speaks …

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

Posted by  |  May 19, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Do not shy away, don’t back down

 

reach out

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 GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!” Bart threw his coat down, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” – Mark 10:46-51 (paraphrase & emphasis mine)

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 asks… “ 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, find we are perhaps scorned by others for it, and hush up. Are we desperate enough? Jesus wants us to come to the place that we tell Him… He already knows, but we say it. 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. What would I like? I would like to be able to see again.”

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.” – Heb. 10:24)

Posted by  |  May 16, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

The Oil Will Not Run Dry

Ever hit that ‘wall’? The wall commonly known as the athlete’s wall. Picture a runner, nearing the end of the race, all energy has been spent, their breathing is labored, their body screams in agony. Doubt, fear, and confusion, even road aheadanger now rages through them. “There is nothing left, I have nothing left to give!” is their cry. Yet and yet, they do finish the race.

There are many ‘walls’ of life.  Moments when we feel we have little left to give, and what we do have, we feel we need to conserve it to make it to the next day. Perhaps, our supply is empty, seeing the bottom is to easy.  For many of us, we have opted to just allow ourselves to dry up and die. I have been there, it is painful.

This morning I was awaken very early in the morning. The calm of the soon coming dawn still lingered outside my window. My thoughts went to Elijah. How often do our thoughts go to Elijah at 3:30 am.? The story of the widow and her son came to mind, out of 1 Kings 17. They had just enough flour and oil to make one last meal, after that nothing was left, they surely would die. In walks Elijah into their story, (God is always on time) asking her to make him a meal first. Telling him of her plight and empty cupboards, he tells her “Don’t be afraid” God says, “your supply of flour will not end, and the oil will 200448042-001not run dry.” She does what he says, and miraculously there is plenty of continuous oil and flour.

‘The oil will not run dry,’ what a wonderful promise. This encouraged me. Just when we think we have spent all that there is in us … there will be more. More coming from HIM. More energy to face another day. When our breathing is labored …more power to enable us to fight the good fight. When all that is in us SCREAMS … there will always be more. The oil will not run dry, a continuous flow of God is offered to us. We accept the oil by doing what God asks of
us. Take what we have and give it to HIM, He increases it.

Whatever we are facing, whatever our race, “Don’t be afraid”, the walls of life are met with a jug of oil. Allow its continuous flow.

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

Posted by  |  May 15, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | 1 Comment

Trim Your Wick

Candle and the word

The CANDLE … warm glow, the dancing of the flame,  slow drip of the fragrant wax.  Soothing isn’t it?  One could sit for hours in its shadow, just admiring the effect it has on us.  I love illumination.  One of my favorites rests on my coffee table, a round candle sits in a bed of coffee beans in an attractive clear glass vase.

A few years ago at bible study, as the women entered the room,  they were greeted with a white linen covered table; with two tapered candles burning in long stem crystal holders.  The atmosphere was warm and elegant.  There is something about … a flickering flame. In the middle of the table was a gold Jewish Menorah, it too was burning gently. Our study at the time was the Tabernacle of Moses, I wanted each gal to experience the peace, the invitation of the … flame.

The Lord revealed Himself many times in the flame, the bush with Moses, where he was commissioned, and Yahweh gives us His name, “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex. 3), and the pillar of fire at night to the Israelites, extending His guidance (Ex. 13).  Solomon dedicating the Temple, fire came down from heaven as God’s glory filled it (2 Chron. 7). One can not talk fire, forgetting to mention the show down on Mt. Carmel, Elijah, and his God against the prophets of Baal, go God! (I Kings 18).  Then the tongues of fire on the heads of those gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2)

Oh, we may not be calling God down from heaven these days to consume our sacrifice to prove a point, but the use of the flame on a smaller note, we can understand.  The theme of the candle or lamp in the bible is strong.  In Psalm 18:28 David writes “For thou wilt coffee and candlelight my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness”.   Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.   It is God that burns, His presence, His word that lights our way; it is in our very next step we desire Him to be present.  Light our way O God!

With the joy and privilege of the candle comes responsibility, tending.  The priests DAILY tended to the lamp in the Tabernacle.  Along with the sacrifice, the water, the light, these needed daily attention.  When God gave strict instruction of the articles for the Tabernacle, He included the ‘wick trimmers’.  Exodus 25:38, the wick trimmers were made of pure gold.

As I researched this, I was amazed to find, the need that as we trim the wick short; we ‘cut off yesterday’s fire.’  It was described that the wick begins to have a small build up, causing the flame not to burn pure, and too fast.  This is the black soot that flows from the flame; it is drowning in a large pool of melted wax.   This soot seems to fall and attach itself to those things closest to the candle.  Hm… think on that.   We trim for a fresh, even, pure, lasting flame!  Fresh Fire!  Does that stir something in you?

The Lord spoke to me about the need to come DAILY, seeking His presence, His word, that FRESH  FIRE, depending not on yesterday’s experience!  As I trim my wick and prepare for a fresh word from God, His presence comes.  As He did with Moses, He will reveal Himself to me, commissioning me for the day.  As the Israelites, He will guide me.  As His temple, He will fill me.  Just like Elijah He will do great things in my midst.

How is your flame burning?  Is it yesterdays fire, or has it gone out completely?  Seek as David did, ‘light my candle O God!’

Fresh Fire… trim your wick, for a pure, even, lasting flame, Go God!  (wouldn’t that look great on the Yankee candle label)

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

Posted by  |  February 10, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Sacred Spaces

Sacred Spaces

Where is it that you call on God? I mean those moments when all you need is …HIM! Your prayer closet, the pew at church? The comfy chair next to the wood stove? Or perhaps, for you a walk on the beach, while brushing your tennis shoes in the sand. Could it be a quiet spot on the back porch as you sip coffee, or maybe just maybe, where ever you reverently bow your head.

When God moves and speaks, what is our response? Do we mark those moments on the time line of our life? As I have been studying those great names of old … Abe, Isaac, Jacob and Moses, I found all had many things in common, but one in particular stood out to me … they built altars.

Genesis 12:7 “The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”

Genesis 26:24-25 “That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” 25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.”

Genesis 35:10-15 “God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.

This one,  one of my favorites … (a bit wordy, but worth the read)

Exodus 17:10-16 “So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other–so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army withstone_altar the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

An altar is a landmark of God’s presence. It declares a sacred space. Sacred, because the God of the universe showed up. Oh, we may no longer need to gather various rocks and pile them in our back yard, but we can make a spiritual marker. I made a very clear altar of the heart a couple of years ago. If I could literally see the altar it would be down in a cattle field, at the rivers edge, under a large old tree. It was there I cried out to the Lord, wanting … NEEDING His presence, and He never disappoints.

Like the Patriarchs of old, may we too … be altar builders. Recognizing and declaring THIS is where God met with me. Here is where I will remember. I will remember …HIM.  If we could see as God sees, I am confident we would see sacred spaces scattered across our past journeys. “Thank You Lord for being there, hearing us, being with us, You are faithful!”  Sacred spaces.

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

Posted by  |  January 24, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Gutsy Faith

Ever know someone, or read about a quality a person has, and your thoughts go to “I want summa THAT’, I want what they have.” I recently had those thoughts, not in a jealous way, but a ‘divine gotta have’ way. In my study time I came across a very gutsy gal. Mark 5:24-34, the woman with the bleeding issue. Oh I know, when we get to this area of scripture, due to the ‘topic’ we may tend to skim fast over it, yet it has AMAZING lessons for Gutsy Galus.

Verse 25 describes this gal as one who had been afflicted for a very long time. She had sought help elsewhere, yet instead of improving, her condition worsens. I love verse 27, “When she heard about Jesus, she came…” One resource claims that she may have traveled some 30 miles to get there.

The story proceeds with, “she came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched His cloak.” This alone is a gutsy step of faith, she came to Him ‘in the crowd.’ Let’s think about this. She is, as culture and tradition states, ceremonially ‘unclean’ due to the bleeding issue. She should, from a distance declare herself unclean and stay away. “She came…”

Out of confident desperation she says, “if I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Many times emphasis can be lost in the translation. The word used here for ‘if’ in the Greek can be rendered, since or because. May I be so bold to translate it this way, “Due to the fact that because I touched Jesus’ clothes, I WILL be healed.” Yep, that is some strong gutsy faith! Verse 29, “…immediately her bleeding stopped!”

Interesting note, the word used in the narrative for her touching Jesus’ garment doesn’t imply she just reached out and flicked her hand across the hem. She GRABBED it! She grabbed that garment so tight, that she may have left an imprint of her hand on it. She KNEW, she believed that all it took was to grab His cloak and she WOULD be healed! “She touched…”

As I read through this, I felt the Lord say that I too am (we all are) like G.G. at times (I nicknamed her Gutsy Gal) We may not have a physical ailment, but we have issues, stuff. We too can be lost in our own affliction, and be there a LONG time, seeking help elsewhere. What will it take to bring us to the realization that He will help us. Do we have the faith to come to Him and not stay away. Confidently reach for Him and KNOW He will meet us in our need. It may take some gutsiness on our part, some faith reaching, strong grabbing, and by golly don’t worry about the crowd … JUST COME TO JESUS!

Oh, that OUR ‘if’ of current circumstance would be said with such belief, “Because I came to Jesus, not worrying about those around me, reached out, touched Him, I will be ________________ ” (YOU fill in the blank)

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

Posted by  |  January 15, 2014 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment