Flag-rant

The sun was in rare form this afternoon, actually daring to show it's face upon this winter "wonderland". I curled up in my perch along side a window to soak up a few precious sun rays; outside I could see just about everything from my view. There was a school, a parking lot, a small forest of trees; I could see much of a small town. But right outside my window was a bright flagpole, brilliantly waving the stars and stripes to all who would look.
The beauty of this scene just made my heart praise God; in my praise I began to pray that God would continue to reveal His direction for my life. God sometimes has an odd way of replying to our prayers; as I looked again at the flagpole, and analogy came to mind.
The flag is strongly anchored to the pole. The pole it resides upon is actually what is continually holding that flag up, giving it support and strength. Yet the flag doesn't just hang there; it's still free enough to move where it needs to move, and to wave when the wind blows. Its brilliant colors attract the world that it's in, and not of, to show the message it stands for. The flag never compromises. When the sun is shining, the flag still waves. When the sky is crying, the flag still stands.
What would a flag for Christ look like? What implications would that hold for a believer?
1)If we lose hold of our flagpole (Christ), we fall to the ground as a battered piece of cloth. We are henceforth useless to the calling to which we have been called; we become of this world, instead of merely in it. A flag has no life outside of the pole it has been fixed to; Christ is our breath of life.
2)If we stop being sensitive to the calling of the Spirit (the wind for us flags), we instead become stagnant in our faith. The world sees a beaten piece of fabric drooping on a lonely staff, and lose interest in the message we proclaim.
3)We are always proclaiming the Gospel. A flag is woven with intent to show some message. Whether it's calling all Harley riders together, holding a vision for world peace, or declaring pride in a nation, every flag has significance. Everybody who looks at it sees that message. Our message is the Jesus is the way; our demeanor should be proclaiming that to everyone who looks at it.

Let this be your prayer:
Lord, whatever I'll be doing, wherever I'll be going, whomever I'll be with, make me like that flag.  I want to be Your flag, proclaiming Your message of peace to the whole world. I want to be fixed to You, to stand upon Your grace and strength. I want to be willing to move to wherever You lead me, sensitive to the calling of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I'm Yours.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15
For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. Psalm 48:18

Party Presence

Delane looked through the keyhole at the Larson's house. She had been invited to her welcome-to-the-neighborhood party at this address. She had prepared all day, but now as she stood at the door, no one came out to welcome her. She stood there for some time, looked through the keyhole again at the warmth inside. After a while she began to get antsy. She yelled "hello!" once or twice; eventually she even began jumping on that front porch, trying to get someones attention. Inside the Larson's, however, people were listening to some music, pulling some warm roasted food out onto the table, and having a fun time. In the corner was a stack of presents waiting for Delane's presence; yet no one knew where she was. Delane was crying out on the porch step "Can anybody hear me? I'm out here..." Yet no knock on the door rang through the air that day.
Down the street Alex was headed to his own party. His friend Jon had invited him over just a few minutes ago, yet in Alex's rush to get to the house, he hadn't listened carefully enough to the directions Jon had given him over the phone. Now, he was headed to 1121 Mayberry Lane; Jon was patiently waiting at 1121 Mayville Drive. When Alex got to the porch step he assumed was Jon's, he began impatiently pounding on the door. "I'm here! Let me in! It's cold outside!" Yet try as he might, the unoccupied house had no answer for his persistent pounding. "What kind of person would tell me to go somewhere, and not show up when I arrive? I thought I knew Jon better than this; he said to knock at the door.... well I'm here, I'm knocking. Jon, can't you hear me?"

Both these people came expectant to receive something; neither of these people did. So what went wrong?
Delane had not because she asked not. She came to the brink of what she knew, yet she never went the final step to knock on the Larson's door. Inside were wonderful things just waiting for her- if she had only asked. Instead, she gazed through the keyhole at the beautiful scene; she wanted it really badly, yet she just stood there, waiting for it to come to her. And when it didn't, she threw a pity party instead of doing what was required to enter.
Alex had a quite different experience. He was ready to do everything needed to get to that party; he stood at the door, he knocked, he pounded, and he pleaded. He was ready to do everything needed, except wait and take the time to listen. In his zeal to get to his end destination, he skipped over the part about figuring out where to go. He heard what he wanted to hear and ran with it. In the end, he received nothing but bitterness towards Jon for seemingly bringing him to a dead end, and loneliness because he had gone the wrong way.

Now, maybe you've figured it out, but these stories don't just have to do with getting to a party on time. Every day experiences directly correlate to the things of the spiritual realm. So let's review these situations once more- in our own lives.
God has a beautiful plan for our lives. He has wonderful treasures just waiting to be received; He prepares a daily meal for us without fail. He provides us with companionship and a place to rest in Him. Yet too many times, we approach His courts like Delane. We enter trepituously and tiptoe up to His door. And we sit and we sit and we sit, without ever receiving anything. Why is that? How about "you receive not because you ask not"? We know the promises that God has planned for us; oftentimes we are too busy looking through the keyhole and wondering why we are not in that room to do what is required to enter. Come before His throne with boldness- God has wondrous treasures in store for us when we walk in His will.
Others of us don't need to worry about boldly asking for our promises. We ask and we ask and we ask, yet we still don't receive anything. So where's the disconnect? Alex was too hurried and so confident that he could find his way to Jon's house, that he never waited for Jon. We need to wait upon the Lord and walk in His ways to get to where He is leading us. Don't get ahead of God; don't always assume that your way is the right way. "...neither are your ways My ways..." God lays out pretty clearly for us. We can only receive the blessings in store for us when we are following after Christ.

So what house are you at? Let's make sure to enter into His courts with praise.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Mathew 7:7-8
...yet ye have not, because ye ask not. James 4:2b
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24
Come before the throne of God with boldness, in order to obtain His mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11
Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4

Abraham's Sacrifice

A while ago I wrote about the story of Abraham and Isaac from Isaac's point of view; the view of having such submission, obedience, and trust in those placed in authority over you that you would follow that person, even if it means to lay down your life. But this time, I wanted to talk about the more traditional perspective on this story; what was Abraham thinking?
Abraham stood on the promise that he would receive a son for 25 years. That's a long time to not lose faith in the fulfillment of what God has shown you! But after Isaac was born, you could imagine the joy that Abraham felt, holding his beloved and cherished son. I'm sure he loved every moment of that boy's life, watching him and teaching him in his relationship with their Lord. I'm sure he thanked God every day for His faithfulness in providing his only son.
Yet one day, God asked for the impossible. Now this isn't exactly verbatim from the scripture, but I always picture it a little like this. "Abraham, do you love me?" "Yes Lord, you know I love you." Abraham would have earnestly answered.
"Would you give your son back to me?" And that is where the testing began. Where did Abraham's true affections lie?
Everything that happens in the Old Testament has a correlation to the New Testament, and to our lives. It's not full of old fairy tales to shake our heads in disbelief at. God still is asking for our Isaacs. Where do your affections lie?
So Abraham had the strength in God to give up his only son. He had the courage to bind up his offspring and to lie him on the altar. I'm sure it felt like he was putting most of himself on that altar as well. Yet he carried on. He raised that knife, and at that moment, he passed the test. God knew that He had Abraham's all. God spared Isaac's life because of his father's faithfulness.
So do you have Abraham's heart? Do you give your Isaac to God every day? Do you have the courage to say, "God, I love you more. You're enough for me."?
Build your life up as an altar to God. Be willing to sacrifice your Isaac, because you never want anything between you and the Lord.
Make your prayer like that of the many prayers of the men counted as faithful to God. "Lord, my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.... Strengthen the hands that hang down... Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."

Genesis 22
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41b
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Hebrews 12:12
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Mark 9:24b

Creation

Today I had the privilege to go to a conference where I live to hear Ken Ham and Dr. Jason Lisle discuss both the creation of the world and the proofs of our creator amongst an array of different topics. I was greatly blessed by the whole day, but something that stood out to me was actually something my little brother said.
During the presentations, there was a PowerPoint going in the background that often displayed cartoon creations of the topic being discussed. My little brother loved those PowerPoint's, and at one point he asked me to read to him what one of the cartoons said. "It says: God created us" I told him. He thought for a little and said, "God is creating us."
Now, I don't think he understood the profoundness of that comment; more than likely he simply misheard my muffled whisper. Yet his comment stuck with me. Not only did God create us at the very beginning, but He is still in the midst of changing us into new creations, and into the image of Christ.
A lot of times we look at situations in our life and question God's decisions. God, why? Haven't I gone through enough? Haven't I learned this lesson well enough yet? God, why do I have to wait? Why?
I have asked these questions more times than I would like to admit; many more times than I know I should have. I know I have fallen like the children of Israel, shaking their fists at God in the wilderness while He is providing their manna every morning. I may count my blessings in my life, but many times I forget to count among them the trials I face.
But the thing is, facing situations in our life where we come to the end of us and it seems all we have left is God- these are good things! It means that God hasn't given up on us. He proclaims in His word the He chastens those who He loves, and He promises to complete the good work that He has started in us. Isn't it amazing the the God of the universe takes time to notices us and give us opportunities to grow?
So even if you can't begin to imagine why God thinks you're strong enough to go through the insurmountable eminence in front of you, take the time to thank God that He is cultivating you so that you can lean on Him for your strength. Ask God to open your eyes to the areas He is changing in you.
Take time today to thank God for His work in you; both for your existence, and for His continued creation in your life.

Because the Lord disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:6a
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:8

No Jesus, No Peace...

When I was a little girl, my dad owned a silver Saab '93. On the back of this car read a bumper sticker that said "No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace". I would watch my dad pull into our garage every day, and I always saw that bumper sticker, but for the longest time I could never figure out what it meant. One day, however, it finally clicked. Jesus is our peace! After that I promised that my first bumper sticker I owned would say the same thing.
More recently this bumper came to mind in lieu of a certain situation I had not forseen coming up. I spent a day fasting and praying about what to do in the face of these circumstances, and at the end of the day, I had such a peace about the whole thing that I wondered why it even seemed like a problem in the first place. And that's when it struck me that the unique thing about the peace of Jesus Christ is that it takes no mind to the circumstances. There is a reason that people can talk about that light at the end of the tunnel; there is a reason people can be burned at the stake and never recant their faith in Christ. There is a reason there can be joy in the middle of despair, and that reason lies in the peace that passes all understanding.
Dictionary.com defines peace as "a state of tranquillity or serenity". Hindu religions are constantly seeking Nirvana, which is defined as "a state of passionless peace". Nations are thought to be successful when they are at peace, and who doesn't enjoy "peace and quiet"? The thing about peace is that it is always sought after. New methods to obtain it are always being contrived, and people go on excursions to "find themselves" or "be at peace" with themselves.
Yet the thing about Jesus is that He is our peace; His promise to give us peace never fails, for God cannot lie. If He was our peace one day, He will be our peace the next, for "I am the Lord, I change not".
And Satan hates it. He loves to pour condemnation on us; feelings of unworthiness, thoughts of doubt, and desire for temporary things flood us every day to take our mindset off of God and onto ourselves. Because once that is accomplished and we are focused on the "me", our peace is shattered. Think about the Garden of Eden; Adam and Eve had everything they wanted- they were happy and at peace with God and themselves. The first thing that Satan did to tempt Eve was to make her feel that she did not have enough. That the fruit was something she really desired; and once she started listening to him, she never got her peace back.
Our peace is not found in our possessions, our education, our careers, nor our relationships; rather it is found in the most simple, yet most complex cornerstone of our existence. It is found in the rock of Jesus Christ.
Where are you searching for your peace?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I the LORD do not change. Malachi 3:6a

Mountain Climbing

At our family meal last night, our family got into a discussion about how we treat others. The night before, a rude comment had been made about a friend of the family in regards to how she looked. As we were talking about things you should and shouldn’t say about others, we also got into the aspect of how you act around others as well.

One of my brothers mentioned how some people are just strange; you just really don’t want to be around them. I have to admit, I agreed with this statement, but then I began thinking about something else. I began to think of the person my whole school had “classified” as the “weirdo”. And while I had not ever directly been mean to this person, I admit that I had all too often purposely avoided them, or ignored them when they tried to start conversations. One thing I noticed was the look in this person’s eyes every time something like this happened. No matter how “weird” a person might be, people notice when you treat them differently, and it hurts them just as bad.

My dad piped up with an allegory about Mt. Everest. Did you know that one in ten people who attempt to climb this mountain die? You know, some people might be different because of the situations they are in and facing; even the strongest men in the world can barely hobble along when they get near to the top of the mountain. They walk in such a way, that normally, people would point and laugh. But it’s the most they can do to get to the top of their mountain. In the same way, there are people everywhere, where nobody can see the struggles their facing. How do you know that it’s all they can do to keep on going? Maybe they are just waiting, praying for a hand to reach out and help them.

And it’s true- one thing to help somebody, or to let them know you notice them, can make an impact that you can never know the outcomes of. For instance, there was a new girl at my school. She would not have been classified in the “popular” crowd; she didn’t obtain the “perfect” body or skin, and she was extremely shy. I watched her for most of the day, and from what I saw, nobody went up to say hi, or to invite her to join them. So, I went over to her and introduced myself, helped her find her classes and invited her to sit by me at lunch. I really didn’t think much more of it, because it had only taken like 5 minutes. At the end of the day, however, a teacher came up and pulled me aside. “Thank-you so much for talking to the new girl today! I asked her how her day was today, and her whole face just lit up and said, I made a friend today! That was the only thing she said about her entire day- thank-you for taking the time for her.” I was shocked. Small actions can make huge differences.

So, I want to challenge you today. What are the people that you might think are not worth a second glance? Who is it that you  just can’t seem to stand? Take a moment to see them how God sees them- as precious in His sight. Take a moment to be the person who changes their day and helps them face their mountain.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message. Galatians 2:6
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. John 7:24
When Jesus heard them, he said, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. Matthew 9:12

Sonny Weather

     Today was especially cold for the frigid Wisconsin weather that I can never seem to get used to. I was shivering inside at work, trying to move around as much as I could to warm up. Working on New Year's Day was already particularly taxing, and I was having a hard time keeping a smile on my face. Sometime throughout that morning, one of my coworkers looked outside the big panel windows and commented, "Oh look! The sun's finally coming out!"
     We hear that phrase a lot. We even hear it in songs like "The sun will come out tomorrow" or "In the morning when you wake up and the sun does not appear...". Point is, people seem to enjoy blaming the lack of light in their world on the sun.
     But, doesn't the earth revolve around the sun? Pretty sure last time I checked, it was the earth's rotation that causes our seasons and our nights and days. Pretty sure the sun never changes. Pretty sure it's the clouds and the pull of the earth that hides the sun from us.
     Isn't that just like Christ? The Son is always there. He is always shining brightly, full of warmth and light. Pretty sure He never changes. I'm positive the Son never hides.
     So what hides the light and the joy of the Lord from us on "cloudy" days? The times where life gets so wearing we just don't know how to face another day- that's what I call our spiritual nights. And, as established before, nighttime exists when the earth rotates away from the sun. When does the pull of this world hide the Son from you?
     What are the clouds that are blocking your view of the Son?
     Not every day is going to be happy go lucky; but something we can always bank on is not that "the Son will come out tomorrow", but that the Son is here. Right here and now; today, yesterday, and forever.
     The Son never changes.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it. Ezekiel 22:14
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22