The Dance of Hope and Faith

“In his great mercy he has given us...a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ...In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have had to suffer grief...these [trials] have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:3-4, 6-7.

If we are walking this earth we are alive and breathing.  The other certainty that accompanies our journey is that we will suffer trials of various kinds while on earth.  This morning the word ‘living’ jumped off of the page when I considered the hope that God has given us through the resurrection of Christ.  Our hope cannot be some dead attitude but a hope that is alive and breathing.  It is a hope that can expand beyond limits...a hope that as long as it is breathing will be maturing and actively progressing towards our inheritance.

What does an inheritance look like on earth through our hope staying alive and anchored in Christ?  It looks like the hope of a new job to a man out of work.  It looks like healing for a heart who has sustained the death of a loved one.  It looks like fresh life being pumped into a stale marriage.  An inheritance is hope that God will change the heart of a wayward child.    

God has already been merciful in His gift of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Our hope and future inheritance will be grounded in the refinement of our faith.  Through our emerging faith hope cannot stand still.  Hope dances to the same tune of faith and cannot forsake itself.  As our faith might be stunted by unbelief so will our dance.  God has reached out His hand and invited us to come to the dance and be His partner.  As we spin around the dance floor God will be revealed and through our living hope we will have a future inheritance...a future song in our hearts of God’s faithfulness.

Words Are Everything

“…but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:8-9, 11.

I love my morning coffee and Bruce loves his morning tea. We cannot begin our day unless we have prepared, settled in and sipped on our energizing beverages. But what if we were to prepare our morning drinks with salt water? The outcome would not be quite so enjoyable. The taste would change and the experience would be less than desirable.

The same is with our tongues when preparing our speech. James wrote 12 verses exhorting and cautioning us to tame the tongue. Acts 2 uses the metaphor of the tongues of fire coming from heaven as the Holy Spirit was sent from God to rest on His chosen. James compares the tongue in its most evil form as deadly poison, ‘corrupting the whole person’ and ‘sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.’ James 3:6. It seems to me that the difference in our words is the motivation from where they originated…the compassionate and merciful heaven or the judgmental and condemning gates of hell.

We use the tongue more than any other part of our body. James also states, ‘Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak…’ James 1:19. Proverbs 10:19a lends us its wisdom as it is written, ‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.’

The most effective way to use our tongues when speaking at all is to believe God in Exodus 4:12 when Moses didn’t know what to say. God comforted him with the truth of how man should prepare his speech… ‘I will teach you what to say.’ If we become a ‘quick to hear, slow to speak’ people and allow God to speak through us with His teachings our spring will run fresh and clear with His living waters.

May our tongues become restless to share the things of God with everyone we meet instead of becoming full of deadly poison. Our words either build up or tear down and we are the drivers of our mouths. May our words be full of God's grace and a vessel for His comfort to others.

Strolling Through Cemeteries

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” 2 Cor. 5:17

I don’t know about you but this is great news for which I am both humbled and grateful!  I only have to consider the old things to be thankful they have been replaced some new things.  I certainly have much more work to do in ridding myself of the flesh but thankfully I have the awareness to strive for new things.  Once we are in Christ, we cannot afford to stroll through the spiritual cemeteries where we have laid certain behaviors to rest.

In my cemetery, gossip and judgment have their headstone.  In my cemetery, frivolous spending and dishonesty marks a spot.  There is a shrine in my cemetery that reads ‘Look at the great things I have done’.  We all have markers that reveal who we were before we allowed Christ to reign in us and through us.  It is only human to revisit old markers, but the success is when we do not linger.  To linger around old behaviors is to open ourselves up to losing our conquered land.  If our old things are judgment and gossip we must stay clear of others who still struggle with those attitudes.  If our old things are unforgiveness and bitterness, we must make intentional time for the Holy Spirit to settle our emotions.  If our old things are taking credit for the good we must humble ourselves before the Lord.

Our new things will always resemble freedom!  Freedom in Christ...freedom from whatever has held us captive in the old life...freedom from the natural flesh.  The less of ourselves that people see mean they will see more of Christ’s character.

What old things in your life have been replaced with the new in Christ?  What behaviors are you still praying to pass away?  Whatever flesh challenge that is still a struggle for you can be choked out of your life through prayer and submission to God.  It all begins with the mind and the things on which we are to focus.

‘Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God’ Col. 3:1-3.

Dissatisfied and Disgruntled

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare” Isaiah 55:2.

Ten years ago this month is when God called me to go more deeply with Him.  Every morning for the past 29 days I have wished God a happy anniversary for us.  Before February of 2006 I had spent the biggest part of my adult life chasing after things that lacked satisfaction.  I can so relate to King Solomon who had everything he could ever want but penned how empty his life really had been.  ‘I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind’ Eccl. 1:14.  My chase was relentless as I was consumed with being accepted by the ‘A team’ in my community (which never happened).  My pursuit of parental perfection was shattered as I went through a very public prodigal experience.  My race to retail as therapy only satisfied my soul until the guilt of secrecy and deception set in.  2006 changed everything when my appetite for the world was gradually replaced with my appetite for God’s offerings.

When we are walking with the Spirit and experiencing His satisfaction it will be evident to those around us.  Satisfaction in the Spirit is looking beyond our own families and serving those who have nothing to give us in return.  Delighting in the richest of fare is setting aside our own agendas to pick up the will of God.  Contentment in Him means understanding that we were not put in this life to judge others but to allow God to bring justice in our situation.  Lasting satisfaction will never come through our jobs, our spouses, our children or our bank accounts.  True satisfaction will only come when we delve deeply into fellowship with God and feast daily on His word.  ‘The most obvious symptom of a soul in need of God’s satisfaction is a sense of inner emptiness.  The awareness of a hollow place somewhere deep inside – the inability to be satisfied – ought to be a flashing caution light to every believer...The more we’ve been satisfied by God’s love, His Word, and His presence, the more we will yearn for it.’ Living Free, p. 78-79.

Dissatisfaction left unchecked leads to crumbling marriages, ineffective vocations and unrealized destinies.  The only true and lasting satisfaction comes from the Lord.

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing...He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them” Psalm 145:16, 19.

Glowing for Two

“We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” 2 Cor. 3:18.

There is definitely truth that pregnant women have a certain radiance and glow the further along they get in their pregnancy.  I read that as a woman’s body changes and the baby develops, there is an increased volume of blood being distributed that leads to a soft pinkish skin color.

I couldn’t help but to compare this to our increasing faith as we go more deeply with the Lord.  We are born into sinful flesh before we even know what sin looks like.  Not only are we infants in body, but we are spiritual infants.  As we grow into our physical maturity there is a call on our lives to grow into our spiritual maturity.  It is who we were created to be...unified and established in God’s love.  When we commit our lives to pursuing the love of Christ we ask Him to take up residence in our hearts.  It is that decision that allows the blood He shed to cleanse our sins.  As Christ increases in us we reflect His goodness, His love and kindness.  This ever-increasing transformation will not be an unintentional process, but one targeted by our desire to change from the inside out.  This transformation will happen when we give Him full room to expand within us.  ‘A life that glorifies God is not something we suddenly attain.  As we spend time in God’s presence, His glory both transforms us and radiates from us.’ Living Free, p. 65.

How can we ensure that His glory is increasing within us?  When we recognize God’s activity in our lives and allow Him to work things in His own timing and manner.  Also, when others recognize God through us and our lives reflect His character in us.  When we are walking actively with Spirit we take on His reflection and glow with the fruit of the Spirit. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.

My Name is Pride

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

When I look back over the course of my adult life I am sickened by the times when I sought glory for myself. Past days of showcasing Brenda instead of God makes my heart sink as I blocked the way for God’s glory to reveal itself in my life. Those times were times when I allowed pride to rule my heart instead of humility.

Pride is a horrible bedfellow and he wreaks havoc in our relationships, our finances and our ministries. Pride is the reason we cannot easily forgive our spouse...the reason why our children never hear an ‘I’m sorry’ when appropriate. It can be the reason we don’t use our resources to help others; after all we work hard for our money and deserve to enjoy it. Pride is the reason we suffer challenges and can’t even see that God is doing something new. Pride is the reason we feel jealous of others and bitter for their accomplishments. Pride is a partner who protects his territory relentlessly and never misses a chance to remind us of how we were wronged. He tells us we deserve to buy that item even if we must secretly obtain it. He encourages us to take control at work at all costs, and fight for whatever we must. Pride keeps score like none other and constantly shows the subtraction in our lives...what it is we might be losing. Pride is a poser holding up mirrors to reflect our own desires and entitlements. It is the evil that got Satan expelled from Heaven, and Adam and Eve banished from Eden. ‘The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the Spirit is to keep us full of ourselves.’ Living Free, p. 58.

God replaces pride with humility and we all know the price. Many times humility comes about through ugly and very public seasons, but it is essential in connecting with God’s heart. God desires to work through us to reveal His glory and share His character. ‘To fulfill our God-given destinies...we must overcome the temptation to seek our own glory by desiring His instead.’ Living Free, p 60.

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” Isaiah 66:2.

Stumbling Blocks

“Peter...said ‘This shall never happen to you!’...Jesus turned and said to Peter... ‘You are a stumbling I block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men’” Matthew 16:22-23.

When I was a teenager I would get so frustrated that my mother would not give me permission to participate in certain things with my friends.  They always went to the river on weekends and I learned very early that the answer would be no.  The frustration was more about me thinking she didn’t trust me but in reality it was that she knew temptation can sometimes be too much to yield.  I love my friends from my childhood and to this day we would do anything for each other.  None of them had any intent on leading me into unsafe or unhealthy things.  We were just a group of committed friends who wanted to be together.  I look back as an adult and understand that my mother had in her mind to protect me... mold me...direct me into being my best self.

Our Father is no different.  He has a plan and purpose in His mind for every one of us.  We can do all of the planning we want, seek the mind of everyone around us and weigh the pros and cons.  But, the One who has the most wisdom for our circumstances and decisions are God.  We cannot base our decisions on what people say, even our family and friends.  We can listen to those around us and if it supports what the Lord is telling us through His word and prayer then it becomes confirmation.  Just like Peter was trying to protect and guide His friend Jesus, we can easily become a stumbling block for our family and friends through our advice. 

When those we care about come to us for advice we must point them to prayer to determine what God has on His mind for their decisions.  I use to be the first to spout off advice in every situation but now I’m led to do more listening so I’ll know how to pray.  We must seek the mind of Christ in everything we do to determine His will, His ways and His thoughts.  By walking out His ‘no’ we walk under a protective covering from God.  By walking out His ‘yes’ we walk in confidence of His will.

“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37.

Alarming Truths

“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands...In my alarm, I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight...’  The LORD preserves the faithful...Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:14, 22-24.

I just love reading the Bible because it exemplifies every facet of our faith...or lack of.  This passage is from a Psalm that David penned, wherein he emotionally swings between faith and fear.  He claims that both his days are numbered and God is orchestrating every detail of his life.  Yet, in that same message to God he accuses Him of turning His back on David.  He then ends His time with the Lord by making an intellectual proclamation that God preserves the faithful.  He encourages His reader to be strong and take heart and hope in God.  So who is he really trying to convince?

There have been so many times in my own prayers that I show this same emotional range.  I begin by thanking God for the times He has delivered me from my challenges.  I recite Psalm 139:16 telling Him that I know all of my days have been ordained.  And then something or someone happens threatening my peace and my panic rises...my flesh alarm sounds.  Suddenly, I’m not feeling God...I’m allowing my fear to engulf my faith...I’m inviting Satan in to disrupt my peace. 

Panic and fear are normal emotions that we must put to rest whenever we feel them on the rise.  Like David, we must be armed with the words of God to remind us of His faithfulness.  We must speak life and truth into our own hearts so the lies will be put to death.  How can we convince others of His faithfulness if we are not first convinced?

When the alarm sounds and the panic swells we can turn to the Word and allow God to comfort us, encourage us and teach us how to trust in Him.  Without His intervention through His words we will fall victim to walking out our circumstances in fear and doubt instead of faith. He is anywhere and He is everywhere if we will just look for Him.

“Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10.

Slow of Heart

“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Luke 24:25.

I must admit that I have been blessed with the most amazing set of parents. Even today, I can be assured that whatever my mother tells me I can believe. Even if she tells me something that seems incredible my belief is not grounded in the circumstances but in her trustworthiness. My belief in her words is a result of time spent with her getting to know her thoughts on every issue. The more situations that we have shared the more confidence I have in her. In the spirit of our verse you can say that I am quick of heart to believe all that she has told me.

Our Father has given us 66 books in His word that gives us His thoughts on everything we will ever face. Each chapter is delicately wrapped with different traits of His character to give us clarity on His beliefs, what He promises and who He is. How can we build confidence in Him if we do not dig out the truths in His words? Our flesh is foolish as it always bends towards disbelief and doubt. When we are slow of heart to believe our remedy is to mine the beautiful gems of the Bible. Without these gems our heart will tell us to fear...to doubt...to cast our imaginations on the worst possible scenario. Our unbelieving hearts will convince us that our prodigal will never return. Our unbelieving hearts will paint a picture that we can never live without our loved ones. Our unbelieving hearts will keep us so imprisoned in our self-made boxes that we won’t even recognize when God is trying to do something new.

Sometimes our prayers need to be more about our faith than our desires for a situation to go in a certain direction. I should have been praying for an increased faith to walk it out than for a specific outcome. Some of the scariest and unbelieving times in my life have been when God was trying to do something new. Many times God answers our prayers in ways we don’t recognize. When the Israelites were being delivered from Egypt to the Promised Land God took them the long way around the wilderness. Sometimes our desires and God’s plan do match up but the journey there might wind us through the desert. His guidance in the wilderness comes through His guidance through His Word. We must lay down our slow to believe attitudes and pick up our quick to believe God.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:29.

Seal the Deal!

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” Psalm 118:8.

This is probably one of the most difficult spiritual principles to incorporate into our lives. With the internet a few key punches away we can build a case in our imagination in favor of or in opposition to anything. I received an email last night from a friend whose loved one is experiencing some medical issues. She was immediately tempted to consult others, surf the internet on the topic and research other options. Instead, this woman of great faith chose to go against her flesh and glance to Jesus. She chose to trust where God had led her and to walk in His ‘referral’ instead of mans. She said that a devotional that she read about believing God 'sealed the deal' in her choice to trust Him. How was she able to go against her own judgement and choose the better way? She was able to move in faith because she has walked with God many times before, and He has always been faithful. She has built her confidence in Jesus brick by brick, establishing a firm foundation on Him.

‘A trust relationship grows only by stepping out in faith and making the choice to trust. The ability to believe God develops most often through pure experience: I found Him faithful yesterday. He will not be unfaithful today.” Living Free, p. 41. When God is trusted in our challenging circumstances, He will not let us down. He is not a fickle God but an unchanging God who views our situations through the telescope of love. Everything God does for each of us is part of a long-range plan instead of our temporary comfort. We can trust Him in our finances...we can have confidence in Him for our relationships...we can have faith in His will for our health.

The level of trust that we have in God in every situation will determine the peace we have in our lives. When fear rises from the ashes instead of beauty we can know that our choice was the unhealthy one. The beautiful thing about Jesus is He will always calm our fears and heal our wounds if we will just choose to trust Him. When we place our confidence in anyone other than the Lord we must realize that we are seeking wisdom from opinions wrapped in an individual’s experience. Seeking the wisdom from man should be in support of what God says on the matter...not in place of His wisdom.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful...” 2 Sam. 22:26.
"The word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does" Psalm 33:4)

The Sweetest 'I Told You So'

“Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40.

One of the most dreaded statements that we can hear is ‘I told you so.’  There is something unspoken in those spoken words.  Hidden thoughts like ‘You should have believed me...I know more than you know ...If only you would have listened to me.’  As a Christian there have been many times in my life when my action or non-action echoed that I do not believe God for His promises.  In situations where someone wronged me I took matters in my own hands and didn’t forgive...I did not believe that God would bring justice.  I secretly and deceitfully spent money as an escape when going through a tough time with my daughter...I did not believe God would rescue and heal.  I took credit for things that God had arranged in an attempt to gain others’ approval...I did not believe God was worthy for the credit.  I can go on and on about the things I didn’t believe. 

How is it that we believe God for our salvation but fail to believe God in our challenging circumstances?  How can it be that we believe God raised a human from the dead and still doubt His intervention in redeeming our circumstances?  One of the most well-known verses in the Bible sums up this spiritual dilemma in 8 words. ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief’ Mark 9:24.  I feel like the first part of this verse is the father claiming that He believes God for who He is, but the second shows a lack of faith in whether God will do what He says in the man’s circumstances.  As Christians, we know we believe in God but ‘even the demons believe’ (James 2:19).  Believing in God speaks to our salvation and eternity.  Believing God for everything else speaks to our faith and confidence we have here on earth.  What if we crave those ‘I told you so’ moments from God and are witnesses to His glory and amazing power on earth because we believed?  How wonderful will it be for the believing woman who hears ‘I told you so’ as she witnesses her prodigal child coming home?  How glorious for the believing man who hears those words after a season of sacrifice, benefitting from the awesome blessings?  What music to the ears for those believing hearts that have begun to beat again after losing a loved one?  If we truly believe on earth as we do in Heaven the things that God promises, we will see the glory of God in our circumstances. 

In whatever tough situation you face, be encouraged and confident that we have a Father who wants ‘to tell us so.’ And IF we believe we will see some mind-blowing blessings and witness the powerful glory of God.  I don’t want to wait until Heaven to hear ‘I told you so.’  I want to experience His daily power, strength and wisdom.  I don’t want to be surprised by His intervention but expectant of His movement. 

‘...and his incomparably great power for us who believe’ Eph. 1:19.

The Ultimate Hide and Seek

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” Rev 2:10.

One of the most life-giving principles that I have learned over the years has been that God never intended on sin and death to be part of His plan. God is holy and righteous and cannot be near evil. When Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan over God darkness was ushered in. Sin and death walked hand in hand into God’s perfect plan and became constant bedfellows. In the ultimate power move, God sent forth Life to overcome sin and death once and for all. But Life had to prove His righteousness, and was tempted and tested by evil just as we are tested. Life was named Jesus and He was attacked in the desert for 40 days. Not only did He prove worthy and spotless in sin, but was willing to be faithful unto death. As a result He was given the crown of life just like you and I are offered.

Times in my life have certainly been times in prison where the qualities of my heart were tested. I have certainly had some major faith fails, but God continues to test us so we may be victorious. He doesn’t give Satan a license to attack unless there are spiritual workings moving us more into the character of Christ. We must be faithful in allowing God to use these workings of darkness to break through the Light of His goodness and Spirit. ‘God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love and self-discipline’ (2 Tim 1:7). Fear is not a quality of God so it should not be a quality of His children. Very rare does fear seem like a choice but it really is and we must recognize it as a quality of darkness. We can cast down any imagination that casts dark shadows in our minds and replace them with the truth of Life – Jesus. When we put on Life we take off the darkness, and become the crown of Jesus to those who need to see Him.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” Col 3:1-3.

The Good Way

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? … Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 3:14-17.

Okay, we have all been the giver of this and the recipient of this scenario. We are in public having ourselves a nice day when we bump into someone we know and ask them how they are. They proceed to break down naming the burdens for which they face for that day or even that painful season in their lives. We can feel it in our stomach…you know the feeling. We feel bombarded and even a little irritated by their ambush of emotions. Our physical body language changes and our mind races through the possibilities of a quick exit. We consider what acceptable dialogue will tie this conversation up with a quick little bow tied with fractional mercy. We might even tell them, ‘I hope things get better; I will pray for you,’ only to catch a good sale in the corner of our eye. How many times a day do we comment on someone’s facebook, ‘Praying for you’ only to keep reading the news feed and combing through the lives of others? WHAT GOOD IS IT?

When we are the recipient of this treatment we feel betrayed by our audience when they part with an empty ‘Go, hope you have a good day and things get better.’ Our burdens and emotions have just taken another hit on a day that had no more space for pain. We ask ourselves, WHAT GOOD WAS IT to open our suffering to our sister or brother in Christ? 

Mercy and action do not have to cost anything! It is free from the One who already paid the price. Mercy has many ways to manifest itself if we allow ourselves to mentally and emotionally hear our sufferer through the ears of God. Sometimes our action may require our willingness to pray at that moment…with that person…in that public place. Some of the most precious and uplifting times have been when I have heard my name lifted to God from the mouth of someone else right at the time of discouragement. 

We must take one step further than whatever our mind defaults to when dealing with the pain of others. Instead of our brother or sister shaking their heads as they walk away from us saying, ‘What good was that?’ let’s give them the opportunity to say as they depart ‘Now that was good!’

Faith without action is like a car without gas. It goes nowhere and stays stranded on the side of the road missing most of the journey. When Godly action is taken, mercy has conceived, God’s comfort is activated and faith expands…NOW THAT IS GOOD!

Comfort's Blessing

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

The wonderful thing about this beatitude is that the blessing comes before we must face the loss. God places us on the road of preparation before we ever experience the individual grief. Grief comes in many forms as we live our lives. Obviously, the most severe form of grief is the death of a loved one. 

Personally speaking, this beatitude has been put to the test and has proven it's worth in gold! The comfort that God has brought me in the loss of my loved ones has been unparalleled and ‘beyond understanding.’ Don’t get me wrong – I have felt the sting of salty tears in my eyes, more tears than I would ever wish to shed. But the comfort that has been mine has held back the flood of uncontrolled emotions much like the waters being held back for the crossing of the Jordan. God laid on my heart the truth that He called my loved ones home and they found eternal lift free from all pain and suffering. God’s nature is always love which is His motivation for everything. Grief places our focus on our pain - not on our loved one’s gain. We approach our loved one’s death as me-first, then them instead of them-first, then us. It is our humanity crying out. 

Psalm 139:16 states my highest form of comfort. ‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.’ “The concept is that God has a departure date for us. He knows the exact time we will enter eternity. God does not see time the way we see time. God measures one’s success not in terms of longevity but rather as fulfillment of one’s God-given purpose in life.” Zig Ziglar

“Success is finishing what God gave you to do. From the world’s viewpoint, these things are great tragedies. But from the divine perspective, this was an incredible triumph, for each of our losses has represented them having finished well the appointed tasks they had been given to do by the Lord before their births.” Rev Harold Cook

My grandmother told of an afternoon when she had visited my grandfather’s grave 4 weeks after his death. She stated that for one moment in time she felt that God allowed her to feel the full extent of her grief at his gravesite. She couldn’t believe the amount of comfort that God had lavished upon her days since Granddaddy’s death. It was at that moment that she realized the full extent of this beatitude. She laid her mourning on the lap of Jesus and came in for the blessing. The other blessing I have realized in my mourning is the fact that my deep grief is a result from being blessed with a deep love. If I grieve it is only because I have loved!

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.

Just My Imagination

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Co 10:5, KJV.

It has been only within the past few years that I have realized I have a fear of rejection.  If I give my mind over to this fear, it can be so strong that it is sometimes the motivation behind my actions.   At certain times, it prevents me from speaking my thoughts, and other times speaks for me in ways that is unhealthy.  Either way, our imagination can take us on wild adventures that do not even exist.   Anything that we build up or intensify in our thought patterns will determine our actions.  Our actions are the outward expression of our inner thoughts.  Our passage this morning uses the word imagination which translates as stronghold.  ‘A stronghold is anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger or more powerful than God.  It steals our focus and causes us to feel overpowered ...controlled ...mastered.’  Living Free, p. 10.

Any stronghold that we have in our lives other than God will be the threshold where Satan enters.  He will saunter in and make himself at home in our minds.  He will steal what is truth and replace it with lies.  He will light the candles of fear and try to extinguish the lamp of faith.  He is very intentional when dealing with our thoughts so we must fight thought for thought.  Simply put strongholds come from false ideas so our arsenals must be comprised of God’s truth.  Once those lies start to permeate in our mind we must take them hostage before they do us.  We must dismiss them and replace them with the words of God.  It is imperative that we know what God says about everything so we can speak life into our thoughts where death looms. 

Strongholds can be addiction...fear...grief...unforgiveness and a host of many other things.  It is anything that consumes us emotionally zapping our mental and physical energy.  It is something that strangles the abundant life which God desires for all of us. We must fight thought for thought and cast down anything that is contrary to the words of God.  When we feel unloved we must remember that God sent His only Son because He loves us so much (John 3:16).  When we feel fear we must recite that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power (2 Tim 1:7).  When we feel all alone our battle cry should be that we are never completely alone because God will not forsake or leave us (De 31:6).  When our hearts are broken we must tell ourselves that God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).  The truths go on and on if we will just arm our minds with effective weapons in Christ.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.

A 'Not So Sweet' Bible Story

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go...Sacrifice him there... on one of the mountains I will tell you about’...Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.  ‘Stay here...while I and the boy go over there’” Genesis 22:2-5.

It is so easy to read the familiar stories of the Bible with our head instead of our heart.  This passage reads like a to-do list, one void of emotions.  When we drill down a little deeper using our heart instead of our head we realize what it doesn’t include.  It doesn’t speak of how many times this dad stopped along the way to turn away from his son so he wouldn’t see the tears.  It is silent on the topic of prayer and how with each step Abraham must have begged God to remove this cup.  The passage doesn’t include how he avoided eye contact with his son so Isaac wouldn’t have to see his pain.  But, human emotions are a necessary evil and inevitable when walking out our lives.  What we must remember is that Abraham was obedient to God in carrying out the plan and purpose God required of him.  This doesn’t mean that he didn’t suffer with every step approaching the altar.  This doesn’t mean that images of a future without his son didn’t pepper his faith. 

Many times obedience is drenched in sacrifice and despair.  Abraham was not the only parent who had to consider life without his son.  God had to briefly look away from His Son as the cross held Him.  Throughout the Bible we see the anger of God, the love of God and the grieved heart of God so we know that He too experiences emotions.  We do not serve a God who cannot sympathize with us, but one who has compassion for us in our suffering.  We do not have a one-dimensional God who is only in ink on the pages of a book.  He is a God who mourns with us, has His heart broken for us and knows how to heal any emotions we are experiencing.  It is our responsibility to walk out His calling on our lives, but we can be confident that our pain is shared with our Father.  When our children hurt, we hurt and when they suffer we suffer.  God is no different except He has the capacity to turn that pain into purpose, and our mourning into joy.  By surrendering every emotion to Him we give Him the opportunity to do the work in healing our broken hearts.  He cannot heal what we do not offer.

Every story of redemption includes pain, suffering and sacrifice.  While our stories end up beautiful the journey can be treacherous on the way to the destination.  But we are to keep our eyes on Jesus as He leads us through this life.  He alone is our anchor that holds in every storm.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Co 4:18.

Precious Prayers

“…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”Hebrews 7:25. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Co. 2:15.

The last week of my dad’s life I was spending the night to help my mother. My dad was up every two hours which lent itself to the night bleeding into the day. I had the baby monitor by my side in case they needed me again. As I was dozing off I heard some whispers in the monitor. I picked up the monitor to better understand the noises for which I was hearing. My dad, who barely had consciousness, was praying to God on my behalf. I was exhausted and totally depleted with my focus not on prayer but rather on the responsibilities I had that day. I barely recognized the person for whom he was praying as he pled on my behalf. He described a person who was so worthy of God's blessings. For a moment, I wasn't sure he was still referring to me but then I remembered how much he loves me. He flavored his prayers with his bias love and unconditional devotion to me. When I heard the manner in which my dad was praying, and the way he formed his thoughts regarding my needs I knew the true meaning of intercessory prayer. It is a prayer for the needs of others above our own needs. It is an offering of self on the Lord’s altar for the benefit of others. In my case, it was a prayer from the one who knew and loved me most and spoke on my behalf. This is an earthly example of what Christ does for us in the heavenlies.

We lift our prayers to Christ and He enhances them by scenting our prayers with His words, His flavors and His all consuming love. He approaches His Father knowing the exact manner in which we need to be lifted up. He takes our worst and transforms it into His best. He takes our tarnished attitudes and brings out His beautiful character in us. He brings the stench of our flesh and replaces it with His righteousness so that we may look more like Him. Through the aroma of Christ, God recognizes us as His children, bearing the resemblance of His first-born. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…’ Romans 8:16.

With Christ taking our prayers and sweetening the pot, we are represented before God in the most pure and perfect way.

Eat Your Peas!

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher” Isaiah 30:20.

One of my favorite stories my husband Bruce tells is when he was a little boy around the dinner table. His parents were adamant about everything on his plate being eaten. He absolutely detested peas and still does. One night at dinner he kept pushing them around his plate, and finally was told that he couldn’t get up from the table until he had eaten his peas. One pea after another he placed under the rim of the plate on the table until there was a circle of peas hidden under his plate. No doubt the peas were discovered and he was busted for his unwillingness. Eating those peas seemed inevitable.

God has given me many things on my plate over the course of my adult life that I have been forced to digest. One dish was the heartbreaking journey of watching a child go through drug addiction. Another plate was filled with terminal illnesses for my loved ones. Slice upon slice of adversity was served through my daily caregiving of my father-in-law where my attitude seemed less than lovely. But, the same God who allowed these things into my life served up fresh comfort...daily food from His word. As things in life tasted horrific God taught me that I had many side dishes from which to feast. I have such a large serving of people in my life who love me. I have the comfort food of the Bible and the knowledge that I can take any portion of any circumstance to Him. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts” Jeremiah 15:16.

God has taught me so much in those adversities and has stretched my faith beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. An enlarged faith is an essential ingredient in viewing life through the eyes of joy and hope no matter what is happening. I praise God every day for the painful things He has allowed in my life for they have been the greatest teachers that have yielded sustaining faith.

Don’t hide your adversities under your plate but go ahead and digest them for they will produce a healthy spiritual life.

Our Swiftness

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.” James 1:19

This coming Monday will mark 5 years when I drove my father-in-law to the Hospice House to admit him.  Bruce would be arriving shortly once he collected the things that would bring his dad comfort.  I didn’t know what to expect.  I had experience with another Hospice House with my own family members but was never in charge of admitting them.  It was a very unnerving process but one wherein I was richly blessed.  The first person with whom I met was the social worker and she patiently listened to my story, and made the experience completely comforting.  Yesterday, I was taken back to that day almost 5 years ago but was on the other side.  I am so blessed that the Lord has called me back to one of my passions, which is helping families as they are walking their loved ones to Heaven. 

Yesterday while volunteering at the Hospice House, family upon family entered through those doors with the same anxieties, fears and sadness that I experienced.  I watched how tenderly and patiently our social worker handled the families, being their first point of contact.  Later during the day when we were preparing to receive the final family of the day I told her what a blessing she must be to those families.  She said something I will never forget as she spoke of meeting the families wherever they are in their emotions.  She said, ‘I’m just another ear who hasn’t heard their story.  I always take the first 20 minutes to just listen and meet them where they are.’  The first person that came to my mind was Jesus, the One to whom we have authority to cry out.  He is the One who will always listen...will always give His ear to us no matter how many times we tell Him our story.  He is the One who will meet us in our greatest despair and provide for us in our deepest need.  He has given us examples of how we are to be sensitive to the suffering of others.  “Jesus stopped. He listened. Jesus was fully present with all He encountered – He gave them His full attention. He called people by their name. He let them tell their story. He was never in a hurry. He mourned with them and was present in their pain.” www.bibleorg/learningtolisten.

We too must be that ear who is willing to listen to others in their despair and suffering.  We must give away all good that has been given to us.  It is the way of God and manner in which we are His hands and feet.  

Spectator or Witness

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...Consider him who endured such opposition...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:1-3.

Last year my daughters convinced me to run (yeah right, I walked) in my first 5K.  I didn’t know what to expect, and it was a very cold morning.  When I arrived I noticed that they had marked off the course where we were restricted to run the race.  I had worn a sweater which I knew would be cumbersome but I felt it was needed due to the temperature.  As I participated many runners passed by me as they were running to the finish line.  Once I warmed up I noticed that my sweater was making me uncomfortable, so I removed it and put it around my waist.  It was much easier to move my arms as I walked.  As I rounded the corner I saw that at the finish line were many runners who had crossed before I crossed.  They didn’t even know me but were giving me the thumbs up and clapping their hands.  

In reading this passage this morning I immediately thought about the 5K.  I noticed how similar this passage is to my experience that day.   I love how God’s word is relevant and breathes life and lessons into our lives.  One principle I chiseled out this morning is the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who are witnesses to God’s faithfulness instead of just faith spectators.  ‘The Greek word translated as witnesses means testifiers. They bear testimony to the power of faith and to God’s faithfulness.’ NIV Study Bible, p. 1910.  We cannot stand on the sidelines and just watch others as they run their race.  We need to have a faith race of our own to be able to encourage others on their journey.  Another relic I attained this morning is the importance of staying within the boundaries of our lives where God has ordained.  He has laid the ground tape in advance, and desires for us to stay within the boundaries for our own protection and guidance.  We are encouraged and instructed to throw off every fear, doubt, weakness and sin that can become a hindrance in accomplishing the purpose for which He created us.  We don’t have to search for a place to rest our focus since Jesus ran His race before us, and has shown us the way to go.  His race was more difficult than any race that has been laid out before us. We must remember daily to invest in His faith story so we can live out our faith story as it unfolds.

When the race gets tough and the journey gets long, consider how Jesus suffered but overcame all of the obstacles so that we could receive the trophy.  

Stealing Testimonies

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Co 13:7

One of the most difficult things for which we are called is also the very thing that brings us some of our greatest blessings...parenthood. Whether our children are 5 or 25 we are called to love them beyond all else. I once read that true love works for the benefit of another. I remember when one of my children was getting off restriction. I was praying for God to keep her from doing things that I knew could ultimately harm her. My prayers were full of fear that she would give in to temptation once she got off restriction. His message was clear... ‘Of course she will, and it is how I will teach her repentance and forgiveness. Without those sins and mistakes she can’t learn about my character and grow in strength and faith.’ My take-away from that experience was crystal clear in that to really love our children we must step aside so that God can love them more. We must understand that greater work is at hand than our attempt to make them feel better. Deeper love is at work between Father and child, and we are called to never give up, always be hopeful through our faith enduring all circumstances. We must trust the process of God writing our children’s stories, and not get in the way of the powerful work of faith.

There is nothing more heart wrenching than to watch our children walk out things that go against our core beliefs, but that is when God intervenes and does His best work. This morning I read a beautiful article about allowing God to parent our children which was a powerful statement about our responsibility. Our job is to trust and God’s job is to teach. May God give me strength to apply these principles to life as a parent.

• Don’t steal your child’s testimony. Their God-story is unfolding before your eyes. Let it play out. Trust God.

• Resist the temptation to rescue. That’s God’s job, not ours. Unsuccessful choices are sometimes the best teachers.

• Prayers of a heartsick parent are never ignored. If your patience and perseverance are hanging by a worn thread, God’s promises remain stronger than ever. Weariness may come, but a prayer life is your refreshing time. Praying is your work to do; answering those prayers is God’s.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Gal 6:9.

Frantically Fluttering

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

I read this morning of a naturalist who noticed a large butterfly caught on something, and was fluttering frantically as if in distress.  He reached down, took hold of its wings, and set it free.  As he continued to watch he saw the butterfly go a few feet and fall to its death.  Upon further inspection he realized that he had interrupted an important process involving the chrysalis.  The process is a strength building process designed by God to mature the butterfly preparing him for flight.  Without the process the butterfly would never be strong enough to face what was required to fly.  The onlooker meant no harm and thought he was helping the butterfly instead of harming the butterfly.

As a daughter, I’m so grateful that my parents allowed me to struggle in some of my decisions as an adult. As tough as it was for them to watch, I would not have learned anything without those struggles.  I know as a mom of adult children it is tough watching them go through trials.  More times than not I have reached out in an attempt to help or fix a problem, only creating a delay for the growth God intended.  We cannot be parents of adult children and continue to do their bidding for them.  Our attempt to solve their problems not only circumvents God but takes away the opportunity for their growth.  We were all meant to face struggles and frantically flutter at some points of life.  Just like the butterfly, it is a process that builds our faith and produces perseverance.  Trials are the process God uses to create beauty, strength and growth in each of our lives.

God is calling all of us to higher living, living beyond what our parents taught us, and providing the wisdom that we lack.  He wants transformation for all of His children which means struggles will ensue and trials will find us.  Rescuing adult children many times comes shrouded in pride or fear.  Pride says I know what’s best and fear says I doubt their abilities.  I can’t even explain the freedom that I gained once I truly believed that God is really the parent of my children.  He entrusted me with three beautiful kids for a season, but He is their perfect Parent.  When I step back and give God room to be God I can trust that any struggle is for their growth and the maturing of their faith. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

Unwinding Grave Clothes

“The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” John 11:44

Once the stone was rolled away from the entrance of the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus gave the command to the sisters to remove their brother’s grave clothes and let him go.  I realize what this verse is implying without actually stating the obvious.  His unspoken words are saying that this person is finally free to live again, but he is still bound.  His unspoken command was for others to unbind him so he could walk in his new freedom.  The consequences of his words would be that the odor could be overwhelming and might downright stink.  The consequences of his instructions would involve them getting their hands messy.  What is another word for this? 

Mentoring...giving of yourself when others are trying to break free from their tomb.  It means making yourself available when you really don’t feel like or when you have repeatedly told them the same truth.  I’ll never forget at my grandmother’s 100^th birthday party the line of people who stood up and shared the many ways she had pushed her own agenda aside.  One spoke of how she dropped in at dinner time and Grandmother pushed her plate aside and went to a private room to minister to her heart.  The stories went on and on...unwinding grave clothes...unbinding strongholds...holding out her hands for that first baby step. 

Jesus could have easily done the work of removing the grave clothes but He knows the blessings and joy that will be ours when we partner with Him.  He understands that at some point we will be the one requiring others to remove the cloth that covers our spiritual eyes. He knew that unwinding one strip of cloth off someone else's life would teach us something about ourself.  Life provides many opportunities where we might be the resurrected one and other times be the ones who are called to get messy ...involved...inconvenienced.  Our response dare not be delayed for the spiritual life of another might depend on it.

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37-38

Reciting Our Woes

“Jesus asked him... ‘Do you want to get well?’” John 5:6b

This continues our story from yesterday with the invalid laying by the poolside.  We cannot know how long he had been dragging himself to the side of that pool awaiting a miracle.  We cannot know how many times he could have gotten healed, but the movement forward was more frightening than no movement at all.  What we do know is that when Jesus asked this question the man not only made excuses as to why he couldn’t get healed but seemed to be resentful that others were able to be healed.  ‘I have no one to help me...While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’  It makes me wonder if he even asked anyone for help or was he too proud.  It makes me wonder if it was just easier to lay by the pool in his self-pity instead of taking some responsibility in his own circumstances.  ‘Do you want to get well?’

So many times in life it is so easy to be that person wallowing in self-pity on our mats.  It is easy to judge others and blame them for our own problems.  I know this because I’ve been this person expecting others to make me feel good, or even resentful for the easy life they seem to have.  You know the routine - a big part of our day is reciting our woes to anyone who will listen.  We sing our blues to anyone with whom we come in contact.  I know one person in particular who simply exhausted me.  It didn’t matter what consideration I gave her in hopes of helping her, there was always an excuse...always something or someone standing in her way...always the victim laying by the pool.  ‘Do you want to get well?’

Life is tough and at some point we all get stuck in our circumstances...our pain...our bitterness...even our boredom.  My Bible study this morning asked some powerful questions regarding our circumstances.  ‘Are you ready to move beyond your misery?  Are you ready to leave your suffering behind?  Are you willing to walk out of the old life and into the new?’  Joanna Weaver, author of Lazarus Awakening then leaves us with some power truths regarding moving away from fear into a life of freedom.  She challenges us with the truth that we cannot live effectively with one foot in the grave and one foot in the new life.  We have to leave where we have been in order to get where we want to go. 

Anything that is a barrier in our spiritual walk is a barrier to our freedom.  Instead of us spending our emotional energy searching for an answer we must first answer the question that Jesus asks, ‘Do we want to get well?’  Once that answer is yes, then He will invite us to join Him in walking to freedom from whatever binds us.

Disturbed Waters

“Now there is in Jerusalem...a pool...Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, lame, and paralyzed – and they waited for the moving of the waters. From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had.” John 5:2-4.

This is a snapshot of a day shared between Jesus and an invalid who had been crippled for 38 years. Jesus asked a very important question when speaking with this stranger, ‘Do you want to get well?’ The man explains to Jesus, who was a stranger to him, the reason he could not get healed was because no one would help him get into the water. So disturbance upon disturbance he watched others submerge and gain the healing he so coveted. At that point, Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk. Much to the man’s surprise, he did as Jesus said and he was cured! My commentary states the man didn’t recognize Jesus as the One who could heal. It seems that instead he was looking to the disturbance for healing instead of the man standing right before him. He had in his mind what his miracle would look like and almost missed the opportunity for complete healing.

This reminds me of a conversation that I had with one of the best friends the other night at her house. We were talking about the despair of not getting the miracle of healing when there is an illness. I remember looking for a miracle for my young sister when she was given 3-6 months to live. I was that man laying paralyzed by this news waiting and watching for a miracle. I watched the waters swirl as healing came to others but not to my sister. When praying to Jesus I remember saying that we didn’t get our miracle. He told me that the miracle for which I prayed was so much less than the miracle He was ready to give her. He was ready to give her everything... Heaven...healing...wholeness...walking through the garden of perfection with the Perfect One...and sweet reunions with other loved ones.

It’s tough when we are the ones left laying by the waters focusing on the disturbance as if replaying it in our mind could bring about our healing. It is only when we take our eyes off of the churning waters and set our gaze upon the Living Waters that our true healing will begin. Jesus knows our pain very well as He was separated from His parent as He hung on the cross. But the story doesn’t stop with death, in fact it begins once the death has happened and the tomb is shattered. I miss my dad and sister so much but I know that to continue to heal in my grief I must pick up my mat and keep walking my own journey towards Heaven. The journey of healing can only be with Jesus.

Silent Tears

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I can remember when my sister, Beth was in the Hospice House near the end of her life.  The last two weeks as she lay suspended between life on earth and life in Heaven I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.  Occasionally I would see a tear stream down her cheek, and other times I would see a smile stretch across her face.  Those times and thoughts were shared between Beth and Jesus. They were not mine to know, and I remember wondering the power those silent tears and smiles must have held.  Were the smiles glimpses of the glory ahead of her?  Were the silent tears farewells to the life she was leaving behind? 

I was reminded of those silent tears this past week as I was training to be a companion at the same Hospice House where I spent so much time with Beth.  As the woman to whom I was shadowing read the Bible to the patient she included her favorite Bible verses.  One verse was John 16:2, ‘My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?’  As these words washed over her, I noticed one silent little tear escaped her closed eyes.

Did that tear possess recalled memories of past Christmases or Thanksgivings?  Did that tear possess the knowledge of future grandchildren that she would never hold?  The more the verses were read the silent tear evaporated and a peace came upon her.  Her face took on a look that was one of resolve...one who was being comforted by something beyond us.  Her demeanor became filled with the comfort which she was receiving through God’s word.  Did God show her the mansion in her mind as the verse was being read?  Were the eyes of her spirit opened to see God’s glory as the eyes of her flesh were closed?  It is so easy to feel like a trespasser in these private moments between God and His children.  However, I was reminded that God uses us as His hands and feet to bring His glory and compassion to a hurting world.  Through our involvement with minister in ways we can never know and I’m so grateful that God’s invites us to show His compassion and mercy to others as He has shown to us. 

Let us all be attentive that we are the vessels that God uses to extend His character to a hurting world.  Be kind and gentle to someone today who needs it – God has placed them in your path.