Walking into church, a bit tattered from the week that led to this day, I take my seat (7 rows back, first seat in) Placing my bible next to me, the first thing that captures me is the quiet melody playing on the platform. Familiar, and oh so soul soothing. “As the deer panteth…” It was then, I felt the Lord impress on me, “Just breathe!” As the worship leader began to lead us, I closed my eyes and did just that, took a deep breath. Overwhelmed with His presence, I was reminded of … the breath of God.

How often do we find ourselves in ‘survival mode?” Barely making it, you feel your existence will soon evaporate like that of the morning dew. As the day goes on you find yourself fading. Thinking if I can just make it through this day… through this season… to the next paycheck… see THAT person.. BE that person … get this done, that done … clean this … lose this, gain that. OH, and pick up MILK! BREATHE! Just breathe.

Now don’t laugh, in pondering this, I have been looking at the ramifications of the lack of oxygen that takes place physically, how it affects us and how long it takes for a body to die. So very interesting. In all the medical hymhaw, I found this quote: “A lack of oxygen to the heart muscle can cause heart attacks, and even if the individual survives the anoxic event (complete depletion of oxygen), there may be damage to the heart that proves deadly.” This doesn’t even speak of the damage to the brain. There are ‘quiet’ symptoms that are attributed to a lack of oxygen as well:Depression, irritability and irrational behavior. Sound like your week? Or your drive down Hwy 217 on a Friday afternoon? Oh, I forgot, and memory loss and I thought it was just me turning 50. Just breathe!

Like that of our physical body, so it is with our spiritual man. We NEED to breathe. Without a constant intake of God, the ramifications can too prove deadly.

Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Our bodies were made of the dust – earth – biological. The soul was not made of the earth. So… earthly things can not quench the hunger of the soul, nor can the soul continue to survive. It is ONLY the breath of God that feeds and nurtures the spiritual man! It is divinely birthed and divinely maintained. Does this make sense?

This is BIG. How often do we seek things, people, position even ‘events’ to satisfy our deep longing, cravings. Without God’s breath and presence in our lives, we are an empty vessel. God initiated this for mankind, now we by invitation in turn seek that breath. Just breathe!

Paul spoke to this in 2 Timothy, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (3:15-17 – The Message) And the one who penned Hebrews wrote, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.” (4:12)

If we are to survive, let alone THRIVE spiritually we NEED God’s presence and His word to do so. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are rebellious, (or is it just me) if we are asked to do something beyond our own desires, well… heh, “I aint doin it”. Let’s not EVEN pause at our mistakes (nuff said) Let’s really lay it on the table (get ready to duck) since our very breath was first given to us (mankind) by God, how do we use that breath? Do we praise Him, or curse or destroy others with the words we form with that breath. (sigh)

A geek point: The word Paul used for ‘God-breathed'(theopneustos) is often seen as ‘inspiration’ is only mentioned here, and no where else in all of scripture.

Are we too, low in emotion, irritable and even find our self being irrational or treating others with ‘un-honorable’ breath? When was the last time we quietly spent time with our God? Prayed, invited His presence, opened His word? May I offer, put the journal down, lay the pen aside … just breathe. You might even find yourself face down on the floor in complete wonderment of Him!

Remember the song we sang in church a few years ago:

This is the air I breathe
this is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

this is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I’m desperate for You
And I, I’m lost without You

Just breathe.

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

Sigh. As you F-I-N-A-L-L-Y slide down and take a seat to check out what’s happening in the cyber world, your day swims pass in your mind. What a day! Perhaps you accomplished things that weren’t even on your ‘to do’ list, or the day dragged on with pain as you watched the clock seem to stand still. Or. Maybe your eyes mist with the news about a loved one. What a day!

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up , or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” – Gal. 6:9 MSG

Twice in this verse Paul points to ‘not giving up’ (fatigued & give up = same Greek word) Meaning? We are to discipline ourselves to NOT lose heart, be weary, giving in to difficulty, even to lose our courage. What a day!

The word picture is this: In ancient days, the man would ‘tightened his belt’ gearing up to do his work, so when he loosened his belt, it meant he abandoned his effort.

For us? Let’s not loosen our belt, no abandonment for us! Stand up straight, chin up, take a deep breath and not give up! There are GREAT things on the other side.

Oh what a day THAT will be! “Right now, therefore…”

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

Young Jeffery comes running in the house on the freshly mopped tile floor, his mom looks up and endearingly says, “Be very careful.” Mumbling he whispers, “Why?” continuing on as he looks over his shoulder at her, just when he slips and falls head long into the corner of the kitchen table. “So that you don’t slip and fall.” Or as some of us have heard or said, “Because I said so.” Sound familiar? Perhaps with different characters and a slightly different scenario.

I appreciate how the word of God is so very practical. We find that God gives insight and instruction with PURPOSE, even if that purpose is to know His un-limited love. Did you know that the VERY significant itty bitty phrase “so that” occurs 747 times in the Bible. Yes, I looked at each one, (with a few mugs of mint hot coco mind you) Let’s open our bibles and look at EVERY one! (just kidding) “Perseverance must finish its work SO THAT you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ( Ja. 1:4 emphasis mine) It’s not just our Father saying, “Because I said so” God has a reason!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, SO THAT the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Paul prays ” I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, SO THAT you may know Him better” – Eph. 1:17

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, SO THAT we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Heb. 4:16

“These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you SO THAT you may be kept from stumbling. – Jn 16:1

Paul story is FULL of ‘so that’s.’ “For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, (don’t you just love the ‘But when God’) who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me SO THAT I might preach him among the Gentiles.” – Gal. 1:13-16 (excited commentary, my interjection)

We all have a ‘so that’ connected to us, for some of us multiple times a day! God is, does, and gives ‘so that ….’ All this ‘so thating’ (yes beloved, it is a word … now) is God Fathering us. Let’s face it, God doesn’t NEED a reason, and notice He doesn’t pull the “I AM THAT I AM” card. Walk in the ways of the LORD your God, SO THAT you may live and prosper. – Deut. 5:33 Because I said so, I AM THAT I AM.

Put on the full armor of God SO THAT you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Eph. 6:11 Use the Word I gave you, so you are ARMED against the Liar, Killer and Destroyer!

God has a reason!

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

Fast. Busy. Our lives tend to ramble from one thing to another in quick motion. On the go, our pockets buzz with Twitter-IM-LinkedIn-Blogging and of course Facebook. Within minutes, a captured incident on YouTube will have 20k views, leaving NOTHING for privacy. We Skype with loved ones, communicate in Forums, and visit in Chat rooms. In a room full of people, we ignore the face to face and opt for screen to screen. Fast. Busy. Tired. Alone. I have one word. Selah

“But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me
my glory and the lifter up of mine head
I cried unto the LORD with my voice
and He heard me out of His holy hill.
Selah” – Davidic Psalm (Ps. 3:3-4 KJV)

Selah pronounced ‘seh-law’ is used 74 times in the Bible. All but 3 are in the Psalms (Yes, I sat in church and read everyone of them – sorry Pastor, a bit distracted) The other 3 are in the Prayer of Habakkuk, (Hab. 3:3 – 3:9 – 3:13) Some have attributed all its uses to David, yet found among his are The Sons of Korah, Asaph and Ethan’s writings as well. The purest meaning of the word is unknown, one resource states it is so old, ancient rabbis were unsure of the precise meaning. I even read, due to its seemly random usage, Selah is the word used by David when he broke a string. HA! (Ok, moving on.)

A common thread that I found among the scholars and those of etymology studies is that ‘Selah’ is one of the most difficult Hebrew words to define. And often occurs by itself in between lines of poetry. It is tucked among various circumstances of life and battle. I observed it is known as a musical or liturgical note indicating a transition. A suspension of music, Crescendo or musical interlude. One resource conveyed Selah speaks to the musician as to ‘take a breath’- to pause. Potential meaning also, to lift up, one can say, ‘to hang up the instrument.’ In summary, most scholars believe that it indicates either a rest or a pause of the voice or instrument, or to rest and reflect on the preceding words. Meditating on the depth of insight. It is thought to be rendered from two Hebrew words: Salal, to extol and praise. And salah, to pause.

May I be so bold as to say, “O how WE need selah.” To take what was scratched on parchment in ancient days of old and apply to our current culture. How many of us need to gracefully transition from one circumstance to another. To ‘hang up our instrument’ of distraction (if you will) for just a bit, whether that be our ‘can’t live without’ cell phone, the computer or any other gadget that consumes us and reflect on God and His Word. Selah.

When was the last time we ‘paused and praised?’ We STOOD STILL, and took a breather. A serious breather! For some of us, if we did, we may end up gasping as one out of shape and attempting 10 flights of stairs. When was the last time we ‘rested our voice’ and listened. When was the last time we rested, giving room for more to be said? Selah.

The Psalm above was written when David was being pursued by his ‘seeking the throne for his own’ son Absalom. He opens the Psalm with, “O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying, “God will not deliver him.” Selah Can you hear the earnest-ness in his tone, the anguish of heart? Verse 3: “BUT YOU are my shield around me, O LORD, YOU bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.” Selah (NIV – emphasis mine)

Perhaps we too are in a crisis and a battle of some sorts, in the midst of it are we pausing to declare “BUT YOU … O LORD!” Are we crying out to Him? Do we give opportunity to quote David in saying, “Because the LORD sustains me, I will not fear…” (v. 5) Selah

Selah, an amazingly beautiful word. Under the inspiration of God Himself, He ordained its use in the scriptures, regardless of our confirmed definition. May we find among the poetry of our lives ‘Selah’, pause and praise and reflection of Him!

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

Following the ever so zealous shepherds visit, and their news broadcast about baby Jesus, it says “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Lk 2:19) Our children by no means compare to the Savior of the world, and by golly they may never even reach the waiting list among the names of the Saints, but we moms like Mary, ‘treasure and ponder’ our children. Do we not? Our hearts have ached – agonized – celebrated and PRAYED. There are hours of holding and scolding, cleaning and crying. Yet at the end of the day, as our head lays on the pillow, our heart swells with LOVE. The quiet place of the mothers heart, “treasuring up and pondering them.”

Happy Mothers Day!

Cute pastel colored eggs, squishy marshmallow Peeps, earless chocolate bunnies.  Post Easter.  Now what?  Do we just rummage through the calendar for another holiday or event to look forward to?  What excites us for the future or even daily?   For some of us, it is the planning and anticipation that is as exciting as the event.  May I be so bold in asking,  what causes our insides to burn with excitement, what consumes our mind and emotions for … today?  Post Easter.

Jesus’ resurrection.  AMAZING. WONDERFUL.  But let’s not stop there.  There’s MORE!  Let’s unpack this in brief summary.  Stay with me, this is good!  John 24, it speaks of the women going to the tomb, being a little freaked out by the angels notifying them that Jesus was no longer there, they go back to tell the others.  Peter, as energetic as he was, runs to go see and confirm.    Just following that, (v13) it says “Now that same day…”  It proceeds to unfold the story of the two walking to Emmaus, who unknown to them at first, encounter Jesus. They are flabbergasted that this Stranger didn’t know what had just transpired in Jerusalem. They shared their disappointment, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Going on they explained how Jesus’ body was not found. Verse 27, “Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” WOW, I’d love an one on one instant Bible study from the lips of the Master!  (Note: See below, who these two were on the road to Emmaus)

It wasn’t until Jesus was seated at their table and they accepted the bread He offered that their eyes were opened and they knew who He was. I LOVE their response, “They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (v32, emphasis mine)

Their hearts burning within them.  I want spiritual heart burn! I want my soul, mind, thoughts passions, desires and appetites to burn with Him and His word!  The word Luke choses to use here for ‘burning’ is very colorful, it doesn’t just mean to strike a match and light the kindling and watch it slowly give off heat.  It RAVISHES through the wood and consumes it!  It can be liken to the Hebrew word imagery found in Psalm 39:3 as King David shares “… my insides got hotter and hotter…” 

Yet some would argue that the two didn’t even recognize Jesus when He shared the WORD with them. However, the author of Hebrews declares strongly,  “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Heb. 4:12   To have the very Son of God, His presence and He breathe these words to them, THAT would cause heart burn!  Notice that Jesus didn’t lay hands on them, put mud on their eyes.  He simply…  walked with them.

Not only did the two get a strong dose of God induced burning, but look at verses 31, 32 (Luke 24) Jesus opened their eyes to recognize Him and opened the word to them.   Now jump to verse 45, the two had gone to Jerusalem, finding the 11 Disciples, telling them of their experience with Jesus.  Jesus appears to them all, “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”  Jesus opens their eyes,  opens the word and opens their minds.  LOVE it!  Bring it Jesus!

For us?  The next time you find your seat at church,  or open the Bible for devotion time, don’t day dream off to another place, or become bored with it, receive the bread Jesus offers and take a walk with Him.  Breathing a whisper to the Holy Spirit, two words.  “Dianoigo” (dee-an-oy-go) THOROUGHLY ‘open’ my eyes to see You, open my mind to Your word and expound my understanding!  “Kaio” (ki [as in kite] yo) BURN Lord!  With your Presence, with Your word. May my heart get hotter and hotter and consumed with You!  Dianoigo & Kaio.  You will be AMAZED at how exciting the word is, how exciting Jesus is.  Post Easter.

Need something to look forward to?  Excitement for the future, excitement for the day.  He IS the event.

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

* Who were the two on the road to Emmaus?  I just assumed the ‘them’ and ‘they’ were men.  However, after being in deep research, I am convinced, the ‘they’ were husband and wife.  This is not a doctrinal statement, but one of accepted observation for me.  Luke’s story of this Emmaus bound walk is not mentioned in any other of the Gospels. He writes that Cleopas, also known as Alphaeus was one of the two.  The only other mention of Cleopas is in John 19:25, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

It is my understanding that possibly both Cleopas and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Passover and present at the Crucifixion of Jesus. Mary was among the women who went and found the empty tomb. Interesting, as Cleopas tells Jesus about the tomb being found empty, see his phrasing, “In addition some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.” Was that husband pride, ‘some of our women amazed us?’

Why Emmaus? Luke proceeds to share that the two convinced Jesus to come and ‘abide with us’ instead of continuing on since it was nearing night time.  ‘Abide with us,’ they lived in Emmaus.

Some resources state that it is Cleopas and one of the known disciples, however, if Cleopas had been traveling with one of the disciples, verse 33 would contradict this, “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.  There they found the Eleven and those with them…” Why only 11?  Remember, Judas is now gone.

Friday night.  The home team is down by 7 points.  Taking the field again, they have possession.  Something is different this quarter.  Their stature, facial expressions and energy.  They are ready!  Having  just come from the locker room during halftime, spending time with the coach as he encouraged, challenged, shared strategies, having eye contact with each player.  Coachtime. Yes, they are ready.

Time spent with someone who inspires or encourages us, leaves a lasting impression.  If enough time is spent with that person, and we truly desire to receive of their positive qualities, those qualities soon will become our own.  Disciple.

Same principle, different scenario: Acts 4,  Peter & John had declared Jesus’ name to the crippled man, healing him. Soon they found themselves in jail, then standing and openly exclaiming boldly about the risen Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  It is said of them by the rulers, elders and teachers of the law,  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (v13) Ordinary men.  They had been with Jesus.  Courageous.  Astonishing.

NOTHING speaks more than someone noticing Jesus in you. For some, they may not know that the gentle response, or the love shared, kind servanthood, joy bouncing off your countenance or the peace in your eyes  … is Jesus.  But by golly you have SOMETHING different and it is noticeable.  It is the evidence, of a living relationship with your God.  Peter & John had literally walked side by side with Jesus as He trained them.  They spent invaluable time listening, interacting and observing the Master.  There were times when they were quiet while Jesus spoke, taking it in. (Well, maybe not Peter, he spoke with unbridled zeal. HA!)   Times when they asked questions, and observing moments when Jesus was just.. AMAZING.  Queue Jesus walking on the water towards Peter as he reaches for THE Lifesaver.  AMAZING.

We too have the opportunity to listen – interact and observe.  Yet, do we take the opportunity or MAKE the opportunity.  For some of us they are one in the same.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not speaking of a 40 day on the mountain top experience were we glow like a man dipped in glow-gue.  Like Moses as he spent intense time in God’s presence. (see Ex. 33,34)  However, there are indeed 24 hours in a day, and if only 5-10 minutes can be carved out for Jesus and Jesus alone – THAT is the most ‘invaluable’ minutes of the day.  My drive time to work at 5:30am is one of my Jesus times.  Granted, due to the law of the land, and the law of movement,  ‘reading’ would not be appropriate.  So I sing, I worship and pray.  At times, I am quiet and allow the worship music to play over me.   Jesus time.  There are days, where I capture a few minutes, opening my Bible and some would say, “get me Geek on” and study.  Listening, interacting and observing the Master. Jesus said, “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt. 11:28 MSG)  By the time I get to work, I am now ready to wave at the shy co-worker, pop my head in the cafe and say “Good Morning” to Maria, the petite cashier, or love on some special folks of ALLLL (and I mean ALL) different walks of life.  I may get asked some really good “God stuff” questions and ready to answer, with His wisdom.  I had one fellow share with me that he didn’t see the need for Jesus to die to get man to heaven.  Alrighty then! We  had the most fabulous  (and fun I might add) lengthy – theologicial instant messaging conversation known to man kind!  My response, an evidence of a living relationship with my God.  And, NOOOO.  That is NOT just my personality.  I am too lazy – too selfish and WAYYYY too self absorbed.    Like Peter & John, ordinary men (gal), having been with Jesus!

How is our ‘having been with Jesus?”  Are we?  Do others see Him in us?  Are we courageous, do our responses declare Him?  Do we MAKE the time, for just Jesus, and He alone.  Listening, interacting and observing our Master.  Ordinary folks, astonishing others, ‘having been with Jesus.’  Like the football players, this quarter is different, we are ready!

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