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Tired & Unsettled

I didn’t sleep well last night. In fact, I barely slept at all. I laid in bed trying to get back to sleep and when that didn’t work I got up. Up about an hour earlier than I normally do and that’s early.

Sitting here in my chair, I’ve been praying about what I should share and no great revelation came. Instead, I found myself saying “Lord, I’m tired and don’t know what to write” and then I realized that was the very thing I needed to put on paper.

I have let my heart get weighed down with some circumstances that are going on right now. I thought I’ve been handling it but I guess I’ve only been pushing it aside. Out of sight, out of mind. This morning I realize that I haven’t really trusted God with it.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

I’ve been trying to figure everything out in my own mind. Asking the question “what do I need to do” and it’s made me weary and unable to rest. That’s not the Lord’s plan for me and it isn’t His plan for you either.

His plan is for us to come to Him with our burdens and weariness. When we do He promises to give us rest. Rest…that’s how I know that I hadn’t given this to Him, there has been no rest.

I’m really glad you all were here today. I needed to lay all of this out on the table and then draw strength for the Source of all Strength.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

In Him, I have found rest for my soul!

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Softly & Tenderly

Happy Easter everyone. What a wonderful day – celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! Amazing. Simply amazing.

I always try to put myself in the different stories I read in the Bible. I feel I have been with the disciples in the storm at sea; I followed the woman who had been caught in adultery as she was drug through the streets by her accusers. I’ve eaves-dropped on the conversation between Jesus and the little boy with a lunch of five loaves and two fish and I’ve stood at the foot of cross to see Jesus crucified.

But the story that I can relate to the most – the one that leaves me speechless – occurred on that first resurrection morning.

“Mary stood outside the grave crying. As she cried, she got down and looked inside the grave. 12 She saw two angels dressed in white clothes. They were sitting where the body of Jesus had lain. One angel was where His head had lain and one angel was where His feet had lain. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord. I do not know where they have put Him.”

14 After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 He said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the man who cared for the garden. She said to Him, “Sir, if you have taken Jesus from here, tell me where you have put Him. I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned around and said to Him, “Teacher!” John 20:11-16 NLV

That morning a group of women had gone to the tomb with additional spices to entomb Jesus’ body. They found the stone rolled away and ran back to the disciples to tell them the stone had been moved. Peter and John ran to the tomb ahead of her and found it empty. They went home but Mary stayed.

Heartbroken and alone, she stayed. Crying she stayed. Why would anyone steal her Savior’s body? The angels tried to speak words of comfort but she turned and walked away, dejected.

As she was leaving she encountered a man that she thought was the gardener. She spoke through her tears and asked “have you taken Jesus, please tell me where he is”.

At that moment, that sorrow filled moment, Jesus spoke but one word, softly and tenderly.

“Mary”.

At the sound of her name she knew instantly that this was Jesus! Her heart was bursting with joy. He’s alive! He called my name. He met me in my sorrow. I’m not alone, I will never be alone again. Jesus has called my name!

His death on the cross paid the price for the sins of all mankind but if I had been the only one to ever live on planet Earth, Jesus would have died just for me. He loves me that much. Salvation is exclusively inclusive. It’s for everyone and yet this gift is offered to each of us personally.

I identify with Mary. At my lowest point, heart filled with sorrow, I have heard Jesus softly and tenderly call my name. Jesus loves me, I will never be alone again.

I know if you will listen, you will hear Him call your name as well.

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At the Cross

Our Easter weekends used to have a way of being a bit abnormal.

When the kids were small we founded an outreach ministry to the working cowboys and their children. One Easter Sunday we had folks preaching at four different rodeo arenas in AZ. Those were wonderful days of seeing the Lord meet the needs of the cowboy community!

How I praise Him for giving us that opportunity to take His good news to these special folks. Everyone needs to have someone tell them about Jesus’ love, his forgiveness and his wonderful plan to give us life everlasting. That was our way of taking the gospel into all the world.

Our world was alfalfa and cotton fields, youth rodeo arenas and ropings. Your world may be a medical office, an IT programming center, the front seat of a big rig, a classroom or a bank lobby. No matter the occupation or career we are all welcome at the foot of the cross.

He died so that we could live, He was oppressed so we could live free from fear and anxiety, His body was bruised and wounded so ours could be healed, His heart was broken so we could live in an unconditionally loving relationship with the Father. There is only one place to find this free gift and that’s at the cross of Jesus.

“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, ‘He is a nobody!’ 4 He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. 5 He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. 6 All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved. 7 He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. 8 He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done.” Isaiah 53:3-8 CEV

The verses above describe what Jesus went through to pay the penalty for our sins. He was sinless and deserved none of it but He took our place. His death on the cross was only part of the story. Three days later, Easter, He rose from the grave victoriously. His life’s mission was complete. Our mission is to spread the news of what He has done.

“We are Christ’s missionaries. God is speaking to you through us. We are speaking for Christ and we ask you from our hearts to turn from your sins and come to God. 21 Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:20-21 NLV

All are welcome at the cross!

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Silence Is Golden

It’s very hard to sit quietly, wrapped in silence, when there are things to be done. My morning quiet times used to be short lived because I couldn’t quiet my mind and I would feel the need to get up and get things done. But sometimes, God just wants us to sit quietly – rest in the peace of the moment and be still.

What do you do when God seems silent? I’ve been sitting here this morning listening to the silence. With Easter just a few days away I’ve tried to image what it was like for the disciples in the days that followed the crucifixion.

Jesus is dead!

Each one must be feeling alone; their doors are locked, fear that they will be arrested next and the possibility of their death is forefront. After all, they were Jesus’ closest friends. There is nothing to do but sit and be taken over by the silence.

The One they followed, the One they loved, the One they thought was going to deliver them from the evil Roman rule is dead!

He died so late in the day that they didn’t really have time to prepare his body properly for burial. Joseph of Arimathea wrapped his body in linen and buried him in a tomb hewn out of rock and covered it with a stone but there was more that should have been done. Now it’s the Sabbath and work is forbidden so they have to wait…wait…wait.

“Nicodemus also came with about seventy-five pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes. This was the same Nicodemus who had visited Jesus one night. 40 The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried their dead. 41 In the place where Jesus had been nailed to a cross, there was a garden with a tomb that had never been used. 42 The tomb was nearby, and since it was the time to prepare for the Sabbath, they were in a hurry to put Jesus’ body there.” John 19:39-42 CEV

Nothing is really written in the Bible about what the disciples were doing or how they were coping. Matthew is silent, Mark is silent, Luke and John write nothing of the devastation that the disciples must have been feeling. Is that because there are no words to express that kind of deep hurt and desperation?

Silence!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46:10-11

I hope this verse came to their minds. I hope they remembered the words Jesus spoke just hours before when He said “Don’t let your heart be troubled, don’t let it be afraid”. I hope they found comfort in being alone with God’s words.

In those times when it feels as if my world has come crashing in and no one cares, no one sees what I am going through – when I’m silent, I find hope in knowing that He IS God and I’m not alone.

Silence can either be dark and deafening or golden and filled with light. If we let the Lord’s presence fill our silence with hope it will be golden.

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Peace Like A River

With Easter just a few days away I felt it was appropriate to remind us of some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples.

Jesus knew the crucifixion is just hours away.

Jesus knows the spiritual, physical and mental state of his disciples – He knows they are hoping He will overturn the government and set up an earthly kingdom. He knows that they are moved by fear, He knows that one of his disciples will betray him for money and the others will leave Him in His darkest hour.

He also knows our weaknesses and strengths. He knows our fears – the things we haven’t voiced to anyone. He knows our spiritual condition.

Maybe we’ve just been playing church and wonder if it’s really worth it to continue living this “Christian life”. Jesus knew that without His leadership and direction His disciples were likely to abandon their faith and scatter. He knows our hearts.

This is what Jesus is saying to all of us. If you want to get the full impact of these verses read them out loud. Hear Jesus saying these things to you personally…

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together…’ 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you. 18 I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. 20 Then you will know that I am one with the Father. You will know that you are one with me, and I am one with you. 21 If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like…25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. 27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid. 28 You have already heard me say that I am going and that I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad that I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am. 29 I am telling you this before I leave, so that when it does happen, you will have faith in me.” John 14 CEV

“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”

Have peace today – don’t be worried or afraid but trust in the One who loves us enough that He died for us!

He loves us enough that He lives for us and intercedes for us from His throne in heaven!

We can have His peace, peace like a river.

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Fragrance of Love

Take a deep breath. What do you smell? Is it sweet and inviting? Hopefully, it isn’t harsh and offensive. Sweet and inviting is better, much much better.

Years ago, my mother moved to Dillon, MT where Dave and I lived. Right outside the back door of her duplex was a tall lilac bush. Each time she opened the door to walk out she would be greeted with the smell of lilac. She told me that she remembered being a small girl and smelling lilacs at her home. That smell, that sweet odor, reminded her of home!

Have you ever walked through a rose garden when it’s in bloom or sat on a bench surrounded by gardenias? Our sense of smell is very strong. It can warn us of danger, like a skunk or fire, or it can bring us comfort and consolation.

In the Old Testament, offerings of thanksgiving to God were to be a mixture of fine flour, olive oil and incense. When they were burned by the priest, the offering had a sweet odor that was pleasing to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul tells us we are to offer our bodies, our lives, to the Lord as a living sacrifice. So this begs the question, what fragrance does my life emit?

“Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. 2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:1-2 CEV

Is my life pure and pleasing? Is it one with the sweet smell of thanksgiving? Do I spend more time thanking God for His goodness and His love than I do complaining about how things could/should/would be better “if only”?

As Christians – Christ like ones – our lives should be an offering that pleases the Father.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 CEV

We are to be like Christ and our lives should be like His, a sacrifice that pleases God. Just as the priests presented the sacrifices to the Lord and it pleased Him, we should offer our lives as a pleasing sacrifice.

It’s not only the Father who notices that the fragrance of our lives, those around us will notice too.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. 15 In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. ” II Corinthians 2:14-15 CEV

During this week of Easter I desire that my life smells sweet with praise and thanksgiving to the Father and forgiveness and love to those I meet. I desire to release the sweet fragrance of love.

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Hurried & Harried

I don’t like being rushed or the feeling of being pressed in. It’s just not in my nature to enjoy the hustle and bustle. I like to take life slow.

It wasn’t always that way. At one point I went to college not far from Disneyland. My first real job was in downtown Phoenix, going the wrong way at rush hour and then living north of downtown San Diego having to commute there too. Yes, hustle and bustle is highly overrated.

However, we all need to go where God has called us. The secret is to hurry without becoming harried. Harried – that’s a great old word which means “feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; beset by problems; harassed”.

There was a time I took great pride in being able to multi-task but now the use of that term is as offensive to me as swearing. There is such peace in being able to focus on one thing and to do it well.

As I study the life of Jesus I find that He was able to do both – he could be surrounded by crowds and still focus on one thing. He was going through the streets of Jericho one day and the crowd was great around but He wasn’t distracted. He was focused on one thing, meeting the needs of people.

“There was a rich man named Zaccheus. He was a leader of those who gathered taxes. 3 Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus but he could not because so many people were there and he was a short man. 4 He ran ahead and got up into a sycamore tree to see Him. Jesus was going by that way.

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw Zaccheus. He said, “Zaccheus, come down at once. I must stay in your house today.” 6 At once he came down and was glad to have Jesus come to his house.” Luke 19:2-6 NLV

And then, there was a woman who was both hurried and harried. Let’s see what Jesus said to her.

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NLT

Perhaps you are looking at your “To Do List” and feeling overwhelmed. You might be having all the family in for Easter. There’s a meal to plan, the kitchen to organize, fun and games for the family, the weather, etc. The list goes on..who will help, who will be late, who will be upset?

“Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God!” Psalm 46:10a CEV

Don’t be harried! Focus on Jesus, enjoy His presence while you make the potato salad and cook the ham. Set the table with Him in mind. Let your heart be at peace.

Celebrate His resurrection and the love He brings to us all!

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Eyes of Love

As we start this Easter week, I would like us to focus on the depth of Jesus’ love – His love for the Father and His love for us. He served the Father with loving obedience and He freely gave His life so that ours could be redeemed. He knew what His future held.

JESUS KNEW!!!

He knew what was going to happen to him and He didn’t open his mouth to defend Himself! He knew and he didn’t destroy the soldiers who came to arrest Him in the garden. He knew and he didn’t demand that His disciples die with Him or come to His aide, He simply asked them to pray with Him that He would stand strong to face the trial that was ahead.

He knew He would be separated from God. He knew the torture that He would face. It was all prophesied in the Old Testament. He knew and He loved us so much that He chose to face this awful death.

HE KNEW!! He knew the prophesy.

“My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why are you so far away? Won’t you listen to my groans and come to my rescue?…15 My strength has dried up like a broken clay pot,and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You, God, have left me to die in the dirt. 16 Brutal enemies attack me like a pack of dogs,tearing at my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones, and my enemies just stare and sneer at me. 18 They took my clothes and gambled for them. 19 Don’t stay far away, LORD! My strength comes from you, so hurry and help…31 People not yet born will be told, “The Lord has saved us!” Psalm 22

He knew and He experienced the pain!

“At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?”47 Some of the people standing there heard this. They said, “He is calling Elijah.”48 Quickly, one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled the sponge with sour wine and tied the sponge to a stick. Then he used the stick to give the sponge to Jesus to get a drink from it. 49 But the others said, “Don’t bother him. We want to see if Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Again Jesus cried out loudly and then died…The army officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus saw this earthquake and everything that happened. They were very afraid and said, ‘He really was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:45-50

He knew!! He had a purpose.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying. 4 You are struggling against sin, but you have not had to give up your life for the cause.” Hebrews 12:2-4 ERV

HE LOVED – HE KNEW – HE CAME – HE DIED – HE ROSE – HE LIVES!

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Every Step Counts

I was thinking about the errands we ran yesterday. Only a few stores but there were a lot of back and forth steps. I went with my list but never took it out of my pocket. I forgot a few things and had to go back for them.

This morning an old Family Circus cartoon came to mind. For those who are younger, Family Circus was a cartoon that appeared in the Sunday newspapers. If Billy, the one of the characters, would have had a FitBit he would have logged 10,000 steps each day by noon.

Here, there and everywhere.

My prayer when I have a day of running errands is that every step counts. Not that I want to record steps on my fitness tracker but instead I want every step to count for His glory.

Was I kind to the sales associate? Were my words helpful? Did I offer a helping hand or an encouraging smile? Was I encouraging to Dave as we drove from place to place? I hope I wasn’t just centered on my list and my needs but that I also looked to provide for someone else’s.

Jesus was like that.

He often traveled along the roads with his disciples, teaching as they went but He always had time for an interruption. He was drawn aside, not off course, by someone in need. There were the blind beggars, the woman with an issue of blood, Zacchaeus, the children and the woman at the well.

He was reachable. Touchable. His whole purpose was to change lives for the better.

Today is Palm Sunday. The day we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He rode in on the back of a colt as the people waved palm branches and shouted His praises. He connected with them.

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They shouted,

‘Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the king of Israel!’

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 Don’t be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look! Your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.

16 His disciples didn’t understand these things at first. After he was glorified, they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.” John 12:12-16 CEB

Jesus was never detoured. He was always about His Father’s business. Since He is no longer here physically, we have been tasked with sharing His love and compassion.

It’s important that we are more concerned with making our steps count than we are with counting our steps.

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Expectations Exceeded!

Several weeks ago one of my favorite kitchen gadgets quit working. My first inclination was to find repair instructions on YouTube but my search was fruitless. Undeterred, I began looking for a new model.

I found just what I was looking for, ordered it and awaited delivery. It never came! Disappointed…I cancelled my order and was issued a refund. Time to renew my search and order again.

Thursday, late afternoon, the UPS truck stopped at our gate and delivered my package. We were on our way out for the evening so Dave placed the box on our kitchen table, unopened.

Yesterday morning there it sat, waiting for me. I was almost as excited as a kid at Christmas!

I carefully cut the packing tape, took each item out of the box and laid it on the counter top. I was pleasantly surprised to find more than I was expecting. I removed the packaging and plugged it in.

Now to test it.

I would have been so disappointed if it hadn’t worked. I am pleased to report that not only did it work, it exceeded my expectations. All this excitement for something as simple as a FoodSaver.

I can hear you all now – “Really? That’s what she is so happy to have.” Yes, that is it. I even took a picture and sent it to my friend…

This little gadget will keep my food fresh, in the freezer, for months on end. The vacuum-seal will keep it secure.

Did you know that when we come to Christ our lives are sealed? Not a FoodSaver, something so much better, a LifeSaver.

“You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ.” Ephesians 1:13 CEB

The Holy Spirit seals us for our new life in Christ. We are protected, dearly loved children of the Most High God!

Our relationship with the Father is more, so much more, than we deserve and it far exceeds any of our expectations. Our loving Father has designed for us an abundant life, an everlasting life, a life that will carry on for all eternity with Him in heaven.

“Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; 21 glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 CEB

Our life in Christ is not dependent upon what we can do or what we have done. Our “works” would never make us good enough to deserve the precious gift that He freely gives. It is completely dependent on His unconditional love.

“God is strong and can keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 ERV

Thank you Father for Your amazing love and grace that far exceeds all expectations!

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