Nets

“Jesus called out to them,“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20 NLT)

When Jesus called his disciples, they left their nets behind. These nets represented their way of life. They were fishermen . This was their area of expertise, what made them feel competent, productive, and independent.

Disciples are students who commit themselves to following a teacher. They apprentice themselves to their master, adhering to his side--listening, interacting, obeying, learning, emulating. Eventually, their teacher’s ways start to rub off on them, and they become more and more like him.

Discipleship requires us to give up our individuality. We are no longer slaves to our own whims. We are disciplined, committed, and focused. We identify with our Master. Our ideas are influenced by His ideas. Our methods are conformed to His methods. Our character is shaped by His character. As we learn to depend on the Master, we grow more productive and competent in unseen ways. We relinquish separateness for likeness to Christ.

Twisted Scriptures

“The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91.” (Matthew 4:5 MSG)

As William Shakespeare said: “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” Quoting scripture to persuade others is nothing new. People of all faith backgrounds have been manipulated to do things that are harmful to themselves and others in the name God. Bible verses have been used to defend slavery, genocide, discrimination, and child abuse. Certain verses from the Quran have been exploited to justify terrorism and the subjugation of women. Hindu texts have been utilized to condone child marriages.

When someone attempts to manipulate you into doing evil by using twisted scriptures, how can you counteract it? Jesus was able to stand firm and respond appropriately because of his deep understanding of scripture. We can follow his example. The only way to defend against a skilled enemy is to learn to use your weapons well. This requires knowledge, practice, and determination. Do not be satisfied with other people’s interpretations of scripture. Study it for yourself. Ask God to reveal what you need to learn. Write it out; analyze it; pray with it; internalize it. Once we learn to use the weapons that have been provided, we can fight back against the invisible spiritual forces and unseen powers of darkness.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11 MSG)

Spirit Lead Me

“Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.” (Psalm 143:10 MSG)

Where are you going? What are you going to do? How will you manage?

Questions about the unknown confound us. Uncertainty produces anxiety, especially when we feel like we have to figure out everything on our own. We don’t have to. When we try to manage things, it doesn’t take long before we realize our limitations. When we choreograph our life, we end up with an amateurish version of what it could be. Some of us are content with this graceless life.  BUT, God wants more for us. God intends for us to live a life free from fear, in complete dependence and trust. He wants to lead us beyond our failures, beyond our capacities--to clear and level pastureland. God wants us to know that He is in charge, and He is good.

Spirit of God, lead us to uncluttered, open spaces where we can focus on pleasing You. Spirit of Truth, draw us to what is real, away from all that is fake. Spirit of Light, guide us to clarity, and protect us from stumbling. Teach us to do Your will. Grant us firm footing. Keep us upright and safe.

Negative Space

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.” (1 Timothy 4:4 NLT)

In artistic compositions, negative space is the empty space around an object. It defines the borders of positive space and draws attention to it. For example, a single flower on a white surface catches one’s attention. However, if the surface is cluttered with lots of different things, it is hard to appreciate the flower.

When I pray, I often focus on what I’m lacking. I rarely appreciate these negative spaces. I forget that these gaps define and draw attention to the positive things in life. When I am sick, I am able to cherish the days when I am healthy. When I am hungry, lonely, distressed, tired, or sad, I am able to give thanks for the times I am not. When I get depressed about all that is wrong with this world, I am able to acknowledge all that is right with this world. I am grateful for the negatives, because they call attention to the blessings. My emptiness, my areas of deficiency, my vulnerability--all draw me closer to God. I realize how dependent I am, how needy I am.

Lord, my insufficiencies merely serve to highlight Your sufficiency. Thank You for taking care of my needs.

Joy

“Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!” (John 16:24 MSG)

What is joy? How is it different from happiness?

Joy is a deep contentment derived from an unshakable confidence in God. It is not based on our circumstances.  It can coexist with sorrow. It does not waver in the midst of trials and afflictions.

Hope is a precursor to joy. When we have a perfect relationship with Christ, we are able to trust Him completely. We are able to accept whatever comes, because we have placed all our expectations in Him.

Joy is a side effect of intimacy with God. It is a supernatural expression of the Holy Spirit within us. It cannot be manufactured by our own efforts or achievements. However, we can ask for the gift of joy, despite our circumstances and powerlessness.  Ask, in the name of Jesus, according to His will, and we shall have abundant, overflowing joy.

In the name of Jesus, I ask that the Holy Spirit may express joy through me.

Post-Traumatic Ministry

“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:11 ESV)

Yesterday  on my way to church, I saw a homeless guy standing on the street corner holding a sign that said he was a veteran soldier. He had two prosthetic legs. I saw two well-groomed guys walking up to the homeless guy and speaking to him in a friendly manner. It was obvious that these two were not homeless by their clothes and mannerisms. One of them had a military-issued, camouflage backpack, so I’m assuming the two newcomers were also soldiers at some time. It looked like they were trying to help the homeless veteran. The whole scene touched me, and it got me thinking...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most often associated with soldiers. Military combat can scar a person’s psyche long after the battle is over. After a traumatic experience, it is natural to feel stuck in hopelessness and helplessness. However, soldiers are not the only ones who go through PTSD. All of us experience periods of tribulation and trial. How can we minister to each other during and after spiritual battles?

When I have gone through times of suffering, God has sent me angels in the form of friends. Mostly they just listen. Sometimes they whisper: “me too...I’ve gone through that too.” I’m deeply comforted to know I am not alone. They continue to check up on me. Their consistent support makes me feel like I am not forgotten. They cheer me on as I take each step forward. They console me when I relapse back into despondency. They encourage me to keep moving and not get stuck in negativity.

Stand Your Ground

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14 NLT)

Defectors are never seen as noble heroes in any culture. It is not honorable for a soldier to run away in the midst of battle, even if he is overwhelmed. Yet, more often than not, when faced with the prospect of conflict, most of us choose to abandon our post rather than stand our ground. When things get difficult, we abandon our jobs, marriages, and homes. When things don’t go as we planned, we lose hope. When our prayers are not answered, we withdraw from God.

What enables us to stand our ground and fight life’s battles? Some people seem to be born with innate courage and perseverance. I’m not one of them. I come from a long line of people who would rather start fresh than deal with messy situations. I don’t like conflict. I try to avoid it as much as I can.

However, I have learned to defend my territory, my sacred space. This encompasses everybody and everything I hold dear--my faith, my loved ones, my home, my health, my convictions, and my way of life.

Over the years, I have adapted a few strategies that help me persevere. First of all, I admit to myself that this urge to flee is a weakness. I don’t try to pass it off as apathy or just wanting to get a fresh start. I gird myself with truth instead of living under pretenses and false messages. I ask God to shield me and guide me. I pray for courage, discernment, and a sense of purpose. I wait for the Holy Spirit to empower me with inner strength and fortitude. I have faith that God will help me grow into the kind of person He wants me to be. Finally, I stand my ground, willing to deal with whatever comes. For the the battle is not mine, but God’s.

One Good Thing

“And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:10 NLT)

The Bible begins by describing God’s creativity. Each day, God evaluates His work and sees that it is good.

Unlike God, humans are flawed. Not everything we do is good. However, we could all manage to do one intentional, good thing every day. We can be kind to someone, encourage someone, feed someone, be a good friend, be generous, be patient, show love, extend forgiveness, give guidance, show appreciation, or pray for someone in need. We can clean up a mess, take care of an animal, plant a seed, and protect the earth. It doesn’t have to be something different every day. Consistency trumps novelty. We start noticing that our days are filled with ministry opportunities.

Each good deed has the potential to make a positive difference. All we can do is input our energy and resources; we can’t control the outcome. We may or may not feel good while doing it. We may or may not receive appreciation. Most of what one does will never even be noticed by others. However, every good thing we do grants us the opportunity to serve God and be a part of His creative process.

Let God Take Control

"We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17 NLT)

Have you ever been in a crisis where no one really knows how to handle the situation, and everything is in chaos? If a good leader who is knowledgeable and capable comes along and takes charge of everything, everyone feels a sense of relief.

In the story behind original sin, the serpent, which represents evil,  tempts humans to eat the forbidden fruit by claiming that it will make them be like God. We wanted control, and we all know how that worked out for humanity.

As long as we insist on our own agenda, God will stand back and let us learn from the ensuing consequences. Ask God to take over and set things right. Follow His will and not your own. Be thankful when God takes back control, assumes power, and reigns.

Control

“Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9 NLT)

If you were given three wishes, what would you want? According to a study published by the Journal of Personality, the most common answers were: happiness, friends,  money, success, health, self-improvement, to have a good marriage, and to help others. Most of these things represent our wish for more control over our circumstances and the people in our lives.

We often operate under the illusion that we are in control. Power makes us confident in our own abilities. The more control we have, the more control we seek. When we are unable to manage our environment, we become agitated. The desire for control thus leads to worry, anxiety, dissatisfaction, greed, corruption, fear, anger, frustration, and disappointment. Why do we imagine that we can fix or solve everyone’s issues when we don’t even have a firm grip on our own emotions and actions?

Acceptance of our powerlessness is  difficult but necessary. Yet, it is only the first step. Acknowledge that God is in charge. He is all-sufficient. He is the center, and everything is under His gravitational influence. Don’t try to get ahead of God. This is disrespectful. It shows that you trust your own abilities more than you trust God. Instead, follow His lead in everything. Honor Him through your devotion. Revere Him in humility.

Suffering and Waiting

“Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Matthew 13:3 NLT)

Making a loaf of bread from scratch takes a great deal of effort and time. The dough must be kneaded thoroughly to get the yeast to permeate every part. Then you have to wait several hours for the dough to rise. After the bread rises, it is punched down, and set aside to rise again. Then you knead it again, shape it, and let it rise some more before baking it in a hot oven.

God’s influence is like the yeast used in bread making. Holiness is kneaded into us through the process of suffering. We rise slowly in periods of waiting. Tribulations punch us down repeatedly. Cycles of suffering and waiting shape us. We are baked to perfection in the hot furnace of adversity. Then...we are broken and shared to fulfill God’s purpose.

The Wilderness

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1 NLT)

Recently I watched a documentary on TV about a young Australian Aborigine who is on a ceremonial walkabout. He  is guided through the wilderness by a more experienced relative. A walkabout is a traditional aboriginal practice where young men learn to survive in the wilderness.  This spiritual rite of passage is meant to help these young men discover their oneness with all creation.

Have you ever felt like the Spirit was leading you into the wilderness to be tested? Whenever we are faced with tragedy, or when we are stripped of comfort and security, it feels as if we are in a desert. The Spirit guides us into these circumstances, but He also stays with us as we go through trials and temptations.

Time in the wilderness can spur internal growth and discovery. It helps us realize our limitations and weaknesses. As we overcome temptations, our resilience increases. Trials can draw us closer to God if we learn to trust and depend on Him. They can shape our perspective about what is true and meaningful. The Holy Spirit continually guides us through the chaos of the wilderness, through the bareness of the desert, until we discover our oneness with God.

Held by Grace

December 15th, 2015

My husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary today. When we first tied the knot, we were young and idealistic. We imagined that our love was enough to keep us together through the tough times. Little did we know how complicated marriage would be.  Just like all relationships, we went through our share of issues. We continued to love each other, but we found out that wasn’t enough.

As external circumstances and internal weaknesses threatened to tear us apart, we yielded to a Higher Power. Divine love took over where our human love was insufficient. We learned to do our part and trust God to take care of the rest. We have not come thus far by our own merit. God brought the right people at the right time to guide, support, encourage, nurture, and strengthen us. We are extremely grateful.  We shall continue to rely on God to sustain us.  As we recommit ourselves to God and to each other, we acknowledge that we are held by Grace.
Please pray for us.

Bible Study

“I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.” (Isaiah 45:19 NLT)

I have been studying the Bible for over 25 years now. When I was in college, I took classes in the Old Testament and New Testament. We memorized names and dates, analyzed the historical validity of events mentioned in the texts, and sorted through the discrepancies in the narratives. In later years, I learned to study the Bible more intimately. I realized that the facts and figures are not really useful to me right now. These days, I read small sections until I come to a phrase or sentence that resonates with me. I stop and roll it around in my mind. I write down the verse. I ask God: What do you want me to get from this?

Then, I wait...

I write down anything that comes to my mind--random words, phrases, thoughts. They don’t have to be connected or cohesive. I doodle little pictures of what I can’t express in words. Sometimes I read a few biblical commentaries online. After a while, I get up and go about my daily chores, but I keep ruminating on these concepts. I often go back to the same verse the next day until I feel like I’ve gotten everything I need to get out of it at this point in my life.

God wants to be known. He does not hide his thoughts from us. Yet, like in all good relationships, there is an investment of time and effort. God shall reveal truth to those who seek Him sincerely.

Doubter's Prayer

“Help me with my doubts!” (Mark 9:24 MSG)

We all struggle with different aspects of faith. Some are unsure if God even exists. Others are uncertain of how God operates. So many of us are skeptical about the efficacy of prayer, the accuracy of scriptures, or the usefulness of churches, doctrines, and rituals.

How can you pray when you aren’t even sure if God exists? If you are communicating with something/someone that you aren’t even sure is out there, isn’t that crazy?

Find a quiet place and take a few deep breaths. Then, try saying the following in your mind:

God, I don’t know if you exist. But if you do, reveal yourself to me in ways that I can recognize and understand.

Repeat this practice for a few minutes every day. You don’t have to say anything out loud. If the word ‘prayer’ makes you uncomfortable, call it meditation, contemplation, or calming your mind. Just try it for a few months. Let me know how it goes.

Invisible Growth

“What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming?” (Matthew 3:10 MSG)

Life is cyclical. During some seasons, it puts out new green shoots, blooms, and fruits. Other times it remains in a state of  dormancy. Are you growing? Or have you been in a phase of stagnancy?

If a plant remains unproductive for a long time, we assume it is dead. Similarly, prolonged periods of inactivity and shiftlessness in our lives can be a cause for concern. Lack of growth is usually associated with idleness and uselessness. It is difficult to distinguish between dormancy and decay.

Growth can be exciting to observe--whether it is in a plant or a human being. However, not all growth is visible. Even when a plant seems to be in dormancy, its roots may be growing.  Even when we are going through phases of unproductivity and inactivity, our roots can grow down deep into God’s love. When we use these intervals of dormancy to wait and trust in God, we keep getting stronger and more grounded.

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.” (Ephesians 3:17 NLT)

The Goal

(continued from previous post)

“The Father is the goal and purpose of my life.” (John 14:28 MSG)

In order to reach our goals, we have to climb the ladder one step at a time. We push off from the last rung and pull ourselves up to the next rung. We stretch and strain, using all our abilities to move up. We cannot skip any steps. Each step takes us a bit further from the stability of the ground. The higher we are, the more precarious our position. We keep our eyes forward, trying not to look down too much. But what if after we get to the top, we discover we are not where we should be?

“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.” (Thomas Merton)

For the first few decades of my life, I leaned my ladder up against wrong walls. Each time I realized my mistake, I climbed down humbly. I have rearranged my ladder, readjusted my priorities, and reevaluated my direction several times over the years. I know now that God is meant to be the goal and purpose of my life. However, I am not yet at the point where I single-mindedly pursue God. Instead, I find myself regularly distracted by desires for worldly validation, security, and comfort. My fondness for these things weighs me down,  lowers my concentration, and often causes me to lose my balance. Yet, I press on--relying on grace to help me move forward to the utmost goal.

Achievement and Failure

“I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” (Philippians 3:13 NIV)

Yoga requires a great deal of stretching and straining. When practicing new poses and positions, there is always some discomfort. Sometimes the soreness lasts for days. However, if we persist, yoga can improve our flexibility, balance, and strength. Not everyone can do all the poses equally well. Yet, we won’t know what we are capable of until we try each position multiple times.

Achievement requires us to stretch to our full potential. Unless we go through pain, discomfort, and multiple failures, we shall remain stiff and stagnant. Continual stretching enables us to move fluidly, to know our limitations, and to keep pushing forward. It makes us flexible, supple, and resilient. As we lose our balance and correct ourselves, we find our center. As we breathe and extend ourselves further and further--we lean in, we press on, we give everything we’ve got to achieve our goal.

(to be continued)

Purple Heart

My dear friend, Sandy Rolling, passed away early this morning. Sandy made such a huge impact on my life, and now there will be a huge hole in that spot. I’m sure that she left an impression on everyone else who knew her as well. Most of us hope to make a positive difference in this world. Well, Sandy definitely accomplished that.

I met Sandy in 2008, when she gave us our beloved dog, Sydney. Over the next few years, Sandy and her husband, Mike, became part of our extended family. Sandy taught me about dogs and people. She had a gentle and graceful way of handling both animals and humans. She exuded kindness. She modeled patience. She spread joy. I knew she was a cancer survivor. She had been in remission for almost five years by then. She was so energetic and full of life that I couldn’t imagine anything diminishing her vibrancy.

Then, in 2011, the dreaded cancer came back. Sandy approached it with her characteristic courage and optimism. Over the next few years, she taught me about love, faith, trust, hope, suffering, strength, and endurance. I was always amazed by her positive energy, even in the most dire circumstances. She rarely complained or wallowed in self-pity. She constantly reminded me to trust God, to practice faith, and to hope unwaveringly.

I know the Purple Heart medal is given to soldiers who are wounded or killed in battle. If any civilian deserves a purple heart, it would be Sandy. She battled cancer with courage and endurance, unwilling to quit fighting until the very end.  Sandy was like a brilliant purple flower with a golden heart. She taught us about strength and faith. She accepted everything with humility and grace. She continually expressed God’s glory and love to all of us.

Sandy, I’m glad your pain and suffering is finally over.  Yet, I will still miss you terribly. I shall keep reminding myself of all that you have taught me and find peace in knowing that you are now rejoicing with Jesus.

Fire

“The main character in this drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” (Matthew 11:12 MSG)

Humans discovered the power of fire a long time ago. We used it for cooking, lighting, and heating.  Our early ancestors used fire to scare away predators, to steam bend wood for bows, arrows, and spears, to make metal tools and pottery, to clear farm ground, and to burn waste. Firepower has been used to fight enemies and conquer kingdoms. To this day, we use it to cauterize wounds, solder broken connections, and even melt scented candles that suffuse the air with fragrance.

The Holy Spirit is often portrayed as fire. The Spirit lights our path, making the invisible visible. He simmers the indigestible, until it is digestible. The Holy Spirit protects us against the Enemy. He bends us into useful tools and weapons. He molds us into properly shaped containers according to God’s purpose.  He solders together what was once broken and cauterizes our wounds. We are ignited with passion for God because of His influence. He burns the waste, clearing anything that is false, purifying our thoughts, words, and behavior. The Holy Spirit melts us from the inside out--releasing His fragrance that is contained within us.

Don't Look Back

‘Turn to God...” (Matthew 3:2 NLT)

The worldly life is a paved road. This popular route is marked with clear road signs. It passes through civilized towns, giving the traveler access to all sorts of conveniences. Those who travel on it have similar goals--ambition, achievement, and accumulation. The godly life is unpaved. It meanders through the wilderness. Those who choose it crave to know God, to love and serve Him. However, the road is not well-marked, conveniences are sparse, and the journey is often lonely.

Both roads run parallel to each other for a long while before they turn in different directions. When you are on the paved path and see people taking the dirt road, you wonder why they are so foolish. It’s hard to imagine why any sane person would choose to take the difficult, unpopular path. Those travelling on the dirt path know they want something different in life. They sense that the popular route won’t get them there. Yet, the temptation to get back on the easier path is always there.

Once you decide to turn to God, don’t look back. The temptation to doubt your choice and to turn back will be strong. Keep your attention fixed on God. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused on your ultimate goal--to be in God’s presence, to soak in His Grace.

Jesus, help me to follow you...and not look back.

Following Directions

“God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, ‘Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.’” (Matthew 2:13 NLT)

If I had a dream in which an angel appeared and told me I needed to move to a different country with my newborn child, I would talk myself out of it. I would decide that it could not be from God because it was reckless and impulsive. My common sense would prevail.

How does one know when a conviction is from God?

I have sensed nudges that I think are from God, but I’m never sure. I have read a lot about this subject. I have talked to others about their experiences. Here are a few hints that I have picked up:

The conviction has a certain heft to it. It feels significant. You sense the need for prayer--to ask God for strength and direction. You become aware of God’s presence. You feel compelled to follow. The pressure stays with you for a long while. You receive external confirmation--a line of scripture, a song that comes to mind, a word from a friend or stranger.

If we choose to ignore divine nudges frequently, our ability to sense them will eventually disappear. The more we follow, the more attuned we become to God’s revelations and directions. However, even when we obey, the outcome is not always favorable. Sometimes, we don’t get to see the positive effects of our actions. Be satisfied with knowing that you have followed directions, and let God take care of the rest according to His will.

Lord, help me to understand Your will and follow Your directions.

Art Restoration

“Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.” (Psalm 107:2 NLT)

Art restoration is time consuming. The restorers work meticulously, one section at a time. They clean the painting and touch up faded and chipped paint. They bring back the artwork to what the original artist intended it to be. In order to do this, the restorers have to be deeply familiar and respectful of the original artist’s work.

The Lord is our redeemer. He restores us to what the Father intended us to be. He works on us inch by inch, through our entire lifetime. He cleans us, fills in the gaps, and brings us back to our former glory. He is patient and diligent. He is passionate about this work. When we remain in the Lord’s  presence, when we are open to Him and open with Him--His grace cleans away the layers of grime, freeing us to be who we were created to be.

Has the Lord restored you? Has He freed you from oppression? Then speak out! Express your gratitude. Share your restoration with others and give all the credit to your Redeemer.