Christian Life - Boasting in Weakness

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

"Which of these might have discouraged you from serving Christ any more?" (Beth Crawford, Bible Studies as a Follow-Up to this Week's Sermon May 23-24, 2009, Vineyard Church of Columbus)

Why is it that I so desperately want to think the Christian Life is easy if I do it right?

Paul warns about false teachers in 2 Corinthians 11. These false teachers weren't teaching stuff that was easily recognized as bad. They were masquerading as "apostles of Christ" and were perceived as "servants of righteousness." 

Paul calls them "super-apostles" which makes me laugh. Have you ever praised the messenger more than God who empowers the messenger? Some of us err on the side of wanting to learn how to be like that person. Others err on the side of thinking they could never be like that person. Few praise with the desire to be like the one they know has suffered greatly to be who they are.

I once idolized a person in my church - I'll call her Sandy. Every time she got up to speak, I thought, wow, I'd like to be like her. She was always smiling and positive. Her voice was perfect for a speaker. Her style of speaking was warm and inviting. She seemed to have so much wisdom. I wanted to be a speaker just like her.

The true servant of righteousness knows that his righteousness comes only from Christ - it is absolutely nothing that can be earned by human efforts. Therefore, the true servant of Christ boasts only in Jesus Christ whose life consists of great suffering from beginning to the end of this evil age.

I took Sandy out to lunch. I wanted to find out all I could about her so I could be like Sandy. Again, she impressed me by always turning the conversation back to me. She found out much more about me that day than I found out about her. She quieted every attempt to praise her by turning the conversation back to who God wanted me to be.

Right now, we are between two worlds. We are in an evil age with the power of the "age to come" available through Christ in us. The problem is that most of us want to live as if we are in the fullness of the age to come - no pain or suffering. Sometimes we attempt to smooth over the edges of this evil age hoping to make the two ages blend. They are not going to "blend."

Sandy spoke at a women's event - gave her personal testimony. I listened intently about the pain and suffering she had endured at the hands of others. I realized if I wanted to be like Sandy, I was going to have to be open to suffering.

"We suffer to show that the world continues to be hostile to Christ. It's not us they are against. It's Christ." (Rich Nathan, Vision for life: Seeing the Big Picture (Colossians) Series - Portrait of a Pastor, May 23-24, 2009, Vineyard Church of Columbus)

Sandy's suffering had little if anything to do with being a follower of Christ. But her suffering led her to the wisdom of Christ's suffering. She learned to trust and depend fully on God regardless of her circumstances.

Are you discouraged by suffering? Sit down with the written history of Jesus Christ. Read through the book of Mark (or one of the other Gospels) in one sitting. Then check out Acts. Warning: you may discover your life is too easy to claim to have Christ in you.

Suffering, boasting in weakness. I'm not sure I'm there yet. But I want to be. 

Knowing the suffering of others who shine with Christ gives me hope. The hope of knowing that Christ in me - including his suffering - is the hope of glory, the hope of God's presence here and now in this evil age.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Hot, Cold, and Lukewarm

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.
His master replied... Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas. ~ Luke 19:10, 20, 24

I've recently learned the importance of ignoring the division headers placed in most Bibles by the editors. Above is an example. I'm familiar with the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the three servants but I've never looked at the story and the parable together.

One of our home group leaders encourages us to study the gospels in this way. The break does not come until there is a scene change - i.e. Jesus and/or his disciples leave one place to go to another place. When Jesus tells a parable after having an encounter with someone or the crowd, the parable will relate to what has just taken place.

As I put Zacchaeus into this parable, I'm amazed at what I see. To me, Zacchaeus represents a fourth servant. In the parable, we see that the king was pleased with the servants who put the provisions to work. The king is extremely disappointed with the servant who did nothing with the minas. 

We all exist in this life because of God. Now, if you don't believe in God, I challenge you to think about how you or anything in creation got here - even if it was through a "big bang." Assuming you do believe in God and that he created everything, then everything about life is provided by Him (see Psalm 24:1). We are simply stewards even of ourselves.

Zacchaeus did something with his life. It wasn't good but he did something. Like the prodigal son in Luke 15, Zacchaeus didn't use his life wisely but he was active and willing to change direction with the same momentum. 

Jesus came so that we could have an abundant life (John 10:10). That is greatly different than having an abundance of things in life. When I think of people who have had an abundant life, I picture those who have repeatedly given themselves for the benefit of others.

As I ponder a major decision in my life, this passage reminds me to do something, right or wrong, just do something. God can work with my mess ups. He promises that in Romans 8:28. But he will do little with the one who refuses to do anything. He will not force us into action.

God showed me this in real life just this week. My daughter was struggling with homework and she admitted that she is afraid to be wrong. And, it is much harder to do the work when she isn't sure how to do it. So, she would rather give up and not try than to be wrong with school work. (I can relate, can't you!) I explained to her that being wrong is actually helpful because the teachers can help her do better when they can see what she is trying to do. By doing nothing, it is difficult to know how to help her.

Jesus saw in Zacchaeus and two of the servants in the parable the desire to do something with what they had been given. The third servant was either lazy or afraid. Fear and laziness is like taking what God has given and setting it aside, hidden in a piece of cloth. This response amounts to a luke warm existence.

What are you doing with the life God has given you? Are you risking an investment of your life as much as you have risked investing your finances?

Because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ~ Revelation 3:16-17

What is Faith?

Faith is not choosing to believe. Faith is accepting what God has revealed to you.

Maybe I'll write more on this later. It just seemed very significant to me this morning after waking from an intriguing dream.

Lord or Concierge?

Please visit www.love146.org.

Would it make a difference if this were your child?

"See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43.19)

The Kingdom of God has come. Is Jesus your Lord or is he your vacation concierge?

We are to carry on the work Jesus began. That is to restore the kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit given to us because of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the first fruits of the new creation. The work between the first fruits and the final harvest is happening now. Are you participating in making all things new?

Vineyard Church of Columbus is hosting a seminar on human trafficking on January 24, 2009. Watch for more info to come at www.vineyardcolumbus.org 

Here and Now

"...the question of what happens to me after death is not the major, central, framing question that centuries of theological tradition have supposed.... The question ought to be, How will God's new creation come? and then, How will we humans contribute to that renewal of creation and to the fresh projects that the creator God will launch in his new world?" ~ N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope

Our individualistic culture has diminished the hope of Christ. It is too easy for us to say, that doesn't affect me personally. The hope of Christ is much bigger than individual concern. If life in Christ is only about what affects me personally, why would any who follow Christ accept suffering?

To experience the hope of Christ we must quit looking at Christianity as a ticket to a plush retirement spot. The hope of Christ is about here and now. 

God did not create us as something to look at like a lifeless piece of art. He created human beings in his image. Think on that for a moment. An artist creating a piece of art that can relate to - interact with - the artist. A piece of art that - with the blessing and through the life source of the artist - can contribute to restoring his masterpiece to perfection. 

Human beings are not the only part of his masterpiece. All of creation is the masterpiece. 

I saw the Mona Lisa in the Louvre several years ago. Not being an artist, my purpose was simply to say I've seen the original painting. Some time after my "been there, done that" moment at the Louvre, I learned that one of the significant elements of that painting is that it was "one of the first portraits to depict the sitter before an imaginary landscape." (www.india-crafts.com)

I missed it! I was right there, standing in front of a well protected masterpiece and I missed what the artist wanted me to see.

God is inviting us to see the beginning of something very new and different. Jesus was just the first to be fully transformed from a body that we are familiar with to a body that is like nothing we've yet experienced... but we will someday. 

Don't miss this. If you are just looking to make it to a place you've heard of as heaven, you're missing the significance of why it is seems so greatly protected. God's kingdom is here now for those who know what to look for. 

It's real and it's as physical as Jesus eating fish on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after his resurrection. His form may not be familiar to you but his kingdom is here. He is with us. And we have exciting work to do here and now.

Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have. Luke 24:39

Faith

Faith does not give us the ability to make God do things. Faith gives us the ability to see and be involved in what God is doing.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…. ~ Acts 1:8

Why do we pray?

“I found that I’d been saying, in effect, ‘Keep me from trial or tragedy or pain or anything that would make me really grow and become a man of God. Just give me a convenient, happy, satisfying, problem-free life.’” (Bill Hybels Too Busy Not To Pray, Second Edition 1998, Downers Grove, IL: pg 106)

Maybe it is this culture of quick fixes, but I think it is easy to fall into this concept that prayer is about getting God to make this life easier. If so, that would mean this physical life is the most important part of existence - indicating that prolonging a comfortable life is our goal. This leads to the conclusion that man and God are failing because the odds of physical death currently stand at near 100% and many of those deaths are painful to the one dying and to those who love them.

So there must be another reason for prayer.

Since the Garden of Eden, the Enemy has pursued us with the desire to possess and destroy all that belongs to God. The fullness of God was ushered into this physical world through Christ. Luke 19:10 reports that Christ came to seek and to save that which belongs to God. Like a soldier planting his country’s flag to claim the land, God has planted his flag – the Cross of Christ. This is the essence of the spiritual war we have been born into.

John 17:17-19 indicates that Christ has enabled us to continue his work. There are many wounded from the war. Some have been deceived by the Enemy. Our job is to push back the Gates of Hell, usher in the presence of God, and seek and save the lost and wounded - reclaiming what is God’s.

It is not God’s kingdom that we are preparing for. The kingdom is already present. We are preparing for the greatest display of God’s power when He ends the war and totally annihilates the enemy. In that day there will be no more fear. No more pain or sorrow. The restoration of a new heaven and earth will be complete - an earth that never again needs fixed.

So why do we pray? I would like to suggest the purpose of prayer is to report the casualties and receive our marching orders from the Commander in Chief.

It’s important to remember the cause of the war. If we focus only on the comfort of our unit, we will continually get flanked by the enemy. Do you really want to prolong the world as we know it? God could wipe out the Enemy now if he wanted, but “bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation” (2 Peter 3:15). Are you ready to see the Enemy destroyed along with all those he has captured?

Our physical death is imminent. The war and our purpose in this life is to reclaim what belongs to God before the Enemy and his possessions are wiped from existence. They will not be present in the new heaven and new earth. Let us pray that God’s presence would overpower the Enemy not only for our comfort but for the cause of this war. May we ask for His strength and boldness every day to seek and save the prisoners of this war.

Related Scripture References:

Matthew 16:18 Pushing back the Gates of Hell

Luke 19:10 Reclaim what is God’s

Colossians 1:13,17,19 Ephesians 3:13-19 Usher in God’s Presence – once fully in Christ, now in us

Philippians 1:6 Preparing for Christ’s Return

Servant of the Lord Your God

“Dear God, Why did Joshua keep saying ‘servant of the Lord your God’ when he was referring to Moses when the people already knew that?”

We’ve tried various ways to encourage our kids to read their Bible daily but it always ends up to be dreaded routine. My desire is that they will discover the Bible to be exciting dialogue with an awesome God – not rules and regulations that threaten their enjoyment of this gift of life.

Over the past year my nearly ten year old son as become absorbed in a book series called A Series of Unfortunate Events. The stories are filled with conflict, mystery, and sadness. Lemony Snicket is a great author but he can’t match the real life series of unfortunate events found in the Old Testament.

So, I encouraged...uh suggested...ok, I told my son to read the book of Joshua and write something in his journal each time he reads – a question, thoughts that intrigued him, anything that came to mind while reading. The question beginning this blog is from him.

The thing I love most about studying the Bible with kids is their questions. So why did Joshua keep referring to Moses as “servant of the Lord your God” when the Israelites already knew that about Moses? My simple response, “I don’t know.” But let’s think about that question.

We have had some outstanding leaders in our contemporary Christian culture - people like Mother Teresa and Billy Graham. Most of us see these individuals as exceptional people who have done far greater things than we could ever do. But the truth is they are simply servants of the Lord your God. Well, that is if Yahweh of the Old Testament is your God.

When I asked my son if he knew what “lord” meant, he responded with the common reference to Lord as a ruler in a kingdom. I suggested he think of Lord as in landlord – one who owns property that someone else uses for a period of time.

Look around you: Everything you see is God's - the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. Deuteronomy 10:14

Perhaps Joshua was simply reminding the Israelites not to worship Moses for his accomplishments – or fault him for his “self-moments” that kept him from entering the promised land. The same should hold true for us today. Mother Teresa and Billy Graham are examples of outstanding leadership not because of what they accomplished but because they show us how to be servants of the Almighty God.

God gave me a dream of speaking but even if I don’t step foot in the promised speaking arena, I want my kids to remember me as a servant of the Lord their God.

How about you? Are you focused more on accomplishing the tasks in which your Lord has allowed you to participate or being his servant each step along the way? It’s a question I have to ask myself every day.

Prayer - What is It?

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you may have heard that God always answers prayer. Some may tell you “his response is yes, no, wait or sometimes he has a better idea that is completely different.”

I’ve never really liked that statement. It’s vague and makes my relationship with God sound like a computer calculation.

Input: data à Data processed by God à Output: answer.

If we don’t like the result, we either input new data or we begin troubleshooting the computers processing procedure until we either give up or get the output we want.

The material and experience of Moms in Touch International is teaching me a lot about prayer. Fern Nichols in Igniting a Passion to Pray discusses Spirit-directed prayer in this way:

“The Holy Spirit within us moves in our hearts, initiates our requests, and shows us how we should pray. Therefore, the focus is on God and not on the approval of others.”

Her intent with this comment is to help women feel more comfortable with praying aloud in small groups. However, I see something even bigger in her statement for even those who are comfortable with praying aloud in groups.

Prayer does not begin with data entry. It begins with listening to the Holy Spirit.

Two questions that make a difference in my prayer life:

1. Do I listen before I speak?
2. Are my words a response to what I’ve heard or just data entry submitted to God?

I am convinced that when we pray according to the Spirit rather than the flesh, God’s answer is always a strong and unchangeable “yes.”

Church Attendance

"Those who attend a conventional church are generally content to show up and accept whatever their church has on the agenda; they place the responsibility for their spiritual growth on the shoulders of the church. We found that most conventional church goers have no desire to help improve their congregation’s ministry, nor do they feel a need to increase their personal spiritual responsibility.” January 8, 2006 The Barna Update House Churches Are More Satisfying to Attenders Than Are Conventional Churches www.barna.org.

In another article, The Barna Group says, “American Christians are not as devoted to their faith as they like to believe. They have positive feelings about the importance of faith, but their faith is rarely the focal point of their life or a critical factor in their decision-making.”

Hmm, it’s easy for me to respond with “Boy, that sure is true in the churches I’ve been in.” But then I feel this little sting in my chest. If I see that, what am I doing to change it?

Do we, as a culture of professing Christians, fear God? I don’t think so. When is the last time you stepped into a church or gathering to worship God and experienced a physical alertness to the power of God. I am always amazed with the discussion of “fear God” among Christians. It always seems to come to a comfortable statement of “revere God.” We’ve made God a powerful and gentle human.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami gives a picture of the church. One website shows people who have been enjoying a day at the beach running for their lives. That is the fear of power.

How often do we go to worship God as we would go to the beach? We go to enjoy or receive something for ourselves – sometimes that “something” is a sense of satisfaction in doing even if we complain about it. I’m guilty of this. Maybe that’s why God has given me a full year to just be in his presence with little involvement in either of the two churches we’ve been attending.

Are you ready to see the power of God? That to me is what it means to fear God. We should always be aware of his overwhelming greatness and power. Yes, he loves us as his children. But he is not human. “God” is not his name. “God” is what he is. Just as I am a woman – a human being created by the infinite almighty being we call God.

Oh that our church gatherings would be filled with fear. Just imagine the worship.

A Useful Life

In preparing to go through a Life Plan Facilitation with Kelly Thorne of Blooming Ministries I’ve discovered something. I’m lazy.

God has given me circumstances and people to confirm his useful plan for my life. Yet I keep coming back to “Why would God want me to do that? Maybe I should just enjoy life as it is.”

Two weeks ago at a writers conference, Jim Watkins said “If I'm going to be a faithful Christian, I must write.” It was one of those times when I felt like there was a megaphone aimed right at me.

Yesterday Greg McNichols at Newstart Community Church made this comment: “If you are not doing what you are created to do, then you are useless.” Greg was speaking on Matthew 5:13-16.

Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.

Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)

Greg pointed out the Greek for “shine” in verse 17 indicates active participation. We are not a shiny piece of silver for God to display. One of my favorite verses, 2 Peter 1:3-4, also reminds us that we are given everything we need to participate in God’s divine nature. This is not about staying busy. It’s about doing what we are created to do.

A hidden light is of no use at all. Salt that is contaminated is thrown out as useless.

I can sit back and blend in, or share my thoughts in circles that create more havoc than peace. Or, I can do what God created me to do and be useful in this world. I don’t want people to look at me as a wall flower. I want to be useful in making others thirsty for truth and light the path to Christ. That requires active participation with God.

How about you? Are you allowing the “just enjoy life” culture to render your life useless. Being busy isn’t always useful and being useful is not generally the easiest path.

Here’s the choice as I see it. Do you want to just exist (busy or not) until you die? Or do you want to experience life as it is intended to be?

I’m choosing Life.

Seeking

Oh Lord my soul doth ache with sorrow
Sorrow from your love
The love that looks to pick us up
When books we tire of

We seek to find your power
And power becomes our god
Our god is that which we contend
Will ease our painful sod

I feel your tears in my heart
To cry out for all to hear
It is not might, nor power great
That frees us from our fear

Your peace, your joy, your love
Are not ours to possess
The intimacy that holds me tight
When I cry upon your chest

It’s you I want to know and love
Not your ways or works to show
You are my friend, I do adore
May others know you so

© 2005 Lisa Biggs Crum

The Power of Love

Some time ago, I attended a seminar at church where I was asked to classify myself as seeker, new believer, maturing believer or fully devoted Christ follower. Even though I felt I strived to be fully devoted, it seemed somewhat boastful to mark that category. I marked “maturing believer.”

Since that time I have often wondered if a person can be fully devoted in this life. If so, when do they know they are fully devoted. Where is the line between maturing believer and fully devoted?

Most anyone who has studied the Bible would agree that Paul was a fully devoted Christ follower. He says in Philippians 3:10-12 (NIV):

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

This past weekend, I participated in a retreat at Country Lake Christian Retreat in Underwood, Indiana. The experience was far more than I had anticipated. It was cool and wet but I headed for the trails as soon as possible. It is a walk I will never forget.

This retreat center is perfect for those who are refreshed by being outdoors but like the conveniences of a nice lodge. The lake is beautiful and surrounded by gazebos and hammocks (in warmer weather). The trail is perfect – easy to follow and cleared just enough to comfortably enjoy the sense of being in nature.

Being my first time on this trail, I wasn’t sure what I would find. What I found was beyond physical description. There are prayer stops along this trail. At one point there is a cross that stands 15-20 feet high in a small cleared spot right by the water. There are three very large rocks that allow the visitor to sit in front of the cross with the lake in view behind the cross.

Now, I am not typically real emotional about things like this. I always enjoy the beauty and feel refreshed but this experience was different. As I approached the cross, something was happening inside of me that I had no control over. As I looked up at the cross, it was as though I was there nearly 2000 years ago when Christ was crucified. The emotions within me were overwhelming.

I noticed another cross on the ground at the edge of the water. As I walked past the standing cross, there was a power greater than anything I have ever experienced. I wasn’t sure whether to pause or run. I hesitated. “What is that?” I asked. The response was as clear in my mind as if Christ was standing there speaking to me, “this is the power of love.”

I continued on to the small cross where others had placed small rocks, perhaps as a symbol of laying their concerns on the One that has victory over everything in our life.

The power of love overwhelmed me again as I passed back by the standing cross. I sat on the large rock and wept. It was as though God was cleansing me of all the self-reliant, self-seeking, control-desiring actions in my life. At that moment, I embraced the desire Paul expressed in scripture above.

Like Paul, I do not claim to have already obtained all this, but I can now say with assurance that I am a fully devoted Christ follower. That assurance does not come from my striving or doing. It is not a confidence in my abilities or even my desires. It is an assurance in Christ and Christ alone. His love has and continues to change me. I am fully devoted not because of what I’ve done, but because of what He is doing in me.

I desire to never go against His good, pleasing and perfect will with a new determination. Will I mess up again? Yes, I most definitely will. But my sorrow will be forever different. My gratitude of his grace, mercy and forgiveness will go beyond simple words of “thank you.” My understanding of striving in relation to his abilities has become a little clearer.

Seeing the power of love on the cross, knowing the power of the resurrection (which I don’t claim to fully know yet) and being offered the life of the Spirit makes all the“concerns” of this world seem minor. I can’t change the world or even one person. Only the power of God’s love can do that. It’s not my job to strive to “be good” or even “do good”. All I need to do is participate in the very nature of God by keeping my eyes focused on Him so that His Spirit can change the world through those who make up the body of Christ on earth today.

Oh God, thank you for the power of your pure love.

© 2005 Lisa Biggs Crum

Just Writing

Today I am writing to be writing. What will come of this?

I went on a Spiritual Formation Retreat last weekend. Seems God is trying to tell me that I have eaten enough and slept enough. It’s time to come out of the cocoon. Hmm, what will I be? A beautiful gentle flowing butterfly that makes people stop and admire the beauty of God’s creation in me? Or an annoying moth frantically fluttering toward the Light hanging on to those who are as transparent as I’d like to be.

The entire retreat was an encounter with God holding up a mirror I wasn’t sure I wanted to look into. Who am I? The Tin Woodsman from the original story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz? (written by L. Frank Baum in 1899) I’d never heard of the book that inspired the movie. I’ve never been a fan of Oz but I think I’d like the book.

What keeps me from sharing myself – being authentic? Is authentic something I can become or is it a lifetime process?

Sunday evening brought another amazing encounter with God. This time it involved some of my authentic self (alone in my car) shouting commands at satan. Whew, that was pretty cool. God’s power in me is exciting while at the same time a little frightening. What could God do through me if I truly allowed Him to – if I was truly authentic all the time? What could He do through His Body if we all were authentic all the time? The thought is mind-boggling!

Here’s what I think would happen:
1) Christ followers would unite (no more denominations)
2) Seekers would believe because they would see Christ rather than individuals in the unity. They wouldn’t wonder why there are three churches within a mile of each other – or side by side!
3) There would be a significant chasm between believers and unbelievers
4) And maybe, just maybe, Christ would answer the call of believers today as stated in Revelation 22:20 “Amen, Come Lord Jesus.”

Seeing Clearly

I have a friend, a funny dame
She used to laugh and had no shame

Her motto: Don’t Worry, Be Happy; did show
At work, at home, for anyone to know

She went on and on and on in life
Married her prince, she’s a very good wife

Later in time they added to the family
A boy, a girl and all looked quite dandy

Age took its toll she thought in time
I’ve got to get out and quit this mime

So this is mid-life growing grumpy and old
This can’t be good, the way she did scold

Pray, pray, pray some more
This must be a battle of spiritual war

She’s bitter, she’s angry, she trusts no one you see
Her husband walking around on thin ice with each plea

A series of events led to this circumstance
A ministry and a mentor God delivered not by chance

Share your life, talk it out with one and with all
He got the ball rolling with one simple call

This will do it, this is what works
An outlet for God’s love and a place for her quirks

She read lots of books, she was having a ball
But at home it was not well, not well at all

She had not noticed the slow change in her life
She was too busy and tired to see the strife

Meals were seldom for her or the family
Cereal seemed fine and was always quite handy

Sleeping was tough but that’s expected to happen
When you’re the mother of a boy who’s just past seven

Thoughts of death, well that’s common for all
Women have said so she claimed to recall

Intimacy with hubby was not lack of desire
She just couldn’t muster the energy to aspire

She tried counselors and doctors, both were quite sure
Her life was typical, she needed no cure

Time will pass have no despair
Time will take care of all needed repair

Time did pass and things got much worse
Now not just family but church folks were cursed

God in his sovereignty had already planned
For the mentor to speak without taking a stand

Let’s look at your anger and see what it shows
Is it other people that are causing your woes?

That brought to light the attitudes bestowed
Deep down inside was a much heavier load

Obsessed with ideas is not at all becoming
To one who is typically calm and enjoys humming

One more thought the mentor shared
A woman your age may be hormone impaired

Find a good doctor, one who will listen
Take care of yourself if you want your life to glisten

God guided the search and delivered the number
It took just a few calls before she did slumber

The office convenient, roomy and warm
The staff asked the questions as was the norm

The nurse took notes to hand to the doc
When she came in, they had a very good talk

It’s most likely not hormones but there is something there
Let’s try something simple to ease your despair

Zoloft was given to help anxiety heal
We’ll give it five weeks and see how you feel

I’m not depressed or anxious she thought
I minister to women, I’m not the one distraught

But she gave it a try, she was willing to see
If it could possibly make a change in her history

Within one week life seemed brighter
She played with her kids, she cuddled with daughter

Her husband’s response was one of relief
No more thin ice beneath his feet, no more grief

The kids noticed too how now they could shout
Mom was laughing and dancing and playing about

Holding mom’s hand and noticing a smile
The daughter proclaimed she hadn’t smiled in a while

Love, joy, peace they were back in her life
Patience, kindness, goodness were cutting through the strife

With even greater appearance were the last three you know
Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

God is omnipotent and he designed us you know
For prayer, other people and the plants that we sow

Medicine is not the fruit of the Spirit that’s true
But as one song writer said, it may give just the view

It may clear the obstruction and give energy as needed
To reach up to God’s hand when life’s felt unweeded

Now watch out for that log as you look at this speck
There’s no need to name “my friend” you detect

One in four women will suffer severely
An episode of depression much more than just teary

Thank God if you’re one of three that’s lived freely
For He might just use you to help the one see clearly

Infinite Thinking

There once was a young girl who was designed to think
She thought and she thought in her finite way
There is no God in this day

She grew cold and cynical and challenged her friends
Who claimed that a Christ lived within them

She questioned and argued
Your Jesus is a man
You follow him just like any cult member can

She sat through church services with bitterness in her heart
If God is real
What is the deal?

Her life was great fun
With laughter and work
The bar buddies bring memories
The church folk would think quirk

Her friends in the world are always the same
The church folk – they change
From rejoicing to shame

Then one day she noticed
In church as she sat
No bitterness, no warmth, no feeling, no regret

All emotion was gone
Her heart didn’t care

Is this what was learned
From training in church
The heart grows hard from continual search?

With little desire
But still thinking
She went

To the altar
To meet with one of those
Christian gents

She told him she didn’t know
If she wanted this life
Believing without seeing
Just didn’t make sense

This gent and his wife
They seemed different to her

They listened, not judging or condemning and when
She saw them at home or at church where they taught
They seemed much the same no matter the spot

They seemed intelligent
Why would they believe?
Her curious mind still
Thinking within time

Debating was fun
And rarely did she lose
She'd challenge this couple
Then see what they choose

But this gent stopped her cold
She was speechless in fact

“The Bible is not on trial”
He said matter of fact
So will you believe
Or continue denial

With nothing else to say
She agreed to pray
Not expecting a thing
To happen that day

“God if you are real
Take away my doubt”
That’s all it took
It was gone, she could shout

Her finite thinking
Was expanded beyond
The five senses we know
But there’s more than fish in the pond

Her life had been changed
Even while she still questioned
Why would God do this
Any suggestion?

He created us to be
In relationship with him
Man messed that up
When he thought he could win
All the knowledge of God
In his own little whim

God in his sorrow
Expected as much
So he sent his own son
Who was equal to such

Christ laid down his equality
And became one of us
To suffer and die
And end Satan’s lie

He rose from the dead
To show us the power
Of not just a man
But God, our strength and our tower

This man, fully God, restored the intent
For without him in God’s presence
No man could ascend

It was mankind restored
But each one must choose
Will you accept who you are
And not try to walk in His shoes?

He loved me long before
My finite mind can imagine
Now he’s given me faith
To think and to soar

My thoughts are not limited
As they were before
My God is infinite
Now my mind thinks much more

I wish I could tell you what all I have seen
Not with my eyes
That’s not what I mean

There is another sense
That man often dreams
It’s as real as the five
But much more keen

It’s not on the outside
It comes from within
This body we see
Is finite you know
But the body that’s coming
Will never slow

There is within us
The image of God
Created to last on eternity’s sod

As a writer, it’s fun
To think infinitely
And not limit my thoughts
To the size of a pea

Thank you for reading this story I tell
You see, it is true
It’s how God brought me
To life, free from Hell