Unheeded

I'd like to share a devotional with you that I read some days ago. I was delightfully stunned when I read it early one morning. And for some reason, this concept has really stuck with me.

There is a lot I don't understand about where the Lord is leading me . . . but once in a while I will come across something that makes all the sense in the world. This was one of those moments.

The Unheeded Secret

by Oswald Chambers

"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world.'" (John 18:36)

The great enemy of the Lord Jesus today is the idea of practical work that has no basis in the New Testament but comes from the systems of the world. This word consists upon endless energy and activities, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation . . . For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21). It is a hidden, obscure thing. An active Christian worker too oftens lives to be seen by others, while it is the innermost, personal area that reveals the power of a person's life.

We must get rid of the plague of the spirit of this religious age in which we live. In our Lord's life there was none of the pressure and the rushing of tremendous activity that we regard so highly today, and a disciple is to be like His Master. The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.

It is not the practical activities that are the strength of this Bible Training College - its entire strength lies in the fact that here you are immersed in the truths of God to soak in them before Him. You have no idea of where or how God is going to engineer your future circumstances, and no knowledge of what stress and strain is going to be placed on you either at home or abroad. And if you waste your time in overacitivy, instead of being immersed in the great fundamental truths of God's redemption, then you will snap when the stress and strain do come. But if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in Him, which may appear to be impractical, then you will remain true to Him whatever happens.

There is only one thing I would like to add, and that is . . . AMEN.

Faithful

I'd like to send a special thanks out tonight to somebody. This person has been many things to me . . . an encourager, a shoulder, a prayer warrior and a good friend. Like God's love, this person's presence in my life has proven one thing - faithful.

I'd like to disclose this person's identity - but there is really no need, you know who you are. When I have been too busy to keep touch, you have not. When I have dropped my end of the prayer bargain a time or two - you have stayed faithful.

I can't tell you what the encouragement has meant to me. The stories, the Scripture verses, the reminders of God's goodness. Always timely, and very powerful - your messages always point me in the direction of the One who holds it all.

You my friend, are living out God's purposes for your life. You are this church's and this communities best kept secret. And I have the privilege of walking this journey along side of you.

What you see in me is more than I could ever even dream of seeing in myself. Your words are kind, the encouragement steady. I try to live my life on John Maxwell's principle of adding value to people, and over and over again - you have added great value to me.

So this night, I send a wink in your direction . . . and you know that my winks are saved for a select few.

Batteries

Ever have something totally random seem to be a theme for the week? For some reason, the need for batteries keeps presenting itself. With it usually comes a small level of anxiety, due to the fact that more times than not, we are close to being out.

You are probably wondering how the concept of batteries followed me around like a bass drumming bunny this week. Well, let me tell you, I'd be happy to share my tale.

It began with an order for 48 nine-volt batteries for the office. As I clicked to place the order, it seemed like overkill with a bill of close to $200.00. I buzzed the person needing them and made sure she really wanted that many. "Yes, that sounds great!" was the reply. I shrugged and proceeded to the checkout screen.

Then the issue of my camera. Early this year Mark and I finally decided to purchase a digital camera. We went with one of the HP cameras . . . the package included a printer, a camera and a loading dock (my name for it) all for the low price of - well I don't remember now. But I remember it being a really good deal.

The camera has served us well, except for the aggravation with batteries. I really need to order one of the industrial strength kind (the ones that you can charge), so that I am not flying through AA's like a kid with a cold rips through a Kleenex box. I will no sooner take a couple of snapshots, and the darn battery is dying. Drives me crazy.

Then last night when we were heading over to the in laws, we took a quick look for the flashlight. Oh it was in it's place alright - but no batteries. Good one.

Then just a few minutes ago, Matthew came in looking for some AA batteries for his Guitar Hero game. "I think we are pretty much out son," was my response. He decided to take the batteries out of another one of our games. Smart move on his part.

This whole idea of batteries got me thinking about my own batteries. In some ways I too feel like an energy sucker - needing to be re-fueled regularly to keep me kicking. But what if one day I went to the Word, and all of the batteries (or juice) was gone? Where would I be? I'll tell you where I would be - I would be dead.

But the great thing about God's Word is that it never ever runs dry. It provides a continual flow of milk and honey to strengthen my bones and heal my soul. So my advice to myself (and anyone else out there who might be listening), is to lean heavily upon the only unending power source - God's Word.

God's Spirit far exceeds any Costco-sized pack of batteries. His love keeps going, and going and going . . .

Traditions

I've asked my son Matthew what I should blog about today. His eyes lit up, and he just left the room to gather some material for my post. I'm waiting . . . I wonder if he forgot. I get pretty easily distracted myself.

He just came back and said that he was looking for a Halloween folder we have had for years. It was full of articles and information about the origin of this holiday. I remember getting it from somebody who was really opposed to participating in Halloween. In light of the whole skeletons, Jack-O-Lanterns and open graves - I guess it really does present a pretty dark picture.

You could say that our family participates, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that we celebrate. You won't find a string of fake cobwebs lining our front porch - and I never have gotten my kids into the habit of carving pumpkins. The history of how that whole thing began is just not something I want to pass along to them.

I haven't ever been one to go extreme one way or another. Like I mentioned, I know some Christians who lock all of the doors and turn out the lights, dreading Halloween. While others let their kids dress up in the waking dead. I am really no one to judge either point of view. Our family sits right in the middle somewhere. We let our kids trick-or-treat, but they are not allowed to wear anything gory or scary. We don't decorate for Halloween, but the kids are allowed to participate in the Harvest Fest and in Steph's Halloween party.

Just like with Halloween, I don't really like to put much of the world's emphasis on any holiday. For Christmas - sure, we played Santa Clause when the kids were really little, and Makayla still believes. But I have never really praised the ol' guy too much, always trying to bring it back to the real reason for the season. The birth of our Saviour - Jesus Christ.

Growing up, we never went to church, so in our house - Santa was the man! I remember being so disappointed when I found out that he wasn't real. It took the magic out of everything. But today that pain has made Christmas so sweet. Jesus is no Santa Claus!

Family traditions can be a really special way to create memories and build bonds. There is something so great about the familiar and predictable. I don't think it matters too much what you do and don't do - for God does not lean on the legalistic side of anything. It is important to honor Christ in everything that we do, whether we are decking the halls or passing out candy.

This Halloween, I hope with every candle-lit pumkpin and masked man - you will remember the victory we have over darkness . . .

- in the King of Christmastime.

Fuzzy

Things are fuzzy, and I don't really know what to do about that. God seems to be carrying me through a pivotal period of some kind . . . and I am trying to trust in His plan. But the ambiguity leaves my thoughts scattered and my heart feeling uneasy.

There was a time when I knew where I was going - I was certain of it. The signs all pointed in the same direction, my spirit soared right along with God's through the valleys and the peaks - and His Word lined up perfectly. But these days I feel like I have been dropped off in the middle of nowhere, with no idea how to find the road again. Have I taken a wrong turn somewhere? Or has there been an abduction or some kind . . . an assault on my soul?

I peer through the haze, looking for something recognizable - anything. When the only place that seems familiar is the place deep down inside, where nobody can even see. A place that goes against anything that makes sense. A place I feel like I'm losing touch with.

I feel like I am forgetting the reason. See there is a reason God has placed me where He has. There is work for me to do - important Kingdom work . . . and somehow I feel like I've lost God's marching orders. Is it because I made the mistake of creating my own? Have I made one too many compromises . . . is it too late?

I am wanting so much to fall back into the bed of faith prepared for me, which is just what I will do. Here in God's great big arms, there are no solutions presented, no plan . . . no A to Z . . . simply a smile from on high - and the peace that draws me home.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER.

- Psalm 23 -

Favorites

Pastor Dave is taking us through the book of James, and let me tell you - it's been a doozy. In your face sin exposing truth, revealing the heart of what's really going on inside. These past few weeks, I have been challenged to put more feet to my faith.

This past Sunday, his message nudged me in a direction that the Lord was already leading me. Anytime God requires obedience from me, courage must be present. God is always taking me one more step outside of my comfort zone.

This particular step is along the line of favoritism. I have to admit, I have my own secret list going and a lot of times don't even know it. But like always, God has provided the most amazing petri dish for this lesson to take root. Who would have guessed that my office would become such a wonderful learning opportunity?

As I have taken on the role of receptionist at the church, I have found a big part of my job is interacting with the public. Now this is not the high class snobby type . . . but instead the people who are nearest and dearest to God's heart - those who are hurting and in desperate need.

As I work to create reports, update information in the database and make copies - God has been bringing me the most wonderful interruptions. One ring at the doorbell, and I know that my next assignment has arrived.

People of all walks of life find their way to our church office. Some have lost their jobs, while others are very ill and in terrible pain. Some folks are simply in a transition, trying to get back on their feet. The represent the young, the old, the put together looking and those who are down and out. Every person has a story, every soul has the need for Jesus.

Following protocol, I began caring for their needs as they would arrive. A gas voucher here, a bag full of groceries there. Until . . . God tapped me on the shoulder. He reminded me the importance of not playing favorites. He reminded me about how much he loves every person who walks through our doors. So I prayed that God would allow me to see each person as He does.

My prayers have been answered. I don't consider their arrivals interruptions anymore - instead I welcome God's divine appointments. Every person who came today was given my full attention. I practiced eye contact, and asked questions with genuine concern. I offered to pray with each person, and every one of them was so grateful for the covering.

Strangely, this was a big step for me. It may sound silly . . . why would I feel nervous about praying at a church, as a representative of Christ? I have been praying out loud for several years, on several different occasions. God has always been faithful to give me the courage and the words. But this felt different. With this kind of a ministry, I get the chance to touch the outside world.

I spent almost a half an hour talking with one woman today. She had just moved to Turlock a month ago. She was a beautiful spirit-filled woman who was looking to connect. I invited her to join my Small Group on Wednesday nights. She delightfully accepted . . . and I look forward to getting better acquainted.

So my question for you today is this. Who do you find yourself making a pre-judgement of? Do you play favorites? Do you realize how much this grieves God's heart? Our own filters can sometimes hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was never concerned about the outward appearance. He always looked at the heart.

My Grandma Dottie was somebody who set a great example of this. She never held a lofty ministry title in all of her life - she simply saw people with God's eyes . . .

and she loved them with all that she had.

Word

I posed a question to some friends today, and it was so interesting how each of us took it a different way. The focus was on a particular word - the same word, but different perceptions. It got me thinking about how our past experiences can really filter what we hear.

While one person considered the phrase to be cute and comforting, another found it downright uncomfortable, and maybe even a little bit offensive. I didn't mean to set anybodies teeth on edge, but I can see now why a different choice of words might have been more fitting.

Despite the different viewpoints, God still worked in amazing ways to bring our hearts together. As we wrestled with this concept, hurts were revealed, and some sin was exposed. We all got to know each other on a more intimate level, and I cherish the tenderness of our time together.

God has really been showing me the importance of choosing the right words. So often I will just speak from my heart, and what comes out is not always what somebody else hears. I find great comfort in the grace a friend in Christ extends. While my words may be a tangled up mess, somebody who knows my heart can see through the disarray.

To my dear friends who were present today, I love you all very much. I am challenged and inspired by your stories, and by your life. You encourage me to live out the faith I profess - and I am so grateful to be the recipient of that frosty glass of milk.

Loving as God loves means having the courage to spit that word or two out. Being His hands and His heart means embracing one another right where we find ourselves. I wouldn't change a single thing about this particular group of friends.

For our differences spur us on to love as God does; without reservation - and without fail.