The way

Bob posts again: 'Not only is the Jesus way is a path of allegiance, it is a course of worship of Christ. Therefore you cannot bow your knee to another. It is a course of service for Christ. Therefore you cannot put your own needs first. And it is a course of giving all for Christ. Therefore you cannot keep or hold back anything for self.'

And from Michelle, about what is really important in life:

Staying - When we stay in the valley and become honest with God something remarkable happens

The last SATURDAYS post talked about God redeeming even the darkest parts of our story. I love that idea...God turning despair into hope, Night into day, dark into light. But often the idea is a lot easier than the execution. How do these dark-wait-days become redeemed? How can we practically find God in them? Have you asked these questions? I know I have!

Perhaps it begins when we stop trying to turn on the light ourselves. Of course it's only natural to look for light in dark places. When my dad got sick I wanted to find ways to alleviate the pain and shock of it all. No one with any appetite for life initially enters a difficult season by saying, "Oh yeah baby! Bring it on...the more desolate the better!" Nope... We initially want out! But skipping across the top of pain does not allow us to be present with it, which is what brings healing.

While I believe being present with pain is the best way through it, often I need to learn how to do that. In the case with my dad, the only thing I really knew was that I didn’t like it. I wanted things to go back to the way they were. I dreaded the journey ahead for him, my mom, for everybody. So, secretly in my heart, I tried to find a light switch to turn on. I wanted to illuminate this path and find something better, but there was no light switch. (Now, before anyone corrects me, don’t worry, I already know Jesus is the light of life...I don't need a reminder) Since I could not find a way to illuminate that path, I groped for a door and looked for a way out, but every door opened to the same reality. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed. But God had a plan, He still does. And one of the gifts of such sacred darkness is that there is no escape. 

To find the light of Christ we must be willing to journey the dark, solemn places of our soul that rise up and question the goodness of God. Job did that and he wasn't scolded, he was actually reminded of God. Perhaps some would say, we shouldn’t question God’s goodness, or that we should trust him more. Well, that’s a good idea and when you meet someone who has that figured out, let me know. I have tried bringing my “should” or “shouldn’t” self to God. It doesn’t work very well, because it isn’t my real-self. I don’t need God to love the person I should be, I need him to love the person I AM. Nothing discloses the real-me more than moments of desolation.

I suppose that’s why raw honesty works best...at least it does for me. In that hotel room near Stanford sometime around 3 am I could cry out, “God, I don’t like this! I’m overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment. I don’t trust you to be good right now because the pain and shock I feel eclipses much of what I’ve learned about you....or at least what I've come to believe. If you are who you say you are, please come and meet me here.” …And he did, and he brought his goodness with him. Like Job, I wasn't scolded in his presence, I was reminded.
So I asked God to open my eyes to what was real and to see His goodness in it. As I came across a garden at Stanford I was reminded there is a Gardener that grows beautiful things from dirt that holds seeds; and the soil bed of our hearts are being prepared, all the time, for sacred work and beauty. Walking through the many waiting areas God gave me eyes to see past the medicine and notice the sleepy sojourners in waiting rooms, unforgotten by the One who is high above it all. He's the one who remembers our waiting condition and keeps us present before the Father even when we can't do so ourselves (Rom 8, Isa 55:8-9). He collects our tears and carries our sorrows (Ph 56:8). He does it while we work out our disappointments with Him, with our story and with ourselves.

It takes time to make room for such soul-space. Silence and solitude are key. In them, the many screams from this crazy roller-coaster can be silenced. His still small voice finds an echo that carries its way to the canyons of our dismay. And while we wait in the basin of darkness, we learn to die. We loosen our grip on what we must have, who we must be, the things we must accomplish, and we simply begin to rest in who we are and what we’ve been given. We become present with ourselves and, if we invite him, Jesus shows up too. The sinner dines with Holiness and in the power of God’s loving presence, we are changed.

I am slowly learning to let the Light of Life love me in honest visitations. This, after all, is our inheritance. Let us receive it with…joy.

Become silent for a moment. Stay quiet long enough to notice what's rumbling in your heart and mind?
What honest plea might you have for God?
Practice trusting Him by voicing that plea before him. Set your 'should' and 'shouldn't' aside and dare to speak what rises up.
Let the Light of Life love you in the darkness and hold you present before Himself.

Hear Him say, "Oh beloved, show me your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is sweet and your face is lovely. There's nothing in your story that I have not seen and remembered."

Reflections

Facebook is a bad, yet fascinating, habit. It's great for news of friends...or acquaintances, rather.  It's also GREAT for drawing my attention to topical items. Sometimes I cry. Often I pray. Usually, at some point, I smile or even giggle.

I pray for Syrian refugees when I see the work that our dear friends' daughter has done, rescuing people from the sea as they arrive on a tiny Greek island. Or when I see other friends posting about Europe's reluctance to take in the homeless and the stranger.

I ponder as I read many, many thoughtful posts from Christian writers. Thank you, Proverbs 31 Ministries. Thank you, Bob.

And it was today that Bob's words rang most true, among the encouragement to godly living, the inspiration to begin each day afresh in loving God and others.

Bob talks about the grieving he is going through after his wife, Lyn's, death from from cancer. He quotes a story from a missionary to India, Paul Hiebert: "Yellayya, a village elder who had come to faith in Jesus, came to Mr Hiebert to report that children were dying in his village from smallpox. The elder said that the other elders in desperation had sent for a diviner who told them that the goddess of smallpox was angry. To satisfy this goddess and stop the plague, the village would have to perform the water buffalo sacrifice. Further, every family in the village would need to contribute toward the purchase of the buffalo. The Christians refused to do this. After much pressure however, many Christians were about to concede, planning to tell God they did not mean it. But Yellayya refused to let them contribute. However, now one of the Christian girls had come down with smallpox. Yellayya came to Mr Hiebert to ask him to pray for healing of the girl.
The missionary wrestled with this because, being from the West where we do not really deal with this realm of spirits and healings very skillfully, he was not trained nor experienced in this kind of prayer. (btw, you may be able to find this article online, "The Flaw of the Excluded Middle." The article counsels a balance avoiding either extreme of secularism or Christian animism.)
Anyway, Mr. Hiebert joined in a prayer meeting for the sick child.
(Still with me?.....)
A week later, Yellayya returned to say that the child had died. Hiebert felt thoroughly defeated, "Who was I to be a missionary if I could not pray for healing and receive a positive answer?" But a few weeks later Yellayya came again with a sense of triumph. Hiebert asked how he could be so happy. The elder replied, "The village would have acknowledged the power of our God had he healed the child, but they knew in the end she would have to die. When they saw in the funeral our hope of resurrection and reunion in heaven, they saw an even greater victory--over death itself--and they have begun to ask about the Christian way."

Glory! For me the capstone is Hieberts comment: "I began to realize in a new way that true answers to prayer are those that bring the greatest glory to God, not those that satisfy my immediate desires. It is all too easy to make Christianity a new magic in which we as gods can make God do our bidding."

We prayed fervently for Lyn to be healed from acute leukemia in 2000, and God chose to overcome the power of that illness. To God be the glory! In 2015 we prayed fervently for Lyn to be healed from esophageal cancer, and God chose to display our victory through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has loved Lyn so much -- and trusted you and me so much -- that He has chosen to display an even greater glory than healing. He has shown, through your faith and mine, that Jesus has defeated death through His resurrection. And that is the greater glory, and for that I am glad! Even as I weep now, I am profoundly joyful. Thank you for journeying with us. May your hope be renewed as you reflect on the powerful witness of Lyn Perrin Rasmussen."

True answers to prayer are those that bring the GREATEST glory to God. And, sometimes, that glory is to show our faith in Jesus.

I ponder these words as I negotiate the tricky minefield of relationships at work, as I seek to live humbly, love mercy and do justly. Often, in teaching, I err on the 'justly', seeking 'justice' for the children I teach, trying to show them the right way to behave. Often, I feel as if I am light on mercy and love. Often, I am tempted to first defend my corner when challenged, rather than taking the humble path and admit that I could be wrong.

So I will aim, again as I begin a new day, to focus on God's glory.

Suffering

Wonderful post on suffering here.

On truth.

On "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead (2 Cor 1:8,9,)

On expectation. And waiting.

http://natepyle.com

And Bob reposts this from Christianity Today:

"But the real question is why not me? God had never promised that I would sidestep suffering, that my wife would forever remain healthy, or that I would succeed as a pastor. In fact, Jesus repeatedly calls upon the disciples to count the cost of following him, to recognize that they will be hated by others, to bear crosses, and even die to self. Moreover, many others have lived far better lives than I and have still experienced tremendous difficulty. Just ask Jesus, or the apostle Paul, or Corrie ten Boom, or Martin Luther King Jr. If such faithful servants of Christ could suffer so profoundly, why not me? "

Worth reading the whole article.

Keeping our eyes on The Main Thing

Privileged to be part of some wonderful answers to prayer recently, privileged to be praying with some awe-inspiring people, seeing God working in lives here on earth.

And still: our friend Bob says:
"This reminded me of something God taught us 14 years ago during leukemia: We don’t listen to any other percentages that 100%:
• 100% God can heal no matter what the prognosis.
• 100% we go to heaven when God says no matter how healthy we are
• 100% surrendered to God
• Now I have another, 100% in the charity of God!

When they buried the blind preacher, George Matheson, his grave was lined with red roses. I think perhaps it comes from the lyrics in this hymn:

1. O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2. O Light that followest all my way
I yield my flickering torch to Thee,
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

4. O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee,
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be."

Sunday. Worship.

Appropriate that I should read this post "Worship on a bad day"  from John Piper's 'Desiring God' website, which Bob (Rasmussen) put onto facebook this morning, Sunday. It reminds of how we approach our 'day' - our life - differently when we know the amazing ending that is in store for us.

I have been practising - trying to practise - an 'attitude of gratitude' for some time now. Focusing on what I can be thankful, noticing goodness and beauty in the minutiae of life and jotting it down in a rather ostentatious, gold coloured, handmade paper notebook, tied up with gold cord.
Thanks to the inspiration of Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts.

Now, having an attitude which reminds of the Creator AND His son, Jesus, helps me keep my focus on where it really matters. Appreciating the good gifts here and now while keeping my gaze on the eternal future.

Quite inspirational.

Responding gracefully...

Bob says: Words that edify

Scripture: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 5:29)

Word of Expectation: It is likely that something will happen to you this week that you don’t like. Perhaps a decision will not be in your favor, or someone will speak unkindly to you. Maybe you will get frustrated by a lousy driver, a long delay, a computer problem, or a political development you dislike. A family member or friend may let you down. All of these are opportunities to stop and first consider your response. Rather than react with words that hurt, instead act in a way that honors Christ. That is, speak words that edify, i.e. that build others up. Choose to use words that convey grace rather than criticism. Try to make your words easy for others to joyfully receive.

Prayer: Dear Father, make me more aware of my word choice today. As I have received grace from You for my many faults, help me to give grace to everyone who comes across my path. Amen.And I note: Yes. I try to do this all the time but only manage it in the grace of God. It is more difficult to do than it seems: for me, at least, it involves swallowing the hurt etc. I need to make sure I deal with it - straight away, or later.

And I note: Yes. I try to do this all the time but only manage it in the grace of God. It is more difficult to do than it seems: for me, at least, it involves swallowing the hurt etc. I need to make sure I deal with it - straight away, or later.

Expectation

A new year.

I think after Christmas we often experience a slump, a sense of disappointment that the fun and light and sense of warmth and hope seems to have faded. We are still in the grip of winter and, indeed, the worst of the weather is still to come.

But we do not have to stay in the doldrums. God has given us His son and He has given us life, and the new year can be a chance take stock. We have hope in Jesus: the Bible says that “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed” (Romans 4:12) and Romans 5:2 “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:4-6 says that “character (produces) hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” while Romans 8:23-25 says “...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

But what is the difference between hope and expectation?

I joined a facebook group initiated by a pastor friend in US, named 42 days of expectation. It has been quite inspiring, especially over the Christmas period. (Sharing some of the contributions)

Expectation is watching for God to act:

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28 – 32)

Simeon saw not just a baby; he saw who the baby truly was and would become: a man of God who would bring peace between all men and God. Simeon’s years of faithful prayer and devotion to God had resulted in a deep-held conviction that he would see the Messiah, the king who God had promised would come to save Israel. Perhaps Simeon was surprised to find himself declaring that this was not only Israel’s saviour, but would bring the light of understanding to non-Jews as well.

We, too, often pray with firmly held beliefs in God’s power and promises, often with specific requests and answers in mind. Sometimes we may even have a deep knowledge of how God is going to answer our prayers. Most importantly, let us follow Simeon’s example, learning to look at God and see Him for who He is, with a sense of expectation in our hearts.

Expectation is setting our hearts on the right things. What have we set out hearts on having or doing?

Bob says: Scripture: “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21)

Word of Expectation: Your heart is the most important thing about you. It’s the real you, the life granted by God (in His image), destined to live eternally. Your heart has the capacity to hold onto things with affection. Right now, your heart has attached itself to a “treasure.” Jesus counsels us to place eternal valuables in your heart today.

As you spend this day, try to be aware of what you are treasuring. Try this question: What people or things do my thoughts drift toward without conscious effort? (Is it using up more heart-space than I give God?)

God’s Spirit knows our hearts better than we do. Jeremiah says (17:9 – 10) "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

We can ask Him to show us what we are treasuring, with open hearts – because, if you are at all like me, I often don’t want to hear it. But we do want HIM to be our greatest valuable and not chase after fool’s gold. Let us be open to Him so that he may purify our hearts.

This is a risky prayer. Purification may come through humiliation; disappointment; illness. Life’s difficulties and tragedies demand a reorientation of our hearts, seeking God with the right attitude.

Has anyone experienced this? It is often easier to see how others have become refined in the fire than it is to see it in ourselves, but sometimes we do.

Expectation is being thankful...for who God is and what He does. Do we realise how much we have to be thankful for?

Mary was highly favoured with a special calling to give birth to the Messiah. But God shows each of us favour every day and every hour. Yet so much of the time we are not aware of all the ways God is showing us favour. Is your heart beating right now? That’s God’s favour. Take a slow, deep breath. That’s God’s favour. Do you have something to eat today? A place to sleep tonight? Do you have family who love you? A place to fellowship with other believers? That’s God’s favour. And think of the spiritual favour you have received in Jesus. Salvation by grace through faith. The gift of eternal life. Forgiveness of your sins. Each day a new beginning. You and I are favoured.

Praise God

When you work in the 'world' as many of us do, people aren't always nice, circumstances don't cater to how you think they should be, people get hurt or offended, wrongs are done.

But we CAN choose to thank and praise God and expect His joy to radiate from us even when the chips are down, no matter what. We can expect those around us to see His joy and peace that can only come from knowing Him --that sets us apart! We can pray, praise and experience His presence.

So let us look forward this year with EXPECTANT hearts, looking for God to do a new thing:

“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me. Isaiah 42:18 – 21

And so we pray: Lord Jesus, open our eyes and hearts to truly see you in all your glory. To see you when our eyes have no hope in them and our hearts are hurting; to see you when life is good and we are happy. Keep us looking, Lord. Amen

Advent.Interlude

Seeking true meaning
I am enthralled
by others' words.

Bob's "42 Days 
of Expectation"
offers such nuggets.

Day One: Jesus is alive and active every day. He is always intervening in our lives through the Holy Spirit. He provides and protects in ways we sometimes fail to notice. Our desire in these days of journeying together is to heighten our awareness and stay alert to what He is doing. We want God to be pleased by our attentiveness to His kindness. Let’s stay awake and watch!

And so, my hope is to see God's glory in my life.

Day Two: “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Prov. 22:4)
God calls us to keep our focus on Him. Walking humbly with God is always appropriate for any season. The people in our lives are a priority worthy of our time. Listening to God and to others is the best gift we can give.
Our prayer is to stay mindful of His presence. May we not be tempted by any plan or purchase which would dethrone Him. 

Hebrews 12:2 - my 'go to' verse: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...

Day Four: Dec 13, Meeting God in solitude
Scripture: “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk. 2:19).
Joseph and Mary were in the middle of the greatest and toughest transition in their lives. Think of it: A visitation from an angel. A prophecy of a virgin birth. Arduous journey while pregnant. Humbling accommodations in unfamiliar village, with exuberant visitor-shepherds! To Mary, the way to cope with it all was to meet with God privately in her own soul. All she could do was mull over all this chaos with the God who asked her to take this journey. And for us, the best or only place we can encounter God is in the solitude of our heart. Find some time today to ponder the path God’s will has led you on. As you still your thoughts, let the Spirit of God remind you of your calling.
Prayer: God, though the world around me is confusing and changing, and though I do not understand what You are doing, I cling to You today. Let my heart be still, for You are my God. Amen.

What a timely post! In transition - and this again one of those times - I look back on how God has brought me through difficulties in the past, remembering that, however uncertain things might appear, God loves me and has good plans and purposes for my life.

Day Five: "You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7)
God is a safe place in difficult times. This is not limited to physical safety but includes the emotional and spiritual arenas as well. Have you considered lately that the One proclaimed ¨Wonderful Counselor¨ is the safest place in the world to pour out all your stuff? He can take it all – unedited, unrehearsed and raw. But what also makes Him a Wonderful Counselor is that He is also in the business of deliverance. However, we must get ready to pay attention because His idea of deliverance can look very differently than ours! We are generally anxious ¨to get it over with¨. We would love Him to rush in with strength and a sword and cut our troubles away! It may seem strange to you that one of His tools of deliverance could be the beauty of songs. Yet God knows there is an important process to be journeyed through that must be gently sung over and not quickly cut off.
Be listening expectantly these days for His songs of deliverance over different areas of your life. This Scripture proclaims that they surround you. He will sing songs that are perfectly suited for you and your situation. These songs deliver your very soul. Listen for them.
Written by: Pam Sider of OC International, Spain. Follow Pam at: http://www.alifeofinterest/[dot]com

Day Six: “ 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” (Romans 5:4-6, ESV).
... in the midst of this season of expectancy, as we celebrate the coming of Jesus, we often forget that sweet and gentle whisper that God sings to us in our ears when our world is filled with so much noise and distraction- “I love you”. Out of God's mouth speaks those precious three words. We hear that God loves us so often, that we forget that simple truth. The New Living Translation writes, “For we know how dearly God loves us” and thus hope does not disappoint us and we can rejoice in the midst of our problems and difficulties.