Lovelife

Do you remember your "Young Days" when it seemed everything was about love? I don't remember covering my math notebook or my English notebook (nor any notebook for that matter!) with my latest flames' name. I do remember writing my enamoured's name INSIDE the notebook, all over some random page. I remember dreaming about "us," even before I was allowed to date! I believed- hook, line and sinker- that being with the one I loved would create a life that was to be envied by all who knew me. Love has an amazing draw and awesome power.
I have been doing a Bible Study on the books 1,2, and 3 John entitled "What Love Is," by Kelly Minter.  While doing this study I've become intrigued by the word abide. Christ ABIDES in us. We are to ABIDE in Christ. As a cross-reference, the study directed me to take a look at chapter 15 in the Gospel of John (same author therefore same mindset). I've read the passage about Jesus being the true vine and we are the branches many times before. I could probably even do an interpretative  "artistic" yoga-type creative dance on it. (side note: I don't really 'dance.') It's a familiar passage to those of us who've been in church for awhile. lt's worthwhile to read it again:

John 15: 1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (2)Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (9)  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (10)  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (11) These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

There is ALOT of abiding in that passage! I have tended to get distracted by 1.) pruning : it sounds too painful; 2.) risk of being tossed into the fire (guilt and fear are 2 of Satan's most powerful tools!);  3.) asking for whatever I want. In being distracted, I missed the big idea -which, by the way totally defines my 3 distractions differently than at first glance. Big Idea: ABIDE.
Kelly Minter gives this definition for abide, "not to depart , to continue, to be present; to be held, kept, continually; to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure." My favorite part: to be present. I like to mentally form that to 'being in the moment with Jesus.' So take a quick look back at John 15:1-11.
* when I continue in Jesus, when I am kept in Him, when I do not depart from God, God's Ways, God's commands I get strength. I receive what is necessary to remain truly alive, spiritually and physically. I am part of a bigger whole. (v-l-4)
* when I am held by God, kept continually with Him, that's when (and only then) I can do all things. (v. 5)
* God's Word needs to be present in me in such a way that I have it continually before me and a part of me.  (v.7)
* When I am Continually present with Jesus and He is continually present, in each moment with me AND when God's words are continually held and kept in me, God will come through on what I ask. Note to self: When I am continually present with Jesus and He is continually in each moment with me AND when God's words are the very words I live and breathe, what I ask for will be all about God's glory, God's purposes, God's mission not about the latest sale at Macys. (v.7)
* I get to live in God's love: in the present, each moment, be overcome by, be held by God's love. Since I am to be able to continue in God's love, God's love must be continuous: it's not a onetime deal, it's ongoing, flowing, energizing, refreshing. (v. 9)
* I must be obedient to be able to abide. Jesus' love is endless and free, this is truth. And for me to abide absolutely, I must continually choose to be obedient to what God asks of me. (v. 10)
* Abiding, remaining continuously connected with Jesus, allowing God to prune me, not doing things my own way, asking for that which comes from this close connection to Christ fills my life with Joy. (v. 11)

Whew! That's alot! I might need a nap or a snack break! Truth be told, what I really need is just Jesus: in this moment, in each moment - continually being with Christ, God Almighty holding me and me beholding Him, never departing. He is the Love of my Life,

Doing the Tree Pose

This is the yoga "tree pose." I'm not sure why it's called a tree. I would think a tree pose would have both feet firmly rooted to the qround.  In reality, this pose looks like it should be called the flamingo pose. Trees are supposed to be strong and stable; when I attempt this pose I am definitely not feeling strong or stable. I realize the point of practicing this exercise is to generate strength and stability as one works on maintaining balance. I also realize that as one gets older, balance becomes a trickier thing - I write from experience. I don't do yoga on a regular basis, but I have attempted it often enough that I am familiar with the tree pose. Still, it is a little odd that it popped into my mind this morning as I read God's Word. God provided the perfect image for me to grasp the truth He wanted to remind my spirit .

I was reading in Acts 2 where Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11. 

"I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence."

When I read the part about God being at my right hand so that I may not be shaken I thought of the tree pose! Often when I am exercising and trying to balance I have to touch something close to me so I don't fall over. Not falling over while engaging in physical activity is a good thing. Not falling when living out the truth I learn from God's Word is a good thing as well. Jesus steadies me when I am working out His commands to me. When I am exercising my spiritual muscles, choosing to be obedient, striving to live Christlike and I am struggling to maintain the right posture, Jesus is right beside me. He is there to stabilize me, help me focus on the goal and strengthen the areas where I am weak. He enables me to do the "tree pose," because I often can't do it on my own. And then God blesses with bonuses : He makes my heart glad, He reveals reasons to praise Him and He provides hope when there doesn't seem to be any.

My heart is experiencing the peace of God's presence today as I focus on the image the Holy Spirit gave me.  Regardless of any questions, concerns or struggles I have, I know I can hold any pose Christ asks of me because He is the One beside me, holding me steady.  Jesus and I, we're rocking the tree pose.

Jesus in the Middle

I am currently working a contest in my home-based jewelry business with Premier Designs Jewelry. I am on the final stretch of a 6-month challenge and I am working to achieve half of the new jewelry line (that comes out in July) for free! I hit a point the other night when I was discouraged and the devil began to feed my fear that it just wasn't going to happen.
I need to let you know that I have accomplished 5 months of the challenge only by the grace of God - truly. When I began the month of June, and was "all-a-twitter" with fear, anticipation, hope and worry, God reminded me to just be obedient. God reminds me that often, especially since obedience is my word of the year. So I have prayed and consciously, consistently chosen to give my attitudes and thought life over to Christ.
Satan knows I want to WIN and his taunts were tempting me to look at my circumstance without the presence of God. And Jesus has been there, right in the middle of what I was experiencing →just as He has been the entire challenge. First Christ reminded my soul He is with me, He knows me and He loves me beyond what I can fathom. He gently reminded me to focus on who He is. I chose to declare 'God is good - all the time.  All the time - God is good.' Then God blessed me with two tidbits of encouragement: a positive rsvp to an event I am hosting, and a request to view my jewelry.
This morning God came to surround me with His sweet presence. In my email inbox was the verse of the day from Bible Gateway: Luke 11:13 (NCV) "Even though you are bad, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” I was reminded how much God loves to give good gifts to those of us who belong to him. Along with the verse was a link to read the entire chapter. So like one who is starving I quickly clicked on the link and stuffed my face with the Word, as I dined with Jesus.  And God satisfied as He fed my soul.
I feasted on these truths from Luke 11 :
* I need to always be focused on revering God's name as holy whatever I do (verse 2).
* I can trust God to provide what I need (verse 3).
* In the brief story Jesus gives before stating "How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” the main character is asking for help because he wants to help someone else→ I need to be about serving not just going for what I want (verses 5-13).
* If I am not focused on working with God and for His purposes I am choosing to not follow nor be obedient to Him (verses 14-23).
* If I do not fill the "empty spaces"  (whether they be from my fears, doubts, or hurts)  in my heart and mind with the wisdom, love and power of Christ, Satan will move in enforce (verses 24-26).
* I need to choose obedience, that is where true blessing is found and given (verses 27-28).
* Jesus is my miracle (verses 29-32).
* I am to be a light. A light doesn't choose to whom it offers its service, or when it serves. It just is what it is (verses 33-36).
*  I cannot honestly claim to love Jesus and follow Jesus if I am not willing to live as He directs me to live. I need to adhere to the truth He gives me. Therefore I must put into practice all the above (verses 37-54).
I do not know if I will win the challenge. Admittedly, I do still want to win. More than that though, I want to serve and reflect Jesus Christ. And He has promised me the Holy Spirit : counselor, guide, encourager, strength, wisdom, peace. I am in the last stretch, and Jesus is with me, right there in the middle of it all. To God be all the Glory.

Shopping for....

Confession time: I love to shop. It's not the actual purchasing that excites me; I get a thrill just checking out new (or new-to-me) stuff. It can be any type of item I'm browsing that brings delight : clothes, shoes, material, paper, dishes, knick-knacks, towels, furniture... my list is fairly extensive. I do have boundaries. I like shopping trailers, but not cars. I like shopping flowers, but not bushes. Office supply stores can be fun but phone stores are a snooze. Home improvement stores can be entertaining until you come to the aisles with piping or screws. I even like this shopping experience online. I admit to spending too much time scrolling through pictures of items I don't need and I know I'm not going to buy.
This morning I read in my Bible about Jesus' death and burial. I was struck by the fact that the women did not fully prepare the body for burial before the tomb was sealed because it was the Sabbath. The Jews have very distinct rules for behavior on the Sabbath. No working is allowed. I can appreciate this idea of a complete day of rest; a day where no activity invades time set apart to honor God Almighty. And yet, on this day, this particular Sabbath, this was the One they loved! They followed him, worshipped him and believed he was the long-awaited Messiah! Didn't he deserve a little breaking of a rule? Their commitment, dedication and obedience to their day-to-day faith was supreme.
Then God began to speak into my daily world. Where is my commitment, dedication and obedience to my day-today faith? If anyone were to tally my time spent on various things, he or she could draw the conclusion that my belief system revolves around "stuff" or re-runs of the TV show Psych. Ouch. I'm processing how to best re-structure my habits. I don't believe God is telling me to stop the pointless "window" shopping all together. I do sense He is calling me to a deeper level of  commitment and dedication to the One I love. Jesus IS my Messiah. He is worthy of my delight, wonder, exuberance and free time. Instead of scrolling through pictures of things: I could visit a person who needs a friend; I could make and send a card of encouragement; I could spend more time on my Sunday School lesson; I could disciple someone; I could invite a family over for dinner; I could get to know my neighbors; I could read God's Word; I could pray. My options are only limited by God's calling.
May my life be defined by obedience to Jesus Christ, declaring His mercy to others and being a praise of His glory.

A Legacy Lived: In Honor of Everett

An older gentleman I've know for 20 years passed away last week.  It surprised me because I wasn't aware of the health problems he had been experiencing.  My husband, son and I made the 6 hour drive to attend his memorial service and express our support for his precious family.  We saw many friends we had known for years who also came to express their love, and the trip quickly became a sweet gift from God.
He was a marvelous man.  He served in the military when he was younger, drove truck during the years my family lived near him, and literally could fix anything (in my mind).  He was a character and had great pet nicknames that he called everybody. I remember him calling me "Pudge."  He was happy to chat with anyone at any time. He rescued our budget several times when he repaired a car that we thought had officially died.  He loved to sing hymns, "play" his player piano and make an amazing meal in an old milk can.  Some might consider him out-of-date, or eccentric, but he was as real and as genuine as he could be.  He unashamedly remained true to his God, his country and his own quirky self.
As I listened to friends and family tell stories of this delightful man, I was challenged:
** Challenged to stand more affirmatively, more conspicuously for what I believe.  Jesus Christ died to save me and offer me forgiveness.  His grace and sacrifice gives me access to God Almighty and His throne room.  I have been given eternal life, plus joy, peace and  purpose in this life!  I never walk alone and His power enables me to live abundant life.  Why do I tend to take a step back when the topic of faith is raised among people I don't know well?  Why am I not more assertive, since I have THE answer that provides hope for all people? Why am I concerned about offending someone if I truly believe the God of the Universe is who I choose to follow and serve?
** Challenged to unashamedly be who I am.  God created me on purpose.  My quirks and idiosyncrasies are intentional. I am one of a kind and as someone else, who I can't remember, has said, I am the only me there is!  Why do I hide who I am or try to be someone else?  Why am I embarrassed at times to identify what I think, like or enjoy?  Why do I become concerned by what other people think?  I am a child of the King of Kings, His opinion is the only one that matters.
** Challenged to see the value in each person I meet.  My older friend chatted with everyone and expressed interest in who each person was, and what he or she was involved with. I am often too focused on what I want to do next to take the time to truly chat and listen to others.  Each time I've passed an opportunity to have a conversation, I've lost the chance to be taught and challenged.  I've given up a moment to create, fortify or intensify a friendship.  I have denied myself and someone else of encouragement and support.
My heart is saddened by this sweet man's passing.  And my heart is full, for I have been reminded of the amazing gifts God gives me in so many various forms.  I am challenged, and I am blessed.

Piecemeal

My husband recently refinished an old commode cabinet for me. He sanded it down, had the drawers fixed and stabilized, put in a new bottom, then painted it and added new hardware. It now sits in my newly re-decorated front room, adding personality, charm and color. As a bonus it is so very functional. He spent so much time on it, he requested I line the inside of the drawers so they wouldn't get marked or scratched. So I did. I laid down the cushy type of drawer liner material, not the stick it to the actual drawer kind. It just happened to be what I had on hand.The bottom drawer is covered in pieces of what I had left and that is the drawer that holds my Bible study book, and my current journal. I pull them out every morning , and most mornings I tend to pull out one or two pieces of the drawer liner.

This morning as I re-lined the drawer again, the Holy Spirit nudged me. "That's what happens when you piecemeal." My first thought was, "Are you talking to me about drawer liners, Lord?" even though I was sure He wasn't. "That's what happens when you piecemeal." When you try to make do; when you just offer your leftovers; when you don't do or give your best.
I then quietly asked (somewhat in hope that the Spirit wouldn't hear me), "What am I piecemealing Lord?"  God didn't give me an easy definitive answer, I'm thinking this is going to be an ongoing conversation for awhile. God evidently has some refinishing of His own to do. As I journey the process, I'm leaving my drawer liner as is. I'm praying it will remind me that I need to live all in, doing my best, giving my finest. Christ deserves more than my piecemealed leftovers.

Seeking Life

Have you ever lost something and then spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find that item? Car keys come to mind first, my dog second, and my shoes third. Those who know me well might wonder why I would ever need to search for shoes, when I can easily just choose a different pair! When my son was a toddler we "lost" him. We searched in increasing panic, and eventually found him sound asleep in our closet! My assumption is that each of us spends a distinct amount of time each week looking for something.
This morning as I read in my Bible, the book of Luke, chapter 24, I was intrigued by the phrase "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The women returned to the tomb because that's where they remembered Jesus to be. He had died on the cross, the memory of it all was still too vivid and then Jesus had been taken down from the cross, and buried in the very tomb where they now stood.
We are like those women. We expect things to remain where we put them. We anticipate that something we enjoy, we will enjoy again. We believe a process we followed that provided positive benefits or results will work again.  We believe in the consistency of the truth we've gained from the past.
Perhaps that is why the phrase grabbed me. It does seem silly to look for the living among the dead, The women did not yet understand what was really dead and what was really living. I find myself caught in that paradox as well and so the question needs to be asked periodically,  "am I seeking life amongst that which is dead?"  Am I seeking friendship (life) from someone who no longer is interested in maintaining that friendship? Am I seeking affirmation (life) from a friend or activity which really can't provide what my heart longs for? Am I searching for satisfaction (life) from an activity I once enjoyed? Am I wanting to relive the "glory days" (life) of something when I am long past that time?
How often do I seek LIFE from something other than Jesus? How much time do I invest in that which in all reality is dead?  Don't misunderstand me, working on friendships, participating in activities one enjoys or celebrating memories are not horrible evil things. Nor are they Life. Only Jesus is Life. Only Jesus is the one who will satisfy, bring joy, truly affirm and fulfill me.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have LIFE, and may have it abundantly."  -Jesus  
(John 10:10)