It's Our Fault

 I was recently reading through a study in Romans.  It reminded me of some confusion I've had regarding several things.

I've been in church my entire life and often struggled with the concept of "missions".

Just the idea of going into a foreign country thinking we could be the deliverer of the news they so desperately needed to hear didn't seem logical if we weren't a knowledgable part of their society.

I also wondered how "fair" it was that some have never heard.

But reading through these passages in Romans again reminded me that we each will be held accountable for what we do with the amount of knowledge we have of our Savior.

It served as a reminder that those of us with MUCH knowledge and opportunity to hear and respond to the teachings of the Lord will be held to a higher level of accountability.  As a comfortable American I catch myself satisfied and not constantly troubled by a lost world that God expects me to deliver the message of salvation to.   ME!  Privilege always increases responsibility.

"In times of persecution and distress the followers of Christ have given striking evidence of His transforming power and sustaining grace, but under more favorable conditions they tend to become worldly, selfish and complacent.  God has commanded saved human beings to be the messengers of the Gospel, and we have failed."  Richard W. DeHaan

My prayer today is that God will create a burning in my soul for the lost that I cannot resist!

a different Christmas

 This will be a different Christmas for sure!  

My daughter's first baby arrived early so I had the privilege of being down in NC with her for the past week 1/2.  What a joy to see how amazing she and Jared are parenting this little one, already pointing him to Jesus!  I have loved every moment of it!

Being here also means I'm less involved then normal with Crossroads' Christmas.  I still have responsibilities but missing all the final meetings and tweaks to the plans.  Christmas was always one of my favorite ministry seasons although some of the pastor's I've worked with didn't particularly love it - ha ha!

It's always a magnificent thing to watch everything fall into place as God's hand touches our work and forms it into exactly what His will is.  None of us ever dreamed COVID would still be controlling much of what is happening around us by December, but alas it is.  Still, I see God's leading even in things like Pastor Dave's suggestion for live animals this year - and the fact that they have to be outside.  This removed all worry about COVID by wearing masks and being spread out from one another in the fresh air!

It gives everyone at Crossroads the opportunity to invite anyone they've been wanting to invite to church to stop by...even if it's just to see the animals!  Please use this opportunity to invite families, even if you don't think they'll stay for the service it may be Step #1 in getting them to Crossroads.  Meanwhile inside the Gospel of Jesus will be celebrated through beautiful song and God filled teaching! 

Everything we plan is intentional, everything pointing them to the Savior! We'll have people out with our animals in front of the church to welcome everyone and chat with them about Christ's birth - we just need you to help us get those people here!  We'll even have a camel!

Remember if you invite people with Elementary aged kids or younger, there will be children's services just for them at all of the 5:00 p.m. services - December 22, 23 & 24.  

Even in the ugliness of all the sickness, we can still safely worship and honor King Jesus while remaining a safe distance from one another! I'll be back from NC soon and hope to see you there!

a good name

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."

Today's study presented this challenge, "Is having a good name a priority in your life?"

When your name comes up in conversations is it described as credible?  These days I think the dominating goal in life seems to be, "it's ok as long as I feel good".  This seems to apply to what people say, who they look up to and how they live their lives with little regard for others.  The complete opposite of how God wants us to live our lives.

We either attract people to a savior they're desperately in need of, or drive them away by how we live our lives and what our priorities area.  A good name attracts them to Christ because you're different than what the world is offering.

Everyone is currently taking offense to every opinion shared.  We now have to live terrified of making a mistake, saying anything that others may take offense to and just plain worried about saying what we really believe is true and right.

That's why it's become even more important to live so that you have a good name!  The one thing we know is true and right is a life lived in the Lord Jesus.  Even if the world doesn't think they want this - a desire for understanding eternity and the savior is deep within them and our lives can be used to make that desire a reality in their lives!

Join me in reading Psalm 112, about a good name today and let's begin to be part of the shift away from the things of this world that will never satisfy, and point them to the only fulfilling thing in this world! 

Live well today!

a miracle water

I won't use the actual name of the magic 'packet of water' that I just saw advertised on TV.

I feel like this type of advertising gimmick just proves once again how desperate we are to believe in something, someone...

Can you imagine being so desperate for eternal life, for healing, for support that you would place your hope in a package of water?

I can't explain how sad this made me, while at the same time it proved once again God created us to believe in something - to believe in Him.

Shame on me for not taking every opportunity to tell others of this amazing Savior that will fill EVERY desire they've ever had, a Savior that died so we don't have to suffer eternally.

I worship the Creator of the water, the designer of the very molecules that make up what men believe in.

Not a packet of special water.

Christmas - a time for friends and family

I've had a privilege few experience for my whole life.  I've always worked and served with family.

I served along-side my parents in church as a kid - cleaning, mowing and preparing for our weekend services.  There's something about making your kids 'help' especially with menial tasks behind the scenes in ministry that makes them take ownership and care about the ministry personally. I HIGHLY recommend inviting your kids and grandkids to serve with you.

My mom and I also worked at two places of business together before I stayed home to raise kids.  These shared days of work and life let us know one another in ways most mothers and daughters don't experience.

As Ron and I had children we all served together at church doing various tasks and being there when the doors were open together. 

I'm in that era of life where I see roles reversing with our kids.  Now I'm the one being taught.

I started my day today 'learning' from the writing of my daughter as I continue my study of Mary from the book she just published.  There's something about raising your kids, trying desperately to teach them about who the Lord is, then benefitting from their knowledge of Him... (tears streaming down my face)...

And then to get the call last night that Jared and Jocelyn lead Trinity their daughter to the Lord...(tears running down my face)... no words

And following having time in the Lord this morning using Jocelyn's book, I saw our son's video work on social media again - as we advertise our Christmas services.

How different they are - one being a 'word-smith' from an early age, the other visually able to see the story and make it come to life through his ability to understand the message that needs to be communicated and capturing it on video or graphically.  Breathtaking...

You can see it at this link.
Lift Up Your Eyes








God has also gifted us with an amazing God-loving daughter and son-in-law too - both crazy in love with Jesus and talented.  We consider both gifts straight from the Lord and miracles!

I'm not writing this to brag about my kids, our family has experienced ugly season's too.
I'm writing to encourage everyone who reads this to mend any damaged family/friend relationship you have right away.

I'm not suggesting you enter back into any harmful relationship, ever! 

But, recently with people I've personally talked to, I've been shocked at how long it's been since they've talked to loved ones.  Differences in life style and life choices have separated them - a difference in opinion in some cases is all that separates them.  You DO NOT have to condone how someone lives in order to love them and let them know that.

Please consider this Christmas season a simple text or call to a family member or friend that you've distanced yourself from.

Jesus says to 'love'...He doesn't list exceptions that permit you to remain mad or harbor a heart of disappointment or lack of forgiveness.

We owe the Savior a clean heart - that's what He asks for at Christmas!!

(I would LOVE to hear your comments about steps you're going to take to contact loved ones!!)

stealing my freedom

I'm growing weary of everyone else's selfish, sinful decisions stealing my freedom.

All through history it's really what's driven any destructive era of time.  One man or a group of people decide they want something to change, or that their evil desires are most important and it drives movement.  Typically a movement that doesn't consider what the majority of people believe or want.

Even when I've heard of horrible things people have done in our own country, when it's not happening to me, it doesn't effect how I live.  I intend to be more attentive to what's going on in other's lives and pray more, lots more.


This week I've paid attention, I've paid close attention.  Authorities are still telling us not to leave our houses or cars unlocked, and to stay inside if we can.

This morning I had a window of time I could be sitting in my favorite spot on our deck and I've decided to be obedient and do what I've been asked and stay inside.  Not fair!

The sin of even one man can change our lives.

Just like Adam did in the garden.

These troubled people desperately need The Savior and keep looking in all the wrong, selfish, pointless places...

But just like we've been taught from God's Word - evil, trouble, disappointment, sickness always drives us to our knees.  It's completely understandable why God allows trouble in our lives.

We turn to Him. 

eyewitness

This amazing, peaceful, beautiful Saturday is beginning nice and slow, and it's a day where I get to decide how I'm going to spend every single minute of it!  Thankful!

I get to begin by reading I John 1:1-4

In this passage it reminds us that this Savior we follow is not just a religion.  There were eyewitnesses that watched every bit of prophesy fulfilled. They were taught it, they got to witness Jesus raising people from the dead and healing people that had no hope of being healthy again, they watched in horror as their Savior, teacher and personal friend, was beaten and crucified, and most of all they got to see Him IN PERSON risen from the dead AND watched the ascension back to heaven.

God planned it this way.  Because we're just human people easily swayed, He knew it would just be another religion for people to consider unless He removed ALL DOUBT by having multiple eyewitnesses!  The Father let Jesus' followers spend time with him after the resurrection, to touch him and even let the doubters stick their finger through his pierced hands.  God could have resurrected his son and healed those scars, but he knew men would doubt unless they saw them for themselves!

In one of Beth Moore's books she talks about how "once they saw it for themselves, there was no holding them back - they had to share it with everyone they crossed paths with for the rest of their lives.  Even if it meant they would be persecuted or killed"

OH that I could be totally rocked by Him daily to the point that I can not stop talking about Him and the hope that's only found in Christ!

confessing fear again

I can't deny it, as I flip the channel away from the mess of comments and opinion connected to the ridiculous state of our countries' politics, I feel fear again.

But when I really challenge myself with 'what am I scared of', I have finally realized, it's not anything the future may hold, instead it's the regret of wasted opportunity and self-absorbed decisions I can never get back.  Words I can never change, people I may never get a chance to help again.

I read these sentences today and they really struck deep in my soul,

"I am broken in a way that often breaks the people around me. I am broken in a way that should, logically speaking, separate me from a holy God."

But He died for me.

This prevented my eternal separation.

I want to live totally unafraid of the frenzy of sin around me by keeping my eyes fixed on Him.  To stand pure before Him.

I think we may soon have the greatest opportunity of our lives to show the lost the Savior church!

Am I capable of loving my enemies?

ironing

I love freshly ironed clothing.

I unfortunately - based on our current schedule, had allowed my ironing to really pile up.  It was one of those evenings a couple days ago, when all that was on TV was election junk, so I headed upstairs.

I think the reason I enjoy ironing is that it has a beginning and an ending, and most of my work feels like it doesn't.

I took my laptop with me and decided to re-listen to Pastor Dave's heaven and hell teachings. Crossroads Messages

Even though I almost always sit clear up-front during 1 service a weekend, it's really difficult to ever fully stop evaluating and making suggestions for improvement creatively, technically and musically.   So although I sit down - I don't 'take it all in', like I should.

I was really, really challenged more than any other messages in a long time as I listened.   Dave's challenge to long for heaven to spend eternity in Christ's presence felt like a brand new challenge. He said it should be the main thing we long for, to simply be in the presence of Jesus forever.

Sitting under this kind of teaching makes me understand that I had several pastors growing up, that seemed to focus on sending us home each weekend feeling guilty about our lives.  Not redeemed, not saved, not secure - guilty...not good enough.

So I have to admit, when taking the time to carefully examine my heart, most of my thinking related to 'excepting Christ', was feeling not worthy on my own to get to heaven, which of course is true.   And because I was scared to death of hell.  We were asked weekly, "Are you SURE you're saved, are you POSITIVE you've been forgiven", even though we didn't believe you could lose your salvation - they asked weekly.

I see now how our enemy can even use well intentioned good men to lead us away from a personal longing to understand and know our Savior more and more.  Instead it can turn into nothing more then a 'get out of hell' pass.

He created me to BE WITH HIM, not worry about doing things well enough, bank accounts and the future - but to understand that as a child of His I will ONLY find satisfaction in Him...

I want to know Him more - to ask for understanding of who He is, and to honestly believe what I'm doing now - my amazing family - all these blessings He's given me are all to use for eternal accomplishment.  In a blink of an eye we'll move on, and that's not a negative thing.  I want it to nurture a longing that can only be satisfied by Him.

It shouldn't be shocking that God allows dramatic things to happen to us, removing all 'the stuff' that clogs our ability to focus on Him.  Especially as Americans, it's nearly impossibly to see our deep eternal need of Him through all of our appointments, purchases and self-sufficiencies, but I want to know Him at a level that makes heaven the longing of my heart.  Pouring into only heaven worthy things and attitudes.  I am very thankful that truth is taught clearly and bravely at Crossroads without guilting us into obedience!

Who would have thought ironing my hubby's shirts could be used of God to open my eyes and catch just a tiny glimpse of what He really wants from me?  What awaits for me!

May your day be filled with heaven-longings and a new, deep knowledge of Christ- and maybe a little ironing!

rehearsing to worship well

I think this is the 19th Easter I've had the privilege to be part of at Crossroads, and it's the first one my dad will miss.

It's always so humbling when you watch many hands touch a concept and bring to life what once was just in a folder in a your drawer, this concept became filled with Holy Spirit filled life.

As I'm critiquing and watching every move of our Easter rehearsal, listening to every note - I worship, almost so overcome I cannot watch.  Forever He is Glorified...forever He is lifted High...my dad's singing too - I know it.

We try to worship as we should and then every once in while when we prepare well, we stand before him forgiven, then we catch a glimpse for just a moment of what it may be some day in heaven.

While we remain for a while with hurt, and sin in a scared world - dad worships His Savior face to face.  And as we try to understand what worship really is - there is no effort in my dad's worship, he cannot resist it - nothing else enters his mind but continuous worship of the only Savior of our world!

Until then, I'm just asking you all not to miss the opportunity to worship this weekend - don't forsake the gathering together of saints as we celebrate the amazing undeserved love of our Savior!

I'm a little less whole

Yesterday and all the past years of my life, my dad was a huge part of me.  This morning as he passed I felt just a little less whole.   Like something is missing now.

I am so thankful I got to be with him non-stop over the past few weeks.  But, it's been very difficult to watch the man I grew up in love with, shrink away before my very eyes.

This father of mine was strong and independent and suddenly in 3 weeks time became totally dependent on others.  All decision making was removed from him as he had doctors telling him what he had to do next and squads moving him from hospital to Hospice to home to Hospice..people bathing him and medicating him, I could hardly stand to watch all privacy and dignity be taken from him.

But, even as he was taken from the home he loved - he treated everyone kindly, his sarcastic humor had never been sharper and the stories that were told will be remembered forever by all that participated! And oh how he talked of the Lord - a testimony to the end!

Everyone had different ways of saying goodbye - I found myself even today as he took his final breaths stroking his arm and then kissing his head goodbye.  Both things were something I'm not sure I've ever done before.  But it's all I could do as we assured him it was ok to go to be with Jesus.

Later in his empty bedroom today, I started to go through pictures in preparation for the funeral and physically saw the little things he had that were important to him.   Simple things, things he's touched in the past, things I now need to hold for a little while.  These things all left behind.

This I know with more certainty then ever in my life - he is not in that coffin -  he has been welcomed into His Saviors arms!

All his hardships and all disappointments have faded, and all longings have been fulfilled with just one glimpse of Yahweh!  He probably fell on the ground in breathtaking amazement of God Almighty!

I loved him fiercely, and he encouraged me endlessly so I'm perhaps less whole without him.  But I think any loss, any trial, drives us to long more and more to be present with Jesus ourselves!  And only then - in heaven's glory will I too feel the glorified fulfillment that my dad experienced at 10:27 a.m. this morning.

the ones next door

It's shocking to see how much your prospective changes on what's important when your focus turns to cherishing every moment.

I spent the night at Hospice sleeping in my dad's room.  I rested and listened.

Dad slept well,  I didn't hear the uncomfortable sounds of the hospital - instead I heard the relief that a place more like home brings.

I also heard the ones next door.

They appear to be of a different nationality and religion.  This isn't based on a stereo-typing analysis from me, but things I've actually heard them say and things I've actually seen them do.

There are only 2 families here right now, and we're right beside one another.

Quite the contrast side by side.  Opposites.  I can't image what it must be like serving a non-existent God like this family appears to do at Hospice.

This family is not quiet about their presence.  At one point a small boy threw open dad's door, not what you're going for when you check into Hospice.  Also late in the night, there appeared to be a big disagreement right outside our door - a sharp contrast to what you usually find at here.

As I thought about all the ways we're different then they are, I also remembered the sacrifice of a Savior that was required to make us different then the lost.  Before the Savior, we were exactly like them regardless of our clothes.

It also made me think about the families I live beside at home, I don't know them.

They're just far enough away from our house that we never cross paths, and rarely see one another outside to speak.

I think it's time to be working on some kind of plan to be more intentional about their eternity.

I realize now that an error my church made when I was growing up was to use things to manipulate us or scare us into making decisions.  And one thing I remember them saying was, "some day at the great judgement seat of eternity, the people you didn't witness to will look at you and say, "Why didn't you tell me about Jesus?"....

Regardless of if that's true or not, a Savior came to die to bring salvation and out of both a deep  compassion for their souls and obedience to why we are here on earth, may we be intentional about the ones next door.

betrayed

I've been working on Christmas@Crossroads this week.

I am once again feeling privileged beyond my dreams to be able to take pieces and parts and form the skeleton of what the services will become with everyone's contributions and surrounded by prayer.

In searching the web for all the latest ideas and gadgets and bells and whistles I found myself in tears watching the simplest of things.

I Love this drawing

One short drama I watched was of actors portraying the experience of Mary being told by an angel that she was with child, and not only pregnant without intimate relationship, but carrying the long awaited Savior of the world.

The actress portrayed beautifully the innocence of a young girl being told SHE was the chosen mother of the Savior.

Her belief and trust in the Lord had to be HUGE.  Amazing!

Then the actor that played Joseph was told by Mary she was pregnant.  He cried, felt completely betrayed, probably accused her of being unfaithful, and moved from utter disbelief to horror and again burst into tears and left.

It was the first time I've ever really thought about how betrayed Joseph must have felt.  He thought he'd just lost his promised wife to another man, he knew what a pregnancy out of wedlock would mean for Mary, and he loved her.  Even in his deepest moments of feeling betrayed, he loved her which caused a deep pain the likes of which I've never known.

And then Joseph's suspicion of betrayal was erased as an angel of the Lord told him not to hesitate to take Mary for his wife.  And that he had been chosen to be the Savior's earthly father, can you imagine?

Would you believe that kind of message?

These were normal human beings chosen to be used of God in a supernatural way that only He could orchestrate.  Almighty God had to reduce His only son to that of a human to save His creation.

Now to somehow communicate that message to our congregation...

It will of course only happen with that same divine help from the God of the Universe who is still reaching out to his fallen creation.

Please pray for us!

my day off

I usually give a report at the end of my day off - but today, for the first time as long as I can remember, my hubby and I both slept in and have no plans.

Some people may consider having no plans as being disorganized and the concern for nothing getting accomplished may be what you think of.  Well, to ease your mind as I sit here in the glorious sun hitting my couch - my washer and dryer are running - so at least there will be clean clothes!  Beyond that - nothing is ok!

I wonder how many people around the world wake up everyday not knowing what their day will hold?   It may even be the majority of the world - I don't know.

To me, it's a luxury I treasure highly so I sit in this moment thankful for simple things like a good nights rest and the warm sun.  And joy floods my soul.

Before I blogged this morning, I read this from John Calvin, "If God contains the fullness of all good things in himself like an inexhaustible fountain, nothing beyond him is to be sought by those who strike after the highest good and all the elements of happiness."

Worship of God is an end in itself - really the ultimate goal of our lives.  Worship is not an outward ritual - it is our expressed satisfaction in Him and Him alone.  It changes our hearts which changes our outward actions and loves and life.

Space and silence creates authentic worship - not song selections and rehearsals.

Today - in the stillness, there is more room than normal for my worship - it makes me remember how important starting each day like this is to my soul and to my relationship with almighty God.

In our busy - over-extended lives I suspect 'stopping' is what our Savior seeks - it's perhaps the highest form of praise we can offer Him.

what I learned today

This is actually still churning within me as a result of my study on vacation.  

There is so much - where to begin...

Growing up in the church, so many of the 'believers' I knew seemed sad - as if being a follower of Christ meant they had to be constantly serious and on task to obey every rule known to mankind.  They said they believed in eternal security and yet lived an outwardly terrified life as if their salvation might at anytime be revoked.  It didn't make sense to me as a kid.

What I'm beginning to discover is that what Christ desires for us, what we were created to be and what attracts the lost more than perhaps any other single thing - is when they see our Joy in Christ.

The old song "What the World needs now is love sweet love" really translates into a universal desire to be loved and cherished and what the worldly love never finds is lasting satisfaction which we know is found only through relationship with the creator of love.  And only through that relationship do we find true joy.  For when we have hope in Christ - we're sure in our eternal destination there is truly no room for paralyzing fear. or loneliness.  The world cannot make us sad unless our focus turns toward the world and the temporary stuff it offers us instead of keeping our eyes eternally focused.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord

I'm sure this has no circumstantial boundary - no limitation of any kind that would justify a believer to ever be less than delighted with the Lord.

The Bible talks about how Paul was sorrowful yet always rejoicing and we know of many missionaries who have given all yet felt they never made a sacrifice.    How can this be?   Can this type of focused delight even happen in America where we all have too much?

John Piper's book  -  Desiring God has strengthened my resolve to find out how to live this way.

I have made the statement  - "He or she steals my joy",  about people I was struggling with.    I have to wonder if that deeply hurt my Savior!  It is a choice to allow my joy in Him to be stolen, no one can take it.   It is only when my relationship with Christ is as it should be that I can experience any lasting joy.

Piper says God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him...

Is it possible as an American to be satisfied - ever?  I've said it before and I still believe it may be true - perhaps America is the most deceived of all nations?  The nations where people are persecuted for their faith - there is no doubt who truly loves and knows Him and who does not.   Here - it's become kind of gray...if asked most people would probably still say they believe there is a God, but sadly their life, their lack of joy and constant striving for more says otherwise.

I'm beginning to believe that everything God created me to be, to accomplish, to strive for is contained in - Delighting In Him - so much so that everyone can see Him and not just all the stuff I accomplish.

Are you joyful?  Does the world wonder what you have that they don't?  Is there a peace deep within you that leaks out when everyone else seems to live in a state of stress and panic and deep dissatisfaction?

Let's all take a step toward an eternal Delight that no man, no event, no trial can ever extinguish!  Let's be filled with joy found only in our Savior!

politics

I have often said - I'm very, very thankful for any God-fearing person willing to serve in a political office because I could never be in the political arena!

2. Tonight I watched politicians on TV for a few minutes argue about trivial things that the average American could care less about.  It made me so sad when I know we have problems that need their attention badly.
   
   If you allow yourself, it's easy to get swept up in worry and frustration as we watch our beautiful, free country seemingly fall apart around us.  We are a free people that have everything the rest of the world would die to have - and still we aren't satisfied.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   It comes as no surprise that people are still not satisfied even when the new model of 'getting without earning' is being given to them.
   
   
   We were created to work and not just to get.  
   
   
   What our country is searching for is of course something no politician can ever supply, it's a personal, satisfying, all full-filling relationship with the Lord.  Nothing this world has to offer brings lasting satisfaction or peace.
   
   
   Tonight I am praying for the "State of the Union" and all those caught up in the self-serving mire politics can become.  Our political leaders need our prayers!
   
   
   My prayer tonight is for those who need the Savior,  that they may come to know the rescue that only He provides!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

reflections on preparing well

I watched a new team be born this year in preparation of our Christmas services.

Senior worship leaders mentoring younger worship leaders, faithful team members encouraging one another lending hours of their lives to prepare well, a technical team with a new leader solving problems and preparing earlier then ever before.  A new Pastor speaking to us even before he arrives using technology - also caring much about being part of this incredible opportunity to effect people for eternity.   Preparing well.

All God asks us for is our best.



And so tonight we all come together to offer as our Christmas gift to the Savior of the world, our preparation.

It is not just about what our team is ready to present...
-it's an entire ministry poised to welcome people as they arrive who may not have been in church for years, or ever...
-it's special treats for the children in attendance - carefully prepared by loving volunteers that value each child enough to interrupt their own busy Christmas preparations to give their offering of service to the Lord.
-It's volunteers cleaning so that our building God has given us is excellent before the Lord.
-It's men carefully placing each chair in the auditorium so that extras can be added
-it's each person taking hand-fulls of invite cards to invite their lost friends and neighbors
-and coffee hand-picked by the farmers we love in Guatemala all ground and ready to be served

This is His church preparing well

And tonight all of this preparation will become the service that begins the journey of the lost- toward a new born Savior.

the most important thing

The funniest thing happened today.  When I arrived home I found an envelope in the mail from Jocelyn's former high school soccer coach.

He said he was cleaning out his office at home and came across 2 certificates he had never given to her!  So he sent them to us.

It got me to thinking, how important those certificates were back in 2006, and how unimportant  

they are now.

Isn't that the way of most everything in our lives - at least here in the US?

I know so many people who claim the name of Christ and yet are so unsatisfied with their lives, with what they have and the job they are currently doing.  Why is this?  

Friends overseas are content to work ANY job - and spend each day working for just enough to put food on the table and MAYBE a couple pieces of clothing occasionally.  Still they are content.

My guess is when you HAVE to trust the Lord for EVERYTHING - you worship and praise Him as each need is met.  They watch those around them who don't know the Lord struggle and lay their last pieces of food and hand-full of nearly worthless coins at the feet of idols. They watch each of their lost friends' days become completely full of hopelessness without the Savior they love.

But don't we do the same?  I have some friends who go to jobs they're not thankful for,  just to work their lives away to try to pay off things they should have never bought in the first place - and suddenly they look around and realize they've allowed themselves to become slaves to stuff.  It's easy to do here.  And that of course brings no satisfaction at all.

Soccer teams are important, they teach you discipline and certainly keep you physically in shape, but as that era passes and you move on- certificates become paper memories that get laid aside and seldom thought about.  

My longing is that nothing temporary will distract me from what the Lord has ordained for my life to become.  I want to abide in Him fully and focus on why He placed me here and what He has 

for me to invest my life in.

May my most important thing always be moving closer and closer toward Him and always discerning what 'the most important thing' is in His eyes.

abiding

Any place becomes the Promised Land when the blessing of His presence becomes the gift we receive  — and give.

I found this beautiful sentence in a book I'm reading.

It explains how a person in love with the Lord can rest in Him even in the worst of circumstances, how an earthly trial can be viewed as the Promised Land when we abide deeply in Him.


When we accept this gift from Him - we can also give this gift.  With eyes never wavering from Him we show the world our true Savior - taking a step away from the busy world and abiding...

Looking deeply into others' eyes - really hearing them - really caring, demonstrating to them in a very small way a glimpse of His love.

This is the place in which I long to abide.

what I learned today

It seemed fitting to read Luke 1 today before I finished (hopefully) all the creative details of Crossroads' Christmas services.

Out of the whole passage what caught my attention was a portion of Mary's conversation with Elisabeth.

Over and over again in the Bible God talks about the needy, the humble, the servants when all the world values are the complete opposite characteristics.

Luke 1: 51-53
"He has shown strength with his arm; 
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty."

Mary knew who she carried in her womb and she knew what God's promises were for the coming Messiah - what he would do for His people.  She rejoiced!

Can you imagine being the parent of a child that had been written about for years and years before his birth?  Everyone that read the scriptures knew what was promised.  Sadly many didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, mainly perhaps because He didn't come the way they thought He would.

They expected a mighty King - someone who would overthrow evil earthly kingdoms and lead His people strongly.  Did they make up their own version of what the Messiah would be?

Just as the scriptures discuss above, it's the humble and the hungry He ministered to and worked through.  The healed witnessed to others, the shepherd boy killed giants, the widows last mite was used to demonstrate to generations that followed what our hearts should be like in order to really give.

The proud - even the proud spiritual leaders of the day refused to except a baby born of a human mother who quietly lead most of the time.

God's way of overthrowing governments and evil is to usually use an unlikely man or woman.  Someone who is powerless in the world's eyes.  Or someone who has been reduced to nothing in order to be used.

I try to see Him through all that I have and most of the time I don't see Him clearly.  It's difficult to need a Savior when you have all that you need now.  The humble, needy and sick need Him immediately - with no effort they see He is their only salvation.

Perspective comes when I quietly and honestly look at how fast my life is passing and ask myself -
"will anything I've done or bought or spent my time doing withstand the scrutiny of eternity?"