"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51:17
As time blows over the calendar of my life and the weeks turn quickly into months and the months roll quietly into years, I'm learning (finally) some pretty powerful life lessons. You would think that as I passed the mid-century mark, the light bulb over some of these truths would have clicked on long before now.
It has been my privilege and honor over the last 20 years in ministry to talk with and listen to some pretty awesome and amazing people. I have come to believe that I can learn "something" from everyone I encounter if I just make the time to look and really take in what they say. I have had the pleasure of talking to and interacting with the whole spectrum of humanity from the very wealthy and powerful in the halls of academia to the homeless and mentally challenged aimlessly walking the lonely streets of New York City. When you get right down to it, we aren't really all that different. By that I mean that the scripture says in Proverbs 22:12, "The rich and poor have this in common; The LORD made them both."
I have come to understand that all of us come to certain crossroads on this journey we are on. One of those pivotal points is when we hit something( or something hits us) that pretty much knocks us to our knees and we find ourselves in another realm that we didn't prepare for. We all experience those monumental "exit ramps" that scream in our ears "It's over. You're done - finished!" You know what I'm talking about; the "I can't do this anymore" moments. If you haven't had one yet, brace yourself - it's coming.
The girls in my Bible Study know I often use the line "There are two kinds of people..." when I'm trying to help them grasp what it truly means to passionately pursue Christ. Well, I am learning there are two kinds of people; Those who are "broke" and those who are "broken." As I look back now, I realize that so many of the times I really thought I was broken, I wasn't broken at all - I was just plain broke! Sure I was at a point of being without, whether it was without money, or friends, or acceptance, or influence or respect. And mind you - I didn't like the feeling of being without those things. I felt angry and hurt and frustrated but I didn't let those feelings lead me to brokenness. They didn't soften my heart. I allowed them to harden it. And I didn't even realize it.
Until one morning as I was walking and talking with the Lord I said, "Lord, whatever it takes to make me more like you; that's what I want." Hmmm. I don't believe now that I really understood what I was asking for in that prayer. But He did. And He answered. The journey I started on that day has taken me to places I would have never gone with Him had I known ahead what was in store. He knew. He knows. I never knew a person could be so crushed and survive. He did. I was. I still am. I'm ok.
Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
He is. He does.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Lord, Keep Me From Falling!
"Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen" Jude 1:24-25 (NLT)
Interesting thing about this little book of the Bible called Jude. It kind of reminds me of the entry hall before you step into a huge theater. It sort of prepares you for what you are getting ready to see and experience in the final book called Revelation.
More than likely this little book named Jude was written by Jude the half brother of Jesus. He probably doesn't specifically tell us which Jude he is out of humility. No desire for recognition here. The only thing important is the message that he is bringing. That message could probably best be summed up in 2 one syllable words--Watch out!
You see, the book of Jude was written to prepare us for the last days. Each generation has assumed that they are in the last days but we need only to turn on the evening news to see that we very likely are living out the reality of the times he is describing.
False teachers are everywhere. Sadly, many are sprinkled throughout bookstores and christian television. Jude says they have "wormed their way into Your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives" (vs 4). Later on in verse 8, he also tells us that " these people - who claim authority from their dreams--live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings."
Sobering, isn't it? What's an everyday believer like me to do? I sure don't want to get swept up into deception and fall away! Jude reminds us that all glory belongs to God and He is able to keep us from falling away. Our job is to stay faithfully anchored and connected to Him and He will do the rest.
Now isn't the time to slack off in reading the scripture, attending church, spending time in serious prayer, keeping ourselves accountable to other believers and those God has put in spiritual authority in our lives. Those things are His "safety net" so to speak for us His children.
Let our sincere prayer be "Lord, Keep Me From Falling!"
Interesting thing about this little book of the Bible called Jude. It kind of reminds me of the entry hall before you step into a huge theater. It sort of prepares you for what you are getting ready to see and experience in the final book called Revelation.
More than likely this little book named Jude was written by Jude the half brother of Jesus. He probably doesn't specifically tell us which Jude he is out of humility. No desire for recognition here. The only thing important is the message that he is bringing. That message could probably best be summed up in 2 one syllable words--Watch out!
You see, the book of Jude was written to prepare us for the last days. Each generation has assumed that they are in the last days but we need only to turn on the evening news to see that we very likely are living out the reality of the times he is describing.
False teachers are everywhere. Sadly, many are sprinkled throughout bookstores and christian television. Jude says they have "wormed their way into Your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives" (vs 4). Later on in verse 8, he also tells us that " these people - who claim authority from their dreams--live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings."
Sobering, isn't it? What's an everyday believer like me to do? I sure don't want to get swept up into deception and fall away! Jude reminds us that all glory belongs to God and He is able to keep us from falling away. Our job is to stay faithfully anchored and connected to Him and He will do the rest.
Now isn't the time to slack off in reading the scripture, attending church, spending time in serious prayer, keeping ourselves accountable to other believers and those God has put in spiritual authority in our lives. Those things are His "safety net" so to speak for us His children.
Let our sincere prayer be "Lord, Keep Me From Falling!"
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
...And Wisdom To Know The Difference
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you..." James 1:4
The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neihbur is likely repeated thousands, perhaps millions of times each week in recovery settings of all shapes and sizes throughout this country and probably around the world.
I first became familiar with this prayer when my mother in law (who is now at peace in the arms of Jesus) proudly scotch taped it on the front of her side by side refrigerator as she reached out in desperation to the Lord to help her conquer the relentless foe of addiction. Relentless is a pretty accurate adjective to describe the enemy of our souls. Whether it's substance addiction, sexual addiction, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, rejection (the list could go on and on) the determination of Satan to bring us down one way or another is merciless.
The prayer begins with that familiar introduction - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference..." No matter how many times I repeat these thoughtful words, I always land in the same spot - "AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE." Maybe I get stuck there because I've spent so much time in trying to figure out the difference between what I can change and what I can't.
In my twenties and early thirties I thought I knew so much. The older I get the more I realize that I don't know. I thought that if everyone would do things the way I was doing them (or planning on doing them anyway) the world would be a much better and more well adjusted place. Maybe I didn't actually voice that attitude but trust me - it was in there. Several times in my journey I fell face first into a puddle of brokenness. Sometimes it was my own foolishness and other times it was as a result of someone else's choices that overflowed into my world. Brokenness. Yes, it started to become a familiar camping spot on my journey. Maybe that's a good thing. It's humbling to often have to admit how really clueless you are.
I started asking for wisdom from the Lord to know the difference between what I could and couldn't change--in myself and in others. I realized that admitting I couldn't change some things or people in my life didn't mean that He (emphasis on "He") couldn't or wouldn't change them. And then I started doing something that was at first so contrary to my nature that it made me very uncomfortable. I started giving up--not on life or people or God. No, I started giving up on my ability within my own flesh to fix everyone and everything in my life. I'm still learning little by little exactly what that means but so far it's a much smoother ride.
I love the NIV translation of James 1:4, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you."
I do. I did. And he continues to give.
The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neihbur is likely repeated thousands, perhaps millions of times each week in recovery settings of all shapes and sizes throughout this country and probably around the world.
I first became familiar with this prayer when my mother in law (who is now at peace in the arms of Jesus) proudly scotch taped it on the front of her side by side refrigerator as she reached out in desperation to the Lord to help her conquer the relentless foe of addiction. Relentless is a pretty accurate adjective to describe the enemy of our souls. Whether it's substance addiction, sexual addiction, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, rejection (the list could go on and on) the determination of Satan to bring us down one way or another is merciless.
The prayer begins with that familiar introduction - "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference..." No matter how many times I repeat these thoughtful words, I always land in the same spot - "AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE." Maybe I get stuck there because I've spent so much time in trying to figure out the difference between what I can change and what I can't.
In my twenties and early thirties I thought I knew so much. The older I get the more I realize that I don't know. I thought that if everyone would do things the way I was doing them (or planning on doing them anyway) the world would be a much better and more well adjusted place. Maybe I didn't actually voice that attitude but trust me - it was in there. Several times in my journey I fell face first into a puddle of brokenness. Sometimes it was my own foolishness and other times it was as a result of someone else's choices that overflowed into my world. Brokenness. Yes, it started to become a familiar camping spot on my journey. Maybe that's a good thing. It's humbling to often have to admit how really clueless you are.
I started asking for wisdom from the Lord to know the difference between what I could and couldn't change--in myself and in others. I realized that admitting I couldn't change some things or people in my life didn't mean that He (emphasis on "He") couldn't or wouldn't change them. And then I started doing something that was at first so contrary to my nature that it made me very uncomfortable. I started giving up--not on life or people or God. No, I started giving up on my ability within my own flesh to fix everyone and everything in my life. I'm still learning little by little exactly what that means but so far it's a much smoother ride.
I love the NIV translation of James 1:4, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you."
I do. I did. And he continues to give.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Burn The Boats!
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
In February 1519 Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of a voyage from Cuba to the shores of the Yucatan in Mexico. The story of this particular voyage had started years prior to this trip as Cortez had spend a tremendous amount of time searching for and persuading men to accompany him on this journey. You see, Cortez was convinced great treasure awaited those who were willing to take the risk to go in and conquer.
Cortez successfully convinced nearly 600 ordinary soldiers and sailors that indeed, "They could do it!". And so, together they set sail. Once on the ocean a good number of the faithful "lost their faith". As motivational speaker Andy Andrews remarks, "There are always whiners." Cortez made it to Cuba where he rested the still faithful and let the quitters get off the ship. Next stop - Mexico!
As the group finally landed on the shores of the Yucatan, Cortez began his "motivational seminar" with the remaining crew of "Average Joe's". He complimented their courage and reminded them of the vast treasures that awaited their taking. They were "psyched"! As they prepared to move on in for the final conquest, Cortez gave one more directive. Legend tells us that he leaned in and said three simple words, "Burn the boats." Can't you hear the gasps? Burn the boats? "Yes," he repeated, "because if we are going home, we are going home in their boats." And he torched them. By burning his own boats, Cortez took his army of ordinary men to a whole new level. Boy did they fight! And boy did they win! For the first time in six centuries the wealth in that part of the world changed hands.
The Apostle Paul knew something about "burning the boats." He knew that he would never be totally surrendered to his Lord if he kept looking back at "Plan B." For Paul, turning back was not an option. Actually even looking back was not an option.
Face forward, straight ahead. The treasures of a heavenly kingdom await. Are you willing?
Burn the boats!
In February 1519 Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of a voyage from Cuba to the shores of the Yucatan in Mexico. The story of this particular voyage had started years prior to this trip as Cortez had spend a tremendous amount of time searching for and persuading men to accompany him on this journey. You see, Cortez was convinced great treasure awaited those who were willing to take the risk to go in and conquer.
Cortez successfully convinced nearly 600 ordinary soldiers and sailors that indeed, "They could do it!". And so, together they set sail. Once on the ocean a good number of the faithful "lost their faith". As motivational speaker Andy Andrews remarks, "There are always whiners." Cortez made it to Cuba where he rested the still faithful and let the quitters get off the ship. Next stop - Mexico!
As the group finally landed on the shores of the Yucatan, Cortez began his "motivational seminar" with the remaining crew of "Average Joe's". He complimented their courage and reminded them of the vast treasures that awaited their taking. They were "psyched"! As they prepared to move on in for the final conquest, Cortez gave one more directive. Legend tells us that he leaned in and said three simple words, "Burn the boats." Can't you hear the gasps? Burn the boats? "Yes," he repeated, "because if we are going home, we are going home in their boats." And he torched them. By burning his own boats, Cortez took his army of ordinary men to a whole new level. Boy did they fight! And boy did they win! For the first time in six centuries the wealth in that part of the world changed hands.
The Apostle Paul knew something about "burning the boats." He knew that he would never be totally surrendered to his Lord if he kept looking back at "Plan B." For Paul, turning back was not an option. Actually even looking back was not an option.
Face forward, straight ahead. The treasures of a heavenly kingdom await. Are you willing?
Burn the boats!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Consider It "What"?
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." James 1:2
This verse in James chapter one has been circulating through my always busy mind lately. That's usually a sign to me from the Lord that it's time to get something out on paper. "Consider it pure joy..." I'm being really honest here - that makes no sense whatsoever!
I am definitely in one of those "facing trials of many kinds" seasons in my life. Everything in me, above me, on each side and underneath is being stretched these days. You know the place I'm referring to. The, " just when you think you might have a few things figured out - Wow, what just happened? kind of places." My rational mind says, "hold on, hang tough, push through, surely this won't last forever." But my spirit keeps rehearsing this directive in James, "Consider it pure joy". Am I reading that correctly? It doesn't say just joy. It says - pure joy!
How can I do that pure joy thing? I'm guessing the key is in the next verse, "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Hmm. OK. So these trials are producing perseverance. Webster's defines perseverance as, "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition." So I understand that every trial is an open door for joy if I keep in mind that each one brings with it the opportunity to get stronger in the face of failure or opposition. These are not just random things being blown in my direction. They are my chances to grow! I can run away or I can stand strong in "His mighty power" and face them down. With each one He walks me through, I stand a little taller and walk with a little more confidence than the last because my faith in Him shined through the struggle.
Pure joy - huh? Sounds pretty good to me.
This verse in James chapter one has been circulating through my always busy mind lately. That's usually a sign to me from the Lord that it's time to get something out on paper. "Consider it pure joy..." I'm being really honest here - that makes no sense whatsoever!
I am definitely in one of those "facing trials of many kinds" seasons in my life. Everything in me, above me, on each side and underneath is being stretched these days. You know the place I'm referring to. The, " just when you think you might have a few things figured out - Wow, what just happened? kind of places." My rational mind says, "hold on, hang tough, push through, surely this won't last forever." But my spirit keeps rehearsing this directive in James, "Consider it pure joy". Am I reading that correctly? It doesn't say just joy. It says - pure joy!
How can I do that pure joy thing? I'm guessing the key is in the next verse, "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." Hmm. OK. So these trials are producing perseverance. Webster's defines perseverance as, "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition." So I understand that every trial is an open door for joy if I keep in mind that each one brings with it the opportunity to get stronger in the face of failure or opposition. These are not just random things being blown in my direction. They are my chances to grow! I can run away or I can stand strong in "His mighty power" and face them down. With each one He walks me through, I stand a little taller and walk with a little more confidence than the last because my faith in Him shined through the struggle.
Pure joy - huh? Sounds pretty good to me.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
An Anchor For The Soul
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." Hebrews 6:19
I have an affinity for certain words. By that I mean, I just like the way they sound when you say them. A few of my favorites are: blessing, peace, winsome, and fervent. I don't know--they just sound calming or peaceful or reflective.
One of my all time favorite words is the word "anchor". Whenever I hear that word, somewhere in the back of my mind I see an old worn and weathered anchor drop from the side of a fishing boat and plunge right straight to the bottom of the ocean. Anchors are secure, they stay right where they are put. They don't bend and they aren't moved by the waves or the currents. A fisherman never says, "Now where did I put that anchor anyway?"
Anchors don't change with the newest fad or custom, they don't get confused or fearful. They just are. When your boat is tied to one--you're all set. No need to worry. You aren't going anywhere.
Hebrews 6:19 is the only scripture in the entire Bible that mentions the word anchor in a context other than the traditional use of the word. By that I mean that this is the only place in the scripture where anchor is used to describe something very precious that we have as believers. That something is hope--more specifically our hope that is anchored in Jesus. Stay with me now. . Everyone in Biblical times (and even now for that matter) was pretty familiar with anchors. The Apostle Paul knew that the word anchor wouldn't be wasted on anybody. We all get it! Don't we?
When the storms come - and they will, (someone once said either you're just coming out of one or just heading into one) what is the anchor for your soul? Our wisdom, knowledge, position, money, relationships, won't be the anchor we need. If you know Christ you already have the anchor. Turn around and look for it--it's your hope in Him. Verse 19 says that's the hope that takes us thru to the inner sanctuary behind the curtain and verse 20 says that's where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He's already gone ahead to intercede for us. Pretty amazing, huh? No need to worry or be afraid. Just grab onto your anchor and hold on.
Oh yeah. There's another word that I like the sound of. You guessed it--it's HOPE.
I have an affinity for certain words. By that I mean, I just like the way they sound when you say them. A few of my favorites are: blessing, peace, winsome, and fervent. I don't know--they just sound calming or peaceful or reflective.
One of my all time favorite words is the word "anchor". Whenever I hear that word, somewhere in the back of my mind I see an old worn and weathered anchor drop from the side of a fishing boat and plunge right straight to the bottom of the ocean. Anchors are secure, they stay right where they are put. They don't bend and they aren't moved by the waves or the currents. A fisherman never says, "Now where did I put that anchor anyway?"
Anchors don't change with the newest fad or custom, they don't get confused or fearful. They just are. When your boat is tied to one--you're all set. No need to worry. You aren't going anywhere.
Hebrews 6:19 is the only scripture in the entire Bible that mentions the word anchor in a context other than the traditional use of the word. By that I mean that this is the only place in the scripture where anchor is used to describe something very precious that we have as believers. That something is hope--more specifically our hope that is anchored in Jesus. Stay with me now. . Everyone in Biblical times (and even now for that matter) was pretty familiar with anchors. The Apostle Paul knew that the word anchor wouldn't be wasted on anybody. We all get it! Don't we?
When the storms come - and they will, (someone once said either you're just coming out of one or just heading into one) what is the anchor for your soul? Our wisdom, knowledge, position, money, relationships, won't be the anchor we need. If you know Christ you already have the anchor. Turn around and look for it--it's your hope in Him. Verse 19 says that's the hope that takes us thru to the inner sanctuary behind the curtain and verse 20 says that's where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He's already gone ahead to intercede for us. Pretty amazing, huh? No need to worry or be afraid. Just grab onto your anchor and hold on.
Oh yeah. There's another word that I like the sound of. You guessed it--it's HOPE.
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