Deliberate Intention To Godly Transformation

        Athletes are amazing.  I am often in awe of those people who can push their bodies to the limit, do amazing feats, and keep right on going!  But I know that is not where they started.  

     I enjoy watching the videos of parents who took their child to the ice skating rink or ski slope when they were just beyond toddlers. Or to the pool for swimming lessons or tennis court for tennis, or a track for running.  

IN TRAINING

While natural ability is definitely important, growth in whatever ‘it’ is, is still relevant and essential.  It applies to every single sport! Style and methodology, learning specific skills required, probably even a specific diet to aid in all the ‘work’ the body is going to do while in training can have lasting impact.

This same thought process also applies to any business position.  To become a CEO of a business, you need to know not only the foundational material, but the details of how a business is run.  Sometimes it’s in agriculture. Here, too, there is a beginning.  The point is, it applies nearly everywhere.  You're not the best you can be in an instant.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Even for cooking, sewing, decorating or any domestic chore, if the goal is to be ‘good at it’ or in some way do it ‘professionally’ —because you love what you are doing—-there is learning to be had, and practice.  Lots and lots of practice.  

One thing I’m not, is athletic!  Sports was just not in our family vocabulary except on rare occasions, and to watch the Olympics.  When I was a teenager, my dad did become interested in car racing—-but not for the racing…  He had a wrecker he could bring to the track for the ‘wrecks’.  So even there, the idea wasn’t about being involved, athletically.

GROWING SPIRITUALLY

Even growing into an adult requires growing, learning…and practice! It’s a journey, not a sprint.  This same concept also true to grow spiritually.  It isn’t something you do in one sitting and done, or even during a one time retreat, which can be very helpful.  

Growing spiritually is just as demanding—if you want to truly have a close relationship with The Lord, as any sport!  It’s about getting into His Word every single day.  This along with prayer and study, to understand what He was saying to His people in Biblical times, as well as, what He's teaching us today, can be unveiled!

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

Sitting down with the Bible can feel terribly intimidating to some.  There are lots of reasons people choose to not study on their own.  Some believe it’s the Pastor’s duty to teach us what we need to know.  Understanding the language can be difficult, depending on the translation.  Figuring out who said what, why, when and where, unless you actually read the entire chapter, can be confusing.  Exactly what it’s saying to ‘me/us’ can be hard to grasp.  And on and on!

SMALL, STEADY STEPS

But all of those ‘concerns’ are irrelevant if a person really wants to know God.  Small steps matter. He isn’t asking us to ‘understand’ everything all at once.  We don’t learn like that.  Consistency and faithfulness, in even a few verses for understanding, is far more important than reading a long section of scripture and not remembering a thing we’ve read!

These small steps can grow into massive transformation!  God can use every single word, sentence, scripture or lesson you learn a little at a time, to do amazing things!

The idea of sitting with Him every day and meditating on His word, sincerely asking Him to show you what it means and how it’s relevant to your life, will absolutely change you! 

       Are you ready to know God better? Take your Bible off the shelf and begin. If you need help choosing a study, ask a friend, pastor or even google 'Bible Study' on line.  Choose a specific book, or study a person, or topic. God's Word is there to learn and the Holy Spirit is there to guide you... but begin--and be changed.

Photo Credit: In Training For Sports

Giving God Our Best

This adorable picture popped up in my newsfeed this past week and I couldn’t help but relate!  We were one of those families whose children had ‘church clothes’, school clothes and play clothes.  

It was a big deal for my children to get ready for church each Sunday.  My boys didn’t always wear ties, but they did when they wore their suits for special occasions. 

But they had their ‘best clothes’ for church, nice clothes for school and play clothes, which meant they could get them dirty by climbing a tree (which meant a tear every now and again), or a hole in the knee of a pair of pants, that’d I’d often patch.

 The girls also had their ‘extra nice’ dresses, and others they wore to school, and the play clothes they usually only wore at home!

What struck me as I thought about this and the accompanying caption to the picture was how we treat ‘the temple of God’ in today’s world.  The very idea of taking pride in our appearance and remembering to be respectful of where we are, and the event we are attending, seems to be indeed, ‘nostalgic’.  

When I consider that my body is the ‘temple of God’, is this correct thinking?  Sometimes, a person truly can't afford a lot of options to wear.  And if that is all a person has, then he should by all means attend a church service wearing what he has, because that is his best!  And I’m certainly not saying pricey clothes--or even fancy clothes and adornments are necessary—or even recommended.  It's not about impressing our peers.

What makes this even more interesting, in my perspective is knowing that not only is my body the ‘temple of God’, it’s knowing that the Holy Spirit lives within me—- God  lives there since I accepted Him as Savior!  Am I treating Him with respect?  Am I being my best when I don’t dress my best—- at least when I’m in a sanctuary to worship Him?

The Holy Spirit moved in to guide us when we were lost and in a dark place, to help us worship and live godly lives.  He's the giver of special gifts and more.  Shouldn’t we give Him our best, whether it’s how we live, how we eat (this can be tough too— given our culture of fast, processed and unhealthy foods)— how we talk, and yes, even how we dress!  Doesn’t this show the world that we care about the ‘temple’ of the Lord we are given….and expected to take care of?

Many will say if we 'dress up' for church, those who have less won’t attend.  That is a valid point.  There are those in our world who really do not have ‘church clothes.’ And wearing ‘nice clothes’ certainly isn’t required. But even those with less can look nice in their less than pricy clothes.  We’re a society of much; often too much.  

Does God care what we wear to church?  Probably not; certainly not when we are giving him the best we have--and our heart is in the right place.  But I’m of the opinion that He does care when ‘we aren’t the least bit inclined to be our ‘best’ for him.  

God expected the ‘best’ when sacrifices were given.  Is it too much to ask us to be our best in worship to Him? Being the best we can be, would be considered ‘reasonable service.’  We are presenting ourselves to the Lord.

I can’t help but think of attending a wedding, going to a grand concert, showing up in court for some reason or other important event and not wearing my best.  

In those venues, it’s about making sure our attire suits the event….  Is our place of worship so different? We are the ‘church’ and aren’t we saying something about ourselves when we choose to not care how we are ‘dressing for God’?  Are we giving Him our best, or is it even less than what we’d give a judge in a courtroom or other place where respect is required?

‘Dressing up’ may not be a requirement to come to church….  but I wonder….  Do we really want to ‘dress down’ for the Lord?  Is it really about a ‘come as you are attitude’ ---or do we really just not care anymore?

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/NostalgiaFilesNet

Additional note:  I rarely post a controversial subject.  This one may qualify. I do not oppose differing views.  What I must insist upon, however, is that all comments are kind and respectful—without any ‘attacks’ on me or anyone else!  And, that you share your thoughts and views without any ugliness.

The Power Within---Discovering The Holy Spirit

I have vivid memories of learning about the Holy Spirit as a child.  I recall the time a Dove-- the Holy Spirit --descended on Jesus, after being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.  The ‘tongues of fire’ which were over the heads of the many on Pentecost who were ‘filled with the Spirit, was awesome, too.

Most Christians will say, ‘God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit,' but their mind’s eye don’t ‘see’ a live being for the Holy Spirit, like they see Jesus or God.  Visualizing Jesus for the most part, is quite easy.  He was a human who walked the earth, even while being fully God.  

TRYING TO PICTURE GOD

God is harder to picture because we know He is so vast and all encompassing.  Our minds struggle with a clear image.  Some may picture a very wise man, human form with pure white hair, perhaps a beard, and this ‘male image’ with strength and wisdom.  Others struggle with putting any human qualities in their picture of God, even though the Bible clearly tells us we are made in God’s image.  So realistically He is going to look human! 

PICTURING THE HOLY SPIRIT

But when we cross the line to visualizing the Holy Spirit, many people falter, myself included, although I know with certainty that He is absolutely not a ‘thing or an it’!  He has human qualities just as God the Father and God the Son.

I read a book years ago who described the Holy Spirit as a human, but in a way you couldn’t see his feet… and he sort of floated through the air.  I always liked that picture… It presented the image as being a ‘friendly kind of ghost’ who flits about here and there….  without ever settling.

But I wonder if even that is accurate.  I have absolutely no picture in my mind to describe it, but I know that the Holy Spirit lives within me!  Now that’s hard to describe---particularly when you think in 'human' terms, and especially to a non-believer!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS FULLY GOD

But the Holy Spirit is way more than some ethereal wisp we can’t know.  He is fully God, fully present and deeply personal.  The Bible lists some of the ‘tasks’ set for the Him. Galatians 5:22-23 talks about the ‘fruits of the Spirit.’  Peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness and more are available to us, if we let the Spirit transform us.

Many will say they have no spiritual gifts and shy away from serving in any capacity, because they feel inadequate.  Yet, that is another of the tasks of the Holy Spirit.  It is He who gives these gifts to each of us.  So, certainly if you’re a Believer, and have accepted Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells you, and offers gifts.  

DO WE REFUSE HIS GIFTS?

Sometimes we are reluctant to accept the gifts He offers because we don’t want the ‘challenge or the responsibility’ of any kind of service —or servanthood.  He empowers us to carry out whatever 'gift' we've been given.

Christ told his followers he would be sending a Counselor in his place.  This is the Holy Spirit.  This means He offers wisdom and guidance, knowledge and fear of the Lord, among more.

A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Perhaps you’ve had the moment during a worship service when you felt ‘washed’ with something or had ‘Holy Ghost bumps’ and couldn’t define it.  I love when that happens because I am reminded that the Holy Spirit is totally within me and I’ve felt him!

In an odd way, I think about a woman carrying an unborn child.  The baby kicks, sucks his thump, gets the hiccups and shifts positions!  Momma can feel this and it brings immense joy, and the little being inside her reminds her he’s there, alive and well!  It’s certainly not the same, but similar. 

THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS US

 The Holy Spirit within us has the capability of transforming us into the people God wants us to be.  He’s more than a Dove, more than a Tongue of Fire.  He is the embodiment of God!  He is God, just as Jesus is, only in a different form!

He wants a relationship.  He desires to hear us talk to/with Him and address Him, just as we would God, or Jesus!  They are three in one!

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD

Take a moment and 'be still and know that He is God.'  Invite the Holy Spirit to become 'real' to you. Even if you can't 'sense' Him immediately, keep reaching out and I don't believe you will be disappointed!

Photo Credit: A Child Learning the Bible 

When Heaven Walked On Earth

My son made the decision to leave home just shy of his 18^th birthday.  I was devastated.  He wasn’t moving across town or even to the next state; he would be over 1800 miles away.  He chose to walk away from a secure financial college setting and go into a world of total unknowns.  

      There was just one thing he was absolutely certain of, he explained: “South Dakota is calling my name.”  As odd as that may seem I understood when he said those words.  They resonated with my own feelings of that area.  Understanding, however, didn’t lessen the pain of his leaving.  

Joseph’s early adult life had already been filled with surprises.  First he was told to take for his bride a woman who was already pregnant, which was unheard of in those days.  He also discovers the child she is carrying is God’s
son.   

As I consider the very idea that Jesus left his home in heaven to come to a world where many would hate and revile him, is hard to imagine. The Heavens must have grieved when Jesus left.  I picture angels and those who were already there, in awe that Jesus would willingly leave the heavenly realm.  Perhaps they wept because he stepped away; surely God must have.  He was sacrificing His only Son.

What compounds this is Jesus left fully knowing that as He removed himself from the realms of glory, the rightful place beside his Father, he would become the living sacrifice to the world’s sin. Jesus, God’s Son, would die a cruel death on the cross and his Father, even if only for a little while, would turn his back on him.  This is a love I can’t even comprehend!  Yet I know he did it….even for me!

We’re approaching Easter, one of my favorite times of the year.  I have exuberant joy as we sing ‘Up From The Grave He arose.’  Can you imagine the angels in heaven as Jesus walked out of that tomb? The angles must have leapt with excitement, singing and shouting with perfect harmony about the event. I’m not sure what angels do when they get excited, but there must have been a great deal of rejoicing!  Jesus was coming back!  That’s worth celebrating!

The other side of this picture is the loathing satan must have had when he realized that death doesn’t get the victory.  I get ‘Holy Ghost’ bumps just thinking about it!  I love the line in the same song mentioned earlier, ‘He arose the Victor of the dark domain.’  Think of it!  Satan didn’t win, because Jesus conquered death!

When I think of my son leaving home all those years ago, I can still recall my pain.  My very tall son, his hands on my shoulders, gently asked me, “Mom, what are you afraid of?”  My response, “That you’ll leave, and I’ll never see you again.”  Those words still make me cry….  Softly, he said, “Mom I would never do that to you.”  He meant it.  He’s been wonderful about staying in touch.

But sometimes we lose loved ones through death.  And our hope can only be that one day we will see them again in Heaven.  This is the promise of Jesus!  He rose again to make that possible!  But there is a condition…. We must choose to make Jesus our Savior.  If we don’t ask Him to be the Lord of our life, we’re going to miss out.

Just as satan loathed that Jesus rose again, those who choose to turn their back on Jesus and this promise, will one day loathe their decision.  It will be an eternal decision of misery and despair and all things horrible, including the separation of our loved ones. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection is such a wonderful gift, and it’s free!  Jesus paid the pice …with his life’s blood!  How can one possibly turn away from this truth?  

Photo Credit: Leaving For College

Photo Credit: When Jesus Left Heaven

Photo Credit: Jesus Arose

Photo Credit:  Empty Tomb

Trusting God In New Seasons

  My roles have always been well defined.  I was married to the same man for 51 years.  I was wife, mom to 5 children, then over time grandmother to 17.  Charles was sick for a long time, but he was a fighter and seemed to be able to push through with his faith, medication, his strong beliefs, and come out on the other side.

Only then …he didn’t.  God called him home and he no longer had to fight every day just to survive. 

OUR WORLDS CHANGED

Not only did his world change, but mine did also.  I was numb and walked in a fog for weeks… even several months.  I couldn’t ‘get started’ in my new normal.  I felt disoriented and had a terrible time focusing on anything.  

I did all the ‘regular things’ that my day required, but it was like I was someone else.  I’d lost my purpose.  Even my love of writing seemed so far down a dark pit, retrieving it seemed impossible on most days.

A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Finally….finally, I began to see a glimmer of hope, of light that motivated me enough to keep putting one foot in front of the other with the intention of being in that light again.  I was fortunate because eventually I did find ‘me’ again and even the gift God gave me long ago....to again put thoughts and words on paper.  

But my writing has changed too.  I’m not the same person I was before Charles died.  Oh, certainly, I am the same in many respects.  But perspective has changed.  Meaning and purpose have evolved in ways I wouldn’t have even imagined.  

       Still, I’m not trapped anymore.  I’m not lost in the mire of’ what ifs’ or ‘shoulda’, ‘coulda’ and ‘where did time go? or How am I going to get to where I need to be? or even regrets and wondering if I’d done better as Charles’ advocate with his doctors, might he still be here?

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES

Mistakes make us feel small and insecure and yet, they are seemingly impossible to escape.  Add these to the negative thoughts we keep replaying in our minds, and it can be downright debilitating.  They can paralyze, create anxiety, anger, bitterness, and stress levels most of us can’t live with!

This is why an intentional mindset, demonstrates how important it is to let go of past regrets and failures.  God urges us to focus on future goals despite the obstacles which rear their ugly heads, in all kinds of ways, and threaten to dissolve our resolve!

GOD IS 'DOING A NEW THING'

God has this unique way of ‘doing a new thing’ in our lives when we are open to the opportunity.  He gives us a promise we can cling to when life has beaten, battered and broken our hearts.  Even before Paul, God said through Isaiah (Is 43:18-19)

       "Forget the former things… See, I am doing a new thing!”  This is powerful when we let go of the ‘former things’ and allow God to fill us with new life and hope.  He’s promising to make a way for us!

My life is once again in a kind of rhythm…. It’s still very different than before Charles passed.  But I have a ‘new vision’, a new excitement in listening to His voice leading me in places I’d never dreamed!

LIFE HAPPENS

I didn’t want my Charles to leave me.   But life happens, —and death is part of life. Now God is going to use this painful event in ways that are still surfacing and totally blowing my mind!  That I could create something special for widows (or others who grieve) is an amazing way to help others while easing my own pain and allow healing.

God is actively creating a ‘new thing’ which continues to ‘spring up’!  It is no less than ‘divine intervention’ at a time when I wondered if I’d ever feel the warm sunshine not only warm my body, but also my soul—and my heart.  

TRUSTING GOD IN HARD TIMES

It’s a wonderful reminder to trust God during uncertain and hard times, even if it doesn’t make sense.  I’ve heard trust described as ‘actionable faith’…to look forward, accept the change, and climb out of the pit of old familiar patterns.  

    Perhaps you too, need to trust God to do 'a new thing' in your life. Be still, and 'know' that He is God!

Photo Credit: Family Roles & Responsibilities 

Photo Credit: A Glimmer Of Hope

Photo Credit: Forgetting the Past and Looking Forward