Getting Rid of the Excuses and Pressing On

Last night, we went to church. The sermon was in Arabic, which, despite all my lessons, I still can't understand too well. Fortunately, one of the ladies posted the interpretation on the screen in English. As you can well imagine, that's much better than having the words to the songs.

There was a phrase the pastor used that caught my attention. He preached from Acts 16 and talked about the hard times the apostle Paul went through and how he never gave up, but kept on trying. 

"Do not make excuses, but complete inviting people about Jesus," he said. I had to ponder those words a bit. 

When we share Jesus with someone, it's an invitation to know Him, of course. It's so easy to make excuses like, "I'm too busy" or "Will this person be unhappy that I tell them about Jesus?" or "What will it cost me?" Those excuses can easily stop us in our tracks and cause us to abandon our efforts too soon. 

Get rid of the excuses, the pastor said, and just do what God expects of you, including completing what you start. Especially if what you've started is sharing about Jesus.

"Finally," he said, "Don't look for excuses while serving...but have as your aim to glorify God by all you do."

I've spent some time thinking about the excuses I use for not doing more in serving God: Not enough time. Too much happening right now. Don't know what to say. Don't feel comfortable. My list goes on and on, doesn't yours? 

Today, let's take a close look at the excuses we use for not completing our service to God, then get rid of them. If Paul, despite all the hardships he faced, could persevere, surely we, who live in such ease and luxury, can do the same.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 niv

_______________
If you'd like to share in my current experiences, you can join me for mostly-daily email updates. Please message me with your name and/or email address. I'll update as I have internet access. (I will not be able to share most stories on the blog.)

Please join us for corporate prayer at 12 noon daily. 

In case you missed the most recent post, here the link: When the Fragrance in the Air Smells Like Home

If you feel led to partner with this ministry, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also 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
__________________

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

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.

When We Need a Little Extra Calling

Maggie, my eight-year-old Shih Tzu, is a slow mover in the mornings. Today was no different. She was asleep at the foot of my bed, but, early this morning, she pounced on my back and gave me a quick lick. She wanted to go out.

She has a routine that never varies. After a single bite of food, Maggie goes outside to do her business. When she comes back inside, she has another bite or two or food, then hops on "my" chair. She either sleeps or stares straight ahead. 

Mamie, on the other hand, follows me every step of the way. When I have a cup of coffee in hand, I head back upstairs for Bible study time. A simple, "Let's go back upstairs," is enough to get Mamie moving. 

Not Maggie. She might open one eye and gaze woefully at me, but she usually stays in place. For Maggie, I walk over, pat her head or rub her back a moment, and encourage her to come.

This morning, I rubbed her head a brief moment and said, "Come on, Maggie. You can go listen to the birds on the screened porch." She was out of the chair in a flash, just like always.

As I turned toward the stairs, I thought, "She just takes a little extra calling," and wondered if some people aren't like that, too. 

I know people who've responded to the call of Christ after the simplest presentation with the most complete response possible. When they heard the good news of Jesus for the first time, they recognized how wonderful it is, and immediately embraced life as a disciple. They were all-in from the start.

Others take a little extra calling. I think I was one of those. I grew up in a Christian home, attended church every time the door was open. I had a lot of "calling." It was only when I was an adult and had my first child that I finally understood and embraced the call to discipleship. 

This morning, I've pondered the many names on my prayer list and realized they're still in the "need Jesus" category because they, too, "take a little extra calling." I've been praying for some of those people for years, some for decades.  I don't doubt that our Lord has called to them, but not everyone gets quiet enough to hear that still, small voice right away. One day, though, I believe they'll hear and respond. 

What's needed is "endurance prayer." It's the pray-every-day-for-fifty-years kind of prayer that never gives up, never stops. It's hard prayer and it requires commitment and faith. It's a tough job, but it's essential if we are truly concerned for those who need a little more time.

Today, let's thank God for His ever-seeking, ever-calling, prevenient grace and keep praying. Maybe that person for whom we're concerned just needs a little extra calling. God's not wiling for any to perish, and we shouldn't be, either.

Don't give up. 

Keep praying.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 esv

______________

Please like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When We Stop Being Selfish About Jesus and Start Working Together

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, 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 Grateful Heart: The Blessing of Position

It was just after 6 am when I headed out. Light was dawning, but most of the sky was still dark. As I drove up the ramp to the interstate, I thought, "This sure is a gloomy morning for driving." By the time I'd merged onto the interstate, I realized my mistake. 

There was a glorious sunrise, but it was only visible when I moved into position. 

The dictionary defines "position" as a "condition with reference to place, location, or situation", but position is also defined as "mental attitude." It's that mental position that can have the most impact on our lives. 

Perhaps you've had the same experience I've had. Up close to a situation, it looks like the worst possible event. Destruction. Devastation. No hope of survival. I've had a few times in my life where the situation looked so bleak, all I knew to do was get face-flat on the floor and weep before the Lord, begging for intervention. 

Years later, though, I look back on those situations as great blessings and gifts from God because of how I grew, what I learned, the ways my faith was strengthened.  Even when the situation didn't change, my "position" to it changed, and thus my perspective.

Today, I thank God for the blessing of position that allows me to see even the hard times in a different way.

Malachi wrote about a time when our position will make all the difference. A time is coming, he wrote, when God will judge this world. Those who love Him and those who don't will experience the same events, but the outcome will depend on their position ahead of time.

"But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." (Malachi 4:2 nasb)

No matter what we face today, no matter how hard the circumstances, our position will change, whether the actual circumstances change or not. If we are willing, our Lord will move us through whatever we face. On the other side, the new position will allow us to look back and see the evidence of His hand all along the way. 

So take hope. If the view from your position is not all you'd hope, hang on. A few miles down the road, a glorious sunrise may burst into view and make your wait worthwhile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links:  Answered Prayers in Disguise,  Grateful Heart: Mizpah, Nigerian Nightmare,  Grateful Heart: Maggie Protects her Master, Grateful Heart: Hard Times, Red Hot Christmas Pickles and the Broken Jar, and Grateful Heart: The Beginning of Stories.

The most read post of the last week: Praying for Peace.
#perspective #disciple #JesusChrist #position

Persevering for Paris

In April of 2014, 300 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped from their school by Boko Haram. More than eighteen months later, those girls are still missing. A few have escaped, but many families still grieve as they fearfully wait for news of their girls. 

At the time, there was a surge of worldwide compassion. There were more than a million #bringbackourgirls tweets. I wrote blogs and calls to pray for the girls. Now, we seldom hear about those missing girls. 

There is so much evil in this world that our compassion for one need quickly cools as a "hotter" need draws us away. 

So it was with the schoolgirls. So it was with the videos of the beheadings of more than a dozen young Egyptian Coptic Christians. 

I fear our compassion for Paris will soon cool, as well, drawn away by yet another outrage. I fear my own compassion will soon cool.

This morning, I looked back through my "terrorist" blogs and found a plethora of posts. Prayers for the kidnapped girls, prayers for a variety of terrorists, prayers for terrorist organizations. (Not that they prosper, of course, but that they be brought to a halt.) 

I long to move past outrage to action. I long to make a greater difference in this war. 

Is no one attacking at the source of terrorist recruitment? Is no one targeting their funding? It turns out that they are. In April, CBS news reported a joint effort by the US and UAE (United Arab Emirates). The Sawab Center has been formed to counter the terror organizations' intense presence in social media. It's worth looking at their website for more information.

I long to help, but I am just one woman in a tiny town in a small state in a great big world. 

What can I do? Perhaps you feel that way, too. 

Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are not without hope. We are not without "connections". We serve a great and mighty God who leans forward to hear when His people pray. There is a point, a purpose to our efforts in prayer. They do make a difference. 

If our prayers can make a difference, why, then, do we not pray as if our very lives depended upon it? As if our world depended upon it?

After the people of Israel asked for a flesh-and-blood king, rather than the Most High God, they begged Samuel to pray for them. His response was one we, too, should have concerning the issue of terrorists and their victims.

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you..." 1 Samuel 12: 23 nasb

This time, let us persevere for Paris. Let us continue to pray. 

As we pray, let's not lose sight of all who suffer, all who have suffered at the hand of these brutal terrorists. Let's not forget that Saul was once a brutal terrorist before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and became the Apostle Paul. 

He who changed a Saul into a Paul can still transform terrorists today. Let's pray He does.

Here are links to previous blog posts about this issue: (They are designed to open in new tabs) If you have time, read through them as a reminder of the needs for which we battle and as guides as you pray. 

Fight well, fellow warriors. 

Bringing Nigerian Schoolgirls Home
The Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolgirls
The Missing Nigerian Schoolgirls
Praying for Nineveh (Assyrians)
Persecuted Church in Nigeria
The Terrorist Prayer List
Radical obedience: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi\
Radical obedience: Hamas and Khaled Meshaal
Radical obedience: Boko Haram and Abubakar Shekau  
Radical obedience: Ibrahim al Asiri
Radical obedience: Nasir al Wuhayshi     
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: The Blessings That Were Not,  Loss of Power, Grateful Heart: Veterans, Grateful Heart: Laughter and Grateful Heart: Worldwide Kindness, and Remembering Paris.

The most viewed post of the last week was Remembering Paris

#Prayers4Paris #ISIS  #Paris #PowerofPrayer #JesusChrist #disciple #BringBackourSchoolgirls

The New Normal

(Before you start reading, I need to tell you that this blog post is not about my difficulties. It's about the faithfulness of God. Don't give in to the temptation to feel sorry for me. You've probably had days like this before. If you haven't, you will. Just keep reading.)

I was up early yesterday. It was so warm and comfy in my bed that I grabbed my laptop and headed back to my big four-poster. I wrote my blog and started on my novel. Ordinarily, I'd have gone to the barn after posting my blog, fed the livestock, come back for a shower, and moved to the kitchen to write. Yesterday, though, the comfort of my bed seemed like a good idea for a change. 

It wasn't.

I was still in my pj's when, shortly after 8:00, I heard Sam call my name. His car wouldn't start and he needed me to jump him off. Right then. 

It was cold outside. I was in the middle of writing a great new scene. I didn't want to stop. Sam didn't want to wait. 

I got up, dressed, and headed out with my jumper cables.

That set the tone for the morning. I won't bore you with details, but it was hard. I cried. More than once. My tears weren't because of anything specific, but because life had changed. 

As the morning progressed (maybe I should say deteriorated, because it got much worse before it got better), I finally realized something important.

This is my new normal, and, sometimes, it's going to be hard.

I blinked back tears and a verse echoed in my head. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) I memorized that verse as a child, and I believe it's true. I dug in. I called a friend to pray. I texted another friend.

My steps faltered, but I kept going. 

I grieved for the old normal. 

I grieved, and I cried, and I whined, and it was all okay. Because life is hard and sometimes we cry. Sometimes we grieve. Sometimes we whine. God knows all about our tears, whining, and grief. He created us. Nothing takes Him by surprise. 

He can handle it.

God is not displeased when we struggle, or grieve, or cry. He is displeased with us when we set up camp in our distress and allow our struggle to halt all progress, all obedience. 

In the midst of my struggle, God strengthened me and I did what had to be done. I blinked back tears, gave thanks for the help I knew He would give, and kept going. 

After everything that needed to be done was done, I saw His hand. My scene was better than I had expected. My unexpected car repair was much less expensive than anticipated. I received a very encouraging email from my editor. I had time to cook last evening before my son comes home today.

Yesterday was just one hard day in the midst of a lifetime of blessing. From an eternal perspective, the difficulties I encountered yesterday lasted no more than a blink of an eye. 

It was a hard morning, but it was a good day, because God brought me through.

In this world, we will have trouble. Jesus confirmed that truth. (John 16:33) Believers are not magically exempt from difficulties. We have as much, or more, trouble than the rest of the world. What makes our trouble different is that we have a Savior who will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) We have a Comforter, a Helper. (John 14:16) We are not alone in our trials. 

Our God will strengthen us, equip us, and bring us through. Even when it's hard. Even when we want to quit. Even when we whine, and complain, and cry.

Are you facing a hard time? Take heart. God is with you. He hasn't overlooked you or neglected you. He is there and He stands ready to help. 

Cry if you must. Whine if you will. But do not fail to lean on the only One who can carry you through.
_______

In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: Soft drinks, snacks, and airplane takeoff, Yeast in the Flour, The Problem With Phone Calls, How to Recognize Good News, Removing the Callus and Refillable Nespresso capsules. 

The most read post of the past week: Removing the Callus.

#newnormal #Godismystrength #disciple #JesusChrist #perseverance 

The Baptism of Suffering

photo courtesy of freeimages.com

"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”

Luke 12:49-50 NASB

We have started a new series based on the last few verses in Luke 12. Jesus is speaking prophetically of things that were to come, not all in the distant future.

Yesterday, we learned about the fire of persecution. Previously, we've studied lessons from the life of Tyndale.

Today, we look at the coming baptism of Jesus. The word translated as "baptism" is baptista and literally means "immersion, submersion". It has come to indicate the Christian baptism by water but it also means an immersion in calamities and trials to which one is adverse. 


When Jesus spoke these words, He had already been baptized by John. He was not speaking of a water baptism. Instead, He was speaking of His coming crucifixion and death. Jesus knew what was coming, and He was distressed as He waited for it.

Jesus knew He would be betrayed, denied, arrested, beaten, have nails hammered into His hands and feet to secure Him to a wooden cross, left to die, be confined to a tomb for three days while He conquered death and sin, and rise again. Other than the rising again, there was nothing but horrible suffering in what was to come. 

I celebrate the cross but, I have to admit, I sometimes treat it as if it was just a "one stop along the way, no big deal, quick pain and it's over" event. 

It's clear from this verse that Jesus saw it quite differently. The death of Jesus and the events that preceded it were a long ordeal of agonizing torture. He knew what was to come, and He dreaded it. 

Taking on the sins of the world is not to be taken lightly. No mortal man could do it. Only Jesus, and He hated having it to do.

It was a baptism of suffering and He did it because it had to be done. Jesus embraced the suffering, the shame, the pain and did it with love and grace. He preached the importance of loving our enemies and He demonstrated that truth with His death. 

He loved us, despite what lay ahead.

This sacrifice of Jesus should change us. It should make us shout with joy and run into the streets shouting, "He did it! He did it for me!" 

It wasn't a casual sacrifice, like throwing a quarter into a beggar's cup. It was everything. 

Jesus gave all He had, and He did it for us all.

There are times when we, too, endure a kind of baptism of suffering. It can't compare with that of Jesus, but we can respond to our suffering with the grace of Jesus, and we should. We must. It is not my intention to trivialize our suffering. I've had some suffering of my own, and it was horrible and painful and I thought it would never end. But it did end, and it left me changed. I think it left me more like Christ than I was before. 

Suffering is very real, but we must allow God to take that suffering and use it to change us, make us more like Christ. As we face the suffering and pain of our lives again today, let us do it as Jesus did. He looked toward the joy on the other side of the suffering, kept His face turned toward heaven, and pressed on. So should we.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB

~~~~~~~

Our Father, forgive my whining and self-pity. Help me to embrace the circumstances You have allowed into my life and use them to glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#suffering #perseverance #Ipresson #JesusChrist #disciple #myeyesareonthejoy

How to Store Treasure in Heaven

from freeimages.com

Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:15-21 NASB)

This series began with a look at the generosity of God ("Who Owns My Stuff"), and our own view of wealth ("Being One of the Richest People in the World"). Yesterday, we looked at where our treasure is ("Is Our Treasure Stored on Earth or in Heaven?") Although we think we "own" our wealth, it is a generous gift from God. Most of us reading this post are among the richest people in the world. Most of the world lives with so little in comparison that we might find it impossible to emulate their lifestyle. 

Today we look at how to store up treasure in heaven. It can be summed up in three words: discipleship, generosity, and perseverance.

1. Matthew 10:42 - "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward." 

Generosity and charity yield a reward that cannot be lost (a treasure stored in heaven).

2. Matthew 19:21 - Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 

A wealthy young man came to Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life. He had kept the law but knew he was missing something. He wanted Jesus to give him a task to do that would give what he was missing. "What good thing shall I do that may obtain eternal life?" Jesus' reply was shocking. The young man loved his money more than God. Jesus told him to loose himself from the thing that bound him (money) and give it away. More important than giving away his money, however, was that the young man needed to follow Christ. The most important way to store treasure in heaven is to transfer our love from things to Jesus and follow Him.

3. Colossians 3:23-24  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”  

When we do our work and our good deeds for the acclaim of man, that will be all the reward we receive. When we do our work to please God, He will give us a reward in heaven. Work "heartily" to please God in order to have a heavenly reward, or treasure.

4. 2 Timothy 4:8 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 

This brings up two actions that result in treasure in heaven. First is faithfully following Christ (perseverance) and the second is "loving His appearing" or keeping our eyes on the Coming Again Messiah rather than on this world.

There are many more verses that could be quoted. You probably have favorites of your own. There is one thing required to store up treasure in heaven. FOLLOW JESUS FAITHFULLY. Without that, no eternal treasure is possible. We must follow Him with persistence and endurance. As an outgrowth of our love for Christ, we will be generous to the poor and extravagant with our love for Him and those He loves. 

We serve a God who sees all and rewards all, either in this life or the one to come. If we want treasure in heaven, we must do what Jesus told the rich young man. Let go of the security to which we cling and follow Him.

~~~~~~~

Our Father, I confess that I have not loved You as I should. I have loved the things of this world more than the next. Forgive me for me greed and short-sightedness, my faithlessness. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and help me to follow You, do my work for You, and give generously to those in need for You. Help me to store treasure in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.

Silent Saturday

And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. 

Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, "Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I am to rise again.' Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how." And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. (Matthew 27:59-66 NASB)

Despite all Jesus had told them ahead of time, His followers were shocked and heart-broken when He was crucified. They were devastated when they realized that He wasn't going to do a miracle and get Himself off that cross. He was dead and their world was shattered. The two women followed the body to the tomb, saw Him laid in the grave, saw the stone rolled over the entrance. 

He was gone. All hope of the Messiah, the new Kingdom was over. It was the end.

It was also the beginning, but no one knew that yet. 

It was the chief priests and Pharisees who expected something to happen, not his followers. The unbelievers remembered that Jesus had said He would rise after three days and they knew He did what He said He would. There was something in those unbelievers that believed He might rise, but there was also something more that believed a grand deception might be under way. They were taking no chances. The stone was already there, but they secured a seal on the stone and put guards before the stone. Jesus wasn't getting out of the grave if they could help it.

For the disciples, it was a terrible time. God was silent. They didn't know what to think, what to believe, much less what to do. They grieved. They wailed. They gnashed their teeth. They wept. Everything they had staked their lives for on the last few years was gone.

Most believers commemorate Good Friday and celebrate Easter, but we don't always take note of Silent Saturday. It is a deeply profound moment in time, however, because we so often experience those frightening days when our hope is shattered and God is silent. It is in those silent times that we are easily overwhelmed with desperation, thinking God has abandoned us, terrified that we will not survive our trial. 

It is in the silence, however, that God does some of His best work. It is in the silence that we learn to walk by faith and not by sight, that we learn the value of hope, the importance of perseverance. It is in the silent times that we stake our claim and learn to hold firm. It is in persevering through the silence that we learn to "own our faith" and become rock solid. We change from a Simon to a Peter.

Silence is a precious rarity but is a good way to acknowledge that God is still in charge, even when He is silent. He is still working out His plan, even when we can't see His hand. He is still on His throne, even when we feel He is gone. 

Today, spend some time in absolute silence. Let the phone ring unanswered. Let the emails wait. Take some time to be completely alone, totally silent, and meditate on the One who bring joy and light on the other side of the dark and the quiet. 

Be still and know that He is God.

Sunday is coming, with all the joy it brings, but don't forget to acknowledge Saturday. It's the beginning that makes Sunday so much sweeter.

Clouds in the Sky

The pre-dawn trip to the barn is one of my favorite parts of the day. The profusion of stars, usually sufficient to light my path to the barn and back, reminds me of the One who set each star in place. Imagine that! Every star was set in its place by God Himself. That just boggles my mind! Equally amazing is the fact that, though I am just a speck in the incredibly vast universe, the Creator and Sustainer of it all knows me by name. Isn't that a profound thought?

I am known by name both in the courts of heaven and by Almighty God.

I hope I never get over the wonder of that amazing truth. 

This morning, however, the sky was so densely overcast that not one star was visible, nor was the moon. The density of the clouds completely obscured my view of those amazing stars, but, no matter how dense, the clouds did not change the fact that the stars were still there. Their existence is not dependent upon my ability to see them. Did you get that? The existence of the handiwork of God is not dependent upon my ability to see it, no matter what the clouds in the sky or in our lives seem to indicate.

You, like me, have probably had some dark times where your faith wavered because your sight was obscured by those pesky clouds. Our inability to recognize God at work didn't change God's handiwork, nor His ongoing involvement in our lives, did it? Of course not! Even when the clouds remain for an intolerable period of time, even when it seems the haze will never clear, the stars are still in place and shining bright. God is still on His throne. He is still at work in our lives. That's good news, but hard to remember in the midst of difficult times. 

The sky was overcast all day today, but as I walked back from the barn tonight, in the distant horizon, I saw a pink glow and remembered something my mama much have said thousands of times when I was growing up. "Red at night, sailor's delight." I laughed out loud at the memory. That red tint to the horizon was a reminder that the clouds do not last forever. Good times do come again. God is still in control. If you are in the midst of one of those dark and difficult times, take heart. The clouds don't last forever. God is still on His throne and His stars still shine. 

------

The new book, The Waiting: When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed and Your Hope is Gone, as well as The Clay Papers and The Road to Bethlehem (an advent devotional guide) are now available at http://www.leannahollis.com/online-store/ Get your copy today.  

The Price of Discipleship, part 4

Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62 NASB)

We have seen over the last few days that the call of Christ is a present call, a priority call, a persistent call, and a pervasive call. When He calls us to follow Him, we are to follow immediately. The following should take highest priority in our lives, and we are to follow without stopping. It is a lifelong journey that encompasses every aspect of our lives, every moment. We are to follow our Lord and share His good news as we go. 

Today's verse speaks of the danger of "looking back". Jesus uses agrarian imagery to help His listeners understand the concept. A man pushing a plow has to keep his eyes fixed on the plow and the row he is plowing in order to assure that the row is straight, as well as to watch for obstacles in the way. If he "puts his hand to the plow" but continually looks back at what is behind him, (even if he is simply admiring the straightness of his rows), his eyes will be off the path ahead. He will not be able to see the obstacles ahead in time to avoid them, nor can he keep the row he is plowing straight. 

Jesus said that the one who starts following but "looks back" is not fit for the kingdom of God. The words translated as "looking back" imply more than a casual glance over the shoulder. This phrase suggests an "intent, earnest contemplation" of the things that have been left behind. Just as we cannot serve two masters, we also cannot keep our eyes fixed on what we have given up for Christ and where we are going with Him at the same time. Following requires a choice. We must decide whether we want what we have left behind or what Christ offers in our new life ahead, for we will pursue that choice. We cannot have both at once. 

The word translated as "fit" for the Kingdom of God indicates "fit for service" and can also be translated as "useful". Putting it all together, we find that Jesus' words make perfect sense. If we are constantly looking back at our old life or at the things we have done in our new life with Christ (either good or bad), we lose our usefulness in the Kingdom of God. Looking back prevents us from accomplishing that task to which God has called us. 

Paul spoke of this "looking back" in his letter to the church at Philippi. 

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB)

He understood what Jesus was teaching that day so long ago. The life of a disciple is a three-part process that involves forgetting (the good and bad) the past, reaching forward to where God leads, and pressing on even when the way is difficult. It is a call to perseverance that endures all the way to eternity. 

In which direction are you looking? Are you gazing longingly at what you have relinquished for Christ, looking admiringly at what has been accomplished through you, or keeping your eyes fixed on the task ahead? The only way to be useful in the Kingdom of God is to keep our eyes fixed on the row ahead and the task to which we have been called and persevere all the way through. Press on, dear ones. Press on. 

-------

The new book, The Waiting: When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed and Your Hope is Gone, as well as The Clay Papers and The Road to Bethlehem (an advent devotional guide) are now available at http://www.leannahollis.com/online-store/ Get your copy today. 

The Price of Discipleship, part 3

And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-60 NASB)

We are continuing the lesson on the cost of discipleship. In the previous lesson, one who volunteered as a disciple, pledging to follow Christ anywhere, was told that he could not expect a life of comfort with Jesus. Instead, he could expect a hard and difficult time, and needed to count the cost. 

In the present example, Jesus called this man to discipleship. He had an elderly father at home and requested a delay. He had good intentions of following Jesus eventually, but needed to care for his aging father until he died. Jesus was firm. The call to follow Him is a now call. We are not to delay until a more opportune time, but are to obey now. It is also a matter of priority. God was very clear about our responsibilities to our parents, however nothing is to take precedence over Him. 

The call of Christ is a present call, a priority call, and a persistent call. We are to obey and not stop. The man was called to be an evangelist, yet he wanted to wait until a more convenient time. Jesus pressed him. He was to "get going and keep going".  

It was, finally, a pervasive call. This man was to share the gospel "everywhere". As he went, he was to tell the good news of Jesus. 

There is a tendency to look down on this man who was at a critical juncture and  struggling with the call of God upon his life. He had a difficult choice to make, and perhaps we, too, would struggle. In fact, we likely struggle with the same issues on a smaller basis. 

Do we respond quickly to the call of God or want to wait for a more opportune time? Do we make obedience to God our number one priority or does obedience take a back seat to family responsibilities? Are we willing to consistently obey, making a change in life style that is permanent? Do we share the good news of Jesus with every one we meet? 

Obedience to the call of God is a frightening and often daunting task. Without the help of the Spirit, none among us could do it. Empowered by the Spirit, however, that costly discipleship brings with it an abundant supply of love, joy, and peace. 

Following Jesus. It costs everything, but brings back more blessing than we can imagine or receive. Follow, dear ones, and don't look back. 

-------

The new book, The Waiting: When the Answer to Your Prayer is Delayed and Your Hope is Gone, as well as The Clay Papers and The Road to Bethlehem (an advent devotional guide) are now available at http://www.leannahollis.com/online-store/ Get your copy today. 

The persistent father, part 5

And Jesus answered and said, "... Bring your son here." While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. (Luke 9:41-42 NASB)

From the moment that Jesus called the boy to Himself, it was clear He intended to heal him. Judging from what He had done in other circumstances, there is no other assumption that can be drawn. The enemy, of course, knew that as well, because he knew Jesus. 

The enemy was not willing to give up even a bit of the territory he held, especially not the boy, through whom he had terrorized not only the lad, but an entire family. In an act of utter defiance so typical of the rebellious one, the demon slammed the boy to the ground in a vicious attack. Perhaps the demon intended to kill the child rather than allow Jesus to have him. 

Jesus, however, had called the boy and, just as God's word does not return to Him void, so the calling of Christ did not return without accomplishing that for which it was given. There was one key point that made freedom not only possible but certain for the boy. When the demon slammed the child to the ground, his father scooped him up and carried him the rest of the way. Scripture doesn't tell us this, but how else would the child on the ground have covered the remaining distance? 

That demonic attack was the final attack, as Jesus rebuked the demon, healed the child, and returned him to his father. What would have happened, though, if the father, seeing the child falling to the ground, had failed to take his son those last few steps to Jesus? What if he had given up, thinking that the enemy had won? What if he had interpreted the child on the ground, looking more dead than alive, as a hopeless situation? Could Jesus have healed the boy if the father had given up hope and turned aside with his son? Yes. Would He? We don't know that. 

This story not only demonstrates the power of Christ over illness and demonic attack. This story demonstrates the importance of pressing through, of the relentless persistence of a loving parent who refuses to cede territory to the enemy of our souls. Dear ones, when we pray for those we love, the enemy will fight to hold territory, and fight hard. That battle does not render Our Lord powerless. When Jesus calls those we love to Himself, we must be willing to continue to carry them before our Lord in prayer until He has accomplished all for which He called them. Do not mistake this one very important point. The boy had such a battle raging in him, there was very little chance that he could bring himself to Jesus. The father's role was not just important but utterly critical in the healing and freedom of his son. 

Are you praying for someone you love? Do not stop. Do not cede territory. Do not give up. Press on, for The One to whom we pray did not stop until our own redemption was accomplished, and we must be willing to do the same for those we love. Press on.

Mamie Tries Looking Back and Going Forward

Heading out this morning, I called out, "Who wants to go to the greenhouse?" Wonder Dogs love GO, so of course both dogs were up for the walk. Mamie was following my every step, so she was first in line. Maggie was in the kitchen eating breakfast. Mamie, Apprentice Wonder Puppy, is only ten months old. She is excited about everything!! She is also crazy about her adopted big sister Maggie the Wonder Dog. This created a big dilemma for little Mamie. She wanted to go, but wanted to be sure Maggie was coming. 

What happened next was the craziest. I have never seen this happen to a dog in my entire life. Mamie probably wishes I would keep it to myself. It was that ... I don't know what to call it. Pitiful? Sad? Funny? Mamie decided to run for the door because she wanted to be first out the door. She always runs. She also wanted to be sure about Maggie and see what she was doing, so Mamie made a not-very-smart decision. This is why she is still an Apprentice Wonder Puppy and not a Wonder dog yet. Mamie decided to run as fast as she could, while at the same time she was looking backward at Maggie. You can probably guess what happened. WHAM!!  Mamie ran, wide open and looking backward, into the door frame. There was a terrible thud and the impact stopped her in her tracks. She was shocked! It was not entirely clear why I got blamed for what Mamie had done all by herself, but she shook her head a little, sat down, and gave me a withering look. Needless to say, that door frame encounter  stopped her looking back for a little while. 

(Lest you worry about little Mamie, get distracted, and miss the point of the story) let me assure you that she is fine and still running wide open.)

As soon as Mamie whammed into the door frame, I thought, "Its really hard to move forward when you are looking back." (I see every event, interaction, and conversation in terms of a story and a lesson, and have for decades. It's a little strange but makes writing much easier). Back to the thoughts. It really is hard to go forward when you are looking back, as anyone with regret can confirm. I don't know about you, but I can always think of something I should have said in a better way, some better action I could have taken, a better decision I could have made. I could easily be overwhelmed with the "what it's" and the "I should have's" and second-guess myself forever. Maybe you know something about second-guessing. It can plague you relentlessly. 

It turns out that the Apostle Paul knew about regret, too, having been an awful terrorist. He wrote about it in a letter to the Philippian church. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB) In other words, quit looking back and focus your attention on doing what God has called you to do! That's good advice for those with regrets and for those who second guess themselves. Stop. Just stop and refocus. 

It sounds easy, and it is. How? There's a clue in that verse above. Paul could not look back because he had his attention and his eyes focused on the call of God. He was looking to Jesus, and when you have Jesus in your sights, He is all that matters. 

Are you struggling? Has your looking back, like little Mamie, caused you to run right into a roadblock that has not only stopped you but caused you pain? Take your eyes off the past. Take your eyes off yourself. Fix them on Jesus and leave them there as you pursue that to which He has called you. Stop looking at the pain of the past and start looking toward eternity. One day, all those regrets will not matter a bit. Why not let them go now? 

Press on, and don't look back.