Anticipation

Sometimes God answers "yes," sometimes "no," and sometimes "wait."

Anticipation. Waiting. Expecting. Hoping. Waiting some more.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (Eccl. 3:1 NIV)

• Prophecies hundreds of years old telling of a coming Messiah.
• A couple eagerly awaiting the results of a pregnancy test.
• A man hoping and praying his job offer will come through today.
• A child waiting in line for lunch.
• A woman watching her elderly father's life slowly wind down.
• A lonely person waiting for a friend to call.

In so many ways our lives are full of anticipation - sometimes with eagerness for wonderful things, sometimes with dread for hard things. Sometimes our anticipation is for a fairly short amount of time - seconds or minutes - but sometimes it is months, years, even decades.

All anticipation comes with waiting. All waiting comes with time. And all time is the Lord's. Patience may be a virtue, but few of us want to really have our capacity for patience strengthened through long times of anticipation and waiting. Yet, God promises strength in the midst of the waiting.

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40 NIV)


God does not grow weary. Thanks be to God!

May we not become weary, either, as we wait for God. May we be watchful for what God is doing. May we be prepared as we anticipate the coming of our Lord.

42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Mt. 24 NIV)


God of Infinity,

Thank you for the gift of time - the gift of time to know you, to love you, to serve you. May our days on this earth be used in such a way we further your Kingdom and proclaim your Good News. Thank you for the challenges in our lives. Help us to turn them back to you - to trust you with them, to release and surrender them to you, to strengthen in faith as we await a resolution. Many of us are facing questions or waiting periods, not sure how to proceed in one or more areas of our lives. Help us to hear your Spirit's leading, to be courageous to go where you call, and to rejoice at your presence and path. Pour out your wisdom, discernment, and clarity in our decisions. Strengthen our faith in times of waiting. Grant us grace when we struggle with unbelief. In the strong name of Christ we pray....Amen.

Wisdom & healing

There seem to be two themes in my life right now. First is that of seeking God's wisdom and guidance for decisions to be made. Second is that of needing healing. These themes manefest themselves in different ways - a friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has "weeks or months" left - wanting God's choice for the new lead pastor at our church - another friend whose husband and two children are ill right now - our family needing to make a major decision based on faith ... wisdom, healing. Healing, wisdom. God. It all ties in together.

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near....My word that goes out from my mouth...will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa. 55:6, 11 NIV)

God of Wisdom, Mercy, and Peace,
In many corners of this world people are facing decisions, health crisis, and/or death to this life. Pour out the power of your Spirit into those places. Pour out mercy, healing, and peace upon those struggling with health or end-of-life issues. Pour out wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and peace upon those seeking your way. We claim your promise that your word will not return empty but will accomplish your desires and achieve your purposes. May we seek first your Kingdom and call upon you who is always near for your honor and for the futherance of your Church's ministry here on earth. In the powerful name of Christ we pray.
Amen

The New Norm

I the LORD do not change. (Mal. 3:6a NIV)

²⁹"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' ³¹The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12 NIV)

¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28 NIV)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (John 21 NIV)

⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)




In the last several months I have done a lot of reading about our current economic/political situation. One very interesting book I read was by a man who was exploring the demographic trends/cycles that led to our current point in history. One comment I see repeated in his writings is "Welcome to the new norm." He says that because of the demographic trends, their resulting economic impact, and the political decisions being made, we can expect about ten years of economic depression. So, therefore, we shouldn't expect our society to go back to the boom years of the 1990's and early 2000's. I've read stories about unemployed people who are still living a lifestyle as if they had that six figure salary -- evidently, they don't realize the New Norm is here to stay.

(By the way, don't let the title scare you; the book is really interesting: "The Great Depression Ahead: How to Prosper in the Crash that Follows the Greatest Boom in History" by Harry S. Dent.)

I think the disciples didn't get the New Norm either. One day they are fishing for a living, collecting taxes, doing normal every-day things. Then in a moment it all changes - a traveling rabbi invites them to "come, follow me" and they leave everything to go with him. They wander around Israel for about three years, listening to his teachings, watching him heal people and cast out demons, witnessing his interactions with the religious leaders at the time. Their time with him seems to culminate as they enter Jerusalem, their Leader on a donkey, surrounded by people praising him. It must have been an amazing moment.

And then, in a few days, it all came crashing down.

Jesus. Dead. Crucified like a criminal. Followers in hiding, fearing for their lives.

Dead.

Dead.

Dead.

Or.....alive???? Could it be?? Are Peter and John and the Marys right??? IS JESUS ALIVE?

A new norm indeed - has anyone ever risen from the dead???

And then Jesus reappears...and he fixes them a meal on the beach...and he shows them his scars...and he recommissions them to go and make disciples...to feed his sheep...to tell others what they have seen and heard.

Another new norm.


Everyday life. Then life with Jesus. Then life without Jesus. Then life empowered by the Holy Spirit to go tell people about Jesus.

Talk about your "norm" having changed!



The new economic norm we live with is that we must live differently than we did even two years ago. The new norm the disciples lived with is that they had witnessed the greatest event in history - God becoming man and living among us - and then were sent to tell people about it.

But some things haven't changed. The disciples call to go and make disciples is also our call. The imperative to go to the ends of the earth with the Good News of Jesus Christ is also ours. The commandment to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves remains. God does not change.


We may not have wanted a "new norm;" some of us did very well under the old "norm." But whether we like it or not it IS here. We either adapt or (figuratively) die. Even though few of us want to change or adapt, just for the fun of it, the good news is that GOD is with us. God does not leave us or forsake us. Instead, God calls us to be strong and courageous:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

Even as we travel into this new norm, we can trust in God's promise that he will be with us wherever we go.


God of strength and courage, give us your heart for the lost, give us your wisdom for ministry, give us your viewpoint of our circumstances. And may our lives be a pleasing offering to you. Amen.

All balled up

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. (Gen. 2:6 NLT)

I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!
That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you. (from Isa. 43 MSG)

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:17 MSG)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mt. 11:28 NIV)


It seems in my life that every so often I find my spirit/soul/mind/emotions all balled up. I get myself into a place where I'm too busy, too scattered, too unorganized, too overwhelmed, too....something. And then something will remind me to take a step back and just breathe.

Breathe.

Or I get balled up in discontentedness or some sort of restlessness. (The last two times I went through a major spell of that we ended up with subsequent babies. :)) But I remember a time in my life when I was chaffing against a perceived life-not-going-anywhere time. A very wise friend reminded me that maybe God was calling me to rest.

Rest.

By nature I want to be somehow on the move - not necessarily physically, but feeling that my life has momentum and purpose. And, yet, I get reminded that I am a human "BEING" not human "DOING." And, besides, every life has value just because God created it. So whether I'm being productive or not, I am still precious and valued.

Precious.

God, help us remember today to breathe in your Spirit, to rest in your arms of love, to know deep in our being that we are precious and loved by you. Amen.

Freedom 2

My husband and I have a favorite movie that probably seems odd, since it was made before even our parents were born - "Holiday Inn" with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. (Awesome movie I highly recommend!) In the movie the main characters are tired of working every day plus holidays in "show business," so one decides to open "Holiday Inn" - a venue that will only be open on holidays. This song is from the July 4th show:

SONG OF FREEDOM
Freedom, freedom
That's my song for today
Listen to this American troubador from the U.S.A.
I'm singing a song of freedom
For all people who cry out to be free
Free to sail the seven seas
Free to worship as we please
If the birds up in the trees can be free
Why can't we?
I'm bringing a song of freedom
To all people wherever they may be
Free to speak and free to hear
Free from want and free from fear
Sons of freedom far and near who agree
Sing with me
That all God's children shall be free
[By Irving Berlin for "Holiday Inn" (1942)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4841GZL5AhA]

I think we can agree that freedom isn't free. Our Founding Fathers and their generation fought a long and bloody battle with England in order to gain independence. Eighty years later an even more bloody battle was fought that, in part, ended in the freeing of slaves. Eighty years later there was a second "world war" to free people from tyrants like Hitler and Mussolini. And the fight for freedom continues around the world today in different places and different ways. I don't believe that the human condition is such that anyone can say they want to be a slave to someone else. So, the quest for freedom in its many forms goes on.

I guess that part of my prayer today comes right from that song:

For all people who cry out to be free
Free to speak and free to hear

Free from want and free from fear
That all God's children shall be free

Those whom the Son has set free are free indeed. May all your children be free. Lord Christ, may it be so. Amen.

Freedom

Today is Veteran's Day, usually a day which goes by with a quick internal recognition of the price generations have paid for these United States -- and a grumble about the Post Office or Bank being closed for the day. But for several days I've been thinking about freedom - both cultural/societal as a U.S. citizen and that freedom we gain from Christ. I will save my strong concerns about our freedom as US citizens for another blog. Instead, I will, too, thank God for the men, women, and families who have fought, served, and persevered in order to maintain these United States.

But, because my citizenship on earth is relatively temporary and I have a permanent citizenship as part of Jesus' family, my thoughts and prayers head in that direction. Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV) My first freedom - and therefore my first allegiance - must be to Christ. Tommy Walker said it this way (and I agree):, "My allegiance and devotion, my heart's desire and all emotion go to serve the Man who died upon that tree"*. After all, "the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor. 3:17 NIV) So, Spirit, grant me your freedom.


As we know, though, there are still many who live without freedom, especially spiritual freedom. And we are called, at least in part, to proclaim that freedom to those in bondage:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." (Isa. 61:1 NIV)


You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. (Gal. 5:13 NIV)


Maker, Father, Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder, Rewarder,Free-er:

All praise to you, Lord God for the beauty of your Creation and we, your Created.

With thanks we remember our freedom from death and sin. Thank you for the gift of grace.

Spirit of the Lord, be present and give us our spiritual freedom.
May we preach the good news to the poor in spirit.
May we help to bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners.
May we serve each other in love.
May all our allegiance and devotion go to serve Christ, in whose name we pray.

Amen.




*("Only A God Like You," (c) 2000 Integrity's Praise! Music).

Prayer for a friend

Dear Friend,

Your husband asked me to write a letter of encouragement to you as you attend a special women's retreat at your church this weekend. I think I will pray over you and let the Word of God work within your heart and mine.



"Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water!
Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat!
Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk.
Buy without money—everything's free!

Why do you spend your money on junk food,
your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best,
fill yourself with only the finest.

Pay attention, come close now,
listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.

Seek God while he's here to be found,
pray to him while he's close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

"I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work."
God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed.
They'll do the work I sent them to do,
they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

"So you'll go out in joy,
you'll be led into a whole and complete life. (From Isa. 55 MSG)


Spirit of the Living, Loving God, as my friend enters into this weekend I pray first that she will be at peace with leaving the rest of her world behind for this short period of time. Help her to entrust her family into your care and to fully submit herself to your Spirit and grace.

I pray for her mind this weekend to not be cluttered by the cares of this world, but to be focused on your Voice, your Will, your Way.

I pray for her body this weekend that if she's struggling against any germ or allergy, you would heal her from that and return her to full health. I pray against any contaminates that would come against her and distract her from her focus this weekend.

I pray for her emotions this weekend, that where she needs healing you would be her Balm of Gilead. Where she needs comfort you would be her Comforter and turn her mourning into dancing. Where she needs peace, that you would calm the storm. Where she needs joy, may you fill her so full that her joy is overflowing.

I pray for her spirit this weekend. If there are specific questions she's asking, Lord hear her and answer her. If there are specific things you want to say to her this weekend, give her spiritual ears to know you, hear you, and respond. If there is a time and a way in which she can just relax into your arms of love and crawl up into her Abba Father's lap, Lord meet her there and hold her lovingly. May she go out with joy and be led forward in a whole and complete life.

I pray that your will would be done and your Kingdom come through this weekend. May you be honored and glorified in this time.

Amen.