Is Christianity for Wimps?

I remember the day an acquaintance told me, "Christianity is for wimps. It's a crutch for weak people." I can't think of a statement that's further from the truth!

Christianity is costly. It demands the courage to walk away from the world's siren call for physical comfort and financial security. It requires the willingness to face persecution for one's faith. It risks the rejection of family and friends.

This morning I read from Matthew 19:16-21 where someone asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him he ought to sell his earthly belongings, give the money to the poor, and then follow Him, the man turned away. Following Jesus would have cost him financial insecurity and physical comfort, and he was neither ready nor willing to give those up.

I spent yesterday afternoon and evening with a young missionary couple who work in Romania. Their names are Andy and Tresha McKnight, and they minister to children and teenagers who have HIV/AIDS. They've given the past 10 years of their lives to helping these kids who are considered the lepers of modern society in their own country. The work has been physically and emotionally demanding as they've trusted the Lord for finances month after month, watching the cost of living escalate beyond their budget, being separated from their family for months or even years at a time, living in a land where medical care for their own two wee children is minimal at best.

Are they wimps? Au contraire! They're modern-day heroes in my books. They've counted the cost of following Jesus, and they're not looking back.

Those who are willing to count the cost are noticed by God Himself. He's got good things in store for them. Verse 29 says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life."

There's no possible way that Christianity is a religion for those who need a crutch. It's for those who are willing to count the cost, pay the price, and demonstrate the courage necessary to follow Jesus wherever He leads. And for those brave souls, a reward awaits!

Shepherd's Staff -- 2

I just read the comment about yesterday's blog. For anyone not sure about what their "shepherd's staff" might be, I'd say, "Ask the Lord to show you." He wants your active participation in building His kingdom, so He would be delighted to show you how to partner with Him.

For mothers of little ones, their staff might be a child's toy. Their ministry is to their children, to pray for them and raise them as best they can to follow Jesus. Spending time with them, developing relationships with them...that's the task at hand.

For mothers with teenagers, the staff might be a steering wheel. Moms spend a lot of time driving their kids to and from extracurriculars, and some of the best conversations take place in the car. Again, building relationships with the kids is the most important task at hand during that season of life.

This is a great talking point. Send more comments and let's see where it goes!

Rest and Refreshment

My schedule is ramping up as I prepare for Missions Fest Vancouver, Break Forth in Edmonton, and departure for Eastern Europe -- all happening within the next five days. And so, as I read Psalm 23 this morning, I latched onto verses 2-3. Written just for me, I believe!

"He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength."

Beautiful! I envision a grassy field dotted with weeping willows. A stream trickles through the scene, its shores lined with wild flowers in blues, yellows, pinks, and reds. And under the shade of one of those magnificent trees lies a lawn recliner. A little round table sits next to it, topped with a glass of ice-cold lemonade. Aaaahhhh...doesn't that just make you wanna take a deep breath and enjoy the moment? Wouldn't it be great to step from your back porch into this scenario every day?

Unfortunately, life's not like that. Things get busy. Kids cry. Husbands need attention. Houses need cleaning. Phones ring and computers bleep. You know how it goes.

When life gets a little crazy and we get tired, we can cling to the promise in these verses. Personally, I think my green meadow is my living room. Spending time with Jesus there each morning is where my soul finds refreshment. It's where I find my strength. The lawn recliner is actually my leather loveseat. I sip coffee rather than lemonade. The trickling stream is replaced by the gurgling fountain in the corner nearby.

There I sit with my Bible, my journal, and my Best Friend. And there I find rest.

A lot of people ask me how we can maintain the pace we have, especially without getting sick. I have no magical answer for that. I can only say that we spend time regularly with Jesus, and He gives us the strength for the tasks He's assigned. He renews our strength morning by morning.

If you're feeling rushed...maybe even frenzied...today, take a moment to breathe deeply. Sit down for five minutes with a cup of tea or coffee in hand. Sip slowly. Envision Jesus sitting beside you. Relish the moment, and let Him refresh your spirit and body.

What's Your Shepherd's Staff?

It's snowing outside! The ground is already covered with a white blanket, and there's no sign of a let-up. My hubby has to be on the road today -- I'm praying for a safe trip. Roads turn into a sheet of ice quickly here in this type of weather. I'll hunker down and work all day in my office, thankful to be able to stay home.

This morning I read something that I'd read many times before but never really noticed. You know how Moses watched his father-in-law's flocks? His tool for that job was a shepherd's staff (Exod. 4:2). When God gave him the task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt, that staff took on new significance. Verse 20 says Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and headed back to Egypt. "In his hand he carried the staff of God."
Wow -- the simple shepherd's staff became the staff of God!

What would be the equivalent in my life? A pen, perhaps. For years I used a pen to write missionary newsletters and notes of encouragement to friends. Then one day, God gave me my writing assignment. Suddenly the pen became the very tool He chose to use. for an expanded ministry.

I love how God works. He can use whatever He wishes to accomplish His purposes through us. I have a friend who enjoys baking bread. That's the tool she uses to show love to others. Another friend makes pretty notecards. Someone else crochets dishcloths and gives them away as little gifts.

God wants to use us to build His kingdom, and He wants to use what's already in our hand. The simplest tool becomes "the staff of God" when we're willing to obey Him.

What's your staff?

Fear of Inadequacy

I was in Dawson Creek, BC, for a women's conference over the weekend. Flew up there on Friday and was greeted with a blast of cold air (minus 39 degrees Celsius), but warm hearts and hospitality. Fifty precious women attended the meetings -- my prayer is that God will continue the good work He's begun in their hearts.

This morning, back in my little living room, I read about Moses' call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This is the exact passage from which I taught on Saturday morning in Dawson Creek. It so vividly illustrates the fear of inadequacy -- something many of us struggle with.

God had big plans for Moses and for His people. When He gave Moses his divine assignment, Moses' immediate reaction was, "Who, me? You've gotta be kidding. I can't do that." That was true. He couldn't do it. Imagine feeding and providing everything needed for about 3 1/2 million people!

The good news was -- God didn't expect him to do it on his own. He (God) had all the details already figured out. He just needed a man on the ground to do the job. He just wanted Moses to say 'yes' and He'd look after the rest.

I've struggled with the fear of inadequacy, too. The ironic thing is -- when I sensed God nudging me to write a book about the fears that women face, I argued with him for a year. I told Him that doing so was beyond my abilities...I couldn't possibly pull it off....yada yada. Sometimes I'm a little slow upstairs. It took me awhile to figure out that He was giving me an assignment that was too big for me so that I'd have to lean on Him to get it done. That way, I'd experience His sufficiency in a new and more intimate way.

How about you? Do you have a God-given dream in your heart? Have you sensed Him nudging you towards a specific assignment? How have you responded?

It's okay to admit your fear of inadequacy and your dependency upon Him to get the job done. In fact, that's a very healthy place to be. It's exactly where He wants us. When we are cast on Him to complete the task, we'll do it in His way and strength rather than our own. And that's the best way to get it done, right?

An "Aha" Moment

Have you ever had an "aha" moment? You know, a time when something suddenly made sense...something that had perhaps puzzled you until then?

This morning I read about Joseph's "aha" moment and it brought tears to my eyes (Genesis 45:3-9). Imagine how he must have felt when he realized that God Himself had ordained his circumstances in order to fulfill His purposes!

About 20 years had passed since his brothers had thrown him into a pit and then sold him into slavery. Twenty years -- that's a long time to brood and plan revenge. Finally his chance comes to get even, but Joseph refuses to stoop so low. Recognizing God's sovereignty frees him from any hint of bitterness. It allows him to embrace his brothers and rejoice at being reunited with them.


I had an "aha" moment a couple years ago when I looked back over difficult circumstances and suddenly saw God's plan in action. When my husband and I were first married, we lived in Nepal where he worked as a civil engineer. We lived in a mud and rock hut with a thatch roof, no electricity, no running water, and no indoor plumbing. I struggled with isolation and loneliness, culture shock, and language learning. We had our first child while living there, and I had no older women to show me how to care for this new baby. When our second child was born with medical issues that required an immediate return to North America, I struggled with reverse culture shock.

Over the years, I often wondered why God asked us to go through what we did, only to bring us back to NA. And then came the "aha" moment.

Now we're the directors of International Messengers Canada, and one of our roles is to provide member care for our missionaries. At the first IM conference we attended, I was sharing this testimony with our missionary women in Eastern Europe when these words came from my mouth: "And so, ladies, when you struggle with language learning, I know how you feel. When you struggle with loneliness, I understand. When you go back to your countries and struggle with reverse culture shock, I get it!" That's when the light came on in my head. Aha!!

God had a plan. He was sovereign over every detail in our lives. He knew exactly what He was doing when He put us into that overseas situation and then took us back to NA. He was preparing us for a ministry that would begin more than 20 years later.

We don't always get to see God's plan -- in some instances, we'll have to wait until we reach heaven. But whether we experience an "aha" moment here on earth or beyond the pearly gates, we can rest in the knowledge that God has a plan and is in control. Let's allow Him to be God -- in that way, we can respond as Joseph did, free of bitterness and anger.

Need Strength?

Today's reading in Psalms really blessed me. Right now I'm facing a work load that seems 'way too big to complete in the amount of time available before I leave the country again, and frankly, I see my inadequacy. And so, several verses popped off the page this morning.

Psalm 18:29 -- "In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall."
v. 32,33 -- "God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights."
v. 34 -- "He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze."

When we are weak (and willing to admit it), He is strong. No matter what we're facing -- a heavy workload, the pain of prodigal kids, financial insecurity, health issues, whatever -- God is our strength. He enables us to face the demands of life and battles of the soul with victory. Nothing...nothing is beyond His ability. He is fully capable. And as we rest in Him, we are fully able.

Feeling versus Knowing

Amen to the comment about yesterday's post! When Joseph was betrayed by his family and then thrown into prison for being lied about, I wonder how he felt. Did he feel like God was with him? Or did he have to choose to believe it?

Therein lies the challenge for real life, eh? Heaven help us from living life based on our feelings. Sheesh, we can get ourselves into a lot of trouble that way. And we can find ourselves in a pit of despair, too. The enemy just loves to mess with our minds, feeding us lies to discourage us when we're going through tough stuff. We have to fight back by filling our minds with God's truth and choosing to believe it.

When we live according to God's truth, we can overcome all the negatives that the enemy throws our way. And we can flourish in the midst of the challenges. Joseph's life proves that this is possible.

This morning I read more about Joseph's story. Genesis 41:52 says this: "Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, 'God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.'" This really challenged me to think about my response to difficulties.

Could I say that God makes me fruitful in my suffering? Do good things result from my response to hard times? Or do I tend to curl up in a fetal position and wish the world would go away? Do I harbor bitterness? Do I whine about my circumstances and compare my lot to others who never seem to have problems?

I sure hope it's not the latter. I want to learn to embrace difficulties as opportunities to bear fruit, more fruit, and even MORE fruit!

How about you? If you have a story about how God produced fruit through suffering in your life, I'd love for you to tell us about it here.

The Same Lesson -- Take Two

It's been a few days since I posted -- I've been out of town for ministry, and when that happens I don't always have internet access. This will be my greatest challenge when I travel throughout the next few weeks. I wish there was an easy answer to this one. Any suggestions out there?

This morning I read Genesis 39 and was blessed to bits by a phrase that popped up over and over. It's a simple phrase, one that was true about Jacob in the last post. Check it out:

v. 2 -- "The Lord was with Joseph..." (after being sold as a slave to Potiphar)
v. 3 -- "The Lord was with Joseph..."
v. 21 -- "But the Lord was with Joseph there, too..." (in prison after being falsely accused of raping his boss' wife)
v. 23 -- "The Lord was with him..."

Joseph's own siblings sold him into slavery. That must have been a little hard for the teenager to process. And being unjustly thrown into prison would have been another blow to the boy. And yet there's no doubt that God was sovereign in Joseph's life, ruling over the circumstances because He ultimately had a purpose far beyond human understanding.

I LOVE this story! Even when life is difficult, God is with us -- what a tremendous truth to remember and apply to our lives!

When the economy waffles and wavers, God is with us. When our kids get sick, God is with us. When our marriage goes through tough times, God is with us. When a phone call comes and brings bad news, God is with us. When God calls us to get involved in a ministry opportunity beyond our comfort zone, He is with us. What more do we need than God's promised presence? In that reality, we find comfort and hope and courage.

The Word "But" Makes All the Difference

Have you ever noticed how the word but makes a massive difference in how a story ends?

Here are a few fictional examples:
* Megan was going to marry Jim but she changed her mind and married Bob instead.
* Leanna was planning to attend university immediately following high school, but she decided to travel overseas instead.
* Jill felt like spreading a juicy lie about the person who gossiped about her at the office but she chose not to.

This morning I read about Laban's continued deceit towards Jacob. A few chapters ago, he promised his daughter Rachel to Jacob as a wife, but on the wedding night he secretly delivered Leah instead. Later he cheated on a agreement about sheep and goats. He'd not paid fair wages to him even though Jacob had been a faithful employee for 20 years. Jacob had every reason to be ticked off.

One day he tells Rachel and Leah that it's time to leave Laban's territory. He explains his reason for this decision by reminding them of Laban's treachery, and then he says something very insightful: "But the God of my father has been with me" (Gen. 31:5). Even in the midst of being treated so unkindly, Jacob recognizes the sovereignty and presence of God in his life, and he is confident that everything will work out.

This is a great phrase to remember! It makes all the difference in the world. Here's an example:
* "My marriage is falling apart; I don't know what my future holds. But God is with me."
* "I was recently diagnosed with cancer and the thought of chemotherapy terrifies me. But God is with me."
* "My husband just lost his job and our finances are in trouble. But God is with us."

Our circumstances can look grim, but God is with us. The word but changes everything, doesn't it?

"God Moments"

Have you ever had an experience you recognized as a "God moment?" You know, something extraordinary happens and you realize that only God could have orchestrated it. Or a little voice inside you prompts you to speak to someone behind you in the grocery checkout or seated beside you on a plane or bus, and when you obey, you find out, perhaps, that they've recently lost a loved one and needed your word of encouragement/hope.

I've had a few of those experiences. On a recent plane ride, my husband and I were assigned to the last row. A pretty gal in her early 30s sat by the window and I took the middle seat. She sat quietly, looking out the window as the plane taxied toward the runway and took off. Then she closed her eyes and rested for the hour-long flight.

When we landed, I felt a divine nudge to ask if she was coming home from a trip. "No," she replied. "I live out east. I'm here for my cousin's funeral. She was murdered last week."

My heart nearly stopped. "I'm so sorry," I said. My eyes filled with tears as she continued to tell me about the tragedy. As she spoke, I learned that she was a believer and was praying for an opportunity to share God's love and hope with her grieving aunt and uncle. I was able to speak a few words of encouragement to her before we went our separate ways.

Beyond a doubt, that was a "God moment."

I read this morning about Jacob's "God moment" (Genesis 28). He had a dream -- an extraordinary one, to be sure -- in which he saw a stairway to heaven with angels going up and down, and the Lord standing at the top. During that dream, God made several promises to Jacob. When Jacob woke up, he realized that something supernatural had happened. He said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it."

I think Jacob's words reflect one of my greatest fears. Heaven forbid that I wake up to realize I've missed an opportunity to share His love with someone who's hurting, or I've missed hearing His message to me because I was too busy or too preoccupied with other things. May I never say, "Surely the Lord was in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it."

May God plant within us a super-sensitivity to His Spirit so we will be aware of His presence and divine nudges, and be willing to obey.

Rebekah the Cunning

Rebekah may have been gorgeous on the outside, but her inside could have used a makeover. Genesis 27 reads like a soap opera as it tells the tale of her deceit.

First, she plays favorites with her son Jacob, convincing him to lie to his father to receive his brother's blessing. As if her own deceitfulness wasn't enough, she drags her boy into it, too. No "Mother of the Year" award for her!

When brother Esau discovers what's happened, he plots to kill Jacob. Someone catches wind of the plan and reports it to Rebekah, so she tells Jacob that he'd best leave town in a hurry. Rather than tell her husband Isaac the truth about all the trouble she's caused, she hints at Jacob's need to leave by saying he needs a wife, "I'm sick and tired of these Hittite women," she says. "I'd rather die than see Jacob marry one of them."

Goodness....this woman seems to have an issue with integrity. She has a cunning heart, one that's sly and sneaky. The result? Deceit, division, and disappointment within her family.

What a difference between Rebekah and the woman described in Proverbs 31! The heart of her husband trusts in her, and her children stand and bless her.

Rebekah stands on the left. Proverbs 31 lady stands on the right. Which one do I resemble? I hate to admit it, but without Christ in my life, I'm just like Rebekah -- sly and sneaky, trying to control things so they turn out the way I want them to. Playing favorites. Telling lies.

What's the secret to becoming more like Proverbs 31 lady, whose beauty is more than skin deep? Verse 30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised."

There it is -- the fear of the Lord. Respecting Him, honoring Him, obeying Him, giving Him the reverence that He's due. Rebekah slipped up in that department, and her entire family paid the price. May God guard our hearts so true beauty -- His beauty -- shines from within and blesses those around us.

Abe's Attitude

Abraham's life is soooo inspirational to me. He was nowhere near perfect, but his heart, overall, was bent on knowing God.

This morning as I read in Genesis 22, I saw two verses that I've not noticed before. That chapter is about Abraham's infamous test of obedience. He comes through that experience with flying colors. And then he hits a wall. Verse 20 says, "Soon after this, Abraham heard that Milcah, his brother Nahor's wife, had borne Nahor eight sons. Verse 24 says, "In addition to his eight sons from Milcah, Nahor had four other children from his concubine."

Why are these verses included? What's the point anyway? Here's my thought:

Abraham's life had not been an easy one. He'd trusted God when He told him to leave everything familiar and go to a strange country. He'd trusted God for a promised son even though it meant more than 20 years of waiting. He'd taken a detour when he slept with Hagar, and later felt the pain of sending her and Ishmael into the wilderness to keep peace with Sarah. Most recently, Abraham had just come through the most challenging experience of his life, when God asked him to be willing to sacrifice Isaac. His actions had proved his faith in God and marked a huge spiritual victory. And then comes verse 20.

"Soon after this, Abraham heard that Milcah , his brother Nahor's wife, had borne Nahor eight sons." Add the concubine's four kids, and the brother has 12 offspring.

How did Abraham feel when he heard that news? He'd been faithful to God, willing to obey to the nth degree, and yet he had only one son by Sarah. Nahor had eight sons by his his wife. I wonder if Abraham compared his situation with Nahor's and felt a twinge of jealousy. Maybe hearing this news, shortly after his spiritual high, bred some questions: "God, this isn't fair. I've done so much on Your behalf, and yet You've blessed my brother more than me. What's with that?"

It's common to hit a wall after a spiritual victory. Sometimes we hear of someone else's blessings and, with a twinge of jealousy, we compare our situation to theirs. Perhaps our faith journey has been more trying than theirs. It seems as though theirs is a stroll down Easy Street while ours is an ongoing trudge through Deep Valley. One glimpse at their situation tells us that they appear more blessed even though we've gone through tougher stuff. "What's with that? It's not fair, God."

Yes, I wonder how Abraham felt. Scripture doesn't tell us, but I have a hunch that he may have struggled a bit. After all, he was human like me and you. I can identify because I've struggled with comparison, too.

In the end, though, we have to trust that God knows what He's doing. He sees the big picture. He's just and righteous and makes no mistakes.

"God, please keep my (our) eyes on You. Make me aware if I begin comparing my situation with others. Give me a heart that rejoices when others are blessed, and help me trust You for every detail of my life. Amen."

Abe Prayed

Back to Abraham and his relationship with God. Theirs was an intimate one as evidenced in their conversation about Sodom (Genesis 18) "God, You wouldn't destroy the city if You found 50 righteous men there, would You? After all, You're a just God."

"You're right," said God. "I'd save it for their sakes."

Abraham mustered his courage for round #2. "What if You found 45 righteous men?"

"I'd save the whole place for their sake," said God.

"Forty?"

"If I find 40 righteous men, I'll spare the city." And so went the conversation, back and forth, until God agreed to spare the entire city if He could find 10 righteous men.

Verse 27 contains a word that describes Abraham's approach. It's the word bold. The dictionary says this word means, "without fear; daring." Abraham was indeed daring in his prayers. I'm not convinced that he was without fear, however, because the passage sounds like he had to muster his courage before each request. Perhaps he was a little concerned that God might consider him a smart-alek for his approach. I think it was the opposite -- it looks like God rather enjoyed the banter, otherwise He might have ended the conversation in disgust. Regardless, Abraham conversed with God in a way that's possible only between friends.

This story encourages me in my prayer life. It shows me that God enjoys honest communication. He invites me to be daring in my requests and in my approach. That's reinforced in Hebrews 4:16 -- "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."

May we all enjoy such intimate relationship with God that our conversations with Him reflect deep friendship!

Chatter

I'm back after a day away from my office. Spoke at a MOPS group yesterday morning -- had a great time talking with these younger women about how to face the new year with confidence. On a side note, I felt like I was in Grandma Heaven, with all those nursing babies and toddlers in the room. Then I dashed off to a hair appointment -- took a risk and had a few reddish highlights applied. Hmmm. Do I like the look, or don't I?? I returned home, hunkered down in my office to respond to business emails, and then spent the evening with a family of five that's considering volunteering with International Messengers this summer. It was a profitable day.

BTW, I've submitted two book proposals in the past month. I've spent up to 16 hours a day trying to get these done -- sitting in my lazyboy chair rather than at my desk! I discovered that my neck and upper back can withstand a lot more writing time in the chair with my feet up and my computer on my lap rather than sitting at my desk with feet down and elbows up.

The acquisitions committee will meet next Tuesday at Harvest House to select the projects they want to recommend to the publishing committee. That committee will meet on Thursday. If the Lord prompts you, would you please pray that God will direct their thoughts to align with His? I only want to write these books if that's what He wants me to do. Thanks!

Abe Believed God

Abraham believed God's promise (Gen. 15:6). Do I demonstrate the same level of trust?

Take finances, for instance. How often have I heard God's promise to provide our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus? And yet, how often have I felt afraid in money matters? The fear comes from my lack of understanding God's ability to provide, not from His inability to do so. Heaven knows He's more than able.

What about His ability to give me wisdom when I'm faced with decisions about the direction I'm to go? He's promised to direct my steps if I trust in Him (Prov. 3:5,6).

For every issue I face, there's a God-given promise. It's up to me whether or not I choose to believe that promise is true.

Abraham chose to believe, and God was pleased. I want to follow his example. I know it's not always easy, but it's always the best thing to do because God cannot lie. He's faithful. He will fulfill.

How about you? What God-given promise are you choosing to believe even though, humanly, the odds are stacked against you?

A Love Life Like No Other -- part 3

No matter how busy our lives get, our obedience to God is of utmost importance. When He speaks, we must do what He says. The older I get, the more I realize how critical this is.

This morning I read the story of Abraham's obedience -- getting up and moving from the familiar into the unknown simply because God said so. I'll bet that wasn't easy. Actually, I know that wasn't easy for him....you see, we've done it a couple or three times ourselves. Despite the angst that often accompanies such a move, there's a strange sort of peace that goes with it when we recognize that God is the One giving the marching orders, and He's in control of every detail.

Yes, there are certain times when God demands our obedience in the big things. But He also expects obedience in the little things -- like telling the truth, being honest if the grocery clerk give us too much change, refusing to entertain lustful or critical thoughts, and so on. This kind of obedience is do-able no matter how busy our lives get. And it's critical to our spiritual health.

Any insights out there? How has obedience (or lack thereof) impacted your relationship to God?

A Love Life Like No Other -- part 2

Back to the question of how to keep relationship with the Lord as top priority in the midst of a busy life...

Yesterday I mentioned being sensitive to the Lord's voice. In my case, I've been learning to listen to the message He's giving me through the praise songs that are in my mind when I wake up. Without fail, the lyrics focus my thoughts on Him and one or more of His attributes.

This morning as I prayed, several songs entered my mind, one after the other. Each one focused on the name of Jesus: "Jesus is the sweetest name I know...," "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus....there's just something about that name...," and "Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord...." It was amazing, really, how one song ended and the next began without me consciously directing my thoughts.

It was such a sweet experience, and it reminded me that relationship with Jesus supersedes all else in importance. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus -- there's no other like Him. When that realtionship is in order, all else falls into place.

A Love Life Like No Other

I think I'll stretch this topic over a few days because there's so much to it.

My friend Oce commented yesterday about the need to proceed into ministry opportunities with peace. I so agree. It's 'way too easy to assume that we need to accept every op that comes along, when in reality, that's not always the case. Also, we don't have to accept invitations immediately -- rather, we need to take time to listen to God's voice before saying yes. If we can do so with peace, then great! Move ahead. If there's an uneasiness, then say no. Sometimes "doing" ministry can actually get in the way of our relationship with the Lord, and proceeding without Him is a sure-fire way for that to happen.

Here's something that I've found interesting in the past week. I often wake up with a praise song running through my head. It never dawned on me until a few days ago that this could be the Lord Himself speaking to me, using the song as His instrument. Maybe I'm a bit slow to catch on. You see, He's ministered to me many times through music, but those times have always been when I've been awake. This is different - the songs are already playing in my head when I wake up.

This morning I woke to the Newsboys' "Amazing Love" -- aka "You are My King." Rather than brushing it off as simply a nice song, I considered it God's way of speaking to me. I made a cup of tea, took my Bible and journal to my favorite spot in my living room, and spent a few quiet moments savoring the message in the lyrics, "Amazing love, how can it be, that You my King should die for me?" What a great way to start my day, being reminded by God Himself that He loves me and wants relationship with me!

Now that I'm aware of Him speaking through these early morning songs, I make a point of being quiet so I can hear them and understand what He's trying to tell me.

How about you? Have you had a similar experience with a song?

What Matters Most?

The beginning of a new year is a good time to ponder what really matters. Life gets so busy that it's easy to be distracted and miss the mark. That's not the way I want to live, and you probably feel the same way.

This morning I read about Enoch -- the guy lived to be 365 years old. Genesis 5 gives him more attention than the other fellows listed before him, but still, it says only two things: he had a son named Methuselah when he was 65 years old, and he had a vibrant relationship with God.

It's interesting that the last fact is mentioned not just once, but twice. Enoch had close fellowship with God (v.22) and he enjoyed a close relationship with God all his life (v. 24). Oh yeah, there's one more thing: he suddenly disappeared because God took him.

The Bible could have listed Enoch's accomplishments and adventures, but it doesn't. It simply stresses the fact that he enjoyed a close walk with God.

As I look into the upcoming months, I must admit that I feel a little anxious at times. The life of a writer/speaker isn't as glamorous as it may appear on the surface -- there's lots of behind-the-scenes hard work and sweat. And judging by what's on my plate, I'll be sweating more than a little. But the bottom line is this -- the quality of my walk with God.

That relationship must come first. That means carving out time for Him when I'm fresh and alert, not giving Him the leftovers when I'm too tired to recognize His voice. It means saying no to some activities so I'm available for what He wants me to do. It means being willing to do whatever He asks even if it seems illogical or too time-consuming at the moment. If that relationship is in order, the rest of my life will be in order, too.

I'm not going to live to be 365 years old like Enoch. I'll have 80 or 90 years on earth, maybe. What will people say about me when I'm gone? Will they say, "She had close fellowship with God?" I hope so.

Tomorrow I'll blog about how I maintain fellowship with God in the midst of a very busy ministry. I'd love to hear your thoughts -- struggles and secrets -- on this topic.

A Cover-up

I read today in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve sinned against God. Verse 7 stood out to me: "...they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves" after they'd eaten from the forbidden fruit.

Fig leaves around the hips, eh? I can almost see the couple cowering in an orchard, trying desperately to string the greenery before God shows up for their daily walk in the park. Their hands are shaking and sweat beads are forming on the foreheads. They know they've done wrong, and they know their actions have built a wall between themselves and God. And so they try to cover up, to pretend that everything's okay. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

God walks onto the scene knowing full well what His kids had been up to. He speaks with them to make sure they understand the seriousness of disobeying Him, He levies the consequences for what they've done, and then...I love this part...He provides a cover-up for them.

Big difference between the first and second cover-ups!

The first is flimsy, inadequate, and manmade. The second is crafted by God's hands and covers the nakedness completely. More importantly, it's made from animal skins, which require a blood sacrifice. This cover-up is sufficient.

How many times do we sin, and then try to set things right on our own? We string fig leaves together -- using flimsy excuses to cover our tracks -- but our feeble attempts don't work. God knows what we've done, and, because He loves us and wants nothing to interfere with our fellowship with Him, He has provided the perfect cover-up for us.

Like the animal skins that covered Adam and Eve, this one covers us. It, too, required a blood sacrifice -- the blood of Jesus Christ. And it's sufficient. Nothing else is needed -- just our willingness to accept the gift of God's cover-up for us.

What an amazing proof of God's love for us!

The Secret to a Fruitful Life

Thursday, January 1

As the new year dawns, I'm filled with a sense of anticipation about what God wants to do in and through my life in 2009. While I don't know the details, I'm confident that He wants me to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Him and to bear fruit that will last for eternity. And so, as I opened my Bible this morning, I asked God to bring this to pass.

Typically I use the One Year Bible in the New Living Translation for my devotions. This morning, I read Psalm 1, and its words seemed to leap off the page.

"Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." (vv. 2,3)

What's the secret to having a fruitful life? One of the major keys is obedience. When God has a plan and asks me to participate, I need to say yes. And I need to do so with delight.

I think of a teenager being asked by his mom to take out the trash. He can respond in either of two ways. He could whine and moan and complain -- "Aw, Mom, do I have to?" or he could say, "Sure, Mom. No problem. I'll get right to it" and obey cheerfully. Which response brings greatest joy to his mother? The latter, of course.

And so it is with God's children. When He gives us a task, we need to say yes with a cheerful heart -- even if we don't understand why He's asking us to do a certain thing. By doing so, we show Him respect. We demonstrate our love for Him, and He is pleased.

The other key, I believe, is filling our minds with God's Word. When we do that, we begin thinking His thoughts and valuing the same things He values. That will transform our behavior, and that will impact the world around us for Jesus Christ.

The natural result of living life with God's values in mind is fruitful living. It's not something we have strive for, it just happens when we're walking in obedience to His will and thinking His thoughts.

That's the kind of life I want! How about you?

"Lord, grant us hearts that take delight in obeying You even if Your directives seem difficult or hard to understand. Give us the strength to train our minds on You so that we will begin to think as You do. And give us the privilege of bearing fruit without fail. We love you. Amen."

Welcome to my new blog

Here I sit on New Year's Day. The snow is falling outside -- it's the kind of day that makes me want to hunker inside. And so, that's what I'll do!

A couple of months ago I felt as though the Lord was nudging me to start blogging regularly. Granted, I've done it for my travels, but this one would be for a different purpose. I sensed Him telling me to use it for journaling my spiritual journey. To share what I read in my devotions. To pass along inspirational quotes and nuggets from the books I read. To make it a tool for others to use for encouragement in their own spiritual journey. To use it to help others connect the dots between God's Word and real life.

And so, I agreed. I'll admit I feel a little anxious about blogging regularly. What if I have trouble keeping it up? But I go back to the fact that, if God is nudging me to do this, He'll enable me to get it done.

Join me in this venture! I'll share my heart with you, and I invite you to do the same by sending your comments. I look forward to hearing from you.

The blog will be located at this site for a short while as my website undergoes a facelift. When that task is complete, the blog will move there for easier access. I'll let you know when that happens.

Happy New Year!