Breaking through

God created the way to enter into fellowship with Him.

God took the form of a man – Jesus – and took on all of sins of the world to pave the way, to make the path, to secure salvation for us.

He sees what we cannot see. He gives what we cannot give.

And He loves in ways we cannot comprehend.

This Jesus, our Jesus, took on the sin, pain, guilt, and shame. It is challenging enough for me to think about it in terms of my own sin.

But what about that one who hurt my loved one, did something vile to me or my family, has no remorse or regret, is blind to the consequences of their sin — and isn’t even convinced they have sinned?

Jesus died for all – even them.

Our sin is heavy, it can be debilitating, it can be suffocating. It is a burden.

Drag your burdens to the cross. Leave them there. Trust in God — He is working on your behalf. He has provided the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus can carry it all.

Setting the tone

It’s a heavy week in the Christian world. There are so many moments — highs and lows — and I feel them.

From Jesus coming to the people, riding on a donkey…

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!”

to the dark days of deception and distance and darkness and death…

to the Resurrection!!!

And everything in between! So much is happening.

And while we can read about it sometimes we can even feel it. It may feel more real as we sit in a worship service during this week and hear The Word preached or it may be wrapped up in our confession or creed or a hymn. It can also be felt and, maybe, better conceptualized when we see a re-enactment or watch a film about it —

For me, at least, it is so hard to imagine the triumph of this week in the midst of the deep darkness, but it is worth wrestling with. It helps me understand just a little bit more about the depths of God’s love for me and what He has done for me.

The sacrifice. The death. The resurrection.

God’s provision for us is all encompassing. It is the beginning and the end.

He is the beginning and the end. And everything in between.

May your week be filled with awe and wonder at the heights and depths of God’s love and provision for you!

Deadlines

I am often a last minute person so I love a deadline. And I love to get really close to it. I get started and then that looming deadline gives me the momentum to power through.

I guess that is just how I am wired!

I still think I do my best work when I am backed into a corner. But as my own boss, I have to artificially create my own deadlines so I get projects done. When I say something out loud, I am committing to it.

PrayerPoints is also one of those things. I have committed to posting them every day during Lent and I do it. I have so many PrayerPoint devotions that I could have a little book of them. It’s hard to believe but 40 a year for 10+ years of anything adds up.

If God has planted an idea on your heart, consider telling one other person about it if that helps you to get motivated and start the the thing. Create your own deadlines or have a person who will help you in a loving (but firm) way to get on the path of what you are trying to accomplish.

And always pray for God to help you see the best way for you. I can bemoan that this is how I am or I can trust that God created me and loves me and will work with my personality or bent.

And He will delight to do the same for you!

Slow Down

I have a friend who I really enjoy but don’t get to chat with very often because we both have busy schedules and we live in different states. I often text her a quick greeting or a quick question and, if she can, she calls me back for a few minutes. The other day I sent a short message and she responded with a phone call.

But, this time was different.

We got through all the “official business” we needed to get through and then she said, “How are you and Don doing?” I explained we had been ill for several weeks and a few other things.

It is so easy to get caught up in our own drama.

Then I was prompted to ask, “How are you guys?” I do believe God nudged me to do that. It isn’t that I don’t care. Sometimes I try not to take too much of someone’s time and I cut short my natural inclinations of care and concern to not be a bother. But I am so glad I asked.

I had absolutely no idea, but she is going through some challenges on several fronts and I listened and asked a few questions. We weren’t in quick text mode — it was the share-your-heart conversation mode. She is in the middle of a lot. It’s not what one expects as you get close to all kids being launched. But then, not all launches go perfectly. And then with aging parents on the other side, well, you get the picture. Sometimes life gets messy.

She didn’t expect me to solve any of her situations. She simply shared her heart. And I am so thankful she trusted me with the less-than-glamorous parts of her life. I have been praying for her and her sweet family ever since.

I could have easily tried to “respect her time” and not ask how she was doing. She was intentional about asking me the question first. And I am thankful I asked the question of her.

Of course, there are times when things are hectic. But, by and large, it is important to slow down and check in with your people. Ask how they are doing and get ready to listen to the answers. You’ll be strengthening your friendship as well as deepening your prayer life as you intercede for them.

Colors

My cataract surgery was successful! I

only needed to have the right eye done at this point. But, that sure makes for an interesting situation. If I was a painter or someone who depended on seeing colors accurately, I would be in big trouble.

What I see isn’t “true”. The colors I see with my left eye are not the same with my right eye. It’s fascinating and unnerving all at the same time.

But the world is brighter. I have clearer vision. The changes are pretty dramatic.

But what is right? What is true? Is it the lens?

You would think you could trust what you see with your eyes. Apparently, I cannot. Each eye sees different colors.

All this to say — I need to be walking more by faith anyway. I mean, really, whatever I see is only from my perspective. God doesn’t promise me His big picture vision, even though I do ask for it. That’s not what He is looking for.

He is looking for faith and trust.

My eyes are open and I am looking at what I can see around me. But I am listening for His voice and walking forward in faith!

Your rearview mirror

I don’t always recommend looking back — mainly because it can throw us off while moving forward. You need your eyes to take you where you are going next.

But, that is the beauty of using a rearview mirror. It’s a glance. And, that is all it should be.

Unless, of course, you are remembering God’s faithfulness over the course of your life. That is a place to spend some time, especially if you are looking forward to something that is unknown like a job change or relationship change. Maybe there is an unexpected death or medical diagnosis.

God is with you!

It is worth it to look back and document how God has provided for you in the past —

Have you gathered some stones for a remembrance spot? Have you marked the places of God’s faithfulness by journaling? How do you remember?

We have many accounts in Scripture highlighting God’s faithfulness. Have you written any accounts of your own? Do your friends or family members know of your faith journey?

Think about three important times where God’s faithfulness was apparent. Consider writing or otherwise recording those times. Find someone to share it with. And consider making or buying something tangible that can help you remember His faithfulness. A faith marker can serve as a quick reminder. Yes, we should be looking forward and ready to embrace the day. And when we glance in our rearview mirror, seeing all the faith markers along the path of our life helps us remember He was, He is, and He is to come.

God is with us!

The little seeds…

It’s time to be thinking about our outside garden.

What will we plant this year?

Is the soil depleted from last year?

What needs to happen to prep the garden area?

Are there seeds we should start indoors?

I have a little mustard seed necklace. I don’t exactly know who gave it to me but I received it when I was about 5 years old.

That little seed reminds me that something small can grow and flourish in unimaginable ways.

Don’t doubt that tiny seed.

Plant it.

Nurture it.

Tend to it.

Pray for it.

You will be amazed at what God is doing through that little seed and how that one can grow and spread its own seeds.

It’s a beautiful thing to watch unfold!

If not you, than who?

I haven’t always valued the opportunity and privilege of interceding for others in prayer. In my younger years, it was kind of hit or miss. As I get older, my prayer times are more regular and even more frequent. There are so many situations and people to pray for.

Let me ask you, do you know who prays for you? Can you name a person or two who regularly carries you and your life to God and asks Him for His blessing? What a special thing. The older we get, I might say the less people there are to offer prayer. Often a parent or grandparent prayers for their children and grandchildren. But we are in that upper generation. It is now more important than ever.

I have really been working through my prayer list in the evening and in the morning. I start with my immediate family circle, then I pray for all the siblings/spouses and children, then I take it out to the cousins. I also pray for close friends and neighbors and others I know of who are traveling through illness or grief. Sometimes I just go state-by-state and I usually add in the people I know in other countries. Sometimes God brings people into my view and I know it is so I remember them in prayer and to reach out with some encouragement.

If you don’t pray regularly, I encourage you to start today by praying for that inner circle of your favorite people. Ask God to bless their mental, spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial health. Or simply name them and ask God to meet their needs as He is the one who knows them all. As you place these people into God’s loving arms, you can be confident He will meet their needs. And, don’t hesitate to call or message them with. “I prayed for you today!” Or even ask them, “Is there anything I can pray for you this week?”

Background noise

I have been a little more sensitive to noise lately. I wore headphones when I flew earlier this month. They were not total noise cancelling headphones but, wow, they sure dulled the roar of the plane. It was amazing the difference when I had them on.

What kind of background “noise” is going on in your mind and soul as you move through a day? Is it helpful? Kind? True? Sometimes the rumblings are anything but positive. And it is important to root those out and replace them. Sometimes they are one liners that were tossed your way during your childhood, maybe they were words from someone you trusted, or maybe they are thoughts you have about a circumstance.

Sometimes we are so used to hearing background noise that we don’t even realize its there. But it can shape our day, our week, and even our life.

Below are some Scripture verses you might consider inserting into the “noise” of your day. Turn up the volume on these! They are powerful and worth pondering. You can doodle them, embroider them, write them out and put them in places around your living space. They probably all have a song written based on them. Surround yourself with good news — good words. And share those with others, too!

Be willing to investigate some of the background noise you have been listening to. Chances are they are not good, helpful, kind or true.

Have some other favorites to share? I would love to see them!

John 16:33 (ESV)
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:4–5, 8 (ESV)
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Regrets

Oohhhh. I have a few. Do you?

In the past, if I had a sleepless night, I have run through all of the regrets I have.

What a waste of energy. I feel like that is a perfect way for my day to get derailed. And, God is certainly not behind that.

In some situations, there aren’t “do overs” and sometimes our miss “takes” have some serious consequences. Sometimes we have done things simply out of ignorance. Other times, we have done things out of rebellion. Sometime we have deliberately done things or deliberately not done things without truly understanding the ramifications. Have you ever done something even when you were “old enough to know better?” Yea, me too.

How do you deal with your regrets?

Here is what I try to do:

a) realize and admit to the misstep, mistake, sin — whatever it is.
b) recognize that there may be some damage that cannot be reversed
c) if I was doing the best I knew at the time, accept that
d) ask for forgiveness from God and, if possible, from the others who were impacted
e) forgive myself
f) bring it back to God when I am stuck at any one of these steps

As humans, we make mistakes, missteps, and we sin. Sometimes we do this out of ignorance and sometimes it is very deliberate. And there are times that the aftermath of our decisions has some devastating consequences. We are sinners and we are living and working with other sinners. It can be ugly out there. It can be ugly in my heart.

But, God — He takes all of it. He can work through all of it. He can handle all of it. He can forgive all of it. He can redeem all of it.

God can.

Let Him do what only He can do. It won’t make everything rosy and perfect. But, He will bring it together in a message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption — over time.