Flee~Five Minute Friday

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“We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.” Hebrews 12:2a (CEV)

Looking Back

Many years ago, when I was a teenager on vacation I had the opportunity to ride in a taxi that just happened to be a station wagon. Maybe you remember the kind? It was the one where the very back seat faced looking out the rear window and that is exactly where I ended up sitting. While there was some entertainment in staring at the people in the cars behind you, I must say that looking back mostly made me feel woozy making the ride feel like it took forever.

Today, I relish my memories, photos, and keepsakes of the past but if I’m being honest with you, there are times when looking back now makes me feel sick too…that’s when I’m staring myself in the face, recalling all the times I’ve fallen short and ended up sitting in sin. Why is it that those are the ones that travel with us wherever we go?

I’ve been thinking about Lot’s wife. Sin had overtaken the place where Lot and his family lived so grievously that God couldn’t even find ten righteous people to warrant saving the city so He sent angels to help Lot and his family escape the destruction.

“With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.’
When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!’…But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Genesis 19:15-17,26 (NIV)

“Flee.” “Don’t look back.”

Sounds like simple instructions, but of course, Lot’s wife chose to look back upon the sinful place behind her anyway and she immediately became fixed in that very place as a block of salt. I can sure relate. Maybe you can too. We choose to return to our past sins and often end up frozen in place, forgetting that God is so merciful to us that He sacrificed Jesus.

We’re reminded of His immense mercy throughout the Bible, but think about when Jesus encounters an adulteress who the Pharisees wanted to use to trap Jesus, however He turns the table on them and encourages the one who has no sin to throw the first stone. After they’ve all walked away, the woman is left alone with Jesus.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:11b

“Go now,” flee. “Leave your life of sin,” don’t look back. 

“Then he adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’
And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place
by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain
that is, His body and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:17-23 (NIV)

“Sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary,” flee from your old ways. “Our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience,” so don’t look back.

You know? I’ve heard those backward facing seats have since been called the “death seat,” and so they no longer make them. I can see why. It’s a good thing that no one has to sit looking backward anymore. I’m learning that the same is true for our travels through life. As Christians, do we continue to sin even though we try not to? Of course. But, do we have to relive them over and over? No! Jesus sat in the “death seat” for each one of us and because of that, God remembers our failures “no more.” 

The condemned woman experienced Jesus’ loving forgiveness and he told her, as the angels told Lot and his family, and as He tells us through His sacrifice, flee beloved; and Don’t. Look. Back.

Joining this week with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write with the prompt “flee” in mind.

Two~Five Minute Friday

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“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Two or Three or Sixteen

The room set up like this stirs up a myriad of emotions. It excites me, gives me hope, makes me nervous, and reminds me once again how vulnerable I can feel. It’s around these tables where for the last six weeks I’ve gathered with 15 other women to study God’s Word. It’s something I love to do and think is so important. So why the emotional whirlwind? 

“Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.”
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NLT)

Trying to live a life following Jesus can feel lonely. That’s why being with other Christians is vital and why I look forward to being together in study. At the same time, my old habit of perfectionism and those insecurities I seem to carry around as burdens also kick in whenever I think about opening up about my faith challenges with others. What if I don’t have anything to offer that will “strengthen” them all?

“For where two or three gather together as my followers,
 I am there among you.”
Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

As usual, my thoughts are not His thoughts and my ways are not His ways. I forget that it’s not about me but IS about God.  He leads us through His Word and the words He’s given those we study. He leads us through the experiences we’ve had in our walk with Him and then can share with one another. Every week I’ve been reminded that God has brought this particular group together at this particular time because He has something important to teach us individually and collectively, using the unique perspectives we each bring to the table that help make His Word come to life. And guess what?

“So encourage each other and build each other up,
just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

Sharing those burdens we carry that the devil likes to use to isolate us and being vulnerable? Turns out God can use those too. Opening up in a trusted group is truly balm for our souls. We find out there are others who feel the same myriad of emotions, face the same weaknesses and challenges, and wonder too, if they have anything to offer. Vulnerability is exactly where God works. Our feebleness is where His strength shines through. And when 2, or 3, or 16 get together? Well, we are exactly where we’re supposed to be!

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,
but encourage one another, especially now that the day of
his return is drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Joining with others to write to the challenging prompt, “Two” this week. To read what they came up with, click over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

Youth~Five Minute Friday

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“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” Psalm 92:14 (NIV)

Yesterday was “Grandparents Day.” I thought a lot about mine throughout the day and have concluded, not for the first time, that where my grandparents are concerned, I wish as a youth I’d known then, what I do now. 

There was so much I enjoyed about visiting my Grandmas and Grandpas. I cling to those wonderful memories. But, listening to all the stories from the “olden days” and their lives then they loved to share with me when I was younger, was not among my favorite things. 

Yes, I’d sit dutifully and appear to listen, but my mind’s eye was rolling and I’d only partially pay attention telling myself that I’d heard them all before. And their advice? It didn’t seem they could possibly know about my life. Oh, how sorry I am all these years later!

I can’t count the times I’ve wished I could sit down and talk something through with my Grandma to get her perspective and guidance. Or ask my Grandpa to tell me again about his experiences as a teacher in a one room school house or to explain more about how our family tree all fits together (which was something he loved to do.) A treasured recipe, where a certain photo of us was taken, curiosity about what they’d think about the happenings in our crazy world and so much more to wonder about. Sadly, like many of us I suspect, I’ve missed out on receiving rich wisdom that was generously offered to me but unfortunately I didn’t recognize then, its importance in my life.

Guess what? As a child of God, I’ve been guilty of having the exact same reaction to His Life story. When it comes to the Bible there’ve been times when I’ve only partially paid attention because I’d heard all those familiar accounts many times before. There have been periods in my own life when I’ve even questioned what the verses could possibly have to offer about what I was going through. Just like with my Grandparents, I’ve lost out because I have not spent more time listening and learning. You too? For us, God also generously offers us His priceless wisdom and yet, we don’t always recognize how vital it is to living our very best life.

Thankfully, it’s not too late to learn from our mistakes. When we need perspective and guidance, we can go to His Word. If we want to learn from past experiences? We can read about the people who actually walked and talked with Jesus. Need a recipe for good living, to relive an important event, or wonder what in the world God would have us do in the midst of this crazy world? It’s all at our fingertips and even better, as we spend important time taking it all in, it’s being written our my hearts.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Now as a grandparent myself, I find that I enjoy telling stories from my past with my young grandsons; but I desire even more to give them hope so it’s important is that they see me immersed in all the Bible has to offer and also, that I not only share those ancient but not outdated Words with the boys, but that they see me living them, too. And one day, I pray they’ll share that with others.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
Psalm 71:18 (NIV)

 

Joining with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing to the prompt, “Youth.” Click over to read more!

 

 

Usually~Five Minute Friday

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“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Recently, I visited my mom in Michigan. One evening as I sat at the kitchen table looking out the window, I had to do a double take. And even after that second glance my mind tried to convince me I wasn’t seeing what I thought I was. Featherless, blueish head. Round body with skinny legs and a full tail with the ability to fan out. You don’t usually expect to see a wild turkey in the middle of town but the evidence was there. It took me a bit to grasp what was within sight, but sure enough, a turkey family was meandering through the neighborhood headed our way.

As I think back on this, it reminds me of the disciples traveling in a boat across a stormy lake. 

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that the disciples get back into the boat
 and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, the were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, ‘It’s a ghost!’ But Jesus spoke to them at once.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage. I am here!’”
Matthew 14:22, 24-27 (NLT)

So, like me, the disciples could see something in the distance that caused them to do a double take and their minds tried to convince them they weren’t seeing what they thought they were. Because let’s face it, we don’t usually expect to see a Man walking on top of the water! And in a storm yet! The evidence was there, however they couldn’t wrap their minds around what was within their sight. Then Peter recognized Who was walking their way. Let’s hop back in the boat for a moment….

“Then Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. Why did you doubt me?’ When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him.
‘You really are the Son of God!’ they exclaimed.”
Matthew 14:28-32 (NLT)

Listen to how The Message described what happened to Peter:

“Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him.
‘O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth
between following Me and heeding fear:’”
Matthew 14:31(The Message)

Yikes! I don’t know about you, but I’ve done that dance many times. I’m pretty much an expert at it….and that’s not a good thing. Jesus is with us in our storms too. The problem can be though, we’re just too busy trying to figure out what to do on our own that we usually don’t see Him standing right there waiting for us to look to Him. And sure enough, when we recognize that He is Who He is, the waters don’t seem as rough as they had been.

No, we don’t usually expect to see turkeys in the middle of a college town and it was obvious those turkeys didn’t expect someone to be watching them; because once they spotted me standing in my mom’s kitchen window they scurried off in every direction looking for escape. I’m afraid that I have some of that turkey behavior in me, too. AND, I can also relate to the disciples in the boat. Maybe you can too. What’s the common denominator? Fear. I want to be more like the Peter who was willing to step out of the boat with his eyes set on Jesus, but far too often I’m more like sinking Peter. Remember the question Jesus asked in the Message translation? Why doubt and dance back and forth between Me and fear? I don’t know about you, but I do get so tired of doing that “Turkey Trot.”

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather,
 we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18

There are many times when we just can’t wrap our minds around what we see in this world. But what I’m learning is that, as we “fix our gaze” on the unseen One who is with us through every stormy (and sunny) day and who will never leave us, our “little faith” begins to grow. The evidence will be there….love, grace, forgiveness, peace, strength, and so much more. Our fears will become dimmer as we put our trust in what we see with our hearts instead of our eyes, living lives with a future with Jesus, clearly in our sights.

Defeat~Five Minute Friday

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“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he care about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

I was determined not to let defeat come out the winner this time…..

Our grandsons are growing up before my eyes and with that in mind, I decided to do a guest room make-over. I always want them to be as comfortable as they can be while they’re here so this time it meant taking the double bed out and putting in two twin beds for them to sleep in. 

Now I’m not a particularly handy gal. Patience is also not one of my strong traits so usually I might start a project and then get frustrated and easily give up, throw in the towel, and like I said above, let defeat win. But not this time! As I sat surrounded by the many pieces it was going to take to put the beds together, I was intent on seeing this job through.

And so, I lugged and tugged, fastened and tightened, lifted and shifted until….ta-da….I had one bed put together! I can’t tell you how proud I was of myself and I couldn’t wait to show my husband! I am embarrassed to tell you that when I finished I found myself laid out flat, collapsed on the floor with sweat dripping down my face. It was then, that I sheepishly decided to put the second bed together the next day. 

Once I recovered a bit from my “strenuous” undertaking I excitedly sat down on the new addition to the room. That excitement was replaced with dismay when I realized the bed was a little more wibbly-wobbly than it should have been. I’d tried my best to get all the screws tightened, but alas my own strength wasn’t enough to get the job done. Thankfully, my husband came to my rescue and solved the problem I couldn’t. And when he offered to put the second bed together for me? I was glad to accept his help.

I wonder how many times I’ve done this very thing in my spiritual life? Found myself in the midst of a problem, my life in pieces before me and was determined to not let it defeat me, intent on solving the matter all by myself. Can you relate?

We know how that turns out, don’t we? My solutions can leave me wavering, unsure what to do, and so exhausting all my energy, I usually find myself down and out. Despite how hard I try, my own strength just isn’t enough.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Put My yoke upon your shoulders-it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Voice)

When my better half walked into the guest room, picked up the tool, and offered to help complete the job, I was relieved. He didn’t leave me on my own to figure it out nor did he point out what I’d done wrong. He simply offered to share in the work and enable me to depend on his support to get the job done.

I’m reminded that it’s the same with Jesus. When we fail in our own attempts and finally take our problems to Him, He doesn’t say, “You’ve made your wobbly bed now lay in it.” No, He instead invites us to join with Him, to share our load, and accept His support with the promise of rest in Him as we work together. 

And here’s the part I really need to remember, maybe you do too. When we find ourselves looking at all the pieces of a situation spread out before us, not knowing how or if they will ever get put together the way they’re supposed to, and when we’ve done all we can on our own, Jesus is waiting. 

I’m learning that our own efforts serve to prove our weakness, so I’m asking myself and you, are we yoked with the One who offers to share all our burdens?  If not we need to be, as it’s only through HIS strength that our life can truly be secure. 

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Joining in at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt, Defeat this week. Click over to read more!

Rewind~Five Minute Friday

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“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24(NLT)

Peas and Jesus

I must admit I’ve never imagined writing these words but here we go: I’ve spent the day walking around with “peas in my pants.” Yes, you read that correctly, peas in my pants. 

I awoke morning before last and when I tried to get out of bed, pain seized me with a tight grip in my low back. I laid there for a few moments trying to catch my breath and then very gingerly eventually made it up. And now, I’ve had a “hitch in my giddy-up” ever since. Thus, the bag of frozen peas stuffed in the waistband of my pants that I’ve alternated with the heating pad hoping for relief.

Here’s the thing, when I rewind my day to before the pain started I can’t find one thing I did that should have resulted in this discomfort I’m experiencing. Sweeping the floor? Watering the flowers? Surely not! The truth is though, more and more I’m finding that these days it just doesn’t take much to put my back out of alignment. One of my praying friends said teasingly that she’d ask the Lord to straighten me out. In reality that’s exactly what I need but and not just for my spine I’m afraid.

Unfortunately, as I think back it hasn’t taken much to find myself misaligned in my relationship with God either. Maybe you know this kind of pain, too. iPad before Bible. Sleep before prayer. Comfort zone before service. Complaints before praise. My list could go on and it makes me pretty uncomfortable. You too? I’m afraid a bag of frozen peas doesn’t help us in this misery does it? Thankfully though, there is a Remedy….grace.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

We don’t have to “hope” for spiritual relief; it’s offered to us abundantly through Jesus. Will it come over night? Like my back, it’s not a quick fix, but just as I am regularly doing stretches to help strengthen those weak muscles, we must exercise our faith daily, depending on God’s strength to “straighten us out” over time. It takes patience for both. There’ll be good days and bad days but peas and Jesus will help eventually get me where I need to be. And friends, Jesus will get you there too!

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.”
Philippians 3:12-14

This post was inspired by the prompt “Rewind” over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Click over to read more offerings.

Through~Five Minute Friday

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“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Through Him Not Me

She made many trips. I watched her fly back and forth, back and forth, bringing insects to her hungry brood. It sure brought new meaning to “carry-in supper.” And let me tell you, that crew of baby birds made quick work of their helping and then immediately began begging for more. So off she went again and again. 

“A mother’s work is never done” goes the saying and when I looked up to capture this photo I think momma bird was realizing it’s true. There she sat surrounded by little gaping mouths with her beak open too as if to say she’s through with it all and ready for someone to feed her instead.

Don’t we all get to that point sometimes? Whether it’s parenting, a relationship, our jobs, that prayer that hasn’t been answered, the dream that hasn’t come true, or a myriad of other things. There comes a time when we feel we just can’t work at it anymore. With hands raised in surrender (or beaks wide open) we proclaim, “enough, I’m through, finis, done, I. Give. Up.” It’s the place where we long for someone else to step in.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve waved the white flag in all those situations I’ve mentioned above at one time or another in my life. Some, more than once. But here’s the thing I’ve realized: when I’ve been flying here and there trying to get it all done, going back and forth, over and over in an attempt to fix, achieve, or receive it, or felt like I was failing because I couldn’t be enough, do enough, or bring enough to the table…truthfully, it IS because I’m usually trying to do it all.. on.. my.. own. 

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. The will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)

God’s work is never done with me, or any of us maybe, but the words, “those who trust in the LORD” jumped off the screen as I typed them. It doesn’t say you can earn strength by your efforts or you will soar because you try hard (things I have believed), but rather because God, the Creator of everything provides for me and you too when we put our trust in Him. His timing. His outcome. His strength.

God had given that momma robin everything she needed to care for her young and guess what? He does the same for us. The difference is, He’s given her the instinct but offers you and me a choice. Will we (I) continue to frantically feed our self-reliance which leaves us begging for more or are we through with that? If you’re like me you HAVE heard and now is the time to understand that the only way to run, walk, “fly”, or even take one step in this crazy world is to chose to trust in the One who gives us through His power, all the strength we ever need. 

**Note to self (maybe you need this reminder too): Instead of in defeat, raise your hands in in praise and repeat this truth:

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

Someday~Five Minute Friday

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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Someday

I always thought that someday your heart would be full of regret for all you’ve missed
and you’d tell us how sorry you are.

There was hope that a time would come when instead of calling us together to shatter our lives
you’d let us know how proud you are of the ways we’ve put them back together.

Often, I’ve wondered if you wished that you’d done things differently
and have waited to hear that you were going to try and do better.

Someday I told myself, you’d finally realize you don’t know us at all
then you’d do what it takes to change that.

But, here we are, time is a thief and has stolen your memory.

The hard truth that I think I’ve always known is…someday is never going to come…
and maybe I’m slowly learning, that’s OK.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)

Some~Five Minute Friday

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“And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Be the Somebody

There’s an old song from my younger years that had a chorus that said, “Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?” And don’t we need that? Somebody to love? That’s my challenge for us today, let’s:

Be the somebody!

After our grandson had a medical emergency and our daughter and son-in-love stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while he was hospitalized for three months, we desired to give  something back to the place that provided so much comfort and convenience for our “kids” during that time of anguish. That’s when we asked others to help us collect pop tabs which we’d learned the Ronald McDonald House uses to help pay their electric bill. 

The response has been amazing! A baggie full here. A plastic container full there. A cardboard box-full left on the porch. And three years later, they just keep coming!

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

Recently, my husband shared that he thought one of the best definitions of love he’s seen is…a pop tab. Bet you’ve never thought of love that way before! He went on to explain that “somebody” must first think about our family, next, take the action of removing the tab from the can, then be dedicated to saving them, and finally offer their gift to our family. 

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other;
let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:18 (NLT)

And that’s “the truth” we see in a simple pop tab. All it takes is somebody to love.

If you’re like me, you’ve made it a lot more complicated than that. There have been times I’ve talked myself right out of offering a gift of love to others. Oh, I convince myself there’s good reason. I don’t have enough to offer. I don’t have the time. Or the easiest of all: Somebody else will do it.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 (NLT)

True love does take thought, time, and action. They are the very things that can interfere with our own plans and agenda. But, when we lay those “things of life” down, to give to someone else? That’s when Jesus, the One who knows all about laying down life, truly shines through. 

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

We know this world is in desperate need of love. You may even be thinking of a person you know who would love, love right now. There are a few who have come to my mind. So, my challenge for today and tomorrow, and the next, stands, let’s:

Be the somebody!

Send the card, provide a meal, donate the money, send a text, order flowers, pick up the groceries, or yes, remember to pull the pop tab off the can.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35 (NLT)

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Almost ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego!'” Daniel 3:28

Almost

I live in a state with a very recognizable motto; one that I think if I start it most people can finish it. Are you ready? “Almost heaven, _________ ________________. Can’t you just hear the iconic sound of John Denver’s voice telling you so?

Yes, I live in West Virginia and I know why “almost heaven” is a fitting description. While we don’t have streets of gold, we do have Golden Trout in our rivers and streams. There aren’t angels singing, however some famous country stars have come from here. The mountains are majestic. The valleys serene. People are gracious and there’s lots of space to escape the pressures of the world. It’s just pretty divine to me and I’m thankful to call it home!

Recently, I was out of state but there was a point when it too felt like home. My husband and I were gifted with tickets to see a musical play based on the book of Daniel in the Bible. It was amazing! The actors, mobile scenery, moving music, and even live animals made for a spectacular production. Surprisingly though, it was a moment with the audience that brought a rapture I never expected.

In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego were three men who would only worship God and refused to bow down before an image of gold King Nebuchadnezzar set up. Because of this, the king became enraged and ordered the men be thrown into a blazing furnace.

“Then King Nebuchandnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’
He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ “
Daniel 3:24-25 (NIV)

After this, the king calls the three men to come out from the furnace and they do, completely unharmed. At this point in the play, the doors of the furnace opened and standing in the midst of the flames with the three men in glowing splendor was… Jesus.  The entire theater erupted! Applause, whistles, and loud cheers filled the large room! And as I joined in, tears filled my eyes while goosebumps covered my body. I can’t put into words how it felt to sit there with 1,999 other people shouting in unison, at the top of our lungs…not for a sports team…not for a pop star, but for the presence of our Savior. It was something I’ll never forget and to be honest I didn’t want to leave the new found family I’d become a part of.

Now that I’m back in West Virginia, I’ve thought a lot about my experience at the Sight and Sound Theater. It’s rare to be in such a large group engaged in the one purpose of praising Jesus. It still gives me chills and my eyes leak too. But, it’s occurred to me since then, that there will come a time when we’ll truly be Home, where together our days will be filled with more than applause.  We will be gathered in worship. Knowing this has helped me realize that during those few minutes joining with others in praise put me in a heavenly state…..well….almost!

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”
Revelation 5:11-13 (NIV)

I “almost” didn’t but then changed my mind and am joining with others writing to the prompt “Almost” over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Click over to read more!