We Have An Ever-Present Advocate

The wind swirled around me, kissing my neck and lifting flaps and folds of my clothing with each short breath. The summer was turning to Fall, and air temps were hovering between almost warm and too cool. The circle of women was already in prayer as I stepped in to join them. Our back drop was our town’s historic courthouse steps.

As our session came to an end, several friends suggested we go across the street and eat lunch together at the Olympia, known for its specialty sandwiches and homemade chocolates. Its longevity extends beyond all of us, even the 70s something-year-old who seemed to be beloved by the rest.  I had not had the privilege of meeting her before, but we were introduced on our brief walk across the street.  Dee was charming and sweet-natured and connected to the others through a small church group that meets together regularly.

It soon became obvious that Dee was eager to treat her friends to lunch that day. They each stepped up to the restaurant window to place an order while she fished for her wallet from her purse. I had not been told to “just tell her what you want” and there was an awkward moment as the clerk looked at me, the only one who hadn’t ordered, and asked what I wanted. I graciously said I’d order after the others had been paid for. 

They were all sitting down enjoying conversation when I finished my ordering and joined them. I knew a few of them recognized that I was the only who had not been treated to lunch, but it wasn’t their decision that had created my lack, so no one mentioned it. 

In that moment, I felt the sting of being left out and uninvited, even though I knew there was no animosity or ill will towards me.  My head could assess the reality that this was a time to “adult” the situation, but my heart felt the pang of rejection.

I silently voiced my feelings to the One who comes alongside with sympathy and comfort.  “Help me handle this well. I thank you that you see me right now and that you care. You do understand, because you’ve been in these feelings on a much greater level than this.”  It was as though He then winked at me and held my hand. What a special, secret exchange!

Later as I reflected on the experience, still feeling a lingering bit of bitter sweetness, I thought of how just one person could have changed things for me; maybe discreetly offering to buy my lunch, or handing me some money. The thought held no self-pity or judgment on anyone, but captured my imagination. My next thought was to make a declaration and offer a prayer.  Should I ever be in a situation where someone else is left out, I want to notice them. I want to offer kindness.

May my discomfort, make me more sensitive to others and teach me how to do to others as I would want them to do to me. 

 

Lord, Send Revival!

 Many of us who believe in God's sovereignty and the hope that he will again visit our country with revival, are praying for God's Spirit to come anew.  In past revivals there seem to be key ingredients that proceeded the mass response to messages calling for repentance and the birth of many into God's Kingdom. 

"Genuine spiritual awakenings--or revivals if you prefer--have at least five ingredients.

-prayer

-heart searching, resulting in confession and spiritual repentance

-changes in conduct and behavior

-sovereign acts of the Holy Spirit

-growth in the churches" *

I've heard that the next revival will bring conviction and repentance of the godless.  Lives will be dramatically transformed by the power of God's Spirit.  Whereas, in the early 70s, the Holy Spirit revival seemed to be focused on refreshing believers and instilling them with new understanding of the gifts of the Spirit and the power available to live a more dynamic Christian life.

What then, is important for the church to be focusing on now, in preparation for the next mighty move of God? Will we be ready to receive thousands of baby Christians into our fellowships? Do we know how to nurture them?  It will take more workers than just our present leaders.  Are "mature" believers trained to share life-building biblical truths with newbies? To lay aside preconceived ideas about "worldly" people that would judge their actions and outward appearance, rather than accept their person? To believe God wants to use them, in spite of their inexperience and failures? To be willing to give up schedules and invest whatever time is required to care for newborns?

Let's get the nursery ready. The bosom of Jesus will be their crib, where we can lead them to rest. Feedings of the milk of God's word will be around the clock. There's a good supply of wipes and clean diapers handy, as sin has to be eliminated and cleaned up.

The walls will be bordered with the ABCs of God's attributes and character.  Educational games to boost their skills and coordination in love, hope and faith are in the toybox. The bookshelf will be loaded with books about Bible characters, Christian missionaries and our own memoirs as we share what we have learned. Life group playdates will develop in them the fruit of the Spirit as they learn to play fairly and with compassion. 

We'll celebrate every new milestone and cheer them on to winning over every challenge. Their first outfits will be changes into hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. They'll sign up for basis classes in warfare, wearing armor and handling God's sword of the Word. Music lessons will include singing songs, hymns and spiritual songs. We'll work on memorizing the death and resurrection of Jesus whenever we take communion. Their security details of Goodness and Mercy will keep watch, always. And most importantly, they will grow to love our big brother Jesus and our Father, God.

Are we up for the challenge, the opportunity, the excitement of bringing home a new baby? Our partner the Holy Spirit is the perfect co-worker, who we can count on for wisdom, strength and comfort, no matter what paths this new one will take. 

To God be all the glory for the new family members he will birth into his Kingdom. Let's pray the deliveries happen soon. Let's get our hearts right; free from distractions, alliances that would lock us into meaningless commitments, abandoning sins that would weigh us down, and keeping loose holds on our privileges and wealth. 

Please bring revival, Lord, to our nation, to our world.  Help us to be ready. May we have your love  and heart to care. May we be eager to obey and do, whatever job you assign us.

*https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/ingredients-of-a-genuine-revival/

We Cry for Mercy!

The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi

I love when God brings my meditation life into very applicable real life experiences.       Recently I finished a study by Kathie Lee Gifford from the book, The Rock, The Road and The Rabbi.  Kathie has experienced Israel with numerous visits and love for the land and the people. This book explores the culture of Jesus' day with the understanding and study of Rabbi Jason Sobel.  I gained insights into details that were new to me.

Jesus' birth most likely occurred in a cave outside of Bethlehem where shepherds cared for lambs being groomed for sacrifices.  The lambs were swaddled in cloths torn from old priest's garments, which may have been the swaddling cloths Jesus was wrapped in and why that would have been a sign for the shepherds to know exactly where baby Jesus was.

The crown of thorns Jesus wore before the crucifixion represented the bearing of the curse of the ground in Genesis.  Jesus died on a tree; Adam and Eve fell into sin by eating fruit from a certain tree.  Abraham's use of a donkey to carry the wood for the sacrifice of Isaac parallels Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Many more symbols and signs about Jesus fulfill prophecy and shows God's sovereignty at work.

Today as I listened to the Daily Audio Bible reading from John 21, I was touched by the story of Jesus coming to the disciples who were out fishing, instructing them to throw the net on the other side of the boat, inviting them to a breakfast of fish and bread, with a warm fire to sit by.  I can imagine Peter, with memories of his denial nagging his conscience with guilt and doubt about his usefulness to Jesus, finding sweet forgiveness and freeing reinstatement to Christ's calling on his life. The huge catch mimicked the first oversized catch where Jesus had called them to follow him.  The bread and fish symbolized his continued desire to be their provider, and the fire set up the scene to remind Peter of the night of his denial.  

Details Matter!

Both these reflections emphasize to me the importance of details to our great God. If all the little things are orchestrated by him, how much more does every human being matter to him! And that thought brought me to the crazy, sad and destructive culture I am immersed in today.

My country is hurting.  There are a lot of hearts wracked with pain and suffering.  Cries of injustice and inequality are causing people to rise up in peaceful solidarity, and others in acts of violence.  All this follows the agony of the effects of the Covid-19 virus. The virus brought death. This pandemic of discord and racial separation is bringing death to hearts and hopes.  

We Cry for Our Country

Lord Jesus, hear the cries. Come to those you love and heal us.  Raise up peacemakers and voices of wisdom that will drown out mixed messages from political leaders and their focus on control and division. Give us leaders who will champion the way forward from here. Leaders filled with your love and the Holy Spirit.  Your will be done in the USA as it's done in heaven. We need you!  Please don't forsake us and the land you have blessed and loved since our beginning.  We have wandered far from you, turned our backs to you, spit in your face and turned to false gods.  Please, forgive us!

We, your followers, have forsaken our first love as we revel in prosperity and convenience.  Forgive us.  Forgive our apathy and fear of man.  Reignite us to be the city on the hill. Bring back the savor that our salt has lost. Have mercy, oh, Lord, have mercy!

Loosen Your Grip

We're often advised to 'get a grip' when we're stressing over something or feeling irritable.
In these times of quarantine, it might be easy to find ourselves parked in these spaces of worry or frustration.

I'm eating a carrot stick and suddenly wonder whether I washed my hands first.  And didn't I just bring in the mail and forget to sanitize my hands? One day I decided to use bleach to wipe down the counter and then worried that I was breathing fumes that might make me more sick than Covid-19! If I pick up groceries do I need to wipe down each item when I get home? And how many swipes can I get out of one wipe and have it still be effective to kill the virus? Today I turned a doorknob open that someone else outside the family had touched.  Rather than use my bare hand, I had turned it with my sweater hem.  But I didn't change my sweater, so did my clothes get contaminated?  Oh, my!  How crazy we can drive ourselves!!

With zooville thoughts running rapid, it's not too hard to jump into that snappy voice and call out the hubby for his huge infraction of standing in front of the cabinet just when I intended to open a drawer.  Nights seem long when you wake up and can't get back to sleep. Negative thoughts run through my brain at pre-dawn hours, like cockroaches boldly trespassing in kitchen sinks when the lights are out.

But we all know that you can't always chide yourself out of the rut, no matter how often you try.
I've found the better way, not necessarily easier way, of letting go and actually loosening my grip. I listened to a sermon yesterday by Steven Furtick from Elevation Church about letting go of our control and trusting God. It was given as encouragement in this pandemic time. You can listen to it here. Great words for today!

While lifting weights one day, his instructor told him that he would be able to lift more weight if he didn't have such a tight grip on the bar. What a great analogy for our lives!  We'll be able to carry more, deal successfully with more of life's stresses, if we loosen our grip and let God lift our heavy work.

Loosen Your Grip!  Let God Do the Heavy Work!

This reminded me of the cruise Kevin and I took to Alaska some years ago. When I signed up for several excursions, I included a zipline adventure-not because I wanted this "fun" amusement ride, but my husband did. I hid my worries about this kind of high adventure, for his sake. But when the dreaded day arrived, he realized my anxiety.  We awoke, well he did, I was 'awoke' most of the night, to a dreary, misty morning.  I hoped with all my heart the trip would be canceled. Several other excursions were canceling because of weather. I drug him down to the service counter to find out if ours was still on.  "Yes", the desk attendant said, in much too cheery a tone.  "Days like this make the ziplines go even faster." This only added fuel to my nervousness!

After the bus ride to reach higher ground, getting fitted with harnesses and helmets, and after signing the waiver that I was agreeable to possibly falling to my death, we were tethered to wires and began the grand adventure. Before sailing downward, we had to walk across ropes and narrow planks, maybe to weed out the faint of heart, but I made it through all the tests. (Kevin was smitten with guilt for causing my distress, especially after seeing our obstacle course).  We finally approached the first zipline. We had been told numerous times that the cable we held on to would hold and we would not fall even if we let go of the cable that attached us to the overhead wire. The instruction for zipping was to grip the cable in our hands lightly and let our weight sink into the harness we sat in.  After reaching the end of the first ride, I realized my hands were hurting.  I had gripped that cable with all my might, as if I was hanging onto  a rope swinging out over a swimming hole!  As I continued the course, I began to relax in my saddle.  My hands only touched the cable to keep my body upright, and I even let go once and waved, very briefly, well, actually if you blinked you would have missed it. After the last zip, I breathed a well done, confident sigh. I had conquered my fear!  But the point here is, I had learned to loosen my grip and let my harness carry me.

Let God Be Your Harness.  He Will Carry You and Never Let You Down!

Instead of letting those crazy thoughts consume me, I'm finding peace in saying, "God I can't protect myself perfectly. I'm trusting you to keep me safe and healthy.  I'll do what I can, but ultimately, you're bigger than all this and you are the Healer and my Peace."  Those nights when sleep hides from me, I set my mind on God's attributes and gifts.  I whisper, "help!" to the Holy Spirit, and "here are my thoughts.  I've collected them as best as I know how, and I'm bringing them captive to you." His peace is guarding my mind whether I feel it or not, and that brings me comfort. 

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Phil. 4:6-9 MSG

What Are You Missing?

                                  

In these days of stay-inside
Here's what I'm finding is true,
Lonely times come calling,
I'm missing you!

Those tops and pants in closet,
Are feeling lonely, too.
I'm thinking spring clothes this year
Will not get their due.

 

Dressed in sweats and a sweater,
I rotate every day,
I still try to match these few,
It sure takes less effort this way!

Makeup will last till kingdom come,
I'll spend less money for looks,
I'm reading fewer pages
What if I run out of books?

The car sits idle in stall,
Even though gas costs much less,
They say LA can see far,
No smog, to cloud and oppress.

Store pickups are now my norm,
The process is not refined,
Bleached flour and processed meat,
In place of healthier kind.

But I'm cooking more from scratch,
This joy is starting to ache,
Oh, what I would give to eat
Cuisine that I didn't make!

Speaking of groceries and such,
Shortages, are such a rut,
No sanitized wipes, and, cheap
TP that's hard on the butt.

God is working, even when I can't see it, or feel it!

But I'll not keep complaining,
Thankful for hubby and Zoom,
Good health, internet, and phone,
God is here, all is not gloom!

Resurrection! Joy!

Mostly taken from the gospel of John's account of the resurrection in John 20.

For the Joy Set Before Him


Gabriel nudged Michael from their perch on the huge tombstone. "He's like a child, bursting with anticipation". He chuckled. "I wonder who will be the first one to discover his surprise?", Michael responded.

Joy and excitement beamed from Jesus' face as he paced through the garden. It was far too early for any of his friends to be here. Containing his joy until they would show up was almost impossible. He danced, he felt where nails and spear had pierced him, but no emotions of shame or pain shadowed his happiness. He had done it!  The Father's plan had worked! He could now include the human race into the perfect love and forgiveness of his and his Father's heart.  Those who believed would never be separated from him.  They wouldn't have to sacrifice lambs or bulls anymore. His chosen ones would worship now in spirit and in truth. He wanted to tell them, to see their surprise when they saw him alive! Earth's time was passing way too slowly today. If only the sun would run it's race faster this morning!

          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary Magdeline walked alone towards the tomb.  She had brought the smallest lamp she had, hoping to be as inconspicuous as possible in the early morning darkness.  She felt numb and drained of feeling. Crying hadn't brought relief and tears collected into a heavy lump of anxiety in her chest, that seemed more than she could bear.  Sleep was far from reach.  Without a reasoning thought for her safety or what she would find when she arrived, she only wanted to be near him.

Mary remembered Jesus' last words to her. He had thanked her for being a friend, for her faith that kept her following him.  She had emphatically declared that her thanks to him was greater. She didn't want to think back to the days before he had touched her and commanded the evil one to go and leave her alone. Even in this cloud of grief she was comforted by this memory, and the freedom he brought to her that had not faded.

There was the tomb.  The entrance was open with the huge covering stone rolled to one side. What had she expected?  Certainly not this! No one was around. Panic burned in her throat. She could only think of getting to the disciples, to report the unsettling news.  She ran! John and Peter opened the door at her insistent knocking. Relieved to be in their presence, her breathlessness and shock sputtered out her words. "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him."

John and Peter began running towards the tomb. Mary followed, not able to keep up, but wanting to know what they would do. Both men were heading back her way when she arrived, but she could tell they did not want to speak to her. They looked confused and baffled. Initial shock was giving way to the raging river of emotions roiling inside her. Their force was released in anguished sobs.  As she stood near the tomb, her crying subsiding, curiosity overruled and demanded she look inside. Surprise again assaulted her as she saw two shining angels by the empty bed. "Why are you crying?" If it had not been for their sympathetic question, she felt sure she would have succumbed to fainting. "They have taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have put him." She felt a presence behind her and quickly turned around. Given her fragility, everything felt threatening. A human man stood there, and he also asked why the tears and who was she looking for. He must be the gardener, she thought, he would know what had happened. In a respectful, surprisingly, calm voice, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." I am not thinking clearly.  As if  could get him! Fear of her past emotional bondage seized her. Would she be captured by the evil again?

Joy for You and Me!

"Mary". The way he said her name cut through her terrifying thoughts. It was the voice that called her the first time. A voice that held love and chased away demons. It was the Lord! She lifted her face to him. As the morning sunrise colorfully splattered the sky behind him, she reached for him, for the one who was her rock, her savior.  "Teacher!" She blurted his name joyfully. She had not only found him, but he wasn't dead.  He was alive! She wanted to hold on to him, to never be separated from him again. But he was gently withdrawing from her and telling her to go now and tell the disciples she saw him and that he was on the way to his Father, and her Father. It wasn't all clear to her, but she knew he was alive and her heart was whole again. She began to run.

Michael and Gabriel watched as Mary turned to go. "He chose Mary, of course. She loved him dearly and she needed him so desperately.  He knew her heart would receive him warmly and openly."
"And she would be quick to obey and deliver his message," Gabriel added. Michael high-fived his co-worker. "Let's get back to the heavenly party.  I want to see the celebration of Jesus' return." Gabriel had already lifted off, and Michael followed.

            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was most meaningful in writing this is the thought of Jesus' joy and his eagerness to show himself to those who had been closest to him on earth. His joy is our joy because as he said to Mary, his Father and his God, is now our God and Father! The resurrection account in Matthew records that the women leaving the tomb after hearing the angel's words that Jesus was alive, ran to the disciples with fear and joy.  And isn't that so descriptive of us in many of our earthly trials and uncertainties?  Fear may be present, but joy is equally palpable. In these days of mitigation during the virus pandemic, we can live in the resurrected life of Christ where the fruit of the Holy Spirit is abundant. The joy of the Lord is our strength!

May this be your reality today!

If it's difficult to write in the comments of this post, you can respond to my email:
ruthshow1@gmail.com

Sneezing Jesus

Sneezing spreads viruses. So we cast sly unapproving glances at any stranger sniffling, hoping a water droplet shower isn't about to happen. Armed with spray sanitizer or germ fighting wipes, or both, we hurry to finish the shopping trip and return to the fairly safe haven of home. However even here, we wash hands frequently and remember not to itch, stroke or rub our faces, or even strike that ponder-and-think pose of fist supporting chin. If you haven't been an OCD freak before, it might feel like you're on the verge of the diagnosis now.

What a crazy time!  Yet what a time for God to arise and let his enemies be scattered. There's no better time to sneeze Jesus.  Spread his infection, infest our environment with his Kingdom words and actions.

LET US PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS

How creatively we're doing this right now.  Facebook posts of scripture or sermons, or live videos from pastors, have replaced pictures of fancy restaurant meals and vacation fantasies.  Here are some internet gems I've been enjoying.

Daily Audio Bible

I've borrowed the phrase, Sneezing Jesus, from Brian Hardin who hosts the Daily Audio Bible. He reads through the Bible to his listeners in one year, and every day is a brand new recording.  He's done it since 2007, every day new. Sometimes he'll give commentary on what he's read, and the broadcast ends with several prayers or requests from his global community of members. He wrote a book, Sneezing Jesus, and is currently reading a chapter from that book every day, after the Bible reading. It's only the second day today, so a great time to jump into this wonderful, daily encouragement from the Bible and a book that shares the awesome teaching and person of Jesus Christ.
I use the DAB app and find it a great place to start or end my day in bed. You can find it in the app store for any device.  It may cost .99 for other than iPhone users.

Sermons

Our pastor had an excellent sermon on March 15 on how to balance our need for caution with the pandemic, with continuing to minister to those who need help.

Elevation church's sermon on March 22rd was so relevant to the current situation. The pastor used the text from Joshua 3 where the Israelites are finally getting to enter the Promised Land.
Verses 3-5:

[officers gave] "orders to the people: 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits (about half a mile)between you and the ark; do not go near it.' Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'" They were on the verge of a miracle; they would see the flooded Jordan River back up and make a dry path for them to walk through. 

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE

By following God's presence we will know how to handle this time. Keeping a distance between them and the Ark of the Covenant would have allowed everyone to see it. If they were allowed closer only the ones in front would see it. They all needed to see because it was an unknown way for all of them. (thoughts from Mathew Henry commentary) 

God is making a way for each of us, all of us in this never-been-here-before time. He asks us to keep our eyes on him, trust his leading and get ourselves prepared for miracles.

CONSECRATE YOURSELVES. GOD WANTS TO DO AMAZING THINGS!

We are! Let's keep it up. We have time to read his word more, pray, share spiritual truths with our children and grand children and fill our thoughts with his goodness and creative ways to "be together". Who knows what character, what patience he is developing among his people and what he will do as we prepare our hearts to receive more of him? We are on the verge of amazing things!

Social Media and Technology

I've learned to do group Facetime calls. I see families exercising together, baking, making masks, singing birthday songs to a neighbor from their deck, 'visiting' the elderly with a phone call outside their window. I see teachers parading in their cars through residences where their school children live and exchanging waves between car and porch. A school bus passes with a sign in the window that reads FOOD BUS, and I know underprivileged kids are still being fed.

Back to Basics

I walked today and found neighbors outside. There were walkers, joggers, pet walkers, a dad pushing a kid on a tricycle, someone enjoying the sunshine from a blanket in the back yard, a roofing company doing their 'essential work' including a woman walking the peak, and children playing in the dirt.

I'm intending to send more personal snail mail. Friends are remembering and sharing the words of old time hymns. We are turning our hearts in different ways to things that matter.

What are you finding as encouragement during your shelter-in-place days? Share your creativity and discoveries with us.

Thank you, Father, for each day's gift of health and daily bread.  Please end this virus and bring healing to the world. May we be salt and light as you intended us to be. We look to you and wait on you. Give us your peace.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Ps 68:19-20