Not-So-Secret Secret

Don’t look!  If you do, you’ll learn all of life’s best-kept secrets.  I’m referring to the tabloids and magazines at the checkout counter -- how to be thin, how to avoid hair loss, how to be a smart shopper.  All those secrets on display for everyone to see – so much for secrets!

Jesus, God in-the-flesh, did something worth imitating:  " ... in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35)  Now there’s a not-so-secret secret – instead of shoving off with a cup of coffee or a hearty-man breakfast, begin the day with spiritual nourishment for the soul.  After all, Jesus thought it important!

I met God in the morning when my day was at its best,

And his presence came like sunrise like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered, all day long he stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness o'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered, other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings with a keen remorse of mind,

When I too had loosed the moorings, with the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret, learned from any a troubled way:

You must seek him in the morning if you want him through the day.  – Ralph S. Cushman

Be A Blessing!

Men are famous for, even accused of, being “channel surfers.”  Now, I’m not pointing fingers or even saying this is a bad thing, however, it can certainly be an annoying thing when two people are sharing the television – one who is not and one who is a diagnosed “channel surfer.” 

In His Word, God doesn’t speak to channel “surfing” but He DOES have something to say about “channels.”  God said to Abraham, “And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)  We are NOT called to be a stingy people!  The get-grab-grasp attitude is far from what God said to Abraham.  He clearly said “you shall be a blessing.”  God blessed Abraham so Abraham could [in turn] bless others.  Just consider the tangible and intangible blessings we enjoy: houses, clothes, food, a job, family, freedom to worship, etc.  These things are not to be hoarded or held so tightly rather they are to given away (shared) as God has graciously given to us.  Consider the Blessed Messiah Who came to us through the great nation God blessed through Abraham.  There is no end to how God and will bless others through us if only we surrender our blessings back to Him.  We are called to be channels of God’s mercy and grace to others.  Let us never forget we are blessed so we can bless – Be a Blessing!

His Excellence

The first morning look in the mirror is not … excellent.  The second or third look … maybe, a bit closer.   We keep going back for that look of … excellence.   Sometimes we just have to settle for … well, close.   I’ve learned to be happy with that!

Have we forgotten God created us for excellence?  Of course He did; His Word says we were created  in His Image – what more “excellent” image could there be!  In the Book of Ruth, Boaz said this about Ruth: “And now my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.”  Wow!  What a dream guy – that Boaz!  Do you wonder, however, what made Boaz think and say such a thing about Ruth? Perhaps it was how Ruth tended particularly to her inner qualities like Proverbs 4:23 commands, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”  Soon, in graduation ceremonies, students will be recognized for academic achievements. What if we were as diligent in pursuit of spiritual GPAs students are in academic GPAs?  In her book, “Becoming a Woman of Excellence,” Cynthia Heald asks: “What would a woman of excellence do?” When confronted with decisions and choices, how does a person of excellence  respond?  We respond very differently than the world … in “a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31b)  Let us never settle for “close to excellence.” Let us always keep looking, keep reaching for … His Excellence.

Fashion Statement

Mr. Bill brought Dustin home from baseball practice one time in the back of the truck.  I took one look at Dustin and understood why.  He was covered in mud from neck to the soles of his shoes.  He proudly told me how he dove for a ball right into the mud.  He said he didn't make the play, but the effort was awesome.  That, of course, was obvious!

God wants to clean us up real good ... from the inside out.  Dustin proceeded to the back yard, stripped down, and went straight to the shower.  In no time, there was no trace of the muddy mess he was earlier.  Gathering dirt is what we humans do best; no matter how hard we struggle for holiness, we get dirty.  Something or someone is always stirring the proverbial pot.  A little comment here or an unkind act there can easily send us into a mire of bad thoughts, words, and behavior.  Jesus was no stranger to this; there were countless people in His life wanting nothing more than to arouse anger, causing Him to react instead of respond.  In Matthew 23, He compared the religious leaders to cups clean on the outside but dirty on the inside.  We live in a world that focuses almost exclusively on the latest fashion and the name brand of clothes, shoes, pocketbooks, etc.  If we are serious about a life fashioned after righteousness, our heart will bear only one name brand -- Jesus Christ.  So, what's your fashion statement?

Thanks for the Journey

An empty cross.  An empty grave.  A risen Messiah.  A living Lord.  A coming King.  Wonders of our faith!  It’s easy to see the gloom in Christ's final week and become overwhelmed by its agony and cruelty.  Christ's greatest pain came in separation from The Father when our sin was heaped upon Him.  While in Jerusalem several years ago, I cannot tell you how moving it was to touch the rock upon which Jesus’ blood fell, to view a tomb similar to His, to walk through the garden where He knelt to pray, to climb the ancient Roman Road He most likely walked in His last hours.

Let me ask you a personal question: when did The Savior’s love first pierce your heart?  I hope you can answer that question specifically.  For me, it was at the tender age of five following a summer revival.  I didn't understand a lot, but I knew two important things: my heart was full of sin and I needed Jesus.  You know what?  That's why He came.  It’s the whole message of Easter wrapped up in His Gift to you and I.  Max Lucado writes, "You see, when your Father comes to deliver you from bondage, you don't ask questions; you obey instructions. You take his hand. You walk the path. You leave bondage behind. And you never, never forget."  I praise You, Lord – I thank you for The Journey to the Cross!

Journey to the Cross -- Finished Work

As we drink our morning coffee and plan where we’ll dine this evening, let us prayerfully consider Jesus’ final twenty-four hours: during the night He’s been moved from the garden to Annas to Caiphas to Pilate to Herod then back to Pilate, bound and severely beaten, and deprived of sleep and rest.  Driven by political ambition and public outcry, Pilate finally condemns Jesus to death by crucifixion, reserved for the vilest of criminals. The Romans did not invent crucifixion but perfected it to a slow, painful, and tortuous means to die.  Although weak from severe flogging, Jesus began the journey from the Praetorium (Pilate’s palace) to Golgotha, an established place of crucifixion.  Weakened from severe floggings, Jesus fell beneath the weight of the horizontal beam of the cross and Simon of Cyrene was ordered to carry it the rest of the way. Secured to the cross by Roman spikes driven through His hands (wrists) and feet, Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh (gall), a mild analgesic, which He refused.  His open wounds and decaying flesh exposed to swarming insects and birds, arms extended unable to sustain His own weight, Jesus struggled for each breath while soldiers and bystanders taunted Him.  From noon to three o’clock, darkness covered Jerusalem and in one final arduous gasp and cry, those standing nearby would surely have recognized Jesus’ moment of death. The Jewish Sabbath approaching, Joseph of Arimathea, “a good and righteous man,” asked Pilate for Jesus’ body; he wrapped The Savior in linen and laid Him in a tomb cut from rock “where no one had ever lain.”  Women who had come with Jesus from Galilee witnessed His burial and prepared the customary burial spices and perfumes.  A heavy circular stone was rolled in place to cover entrance to the tomb.  There may have been an eerie silence at the garden tomb but I imagine quite a disturbance in the temple: the Passover lambs had been offered but the temple curtain was torn completely in two [from top to bottom] fully exposing the holiest of temple chambers, ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME giving man access to Almighty God through a newly declared and perfect High Priest – Jesus Christ!  We are familiar with the rest of the blessed events – The Father did not forsake His Son and the tomb could not contain The Messiah.  As promised, He rose victorious over death in three days. Likewise, He will [keep His promise to] come again and take us to that place He has prepared for us to reign victoriously with Him eternally.  Well, we may be living in a world that resembles “Good Friday,” but those who profess Christ are gloriously declared Easter People!  We can and do rejoice in the finished work of Jesus Christ – the Risen Lord!  Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb!

Journey to the Cross -- Jesus' Darkness

Flashlights and light bulbs should be a’plenty at our house!  Mr. Bill buys light bulbs every trip to Wal-mart, and I’m sure we could have paid our mortgage off for what we’ve spent on flashlights!  Nonetheless, when the power goes there’s a maddening scurry to find a flashlight. 

 

Jesus’ final week was eventful and prospered God’s kingdom: using parables, Jesus spoke about faith and prayer, Christian fruitfulness, the kingdom of Heaven, submitting to civil authority, spiritual hypocrisy, perilous and glorious times; and, He performed countless miracles of healing.  What possibly could have so quickly turned popular opinion against One so noble? “And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.” (Luke 22:3-6)  My dating curfew was 11:00, right up until the day I married Mr. Bill; it was my parents’ general opinion nothing much good happened after that time of night.  Well, the same thing can be said of darkness.  It’s interesting the words Luke uses: Judas “went away” – far enough from Jesus and the other disciples to do Satan’s work. Matthew Henry writes of this passage, “It is hard to say whether more mischief is done to Christ’s kingdom, by the power of its open enemies, or by the treachery of its pretended friends; but without the latter, its enemies could not do so much evil as they do.” Now, the plot to betray and arrest Jesus was set into motion, and even as He shared a last intimate meal with the men closest to Him, Jesus knew “the hand of the one betraying” was present. What a somber walk it must have been from Jerusalem to Gethsemane to pray.  There in the darkness of the garden, Jesus struggled with redemption’s price set before Him.  What more would the darkness bring: friends who would not stay awake to pray with Him and the “one called Judas, one of the twelve” to betray Him. It was a dark time in the life of Christ: betrayal by friends, a lonely walk back up Zion’s hill, the mockery of a trial, beatings and cursings, a cold dark pit.  The darkness continues as Christ is sentenced to die just hours before the Jewish Sabbath. The darkest hour was yet to come when Jesus would know complete separation from The Father, the weight of our sin upon Him.  In the darkest moments of our Savior’s life, God did His greatest work and Satan was crushed, death abolished, and darkness ended.  Say it with -- Oh, what a Savior!

 

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS - The Savior's Tears

Oh, the times of spilled milk or tea or juice!  Long before sippy cups parents were driven to madness or tears when faced with the almost-certainty that someone would spill their drink.  How funny when it was the parent!

It only makes sense that Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem would be an emotional one, but those traveling with Jesus must have been surprised at the intensity of His tears as He neared the city.  “When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it.” (Luke 19:41)  With joy, I remember the breathtaking sight of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.  The Savior, however, did not share these same emotions; instead of rejoicing, Jesus was driven to tears.  His were not peaceful tears; the Greek word here (klaio) refers to an audible weeping such as takes control of a person.  Why the tears?  Jesus said, “Eternal peace was within your reach and you turned it down. Now it is too late … You have rejected the opportunity God offered you.” (Luke 19:42-43)  The Messiah did not weep vain and causeless tears, nor was His weeping a slight matter.  He wept not for Himself but for the value of souls and the heavy sin people bear when so great a salvation is turned away.  Oh, the peace we often forfeit – Oh, the needless pain we bear!  When were we last grievous over that sin in our life that brings regret and steals our joy?  Jesus knew the extent to which He would be poured out for mankind AND He knew how we would at times dishonor and disgrace God’s precious act of redemption.  Why would Christ not be grieved?  Why would He not weep?  If we could but understand the depth of God’s great love for us, we would weep also.  His tears, His agony, His passion would not end until He took His rightful seat next to The Father.  Oh, what a Savior!

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS - A Clean Temple

Do you do the Wally-Walk?  Sometimes Mr. Bill and I really don’t really have a list – we just go to Wal-mart for the exercise.  It’s what we call the Wally-Walk.

After entering Jerusalem on Sunday, the first day of Passover week, Jesus went to the temple.  Mark gives us a noteworthy account of Jesus’ late-day visit to the temple, “Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.” (Mark 11:11)  Interestingly, there’s no record of Jesus worshipping, reading the law, or teaching – only a [seemingly] thoughtful walk-through, a survey of the goings-on in His House.   What temple images do you suppose replayed in The Lord’s mind during the evening and night?  What angered Him to the point He went back the next day to overturn tables and drive dishonest merchants and money changers from their places of business? (Matthew 21:11)  Perhaps it was the same thing that provokes His wrath today: things that interfere and compromise Believers’ drawing near to Almighty God.  Jesus said, “ … true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him … they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)  You see, it’s the heart that is the seat of God in our lives; it’s the LORD’S temple with which He refuses to share with another.  There’s place for only One in the heart of man – His Spirit and His Truth.   All else must be overturned and driven out!  What does God see when He surveys  our hearts. With mere days left, Jesus deemed it necessary to dramatically cleanse the temple – surely, it was important.  So may we allow Him to search our hearts and free us of all that hinders intimacy with The Father and worship of  The Christ Who  redeemed us! 

Journey to the Cross - Lingering Fragrance

Each October I am “smiled upon” when I put away all body sprays, fragrant detergents, and scented candles.  The resident deer hunters care not to take any of the smells into the woods!  Furthermore, Mr. Bill bathes in special soap to remove all human scent.  Women do all they can to smell like sweetness and men work hard to smell like nothing.  What strangeness!

Six days before the Passover as He traveled from Jericho to Jerusalem, Jesus arrives in Bethany, home of some of His dearest friends.  Two miles from Jerusalem and situated on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, this small village is often referred to as Jesus’ Judean home.  During the evening meal, something quite astonishing happened: “While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.” (Mark 14:3)  The extravagance of this act could easily be seen by the value of the perfume (approximately one year’s wages for the average worker), but that would not be the case.  Jesus quickly defends the woman’s act of reckless love for The One Who will in a few days be completely poured out of Himself for others.  “Let her alone … ,” Jesus says, as the rare and costly perfume streams over The Messiah’s head that will be viciously crowned with thorns, His back that will bear cruel stripes, His shoulders that will carry a heavy cross, His hands and feet to be pinned to timber by nails.  “She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me [praiseworthy and noble],” Jesus concludes. (V.6)  The woman saw something we often miss – God’s Anointed should be our Anointed!  We should be willing to pour out the ointment of our best affections on Christ.  Just as the fragrance of that rare and costly perfume filled the room, hearts in love with The Savior will produce a strong and lingering fragrance of Christ everywhere we go and there is NOTHING strange about THAT!

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS - End In Sight

What are some things we look to end?  Paying off a loan.  Running a marathon.  Buying diapers and formula.  Setting a morning alarm.  The anticipation to the end to such things is often great and when “the end” comes, we look back and wonder how we endeavored to persevere to … the end!

What would you do if you knew today was your last day on this earth?   Most likely, we would overlook the trivial things of life and do our best to make each minute a lasting moment.  Jesus knew well His time was growing short.  He knew the last time He would visit the temple, the last time He would share a meal and laugh with close friends, the last time He would have need of His dusty sandals, the last intimate conversation He would have with His disciples.  His arrest a week away, we find Jesus in the Jericho countryside but not distracted from the pilgrimage He must make up to Jerusalem. He tells His disciples, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:18-19)  We know the religious leaders were already plotting against The Messiah, but make no mistake – Jesus wasn’t walking into a trap!  He arrived on earth ON purpose WITH a purpose, and His journey to the cross did not begin in Jericho or Galilee or Nazareth or Bethlehem: the taste of the apple was still on Adam’s tongue when Jesus realized the journey He would make to Calvary.  Jesus always had the end in sight, and His great love [for us] that began His journey is the same great love that brought His journey to the perfect end.  Oh, what a Savior!

Journey to the Cross

Journaling is nothing new, but it’s produced a huge industry.  Some people keep a simple journal while others journal their life by scrapbooking.  A note-taker myself, I enjoy the simplicity of journaling but on occasion have been reeled into scrapbooking.  I must admit, it can be fun and quite the Susta event!

Jesus’ final week before the cross intrigues me.  Holy Week, as it is called, bears much genuine thought and deep reflection.  Dare we consider each day’s events and the collage of friends and foes as Jesus walked that final yet focused journey from Jericho to Jerusalem.  Imagine the blind eyes seeing – a withering fruit tree – overturned money tables – conspiring religious leaders – sleeping disciples – accusers gathering – mockers laughing – dutiful soldiers – a crowded city – followers scattering … yet a determined and passionate Christ.  Who of us does not need a fresh look at His week’s journey to bring new and glorious truths to spill over into our worship for The One Who made the tomb nothing but empty.  His journey to The Cross is one of tremendous passion, the example of how we are called to be empty and pour ourselves out daily for His glory.  Remember, we have the perfect Journal as recorded by Gospel writers who journeyed with The Savior that last week.  I encourage you to read and travel with me this next week as we “Journey to the Cross.” 

See! See! See!

See! See! See!  Mr. Bill reminded me once of all the beautiful bodies of water I have seen ... the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, the Bosphorus, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Black Sea, the Kantenah River.  I'll never forget the breath taking view of the Mediterranean my first morning in Israel, the crystal clear beauty of the Caribbean, sailing the Bosphorus even though it was windy and cold!

God's Word is forever refreshing!  It is new and revealing each time opened. It's immeasurable riches are increased when sought in prayer. Verses recalled from childhood and doctrine of hymns are renewed in our hearts and minds each time we read them and hear them.  God's Word is never hum-drum or so-so. It always has a message for us, and each time we read and meditate on It we are blessed over and over again.  Just like those bodies of water and the uniqueness of each one, along with their many memories, so is God's Word.  It never grows old, never becomes outdated, and always warms the heart and renews the spirit of man.  “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10)   See, see, see ... what is new and fresh from above each day!

Interruptions or Opportunities?

The morning routine can be delicate, and most of us have it down to a science.  There is little room for interruptions such as brain cramps, forgetfulness, or senior moments.  Surely the guys won't ask me to sign a paper, or tell me they need a lunch check when I driving down the road, or that their tennis shoes are in the bathroom at the church where they changed clothes the night before!

The Bible records many busy days in the life of Jesus.  Once He was enjoying dinner with friends at Lazarus' house when Mary interrupted his meal by anointing and washing his feet; he turned this interruption into an opportunity to talk about his coming death (John 12:1-8).  Luke tells the account of a woman with a long-term illness whose faith made her whole by merely touching the Master.  Jesus used this interruption to speak about the power of faith (Luke 8:43-48).  What would Jesus do?  Just what He did -- acknowledged life is full of interruptions and waylaid plans. Interruptions or opportunities?  They are there with purpose -- to teach us, to develop us, to honor Him.  Deal with them. Capitalize on them.  Don't miss a beat.  What would Jesus not do?  He didn't miss a one -- He welcomed and made good use of each one!  What a lesson for us all!

The Pump

A crisis can come in many shapes and sizes, and it is certainly a crisis when we can't find the pump!  It’s a well known fact deflated items such as footballs, basketballs, and bicycle tires present a crisis. So goes the popularity of the pump!

We all need "pumping" up occasionally. Life is hard with all its sorrows, disappointments, and stress. There never seems to be a shortage of situations or people to thoroughly frustrate our lives. However, there is also no shortage in God's Word of personal promises to lift the human heart. Someone sent me a card and on the front is written, "God's Promises To Beverly." The card is filled with promises from The Father.  I have read each one over and over and keep it close to read again and again.  God’s words are the sufficient spiritual pump!

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1;5

"I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go." Genesis 28:15

"I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Inside Smiling

Sometimes we aren't smiling on the inside which makes it tough to smile on the outside.  H. Randolph Holder, President of WNGC Radio Station, used to say  early in each day's broadcast, "keep smiling until  ten o'clock and the rest of the day will take care of itself."  I remember hearing it every morning thinking he should get a new slogan. I was pretty sure people had grown tired of it but now I remember it fondly, and better understand it’s often that first smile that sets the day’s pace!

The Bible tells us the unseen produces the seen: "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and  even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and  glorious joy ... " (1 Peter 1:8-9)  How rich to simply trust the matchless wonder of Jesus Christ  and know His inexpressible and glorious joy.  The simplicity of this prescription for inside smiling is  incredible.  Inside smiling starts in a heart securely rooted in Christ Jesus.  How pleasant to wake up with  Him on the mind, in the heart, and on the lips.  It produces that inside smile, and next thing you know -- it's  slipping outside!

Protest!

Have you ever been part of a protest?  I suppose the closest I came was walking out of a tenth grade geometry class when the substitute teacher accused me of something I did not do.  When I objected to the charge, he told me to take it up with the principal so I left the room to do just that.  Guess you could say I “protested.”

As Christians, how diligently do we protest conformity?  Swimming upstream isn’t natural!  That go-with-the-flow-don’t-rock-the-boat mentality suits us much better.  It should not, however, ever describe followers of Christ!  The writer of Hebrews challenges us: “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” (13:13)  OUTSIDE THE CAMP!  That sounds scary and cold and lonely and sad – who would choose such!  Believers are not called to a conformed life but a transformed life: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)  How far will you go to avoid conformity?  What are you willing to put aside for transformation: friends, books, music, movies, career, habits, church?  There is absolutely nothing in this life so sacred, so “off-limits” if it leads to conformity.  There is a call for Christ’s followers to be separated, to stand on God’s precepts, eternal Truth.  We must decide what we seek -- the glory of men or the glory of Christ?  “The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation.” (Spurgeon)  Well, I didn’t quite make it to the principal’s office: the teacher followed me into the hall and confessed he may have been mistaken and kindly asked me to return to the classroom, which I graciously did.  Now, I don’t advise acting like that foolish teenager, but do be willing to step “outside the camp” and separate ourselves from this world and its lies.  For the sake of Christ’s honor, effectively live IN this world but not be OF this world.  Live in protest for the good of Christ!

Unload

My family went to the beach almost every summer when I was a child.  I learned to love the ocean and not until the movie “Jaws” came out did I have a fearful thought about the ocean.  What fun to climb onto Dad's strong shoulders, then flip backwards into the crashing waves.  Mom is probably still gasping as she reads this!

God has strong … actually, perfect shoulders.  Why can’t we learn our own shoulders are too narrow, not equipped to carry the burdens and cares of life?  Not only is it God's place to bear our burdens – He welcomes and delights in it.  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)  We resist this beautiful invitation rather demanding we know better than The Father just how capable we are.  In the ocean, Dad would stoop down so I could climb up on his shoulders; we do the same thing with our cares -- we squat down [so to speak], loading ourselves down with life's cares.  In only a few short steps, we feel the crushing weight.  God continues to offer wonderful freedom from our burdens, leaving no reason to find ourselves in virtual slavery.  The Father has made His Shoulders perfect ... perfect for all that threatens our peace.  He's stooped down ... waiting for us to unload and know His peace and rest.

Spiritual Grit

I’m a grits girl!  My Granny taught my Mama,  who taught me,  who taught my boys how to make grits.  The recipe has [at times] been “tampered” with by adding this and that so there’s some debate who makes the “best” grits but nonetheless -- Grits Rock!  

God is never in a hurry.  We, on the other hand, are seldom patient!  Have you noticed the more unpleasant the circumstances, the more impatient we grow and more pitiful our whine?   Most of us just don’t do well in God’s greenhouse yet it’s where great spiritual growth occurs … if only we’d surrender to His sovereignty in quiet and peaceful and obedient patience.  Oswald Chambers makes this observation: “If we wait, we shall see that God is pointing out that we have not been interested in Himself but only in His blessings.”  Can it possibly be the Believer is more interested in what God can do & give instead of the awesome Creator & Redeemer & King that He is!  When we persevere [by God’s grace], the spiritual hammering produces (like Christ) that “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)  Truth is, we need spiritual grit!  The word “grit” is something produced by pounding, and we [Southerners] love the taste of that coarsely ground corn.  Yeah, yeah, I know not everyone appreciates a good bowl of hot grits, but [oh my] how the world needs to see God glorified when His Children patiently wait upon The Lord.  Let’s take a deep breath, step back, and put forth some spiritual grit to the glory of The Father!

Your Garden

‘Tis the season of the gardener!  Garden centers are stocked and ready for the green thumbs who will scoop up pots, soil, fertilizer, seeds, and plants.  Before you know it, flower beds and gardens will display the lovely colors of spring.  Yep, it’s time for me to get busy with my own gardening: I’ll hang a few baskets of blooms outside and garnish the front porch with a couple of flowering pots then the yard guy (Mr. Bill) will keep them watered and alive. Oh, how I love gardening!

Our Savior did big battle in a garden.   Matthew, Mark, and Luke give accounts of Jesus’ struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane with the horrors set before Him.  Mark describes Jesus as distressed and troubled and records Jesus’ words, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death.” (14:33-34)  Each gospel writer tells of Christ’s petition to The Father to intervene according to His will.  We know, of course, Jesus willingly surrendered, completing God’s plan for man’s redemption.  Giving up what the flesh wants must truly be one of the greatest struggles Believers face.  We want what we want; we want it now and we want it just like we want it!  We are born with this incessant drive to seek what satisfies the flesh.  Such was the humanity of Christ yet His divine nature was all-powerful, making Him faithful even unto death.  Whatever your present struggle, take it to YOUR garden of surrender.  Giving up to win may not make good worldly-sense and the struggle may certainly be more difficult than my idea of gardening, but it’s the only way to experience the sweetness of victory and know abundant Christian living.  Do not delay -- visit your garden today!