Roots October 15, 2009

Recently, we got a packet of seeds from a popular children’s radio station. My little ones were elated, and could not wait to turn that little packet into a beautiful garden. On a (very) hot afternoon shortly thereafter, my husband and I worked with the kids to prepare the ground and lay out the seeds. Weeks passed. My five-year-old watered, and watered, and watered. Every few days, he would venture out to look expectantly at the location of our seeds-turning-flowers. Nothing came up. Absolutely…nothing.

Finally, in one of those tougher-than-nails moments for a mom, I had to break his little heart and speak the words. “Honey,” I told him gently, “These flowers aren’t going to come up. The seeds never took root.”

Roots, it seems, are all-important. Without them, nothing grows. They are the lifeline. It’s not surprising, then, that God speaks in His word about our roots.

Look at Ephesians 3:19, where we discovered the biggies. “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…”

The first step to grasping the height and depth of God’s love is being rooted in it. Deep roots keep us grounded. When we are grounded in the love of Christ, we begin to understand just how great His love for us really is. Becoming established in God’s love is the first key to unlocking the biggies in your life.

What are you rooted in right now? Do you have deep roots that enable great growth, or are your underpinnings looking a bit shallow? Ask God to show you how you can fortify your lifeline and become more rooted in His love today.

Fearless October 12, 2009

I’ve discovered a new fear in my life: stink bugs! I have been ministering this weekend in Middleton, MD, on a lovely mountaintop! The only thing that is not so lovely about this place are the stink bugs…they abound! At first, I was trying to avoid them, which is impossible, because there are so many. Now, I’m desensitized, I guess. Last night, I was just plucking them off of my jacket and pants…no joke! I still don’t like them, and I certainly don’t want to take any back home to Richmond.

Fear is tricky. Fear often keeps us from realizing our potential in Christ. Fear of the unknown, fear of the unspeakable, fear of the uncontrollable… it’s a powerful motivator, and its nature usually inspires negative momentum in the life of a Christ-follower.

A wise mentor once told me that all negative emotions ultimately can be traced back to fear. Think about that for a moment. Your anger, your shame, your sadness, your pain…all of the things you’d like to move past find their beginning in the emotion of fear.

When I feel fearful, I speak these words, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18) This is how God’s love is the ultimate biggie!

You see, the complete love of Jesus actually obliterates fear. So when Paul prays that we will be grounded in love so that we can grasp the height and depth of God’s love for us (see Eph. 3), his prayer actually helps us to overcome fear. When we grasp God’s love, we learn what it means to be fearless.

All sorts of things inspire fear in us. Perfect (or fully complete) love is the ultimate replacer. When love steps in, fear is driven out. God wants you to experience His love in a way that far exceeds what you can ask or imagine. Allow Him begin the work of replacing your fear with His love.

In which areas of your life would you like to experience more of God’s love and power, and less fear? Pray 1 John 4:18 over your personal situation today, and ask the Lord to reassure you of His love and power, helping you to let go of the fear you are feeling. He wants to do great things in your life! Don’t let fear hold you back!

The Force October 1, 2009

When a neighbor’s little boy brought over a toy light saber several months ago, my five-year-old son got his first taste of Star Wars. A curious taste it was! Ashton wasn’t sure whether to revel in the pretend power of it all or duck and take cover. To a young boy, the likes of Yoda and Luke Skywalker can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.

It’s funny that the characters alone have this effect on little Ashton. I am left to wonder what he’ll feel when he’s old enough to comprehend that the characters are engaged in the war of good fighting with evil, and that imaginary powers of “the force” are at work, too.

The truth is, even at 35, I’m still trying to understand the force. Not the Star Wars force; the real force that is at work in you and me as believers. We read about it in this week’s verse. It’s important to note that Paul is actually referencing the power he spoke about in the first part of his letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:19-20 “…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…”

The very real force that raised Jesus from the dead is at work inside of us! Now that is serious power!

Maybe you are facing a situation where you see no opportunity. Perhaps in some area of life you feel defeated. Be encouraged.

The divine force which resurrected Jesus from the dead is at work in you today, making all things possible. So, live large today, and embrace the power of Christ in your life! May the Force be with you.

The Biggies September 29, 2009

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”

Have you ever heard someone pray this verse over a physical need? It might sound something like this:
“Oh, God – You have said You can do more than we can ask or imagine, so we are just trusting You to not only pay the bills, but fill up the bank account!”

Haven’t we all passionately prayed that way at one point or another?

Here’s the funny thing about Ephesians 3:20. Paul isn’t talking about the daily stuff of life, like what we’ll eat, or wear, or where we’ll lay our heads down at night. This verse is all about the biggies.

What, you might ask, could be bigger than a roof over someone’s head or food to fill their stomach? For the answer, let’s look at the verses that directly precede this verse:

Eph 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Paul’s prayer puts first things first. If we can grasp God’s love and take hold of His power, we can meet life’s daily challenges with grace. Spiritual blessings like those that Paul is describing will carry us through any and every physical challenge that life may bring.

So, in what area do you most need to experience the overflow of Christ today? Can you identify a spiritual blessing that you would like to better understand or receive today? Ask God to meet you in the midst of your need and show Himself in a new way, immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

Chilled Gatorade and Other Oddities September 23, 2009

While checking into the hotel at my last speaking engagement, something funny happened. I was given the key to room 318.

I am not a light traveler these days. Between a 9-month-old baby and all of his paraphernalia, there is really nothing efficient about the way I roll. As I hopped onto the elevator (OK – grimaced and grunted while pushing a stroller, pulling a rolling suitcase, and carrying three other bags and my drink) several other hotel guests exchanged knowing glances. It is hard to travel with a small babe. Boy was I glad the hotel would supply the pack-n-play.

I found 318, and let myself in. (Replay the grimacing and grunting as I worked to steer all of the stuff through a doorway, which proved slightly smaller than the elevator.) I was immediately delighted with the room.

To my left, a spacious bath. I stuck my head in and informed baby Nate that we had lots of room! Things were looking good. I glanced straight ahead to see a smallish black bag sitting atop the hotel desk, and wondered how pack-n-plays had gotten so much more streamlined since I purchased mine just 5 years ago.

Then, I noticed it. What a nice touch! A fruity looking Gatorade was chilling in a freshly filled ice bucket just next to the black bag. Now this, I thought…this was service! How refreshing to see hotels helping guests replenish electrolytes after hours of harrowing travel.

As I moved in to take a closer look…alas, the black bag bore a tag. The tag had…wait! The tag had a gentleman’s name. Suddenly, it all came shockingly clear to me. I’d been given a key to another individual’s room!

I spun around and let out a sigh of relief that he was not behind me. It appeared I’d just missed him; perhaps he was working out.

He wasn’t the only one…I got quite a workout as I returned (third take on grimacing and grunting) to the front desk, where the young service-person was mouthing as the elevator opened, “Oh my gosh, I am SO SORRY!!” She was only off by three digits, I learned, as I made my way back up the elevator once more. This time, my key was to room 315.

Now, there must be a sermon illustration in this somewhere, right? Help me out…what is the spiritual lesson I am missing? While you are pondering it, I leave you with this final thought:

Next time you check in to a hotel, if you are greeted with a Gatorade on ice, Do NOT…I repeat, Do NOT drink it. You might just be in my room…

Harder than it looks August 29, 2009

Last weekend, Adam and I had a rare chance to sleep in while two of our three kids were with grandma. But, we didn’t do it.

I know, I know. What, you ask, could be better than rest on a cloudy Saturday morning, especially when your 9-month-old also agreeably sleeps in? Namaste Yoga. Yes, you read that right.

It wasn’t my idea, and since there were only two of us who could voice how we wanted to spend the morning, you can draw your own conclusions on who led us to the mats. I was highly skeptical that we’d get any sort of workout from this early morning class.

By the third pose, I was ready to leave. Nothing against yoga or our zen-like instructor whose perfect little curves were proof enough of the value of this workout. It’s just that I could hear the Latin grooves through the wall from my favorite Zumba class which was happening in the studio next door, and I found myself wanting to make a quick escape to my regular workout. Beneath my yoga mat, I could feel the pulsating beat. Carefree salsa trumpets were fighting with the singular oboe whose solemn song floated through the air of my studio. The trumpets were winning. I was ready to move, and even more ready to sweat.

I gave my hubby the sign that we should roll up our mats and save this experience for another day, but he didn’t move. I let out a little giggle as we turned onto our heads for the next pose; he didn’t bite. Adam was fully committed to this workout. So, I decided to try to come along.

Over an hour later, we were finally done. The truth is, it really wasn’t that bad, and some of my muscles later informed me that it was, in fact, a pretty good workout. So, what made sticking it out so tough?

The problem, a trusted advisor recently told me, is with my energy. I move through life at a pretty good clip, and I find it pretty tough to slow down. That is why I’d rather Cha-cha-cha than Downward Dog. I’m not very comfortable sitting still.

But, on this particular day, God spoke to my heart through my experience with yoga about the importance of solitude.

For me, solitude is hard work. For most of us, being alone with our thoughts and practicing the discipline of being still is harder than it looks.Why?

In this world, we are rewarded for production. Big bucks go to people who can churn out the most product, and kudos are reserved for the truly efficient workers. In the same way, I’m finding that subconsciously I’m almost always looking for a way to produce something from my interaction with God – a teaching, an illustration, something I can use. It’s painful to admit, but it’s true.

The problem is, most of the real work needs to be done in me rather than through me. Only by letting go of my desire to produce and calming the energy that wants to go, go, go, can I receive the blessing of solitude.

Lord, help me to be more concerned about what you will do in me than what you will do through me today.

Details, details, details… July 27, 2009

Yesterday, I almost missed something very important because I recorded the wrong time on my calendar for the event. Thankfully, I realized my error with just enough time to fix it. Even though I told those who knew of my mistake, “I don’t know how this happened…I never do this,” the truth is, I DO THIS. I always have the big picture in mind, and I have to work hard at those details. They are my arch-rival, my nemesis.

Usually, I come out on top. Yesterday, it was a close call. In general, I tend to sweat the details because I know that if I don’t give them attention, they can break me.

Last week, I was reading in Genesis about Noah. Here is a guy who had some serious details to work with. God gave Noah a verbal blueprint on what to build, the material to use, and how to build it. Repeatedly, the text tells us that Noah “did everything just as God commanded him.” (Check out Genesis 6:22, 7:5, and 7:16).

Noah is a case-study in full obedience. But there is this small statement that I’ve missed in the reading of this story previously. This time, it jumped out at me:  “…Then the Lord shut him in.” -Genesis 7:16

Not so remarkable on first reading, perhaps. But to me, it makes the story take a different spin. I can just see all of the animals and Noah’s whole family walking up through the giant door that God commanded Noah to build. When they are all safely onboard, Japeth looks at Noah and says, “Uh…dad…great ark. But, how about that door?”

Think about it! How can you close a giant door in the side of an ark from the inside? Maybe God had already disclosed to Noah that He would reach down and take care of this small detail; if so, it’s not recorded in the retelling of this story.

Personally, I like to think of Noah standing there on the ark, a bit perplexed, thinking, “Well, God, I did everything you asked me – but how about this door?” And then, God Himself reaches down to take care of it. It’s a small detail in the grand scheme of things – but with the door open, the ark would most certainly not have done it’s job. An open door would sink the ark!

I don’t know what you’re dreaming of, or what kind of big plans God has placed in your heart. He’s been speaking to me about seminary. I am getting excited, and most of me is ready to take a big leap of faith and start applying. There is a small part of me, however, that has concerns about the details, like how I’ll work classes into my schedule as a mom of three very young kids, and how I’ll pay for the education.

Details, really. Big to me, small to God. When I see God reaching down to close Noah’s ark, I am reminded of how He also is reaching down into our lives to open and shut doors, and to bring about the completions that would elude us without His touch.

Today, may you look for, and begin to see, His hand at work in your life.

Speaking Amen May 6, 2009

Today I came across this verse: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 1:20

About a year ago, my oldest child asked me what Amen means. My kids stump me all the time, so I was pleased to be able to rattle off the answer to this question.

So be it. That’s what amen means. You are speaking what you wish to be, and so you close your prayer by asking in Jesus’ name that it will come to pass.

So be it.

It is easy to close a prayer to God asking Him to work on my behalf and to confidently say Amen…so be it. However, this verse in Corinthians flips it up a bit.

Paul, the writer here, speaks this powerful word to the Corinthians about how all of God’s promises are “Yes” and our lives speak the “Amen.”

There’s that crazy switch…did you see it? Instead of speaking the Amen as the close to prayer, Paul is asserting that our lives speak “Amen” to all of God’s promises when we are living through Him.

That’s a high calling. Let me just ask you this – is your life “speaking amen” this week? That’s what I’m praying for and trying to live to for this day.

Immanuel in Easter April 11, 2009

When I hear “Immanuel”, I think Christmas. The two have been synonymous in my mind for a while. We see this name for Christ on ornaments; we hear it sung in carols.

So, I was surprised to realize this week that Immanuel is really a name we should focus on at Easter.

I am coming to believe that there are two groups of thinkers out there: those that imagine God first in the past each time they consider Him, and those who imagine Him first in the present. Because I always fall into the second group, I read scripture looking for God to show up in that moment, in my life. I read the accounts of Christ, and I think about what it means for me right now…today.

Here’s where I’ve sold the name Immanuel, which means “God with us,” a bit short. Quite a bit, really.

I pictured “God with us” and immediately applied it to my current reality. God is with me, in this day, in this moment, in this coffee shop. He is always with me. I have celebrated Immanuel for many years as the God who is a part of my present and who never leaves me.

But not until this week did I consider Immanuel as a name with a back story. You see, “God with us” doesn’t just mean that He’s with us in this moment. It also means that He made a very real decision over 2000 years ago to be with us, once and for all.

How is it we consider Immanuel at Christmas, but we never talk about God as Immanuel at Easter?

I think I’ve cracked that nut. It’s easy to celebrate the coming of a baby as Immanuel, God with us. It is difficult to participate in the price that Jesus paid to be Immanuel, God with us.

But that is what Easter is about. It’s appropriate to consider on this “Good Friday” that Christ entered into our suffering and truly became Immanuel by giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins, that not only He might be with us…but that we might be with Him.

Take the time this Easter to participate in the incredible loss our Heavenly Father felt when He allowed Jesus to come and walk among us, then die for our sins.

Celebrate the resurrection! Yes! Revel in it. But not before you participate in the gift of Immanuel, God with us. For He is with us, once and for all.

Patience versus perseverance March 26, 2009

Last week, I was listening to a sermon where Hebrews 12:1 was referenced. I commited this verse to memory years ago at InterVarsity, back in my college days at good ole’ JMU. (Go Dukes!)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every thing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” -Hebrews 12:1

So, when the speaker referenced the verse, he used a different translation.

You know how you can hear the same verse a million times, and then a different translation totally opens up the text in a new way?

I’m sort of a die hard NIV-er, I guess. I’m not sure which translation the speaker was quoting, but the verse finished, “…let us run with patience the race marked out for us.” I stumbled over it, of course, since I knew it by heart another way. 

Then I stumbled over it again. Patience? What?

I made eyes at my husband, who must think I’m a little nutty. (I am, for the record.)

How come patience shows up in this verse? This passage is all about the race. Perseverance wins the race! Isn’t patience what the people need who are watching on the sidelines? If you’re in the race, you should be in it to win it. When I think of running a race to win, I don’t think about patience. Maybe I should.

Patience sounds so…passive. Perseverance sounds much more like the attribute you should exhibit in a race; more like the word the writer should be using. So, I went into a lexicon and looked it up. What exactly was the writer trying to say in this original text?

Turns out the original Greek word translates as “perseverance, endurance, patience.” So, both translations are entirely right.

How is it that one word can have two very different meanings? And how is it that I’d resigned myself to persevere through this race, but given little thought to running the race with patience, until now?

In case you’re like me, and you’ve memorized this verse in the familiar NIV language, it’s worth noting that we’re exhorted to persevere, endure, and have patience…all at once. I don’t know how that works out in your life, but for me…it’s a tall order.