Be A Sheep!

I was a sheep yesterday.

I didn’t plan to be a sheep. After a particularly long work day, I planned to put my feet up, zone out a little on Facebook, and maybe get to bed early in preparation for a big event the next night.

But a tiny sentence on Facebook set in motion other plans. A friend asking for prayer indicated she was down, at “rock bottom.” Struggles that had been increasing in the past year now threatened to sink her.

What's Good About Good Friday?

The following passage from Isaiah 53 paints a picture of the "Suffering Savior." Written 600 years before Jesus the Savior faced that ungrateful crowd and was condemned to die a criminal's death, the prophet Isaiah penned these words:

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Is. 53:3-5)

Yet was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand….
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, ... because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Is. 53:10-12)

As Christians, we are aware that on the cross Jesus, who knew no sin, bore our sins (iniquities) allowing us to be forgiven and to have fellowship with God restored.

But have you noticed that He also bore our sorrows? In verse 4, we see that He bore our griefs and our sorrows. What a comfort to know that when we cannot bear our sorrows, He has borne them for us. We can surrender our pain, our suffering, our sadness, our despair to His loving presence. There is nothing too tough, too hard, too depressing, too painful for Him.

And in verse 11, we see that after His suffering, He was satisfied! Satisfied!! How amazing is that! He didn't curse those who caused His pain. No, He came out the other side victorious, and that is what is so good about Good Friday. His victory becomes our victory when we trust in the One who bore our penalty and our sorrows.

Christ died for us while we were still sinners, long before we ever repented or asked for forgiveness. He died for those still screaming, "Crucify him!" and He prayed "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." But it seems to me that they did know what they were doing, didn't they? They were calling for His death. What they did not know was WHO they were doing it to, and WHAT His death would accomplish for them.

Is there someone in your life causing you pain? Consider this - that person is giving you an opportunity to develop Christ-likeness that you would not have otherwise.

If we can see the offensive person in our life as Jesus does, and if we can forgive them as He did, we will be freed from the bondage of resentment and bitterness and will become a little more like Jesus. And to think that painful person is giving us such a sweet opportunity!

If your day today is dark and difficult, like that Friday 2000 years ago, remember it's temporary, whether it seems it or not. A seed buried in the darkness of soil is transforming, growing, softening, breaking its tough outer husk, and at the right time will burst forth gloriously into the light. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied... And so my dear friend will you! 

May that encourage you today and in the days to come. 

Cutting away the good....

Colorado had unquenchable fires then uncontrollable floods.

In New Jersey, the reverse.

The flood from last year's record-breaking "super storm" "perfect storm" Sandy left the Jersey shore, particularly the Seaside areas, reeling.

Then this week, a destructive fire on the Seaside boardwalk, newly restored after the devastating flood, caused the loss of 68 businesses and close to $2 million in damage.

I'm no expert in firefighting, but news reports of both the Colorado and New Jersey fires reported a similar strategy. In Colorado, intentional boundary fires were set to control the path of the blaze and limit the destruction. 

In New Jersey, a section of the boardwalk was cut out creating a gap to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading:

In normal circumstances, setting a fire or cutting the boardwalk would be criminal. But in these situations, the experts knew it was necessary to destroy something good in order to prevent further widespread destruction.

Jesus had something to say about cutting away something good for the better. 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1-2

Did you catch that? Every branch that DOES bear fruit, He prunes. Why? So that it can be even more fruitful. 

Hanging in my office, I have what once was a lovely lush philodendren that is now stringy and sparse. My neglect allowed it to grow longer and longer. Had I trimmed it, it'd be much fuller. So recently I lopped off some perfectly good branches to stimulate new growth.  

In my garden, I have to cut away seemingly perfectly good branches because they become "suckers." If left to grow, they will draw precious fruit or flower-bearing energy away from the rest of the plant. 

Now if the boardwalk planks could talk, I'm sure they'd be screaming when the firefighters took their axes to them. The Colorado boundary trees might argue that the fire is over there, don't torch us! Or my plants would weep when I approached with my scissors. 

In life, sometimes we have to choose to eliminate some seemingly perfect activities or opportunities. And sometimes, God the Gardner removes them for us. Why? Because He loves us. Because He doesn't neglect us. Because He knows what's best for us. 

When such situations occur, we must remember that despite the pain of loss, it's for our own protection or fruitfulness. We can trust the Master Gardener to prune at the right time, using the right tools, removing the right branches, for the right purpose. 

Have you been pruned? How can I pray for you, beloved? 

If It's Possible....

Illustrated Wall Art by Mandipidy
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105657216/live-peaceably-with-all-romans-1218

If I'm honest, I have to admit it. It's not easy to always live at peace with everyone. People can be foolish, angry, bossy, hostile, offensive, stuck-up, needy. Some people push our buttons. Sometimes it's deliberate. Other times it's unintentional.

The to-do list of behavioral mandates the Apostle Paul gives us in Romans 12 seems daunting:

     v. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

     v. 14 Bless those who persecute you

     v. 19 Do not take revenge

     v. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

But tucked within these verses is a beautiful sentence that qualifies the rest. Click here for my post about Romans 12:18 and the possibilities for peace-filled relationships it brings.
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Dark Shadows vs. Blinded By The Light

First take - Dark Shadows

Take 2 - Blinded By The Light

At Yankee Stadium last week, my hubby wanted a photo to share on facebook. I offered to take it, but he wanted me in it. That was the last thing I wanted as I sat in the drizzle, sensing my hair frizzle.Grumbling, I  asked a man seated nearby to take our picture. With some consternation of his own, he snapped the photo on the left.

As the shutter snapped, another man rushed over, practically leaping over fans seated in the row. "Wait! Let ME take your picture!!"

He grabbed my iPhone and showed us the picture just taken. "Will anyone know where you are?" he asked.

"Ummm, it does show the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters. There on the left."

"Oh...... Humph....Well, that's not what I was talking about. Go back there and let me take your picture. I'm a professional photographer."

Really? Is that what I need? A professional photographer for a facebook photo? A photo I am only begrudingly agreeing to?

Not to be rude, we returned to our spots in front of the railing, forced a smile, and snap!

Mr. Photographer handed me back my phone and strode away up the stairs, never to be seen again.

One look at the picture he took told us he indeed was a pro. Not only did he get the Yankee emblem behind home plate (his intention), he also captured us swathed in light. And what a difference that made.

Tony and I stood in the same place for both pictures. The difference was the direction we were looking.

Same truth applies to life.

No matter our situation (where we are), we choose what direction to focus on. We can lurk in the shadows of self-pity, complaints, judgmental attitudes, discouragement, need I go on? Or we can face the Light. Seek Him in His Word, in the fellowship of believers, in praise and worship, in serving Him. The choice is ours.

What will you choose today? 

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5


For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Eph. 5:8


For times when it seems that there is no light to be found, read "When The Son Don't Shine." 

But I'm Not A Morning Person!

I am not a morning person. I used to be a night owl. But age, kids, and work schedules have changed that for me. Now, you might say I’m strictly an afternoon person.

So when my friend Diane suggested a “ladies bike ride” at 7 am on a Saturday morning - at the shore - an hour away, I was secretly ambivalent. The fellowship sounded awesome, but the early morning hour, well let’s just say, I’m not a morning person. Despite my reservations, I agreed to go. And because I had a bike rack, I was committed.

The night before the ride, I had terrible trouble sleeping. When I finally fell asleep at 4 am, I dreamt that one of the girls cancelled the bike ride. Waves of relief flooded my subconscious REM sleep. When the alarm went off in the predawn darkness, my disappointment was palpable. You mean it was only a dream??? With great reluctance, I lethargically rose, got ready, and headed out. If it wasn’t for that darn bike rack commitment, I think I would have backed out. Have I mentioned that I am just not a morning person? Oy!

Six of us met at the rendezvous point, loaded up our bikes, and headed down the highway. Little by little, my morning brain fog began to dissolve.

We set out on our bikes heading north. A spectacularly glorious day. With the ocean to our right, the bay to our left, the refreshing wind in our faces, and nonstop laughter abounding. 

And I thought - I might have missed it all.

It’s not just the morning hour. I almost let my feelings dictate my actions. It sure wouldn’t have been the first time that happened. So often, I don’t feel like reading the Word OR making that phone call OR going to the homeless ministry OR preparing a Bible lesson OR writing that encouraging card OR going on that health walk OR a host of other things that turn out to be amazing blessings when I do follow through. 

And yet I justify my actions - or lack thereof -

- But I'm just not a morning person.

- But I'm just not organized.

- But my temperament is _______ (fill in the blank.)

- But I don't have time. 

- But I'm afraid. 

I recently saw this on facebook: 

"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say." Martin Luther

I'll add to that - you and I are not only responsible for what we do, but also for what we do not do. 

Paul struggled with this issue - "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, the the evil I do not want to do -this I keep on doing." Rom 7:19-20 

Thankfully he went on to say "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1 Oh joy! 


But I want more than to be free from God's condemnation. I want to be obedient. I want to be centered in His will. I want to invest my "talent", not bury it. (Matt. 25:14-30) I want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant." I want to experience the rewards of obedience, sensing His peace and His pleasure in my actions. 


If Jesus could endure the cross for the joy that awaited Him (Heb. 12:2), can't I even roll out of bed for the joy that awaits me? 

Though it may be cliche now, it's still true. Nike's slogan "Just Do It!" is echoed in the letter to the Hebrews (Message version):


"... we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Heb 12:1-3 MSG


One act of obedience paves the way for the next. Each time we obey, we make it easier for the next time. So friends, can we all "Just Do It!" 

Separation Anxiety

In a parking lot near my office, I spotted the cutest family parade: four little goslings marching single file, Mother and Father Goose in front and rear, on their way to a nearby stream. 

Unfortunately, one little fella wound up on the wrong side of the fence. Hearing his family on the river side, he franticly scuttled along the barrier. A mere one foot high, for the little bird the fence might as well have been Alcatraz. 

you can spot his little head all the way to the left

Nearby, Mother Goose hovered and honked loudly to Junior who desperately waddled back and forth along the divider. At one point, he tried with all his pathetic little might to fly over the divider. Jumping and flailing his weak downy wings, he failed to launch more than an inch off the ground. And then I saw it. Several feet away, the rugged wooden beam arched upward, just a few inches, but surely high enough for Junior to scurry under. Now how to steer him there without causing him a coronary? 

I approached the drama with tiny steps in his direction, whispering words of encouragement. Mother Goose shrieked and wildly spread her wings, and I trembled, most grateful for my sunglasses protection should she attack. Then inexplicably her demeanor changed. Innately, I think she realized I was not a threat. She eyed me, but stayed silent and motionless until Junior finally found his way under the fence, and the reunited family sailed away.

 

Seems like a perfect belated Mother’s Day story.

Here was a mother striving in her own strength to guide her little prodigal in the way he should go, only to release control to one with greater vision. May we, like she, guide our brood, protect them as we are able, but ultimately trust their care to the One with greater vision. May we realize that He came to show us the way, speaking and guiding us gently with His still, small voice. 

Happy Belated Mother's Day! 

seen last week at my Hallmark store:

Here’s to good women-

- May we Know them

- May we Be them

- May we Raise them

^{Psalm 138 (Amp)}
I will confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart;
...
In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength in my inner self.
...
they shall sing of the ways of the Lord and joyfully celebrate His mighty acts, for great is the glory of the Lord.
...
For though the Lord is high, yet has He respect to the lowly [bringing them into fellowship with Him]; 
...
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me...

You're Invited!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItcURbkjXOA

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Dying You destroyed our death

Rising You restored our life

Lord Jesus, come in glory

Lord, we remember You

And remembrance leads us to worship

And as we worship You

Our worship leads to communion

We respond to Your invitation

How will we respond to His invitation?
Dear friend, how will you respond to His invitation?

Gift of Healing

Thanks again to my dear friend Cheri Bunch for sharing this story of love, loss, and new life.

 There really wasn't much of a relationship between us anymore. We had to see each other once in awhile but it wasn't ever because we wanted to. We are family and we share mutual love for other members in the family.

Holidays were extremely difficult for us. Especially Christmas. This loved one, so to speak, did not ever like what I purchased for her. She was very vocal about her disapproval and if she did like it she refused to say so. It was a member of the family who was highly esteemed by others and it would be dreadful if I didn't purchase anything for her.

Truth is, I didn't purchase anything for her for a few Christmases. I got weary of trying to please and I decided that there were others out in the world that were in need and want of gifts. I would carefully spend my time and energy, that I would have spent shopping for her, on those who would appreciate my efforts. After all, Paul instructed us not to give under compulsion. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NASV)

One Christmas I felt like the Lord wanted me to get a gift for her. I bucked at the whole idea for awhile explaining to Him all the reasons that it really wasn't necessary. He disagreed with me, I could feel His disapproval. I began to plead with Him to show me what I could possibly do to bless this person.

He was faithful and I acquired a splendid idea.

I asked each one of my children to write special memories they had of this person. All five of my children wrote some really special memories down about times they had spent in her home, vacations when she had joined us, and stories she had shared with them over the years. Tears ran down my face as I read them. I was so moved by how much this person had meant to my family. They loved her so much. I was blessed by all the ways they shared about how she had blessed their lives.

Their stories inspired me to write my own testimony of special times I had shared with her in the past. I asked my husband to share his thoughts as well. I compiled each child's story and ours into individual red or green folders. I alternated them when I stacked them up and tied them together with a beautiful Christmas bow. They were beautiful inside and out.

I received a beautiful thank you note the week after Christmas. She loved the gift, calling it thoughtful. She mentioned that she was blessed that I had put so much effort into my giving. It was the most inexpensive gift I had ever given her, but it pleased her the most.

That Christmas a healing began to take place in our relationship. We are a much happier family these days as a result. I began to pray diligently for this dear loved one. Over time our hearts have softened toward one another. The Lord certainly knew what He was talking about! He had a gift in mind that would heal both of our hearts.

"Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share ..." 1 Timothy 6:18

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Surrender is Freedom

On Independence Day, there’s a lot of talk about freedom and liberty. Thankfully, we do not live under the bondage that is found in some other countries. But all too often, we live in bondage to fear, pride, depression, anger. We may not have control over these areas of our lives. The answer is surrender.

In Bible times, slavery was common. Slaves had no freedom, but when offered freedom, some chose to live surrendered to their Master, for life with a kind Master was superior to freedom outside that home. These surrendered slaves were called "bond-slaves." The Apostle Paul often referred to himself as a bond-slave of Jesus Christ.
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While unjustly imprisoned, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippian church. In it, he says that due to his being in chains, the gospel was shared with entire palace guard. He sees that his lack of freedom had a greater purpose. He was surrendered.
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From Paul’s letter to the Philippians we can discern his answers to the bondages I mentioned above:

You will not have to worry
Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

You will not feel the need to be in charge
Phil 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

You will experience true joy
Phil: 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

You will be free from anger
Phil 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

The Christian life is a paradox in many ways-
-When we are weak, we are strong
-The first shall be last
-You must lose your life to find it
-To live forever, you must die to yourself

And...
-True freedom means surrender to the One who owns you

Happy Independence Day to you.

May you experience true freedom in surrender to the King of Kings!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Susan