Solar Power

Mirrors....reflectors of light.  We are told to think of ourselves as mirrors that reflect the light of Jesus.  But what happens to a mirror when it is placed in a dark corner?  Absolutely nothing.  You can no longer see that it even exists unless and until a light is shined on it.
I was thinking about this as I read Philippians 2:15.  So many thoughts went through my mind, I had to stop, take a breath and do a minute of research to make sure the thoughts were coming from God and not my flesh.
Here is what the verse says, though I am going back a verse to make it more clear:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. {NASV}
Here's the thing.  At the time of the Bible being written, a mirror was their best analogy in regards to reflecting God's light.
 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Today we have a better one - solar powered lights.  These amazing things are powered by a battery that absorbs the sun's rays and then converts it into energy for the light itself.
This is much better than the mirror analogy, because of what happens to a mirror when it is placed in a dark corner.  It can no longer reflect light, so it remains dark. A solar powered light will absorb the light, then reflect it back out even in the darkest of places, because it is powered by the light it absorbed. It has transformed the light into power.
Many a Christian is like the mirror.  As long as they remain in God's Son light, they are great reflectors.  But the moment any darkness creeps upon them, they can no longer shine.  They only know how to reflect.  But the Christian who takes time to sit at Jesus' feet and absorb His words into their very being becomes empowered by His light.  Our minds become transformers for His glory and when the darkness comes, we are ready to shine.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Another really great thing to think about is that when many Christians who choose to be transformers rather than simple reflectors band together, the Light they pour forth can eradicate the darkness.  This is what we are called to do.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:23-25
 ( NIV)
Mirrors cannot absorb and so when the light is gone, not only is the reflection forgotten, but so is the mirror for a time, until it is needed again.  Oh that we would all chose transformation over reflection!

 
 

On Running

....and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...Hebrews 12:1b NAS

...And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, NIV

...and let us run with patience this race that is set for us. ABPE

Yesterday I babysat for my neighbor's 3 month old daughter.  She is a breastfed baby, which I personally think is awesome, but presents a problem when the child refuses to take a bottle and Mom must work.  As I held her she was angry for two reasons; she was hungry and she didn't want that bottle!!  At least she didn't think she did.  She had to make a choice: eat what she was given or be hungry.  I held her close, whispered to her that she could do this, kissed her forehead and prayed, the whole time holding that bottle securely in her mouth.  Just before she latched on and started to drink these words floated gently through my mind: "You have to do what's best for them." I knew that voice so well!! The Father was speaking to my heart and I responded with repentance.  I told Him that we, His children, are just like the baby.  We want one thing, but He knows there is something we need more that is better.  He holds on to us as we kick and scream, but out of his great love for us, he keeps the bottle in our mouth.  We must choose.  Do we keep on screaming and refuse to eat, or do we gratefully latch on and become filled?  What does all this have to do with running the "race set before us?"  Read on...

Everyone has their own personal race to be run before almighty God.  As a parent and grandparent who adores children, I have difficulty watching others struggle in their race.  I tend to want to jump in and run it for them.  When one of my daughters-in-law was in labor for the first time (I was blessed to be able to be in the birthing room with all three of the grandchildren she bore us) she cried out, "I can't do this!" I took her hand and looked her in the eye and said, "If I could, I would do this for you, but I can't.  You CAN do this and you will."  I meant those words 100%.  We hate to see those we love hurting!  But if I could have and did take over for her, she would never have experienced that overwhelming joy of giving birth.  I would have robbed her of that amazingly awesome experience and she may have not wanted to give us the other two!!  It was best for her to do the birthing.  

When we see our children struggling as they get older, it is hard not to step in and take over.  We know what to do, because we have been there, done that.  We have to stop and think about how we would NOT know what to do if we hadn't gone through it and then allow them to make their own mistakes.  We can give advice, which may be accepted or rejected, but we must not run their race for them.  In so doing, we may be screamed at, lied about and even told we are hated, but as long as we keep assuring them of our love and that they CAN make it through this whatever it may be, when they DO get through it, they will be grateful, stronger and more knowledgeable for it.

Being a parent and grandparent is wonderful, amazing and joy giving.  It is also heartbreaking at times, because we see mistakes being made and want to "fix them" or prevent them if possible.  We must remember that they have a race before God they must run, as do we.  If we try to run their race for them, not only are we robbing them of completing their race, but we keep ourselves from running our own.    "You have to do what's best for them."  How God's heart must ache for us.  He has EVERY answer.  He has given us those answers in His word; His "advice" to us in the form of commands for living.  He gave us promises to go with those words, yet we want to run our race our own way, so we get off track and end up taking the "long way round."  

I have made many mistakes as a parent.  We all do.  I can either sit around bemoaning the fact, or learn from it.  Learning from it makes me a better grandparent, but still not perfect.  One day I may be a great grandparent.  Perhaps by then I will be better.  Actually, by then I will most likely be unable to even try to run someone else's race for them.  And that will be a blessing.  

Being Dead (an oxymoron)

I am dead.
I have to keep reminding myself of that.  If I don't, I begin to feel sorry for myself.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NLT
 Living in Christ is the only way that leads to true happiness.  
A few days ago it hit me that in complaining about how tired I am and how I have so many things to do I am making an accusation against God.  So I reminded myself - I am dead.  Then I told God I was sorry for being selfish and told Him, "Thank You for giving me a body that at 58 can still do the work You have assigned.  Thank You that my mind is still alert and thinks clearly.  Thank You for work to do, because otherwise You would be finished with me and I would be useless."
Today I read this: Whatsoever is good for God's children they shall have it; for all is theirs to help them towards heaven; therefore if poverty be good they shall have it; if disgrace or crosses be good they shall have them; for all is ours to promote our greatest prosperity. - Richard Sibbes.  Afterwards, those three short words "I am dead" came to mind again and I was refreshed.  Being dead allows me to forgive those who would misconstrue my words or actions and turn them into a lie.  Being dead allows me the freedom to become a new creature in Christ Jesus.  Being dead allows me to love with unconditional love, because my personal feelings no longer matter.  In other words, being dead allows Christ to live in me. When others wish me dead, I can smile, because their wish has been granted.  
Being dead in Christ is what we are.  Our flesh hungers for regeneration and tries to achieve it on its own through works.  We must continue to remind ourselves that we are dead and unable to resurrect ourselves, but Christ in us will do it for us at His return.  God is love and love is patient.  Let us live in Him and remain patient for His work to be completed in us on that great and glorious day when heaven and earth will become new and become one and we are given back our bodies in perfect form to live in perfect unity with each other and with God.

Security Squeals

Life, in general, seems scary.  As we walk along our path, we come to sharp turns and forks and become fearful that if we turn the corner we will be met by a tiger, or if we take the wrong road at the fork, we may be decimated. We need to remember to be like little children.

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 NIV

The first time I played hide and seek with any of my children and now grandchildren they would tiptoe around looking for me in fear that a boogeyman would jump out and get them unless they found me first.  Once they realized it would always be me at the end of the seeking and that if they couldn't find me then I would find them, they quit being fearful and joined in the hunt with glee. 
This was brought to my mind as I studied this morning.

I haven't written in quite a while, not because God was being silent, nor because I wasn't seeking more of Him, but because sometimes life becomes so entangled that God lays it on my heart to take time off and just be quiet with Him. I need those times, as we all do, to simply be still, be held and know that He alone is God. Today He laid it in my heart to take up computer and write again.

The people who know their God will display strength and take action.  Daniel 11:32 NASV

I have been dealing with physical pain in my hands, feet, outside left leg, lower back and shoulders for a while now, ever since my son-in-law, whom I have loved as a birth son for almost twenty years now, decided he wants a divorce.  This was quite a shock to my system and allowed fibromyalgia to find a weak spot to manifest itself.  I am not blaming him.  It is weakness in myself that allowed it.  I let fear take hold of my heart; fear of other loved ones reactions, fear for my daughter and their 4 children and the grief of loss.  I am now returning to that childlike faith that reminds me it will be Father God I find waiting just around the corner and in the fork of the road regardless which path I take.  He always goes before me and encompasses me to protect me when I let Him. 

Yesterday I was playing with our youngest grandson, who is twenty months old now.  All at once I ran off and hid.  We have played this game many a time now, so he no longer has any fear of it at all.  I called out for him to come find me.  He squealed and took off running to do so.  When he found me, even though I yelled "boo!" he simply grinned and ran to hug me, then asked, "More?"  So we did it again...and again....and again.  He knows that I will be there and will keep him from harm.

This morning, as I contemplated how divorce is indeed worse than the death of a loved one, because the scab of healing keeps getting pulled off over and over again to refresh the wound, and how I would possibly never again hear "Hi, Mom," and gain a hug from this one I hold dear, God reminded me of this simple game of hide and seek yesterday.  He whispered to me that I needed to trust Him.  He will be around every corner as well as walking with me everywhere I go.  I need to remember that squeal of delight as my little grandson runs to find me and do the same as I seek His will in my life.
I will rise up and take action and hopefully do so with glee. Then perhaps I will get to hear God speak to my heart the words Daniel heard in Daniel 12:13

"But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age."

In Jesus' Name

Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 ASV

I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free. Matthew 18:18 GWT

These are words spoken by Jesus Himself.  That means they are of utmost importance and we need to truly understand just what He is saying.  I don't think we really do, however.  I'm certain there are some who have come to understand more fully than others, but I am just as certain that more have NOT than have.
Jesus also spoke the words, "Whatever you ask in my name, that I will do..." John 14:13a NASB] What did we do with that?  We made it a ceremony where we actually speak the words, "I ask this in Jesus' name...."  We don't even stop to think about it anymore.  We can actually be offering a prayer of thanksgiving and still end it this way, when in actuality we have asked nothing.  The truth of the matter is, if we are praying according to the Word of God and walking in His Spirit, then we ARE praying in His name.  We in Him and Him in us, just as He asked of the Father in John 17.
In the same manner, we have made it a ceremony that we must actually say the words, "I bind," or "We bind," before anything is bound here on earth and "I loose," or "We loose," in order for anything be loosed.  However, I have come to recently understand that I bind and loose things on a daily basis without even thinking about it.  
Children are especially susceptible to binding and loosing.  When we tell a child they are pretty are handsome we are loosing them to believe themselves as such.  If we tell them too often, they can become conceited and we have turned what should have been loosing into a binding.  The same with negative words.  When we tell a child they are lazy or worthless, they come to believe it and we have bound them to this type of lifestyle.  
Adults are not invincible to this.  We call neighbors worthless or thieves, and while it may seem to be true, when we speak it, we are binding them in our mind's eye in such a way as to keep us from seeing their worth.  Odds are, they heard the same things from someone as a child and so are now living that lifestyle.  We must begin to see people as Father God does....infants.  When we look at an infant we see nothing but innocence.  And that is my AHA moment of thought.  Does that mean we trust everyone?  Not at all.  It simply means we love them.  True love not only casts out fear, it accepts people where they are and desires to see good happen in their lives.  In order for that to take place, we must stop binding them with words of hatred and disdain and begin praying for them....in Jesus' name!!

Whatever Forever

On March 19^th our church family had our Easter Eggstravaganza. We went to our four satellite churches and the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home and had a giant celebration with them. These are considered underprivileged families and children, so we enjoy sharing with them food, fun and fellowship.

We have done this for two years and are already planning for next year. This verse is what helped me get out of bed on a very chilly 34 degree morning during what was still considered winter to go play outside for five hours. It warmed into the forties by the time we closed shop, but the wind was still nippy. However, I was privileged to teach the Bible lesson to the little children up through second grade, so needless to say, I was ecstatic.

I love doing these kinds of events. I enjoy playing and speaking with the children mostly, as that is where God has called and placed me, but this year something happened. I was in the middle of reading a fictitious book called Quaker Summer. I had only read a couple of chapters by the time “EGG” came around, so had yet to see what God was in the process of teaching me in those moments. After all was said and done, I delved into the book to finish before I had to return it to the library.

The story is about a middle aged woman who is in a spiritual crisis and doesn’t understand what it is God is trying to tell her. She comes upon a mission for the homeless and/or drug addicts, etc. quite by accident and fears for her and her husband’s lives, yet somehow feels drawn to return. A nun is running the mission and she is quite the personality, to say the least, but you can’t help but fall in love with the woman’s character. Our heroine returns one day and has a talk with the sister running it and is told (to make a fairly long story short) that she needs to look at people as being Jesus. (Matthew 25:40)

My spiritual eyes did a double take at this point. My thoughts: Okay God, You are getting ready to lay something on my heart. I need to be prepared. What is it?

After a couple more chapters I knew where I had gone wrong in the past. I tend to only see the positive side of things, so it was quite an eye opener for me. When I do good things for people, like “EGG,” I am doing them to Jesus, BUT (and this to me was a REALLY huge but) when I do something like gossip about someone, say something in anger to someone, call someone stupid or lazy, and all the other negative things a person might do to others, I am doing them to Jesus as well. This is something I knew, but hadn’t taken to heart. Now I have and pray it pops into my head every time I start to become angry out of having my feelings hurt.

Whatever is a very strong word, much like forever. Our actions and words have eternal effects either for the positive or the negative. Lord, make mine for the positive!!

Servant or SERVANT?

"Absorb this", my soul says.  "God says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant ... I will also make You a light of the nations, so that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'" Isaiah 49:6

As I read this, I realize that God is speaking to Jesus before His incarnation, yet Jesus asked the Father to make us one with Himself and the Father through His Spirit.  (John 17) He also calls us the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14), so He is in effect speaking to all His children and says "too small a thing!!!"

Not too long ago, just a couple of weeks ago, as a matter of fact, our pastor spoke about the fact that we should net be "settlers."  We should keep striving to be the best we can be for God's glory.  It was a very simple and basic message that sort of spoke to me, but didn't really hit the mark....until today when I read this passage. (I still find it sadly amusing that so many Christians think the Old Testament is no longer relevant and should be used as a reference for the New.  Yes, it should be a reference, but there is such an extreme amount of information in it to learn which makes it MUCH MUCH more than simply a reference.  Man's writings today are a reference, but the whole of God's Word is our textbook.)

Some verses are harder to digest than others and this may be one of them.  To think that being God's servant is not enough is hard to comprehend.  We teach our children from birth practically that being God's servant is the all in all, yet here He says it is not enough!!  What does that mean?

As a parent and grandparent I can digest enough to understand that being His child (or servant) is lovely and we are greatly loved because of it, but if we do not return that love it hurts Him desperately.  All parents can relate (and some of us grandparents) to hearing a child say those dreaded words of "I hate you!" Most children say this at one time or another, and I would venture to guess that all have probably thought it at one time or another when they didn't get their way.  When we love people enough to discipline them, knowing they will become angry with us for doing so, we are going to have a moment of dislike and even hatred from them.  I know I have.  It was a bit easier to take from my children, but I have had two grandchildren speak those words to me and it cut through me much deeper than when my children said it.  Grandparents are supposed to be adored.  We are supposed to be spoilers of grandchildren.  I disagree.  If I spoil them, I am ruining their lives, so I love them deeply, do my best to bring them joy, but discipline them when they deliberately step out of the boundaries set before them.  So, yes, I have been told I am hated, but then the next moment I am hugged, asked for forgiveness and loved once again, so it's worth it! 

So I understand this in part.  God is going to discipline (disciple) us to be MORE than just His children.  Just as I want more for my children and grandchildren than to be claimed as their (grand)parent, He wants more for us than to be simply called His children.  If my family goes around telling people they belong to me and then act like the devil, I am going to be ashamed of their behavior and of myself for not having shared with them how they should behave.  God is saying the same here, "Calling me Father and Master is not enough.  You must show the world Who I am!"  Therefore, He is going to reveal to US Who He is.  I reveal to my family who I am by telling them what I desire of them and living it in front of them.  He does the same for us.  Listening and sometimes obeying when no discomfort is involved says we are His servants and are grateful for our future reward, but tuning our heart to  obey regardless of the cost in this life, that says we are His dedicated and trustworthy servant, He is truly are Master and we are His to command.  A child can be rebellious, disobedient, angry, lazy and disrespectful and we still love them.  When they are obedient, gracious, honest, respectful and obedient we are bursting at the seams with joy over them! 

This is my prayer...that I will make God burst at the seams in joy over my dedication to Him.  It is not enough to be called His servant.  Father, make me truly mean that!!!