Worship in the Wilderness

I stumbled across something in Psalm 63 this morning that deserves a comment or two. King David wrote these verses when he was on the run from Saul. The situation was so bad that David carried his parents, the two people he loved most in the world, to the King of Moab for protection. 

Saul chased after David like a madman, because that's what he was. David was still a young man (if not a teenager) when he fled for his life to the wilderness of Judea, which may have been the northern Negev. (The photo above is from the Negev.) As you can see, it's a barren land, nothing but rock and dirt. David accurately described it as "a dry and weary land where there is no water." 

There are two things about this psalm that surprise me. First, David described his location as dry, dusty, and without water, but his thirst was not for hydration. It was for the presence of God. 

Even in the worst situations, he longed for greater intimacy with his Lord. 

Is that what we most desire when we're in a personal crisis?

King David didn't whine or complain or insist that, as the anointed king of Israel, he should have better. Instead, he described himself as satisfied and joyful "in the shadow of Thy wings." He felt covered and protected by the close presence of God, and that was enough. 

In the most dangerous situation imaginable, on the run from a crazed murderer, he rejoiced in the closeness and protection of God.

Do we feel that closeness when we're in trouble?

Second, David's response to adversity was praise, not pouting. He lifted his hands in worship to God. His lips praised Him. He didn't waste time cowering in fear. 

Even in a barren and dangerous place, he trusted God to keep him safe.

Is praise our response to adversity?

I'd like to learn from David. Instead of whining, when times are hard, I need to worship. Instead of pouting when things don't work out like I expected, I should praise God. Why? Because I want the same joy David enjoyed. I want the same closeness to God he experienced.

What about you? Are you ready for more joy? more intimacy with God? Then do what David did. Take your eyes off your circumstances, lift up your heart and your hands, and put your focus on the One who is the giver and sustainer of life.

We have a choice...wallow in misery or rejoice despite the difficulty. Which will it  be? We decide, so let's choose praise. Let's choose joy.

"So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name." Psalm 63:4 nasb

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Tarnished Bed and the Great Stripping Away Day 

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Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

The Tarnished Bed and the Great Stripping Away Day

Yesterday was a "get some things done at home" day. One of the tasks I've wanted to complete for a long time was cleaning my old brass bed. I received this bed when I graduated from high school. It was precious to me at the time, but the decades of accumulated tarnish seemed too big a task to tackle. It's been in the storage house for too long to remember.

A few days ago, I decided to move the bed back to my house, partly because Ryan's bed had gone to a new home. Like any tech-savvy senior, I Googled "how to clean brass." I was shocked when the first entry suggested tomato sauce or ketchup. The writer was a well-known home renovator, so I decided to give it a try.

Ketchup was on sale at the box store, so I bought three of the largest containers. Yesterday, I smeared ketchup on the bed, let it sit, washed it off. As you can see, the ketchup did a magical work of cleaning.

The acid in the tomatoes melts the tarnish away and leaves the beautiful metal beneath. As I watched the ugly melt away, I pondered the spiritual corollaries. 

For those who are unrepentant, despite numerous calls from God to turn from sin, there will eventually be a time of judgment that results in a stripping away of the things we hold dear. 

For the one willing to turn from sin, God doesn't use a harsh acid for stripping the stain away. Instead, he gently washes our sin away with the blood of Jesus. The once-scarlet stain becomes as white as snow and as free from stain as I hope my brass bed will be soon.

What about us? This day, let's take a serous look at our sin-stain. Are we willing to let it go? If so, let's ask our Lord to remove our stain and cleanse us with the love-laced blood of Jesus. 

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 esv

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: Doing This Day Today

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Caregiver Chronicles: Doing This Day Today

Great day Monday. Horrible day Tuesday. Better day Wednesday. I don't like roller coasters at all, and the one we've been on is hard. If you've ever been a caregiver, you know about this. Even if you've been a parent of a toddler, you know how unpredictable days can be.

Last night, I climbed into bed exhausted by the uncertainty of the day. Could we make it? That had been my question all day. 

Sam didn't feel good. He was miserable most of the day, and unusually quiet. He spent a lot of time pondering the future. He didn't want to eat. He insisted he could walk and refused help. Once, he crashed into the china cabinet because of his insistence to "do it myself." Thank God the glass didn't break. When he had to admit he needed help, it was yet another blow.

I had errands to run, so we loaded up and drove to Tupelo. Sam sat in the car while I dashed into the buildings, did my business, and dashed back out. "This is helping me," he insisted. It was a break in the monotony of his sick room.

"I just have to do today," I told myself over and over again. And I did it. One hour at a time.

Last night, I lay in bed, prayed, and thought back over the day. There had been some hard times, but, as a whole, it hadn't been a bad day. We'd taken it one moment at a time, and done it.

It's the way I write a book. I have a picture of the whole story in my head, but the writing is done one scene at a time. A situation arises, and the characters respond as the author directs. 

That's how I'm facing today. It's a "get some work done at home" day. There are goals to accomplish, but we're taking it one scene at a time. Today, when situations arise, I'll direct myself to respond in a patient and godly manner. 

I'm choosing how my part of the scene will go.

When I look at the big picture of taking care of Sam from now until his death, however far away that is, it's overwhelming. The changes it requires in my life are hard, and they aren't always enjoyable. If I look at the long run, it's too difficult, and an easier way seems very attractive.

This isn't a long run, however. It's a series of short sprints, taken one day at a time.

I don't have to worry about tomorrow, or the day after that. I don't have to fret about next week. All I have to concern myself with is today, and I can do this day, one step at a time.

I've been in hard situations before. They seemed interminable. All I could see was the long haul, and it appeared too hard to do. I wonder now if I might've had a different response and a better outcome if I'd taken those hard situations in smaller increments. Could I have found my way through in a more godly manner? 

No matter what our circumstances, no matter what problems we encounter, we don't solve them (or survive them) instantly. We do it a day, an hour, at a time. 

If you're in a hard place, take your eyes off the endpoint and put them firmly on this hour. Live it to the best of your ability. Respond to the challenges with the most godly behavior possible. Honor God in this moment, and deal with the next when it comes. 

Can we make it? Yes, we can. We're doing this day today. We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes.

"Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself..." Matthew 6:34 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: When you Have to Keep Choosing to Go the Distance

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Caregiver Chronicles: When You Have to Keep Choosing to Go the Distance

Sam felt so great on Sunday that I decided to surprise my office by joining them for prayer time at 8:30 the next morning. Monday, Sam was up early and already dressed by the time I'd sent the blog out. We made it for prayer time, and Sam joined in with a short testimony. He served at the office by puttering around in the wheelchair, carrying boxes from one office to another on the other side of the building. 

It was the best day ever.

Yesterday, though, wasn't so good. I won't go into the details, because Sam deserves some privacy, but it was horrible. The nurses were here early to help and had serious concerns about our future. It was time to think about whether Sam needed to go to a nursing home, our nurse gently suggested. 

It was that bad.

I cried buckets of tears. My friend sent her husband over to sit with us. I left him with Sam and went to the barn to work and pray. (That's a prime intercession place for me.) 

There was a part of me that thought we'd hit a place too scary to go through. I was sorely tempted to go with what she said. Even Sam said it was too much. "Put me somewhere," he suggested, but I know he didn't mean it.

It came down to this: What did God want?

He took me back to the time when I was deciding whether to join Global Outreach as a missionary or not. In case you've ever wondered, being a missionary is seriously hard. It's also gloriously wonderful. You don't get the glorious without the gut-wrenching, though, so you have to be sure it's what God wants. 

I agonized about my decision for weeks. It wasn't until God spoke in a clear way that I made my choice. The delay was frustrating to some people, but I had to be sure, because I know about hard times and the desire to walk away. 

A hard time came up right away, moments before my appointment service. If I hadn't been certain God had called me to it, I'd have walked out the door and never looked back. But I was sure, and I stayed, and I'm glad I did. 

That's where I was with Sam yesterday, at the hard moment when it's time to decide whether to persevere or make a change.

Here's what I decided:

1) God can handle any hard time I face. (Psalm 46:1)

2) Being afraid is not a reason to run. It's a reason to repent, because fear isn't from God. (2 Tim. 1;7)

3) God's grace is made perfect in my weakness, and in Sam's. (2 Cor. 12:9)

4) I have an offensive weapon, which is the word of God (the sword of the Spirit), and I know how to use it. (Ephesians 6:17)

5) 4) I'm called to be a warrior, not a quitter. I'm also called to care for Sam. (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

6) I don't have to conquer all the days of Sam's life today. All I have to do today is today. (Matthew 6:34)

7) This is the most important of all - We have a testimony to protect. We've both said God is carrying us through and, if we believe that, there's no reason to quit. (Isaiah 40:11) 

The good of Monday far outweighed the bad of Tuesday. One hard day doesn't make a life. I know that, but I forgot it for a little while yesterday.

We're pressing on, but we're to a point that's harder than ever. It requires more time, more wisdom, more care on my part. 

We'll need more prayer, too, so I'm counting on all those who've enjoyed Sam's stories over the years to pray us through. 

I write as if I am the only one in a tough place. I'm not, and I know that perfectly well. If you're going through a hard time, too, take heart. Our God has overcome this world. He is more than able to see you through. Press on. 

Here's the verse we're counting on, and it's one you can cling to, as well:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."Deuteronomy 31:6 niv

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: What Your View of God Reveals About Your Faith 

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

What Your View of God Reveals About Your Faith

Sunday, Pastor Scooter said something that's stayed with me all week. (This might not be a direct quote, but it's close.) "Your view of who God is says a lot about your faith." I'm not quite sure what this says about mine, but the first thing that popped into my head was "sweet and snuggly." 

I've wondered ever since if other people see God as sweet and snuggly, too. Do they know how kind He is in the midsts of sorrow and struggle? Do they find Him such a sweet refuge in time of trouble? As kind as He is powerful? As gentle as a lamb?

There's a passage in Ephesians 2 that sums it up pretty well. (There are a lot of words in these verses, so don't let them intimidate you. I've highlighted the part I'm writing about.)

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7 nasb

When you sort all this out, it means God wanted to use kindness to show us how much grace He has, and that's why He did all that's He's done for us. He made us alive with Christ and raised us up and will take us to heaven, all because of His love and mercy.

My view of God as sweet and snuggly doesn't rule out His justice or the fact that He's serious about sin. However, like a good Father, if we go by His rules, He's the best friend and Father ever. 

I love the way King David summed it up: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him...For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." Psalm 103:11, 14

Today, share the first words that come to mind about what God is like and, if you haven't experienced the sweet and snuggly side of God, ask Him to show Himself to you in that most intimate and personal way. 

"...so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him..." Psalm 103:1

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If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

The Freedom Day

I can't remember exactly what I said at the Whisper Gathering, but I do remember asking something like, "Do you want to hear from God this weekend?" and getting lots of yeses. 

"What is it that separates us from God?" Everyone knew the answer. Our sin.

If sin gets in between us and God, and we want to hear from Him, there's only one sensible thing to do. Get rid of it. 

I introduced the "repentance bowl", explained how it works, then invited these beautiful, wonderfully brave women to come forward and let their sin go. So they did. 

As if repentance was the easiest thing in the world, an entire roomful of women stood up, walked forward, and laid their sin down. No one held back. No one kept their sin like a prize. 

They simply looked their sin in the face, saw it wasn't working for them, and kicked it out. 

Seventy women let their mess go and chose to live big for Jesus.

These were church women. Women who live godly lives, attend church, do good. They looked clean on the outside, but, like all of us, they, too, were sinners saved by grace. They, too, had sin that needed to go, so they gave it to Jesus. It's all gone now and they're forgiven. 

I still can't get over it. They grasped what it would take to have what they wanted, and they did it. I admire them more than you can imagine. 

If what I laid down is any indication, we left a mountain of sin on the floor Friday night. Saturday morning, we did it again. We repented until our repenting was done and our hearts were clean. 

It was magnificent.

They were beautiful when they arrived, but those amazing women left with new zip in their steps and incredible peace on their faces. 

I'm left wondering why we don't do this as a matter of routine. Why wait for a Whisper Gathering? Why not let go of the sin that's besetting us now and be done with it?

Today is the day to be done with whatever's keeping us from being all God wants us to be. Anger? Fear? Pride? Whatever it is, let's admit our sin, confess it to God, and ask for forgiveness. It's that simple. 

There's a little problem we often have that also needs to be addressed before we close. Laying sin down is hard. Picking it back up is easy. Both are a choice we make. 

Pick it up again and you'll have to repent all over again. Leave it down and be free. Which sounds better to you? I think freedom is worth it. 

Why not let today be your freedom day? Name your sin and give it to God. He'll help you leave it with Him IF you're willing.

"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.'" Isaiah 1:18 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: After the Whisper Gathering: The Lingering Glow

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#whispergathering 

After The Whisper Gathering: The Lingering Glow

My assumption that I could write about something other than the recent Whisper Gathering was wrong. On Friday, seventy women arrived for the first-ever Whisper Gathering prayer retreat at FCR Christian Camp/Crow's Neck. We'd prayed God would move, and we assumed He would, but our expectations were so far exceeded that I don't think we'll ever get over it. I hope we don't.

The Spirit of God was so present with us that we spent the weekend, really only 21 short hours, repenting and allowing God to cleanse and heal us of sin and hurt. We went to our knees broken and wounded. We arose healed and whole. We were sent out, ready to serve and love and proclaim the grace and mercy of Christ to a lost and perishing world.

Here are just a few of the comments I've seen so far:

- It was an amazing time with sweet sisters and the strong presence of the Lord.

- Such a blessing. Still in awe of God's handiwork!

- Thank God and you all for a wonderful time.

- I'm rarely without words but wow, just wow!!!

- "God cannot use me while I'm wrapped up in entitlement." Truth!!!!!

- Had an amazing time @Whisper Gathering...Such wonderful Christian fellowship.

- Amazing! God's Grace is sufficient! Hallelujah!

- Such an awesome blessed time.

- Wow, what a sweet Whisper.

- It is amazing how God can tie the hearts of women together in such a short time. As I reflected over my time at the Whisper Gathering, I thought about how special those women have become to me after spending the week together  And, it hit me - we didn't spend a week together. We spent 21 hours together. Only God can graft hearts together in that time frame. I am forever changed and am excited to move forward in life with my Heavenly Father. Thank you for your obedience and servant's heart. 

- My soul sings praises!

- Ahhh, freedom feels so sweet!!

- Amen! The Power of the Lord is my strength! Amen!

- I am still just amazed, what a powerful God we serve!!!

- Such a beautiful start of a weekend.

- Thank God and you for the weekend!!!

- Just AWESOMENESS!

- God is so good.

- Wonderful, amazing sweet sweet time with new friends, previous ones and God! The presence of the Lord was evident in worship!

- Wow, wow, wow! God was awesome!

- Beautiful weekend full of beautiful God-loving women!

- It was amazing!!

- Wonderful weekend!

- I went to have fun and fellowship with other ladies but I never expected such an amazing experience! I laughed and cried and felt the precious presence of God! Wow!!!

As you can see from the comments, the focus is not on any one person. It's all on God and the encounter each person had with Him. 

I believe this is how we're to live. Forgiven. Free. Ready to serve. We can't live this way, however, if we don't begin with repentance and a willingness to relinquish our sin.

Even if you weren't able to attend the first Whisper Gathering, you can respond today by bending your knees, bowing your heart, and humbling yourself before the mighty God we say we serve. Admit your sin, repent, and ask for the forgiveness that's so freely offered, then rise and live in the freedom you've been given.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..." Galatians 5:1 

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Fighting Back With Thanksgiving

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.