Garlands of Hosannas: January 2012

Living the AP Life

You can’t say I didn’t warn you.

I knew I had to come back to this. And, in considering how many prayers God has answered that have occupied my mind since I first broached the subject, we will be revisiting often. In fact, meet new Tuesday post series: “Living the Life of Answered Prayer.”

Oh, how I’ve prayed for spiritual blessing over the years. And God has answered in some amazing ways! Far more than material blessings for this physical life (which He graciously gifts, as well), He blesses this faith-life. So, I’ve determined to give Him due thanks that I am now livin’ that life.

I look back over the span to see just how far He has brought me. Of the times I have begged and pleaded to be made new, not thinking it would ever come to pass. While I’m far from completion, I’m also far from where I once was.

The many Bible verses pertaining to spiritual growth I have prayed for my family and I are bearing fruit at the gracious nod of God. I can’t just swipe and consume the fruit without giving God thanks, now can I? And, like any fruit, I owe Him a debt of gratitude for the seed and nourishment, the rain of grace, the gardeners along the way, and the luscious growth.

This style of life I yearned for deserves thanksgiving. Recognizing those prayers answered—counting those spiritual blessings—will give God credit for grace given in the work He has done.

I am alive to this awareness of answered prayers—prayers morphed from breath-to-reality at His “Yes!”

The repeated longing for God to do a marvelous work in me, “for in perfect faithfulness He has done marvelous things, things planned long ago,” has been put into action.

Oh, if you only knew how He has answered; “No matter what I once was, I have been washed, I have been sanctified, and I have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” That is purely miraculous grace!

How can I let that slip past unnoticed? That . . . and so many others!

So, Tuesday’s I’ll reflect upon these spiritual prayers answered—

Count my many blessings . . .

. . . . . Name them 1 by 1 —
because I’m livin’ it—the AP (Answered Prayer) life.

I’m livin’ those prayers answered.

How Your gifts rain down from heaven, Father! I’ve a long way to go, but how thankful I am for Your faith-transformation this far. As long as I’m breathing, there’s hope for continued gain. I’ll just keep praying . . . praying and yielding. And giving thanks!

Underestimating God

Realization pierces heavy clouds, permitting light to stream and flood.

Asking this question brought about just such a realization…

Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God____________________?

That tell-tale blank can be filled-in with just about anything. I am ashamed to admit that I have completed that question in a wide variety of ways.

Attempting to manage things in my own strength, I got anxious recently when I felt I couldn’t complete a task successfully.

When those doubts cause the jitters I’ve usually done one of two things: I’ve either factored God completely out of the equation or I’ve limited His limitless abilities.

When I feel overwhelmed and overcome by that edgy buzz I should realize that I am underestimating God’s power…and grace.

The question I quoted above was one Paul posed in making his defense before King Agrippa. It was a question simply stated yet with profound implications. And when I read it again it slapped with conviction.

“Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”

[Acts 26:8]

Isn’t that the most impossible of all feats . . . raising the dead?

For God, it’s mere child’s play.

Then how difficult is it really for Him to accomplish the small thing I put in that blank?

Jesus admonished Philip in the Upper Room that if he couldn’t believe that He and God were one [what you can’t see], then he should believe the evidence of His miracles [what you can see]. (Jn 14:11)

When flesh screams to see the invisible, awaken faith by remembering what can be seen—what God has done is proof of what He can do.

How often of late I have gotten myself worked up over my insufficiency to meet a particular challenge. I’ve felt the strain from the fact that I’m not qualified or capable. And those feelings continued to bubble and fizz and foam-up a nervous tizzy. With Scripture and first-hand knowledge of God from experience, my mind fought hard to produce a faith to believe God would provide and is indeed able.

I was caught in a battle to fence God in. A battle I sometimes felt I was losing.

But with an awakening to error comes repose.

I was made to see the ridiculous implications of my mental battle and my confidence and peace was restored.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit redeemed my wayward thoughts and waning faith with that question.

How would you fill in the blank: “Why should you consider it incredible that God____________________?”

What are you facing today that causes worry? That raises doubts of sufficiency?

I’ve arrived at this conclusion: If you don’t see a way something can possibly be done, look to what you know God has done. Then allow His grace to slay the giant, Independence, and surrender to the might of His Spirit.

Forgive me, Omnipotent-God, for underestimating You, for placing limits on what I think You can do. Already I feel the weight lifted from my self-imposed burden and see rays of glorious light. Such merciful grace!

The High Cost of Safety

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety.”
[Ps 4:8]

I thought she was an over-protective worry-wart and it frustrated me to no end!

Now that I’m a mother I totally understand!

I was consumed with safety after the arrival of my first-born. Imagined danger lurked around every bend and I became overly anxious with every news report and recall.

In its extreme, can safety be viewed a plague? If a life is paralyzed with fear due to a safety obsession, one might have cause for real concern.

Threats on every front are real and we are to be wisely cautious and aware of the dangers about us. But haven’t media over-sensationalism, litigation, and legislation made us leery to a fault? That, and a government that wants to regulate everything that moves?

I’m not addressing awareness of the potential for violent attacks of crime or terror; being alert to faulty or worn products; accident prevention or negligence.

So how is safety to be considered an idol? I’m thinkin’ that if we forsake the call of Christ and His set purpose to “secure” safety first, we’ve missed the mark. If it becomes my main objective—above all else (most importantly, God)—I’ve given my heart and mind over to something else out of fear. It is God our hearts should worship and serve…above even safety.

If desire for safety outranks trusting God, I think we’ve gone too far. News of tragedy should educate and inform, not drown out God’s voice—robbing us of hope and faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness to His Word. Exercising wisdom with trust in God over paralyzing fear is the life of faith in Christ we are called to.

What if the Apostles played it safe? What if they acted on what “could” happen?

With current worries on the road of safe bridges; worries on the seas of safe cruise ships; worries in the skies of safe planes, we could easily be prevented from going anywhere—on land, sea, or air—with the saving message of the Gospel. How are we to go if fear for safety blocks every route?

We are not to live life in reckless abandon. But we are to live life radically surrendered and completely willing to step out in faith and obedience to the commands of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit in Christ.

Commit to remember the words of Jesus:

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

[Mt 10:16-18; 21-22; 28]

It is faith that pleases God. He commends the one willing to risk even life in obedience to love and serve in the name of Jesus.

Almighty, Sovereign Lord; Grant us courage and the faith to believe God’s promise that whoever listens to Him will live in safety and will be at ease, without fear of harm.

A 2012 Series: Idol Awareness

~A Saturday Post~

...to be continued next Saturday.

Plummeted Unaffected

As lifestyles drop with the plunging economy, it’s sobering to watch the tumble.

Hanging on what feels like the edge of the earth, do they see the Tower? The Rock that is higher that David wrote of?

Not unless they’ve already visited and know the way well.

“From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
[Ps 61:2]

The account of Absalom’s rebellion in 2 Samuel 15-18 is a low point in David’s life . . . another one. David plummeted from the heights, but his faith never sank as a result.

There was much he did not know, but He knew God.

And he knew he could gaze upon God and abide in His love from any location and circumstance.

God had been his refuge in the past so he knew where to head, as his heart grew faint and he dangled at what seemed like the edge of the earth. The way was familiar. He knew where he need go in the face of on-setting trouble . . . for the path was well-worn.

Just peek into a few of the ups and downs of his life. With each victory and tragedy he grew more and more sure of the presence of God, as well as God's faithfulness to His Word.

Anointed king

Slew Goliath

Fled from murderous Saul

Lost a dear friend

Crowned king

Received God’s Covenant

Victory in battle, Prosperity, and Peace

Committed adultery with Bathsheba

Had her husband killed in battle

Their child died

Solomon was born

Tumultous family life

Absalom rebelled

Restored to the throne

Sinned by taking an unauthorized census

Planned and prepared to build a temple for God

So as King David headed out of his palace . . . his city, he headed toward God in full faith. He had ridden the heights, and now he was being plunged to the depths at the hand of his own son; yet, seasoned, he remained resolute in His praise of the immutable God.

As the world spirals and the ripples rock innocent by-standers, the effects that come our way may be out of our control but God is always God. And God is always Sovereign. He is I AM. And He leads higher…to the Rock.

God; When all around us gives way, may our faith, hope, and love remain unaffected. Lead ever higher . . . to The Rock.

Living the Life of Answered Prayer

I am livin’ the answered-prayer life!

Why is that news to me?!

At the Monday morning breakfast table the kids prayed Romans 1:12:

“Father, please bring strong believers into my life that we

may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

And as they said that prayer, the faint echo of my own voice saying that same prayer exited my memory with such force, a gasp escaped my throat. Faces flashed across my closed lids of all those the Lord has used in answer to that very prayer in my life.

I’m livin’ it! That is now my reality…the prayer has become my life!

It was an “Ah-Ha!” moment. My heart leaped for such joy when it became so perfectly clear to me that I was livin’ the life…

Livin’ the life of answered prayer.

I have often commented over the years that I firmly believe God is still answering my grandmother’s prayers. Prayers uttered on my behalf years and years ago are still being answered. (Just as I hope the prayers for my kids and unborn grands will be long after my departure from this life.)

The verses I’ve prayed that God has answered flood like a torrent. Too many to be explored this late hour of the night. My mind wanders back over prayers…so very many prayers…

Prayers from Scripture…

The prayers of Jesus…

Prayers in the Bible for the saints and the Church…

Prayers of my own…

Prayers of another

Aren’t we recipients of the fruit of Jesus’ prayers for unbelievers and believers? Those recorded in the Bible and otherwise?

And He continues to intercede for us.

The moment you realize you’re livin’ the answer to a prayer once prayed, is a moment like no other. I will definitely have to revisit this thought and dig a bit deeper that I might give more adequate thanks and praise to our God of Wonder.

That You have heard my voice and given a sovereign nod, is too wonderful for me! Your faithful love remains steadfast, Father, and I offer utmost thanksgiving and praise.

Food, Marvelous Food

“Do not work for food that spoils,
but for food that endures to eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.”
[Jn 6:27a]

How easy is it to be consumed with thoughts of food?

Sometimes I feel bombarded by food commercials, food ads, and food shows. In America we have the food industry, the Food Channel, magazines and cookbooks galore, and restaurants on every corner. We even have a food administration office in our federal government.

I have sought comfort, satisfaction, pleasure, and relief from food (albeit temporary). But there is a human hunger only God can fill. And that is a hunger I want ever to remain. I don’t want to deaden or guise or extinguish that hunger for Him and His Word. And I certainly don’t want to bury it with the artificial junk food the world offers.

I love food! But I haven’t always held a healthy perspective of it. There have been times I have viewed food as a coping tool. I would use food as a stress-reliever, a loneliness-buster, or a boredom-breaker; only to learn that it can never offer true, lasting comfort. But, thoughtlessly and often unknowingly, I would turn to the cupboard for calm when my nerves became rattled and my thoughts anxious. I gained a false sense of comfort and a bad habit . . . as I gained weight.

I not only want to be fed, I want to be well-fed.

I feared becoming like Esau—forsaking a rich inheritance for the immediate gratification a bowl of stew offered.

The hard facts to swallow are that I am undeservedly in the one-third—the one-third that is well-fed. One-third of the world’s population is underfed and one-third is starving. The 2010 numbers reveal that 925 million in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition and an intolerable 15 million children die annually of hunger. And even more shocking is that the U.S. restaurant industry (made up of 480,000 restaurants as of November 2011) generated $400 billion in sales. Shocking and sobering facts, to be sure.

In my mind I tend to distort and corrupt the good things of God from His original intended purpose into something more self-serving. And food falls into that category.

Paul instructed Timothy; “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” Everything God has created is good and is to be received and used wisely with thanksgiving. The gospel of Christ teaches that life is more than food and we are not to toil for food that spoils.

God has such a way of opening our eyes, redeeming our lives, and destroying our bad habits! (He’s tearing down idols, one crumb at a time!) While fasting is a spiritual act of worship unto God, it accomplished a proper perspective toward food for me. It is not intended as such, but for me it shattered the hold food had on my heart and re-established God as my life’s sustaining priority.

I am healthier now—physically, spiritually, and emotionally—because I have a healthier perspective on food. I know to eat when I’m hungry, eat moderate portions, and eat a balanced diet. And when I’m bored, anxious, upset, or feel empty, I turn to God and His Word for stimulation, calm, comfort, and filling.

I now realize a greater enjoyment of food because I appreciate the gift as provision from His grace. And to enjoy food with thanksgiving is a celebration and worship of that grace. And this one-third knows that I am held accountable to share with the hungry of this world from the abundance of His blessing.

By Your Spirit, I have been fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; and with singing lips my mouth will praise You. From Your grace and mercy, rain down manna, the grain of heaven, to erase the misery of the multitudes that hunger.

Worldhunger.org

Bread.org/hunger/global

WorldVision.org

WorldHungerRelief.org

A 2012 Series: Idol Awareness

~A Saturday Post~

...to be continued next Saturday.

Trenched in the Middle of Light and Dark

The pillar of cloud also moved
from in front and stood behind them,
coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.
Throughout the night
the cloud brought darkness to the one side
and light to the other side;
so neither went near the other all night long.

[Ex 14:19b-20 emph added]

Trouble-filled clouds billow in, casting shadows far and wide.

Concern lingers like a thick blanket.

Cares of this world camp themselves between worry and faith –

Egypt and Israel.

Trenched in the middle –

Darkness on one side, light on the other –

God’s Indwelling Presence

Keeps watch through the night.

Keep the enemy of my hope at bay, Lord. Bring Your light to this surrounding night.

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud
to guide them on their way
and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so that they could travel by day or night.

Neither the pillar of cloud by day
nor the pillar of fire by night
left its place in front of the people.

[Ex 13:21-22 emph added]

Though your view may be cloaked in clouds, be reminded;

The Lord is ever-present –

Guiding by day, shedding light by night.

Travel on, pilgrim.

Lead on, Lord, ever before me. And when night falls heavy, help me see You in the cloud.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"
made his light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God
in the face of Christ.

[2 Cor 4:6]

The Holy One of God entered the world’s dark places,

Opting not to lounge only in sunlight.

He gifts light of the knowledge of God's glory –

Reflected in His world-weathered face.

Shining His light upon those in darkness –

Desperate for healing,

Demon-possessed,

Blind, suffering, lost, and oppressed.

In the dark of early morning, He communed with Father-God,

Tempted in desert darkness, He waged holy war,

He despaired in the dark of the garden,

And walked in the dark shadow of His Cross.

He redeemed life –

from darkness to light.

Depositing the Light of His love in our hearts,

He made us Daughters-of-Light.

Trenched in the middle

of His treasured creation and the world;

Opposing forces –

Egypt and Israel.

May Your Light within cast out any darkness I might add to this world. Thank You for entering those dark places and shining Your Glorious Light. Stuck in the middle -- Your Light within and dark without – I move on in You.

Edited from the Archives

It's ok to lean

[Jacob] “worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff."
[Gn 47:31]

Worship warrants aid some sapped days.

Jacob had his staff.

John had Jesus.

We have the Holy Spirit.

When the heart longs to praise

but the flesh and soul feel depleted,

lean.

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
[Dt 33:12]

The beloved disciple reclined on Jesus’ chest . . . found rest there.

Lean into Your Lord, beloved.

He surrounds you all day long.

You reside in His heart . . . and He in yours,

lean back,

He will hold you steady.

Recline between His shoulders,

rest secure,

and worship from the heart.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms!
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”

When obedience seems daunting

Discipleship . . . my first thoughts on it today raised mixed emotions.

Our church leadership has issued a 2012 call for discipleship.

How the Spirit stirs boldness when praying over a worthy aspiration!

Seeing my dire need for refining in that area, I wholeheartedly said, "YES!" I felt humbled and grateful for the blessed opportunity. And I dreamed: "this will be a defining year . . . a year of significant change . . . the year for . . . . . ."

Then, the rubber hit the road, as they say.

The desired change requires obedience.

And that, my dear friends, is not only a challenge, it's downright tough!

The worst thing is . . . it's only the 3rd week in January!

Here's where the real decision must be made. This is where I either commit . . . settle. . . or run.

As I began to feel the growing pains, I came across something by Dietrich Bonhoeffer that was confirmation of the importance of discipleship; "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." OUCH! How truth often stings!

After a particularly convicting Sunday I was feeling the pinch that this was going to be harder than I thought . . . than I had hoped. And then I read them—words to soothe. Balm for the stretched soul:

“I will make you fishers of men.” [Mt 4:19]

Jesus is in the disciple-making business. He wants our commitment, our obedience, our wholehearted effort, and we can trust that He will bring the rest to pass.

“The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.” [Dt 28:9]

As He told the Israelites and as promised in Proverbs 16; “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps,” it is the Lord that can be trusted to bring about success.

He Who established the heavens and earth, kingdoms and nations, laws of nature and science, will establish my way. At His hand and by His power will change be wrought.

When discipleship seems daunting, there’s no need to panic. After all, it’s only the 3^rd week in January!

I wince at the work ahead, take a deep breath – taking in grace . . . grace sufficient for the challenge.

And I still say, "YES!"

You are Lord and Master, Jesus; I am not. You desire obedience in all things, the only question is, “Can I be trusted?” Establish that yes, Lord.

Prayers of the Saints

We thank Thee for

this place in which we dwell,

for the love that unites us,

for the peace accorded us this day,

for hope with which we expect the morrow,

for the health, the work, the food,

and the bright skies that make our life delightful;

for our friends in all parts of the earth.

Spare to us our friends,

soften to us our enemies.

Bless us, if it may be in all our innocent endeavors.

If it may not, give us strength to encounter that which is to come

that we may be brave in peril,

constant in tribulation,

temperate in wrath and in all changes of fortune,

loyal and loving one to another.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

There is nothing more thrilling

“My soul will rejoice in the LORD and
delight in his salvation.”
[Ps 35:9]

“Weeeee, Daddy! Again! Again, Daddy! Again-Again!” The echo of childhood’s first adrenaline rush.

Oh, to live on the heights!

Peter wanted to pitch a tent and camp there.

Don’t we all?

Since this is the only era I’m personally acquainted with, I’m not sure if this is just a fad of our times, a passing trend, or if it has always been so. But the attitude I perceive to be prevalent in this generation is one that places emphasis on experience. We crave adventure and seek thrills all for the sake of experience. Ours is a society that is experience-driven.

Rollercoasters, bungy-jumping, snowboarding, 3-D phones and 4-D movies ... the more outrageous, the better! We thrive on the endorphin rush. Anything with “extreme” in the title is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. We expect edgy, exhilarating, and sensational at every turn.

Unfortunately, our expectation to be entertained is sometimes carried into the sanctuary. A blend of the New Age Movement, Eastern Mysticism, consumerism, and commercialism has all infiltrated the church. We expect worship to enliven all our senses and invigorate our feelings. We demand a worship experience that is feeling-driven.

Richard Foster wrote; “If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship.” Truth must reign—and never be compromised—in our churches. And our worship must move from experience-driven to Spirit-driven—where God is worshiped and not the experience. Spirituality must be Bible-based and Christ-centered and should be free of any self-serving focus.

We don’t live “on the mountain-top.” God blesses us to soar there on occasion but our faith does not park on a spiritual high. Even the disciples had to leave the Mount. But they left with Jesus. They eventually had to go back down into the pace of their everyday existence . . . but He remained.

Come seeking the Christ and you will find the thrill of a lifetime. Not as the world defines it, something far more lasting . . . and satisfying.

All my heart desires, Lord, is You.

A 2012 Series: Idol Awareness

~A Saturday Post~

...to be continued next Saturday.

His Mighty Chuckle

"When the righteous see God in action

they'll laugh, they'll sing,

they'll laugh and sing for joy."

[Ps 68:3 Msg]

I like to think God enjoys a good laugh just as much as we do. In fact, I think He loves it so much Himself that He chose to create and share comical things as one of His many gifts. As a survival aid, out of His love and wisdom, He has provided a means to keep our hearts light. And when you consider what Jesus endured to make our joy complete, I venture to guess that God places a pretty high value on joy.

God has provided some pretty amusing things to incite a good chuckle . . . His and ours. I imagine a winsome smile on His face as He delights in bringing us divine entertainment.

There's the ridiculous outward appearance of the puffer fish, the praying mantis, the preposterous penguin, and the peculiar pelican. What about the cactus, a catfish, or the odd ostrich?

Could some sounds that tickle possibly be the echo of a heavenly hoo-ha? Like the hysterical hyena, the cackle of the kookaburra, the croak of a frog, chattering chimps, or chirping cicadas.

The ultimate creation for God's amusement is undoubtedly humans. I must admit that I can pull some real knee-slapping dooseys, right along with the best of them. When I think about some of the whacky, knuckle-headed blunders I've produced (in just one day alone), all I can do is laugh and say; "It's all for You, God!"

Beyond examples from creation I could reference historical events to prove my point:

His "where are you?" to Adam and Eve is down right amusing. I mean, come on, He already knew exactly where they were!

One of the most comical events in the Old Testament has got to be the Battle of Jericho. God's tactic of war to destroy a city by marching, screaming, and blowing horns had to evoke more than a chortle from the Israelites!

Another real rib-tickler is the notorious pickle of Jonah in the belly of a big fish (Jonah 1:17).

Fyodor Ostoevsky commented regarding the miracle Jesus performed in Cana by turning water into wine; "[Jesus] worked his first miracle to help men's gladness." (Jn 2:1-11)

Jesus producing tax money from the mouth of a fish is worthy of a good guffaw (Mt 17:26-27).

"Take the plank out of your own eye" (Mt 7:3) was a great illustration choice; personally, I detect a sense of humor in those words.

Not only did Jesus spit in a blind man's eyes (Mk 8:22-24) but He then asked him; "Do you see anything?"

And my personal favorite is the mental image conjured up at the thought of a herd of pigs flying off a cliff (Mt 8:29-32). (After all, Jesus gave those demons exactly what they asked for!)

“I have told you these things

so that you will be filled with my joy.

Yes, your joy will overflow"

[Jn 15:11 NLT]

The Holy Spirit provides the inner joy we possess, for joy is the Fruit of His Spirit. It is a bi-product of God's fingerprint on our hearts.

God has shown His joy through what He has created. And, created in His image, He wants us to know joy . . . that we may enjoy Him.

The very Source of our joy is our great God of grace. He supplies in abundance the humorous that we might be overflowing with laughter! And I think that if we listen real close, we just might hear His mighty chuckle, as well.

"I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!

For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness."

[Is 61:10 NLT]

How we delight in You, God! We give thanks for surrounding us with things to bring about laughter. And most of all, we thank You for the Holy Spirit, the Source of our joy.

Excavated from the archives, dusted off, and re-worked for service