Here Comes the Son

I have pinpointed one of the main sources of my great joy and optimism over these last few days.

Sunshine.

It is amazing how God can use His physical creation to remind us of Himself and bring a sense of peace and contentment to our lives.

I am grateful for the sunshine and the joy it brings. But I also have to laugh because while the sunshine brings out the best me it simultaneously makes my house look like a complete pit. Have you ever noticed this? I wake up in the morning and see the sun beaming over the trees and think to myself, "Yay!! Sunshine!!" And then I walk out to my living room and think, "Oh my word - DUST!!!"

I don't want to over-spiritualize something mundane, but isn't that true about life too? A week or so ago I blogged about coming into the light. . . I talked about how hard it is to come into the light because it reveals the darkness within us. It highlights the dust bunnies collecting in our souls.

I have been so encouraged over these last days; coming back to a place of joy and contentment right where I'm at. Joy and contentment based not on my circumstances but on my Savior, Jesus Christ. . . And the reality is that while His joy fills my heart and lights my soul it will also illuminate the dark places and reveal the dust bunnies in my own life.

Don't be afraid of the light, or the dust bunnies. The joy and freedom that comes with the light is so much greater than the dirt that it must expose.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another great day. I think I will probably be wearing ballet flats and making good use of the swiffer sweeper. . .

And maybe while I'm enjoying the vitamin D and trying to clean my house I'll be able to meditate on the true Light of the world that came down to illuminate this earth with His love, grace, mercy, and truth. . .

Here comes the sun. .. and, oh, praise God for the One True Son!!

Speak Up

I talk too much. I always have. Most of the time I talk before I think - and that, my friends, can get me in a world of trouble. I like to think out loud, though, and even though I stick my foot in my mouth on a fairly regular basis, I also have the best ideas and most inspiring revelations when I'm talking out loud.

I think that is why I like to blog. It is an opportunity to process "out loud." It has gotten more and more difficult for me to keep up with it over the last several months. . . and I miss it! I can tell that the more I blog the more I am consistently thinking and learning and growing. When I stop for a time, its like I'm on hold - waiting for life to slow down enough to afford me time to think and learn and grow. But I'm tired of waiting, and I think I need to demand it.

Because what I can say with absolute certainty is that I love Jesus more than I did 3 days ago, or 3 months ago, or 3 years ago. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is here with me; guiding me, loving me, helping me walk through each day. Even when I don't manage to wake up an hour before the kids and spend time alone reading God's Word and thinking on Him, I am leaning on Him and loving Him (though don't get me wrong - those mornings are the sweetest moments of life and I am hungry for that routine again!!).

I feel like I could spend my whole life reading my bible and I still wouldn't have skimmed the surface of the depth that is available there. And I could probably talk about what I'm learning hours each day and not run out of things to say.

Right now, in the midst of the chaos, I am learning what it means to be content; trusting in God's bigger picture and being thankful for what He has provided. He is awakening my spirit to today and I am doing my best to live it fully for Him and through Him. It has been a difficult few months, but I am awakening from my slumber and refusing to stay on hold.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:11-13

I'm talking now. And whether anyone really wants to listen or not, it means I'm thinking and learning and growing. I'm grateful for that. . . and for you.

Skate On

Well, I was going to get to bed early last night. That was, at least, the plan. And then before I made it out of the living room I heard the announcer introduce the next young woman to skate, and I suddenly found myself back on the couch. If you watched the Olympics last night, you probably know what I'm about to say. A Canadian skater by the name of Joannie Rochette took to the ice less then 48 hours after her mom's unexpected and sudden death.

My heart was breaking for her every moment that she was on that ice. I cannot begin to imagine how bittersweet it must have been to perform at the Olympics knowing that her mom was not there to see it. The miracle in it all was the Joannie Rochette skated her heart out and earned the highest score she's ever received for that program. I don't know how she did it, but I was amazed.

I found myself wondering if she's a Christian. If she was able to skate on because the strength, hope, comfort and peace that exceeds all earthly possibility was within her through Christ. I don't know, maybe not. Maybe she found the power through some other means, but in any case, it was beautiful and miraculous.

And it made me think of the Christian journey. You know, we will all face trials in our lives. It doesn't matter who we are, where we're from, or how we've lived up to this point. We live in a fallen world and so we will all have to deal with difficulty and tragedy.

The difference between us and those who do not have Jesus is this: we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead at work within us, giving us the strength and grace to go on. It doesn't make the difficulties any less difficult; it makes the journey afterwards worth living. It takes our weaknesses and makes them strengths; turns our mourning into rejoicing; fills our empty hearts and lives with meaning, purpose, and faith.

I am praying for Joannie today. Begging for her sake that she knows Jesus and can lean on Him over the coming days and weeks. No matter what happens at these Olympics she will be going home to a life forever changed. She will need something more to see her through. . . Oh, how I pray that it is Jesus!

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world. -Jesus, John 16:33

Overwhelmed!

All of us face seasons of discouragement or difficulty now and then. We cry out to God to draw near to us, to remind us of His continual presence and eternal love. There are times when God brings a quiet sense of calm and peace after a time of difficulty. . . times when we feel a small, still voice encouraging us and spurring us on. And then there are times when God steamrolls us with love and affection. Yesterday, I was steamrolled by God.

It didn't just come out of nowhere, though. It was preceded by an act of faithfulness on my part (a scary one, I'll admit). I took one small step into the light, wary of the darkness that it might expose, but willing to face whatever darkness was there. I know full well (as you all do by now) that I am not perfect. But that doesn't mean that its not painful to see my sin exposed.

Jesus taught this to a confused Jewish Pharisee in the book of John:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil
hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may
be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21

I truly believe that this is where so many of us miss out on the greatest blessings of the Christian life. We are so afraid to step into the light and let our misdeeds be exposed that we hide them in hopes of forgetting about them altogether. But when we are honest before God and others; when we are courageous enough to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly, we give God the room to transform us through His power and grace! We open the floodgates for God to reveal the depths of His love for sinners like us.

The author of my bible study on John says it like this:

Over and over, Jesus deliberately lets people misunderstand him. He has a deeper meaning he wants them to get, and their intellect isn't the key. Nicodemus is smart and educated but still confused. Even Jesus' disciples are confused. The key to understanding is openheartedness or faith, the choice for more light even when one's darkness is exposed.

I am living proof that choosing the light results in great blessing and joy! As painful as it is to allow our yuck to be exposed, the result is worth the initial pain. Yesterday I once again experienced true life in Christ; the freedom that comes from living in the light and not in the dark.

I am overwhelmed by the goodness and love of my God, and I am begging you to take that first step into the glorious light of Christ today. I know that it is scary, and I know that it might require some things to change. But that light will fill you and restore you and free you like nothing on this earth ever could.

Step into the light, let the darkness be exposed, and then run unhindered after Christ. His grace is enough and His love never ends.

Counting on God

Music is the icing on the cake of my life. Everything is better set to music. Worship is one of the most important aspects of my relationship with God. I believe that He made me this way, and that He knew from the moment He knit me together in my mom's womb that my heart would soar to music.

In every season of life there are different songs that are meaningful to me for different reasons. Sometimes I drift towards music that is more creative and folksy; focusing on the musicality, creativity, and passion of the songwriter. Other times I cling to the simplicity of repetitive pop tunes that represent the state of my heart.

Right now, I am blasting one particular song in the car every time I'm in it. It speaks so deeply to where I'm at, and while I know the chorus might drive some of you batty, its truth. Truth that I need to hear every moment of every day. Well, at least every moment of today.

Click here to listen

--Counting On God--
Desperation Band

I'm in a fight not physical
And I'm in a war
But not with this world
You are the light that's beautiful
And I want more
I want all that's Yours

Joy unspeakable that won't go away
And just enough strength
To live for today

So I never have to worry
What tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith is on solid rock
I am counting on God

The miracle of Christ in me
Is the mystery that sets me free
I'm nothing like I used to be
Open up your eyes you'll see

Prodigal Me. . . again.

I think a lot. My mind is always running around, and often my words have a hard time keeping up. I love thinking about Jesus - his life, his love, his unparalleled sacrifice. . . Sometimes, though, there are other things that consume my thoughts.

Sometimes I spend more time thinking about 'churchy stuff' than Jesus. Not that thinking about church is bad - its unavoidable, essential, and often productive when you're the pastor's wife - just that I have noticed that replacing thoughts of Jesus with thoughts of church is not a good thing.

In fact, it is a really, really bad thing. Why? Because a person can only run on fumes for so long. Talking about ministry philosophy is not the same as meditating on the life of Christ. Practicing worship music is not as fulfilling as quiet moments spent in fellowship with my Savior. Analyzing ministry issues is not as productive as going to God's word and learning how Christ dealt with the curve balls in His ministry.

If you want to know the truth of why I haven't blogged consistently in some time, here it is: I have allowed my mind and heart to become consumed with Christian stuff instead of JESUS.

Quite frankly, Christian stuff is just not as filling and inspiring and exciting. Therefore, I had nothing to write. So this morning I decided I was going to nip this little valley excursion in the butt and refocus my heart and mind back where it belongs.

Jesus.

Ahhh. Seriously, after 15 minutes of praying and reading in John I felt like a new woman. I would like to say that I will never again become so consumed with the to-dos of the Christian life that I forget the who and the why, but the reality is that I am a prodigal daughter. I will get lost in life's distractions and will need to be reminded that there is no replacement for time spent with my Sustainer. I will need you along the way to help me. . . and hopefully, in return, I can help you.

I feel full this morning. Ready to analyze ministry philosophy, practice worship music, and sort out relational issues with a renewed perspective and a satisfied soul.

Today is going to be a good day, no matter what comes. . . as long as Christ is at the center, well, bring it on.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." - Jesus, in John 15:5

Perspective for Today

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34