Advent: Covid & Jesus' coming

 Happy, happy, happy Advent!  

Oh my, if I've ever been excited about entering into the wondrous season of Advent, it is this year. Today. Right now. On this first Sunday in Advent. Bring. It. On. Thank You Lord for coming and thank You for Advent!

Advent gives us the gift of considering and contemplating the coming of Jesus. We have a whole, wonderful season of about four weeks leading up to Christmas Day to think about, to ponder, to thank, and to worship God for the coming of Jesus to our beautiful but broken planet. And not only do we remember Jesus' first coming, but we anticipate with joyful hope His second coming. Advent allows us daily to pause and to quiet our weary hearts and simply gaze at the Savior in wonder and adoration for coming to Bethlehem in great humility--all in order to save us--and for the certain promise of coming again one day in unimaginable glory. What can we say, but praise You, Jesus, for coming! And come Lord Jesus, come!

Today, we light the candle of Hope on the Advent wreath.  How our world needs hope right now...and we have it in infinite, astounding abundance in Jesus. He brings hope. He fills us with hope. And He is Hope incarnate. "May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope." (Rom.15:13). Thank You, Jesus, that You are our Hope. 

But here's one simple thought today for what Jesus' coming means to us in 2020. Here we are stuck in the midst of a terrible global pandemic. Covid has sickened countless people across the world, has killed multiple thousands, has spread fear and terror, has shut down nations, kept families separated, and destroyed economies. What havoc this incredibly contagious virus has wreaked on our world. 

What if, however, you lived on some distant pristine, perfect, sinless, disease-less planet. But you learned that your child had been chosen to leave your ideal and glorious planet to parachute down into the midst of the heaviest concentration of Covid disease and contagion on planet earth. Your child had been chosen to make the sacrifice of his or her life in order to bring the life-saving cure to Covid--and to all this broken world's ills. You would lose your child; your child would relinquish all the happiness and perfection and joy of your perfect planet; and your child would give his or her life for people on a distant planet, even though those people could not begin to understand or appreciate the staggering sacrifice being made on their behalf.  

Which of us as parents would agree to that?  I'll admit it: I certainly wouldn't. I'm betting neither would you.

But that's not what God did. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) And the Son willingly, joyfully came. He relinquished all the power and glory due Him, all the endless joy and wonder of heaven in order to come down to our sin-sick planet. All to sacrifice His life for you, for me. All to die for our sins and, in exchange, give us His righteousness.  He died to give us the cure for sin. He died that we might be made well spiritually and eternally.

We cannot ever begin to imagine the depths to which Christ descended from heaven to earth in order to save us...but what we can do is worship and thank Him for coming. For making the ultimate sacrifice--His death on a cross--to provide the ultimate cure--forgiveness and salvation for all who believe--to defeat the ultimate enemy of mankind--sin and death--to bestow the ultimate gift--eternal life and His glorious presence with us forever. 

So today, on this first Sunday in Advent, will you simply pause to worship the King who came? Praise the One who left infinite glory, perfection, and wonder to put on flesh and move into our Covid, sin-ravaged neighborhood. He came...He cured...He conquered...and He's coming again. All out of HIs infinite love. Thank You, Jesus.

To You be all the glory forever and ever.

Joyful noises, Exclamation points, and Entering our days with praise!

 "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever; and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100

Oh my, how I love Psalm 100!  First of all, did you notice how many exclamation points there are? I counted six--in just five verses.  Now that psalmist is speaking my language, since I'm one of those folks that loves her some exclamation points.  After all, isn't God's extravagant goodness, abounding love, and astounding faithfulness infinitely worthy of such happy enthusiasm and joyful emphasis?! (gotta add one more!) 

In addition to exclamation points (which, after all, would NOT have been the psalmist's primary focus), just a couple more thoughts about this wonderful psalm. First, we're to make a "joyful noise."  Aren't you thankful that God doesn't tell us to produce a "perfectly sounding and in-tune song?"  Nope, it's a noise. We can all do that. And a joyful noise. I'm thinking of all the noises that bring God glory and reflect His joy--a baby's giggle, a sweet conversation with a dear friend, a moment of happy laughter, a breeze rustling and blowing through the trees, a bird's chorus, a beloved hymn or praise song (that we belt out without worrying how we sound), a still moment of peace in the predawn darkness, a contented sigh as we settle into bed with a great book, a word of encouragement, a loved one's voice, a quiet rustle of the turning of pages in God's Word, a whispered "I love you" or "Please forgive me"...and on and on. Today, what joyful noise to the Lord can you make?  Sing it, speak it, share it--with the Lord but also with someone else. Your joyful noise might be just the vitamin of encouragement that person desperately needs to hear. 

Secondly, what peace and security it gives us when we remember that we are God's people. He made us; we belong to Him; we live in His pasture; we are His sheep.  We are not out there on our own. We are His, and He's got us. He is the Good Good Shepherd, and He will always and forever tenderly and faithfully care for, love, forgive, encourage, strengthen, and guide His sheep. Which means we can stop worrying. Instead, we can recall and rest in His perfect provision, wisdom, and love.  Or as James Bryant Smith puts it, "God always gets the last word. So stop worrying. Instead, entrust your life to the good, beautiful, and true God who reigns in the strong and unshakeable Kingdom." 

Third, we're to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." How are we entering our days each morning?  Are we entering our day with stress, worry, and cluttered hearts or with thanksgiving and praise to our good, beautiful, and true God?  Are we entering our day with hearts burdened by our busyness and self-preoccupation or with hearts buoyed and focused upon our glorious God and His steadfast love and faithfulness? It makes all the difference in the world when we enter with thanksgiving and praise. 

Father, we ask that You would flood our hearts and minds with You, Your Word, Your amazing grace, and Your astounding greatness. You are worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving. You have given us so, so much, but we pray that You would give us one thing more--grateful, thankful hearts. 

To God be the glory.

Cultivating the habit

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart:  I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." (Ps.9:1-2)

Did you happen to notice that little word "will?"  I will give thanks. I will recount all Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You. I will sing praise to Your name.  In case we needed reminding--gratitude and thanksgiving are an act of our wills. We must choose to be grateful as opposed to grumbling. We must choose to see--to purposely open our eyes to look for and notice--God's wonderful deeds in our lives. We must choose to engage in the act of singing praises to our Lord. 

Thankfulness does not happen by default. Not ever. We must choose by an act of our will to see, to savor, to sing, to give thanks, to remember, to recite God's gifts and goodness in our lives and in this world. 

Here's how Jon Bloom explains it: "Cultivating gratitude is not easy. We all need help, and thank God help is available. but there is no thankfulness hack--no four easy steps to a grateful heart. It's as hard as habit-building. We begin to train our heart-eyes to look for God's grace--in all circumstances. This looking becomes habitual. And habits are being built by doing them every day. We get incrementally better at them as the days gradually accumulate to months, and months to years. They become more and more a part of us over time."  

Yep, it's as simple (and sometimes challenging) as that--cultivating a habit of gratitude. Asking God to show us and to help us to be relentlessly thankful people. Then we choose to open up our eyes and look around--because God's goodness and glory are, quite literally, everywhere.  And we give Him thanks. Daily. Habitually. Even when it's hard. Because there is always, always, always something for which we can give thanks. 

How about you start training your heart-eyes to look for God's grace...and then thank Him. Maybe even share your gratitude with someone else, because we all need encouragement. As Ann Voskamp always says, "Only speak words that make souls stronger."  Gratitude not only strengthens, but it's also contagious. (And the opposite is true--complaining always weakens, and sadly, it's just as contagious). 

It's never too late to begin cultivating this beautiful habit of thankfulness. So how about today? Not only will you be giving God glory, but you just might be strengthening some weary souls around you who desperately need it. 

To God be the glory.

Start counting!

Exactly one week until one of my favorite days of the year--Thanksgiving! Why Thanksgiving in particular?  Well for a number of reasons. First, of course, is the joy of being with family and cousins and friends. Second, our children come home! That's just pure happiness in my book!  Third, because while we enjoy the fellowship of those we love, we are EATING!  Come on--that's an unbeatable combination: laughing and talking and sharing with wonderful people you love while devouring delicious food you savor! No wonder one of the great joys in heaven will be the marriage supper of the Lamb!  Yes sir, that will be one unimaginably glorious time!

Fourth, the weather and the beauty all around us this time of year--cool but not yet cold, colorful fall leaves, sidewalks blanketed with those falling leaves, pumpkins galore. Fifth, pilgrims, pilgrims, pilgrims. Thank the Lord for the pilgrims and their courage, perseverance, and love for God. 

I really could go on and on with my list, but here's the best and greatest reason to love Thanksgiving--because it encourages and reminds us to be grateful!  Duh, you're thinking. But seriously, don't we all need to prompted? As Jennifer Rothschild says, "As your gratefulness grows, so will your capacity to perceive blessings, even when they're shrouded in hardship." 

Choosing thankfulness is just that: a choice. Let's face it, most of us are not naturally grateful people. But over and over again, God commands us to be thankful. To rejoice. To give Him thanks and praise. Just one of countless examples: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess.5:16-17) Notice any exceptions there?  Nope.  Doesn't say, "give thanks most of the time" or "give thanks periodically" or "give thanks except, obviously, when there's a pandemic going on!" 

Over the next week, how about we remind each other to cultivate the habit of gratitude? Starting today. Starting now. Will you write down five things for which you're grateful--a blue sky, a phone call from a friend, a good book, a warm fire, a pumpkin spice anything. Whatever--ask God to help you see and savor His extravagant goodness in your life, in this world.  

Covid and elections and division and isolation have not cancelled God's goodness and glory!  So how about we stop complaining and fretting and worrying and start counting...counting His myriad gifts and goodness painted all over your life and over this world. 

Lord willing, I'm hoping to give us all a very short reminder each day over the next week--to rejoice always and to give thanks in all circumstances. But for now, how about you stop reading and start writing. Thank You, Father, for....

The list will be endless, because our God is so good, so great, so glorious, but let's simply begin to start counting.

To God be the glory.

    

A good day to begin again!

     It's been nearly two months since I wrote anything here. But rather than go through a litany of excuses and explanations, how about this--I simply begin again. Because grace shouts from the rooftops that in Christ, we can always begin again. 

    And so today, this day before the anticipated chaos of election day tomorrow, let's agree to begin again. Begin again to remember that no matter what happens tomorrow, God is still on His throne!  Whether you're elated or devastated by whoever wins, here's what we absolutely positively know to be true: Christ is risen! Christ is Lord!  Christ is making all things new!  Christ is our hope, our joy, our peace, and in Him, our future is totally secure! 

    Here's another thing we know for sure: we are called to shine Christ's Light in the darkness. So don't add to the noise and confusion. Don't contribute to the vitriol. Don't give in to bitterness. Shine His Light--His love, His joy His forgiveness, His wisdom, His peace, His kindness, His goodness.

    Don't default to discouragement but to gratitude. Don't lapse into fear but choose faith. And it's not "faith in faith" but faith in the immovable Rock, Jesus. Faith in His unshakeable Word. Jesus already told us that "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. [not "might" or "sometimes" but "will" have tribulation. Why are we shocked?] But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) 

    Now that's some good news we can fully count on, no matter the chaos around us! Yes, we'll face troubles and trials in this world but Jesus has already overcome the world. And if He's overcome, what need we to fear? Instead, we can take heart--take courage, be of good cheer, be brave, be filled with confidence!--enjoy His peace, and place our hope, our trust, and our futures securely in His nail-scarred hands. 

    And that is the good--actually great!--news for today. Just thought we could all use a little reminding. 

   One more thing: "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Ps.118:24. Today, spend a few minutes rejoicing in God's goodness and greatness. Because it's no coincidence that this month is one we purposely dedicate to thankfulness and gratitude. Don't we all need it?  Even if you've been complaining and worrying and fretting and grumbling, like I said earlier, we can always begin again. It's never too late to start--so start today. 

    To God be the glory. 

BUT GOD

        Right now, a number of people that I love are struggling. A close friend lost a sweet sister and now another loved one in her family has suddenly gotten desperately ill.  Another very dear friend is battling cancer--how I despise that disease.  Another loved one struggles with loneliness and disappointment. A wonderful family in our neighborhood just lost a beloved young father and husband.  It feels like too much on top of all the isolation, sadness, division, and difficulties assailing all of us. What a sin-sick, broken world in which we live. 

        But God. 

        Oh yes, But God...

        "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded." Gen.8:1

        "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen.50:20

       "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."Ps.73:26

       "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Mt.19:26

       "And he said, 'Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.'" 2Chron.20:15

        "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24

        "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom.5:8

        "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." I Cor.1:27

        "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." I Cor.10:13

         "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. . . and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." Eph.2:1, 3, 4-5

         Praise God that He always, always, always has the last word. And His Word stands firm, eternal, unshakeable, and supernaturally powerful. Because it is His Word. Backed by His power and His great name and character. I can't make these sorrows disappear or heal these diseases or make all these losses go away, much as I desperately want to--But God. But God is the One to whom I pray.  But God is the One who has all power, all love, all grace, all provision, all compassion, all healing. But God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think (Eph.3:20). But God has promised that He will somehow, someway cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Rom.8:28) 

          I don't how or why or when. I'm baffled and furious over this suffering...BUT GOD.  He is able. He is able. He is able. And we hand it all to Him. Take it Father. We can't...but You can. 

         So cancer, sickness, loneliness, death, division, covid, and every other enemy assailing us right now, you're days are numbered. Because we place our trust in the Lord God Almighty. The Lord of Hosts. Our job is to pray...and His job is to fight. We do what we can...but He does what we can't.  

         No matter how dark or discouraging the way before you might look, there is a "But God" just ahead. If you doubt that, look at the cross and then turn your gaze to the empty tomb.  So keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep following His nail-scared feet.  Keep walking, step by slow step.  Because your "But God" is coming. Always and forever. 

          To God be the glory. 

       

The storm and the Rock

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the flood came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matt.7:24-27)

When we were at the beach last week, we experienced a taste of this parable.  Our very first night,  Hurricane Isaias blew through. Now maybe you're wondering why on earth we'd head to the beach right before a hurricane was coming?  Well, for one thing, we had rented the house, and we desperately wanted to get down there and enjoy it. But we also figured, how bad could this storm really be? After all, Isaias was "just" a level One hurricane and wasn't expected to make a direct hit on the particular beach where we were staying. 

Let me just say--we clearly underestimated the power of a hurricane. That night none of us slept (except the baby--who quite literally "slept like a baby").  The whole house shook, swayed, and creaked. Even our beds were moving. Whipping wind and rain slashed the house, and lighting and thunder periodically ripped and rumbled.  The next morning, all of us said the same thing: throughout the night we each worried and waited for the house to collapse at any moment. For the record, it was not a fun evening. 

But the house stood firm. 

Yes, it swayed and shook with the blasting winds and rain. But despite the ferocity of the storm, our friend's well built home stood strong. That next morning, we looked but couldn't find even one crack or bit of damage--the house remained completely snug and safe.  This house might have been built right next to the ocean, but it clearly rested on rock, not on sand. 

Notice that Jesus didn't say, if you build your house, your life, on His words, then you'll be spared the storms of life. No, storms will come; storms are an inevitable part of everyone of our lives. But if we build our lives on His Word, meaning we read His Word, believe His Word, and obey His Word, those storms can do their worst, but they will not destroy us. Yes, we may shake and shudder, but we will not succumb. Yes, we may grow faint and weary, but we will not fail. Because He will not fail. Never, ever. 

Right now the world feels like it's shaking and shuddering. Many of us have grown discouraged and worn out with the battles, the divisiveness, the isolation, the uncertainty, the upheaval, the vitriol. I know I sure have. I've hit the wall more than once and thought, "How long, Lord? How long?" And perhaps we worry that maybe this time the storms will finally be too much, that maybe these storms will overcome us or God's kingdom.

But Almighty God and His Word are eternal, changeless, and unconquerable. Jesus has defeated and decimated our greatest enemies of satan, sin, and death, so He can and will surely conquer any storms that come into our lives. No matter the shaking and roaring, the Lion of Judah will prevail. His Word will prevail. His Kingdom will prevail. And because we are in Him, we will ultimately prevail. 

As James Bryant Smith says, "You are one in whom Christ dwells and delights. And you live in the strong and unshakeable Kingdom of God.  His Kingdom is not in trouble, and neither are you."  

Thank You, Jesus, for being our Rock. Thank You that we can build our lives upon You and Your eternal Word. Thank You that no matter what storms rage against us, Your Kingdom will prevail and stand strong. And thank You that in You, our Rock, we, too, will prevail and will one day live with You forever in glory. 

To God be the glory.

 

        

Savoring a few of summer's simple joys

         It's August 12th--what???  Where on earth did summer go?  Surely it's mid-June at the latest. Sigh. Covid has created some sort of weird time warp: while we were living them, the days often felt long and slow...and yet, at the same time, those same days streaked by in an astounding blur.  Oh my, no matter how I tried to savor each day and to redeem the time, it still feels as if the lovely, languid days of summer have slipped through my grasp far too quickly. But note to self--it's still August. There's still time. There are still mountains of fresh tomatoes, blueberries, and watermelons to be eaten. Ice cream still melts deliciously in the heat and in your mouth. And all those books on our desks still beckon and urge us to put aside some of those endless daily tasks in order to simply sit and read. The to-do lists will always be there...summer will not. So just for a while, forget about the laundry or the errands or the whatever that all seem so urgent, and taste of summer's joys. As for me, I'll be opening a book in just a moment. 

        But before I do, I wanted to briefly share a bit about last week. For the first time in nine years, our family abandoned the mountains for a week at the beach. We rented a wonderful beach house from one of our good friends, and oh my, it was wonderful!  In the coming days, I hope to write about several very simple things I learned (or relearned) from our time at the beach. But here's the first and simplest lesson--there's not much better in this life than sitting in the sun, listening to and watching the pounding waves, and reading a good book. Seriously. This must be one of life's greatest pleasures. Warm sun on your face, feet digging in the sand, people you love all around you, salty clean air filling your lungs, and your nose in a book that captivates or inspires or encourages or just plain old entertains. Isn't it funny how life's greatest treasures are often the simplest and freest. 

        For the record, here's what I read. First, I finished up one book I've been reading for a while called The Splendid and the Vile. It's about Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister of Great Britain which also coincided with the German's horrific, nearly nightly bombing of London. And here's the thing--reading history like this reminds us that we've been through worse--much, much worst--than we're going through now. As Lawson said in his introduction to this magnificent book, "...I  quickly came to realize that it is one thing to say ‘carry on,’ and quite another to do it." Churchill and the British people lived it out. "Carry on" wasn't slogan; it was a day to day, lived out reality in the midst of unspeakable pain and difficulty. Such courage and strength in the face of so much destruction, death and deprivation. And we complain about not being able to go to the gym. Geez.  I say this not to shame us, but to spur us on--Press on!  Don't quit!  If they could do it under infinitely worse conditions, then surely we can as well. 

        Secondly, I started reading a book my daughter recommended (she's a fellow World War II buff) called  Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre. It's about the founding of the SAS--Britain's secret special forces who were dropped behind the Nazi's lines to sabotage their airplanes and supplies. I haven't finished it yet, but it's also inspiring and remarkable. How do we ever begin to thank the "greatest generation" who suffered, endured, and gave so much that we might enjoy freedom?  I wonder what those brave men and women would say to some of our younger generation today who are obsessed with "micro-aggressions" and claims of feeling "unsafe" by certain speakers on their college campuses?  Goodness, come on people. We're better than this!  How about we stop being so completely consumed with criticizing everything about the past (C.S. Lewis calls it "chronological snobbery") and instead try learning a little something from the past. No, those in the past weren't perfect...because they were all sinners, just like every single one of us!  But boy, they have a lot to teach us about sacrifice, honor, character, and endurance. 

         Finally, I also read a fabulous new book by Mark Buchanan called God Walk.  The subtitle says it beautifully, "Moving at the Speed of your Soul." It's about walking with God (duh) as a spiritual practice. And I can't remember the last time a book resonated with me so deeply. I guess part of that has to do with the fact that I love to walk (especially with Mr. Bingley).  But the Bible is chock full of references to walking and walking faithfully (or, sadly, not).  While we were at the beach, I put this into practice, as I walked miles every morning and nearly always sensed God's sweet, peaceful, and joyful presence walking with me. Truly a tiny foretaste of heaven. I carry this memory with me even now as I sit here in our den in Raleigh writing this. Thank You, Father. 

          That's it for now. Just a simple encouragement to savor these final weeks of summer--it's not too late.  God in His grace has given us August to enjoy His bounty. Don't miss it.  And secondly, an encouragement to put aside that endless to-do list, sit down, and read. As our older daughter said in the middle of our beach week, "I've fallen in love with reading again."  She had been waylaid by busyness, baby, work and internet scrolling and had forgotten the free, easy, yet wondrous joy of reading.  But she rediscovered that joy and now carries it with her. Again, summer still lingers so don't miss these opportunities to open a good book.  

          Our Lord, after all, surely loves reading and the written word. How do we know? Well, He revealed Himself to us in His written Word--the Bible--and He saved and redeemed us by our Savior--the Living Word. There's something profoundly glorious about a book...most of all, about The Book: God's supernatural Word. If you haven't read God's very words that He wants to speak to you today, stop right now. Go open His Word, the Bible.  Be filled and fed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He's waiting to speak to you and encourage you.  

         Thank You, Lord, for summer. Thank You for Your beautiful creation and magnificent oceans and beaches. Thank You for allowing us to walk with You everyday.  Thank You for the simple joys of reading.  And thank You for Your written Word--the Bible--and for our glorious Living Word--the Lord Jesus.  To God be the glory.  

Open your mouth, open your eyes!

In case you're in need of a little joy burst today--

"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see--

how good God is. 

Blessed are you who run to Him." Ps.34:8 The Message)

       "O Lord, all my ancestors were justified in their trust in You. Rid my heart of all pointless anxieties and paralyzing fears. Give me a cheerful and buoyant spirit, and peace in doing your will; for Christ's sake. Amen" (Prayer for this morning from John Baille's A Diary of Private Prayer.)
        Anybody else need a wee bit of reminding that our God is all-good, all-wise, all-gracious, all-kind, all-loving, and sovereign and in control of all, all, all things?  Well, hello, HE IS! 
        We're so prone to myopically squint and see only the messed up, divisive, uncertain, generally terrible things around us. And yes, there's a gracious plenty of that to go around. But, goodness gracious, this little picture of my precious granddaughter totally enjoying and delighting in her lunch (yes, she comes by her love of food naturally!  Our whole family loves, loves, loves to eat!) reminded me to open my eyes and look around at all of God's relentless goodness. It's everywhere, because He's everywhere. 
         The blue heron sitting regally in the middle of Crabtree Creek. The scent of gardenias. The laugher of a dear friend. The relaxation of a hot bath. The joy of reading that great book. The softness of silk. The happy songs of early morning birds. The sweetness of a homegrown tomato or ripe blueberries or warm bread or chocolate anything. The sound of a favorite song. The strong beauty of a majestic tree.The gift of home. The grin of a baby.
        Open up your eyes and look around. Linger and savor. Slow down and notice. Taste and see. Oh please, please taste and see...
        And then worship the Author, the Creator, the Chef, the Sustainer of every single good--every oh so, so good--gift in your life.
        Yes, there's still Covid and rancor and injustice and on and on...but over and above it all,  there is Jesus. Emmanuel--God with us. And because He is with  us, in us, for us we will ultimately be okay.  Or really, infinitely more than okay, because ahead is glory beyond anything we can begin to imagine. And all the sweetest, best gifts of this world are only the tiniest foretaste of the eternal and joyous glory ahead.
         So let's choose to live this day with hope and joy.  Let's ask our Father to "rid our hearts of all pointless anxieties and paralyzing fears." (After all, does your anxiety help? Seriously, when has worrying and wringing our hands ever really benefitted us or anybody else?)  Instead, by His grace and for His glory, let's ask Him to "give us a cheerful and buoyant spirit and peace in doing your will, for Christ's sake."
         Today, let's open wide our mouths and taste, open wide our eyes and see, how good God is...and then share His goodness with someone else. Surely there's a person around you who needs to hear, who needs to be reminded of our good, good Father. "Blessed are you who run to Him." We're coming, Abba, we're coming!
          To God be the glory. 

Lord of all hope...people of hope

            How about a little dose of hope?  Not the world's "hope so" kind of hope, but real, honest-to-goodness, God-created, God-sustaining, indefatigable hope. Happily, these aren't my paltry words, but the Lord's words in a brief verse that I decided to memorize way back in March when this whole Covid marathon began. 
           Little did any of us dream how prolonged, how difficult, how frustrating, how discouraging this marathon would prove to be. Nor could we have dreamt all the tragedies, division, anger, tension, violence that would be unleashed during these long, hard months.  So this little nugget from the Lord has come to mean more and more to me, and I pray it will strengthen and encourage your heart as well.  It's simple, but profound--
        "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13
        He is the God of hope. That is who He is.
        He is the one who can and will fill us to overflowing with all (not some, not a little bit, not a modicum, but all) joy and peace in believing.  Oh how we all need joy and peace--and He's got them in overflowing, unlimited abundance.
        His Holy Spirit that dwells within us will empower us to abound in hope. Oh yes, we need His power! His power that raised Jesus from the dead!  That's some serious power and that's the power that will fill us and enable us to experience and live in abounding, God-created, God-sustaining, God-strengthening hope.
        Moreover, we all know that His hope never ever disappoints, never ever fails, even in the midst of the worst suffering, the most terrible tragedies, the most impossible dilemmas. Again, don't take my word for it, but His:  "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Rom.5:3-5)
        So here's my simple message today--we can and should be a people of hope, because we follow a Lord of hope. No matter what our circumstances may look like right now, we have the hope of Almighty God which cannot disappoint and will not be defeated. Might we look to Him and be filled with overflowing hope! 
         I'll close with some powerful words on hope I read the other day from a ministry that serves parents and families called Axis--
        "Experts warn a second surge of COVID-19 deaths are imminent. Racial tensions continue to dominate the news cycle. Economic insecurity is trickling down into every sphere of life. It seems everything these days is up for grabs. Despair, darkness, and depression are dominating the cultural landscape and our interior lives. And yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to be people of hope in a hurting world, which, in hard times like these can only seem like “foolishness to the Greeks.” But is it?
        If there is one lasting legacy you can leave with your children during this kairos moment in their lives, it might be this: We are a people of hope. But hope and good old-fashioned optimism are radically different things. While optimism is focused on a good future outcome or a pleasant change in our current circumstances, hope is a quiet confidence in the present based on what God in Christ has done in the past. As long-time missionary and theologian Leslie Newbigin once wrote, “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.” Amen to that.
        For Newbigin and for us, hope is defiance in the face of fear. It is the often courageous task of staring reality in the face and still claiming that though evil, suffering, and death remain, they have already been defeated. Hope is standing in the valley of dry bones and daring to believe God will breathe life into them once again. Hope is mustering the courage to go to the tomb in the early hours before dawn, just in case. Hope is living as resurrection people in a dying world. Hope is joining God right here and right now in the renewal of all things. If Hell is hopelessness, then maybe a little bit of heaven is the realization that all over this tired old world, 'hope springs eternal.'"
         Thank You, Lord, that in You, we have true, lasting, powerful, transformative, never-ending hope. Because our hope is grounded in the glorious reality that You rose from the dead, and You are alive, Lord Jesus. Father, we don't know what the future holds, but we know that You hold the future. And we know the very end of the story...and You win. And because You win, we win, so our trust  and our hope is in You.
        Today, by the power of your Holy Spirit, would you fill us with your hope and then use us to pour out that hope upon every person that we meet. Might we be not just glad receivers of your hope, but generous givers of your hope.  Oh how this weary world needs your hope, Lord. In your grace and by your power, please use us. We praise You that You are the Lord of all hope so we can be a people of hope. In Your mighty name we pray. Amen.
        To God be the glory. 

"Nose to the sunrise"

        This will be simple and short, but maybe you, like me, needed this little reminder.  So here it is--
        This morning, our daughter texted our family a quote on our family group text that is one of my all-time favorites. She's always loved it too, and, boy, today was a day I needed to hear it again. Its's from the C.S. Lewis book, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. These are the words of the plucky, courageous, faithful little mouse, Reepicheep:
        "My own plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan's country, or shot over the edge of the world into some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise."
        In a word, don't quit. Persevere in loving God and loving others. Persist in trusting the Lord...in reading His Word...in obeying Him...in following Him, step by step by step all the way until He brings you to your Heavenly Home, to "Aslan's country." Lock your gaze on Him and keep walking. Keep going...He's promised He will get you there, not somehow but triumphantly.
        And how will we do that? Glad you asked!:
        Isaiah 40:29-31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
        Romans 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
        Rely on Him. Ask Him, Depend upon Him. Look to Him. Consider Him. Trust Him. It's not about us or what we can do...it's all about Him and what He can and will do in us and through us.
        Thank You, Lord, that You always meet us right where we are--and today, I simply needed to be reminded not to quit. Not to give in to weariness or worry.  Not to let my focus wander, but to keep my eyes on the prize--on You. On glory. On the King of Kings who is with us here in the trenches and will be with  us forever in our perfect, joyful, glorious Heavenly Home. 
         As Tim Keller recently wrote when sharing about his battle with pancreatic cancer, "Running the race set before me with joy, because Jesus ran an infinitely harder race with joy, for me." 
         Yes, Lord, yes!  Keep us running our races with joy, one day at a time. For every day that  You choose to give us, keep us focused, keep us following hard after you, keep us faithful. All the way to the finish line.
         We're not gonna quit.  Even if it means sinking with our "noses to the sunrise," let's keep on. Our Father is going to get us there...and He'll be with  us every step of the way. So run...paddle...swim...or even sink with joy.
         To God be the glory.
         

What will you choose?

       These past months have been hard, so hard on so many levels. For many of us, the fall began with the unimaginable loss of the precious daughter of dear friends. And then COVID with all it's fear, destruction, and death.  Then terrible racial injustice exposed and the tragedy, the ugliness that this horrific sin still endures and divides. Oh forgive us and help us, Lord Jesus. And then the vitriol, the bitterness, the political divisiveness that threatens to literally tear this nation that we love apart.
         The continuing weight of it all, the ongoing isolation and loneliness from quarantine, the bone-deep sadness and perplexity and fear...Abba, we're weary and uncertain and look to You for hope, for deliverance, for strength, for redemption. Help us, show  us, lead us, revive us again, Father. Yes, we don't know what to do but our eyes are on You. (II Chron.20:12)
       But then I open our Heavenly Father's eternal Word, and His God-exhaled words breathe hope, sustenance, faith, and peace into my heart. He renews my mind and restores my perspective, and I realize afresh that He is in control. He is our Peace. He is the reconciling Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. And He is the conquering Lion of Judah who destroys sin, hatred, bitterness, death and despair and rises triumphant over it all for us, for you, for me.
         "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Col.3:12-15)
         Jesus is our Hope. He is our Way-maker. He is our Strength. He is our living Word, and He's given us His written Word that will transform our hearts, renew our minds, and redeem our culture.
         So the question is, how then will we live?  Will we fall back in despair or will we trustingly follow our Savior wherever He leads?  Will we give in to the negativity of the culture around us or will we choose to be salt and light? Will we choose the path of bitterness and recrimination or will we choose the path of forgiveness and restoration? Will we be led by fear or will we be led by faith?  Will we quietly blend in with the darkness or will we boldly shine the light and love of Christ?
         We choose. You choose. I choose. Yes, the darkness around us is thick, indeed, but the tiniest, weakest little flicker of candlelight will obliterate the darkness around it. We can be that light. Because remember--it's not our light...it's the unconquerable, unending, unfailing Light of the World that shine through us. We're not the source--He is. And because He is the Light, we know that His "light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) 
           Maybe we need to stop trying so hard to shine, and simply choose, as His beloved, to have Him do the shining. We just need to obey...and that means forgive as He has forgiven us.  To forbear, to show compassion, to be kind, and above all, to love.
          We don't have to have it all figured out...just love as He's loved us.  Just shine His light. We don't have all the answers...but we have Jesus and He does.
          I'll close with the lyrics to a new song by Rascal Flatts--"How They Remember You"--that in many ways, says it all. The first time I heard it the other day, the tears flowed. I encourage you to go listen to it and remember that we all have the choice to be the love and light of Christ in this world.

Sprayed my name on a water tower
Carved it in an old cottonwood tree
Signed a bunch of high school yearbooks
So they wouldn't forget about me
It wasn't 'til I saw my daddy's name in stone I knew
It ain't a question of if they will
It's how they remember you

Did you stand or did you fall?
Build a bridge or build a wall
Hide your love or give it all
What did you do? What did you do?
Did you make 'em laugh or make 'em cry?
Did you quit or did you try?
Live your dreams or let 'em die?
What did you choose? What did you choose?
When it all comes down
It ain't if, it's how they remember you

When you're down to your last dollar
Will you give or will you take?
When the stiff wind blows the hardest
Will you bend or will you break? (Will you break?)
You're gonna leave a legacy, no matter what you do
It ain't a question of if they will
It's how they remember you

Did you stand or did you fall?
Build a bridge or build a wall
Hide your love or give it all
What did you do? What did you do?
Did you make 'em laugh or make 'em cry?
Did you quit or did you try?
Live your dreams or let 'em die
What did you choose? What did you choose?
When it all comes down
It ain't if, it's how they remember you

         Oh Father, help us to build bridges rather than walls; to love rather than to hide; to refuse to quit but by Your grace and for Your glory, to keep trying, keep giving, keep forgiving, keep helping, keep encouraging, keep loving, keep shining.  When they remember us, might they simply see You.
        To You--the Light of the World--be all the glory.

Not fear but power, love, and self-control

        "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Tim.1:7)
        Lord, I know this intellectually, but help me to live it out experientially.
        I haven't been able to put my finger on it exactly, but as I've pondered it, it seems that I'm battling a vague and deep-seated sense of fear and anxiety over all that has been happening in our world. First the corona virus and all the uncertainty, isolation, division and destruction that this virus wrought on our world . And then, all that has surrounded the tragic, terrible death of George Floyd...the wounds that have split open, the ugly racism that has been exposed, the anger, the sorrow, the suffering, the vitriolic divisions. It's been both heartbreaking and convicting. It's engendered both lament but also fear. What will the future hold? Where will this end?  What if we respond in the wrong way? What are we to do to help make a difference? What does it mean to be salt and light in this situation? 
        I don't know...but my Savior does. He knows what it means to walk right into pain, division, and difficulty and bring healing, hope, grace, and light. He steps right into the brokenness. He never shies away from the hard conversations.
        As Jesus prepared to go to Calvary for our sins, He--who was and is fully God--knew full well the incalculable weight of all the sin that would soon be laid upon Him and the infinite amount of suffering He would endure.  And yet, we're told, "When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51). Or as some translations put it, He "set His face like flint." Such steely, unwavering determination to go straight into the horrific, cosmic battle for our souls which would cost Jesus His life...but would give us ours. Oh thank You, Lord Jesus.
        So when we ponder Jesus and His suffering for us, when we "consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself" for us, how can we grow weary or fainthearted? (Heb.12:3) How can we shirk the hard conversations? How can we seek to avoid all discomfort and pain in our desire for self-protection and self-preservation? How can we choose comfortable isolation over uncomfortable loving? How can we succumb to fear of the future when He calls us to reject our fear and act on our faith in Him. To act on our faith in the One who holds the future in His nail-scarred hands and promises that He is with us always, even to the end of the earth
        Yes, I know these things intellectually, but yet that stubborn fear wants to wrap it's icy tentacles around my heart. 
        To my fearful "what if, what if, what if?," the answer is "But God..." 
        But God's Word promises that the Lord has given "us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
        That "spirit of fear" I claim to feel?  It's not from the Lord who has given us His Spirit to dwell within us.  No, that fear is not from Him, so I, so we, need to reject and refuse it and instead act in accordance with the Spirit of power, love, and self-control that our heavenly Father has given us.
         By the power of the Holy Spirit, away with you fear--you ugly, destructive, paralyzing, unloving, unbelieving, joy-sucking, peace-destroying fear.
         Instead, by God's grace and for His glory, might we act in obedience to the gentle yet powerful promptings of His Holy Spirit--to trust, to love, to forgive, to sacrifice, to be salt and light, and to live with joy, hope, and gratitude in our hearts, words, and actions.  We can't, but He can. 
        Thank You, Father, for Your unfailing, unchanging Word. Thank You for our saving, living Savior. And thank You for the indwelling, empowering Holy Spirit. Help us this day and everyday to be led by faith, not by fear. You've promised us that we have Your Spirit of power, love, and self-control, so please enable us walk in step with the Spirit, by Your grace, for Your glory.
        To God be the glory.

But God...

        "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal.3:25-27)
        "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those of the household of faith." (Gal.6:9-10)
        The events of the past few weeks have been beyond heartbreaking. What a vicious, pernicious sin racism is. To think that our nation continues to confront this hideous sin of devaluing the worth of some human beings based simply upon the color of the skin. How can this be? What is wrong with the heart of mankind?  How can one human being treat another human being this way?
         And yet, what is wrong with my selfish, prideful, stubborn heart?  As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote in The Gulag Archipelago, “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
          Like so many of us, I have wept to see the evil that resides in the human heart--and the horrific price that has been paid by generation after generation because of the sin of racism.  Generation after generation of African Americans hurt beyond anything I can understand (but I'm trying) but also of the countless generations of those whose hearts have been warped, twisted, and destroyed by their hatred. 
         Yet even as I want to cast stones at that sin, God shows me my own heart with its dividing line of good and evil. My lack of self-sacrificial love and compassion. My desire for my own way.  My idolatry of comfort and security. My pride. My impatience. My determined love of self.  Oh, my sin, too, is relentless and stubborn and hideous.
        But God...oh such beautiful words, "But God..." 
        "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph.2:4-9) 
        But God is rich in mercy.
        But God loves us with His great and perfect and beautiful love.
        But God saved us even when we were absolutely dead in all our hideous sin and made us alive in Christ.  Because God doesn't make bad people good...He makes dead people alive. Including you, including me.
         But God has saved us by His grace--His utterly unearned, utterly undeserved grace--and raised us up to the heavenly places with Christ to show us the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness.  God's immeasurable riches--I cannot even begin to fathom this...but oh how thankful I am...
        ...and humbled because it has absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing to do with my worth or ability or performance.  It's all by His unmerited, underserved, amazing grace. Which means no one can boast. Not Billy Graham or Tim Keller or Ann Lotz or the most godly person you or I know.  And most certainly not me!  Oh mercy, definitely not me.
          Yes, it feels an awful lot like our world right now is on fire. The problems seem impossibly  difficult, the pain immeasurably deep, the anger and fear frighteningly great...but God.
           Not us, but God.
           Now is the time to listen.  To learn. To seek to understand more than to be understood. To weep with those who weep. And to pray, to trust, to hold up our empty hands to the sovereign King and Kings and admit, "we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (II Chron.20:12)
         Lord, we don't know what to do, but our eyes finally, finally are fixed on You. You alone. You are able. You took the sin and pain and hatred and racism of all the world upon Yourself, Lord Jesus, and You conquered every bit of it at the cross.  So we look to You. We trust You. We depend upon You. We ask You to cleanse us, to help us, to lead us, to teach us, to equip us, to shine Your light and love through us. May we be vessels of Your grace, forgiveness, hope, and sacrificial love to the world around us. Help us not to become weary in doing good in the hard, holy days ahead but to keep our eyes fastened on You as we run this race ahead of us, all by Your grace all to Your glory.
         How we praise You that even for the worst of our sins, we can loudly proclaim "But God..."
         To God, to our Savior Jesus who is the Way-Maker, the Reconciler, the Redeemer, be all the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Only a breath away

        "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb.4:14-16)
         How thankful I am today and everyday that we can daily, hourly, moment by moment, draw near to the throne of all thrones--the throne of all power, all majesty, all sovereignty, all wisdom, all awesomeness.  Imagine the privilege, the wonder of that--that we, who are but little dust people, who fail and forget and falter again and again, can enter right into God's very throne room.! A place of such unfathomable holiness, greatness, and power...and yet we dare, indeed, we are exhorted time and again, to come to His throne. 
        Moreover, we're told to come to God's throne with confidence! The greek word for that is also translated "boldness" and "courage." If this wasn't in God's Word, I'd call that ridiculous presumption and prideful folly. But not according to God's Word--and the very words of the Lord trump any and all of our emotions, ideas, and inadequacies.
        And what will we receive there?  Well, here's another reason we can approach Him with confidence, not terror and dread. We need not expect stern lectures, dire warnings, expressions of great disappointment, nor harsh sentences of judgment. No, because of our Savior Jesus, He promises we will receive amazing grace, we will receive astounding mercy,  and we will receive the supernatural help that only the Lord can give.
         So here's the question: why aren't we going?  Seriously, why are we not continually beating a path to that beautiful, wondrous, powerful throne of grace? What is preventing us?  Busyness?  Preoccupation? Doubt? Laziness? Forgetfulness?
          Whatever reason we might ostensibly come up with--and I'm preaching to myself here!--there is NO REASON!  The glorious throne of almighty God is open to us.  It's a throne of unimaginable power and yet also a throne of unlimited grace, mercy, and help.  And because we're told to come boldly, confidently, courageously, let's do it!  (Again, I'm not just exhorting you, but I'm preaching to amnesiac me, myself, and I here too! Because no one needs this reminder worse than yours truly!)
          In light of all that, I wanted to throw out one suggestion that has particular application in times of stress and worry.  Hmm, Covid anyone?  It's super easy, can be done anywhere, anytime, and has the ability to calm your racing heartbeat and your fretful mind.  It's simply the process of breath prayers. Meaning: as you take deep breaths, you repeat a simple verse in your mind.
         Here's one way to do it.  As you take a deep breath in (for about the count of 3 or so), say in your mind the first half of the verse. Then, as you slowly exhale, you repeat in your mind the second half of the verse. For instance, slowly take a deep breath in as you say in your mind "When I am afraid" and then as you exhale slowly, you repeat "I put my trust in You." (Ps.56:3)  Or a little longer one: inhale to "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you" and breath out to "He will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Ps.55:22)  Or inhale to "The Lord is my shepherd" and exhale to "I shall not want." (Ps.23:1)  Or one of my favorites: Inhale to "God is our refuge and strength" and exhale to "A very present help in trouble." (Ps.46:1)
           You get the idea--pick a few verses that you love, write them down, and start praying them in and out, in and out, in and out with your breath.  I've typically heard it suggested to do this about ten times in a row to allow your breath to slow your heart rate, and more importantly, to allow God's supernatural Word to transform your mind.
             As Matthew Henry said so many years ago, "Days of trouble must be days of prayer."  My hope is that this simple exercise will help us to avail ourselves of this priceless privilege and powerful weapon against anxiety and discouragement.  Our God is only a breath away. Let's go to His throne with confidence and know He will give us His grace, mercy, and help. 
             To God be the glory.

Let us not grow weary!

        Anybody feeling a tad weary?  Weary of worrying about this blasted, infernal virus. Weary of worrying about our courageous front-line health-care workers and other essential workers who face the relentless danger everyday of contracting COVID. Weary of cooking and cleaning up...cooking and cleaning up...cooking and cleaning up. Weary of not being able to fellowship or simply laugh and be with friends and family. Weary of face masks and social distancing and flat curves and recitation of ever rising daily death tolls. Weary of relentless hand washing.  Weary of trying to choose gratitude over grumbling. Weary of that constant weight of anxiety over vulnerable or aged family and friends. Weary of feeling you're not doing enough to help yet not quite knowing what you can do.  Weary of wondering and worrying about a very uncertain, unknown future. Weary of missing those plain old, basic routines of daily life that now seem utterly impossible for who knows how long.
         Anybody feeling just plain weary? 
         Well, my hand is raised and waving wildly--me, me, me.  I'm not despairing or desperate.  I'm not facing catastrophic loss or overwhelming difficulty. I'm not battling this hideous virus on the front lines. So, guess what? I have absolutely no right or reason to complain...but I will admit to just a bit of weariness with this who-knows-how-long siege of COVID-19.
         Therefore I figured it was high time to do a little preaching to myself. Do a little less listening to myself and a little more talking to myself. Because as I've shared over and over again--I'm mighty forgetful. I'm awfully prone to myopic thinking, selfishness, and fruitless worry.  I sometimes suffer from spiritual amnesia. Sigh. Forgive me Lord.
          But praise His great name that His mercies are new every morning. As the passage I read out loud about every morning (thank you, sweet Nancy McDougal!) from Lam.3 reminds us--"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lam.3:21-26)
           We need to call it to mind--preach it to ourselves. We need to remember who the Lord is and His steadfast, never-ending, never-diminishing love. We need to proclaim the Truth to our souls that we may vacillate and grow weary, but He never ever does. His faithfulness is perfect, unchanging, and eternal. And we need to tell our weary-of-waiting and anxious hearts that it is good to wait on the Lord, that we are waiting on the Lord, not on the virus, and that we can wait with hope and peace, because God's timing and ways are always good, right, and pleasing.
            And while we are waiting, He is working and moving.  While we are waiting, He is shaping and moulding. While we are waiting, Almighty God is doing and accomplishing what only He can do--even if we can't yet see it or understand it.
            So today, let's choose waiting on our God over our weariness. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Gal.6:9)  His promises never fail, and His Holy Spirit will enable us to do all that He commands. So let's walk by the Spirit, and today choose to reject weariness and instead to continue doing the good that our faithful Father puts before us.
          Lord, help us.  Help us, by the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, to not give in to our weariness but instead to continue doing whatever good You sovereignly place before us this day.  Help us to cook the meals with a joyful attitude...to love those around us...to express our gratitude for the countless little blessings all around us...to encourage others who might be weary or discouraged...to thank grocery workers, truck drivers,  policemen,  nurses, doctors and all those serving our communities...to stay in Your Word and preach it to ourselves...to pray without ceasing...to put on our face masks and wash our hands and do our little bit to help contain this virus in order that the most vulnerable among us might be safer.  And to do it all trusting You to use it for our greater good and Your greater glory. In Jesus' mighty and triumphant name. Amen.
          To God be the glory.
         

Join the chorus of praise!

        "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one." (Ps.28:7-8)
        "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." (Ps.118:14)
        "The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isa.55:12)
        Just a little reminder that we have a singing, joyful God. And what should be our response?  Well, if life is going really well and all our needs are being met and all our family is doing great and we have plenty of toilet paper, all-purpose flour, and chocolate, then yes, we're to join in the chorus and praise Him, right? 
      Wrong, wrong, wrong! 
      "I WILL give thanks to Him in song"..."The Lord IS my strength and song"....or how about "MAKE a joyful noise to the Lord, ALL the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! COME into His presence with singing!" (Ps.100"1-2).  I didn't see any qualifications in any of those. Did you? 
      How about any exceptions for pandemics or shortages or unwanted isolation? Nope. Maybe a teeny tiny loophole when we're simply at the end of our rope or life feels cramped and hard or the people around us are getting on our last little nerve?  Ah, no once again.
      Praising God, singing (or just making a joyful noise--and we can all do that!) is not a suggestion nor is it qualified in any way. It's a command. But here's the thing--like all of God's commands, this is a life-giving, strength-infusing, perspective-correcting, joy-reviving command. We don't do it based on our feelings but based on our love for God. We don't do it because our lives are wonderful in every way, but because our great God is worthy and He promised to make all things beautiful in His time.
       And goodness gracious, I surely don't want the mountains and hills to out-sing me!  All of creation sings of His glory, and we have both the choice, the privilege, and the joy of joining in the chorus and magnifying God's praise and glory.
        I love how Charles Spurgeon puts it: "The material world has latent music in it, and a renewed heart knows how to bring it out and make it vocal. Mountains and hills are the bass of the chorus, while the trees of the wood and all things that have life take up the air of the melodious song." 
       Maybe you're feeling constricted or discouraged or downright desperate at this moment.  Well, then now is the perfect time to stop and make the choice to praise God. Put on some music and belt out your praises. Or walk outside and notice the astounding beauty of spring exploding all around you--and give God thanks!  He made it all, and He's given you the ability to see and savor it--so thank Him!  Or simply listen to the constant and magnificent chorus of the birds outside your window--and give their Creator glory! Or breathe deeply of the sweet scent of honeysuckle or refreshing smell of fresh mown grass--and praise their Maker!
        Consider the courageous front-line health care workers or the folks doing all the essential labor of getting food on the grocery store shelves--and thank the Lord for all they are doing to protect and help us. And let's not forget the restaurants providing take out (praise Jesus for Casa Carbone spinach calzone!) or friends like Julie making delicious casseroles to feed our families (making us look like rock stars!) or Hayes Barton Cafe cake (YES, Lord!)--don't you want to thank someone?  A thousand times yes! Thank them, of course, but also praise and thank your loving Heavenly Father who is the Author and Creator of all good food and who is the Giver of great fellowship that seasons and sweetens every one of those meals!
         So thank You, Lord, thank You.  You have given us such an extravagant abundance, but please we ask You, give us one thing more--thanking, praising hearts.  In the words of John Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer: "give me today, I beseech Thee, the mind and heart to rejoice in Thy creation. Forbid that I should walk through Thy beautiful world with unseeing eyes...Forbid that when all Thy creatures are greeting the morning with songs and shouts of joy, I alone should wear a dull and sullen face...And above all give me the grace to use these beauties of earth without me and this eager stirring of life within me as means whereby my soul may rise from creature to Creator, and from nature to nature's God." Lord, we love You, we praise You, we thank You, we worship You.  In Jesus' mighty and beautiful name. Amen.
        To God be all the glory forever and ever. 
       

Three little thoughts!

                                  "Stand fast in the Lord" (Phil.4:1)--Part II
        "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."" (I Cor.16:13)
         As I shared the other day, God used this verse, and several others  like it, to greatly encourage my weary heart. Boy, there is nothing like God's Word, and there is no better way to begin your day than a dose of His supernatural, attitude-altering, strength-giving Word! But I did want to share three very brief, very simple thoughts that these verses and weariness brought to mind. 
         And here these three are: when you're weary, allow it to lead you to God's Word, look up in prayer, and lean in the Lord. (I told you they were simple!  But sometimes when we're struggling--especially with exhaustion or weariness--we need something really simple to remind and preach to ourselves.)  Just briefly--
         First, lead you to God's Word.  There's nothing more reviving to our hearts and minds than God's Word. How often have I opened His Word out of habit or even duty, and yet God, in His grace, speaks to and encourages me in a personal way.  Or He gives His wisdom, His strength, His conviction, His forgiveness, His grace through something in His Word. Never ever underestimate the power of God's Word.
        Second, look up in prayer. Again, duh, you're thinking. But seriously, how often do we simply fail to pray!  We figure a little dose of chocolate will revive us, or some online shopping, or some mindless entertainment, but we fail first to pray!  Corrie ten Boom always said, "Is prayer was steering wheel or your spare tire?"  Make it your steering wheel--go to God and tell Him your problems, share your exhaustion, ask for the help and provision only He can give.
       Third, lean in to the Lord.  In other words, depend on Him!  That's the part of the verse I love--stand fast in the faith, stand fast in the Lord!  In our faith in Him. In HIM!  He has all the power and provision and grace and hope and joy and love and strength we will ever need. So lean in and depend upon Him.
        That's it--told you it was short and simple!  But remember it the next time weariness hits--let it lead you to God's Word, look up in prayer, and lean in to the Lord in dependence. He's there and He's able!
        To God be the glory.





     

Stand fast

         Last night, by the time I fell into the bed, a real weariness had settled upon me.  Not just tiredness--who isn't tired by the end of the day?--but a deeper weariness.  Since I'm a morning person, however, I figured it was time to go on to bed and when I awoke, I'd surely feel like a new person...because after all, tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start, and His mercies are new every morning (and afternoon and evening).
        But when I woke up this morning in the peaceful, predawn darkness (which is always my favorite time of the day), that weariness still pressed heavy on my heart and body.  Weary is simply the word that came to mind. Here's how Miriam Webster defines it: "exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor or freshness; having one's patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted."  Hmm. Anybody been experiencing a bit of that recently? Well that certainly described some of what I was feeling this morning--exhausted in strength and freshness and exhausted in patience and tolerance. 
       The worst part of it was I have absolutely no reason to complain.  Right now, our family and friends are still healthy.  And none of us are bravely battling this virus on the front lines like our courageous health care workers--oh praise God for them and please help, empower and protect them, Father.  Nor are we essential workers who are unselfishly keeping all the rest of us going by delivering mail or stocking grocery store shelves or working in factories producing our goods or manning pharmacies or driving delivery trucks. Again, thank You, Lord and bless and protect them all. But the point is--my weariness was compounded by shame that I felt weary! Forgive me Lord, when others are sacrificing and confronting so much.
       Well, I dutifully (and I mean dutifully--as in, I didn't feel one iota like doing it but did it simply because it's a habit I've tried to cultivate) refused to look at my phone or anything else until first spending a few minutes with the Lord. As I've shared here often, my early morning habit is quite simple and brief--first a few minutes in God's Word (I read Daily Light and a short Charles Spurgeon devotional), then write down a few things I'm thankful for from the day before in a gratitude journal, and then pray. 
        But upon opening the Daily Light, I read these words at the top of the page: "Stand fast in the Lord." (Phil.4:1) Thunderclap--that alone was sufficient to arrest my weary spirit. It was if the Holy Spirit spoke directly to my heart--"Stand fast in ME, Emily.  Don't quit.  Your job isn't to come up with the strength--that's the Lord's job. Your job is to make the choice to stand fast in HIM. Choose to look to Him." 
       The next verse declared "My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside." (Job 23:11)  Don't we each want to be able to say that when all this is over? Again, our job isn't to know the way ahead or to forge the path into an unknown future. Our job is simply to hold fast to HIS steps. We follow Him and His way. And He's already been this way before, so He knows exactly where we each need to step and how we need to proceed.
         This morning was one of those times when each word jumped off the page. Every verse shouted of God's faithfulness and provision--and also of my, of our, need to make the choice to stand fast in Him, cling to Him, endure through Him. "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (I Cor.16:13) Again, did you notice?  Stand fast in the faith. Not stand fast in your own strength. Not stand fast by drumming up lots of strength and perseverance. Not stand fast by bucking up. Not stand fast by being the perfect Christian or displaying the perfect perspective or being the perfect parent or spouse. 
         Absolutely not!  We are to stand fast in faith in Him. Stand fast in faith in the Savior who has all power, all strength, all perseverance, all wisdom, all hope, all love. He is our Power-source. He is our Perfect Enabler, Equipper, Encourager.
         Not us, but Him.
         A bit more on this in a day or two (as I had three specific thoughts based on this last verse) but for now, can I just encourage you today to "Stand fast in the Lord." Maybe you're slaying it today and your attitude sings of strength and joy, but we all know this virus is a grinding, hard marathon. We're all going to experience some pretty good days...some more challenging days...and some downright crummy days. And that's okay, because we're all doing the best we can to navigate these difficult times.
        But remember what's eternally true--our God is still and forever on the throne. He conquered sin and death and rose from the dead to new resurrection life. His purposes and plans cannot be thwarted or defeated. And as James Bryant Smith says, "We live in the strong and unshakeable Kingdom of God. His Kingdom is not in trouble and neither are we."
       Yes, our world might be shaking, but Almighty God's Kingdom is not. So we can stand fast in Him. He will not fail us or forsake us...not ever.
        Today, stand fast in the Lord. He's got you.
        To God be the glory.

Don't miss the gifts

         "But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people would be kept alive, as they are today.'" (Gen.50:19-20)
         Many years earlier, Joseph's brothers had hated him, betrayed him, and sold him into slavery.  They assumed he was dead, but Joseph was alive in a foreign land in Egypt where he first served as Potiphar's loyal, servant, then was imprisoned for ten years in an Egyptian dungeon, because he was accused of a crime he did not commit. Yet through it all, even though he surely felt utterly abandoned, Joseph remained faithful and true to his Lord. And remarkably, he was eventually elevated to Pharaoh's second in command and saved the world--and ultimately his own family and people--from starvation.
           It's sometimes referred to as "The Genesis 50 Principle"--what the enemy intends for evil, God can and will use for good. As Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."
           I don't begin to pretend to understand all the pain and suffering that COVID-19 has inflicted. The illness, death, financial struggles, job loss and on and on are undeniably terrible. There are no pat, easy answer for the sorrow caused by this pandemic.
           But this I do know--God is sovereign, in complete control, perfectly good, completely wise, and infinitely loving. And somehow, someway, He is going to use all of this for our greater good and for His glory. He will use what the enemy wants to use to steal, kill and destroy and instead bring out of it life more abundant. (John 10:10).
            And so today, I choose to remember that even with this terrible virus, God is giving us some gifts, all sorts of unexpected gifts. For many of us--
         The gift of time to ponder, to read, to study God's Word, to get outside into God's magnificent creation.
         The gift of unexpected time with family to talk, to walk, to laugh, to share meals together, to ask questions and really listen to the answers.
         The gift of savoring the beauty of nature. I don't think I've ever appreciated the happy pinks of the dogwood blossoms or the scarlet red of the cardinals or the smell of fresh cut grass more than I have in recent weeks. Somehow this crisis has birthed a new appreciation, a renewed sensitivity to the astounding wonder of the world around me. What a creation and what a Creator!
           The gift of disruption that causes us to question our constant busyness and materialism. What needs to go?  What is truly necessary?  How can we simplify?  In this forced simplicity, many of us are finding a sense of renewed peace and tranquility.
           The gift of reading or writing or gardening or cooking (I'm still working on that sourdough bread!  More on that another day!) or taking up some kind of life-giving hobby.
            And the gift of margin--most of us simply don't have anywhere to rush off to! All those meetings--cancelled. All those children's sporting events--cancelled. All those get-togethers--cancelled. All those appointments--cancelled.  Now I'm not saying that's all good. Of course not. But it does give us the gift of margin in which we can slow down, pause, breathe deeply, look around, savor, appreciate.
            So my encouragement to all of us today is to take advantage of these gifts.  Ask the Lord to show you how He wants you to grow, to learn, and to use these gifts of time, family, nature, disruption, margin. What might He be teaching us?  What new dreams might He be birthing in us?  What new visions might He be giving us?
           To help illustrate this idea, I wanted to close with a wonderful piece I heard not too long ago entitled "Welcome to Holland," by Emily Pearl Kingsley.  She wrote--
           "I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help
people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would
feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a
bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David.
The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go.
Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in
Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of
pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And
you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've
been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice
that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about
what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's
where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a
very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free
to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland."
        I don't want to miss the gifts of Holland...or time...or family...or simplicity...or disruption...or bread-baking...or anything else God has for me in this season.  Might I, might all of us, be present and awake to all the Lord is doing in this challenging season.  Might we be faithful, loving, giving, serving, listening, praying, and worshipping. For our God is worthy, and He is working, even when we cannot see it.
         To God be the glory.

Disappointment the day after...

                                Disappointment the day after...
        We just celebrated the holiest and most wondrous day of the entire year for believers--the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection and victory over sin and death.  Of course, this Easter was like none other as we are mired in a deadly, terrible pandemic. But even while desperately missing family, friends, and church fellowship,  yesterday still was a day of joyous worship and a happy respite from all that's been happening. I went to bed still basking in that glow.
          Until the day after...
          Only hours after Easter, I struggled to sleep and awoke early, bleary-eyed and jittery. Outside the heavy dark clouds glowered, the wind pummeled the trees, and soon the rain began pounding. It was if the weather reflected my anxious, antsy heart. I couldn't even put my finger on it--after focusing on Holy Week all last week and experiencing God's peace and joy despite the world's circumstances, it was if it all evaporated in an instant.
         Moreover, two of our children who are here right now and working from home, were both experiencing extremely stressful work issues today. I tiptoed around, trying not to disturb them, even as I fussed and fumed inwardly at myself for not being more productive and getting all those myriad projects done (or at least started!) that I was sure I'd get accomplished with all this "extra" time at home.
        Sigh. I don't know where on earth the days go, but let me just say, I'm terribly disappointed in myself. I've yet to spring clean my whole house...nor declutter every room and closet (oh help me, Jesus!)...nor learn to play an instrument and speak a new language...nor become an accomplished cook like Julia Child.
       I have managed to finally try (emphasis on the word "try") making sourdough starter and homemade whole wheat sourdough bread. And let me just say for the record--GOOD GRIEF!  I thought kneading dough was supposed to be relaxing and therapeutic. Nope. Maybe it would have been if I hadn't created such a colossal mess making and feeding the sourdough starter. Instead, all that went through my mind was "What on earth was I thinking of taking this on?!!"  I guess it didn't help that the final products could also be used as doorstops.  But I guess those brown bricks might prove handy in all this wind.
          It seemed like all the "What if's" and "What then's" of this virus started storming the citadel of my heart and by lunchtime today, Resurrection Sunday seemed like a million miles away. My anxious, fretting thoughts were flitting and flying about like those wind-tossed pine branches in our backyard...
          ...until the Lord, in His great grace, sent His Word to my troubled, antsy heart. "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." (Ps.62:5) 
           Such a simple word, and yet the Lord used it to immediately arrest my disobedient thoughts and anxious heart. 
          "Calm down, soul," His Word said to me. "Be still anxious thoughts. Wait on God. He's in control--not you, not the virus, not our jobs, not our to-do lists, not anything or anyone but God alone. And place your expectation and hope in Him alone--your Redeemer and Sustainer and Deliverer and Helper and Encourager and Strengthener." 
           And it occurred to me--of course the enemy would assault our hearts and minds today--the day after the most joyous celebration of the entire year for believers.  Silly, amnesiac that I am, I had forgotten that we're in the midst of spiritual war.  Yesterday marked our annual happy remembrance and celebration of Christ's victory over satan, sin and death. The enemy surely hates being reminded!
          And this world isn't a playground but a battleground where the enemy wages war against our hearts and minds as much as our bodies and lives. 
           So we should expect days like this--days of discouragement or defeat or disappointment.  And by the way, isn't it funny how often those kinds of hard, difficult days seem to immediately follow a time of great joy or victory or celebration?
           Maybe nobody else out there is experiencing disappointment "the day after" like I am, but just in case you are, let me remind you and me--we know the One who is really in control. And we know the One who has already won the war. And we know that He has promised that He's using all things for our ultimate good and His greater glory. And we know that He loves us beyond all reason, and nothing can separate us from His love. And we know that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (II Cor.4:17-18)
            And so, we can wait on Him and place our hope and expectation in Him, even as get back to work, doing all that we can, the best that we can, but doing it all for His glory and entrusting the results to Him. We won't get it all done...and that's okay, because He's already finished the ultimate work so we can look to Him and rest in Him.
            Thank You, Lord Jesus, for defeating our greatest enemies of satan, sin and death. Since You already defeated the absolute worst that we could or will ever face, we know that You will also make a way and give us the grace to deal with anything this day brings us.
             To God be the glory.