Still Thankful

We made it! We do the best we can to keep up the levy and hold off Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but that barrier cracks and leaks until it finally bursts forth with glitter and lights before the turkey platter even gets washed. As a kid I had my suspicions that Thanksgiving was a pre-Christmas conspiracy to give parents plenty of time to lecture their children about being gracious and polite. Even to this day when I get ready to go to a Christmas party I hear my Mom and Dad’s voices in my head saying, “Even if you open something you don’t like you need to smile and say thank you; remember that they didn’t have to get you anything.” (This is a skill I continue to use year after year.) 

Honestly, I love the Thanksgiving holiday. We get the great food and family time; and people are generally in a jolly holiday spirit because the stress and expense of Christmas packages has not quite set in. Thanksgiving is sort of the holiday honeymoon. However, a quote from John MacArthur’s book Worship: The Ultimate Priority has continued to resonate with me. 

He says, 

“We cannot verbally thank and praise God while living lives of selfishness and carnality. That kind of effort at worship is a perversion. Real acts of worship must be the overflow of a perpetually worshipping life.”

Rather than being the middle child of holidays (poor Jan); Thanksgiving should be the anniversary celebration of a perpetually worshipping life. A life lived in gratitude to our Creator God who loved us and has saved us so that we can enjoy the pleasure of praising Him.

As we fold up our paper turkeys and unload the Christmas decoration Uhaul may it all be done in perpetually worship of the one whom we celebrate, not just this season, but all the days of our lives.

No Stripes

Earlier this morning I finally gave in and finished my laundry. I have been waiting on the laundry fairy to come do it for me, but apparently she is no longer taking my calls. For better or for worse, I sort the clothes in my closet by color (I have no reason). Typically, this is a simple system, but today, I walked to the closet with a conundrum. In my hand was a striped, short sleeved sweater that is equal parts white and purple. "Is it white or purple?" As this thought passed silently through my mind it was chased quickly by the thought, "I'm so grateful that God does not have this debate when He looks at me." With Him there are no stripes.

I Peter 2:24: "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

Isaiah 1:18-19: "Come now, and let us reason together, 'Says the LORD, Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. If you consent and obey you will eat the best of the land."

If we will obey, we enjoy the full privileges of being completely healed and washed as white as snow. Today, already, I have enjoyed the pleasure of waking up happy, the daughter of Creator God, taking in a deep breath of good health, and just a hint of fall. Why? Because I did anything? No. Heaven forbid we ever think such even for a second. "By His wounds", by His wounds alone.We are clean for a purpose.
His healing is thorough.  Don't waste it. Live. Live to righteousness.

Praise God! There are no stripes with King Jesus.

Lost and Found

Like a rabbit out of a hat, I tell you, like flowers from an illusionist's sleeve....

There I was unpacking my suitcase from a previous trip, only to fill each pocket again and put miles on its wheels, when I noticed an odd bulge at one of the zippers. I reached in and there they were, souvenirs I had counted as lost. I had looked everywhere months ago to find them. I thought I had combed every corner of my luggage, but they were no where to be found, until now.  What was gone was once again held joyfully in my hands!

I could not help but think of the parable of the lost coin; and as the realization that my delight pales in comparison with the joy in heaven when a sinner, like me, is repentant the most splendid happy washed over me.  Had I misunderstood the story? Could it even be possible that bouncing, smiling, joy is on the face of our Savior when our hearts are submissive and repentant. I had to read it again; read with me, won't you:

"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (John 15:8-10, NASB)

According to the study notes in my Zondervan study Bible, Near Eastern houses often did not have any windows and had only dirt floors. Can you imagine the difficult search this woman faced? We might ask why she would go to so much trouble for a single coin. One drachma was about a day's wages. The coin was both valuable and useful, thus she calls for celebration when her precious coin was no longer away from her. So it is with our loving God, who not only delights to forgive for His own sake, but invites rejoicing in Heaven when repentance in Christ returns those who are away from Him.

Call the neighbors, invite your friends! His marvelous works are infinitely worth celebrating.

Grief and Crayons

I have dreamed about my mom every night for the past few weeks. I love dreaming about my mom; I am a fairly elaborate dreamer so for me my dreams are always the nearest I am to her since she went to be present with the Lord three years ago. She has been on my mind and heart even more than normal lately, for a couple of reasons. First of all, my sister, Alaina, and her husband just welcomed number two, baby boy Hagen, a few weeks ago.  Watching my sister be a mom takes me so quickly to memories of our matching day beds in a toy filled room, when words she now says to two 
year old Aubrey were first uttered by my mom; and watching Alaina hold Hagen cradled on her lap saying, "I love you so much a much a much" is like going back in time to when my older nephews were babies and my mom would rock and sing the same words while they squealed and talked back to her in a language she could actually speak.

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Second, in recent weeks I received the first printing of the published version of a children's book that Kelli Reeves and I did two years ago, originally as a gift for my nephews and niece. One night in the first weeks after my mom's death I sat sobbing on my bed alone in my apartment. On my heart this particular night was the grief of what my nephews had lost and what my niece, to be born only two months later, would never know. My mind raced through mental photographs of memories and experiences I was determined to preserve, and continue this recollection for the sake of my youngest family members and for the benefit of a world that should not be without such joy.
Tears soon turned to smiles and then into laughter as I recalled the heart of my mom and a poem came out, "Messes are What Memories Make." Later, Kelli would take photographs from my family albums and  illustrate this poem with only one instruction from me, "make it look like a child drew them." We printed this family gift and I was a little more at ease that the "we're making a memory" spirit was safe from forgetfulness. Now, years later, this same book is being shared beyond my family, and every time a book leaves my hands I see the impact of a godly mother spread a little further and a legacy of love, patience, and happiness live a little longer.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

To Be

Conversation on a popular television sitcom:
       Man: Thank you, you are a good friend.
       Friend:  I'm glad you think so, that is what I try very hard to emulate.

What about us? What are we trying very hard to emulate? If you are like me, more often than we care to admit you find yourself trying to emulate certain characteristics, qualities, even relationships, rather than just be the person necessary. The idea seems a little crazy considering the fact that a majority of the time being takes even less energy than emulating. However, as we all know, emulating does not require commitment.  Nowhere is this exhausting dance more visible than in the church.

I believe that most Christians desire an intimate relationship with Jesus and want to see God work daily in their lives. We hear testimonies of God's intervention and provision and we long for that closeness with the living God. We attend church, read books, and travel to seminars accumulating information from people who seem to walk beside the footsteps of Christ as we would like. We formulate a model of a "true follower of Christ" and we begin to emulate. We follow them on twitter and Facebook, like the same music and books he/she likes, maybe even change the way we dress, eat, or live, but until the intimacy is our own, our hearts fail.

Isaiah 29:13-14 says, "Then the Lord said, 'Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote; Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.'" Emulating may seem to work for a while, but will never last. God has invited those whom He has redeemed to draw up under His arm and really be with Him, not to emulate relationship with him based on the experience of others.

Our traditions and Sunday morning customs alone are not what please the Lord. The real difference in being verses emulating is a willingness (and follow through) to sacrifice whatever necessary. We must give all of our heart even to the detriment of "else"...someone else, something else, somewhere else, whatever else.

Rounding Third

The painfully uneven sunburn on my left arm is my parting gift for having attended my youngest nephew's end-of-the-year tee ball tournament. There are few things quite as adorable or as frustrating as watching tee ball. The field looks like ants at a picnic and parents are losing their voices while big hearts in tiny uniforms run the wrong direction. Such a cute sight, although, I'm not quite sure that it is baseball.

During the final game of the day the opposing team sent "Babe Ruth" to the plate as the tenth batter. He was small compared to the other kids with the biggest dark eyes and sweet round face. The bat seemed as big as he was and the weight of his helmet made his head wobble. He hit the ball off of the tee and took off running. My nephew's team quickly made an out on the field and the inning was over, but the other coaches let the little boy run the bases anyway. He proudly jogged around each base as if holding the Olympic torch - that is until he rounded third. Straddling the third base line a few feet from home plate with the ball in hand was my nephew Logan, the pitcher. As the runner came near, Logan reached out and tagged him in the chest. The little boy stopped and stood there a moment looking completely stunned and broken-hearted. An "awww" fell across the crowd of fans.

I could not help but think that the world treats us the same way lulling us into thinking that we are successfully rounding life's bases as a champion when the reality of truth is waiting for us at home plate. Regardless of how we may rationalize our choices and justify our sins the one true Judge will hold us accountable. The world's shiny toys and bendable righteousness are a fool's gold - exciting for a moment, but worthless. We must be be carful to walk according to the Word of God in order to have life because the enemy comes to destroy. (John 10:10)

"My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life." Proverbs 6:20-23

A Book of Remembrance

For the past several weeks I have had the privilege of leading a group of Christian women through the book of Malachi in the comfort of my own home. (added bonus - a great excuse for dessert and coffee) We are learning to recognize the deception that says modified obedience is a worthy sacrifice. Christians are exhausted in our service and addicted to saying "yes", yet we are failing to please the Lord and starving for His blessing. We must remember His glory, strictly obey and delight in this guilt-free reason to say "no" to things that draw us away from His purpose. A BIG offering is not what pleases the Lord - rather a beautiful one. More service is not His delight - rather obedient service. One particular verse in Malachi addresses this act of remembering.

Malachi 3:16, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name."

When "those who feared the LORD" realized the sin of their insufficient sacrifices they turned to the LORD and wrote a book of remembrance. Compiling a script of the notable deeds the LORD had done and of the wonder and power of His person aligned the hearts and minds of the people in proper perspective. Our knowledge of Him yesterday is the hope of Him tomorrow and the strength of Him today. He is worthy. He is worth it.

Every day is an anniversary for something if you take the time to remember it. Obviously, there are days that hold more bad memories than good, but, in general "remembering" is a great morning exercise that can give both roots and branches to our day. Besides, you may find there are more excuses for cake than just birthdays. God is faithful and gives good gifts. His activity in our lives is reason to celebrate.

What does your book of remembrance say? Comment below and share. Let us who fear the Lord remember Him and His great deeds.

Resolution Fail

January 2012 Status Report???
Just over one week since people everywhere made late night declarations for new year improvements. Exercise? Eat Right? Spend less? Sleep more? Bible Study? How are you doing so far? If you are anything like me, my resolutions tend to get packed away with the Christmas decorations. I view New Year's resolutions as personal competition rather than self-improvement and the moment I slip up rather than dust myself off and press on I just declare "fail" and eat an entire cake. (Well, I don't, but that would be fun.)

I am so grateful that the Lord deemed it good to give us time and seasons as reminders of the freshness of His mercy. Not just self proclaimed do-over time on New Year's day, but the daily rising and setting of the sun that teaches us about the infinite grace of God. The fear of the dark is always met with the hope of a sunrise. He forgives our sin and failure and brings out of filthy rubble an abundant life. He does not just mend; He heals. He does not just cleanse; He purifies.

A couple of months ago, my sister and brother-in-law hosted a bonfire at their house for my family. We had a wonderful time roasting marshmallows and enjoying being outside. However, when we went inside the smoke followed us. We stunk. Everything and everybody had to be thoroughly washed. I could not help but think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in Nebuchadnezzar's fire. These men were washed with flames and yet the grace and mercy of God brought them out and "the smell of fire had not come upon them" (Daniel 3:27).

Whatever stench has followed you into this new year or even this new day our Holy God can and does cleanse and make all things new.

Happy New You!