PAVLOVA WITH A PURPOSE

Have you ever heard of a “pavlova?”  It’s a delicious dessert of meringue, cream and fruit on the top.  It’s a dessert I enjoy making and eating.  Whenever we have friends over, I’ll often serve this as a special treat for them.

The appetite and craving for this dessert began years ago when I first visited my mother and father-in-law in New Zealand.  My husband and I had only married a year and due to the expense of travel, his parents did not physically attend our wedding.  So, we decided we’d wait a year and visit them in their home in New Zealand.

This culture has morning tea and afternoon tea.  Due to the fact that we desired to meet many of my husband’s friends, we were often invited to peoples’ homes and, amongst other food delights, we were served “pavlova.”  The dessert actually originated in this country; although many Australians claim the title.

It is a light dessert to eat, but consuming it as often as we did for six weeks, I gained more from that trip than anticipated.   Let’s just say that my hips accelerated to one larger size in slacks.

Now, back to my story.  We were recently invited by a friend to his home to join other friends for one of his spectacular dinners.  He’s a chef-in-hiding!  I inquired if I could bring the dessert.  Our host accepted with gratitude.

This particular pavlova would be a style of presentation that I had only read about, but never endeavoured to make it.  It was two layers, separated by cream and thinly-sliced peaches.  In all honesty, I was hesitant to “try it out” on these folks due to the fact that it can flatten when moved. 

But how was I to know it could work, if I didn’t give it a try.  So, I made the pav the day before and left it in the cooled oven.  The evening of our get-together, I packed the two layers of meringues in a box, ever-so-carefully, and off we drove to the home of the gathering.

My continued thought en-route, was if we hit a pot hole on a street, it’s all over!  But all was well and our “dessert gift” was gingerly carried into our friend’s home.

Most of the guests had already arrived and were seated in the living room.  After our depositing the “delicate dessert,” we proceeded to the living room to join the others.  There was a couple there that we had never met, plus a lovely woman who were all at the other end of the room.  It seemed awkward to exchange conversation across the distance, so I waited for a closer and more intimate chat when we were all seated at the dining room table.

Most everyone there felt very comfortable in the exchange of conversation; and it seemed that when one person ceased their comments, another person picked up the oxygen and carried on with their thoughts.  Laughter abounded.

There was one woman who seemed quieter than the others.  As we were all seated, it was obvious that she and the host complimented the serving of the rest of us.  She and he worked together seamlessly in the kitchen.  You’d have thought they did this thousands of times. 

The host was a single man who had asked a friend to join him in hosting the evening and  helping serve the large group of friends.  This woman was soft-spoken and seemed to smile effortlessly as he and her served and removed the volume of spectacular cuisine coming out of his kitchen.

There was no end to the topics of conversation being exchanged at the table.  An hour or so later, it was dessert time.  I removed myself from the table and went to the kitchen to “piece and plate” this pavlova. 

In all honesty, I just wasn’t confident about pulling it all together.  I had actually prayed beforehand and asked Jesus to calm me and just help me do my best. 

I can’t help but insert a verse of care and encouragement.  

Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in EVERY DETAIL OF THEIR LIVES.”

This verse supports the idea of showing that God is aware of our experiences, even our tears and fears, and works all things together for our good and His good purposes.

The bottom layer of meringue was all in one piece.  Success! Just before my attempt to smother the layer with whipped cream and thinly sliced peaches on top, the “answer to my prayer” entered the kitchen!  It was Donna.   She just quietly appeared and began verbally encouraging me.   The second challenge of the evening for me was to take two spatulas and try and lift the smaller top layer onto the cream plastered over the main layer. Its delicacy was like lifting broken glass and attempting to move it to another location.

I was nervous up to this point, but the moment she began encouraging me, my heart was calm and my mind was quietly fixed on transferring this top layer onto the larger one.  One would have thought that having someone that I had never met enter the room and stand next to me would have increased my anxiety.  IT DIDN’T.   I’ll tell you why – because her calm and caring words brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Donna stayed with me the entire fifteen minutes of dressing that dessert with the arrangement of cream, peach slices and passion fruit pulp drizzled on top.  WHAT A BLESSING HER PRESENCE was to me. 

God prompted Donna to leave the dining room table and join “Mrs. Fix that PAV.”  It was as though Jesus “came near to the situation;” and He used her words and presence to give me calm and confidence, all at the same time.

And no………this isn’t the end of the story.  The pavlova was “cut and consumed,” but that wasn’t the end of interfacing with Miss Donna. 

As the dining event was closing, the women came into the kitchen to sort of tidy up and chat together.  There were four of us in total, but only three of us were in focused conversation.

After a few minutes, I noticed that Donna was remaining somewhat distant in relation to where the three of us were standing and not necessarily “in the loop” with our verbal interaction.

I glanced over to her and invited her with my eyes to join in with the rest of us.  Soon after, she was sharing her thoughts with all of us.  As she paused for a moment, I addressed her personally and shared with her what an “encourager” she was to me in the “adventures of the dessert.”  I looked into her eyes and enthusiastically shared how God used her specifically to show me His care through one of His kids!

She seemed surprised, yet I feel secretly delighted that God used her upbeat and tender words of encouragement to me when I was “collaborating the cream” for the pavlova.

It was Donna’s willingness to “come alongside me” when she heard that I was a bit nervous about the coming together of those fragile ingredients.

You never know who you’re going to meet when coming together with others…friends and strangers.  God used a “pavlova” to introduce me to a caring woman who may just have needed some “encouraging ingredients” delicately introduced to her heart.

Thanks Donna, for your tender and meaningful entry to my life.

AN EARLY MORNING BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Good morning!  I think that’s an appropriate start to this sweet story.  Were you aware that God gives us “clues” on how and who to choose as friends.

Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous should choose his friends carefully.”

There are two beautiful people God designed for my friendship many years ago.  They are Carolyn and Ann.  They are both enjoying Jesus and the joys, luxuries and delights of heaven….and, I MISS THEM BOTH.

Anne just recently graduated to her “forever home;” and in my sadness and memory of her, I thought this was a perfect time to share about the “creativity and sharing ways” of these two beautiful friends. Together, they were “Creative Characters!”  You’d need to rise very early in your plans and pursuits to get ahead of these women.

To bring you into the scene, it was about 7:00 a.m. on the morning of April 22nd of one particular year of my birth.  (Trust me, I’m over 30!)

I was adorned in my pajamas, transporting my being from the bedroom, down the hall, to the kitchen.  For some unknown reason, I glanced my waking eyes outward to the front of the house through the window at the front door.

It was early morning, I’ll admit, but the scenic bustle of commotion on our front lawn was mind-boggling.  I kept blinking in disbelief thinking I was having a real-life dream and hadn’t woken up quite yet. 

Here’s the scene for your scrutiny as well.  There was a card table being man-handled by these two gals…attempting to set it in position.  Then, flapping through the air, was a tablecloth.  I ran to the window to get a closer look.  I had to make certain I wasn’t half-asleep and sleep-walking. 

No, these two were on a definite mission on our front lawn.  Once I realized this wasn’t a dream….it was two adorable, crazy-eyed, loving pranksters having the time of their lives in an attempt to surprise me on the morning of my birthday.

It was a full-blown party in formulation!  Plates were quickly being arranged, tea cups, juice glasses, utensils and centerpiece of flowers were all carefully setting up for the surprise.

YEP………they more than surprised me.  I grabbed my nightgown and moved to the front door.  Upon opening the door and stepping out, they broke into the HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG at the top of their lungs.

We all began to laugh uncontrollably.  They were dressed for the occasion, but I attended like I was invited to a “Come as You Are Party.”   I had everything covered, except my house-slippers.  We laughed and giggled all the way to the table.

May I share too that this table ensemble wasn’t close to the house.  NO….it was in the middle of the FRONT yard where anyone and everyone passing by would recognize the “breakfast event.”

At first, I wondered what in the world the neighbors would think.  Then, I regained perspective and momentive with my thoughts.  “WHO CARES WHAT THEY THINK!”  They must have been brought to hilarious laughter and a realization that these three crazy women were enjoying each other in such a fun way.  I’m surprised some didn’t pull over in their car and want to join us.

Well, friendships are wonderful, aren’t they.  And I couldn’t be more pleased to have had such two delightful people show their love for me in such a creative, caring and conspicuous way. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me the privilege of knowing and love them back.

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times.”

OUR WORDS !

This year the Lord has continually brought the following verses & phrases to my life. They are becoming a real “compass” to my words and walk. May I share them with you?

I’m finding these verses a good road map….

James 1:19 “Let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper.” Isn’t it true, that we need to guard our hearts and place a “stop sign” on our tongue before stepping on the accelerator of our lips.

James 2:12 “Whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of LOVE.”

Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer.” Goodness, that means I must “think” about the effectiveness of my words.

Proverbs 18:20 “From the fruit of their lips people are filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. This metaphorically describes how our words have consequences, both positive and negative. Just as a farmer reaps a harvest from his crops, we reap the results of what we say.

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

YOUR MOUTH IS THE MICROPHONE…..YOUR HEART IS THE PLAYLIST (J. John, evangelist)

OUR WORDS ARE EITHER A “CONSTRUCTION ZONE” OR A DEMOLITION SITE

PS: I’m placing this on the mirror in my bathroom & next to my computer screen. I think we’re all candidates for God’s “Creative Class of Communication.” Or, am I all alone??

A TIME TO SING

Hello!  I’m a Song Sparrow & do I have a story for you!

Hi!  I couldn’t allow the day to pass without sharing about a “new feathered friend” that adorned our yard.  She had been there for several weeks and I never heard her sing.  You know why?   Because even though I puttered around in our little flower garden almost daily, I never quieted myself long enough to “hear her” wee voice.

This particular day I was weary.  I mean “really tired” both emotionally and physically.  My body and soul announced….”Today is going to be your day of REST.”

My husband prepared a big delight, an “iced latte.”  And then, I gave myself permission (do you need to do that too, in your life?) to sit under the umbrella and just rest. 

And if you’re taking notes, I remained in that position for at least two (2) hours.  So, if you feel you need to do that, just call or write, and I’ll grant that request to encourage you to rest your mind, soul, heart and body!!

It doesn’t cost much at all, but it does require a “personal and committed decision” to stop whatever you’re doing, or feel you need to do, and SIT STILL, BE STILL, THINK STILL.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God;”

This verse encourages stillness!

Have you ever taken the time to rehearse this verse slowly?  Let me bring you along to this “restful moment.”  Say aloud….

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know that.

Be still and know.

Be still and….

Be still

BE

That simple exercise brings calmness and gives full release of anxiety.  You and I are not really in charge of life…………GOD IS!   In His love and grace, He issues not only our daily bread, but our daily BREATH!

Well, back to the patio and the iced latte.  If you were here, I’d share one with you.  We had a very busy and delightful week of having friends stay in our home.  I love that!  However, after the adrenaline calms down from enthusiasm of enjoying people and making meals; I sensed the real need to just go slow and relax.

We have a little fountain that we brought back to Canada when we moved from Arizona.  I had turned on this quiet “entertainment” media and just sat on the patio chair.

It took me about fifteen minutes or so to begin to wind down.  Then, it happened. A tiny Song Sparrow appeared on the top of the fountain, which was only 1 yard (meter)away from me.  I looked up at her, and she looked down at me.  Right after our eyes met, she began her “musical repertoire” of her species.

I felt as though I was in attendance of a “feathered symphony.”  This little female sang off and on for TWO HOURS.  She’d drink and bathe from the water in the fountain several times, but she continued to hover all around me with her song.

A very heart-felt emotion just came over me. My eyes were filled with tears and I felt as though my heart and soul were leaping for joy.  It “dawned” on me that this delicate bird was sent by my Savior to serenade me with her joyful song.   God gifted Song Sparrows with a melodic song, and she was exercising her giftedness from Him.  And I was the recipient of this two-hour solo symphony.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; but in ALL YOUR WAYS, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and He will DIRECT YOUR PATH.”

Yes, He directs our individual path.  That includes our “starts” and “stops.”  And on this afternoon, my steps were stopped…………….so I could “taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Psalm 34:8 

Quietly, I wondered to myself, why hadn’t I ever heard her or seen her before??

Reason:  I hadn’t quieted myself long enough to see and hear her. 

Couldn’t that be why we don’t hear and see God more in our daily living?  We often adopt the “activity addiction” of the world:  talking too much, listening less, checking our cell phones for texts that we simply can’t miss, over-concerned about what people may be thinking about us.  Believe me, if we knew the real truth, people may seldom be thinking about us.   And that’s an entire other topic.

A long time ago, I remember lying on our sofa for a “mini 15-minute vacation from activity” and I heard a man share from his sermon the following:

“If you’re too busy to pray…..you’re too busy.” 

I remember leaping up off the sofa and giving his words real consideration.  Praying is talking with our Lord Jesus.  Our words and thoughts of Him needn’t be long or complicated; but it’s sharing with Him (who knows us completely and loves us passionately) our life down here.  

Like taking a walk with a friend; it much more fun chatting and commenting about all we see and feel.  If we’ve invited the Lord Jesus to come into our life, and live His life in us and through us; He delights to hear from us….in our thoughts, words or deeds.

Why not take just 30 minutes and move yourself outside to a quiet place and just “be still & listen” to the Creator of this world, the world in which you reside and be CONTENT.

Note: two weeks later, she and her mate moved to another location

I’d call that…..DIVINE TIMING

STAYING IN STEP WITH JESUS

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I don’t know how long you’ve walked with the Lord, or perhaps, you’ve never considered walking with Him.  Since God not only creatively designed you and me, He bestowed upon us our first breath as well.   That took place when you exited a womb.  But, that’s only when we became alive to the world outside the womb.  Each of us had life in a “secret place” where we were being fashioned….in the womb.

“For You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

He created each of us to “LIVE OUT HIS PLANS AND PURPOSES” in our life.   I could park on that truth for days; but for now, events have recently evolved in my life that I’d love to share with you. 

I’ve been waiting for almost nine (9) months for a special event.  And no, it wasn’t for a baby to be born.  I’m a few years past that type of event (lol lol).   I’ll call it a “longing!”  We’ve all experienced a yearning or deep desire for something, haven’t we.  Perhaps even a longing for belonging! 

God is keenly aware of longings in a person.  God knows I really desire and enjoy almost anything coconut!   My mother-in-love would often make a delicious coconut cake for me when I visited her in New Zealand.  That’s a long way to go for cake…. but hers was spectacular.  It was also special to me because “she knew I enjoyed it,” and would often surprise me with one…as a “personal treat” upon my arrival.

A month ago I made a coconut cake for myself.  My husband isn’t that keen on coconut.  And yes, throughout the week, I consumed most all of it.  I “orchestrated the fulfillment” of my longing which was for coconut.

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his (our) paths.”  Proverbs 5:21

Reflecting on this verse, we’re told that all of our ways are before the Lord.  And it’s even more wonderful to know that He (God) ponders (that is, He knows and thinks) about our every move in life.

Don’t you often feel that when we read the Bible, we are reading it far too quickly.  Too swiftly to absorb what God is trying to convey to our minds and hearts.  We may read the Bible…. but in reality, the Bible reads us.  

When I took some time to reflect on Psalm 85:13, it seemed to trigger an inner compass that encouraged me in the “ways of God.”  His ways are mysterious for sure, because His thoughts and His pattern of guidance isn’t like ours.  He has a higher purpose in mind…far beyond our comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9).

He sees the “big picture” (past, present and future).  We can only ascertain our “current” circumstance. His guidance is similar to a global positioning system (GPS), except I like to call it God’s Positioning System.  He shares just enough direction and guidance for us to take the next few steps.  After obedience to that, He reveals just sufficient information for our next step.   Don’t you think that might be one of His strategic measures to keep us “close and more in step with Him and His plans and agenda.”

I’m a planner!  I can plan and anticipate what needs to be done months, if not years in advance.  Please write and tell me I’m not alone.  But when I spent time thinking and allowing that verse in Psalm 85:13 to marinate in my mind and heart, it brings me a quiet peace.  A peace that seems to smooth the anticipated “thoroughfare of my longing.”

Here are just a few “Scriptural road signs” of encouragement Jesus introduced in my almost nine months of journey.

Psalm 57:2  “I will cry out to God Most High, to God Who performs all things for me.” GOD KNOWS WHAT, WHEN & HOW TO COMMUNICATE PERSONALLY WITH EACH OF US

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times.” TRUST IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eyes.” PERSONAL GUIDANCE

Proverbs 3:5,6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”  DON’T LEAN ON WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST, BUT RECOGNIZE & BRING HIM INTO EVERY SITUATION

Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.” THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WALK & HOW YOU WALK AND ALLOW GOD TO DETERMINE, ORCHESTRATE AND CREATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.   It’s called His Providence & His Sovereignty.  We do not need to “manipulate” our ways and opportunities!

Psalm 73:23 “I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” AS WE TRUST HIM, WE WILL SEE & BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS WHAT HE HAS DONE ON OUR BEHALF

Psalm 78:14 “In the daytime also He led them with the CLOUD, and all the night with a LIGHT OF FIRE.”When God was taking His people “to” and “through” the Red Sea (He opened and dried up the Red Sea), He led through the cloud during the daytime and by a light of fire at night.  WHY?   So they would know first-hand His personal and caring guidance.  He didn’t want them to be “in the dark” about His leading.  And, they followed by faith!  He led them in a way they would know His presence.

“Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.”  Psalm 85:13

In Psalm 7:9, this verse conveys and informs us that God knows ALL of our MOTIVATIONS, THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS and DESIRES.

Glancing back to my “coconut crave,” it was just a few weeks ago my husband had a ministry trip to Ireland.  He came across a “CHOCOLATE COCONUT MACAROON” treat at a bakery.   Guess who came to his mind when he saw this?  Me!  God prompted him to make a purchase that would bring a smile and an “awww” moment to me. 

The Lord delights in the DETAILS OF OUR LIVES. Psalm 37:23 “He delights in every detail of their lives.

The Lord surprised and delighted me through my husband’s gift in bringing me five delicious chocolate-coconut macaroons.  “God orchestrated” this “coconut surprise” through my husband.  That was a “delight” for sure.

One particular morning a few months ago, I was reading Psalm 5:8b.  God seemed to “light up the page” when reading the following verse.  Psalm 5:8b  “Make Your way straight before my face.”

In His sovereign and providential care, the following day, Jesus brought “right before my eyes” a circumstance that I knew was from Him.

It’s “not the answer,” but it was the manifestation of the fact that He knew what plans He had for me….and I could now “rest in my longing.”

Encouragement was to just KEEP IN STEP WITH JESUS…and I won’t miss a thing He has in store for me.

Maybe one day, I’ll post the A N S W E R.

ONE WHO SENSES THEIR BROKENNESS

We’re all broken!  Just look around.  I’ve often wondered if I’ll ever be “normal.”  We live in a fallen world…with a fallen and sinful nature.  That came with our packaging in the womb.

No one has their act together, regardless of their post on social media.

We’re all living in the same “camp-ground” of a sinful nature that needs drastic attention.  Yes, we’re all imperfect, flawed, dysfunctional, messy attitudes with fears and habits and vocabularies that aren’t the best.

Everyone is broken, but no one likes to admit it…. do we?!  But isn’t it refreshing to see a person who is “real, vulnerable, transparent and honest about themselves.”   People relate to and long to snuggle under the blanket of another’s vulnerability.

Brokenness is a “gift” that we’d rather not unwrap.  But God will unwrap it for us through our day-to-day circumstances showing us through our trials, challenges and disappointments that we’re walking through, and that His strength and enabling grace will be enough for the details of our journey.    

Brokenness, in God’s eyes, is beautiful.  But God sees it with a different lens!  

Our brokenness brings not only His blessing on our lives, but opens our lives for God to bless others in their journey because of what His grace & power has walked us through.    It can be an attractive quality in that it can serve as a magnet and “connecting point” with people.  

My husband and I yearned to have a family.  I was adopted, so this was a very real longing.  In general conversation, most people will ask you how many children do you have.  No children yet was our response.  I thought that maybe my womb required some medical adjustment, so I made an appointment with a physician. 

The nurse he employed happened to attend our church.  When she asked me for lunch one day, she asked me the purpose of my upcoming visit.  I shared my concern.  And to my surprise she asked two questions that gave me God’s answer.  1) Is Jesus the Lord of your life?  2)  Is He Lord of your womb.

Remember the song a few years ago, “God Makes all things Beautiful in His Time;” and I might add, “In His way.”

His work is like an eye surgeon clearing the cataracts and blurs from our eyes so we begin to see our broken dreams, desires and areas of character adjustment through a different lens…..God’s lens.  

Before His touches on our vision, we saw our life’s agenda and dreams shattered, and why would God possibly say “no” to what we had in mind for our life’s journey.   Our dreams were dashed when God said “no.” 

Not long after, I sensed God saying to me.  “You love having people in your home.  Had you ever considered that everyone who comes to your door or in your life is a child, sent by Me, for you to love?”

Not long after, we had friends who were visiting in our home on holiday, and the moment they were leaving our home, my friend turned to me and quoted verbatim what God had shared and was now in written form in my journal.  I had plans for a 6 lb, 8oz child.  God had other plans.

God confirmed His response to me through a cartoon caricature on the wall of an eye doctor.  DEAR GOD….I CAN SEE YOU MUCH BETTER WITH MY NEW GLASSES. 

It wasn’t my womb that needed the surgery, but my eyes.  He showed me His perspective, and my life has never been the same.   For we have hundreds of children that we’ve nurtured by our hearts, not my womb.   Even today, after all we’ve been through, I would choose “His Will” over my own.

So, in a “wonderful sense,” the brokenness of our dreams has given us a realized reliance and trust on God’s will being the best for our journey:  and, the acceptance of His plans and purpose has placed “Him on display” for His purpose instead of “ours.” 

Brokenness is a beautiful and delicate tool for our transformation, and often

our broken wills, life agenda and expectations become the mouthpiece of our ministry to others.  I continue to learn and embrace my limitations and disappointments because then, and only then, can we experience His power at work in us.

God’s “goal” is to make us more like His Son!  Why?  So people can have a clearer and more accurate portrait of who God is and what He is like.  “His residence and work” within us will often frame what people think of His Son.

He uses our broken hearts, broken plans, broken dreams and crippling weaknesses to display His power, grace and love.  It’s then that we’ll begin to see how He weaves His plans into a beautiful tapestry that speaks life into others.

GOD ISN’T LOOKING FOR SUPER, SIGNIFICANT SAINTS, BUT ORDINARY PEOPLE

TO DO A SIGNIFICANT WORK IN AND THROUGH.

He longs to take the “ordinary events” of our life, brokenness and all, and create an “extraordinary” journey…. a story that points toward Jesus; and brokenness prepares us for usefulness in our world, and purifying us for an eternity in His presence.

For those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, when we see Him, our eyes will be open to see what He was up to all along in our journey down here.  For then and there, we’ll be all He had in mind when He designed us.   Psalm 139

What kind of results do you want in your life….

yours or His?

GOD’S INTERESTS ARE DIFFERENT THAN OURS

GOD IS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WE ARE

BECOMING…………….

THAN WHAT WE’LL EVER DO FOR HIM

After people spend time with each of us, listening to us, watching us, observing our behavior, attitudes, and responses, WHAT DO THEY THINK OF HIM ? Our lives speak volumes, don’t they! We are either a “construction site” or a “demolition zone.”

2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.”

MOMENTS AT THE CROSS Did You Overlook This One?

I trust your heart and mind has been thinking about the events of the Passion of Jesus Christ (John 18 – 20).  It will take a “forever” to absorb all the truths displayed in His obedience to His Father to not only open the way to have a relationship with God and receive forgiveness for all our sins, but to be able to spend our “forever life” with our Creator God.  What took place at Golgotha forever changed the destiny of committed souls to Jesus.

There isn’t a sufficient vocabulary to tell of all that took place before the Cross.   The pain, mistreatment, false accusations, chosen ignorance, beatings and humiliation were beyond our human comprehension.  We can only imagine its awfulness.  But, to add to that, had you ever thought about how God, the Father felt? 

The unimaginable pain and terror God would go through realizing that in order to save mankind, some One absolutely perfect would have to be surrendered as a Sacrifice to experience His torturous wrath and anger towards sin.  I can’t imagine this kind of pain.   The pain of a Father towards His Son, so you and I could be forgiven.

In John 19:27 I wanted to just comment about a few people that “were there” for Jesus, when most all of His disciples were conspicuous by their absence.

It’s most appropriate to cast our personal focus on Jesus’ suffering on the cross; but there were five other people who were suffering deeply in their hearts for what was happening to Him.

There were four women and one disciple present (John 19:25): His mother Mary, His mother’s sister, Mary, and the wife of Cleophas, Mary and Mary Magdalene.  These women were experiencing the unimaginable horror of not only what they saw, but the emotional trauma of seeing their Savior, up close and personal, taking their place at the cross, as well as ours.  There just weren’t sufficient words to express the inexplicable depth of their grief.

But as I spent some time weighing the scene, there was a most tender moment that we can almost gloss over.  It was the comment Jesus made to His mother in John 19:26.

John 19: 26 “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” vs 27 “And to the disciple, “here is your mother.”

This was the third saying of Jesus while on the Cross. 

With all the physical, emotional and spiritual pain this event was causing Him, His next words would bring a final honor to Mary.  He expressed His compassion and love of His earthly mom by committing and entrusting her to His disciple, John. 

In the next verse, Jesus was introducing John to the adoption of His mom to John’s life and his care of her.

Let’s allow those words to sink in!  I have no idea of those reading these thoughts and if you’ve ever thought about the immense responsibility and devotion that John would now lovingly embrace.

When a person turns their life over to Jesus Christ, asking Him to be their Savior, they are experiencing the most meaningful “adoption” possible.  For only then, can a person address God, as “their Father!”

WHAT AN HONORED PRIVILEGE!!!

But just for a moment, as I read those verses year after year, I never connected what took place when Jesus uttered those incredible words with what was actually taking place.  JESUS WAS INITIATING AN ADOPTION AGREEMENT with His disciple John, and His mother, Mary.

Soon, Jesus would address His heavenly Father, verses 28, 29:

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus was about to leave this earth, after accomplishing the greatest sacrifice for the greatest purpose.

The sixth saying that Jesus spoke from the cross was the single Greek word tetelestai which means:  It is finished! Paid in full!

Here was Jesus completing the “potential” ADOPTION AGREEMENT FOR US.   It’s yours and it’s mine upon personally receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.   His work on the cross obtains our salvation; it’s nothing earned by us at all!  He did it all, and it’s called

“GRACE”

THE UNDESERVED FAVOR AND KINDNESS OF GOD

to allow His Son to take the punishment we deserve because of our sin!

IT’S A FREE GIFT…. but let’s not forget that it cost God the life of His son.

The reality of His death for you and for me grants each of us our own ADOPTION PAPERS bringing each of us into God’s family.

At the close of my quiet time, I read:

Proverbs 10:25, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich.”

The “truest and most valuable riches” in life aren’t possessions, position, power or prestige, but the. . . .“honored position” of being God’s child!

Why can no one earn his way to Heaven?

Because “ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory (perfection) of God.”  Romans 3:23

You have to understand that sin is much more than murder, robbery, lying, gossip and so on; in fact, sin includes anything that we say or do – or not do that is not pleasing to God.  Therefore, EVERYONE falls short compared to the absolute perfectness of God.

If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, here’s a prayer for you to call out to God.

I know I’m a sinner.  I’m lost and bound for hell. There’s nothing I can bring You to earn Your favor, but, Father, by faith, I ask Christ Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.   Yes, I believe He died as my substitute and was raised for me. I believe He paid the full payment for my sin. And right now, I offer myself to You by faith.”  Make me your child forever.   Amen

Have you ever appreciated the fact that……………..

YOU WERE DESIGNED BY GOD

to live out

His plans and His purposes in your life!

“PURPOSEFUL LIVING”

COMPASS THOUGHTS ON…….PURPOSEFUL LIVING

God has “gifted” every one of His kids here on earth, for heavenly purposes!  Have you found your gift (an area of ability that God has given you)?  If so, is it being employed somewhere?   I don’t mean just for a church service, but anywhere and everywhere?  In your neighborhood, at the grocery, post office, your job, your laundry room, kitchen or wherever you happen to be? 

Our abilities or giftedness from our Creator God is designed to “bring glory to God,” or the term I love to use, “making God look good.”  How has He been looking lately in our actions, attitudes and speech?   

A wonderful truth is that if we have given our life over to Jesus Christ, He lives within each of us!   That means we carry Him everywhere we are and in whatever we’re doing.

The concept of “God living within us” is a core belief & truth in Christianity suggesting that believers are not simply connected to God, but that God’s presence and Spirit dwell within them, enabling them to live a life of love and PURPOSE.

We believers today need to REALIZE this fact about ourselves.  Christ isn’t outside of us as some kind of Helper in our time of need; He actually LIVES IN US and is WITH US ALL THE TIME.

Romans 8:10 “But if Christ is IN YOU, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Galatians 1:15-16 “But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called by His grace, to reveal His Son in me.” 

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives IN ME; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”

This clearly shows us that Christ lives in His believers.  Because He lives in us, the Christian life is not a matter of trying to behave like Christ, but of allowing Him to live in and through us. 

Colossians 1:27 “To whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which his Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory.”

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). 

There are many other Scriptures that point to this truth of the living God residing in His children.

Isn’t that THRILLING!!  We often look at verses without pondering their meaning and relevance in the shoe-leather of our living.   Yes, whatever we’re doing, He’s within, sharing and living our His life in us.

Have you consumed garlic lately?  If you have, you’ve not needed to share that with your friend, spouse or co-workers.  Believe me, it would be obvious to them if they were in close proximity of you.  Why?  Because the essence and aroma of garlic has so penetrated you…. that it’s presence within you just “oozes out of you!” 

HAD YOU THOUGHT THAT JESUS CHRIST YEARNS TO “OOZE OUT OF YOU AND I?”

We carry the presence of the Savior within us at all times…wherever we go and whatever we’re doing.  

We don’t need to announce that we’ve consumed garlic.  People will know because it “oozes from our pores…our very being.”     He wants to ooze from the pores of our lives…. influencing and affecting others in a winsome, truthful and loving way.  

When we demonstrate LOVE in the name of Jesus, we are showing Jesus to the world in front of us.   When we love like Jesus…. they need to see and feel the difference that Jesus Christ makes in our lives.

A verse that perhaps many of us have memorized is:  Prov 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.“

There’s so much in that verse.  But it’s about keeping our eyes on Him in whatever we’re doing or wherever we are, looking for His guidance.  It’s also pondering or thinking about what God might be teaching us in our life right now, and making course adjustments in our behavior or attitudes.

Just recently, God convicted me of an attitude within me that wasn’t right!  Ouch, that hurt.  But it was a “positive hurt.”   We sometimes squirm when we’re corrected, and we long for a Divine band-aid to cover over it; but some changes in our life need to be exposed to His Divine “air of truth” which brings change and healing.

We’re to live “in the present,” but there can be blessings in looking back over the rear-view mirror of our lives to see what God has done in and through our lives.  Remembering the specific areas of how God has provided in the past cultivates and encourages us for trusting Him in the future.

Why not pause for awhile and take a short journey back in time in our lives, and recall areas where God has worked and made Himself known to us!

It would be valuable to cultivate more stillness and silence in our lives….so we can know His presence and hear His voice!  He will not shout over our own agendas…. but waits on us until we’re ready to “listen” (with the intention of obeying Him).

ARE YOU LIVING OUT GOD’S PLANS AND PURPOSES IN YOUR LIFE?

A good question to ask God:  What is the purpose or sum of my life?

This type of question helps to make us STOP and THINK:  what was God’s purpose in creating/designing you and me?

If this question has stimulated your thinking, as it has mine, I’d love to hear from you!!!  If you’ve signed in to my blog, it will share my email address.

EXPANDING HIS INFLUENCE

The Gospel According to You

Men are not reading the Bible today

They’re dashing about in their own reckless way.

Most of them don’t care what God has to say,

But brother, they’re reading you.

What is the gospel according to you?

Can people see that to Christ you are true?

Your neighbor reads your actions and deeds,

What can he read in you?

That last sentence in the poem is a searching question, isn’t it?  My husband doesn’t have a local library card; but he will often make the ‘following statement’ after he asks me a question or wants my opinion on a topic.   If I pause to think before speaking, he will blurt out: 

“I know what you’re thinking – because I can read you like a book!”

Well, that can unnerve a person can’t it!  I ofttimes attempt to conceal my thoughts, and then he proceeds to show his library card indicating that he has ‘read me before’ on the subject at hand.

I’m attempting to graduate to a higher level as a concealed informant, but sometimes the transparency of my thoughts or attitudes seems to leak out in my facial expression.  I doubt if most of us realize how “readable we actually are.” 

Our facial expressions can convey what the inner library is thinking or feeling, can’t they.  I’m not saying that’s necessarily wrong, but our facial expression can be a window into our inner attitudes, our feelings, our fears, our joy and even our questioning.

A long time ago, someone shared with me that when I’m trying to really understand a concept or comment that a person has directed my way, that I smile and sort of clinch my eyes shut.  I had no idea of what they were saying until I went home and thought about their comment.  I positioned my face in front of the mirror and tried to mimic my thoughts as though someone just made a statement or asked a question that required “deep thought.”  Sure enough, my lips tightened as if to smile and my eyes moved into “clinch position.” 

Talk about “surprised.”  I had no idea that my face displayed a large question mark.  It was time to have an “about-face.”   The expression didn’t foster the best of displays, as I realized it could make the person communicating with me feel as though I didn’t care.  When, in fact, I did care and was in “deep thought – that’s all.” 

The look on my face left “an impression” and influenced whether or not the other person would continue talking to me.  So, if you’re ever speaking eye-to-eye with me, and I have that “look,” you have my permission to say something.  Okay!

None of us do everything right.  I’d love to introduce the idea of “redoes.”  We all need the grace of a “redo,” don’t you think.

We’re all pretty “normal!”  Seldom does the activity of our life require an article in the newspaper or an affirmation from the Royal Family or accolades from top officials.   Most of our lives are around 1 or 2 on the Richter scale of importance.   So, I’d call that “oatmeal living.”

But our appearance in life does matter to our Creator!  Because if we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives matter more than perhaps we realize.   Regardless of whatever your country’s leadership is, every country has an AMBASSADOR.   An ambassador’s purpose is to represent their country, build relationships with other country and promote their own country’s interests.

In a word, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are here on earth, regardless of your current home address, to represent His Kingdom purpose and plan; and, to build relationships with other people, influencing them towards God’s wonderful kingdom and His personal interest in “their lives.” 

2 Corinthians 5:20  “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”   

So, we represent Him wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.  That means that His presence is within us!  Stop and think about that truth for a moment or two.  That is simply “astounding” to comprehend that in the sneakers of our walk…….. 

WE CARRY THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD WHEREVER WE ARE & WHATEVER WE’RE DOING!

You know, it’s like when we consume garlic, we don’t need to announce its presence…..because, it just OOZES OUT OF US.   That’s what His presence in us longs to do in our lives!  Talk about influence and impact!  What an astonishing ambition and should be our life goal….to REPRESENT OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!

God isn’t interested in perfection…. just faithfulness in the little things, what to us may mean mundane and seemingly insignificant in the area of life.  But we’re called to allow Jesus to “live out His plan and purpose” in our life. 

Of course, our walk is through joys and sadness, frustration and anger, disappointments and accomplishments, most of which we’ll never comprehend their purpose.  But HE KNOWS US intimately and is orchestrating the story of our life, one moment at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time and………….one experience at a time.

Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.”

Jeremiah Study Bible commentary: “The proverbs asserts that every individual lives because of God and His inscrutable knowledge of His creation.”

May I camp on the meaning of inscrutable! 

Impossible to understand, interpret, unreadable, impenetrable, mysterious, impossible to interpret, emotionless, unexplainable, beyond comprehension, baffling, fathomless, confusing, inexplicable, unintelligible

After reading just some of the meanings of the word inscrutable, my mind and heart seemed to fall off the chart.  God knows all about each of us, not just the hairs on our head, but all that makes you…. you, and me….me.   That knowledge itself ought to make us fall on our knees with gratitude.   But of course, it’s true…. because HE DESIGNED YOU!  

Psalm 139:1 “You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.”

Psalm 139:13 “For You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

And through all of that, as we surrender to Him all that we don’t understand, and some we will never understand until we see Him, we simply cling to Him daily.  He promises that He will be working and shaping us to look more like Him in our life, our actions, our attitudes, our speech, and our motivation.  Why?  So that we represent Him well in our world.  How we behave and respond to others is to be representative of the Lord.   

How we need “His wisdom” for our daily walk.   I want to quote a brief comment made by Dr. Charles Swindoll that gripped my heart and flooded it with encouragement.

“Wisdom comes privately from God as a by-product of right decisions, godly reactions, and the application of scriptural principles to daily circumstances.  Wisdom comes, for example, not from seeking after a ministry…but more from anticipating the fruit of a disciplined life.

Not from trying to do great things for God…but more from being faithful to the small, obscure tasks few people ever see.”   Dr. Charles Swindoll

Regardless of our place in life, we are an influencer!   Our lives can motivate, persuade, win over, shape and have a marvelous affect on people…. toward the love Christ has for them.  We need to “be the gospel…. the gospel with skin on,” so people can see and feel the love of Christ through our little, insignificant to us, oatmeal-like lives.

I’ve so embraced the comment by Elizabeth Elliott…. KEEP YOURSELF SMALL!  God is the extraordinary One.  It’s not about us…. it’s about Him!

Our lives cannot be all smiles, we all realize that.  But let’s allow the “light of His Presence within us” to shine, even if, at times, through the tears.  His presence within each of His kids brings influence.  Let’s walk that out, through the power of His Holy Spirit within us.

Would people want to follow Jesus……after they’ve spent time with you?