Devotion: Drifting

I probably could’ve shortened this one but sometimes it’s hard to tell which examples or details are needed or not. I remember the days I couldn’t hear God speak and quite frankly, I thought other people could be a little nuts when they said God did. But I’ve learned a few things since that time and I’d like to share them with you. May this devotion ‘speak’ to you. God bless. ❤️ Additional tools: 1. 10 Powerful ways God speaks in the Bible - https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible... 2. Video & Workbook Bible Study ‘Experiencing God’ by Henry Blackaby: https://blackaby.org/experiencing-god/ 3. For more devotions like this one visit: http://faith-unfolding.blogspot.com/ or subscribe to my channel.

Without Walls

It doesn’t matter if we’re on the team that’s responsible for delivering the message or if we are receiving what someone else has prepared; both sides can be found worrying about the color of rooms, the feel of seats, the lighting, and effects when we attend church.

‘How can we create or have a new experience?”

Yet when I read the Bible, His Gospel is seldom seen in a building. HE parted seas, healed the sick, and bound the broken- and most often did so using only what was around; a staff, mud, 5 loaves and so on… Only asking us to believe.

In fact, in my experience, there is NO ‘experience’ that compares with that of the Holy Spirit. Why on earth would we ever want to distract from him?

How might the sinner within us be changed, if we could allow ourselves to simply sit before HIS FULL presence, without our walls?

Photo credit: @srochellephoto

Soulutions | Going Deeper

If you’ve found this page, you might have just accepted the Lord as your personal Savior or perhaps you are looking for a way to go deeper in your faith. –Congrats on both because there is nothing better that you can do than to grow closer to the God who made you! This is a list of various things that you can implement depending on where you are in your walk right now. Each have helped me along the way. You can also come back to it when you’re ready for more.  –And who knows, I may have added something else by then. The bold words simply highlight each new area.

If you’re looking for a Bible Study, there is no limit to the subjects that are available. So where do you start?!?! If you need a suggestion, here are 3 that made a big difference in my life! Each of them are a video study. So you will need the video but you might have to buy them separately. Your church library, public library and the Southern Baptist Convention of VA all have resources that you can check out for FREE. They may or may not have these titles but it’s always good to check first before buying.

1. Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby – This study really helped me identify the way that God speaks to me.

2. Seed, by Priscilla Shirer – This study helped me break apart scripture, line by line.

3. Discovering God’s Will, by Andy Stanley – This study helps you get back to your values and what God desires for each of us.

If you are looking for something super quick and simple, you can always pick a topic or character and search the internet for free pdf study and the subject you've chosen.

If you’re in the middle of a major decision, I’d recommend listening to this message titled “The Guidance of God” by Dr. Michael Yousseff. (These links change over time. If that happens here, you should still be able to search the internet by Pastor & sermon title.) Then get a pen & paper and click play! He gives you 7 questions to ask yourself and 3 things that must align. -He says them REALLY fast and so you be prepared to rewind a few times. 

If you’re looking for a Bible, I use an NIV Life Application Study Bible. I like this one because it has commentary that gives you additional information and references about each passage. You might want to go up a font size because the print is a little smaller. –If you go visit Lifeway Bookstore you can open every Bible in there to thumb through and read them before purchasing.

I have also heard many good things about the Celebrate Recovery Bible which is designed specifically for people that have had a history of addictions or abuse. I don’t own one yet but I’ve heard so much about it, I think I’m going to have to check it out!

And if you want to deepen your personal relationship with the Lord or if you feel like you need a hard reset try this:

When my faith really blossomed, it was because I pruned nearly everything in my life except time with my family and growing my faith. –By that I mean I started getting serious about reading my Bible almost exclusively. I mean it. It wasn’t just to check the item off; it was because I needed to get some information out of it. I had always depended on a Companion Bible Study or a Preacher to teach me things. When I really felt like the Lord was poking around in me, I still attended church regularly but made a list of questions that I had about the Bible. Then I focused more on growing here rather than church attendance, studies, etc. If I needed help, I simply used the internet to point me into the right section of the Bible and then I went back in. Then I read my Bible until I got the answers.

That even applied to my personal direction. Every time I was tempted to ask someone else what they thought that I should do about something, I went and looked it up instead and I prayed about it. I assure you of this, you might get frustrated because we sometimes like our answers immediately and the Lord doesn’t always work on our timeline but you will get an answer. You might even get a few of those answers wrong. [Usually, when you try to hurry the process and guess instead of being certain.] –But the Lord can still use those answers to grow you. You will also get some things right. Whether they are right or wrong, those answers will begin the bedrock of your faith.

Church – If you’re not in a church, I encourage you to get plugged in. Don’t get stuck on Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc. just yet. For the most part, it doesn’t matter what the denomination is as long as they’re preaching the Word of God. You just need to pick one and get to it. I go to BridgePoint. If you know me, tell me you’re coming and I’ll wait for you. We’ll go in together.

I would even say more important than Sunday Service, you should join a small group.  Here’s why.

If you’re good with all of that it might just be time that you start challenging yourself to step out and do new things, ie. praying out loud, serving in the church, leading classes from your home or work, etc. We grow and learn by new experiences. We stay the same or grow stagnant by doing the same thing over and over.

Now if you’ve made it here and done all of these things and yet you still feel like something is off, check out this link. This is a tool from the Pastor of City Life Church in Newport News, VA. His suggestion on how to use it is as follows.

“What I find is that when people feel stuck, it is because they are missing some or several of the means by which God has provided for us to thrive in our spiritual lives.  What I would recommend that you do is write down all of these Pathways and then next to that list have three columns.  The first column is red, the next column is yellow, and the last column is green.  Then put an “x” next to each Pathway in the appropriate column.  Red means that particular Pathways is missing in your life, yellow means it is occasionally present, and green means you do this consistently. 

Then, pick a couple Pathways you want to go from red to yellow and a couple you want to go from yellow to green… I bet you will find that feeling of being “stuck” goes away and that the more Pathways you have working in your life, the more all the Pathways are energized!” 

Now I've gone ahead and created the spreadsheet for you. :)

Above all, don't overthink it. If you're new, please don't try to do it all at once. Start in the place that feels best for you, then come back again later to add something else. Anything that you do to go deeper, will grow you and be a blessing to you! He promises that His Word will not return void.

Remember Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then this passage goes on to say in verse 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord."

If you feel like you need a new plan, why not start with the Lord who has it. I pray that this post blesses you whereever you're willing to step out! 

P.S. Why not team up with a friend or family member so that you have someone to go and grow along with. :) You can each pick a different place to start but still hold each other accountable by getting together regularly and talking what you're learning.

We Have A Church

So, I left a church in the fall of 2014 because I felt the Lord leading me to do so. I didn't really know why at the time. -I'm still not sure exactly. I was a member for 10 years. I led classes there. The kids and I had built a lot of relationships there. In fact, I was in the middle of a study called "Created To Be God's Friend" by Henry Blackaby. -And I was in a chapter that was discussing leaving your plans to follow God. ...I was planning to be an Elder there. Oh the irony...

I speculated that it was more about my husband and our family. I've gone primarily to another over the last year while still trying a few others. This season simply felt like a "waiting period". A time to uproot in several areas and a time to sift and wait on the Lord. One of my best friends goes there and will be moving soon. We barely see each other outside of church. There is also a bible study group that I always got a lot from. But the Methodist church could be facing some big changes in voting this year and there's no telling how this church will be impacted. I just felt like the Lord was saying, don't commit, relax and learn everything you can; spend all the time that you can with this group while you have the opportunity to do so. -A gift.

FAST FORWARD

You may have seen an article in the Gazette in the last month of a Baptist church that had to close its doors. They had 2 properties and donated both to 2 separate churches. (Nearly unheard of.) I went to the original church in middle school and had fond memories. The last few years have had a significant decline. Anyway, the larger portion was donated to Bridge Point, who had been meeting at the Gloucester Moose Lodge. The Pastor's family had also briefly been my neighbor.

The announcement said that the first service would be on Easter Sunday. I just knew that I had to go. So I did.  

As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, my eyes began to sting. It was just as I expected. Nearly every spot was full. Walking inside the whole church was buzzing and the sanctuary was packed. -To the tune of over 740 people! The first song that they sang was perfect too. It was Here as in Heaven by Elevation Church! Check out the full lyrics. And as I read the words on the screen:

A miracle can happen now
For the spirit of the Lord is here
The evidence is all around
That the spirit of the Lord is here

I thought of the miracle of being given a church. A pretty hefty one to be exact. ...That was definitely a God thing! Heck look at all of the people here! And as I completed the thought, I was reminded of one of the main themes from a study called, Experiencing God. "See where God is working and join him." I received my answer. We will be joining Bridge Point. The kids are thrilled and so am I. I can't wait to see what else the Lord has in store! :)

Our Suffering and Our Calling

In hindsight it is always so surprising how we process concepts, even in regards to faith. For example, when the church shares messages on how “having God in your life makes things better”, the smallness of our minds can't compute it so it translates to "Getting faith will make your problems disappear". Um, nope. -Not a chance!

I'd almost venture to say that as you develop your faith, your problems might even get harder because then you're called to respond in a Godly way. And then the ante is upped again.

We also seem to wait to discover “our calling” before we step out in faith or to start sharing... But again another opposite is that we must step out, in order to discover. 

This message (link below) is a good one. It’s about our suffering and our calling. One of the highlights is in how we all process our suffering through our own belief system.  If you believe in God, then take your suffering to the Word of God. And what it speaks to you personally is your ministry. BOOM!

If you’re in a suffering season or a trial (or perhaps the next one that you’re in) don’t rely on yourself to reason it. (I’ve just given you two examples where we get it backwards.) Take it first in prayer and ask for the good Lord to open your eyes. Then take your trial to the bible. Search for scripture (either online or in a concordance) about your type of storm. Read the commentary to understand why certain things were and were not used. (That’s often where the nuggets are.)Then journal out your questions and what you feel scripture is speaking to you!  -Your “ah-has” are your testimony, your witness and your steps to obedience.

There is no better connector to God than your obedience to what he wants you to do. There is no better “disconnector” in your relationship to God than your disobedience. (Even if it is only obedience delayed).

I’m praying with you and for you in your season!  God speak!

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/mini-bible-college/listen/the-storms-of-life-the-word-and-the-witness-511919.html

The Gift

***

Contemplation #1

2013

I can't say that I am a girl that lives for shopping but I do love it when I have the perfect gift to give. You know what I am talking about- When you know that you have a winner, don't you?

You may or may not watch the sales paper. You search store after store for the exact color, shape, functions, size... When you find it, you are elated. You check the bag six times on the way home, to not only confirm that it is still with you; but you just want to take it out and look at it again, and then again. ... and then again. 

To see it. To touch it. To remind yourself of how awesome it is. There is a satisfaction in having it to give.

What about being a recipient of that gift? When someone else gives you the perfect one, very seldom do we hide it away. It's out so you can admire it and so that others can ask you about it. It's on the top shelf so it won't get broken. Every time you touch it, your reflexes begin wiping it off so that it maintains the luster of new.

As the Christmas Holiday drew closer, my mind just kept thinking about different "gift" analogies... I knew that there was something to write. I couldn't seem to tie them all together. When I prayed about closing it, I was startled when I felt the reply "You don't get it yet."

So, I prayed to get a better understanding. 

***

Contemplation #2

2014

Almost a year later on Thanksgiving I picked up my cousin Suzi. Her son is away at school in California and she was on the phone with him. I couldn't help but overhear part of the conversation.

She was asking Him about emails that she had sent Him earlier in the week. It was kind of funny. I don't really know what He was saying but she had a certain motherly urgency in her tone. I pictured Him on the other end of the phone, rolling his eyes and sighing "Yes mother. I have the emails." "No, I haven't read them." "Yes, I will."

On this side of the call though, I heard something different. The pang of disappointment. I could interpret what her heart was saying underneath... "I have prepared this gift for you."

I asked her about it when she got off the phone. She explained about some deadlines. She did the work to get the information for him. There were several messages of varying sorts but she had spent time putting it all together for him. Something He needed. Something he'd want. Something that would help him. That same undertone surfaced again and all I could hear was "My love spent so much time preparing this thing for Him and He just doesn't receive it."

It struck me that this is the gift that that I was supposed to be writing about. He has prepared something for us and we just don't receive it.

***

Contemplation #3

I once read somewhere that if you're dying of thirst, believing in water won't save your life. You have to drink it for it to help, or change, or save you. In John 4 Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman and says "IF you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." We don't ask for more or even at all because we don't yet know that He is. 

And we don't know yet that we don't know.

Take a drink.

My commentary in my Bible says: "The woman mistakenly believed that if she received the water Jesus offered, she would not have to return to the well each day. She was interested in Jesus' message because she thought it could make her life easier. But if that were the case, people would accept Christ's message for the wrong reasons. Christ did not come to take away challenges but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective." and "Faith is a gift that grows as we use it."

***

And still here it is now 2 years after beginning this post [probably 20 years since being saved] and I think I am just now beginning to get it. We can spend all of Christmas [or Christianity] talking about the importance of receiving Christ; and even doing a good job reminding ourselves to stay focused.

Maybe we believe that there is a God and that the whole message of Jesus is a real and true account. And yet still sometimes we don't even know that we're not applying/allowing (for a lack of a better word) the God given freedom that comes only by letting Him saturate our lives.

The water is the Word of God.

We share the message asking others to believe in Him when we should be pleading instead for others to take the drink. Offering it, serving it, filling our vessels and seeking the thirsty to refresh, until we know that they fully receive it too.

Trust me when I tell you that I am not there yet either.

And before we get into heretics, let me clarify that the Bible says you ONLY have to believe! You don't have to practice rituals or complete checklists to find salvation. (Mark 5:36, John 3:15-16) 

But even the Samaritan woman ran away and HAD TO TELL EVERYONE what Jesus was doing in her life. And because of her testimony, others came to hear for themselves and they too believed.

WHO are you telling?

Why are we ALL not shouting from the rooftops (((I KNOW A REDEEMER WHO LIVES)))?

***

Contemplation #4

Luke 11:33 says "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

Boy that sounds like contemplation #1 now doesn't it?

1 John 1:5-6 – “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 

Yet how many times are we bogged down instead by current circumstances? While we believe in the message, we don't receive the power to keep the light bright amidst that circumstance. We let darkness dim our light. 

If you and I aren't as excited about our faith as the Samaritan woman- If we don't believe that we have something in the gift of Jesus that we are proud of and -needing- to share, elated to give, and holding out for everyone to see-

If we don't have the urgency for others to know what this light is that we have inside-

If you can't find a reason to love [or even invite] everyone that sits [to sit] at your table;

If you do not have hope even when you don't know all of the answers-

If your Christ in the morning isn't the same Christ at the end of the day or if he isn't relative on the other days aside from Sunday-

If you believe that he changes hearts and you stay the same; be it addiction, insecurity, fear or anger, etc.

If you are not certain of your salvation, filled with awe and mystery or moved to fall on your knees when think of Him-

Hear me now, if you are not burning and if others are not warmed when they are near you, comforted by what your light brings to their darkness-

Could it be that even you [and I] do not fully receive what is before us?  

What IT IS that Christ offers? 

Ask yourself, have I left something on the table?

After all, He didn't give us eternal life so that we could spend our earthly lives hopeless.

Now let that settle for a minute…

or a day.

or a lifetime.

However long it takes-

The good news is that just like Jesus told the Samaritan woman, you and I can ask Him for a drink. Better yet, we can ask Him to give us the desire to drink it. The psalmist wrote "like the deer pants for water, O' my soul pants for you." Are you panting? For him alone? Ask him.

***

Contemplation #5

Colossians 2:6 - says “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” 

You must continue because there is always more behind the same message. You can spend your life unfolding the mystery of Christ. Unwrapping new meaning and luster in your spirit.

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

If anything on the list of "what ifs" struck you- Whatever your darkness is friend, whether it be shame or sin; Even if it is only your doubt, resistance or lack of desire; our God and our gift is first- a counselor that will show you the way.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

If we don't fully process who He is in that sentiment, we may never be able to process beyond that to know that He is a MIGHTY God. –Or that we can go to Him first like a Father or that He brings peace. First He must counsel.

His gifts come to each of us in many forms and variations. Each one is specifically and thoughtfully and freely offered to each of us. Already prepared. No matter what we have attained, there is more to grasp again. Continue.

Because is it EXCEEDINGLY MORE than all that we have ever asked for or imagined. - Ephesians 3:20-21

What have you given this season or might you give in the next?

What might you receive?

There is only one perfect gift.

He makes us

and all things

new.

Merry Christmas

and Happy *New* year.

Photo Credit:
Package: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/2015/12/its-the-time-of-year-for-the-spirit-of-giving-.html
Candle: https://pixabay.com/en/candle-light-dark-flame-night-704022/
Nativity: http://365cambridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/nativity.jpg

A Guide To Testimony | Part 3

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been reading John 1. It spoke a great deal to me about a testimony. Even the main theme indicates our purpose, "The Word became flesh" by our sharing Jesus. I will use some other scriptures below but I am mostly going to reference this passage verses 1-28. So grab you bible, crack it open and read along. :)

The guide book for Testimony

Start with scripture – The first 3 verses of John starts off with the power of God’s Word. The word that he spoke when he created the earth, healed the sick, and resurrected the dead. It is also a reference to the power in his written word that you and I read.

If you want to develop a testimony start reading scripture, but also start speaking it in your life. Pray scriptures over yourself and others. When you need to make a decision see if there is any scripture that you remember, or seek the word to help you find an answer that will satisfy your question. When you struggle with anger, depression, insecurity, confusion, etc. speak scripture out loud to combat those circumstances. (v1-3)

Proverbs 18:21 tells you that the power of life and death resides in the tongue.

In this passage of John, verses 4-5 state that it is specifically God’s word that is all you need to bring life and light to your situation.

Introduce God to others - John came as a “witness”. This is someone who has seen, heard or who can attest to an event taking place or a person being seen. (v6-7)

Likewise, your testimony confirms how you know God is real. What are the “ahhas” or evidence from your life that confirmed his existence? This helps others identify how he might work in their life too.

It’s not just about you - A testimony is a great way to get more personal with those your see regularly. We have to include details about our life to connect with others.  This usually involves our past, our current setting and our sin.  –But a powerful testimony is not just about you.  Be sure to connect God with each of those prominent points. (v8)

A testimony is good for everyone - Everyone can have one. Everyone can benefit from hearing one. We don’t need to save it for our “God friends”. Nor do we store it up to share with those people that “need Jesus” to make them more agreeable to us. Your testimony is good for everyone, including total strangers. (v9).

It is even good for the person giving the testimony. Check out Philemon1:6 or my post about that verse.

People won’t always recognize what you identify as God - Others might not agree or identify with what we’re saying. My commentary on John 20:10-18 says that after the resurrection Mary was so consumed in her grief that even she did not recognize Jesus because she wasn’t expecting to see him. This world is consumed in grief. Sometimes, even your “best…” will be hard for them to see as you do. Don't give up! (v10)

Even some of your christian friends and church peers might not identify or agree with your experience. (v11) Persevere!

A Testimony is more than just a decision to talk or to receive words – Sure you can have an experience here and there that gives you a testimony about God. But to live a testimony or to receive Christ, means that you are willing to give some things up in order to have him as your father and Lord. This means that you submit to him and his will instead of your own. In doing so, you will be reborn. He will dwell among you and in you. -Allowing HIS spirit to come alive in you. He will move you with new words and, at least for me, it's something that you will have to tell. (v12-14)

The Transformation will make you cry out in belief – When you are transformed, you feel it and others see it. When you KNOW that you are saved- When you KNOW that he is God- You will become less afraid to share the word because you KNOW others need to get to the place that you are getting to. You will cry out in many ways. (And if you are not in any of those places now, I sincerely urge you to go deeper, there is more! You really can be sure!) (v15)

Equal parts Grace and Truth - It’s easy for us to condemn ourselves but a good testimony is part truth and part grace, not condemnation. Write what you are convicted about, use scripture [law] where applicable but also share how it free’d [gospel] you? (v16-17)

Feel free to remind them of the obvious – No one has ever seen God. You’re not God either. You just know the one who is. (v18-20)

Don’t compare your testimony to someone else - You might not be a preacher or know enough doctrine. You might not have a certain speaking style or have had certain life experiences. But trust that God still wants to have a relationship with you that brings revelation about him. Don’t compare yourself to others because you are unique. There is a particular audience that needs to hear your style and your experiences. (v21)

There will always be someone who questions you – It’s plain and simple. You’re testimony might raise more questions or even seem to provoke listeners. They might try to demand more answers or challenge you. There will also be those that still question God. Your testimony might not win them. But consider this- what if they go home and rant about your efforts and the person on the other side becomes intrigued. What if someone else is walking by that needed to hear that word? Never underestimate God's power to move someone through you. (v22)

Rely on scripture – Now check out Isaiah 40:3-5.  Even John used scripture to answer questions. If you can’t recall a scripture off the top of your head to answer the question directed at you don’t make anything up. Be honest, explain that you don’t know. Find a bible and look up answers together. Or set a time to get together with a bible and look the answers up then. (v23)

You and I don’t save people but we can bring others to Christ so that he can save them -  Do not confuse being baptized with water as being the same as being baptized with the holy spirit. Being baptized in water is  a wonderful milestone. It represents a coming to the Lord or a public profession that you desire to deepen or already have a deeper faith. I would encourage you to do it if you haven't already but it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the seeking of his counsel that cultivates a relationship and belief in God. Either way, not only does God change us, he allows us to be a part of his work, his healing and his miracles. (v24-26)

God even gives sinners a testimony – Even John felt like there was something in his life that kept him from being worthy to receive God and his testimony. Most of us are the same way and so we never put that foot forward to try and get to know him. But despite how he felt and whatever it was that he had in his life to make him feel that way, he was part of Jesus’s inner circle. He was the first one chosen, “He was the one whom Jesus loved”, he was known as a son of thunder and chosen to care for Jesus's own mother. (v27-28) Never underestimate the mercy and power of God and the ability of having a real relationship with him.

Each of us are sinners, check out 1 Tim 1:16 (¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.)

Summary

There are still verses 29-50 in this chapter. I haven’t gotten through those verses yet. There may be a part two. But I’d like to leave you with some “Reggie tips” before I close.

Practice makes perfect - It might feel awkward the first 10 times or the first 100 but practice will improve your confidence in him. Do NOT give up because you think the first one was a flop. I’ve been writing for 2 years now and I still struggle with awkwardness. But what I have experienced as a result of allowing a testimony, has far outweighed the hindrances that I felt prior to giving it. So, Press on friend, press on! - Checkout Phil 1:6

Thankfulness - There is a thankfulness that will develop in your heart once you are able to reflect on his evidence in your life. Col 2:6-7

It only has to be one - You don’t have to win a sea of people to have a good testimony. Scripture says “for the least of these”, or “the one lost sheep”. Your testimony might only need to be good for one. And what if that one is you!?

Always Double Check Me – Never take someone else’s word for your salvation! Double check everything that I say; just as you should for your preacher, your friends, etc. It becomes a real message to you, when you confirm the details and consider any personal meaning/reflection in the verses. I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you draw closer and know his will. Ask him to open your heart as you read his word. Then find some quite time and prepare to receive what you asked for!

Blessings to you!

Intro | Journal | Challenge

Photo Credit : http://www.ellopos.org/

Seeing God's Hand

Regularly when we all sit down to dinner at night, each of us take turns talking about our day. Of course the kids quickly grew tired of volunteering this information and so we had to start asking them questions. And as if we're mastering new levels, the questions also had to keep changing and/or getting more specific.

We started with "What did you do today?" Until we began only getting "nothing" for the reply. Then we switched to "What was your highest and lowest point?"  Occasionally we would switch the words up and use "dumbest/silliest" or "happiest/most boring" instead. Yes, I know, we're terribly wild. 

This method worked for a while, until they grew bored and then began giving the same answer(s) every day. "Lunch" was the highest, silliest, and most meaningful. While "work" or "homework" or even "you asking this question" became the standard response to the most boring... sigh.

Now, as if our conversation is "New and improved" we're onto the level of specific questions. "Did you do jumping jacks in P.E.?" "Did you paint today in art?" "Did you have library today or computer lab?" "What did you eat for lunch?" "Did you play with Peyton and Charlie or Isabella and Isaiah?" Of course I don't ask all of those. -Even I know that there are limits. I only pick one or two depending on their routines. And if your children are older than mine, I'm sure that you have found a whole slew of higher levels of questions.

Anyway, I'm on a trip and it's kind of an unusual circumstance for our house. We were all a little sad about being apart. :( I thought a story might give them something to look forward too. -Particularly at bedtime when everyone wants to snuggle. So, I documented my first day with pictures that I thought that they would like. I formed it into a story and shared a particular highlight toward the end.

In replaying the events, I thought about how; often the highest points of my day are when I feel close to God. He appears in many forms; through conviction, sometimes in kindness of others or even the kindness that he asks me to display. Many times I sense him when speaking to my children. -As if every word that leaves my lips is also what he is saying to me. Other times, it's in nature or just simple scenes throughout the day. (Like in that story; the conversation with the little boy and then the picture of the hole in the sky...) I wish that I knew better how to describe it but in each of those times and in so many others, there is a sudden nearness that I feel in that moment. I am moved.

While I look for and experience those encounters often, I seldom share the details. I don't know if I am too busy or if I just tell myself that they, being so small, can't understand- But for some reason, I just haven't really thought to practice this kind of dialogue. Heck, it was almost an epiphany when a friend said that she read devotions with her kids at night in addition to prayers. I'm not really sure why that didn't occur to me either but it didn't.

I thought about how long it took me to ever start Experiencing God myself. I wondered if and/or how often my children or even my husband feel his presence. Sophie and I have had a few conversations and I do believe that she already has a certain spirituality about her- But in the day-to-day what does HE look like to them? And then it hit me... I should be talking with my children daily or as a family regularly about what his hand looks like.

Perhaps by my looking with the intention of sharing; I will also start being even MORE intentional about looking for him myself. After all, if I don't start talking to them now, how long would it take them to start noticing what his hand looks like? And how many times have I, myself, wished that I had only known how to recognize him sooner?

Maybe time will allow me to post more of the little glimpses between some of the larger posts. **fingers crossed**

If you like this idea but are intimidated by not quite being sure yourself. I encourage you to start. Offer God a prayer and ask him to open your eyes and heart. As it states in John 11:40 "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the Glory of God." God is faithful but it will take your desire and your practice. I too get things wrong. If you're just starting out you can always say "I think it was is this or that".  If you do get it wrong, you can also go back and admit that. How much more comfortable will our children be with their mistakes when they see how we can also learn from them.  

P.S. I am praying the same prayer with you now. Won't you do the same for me?

Making It Special!

When I was a kid I used to spend all of my summers with my grandparents. My Dad was stationed in Virginia when I was young. All of our family, on both sides, was from and remained, in Florida. At the beginning of each summer I would go down to visit. My grandparents would take turns swapping me in a parking lot every weekend until summer's end. Then I would finally return home.

While each summer seemed magical in its own way; one particular summer stood out more than others. My grandfather's brother came down for a visit. I didn't know "Uncle Albert" or his wife, Lucienne very well but Uncle Albert had a camper and we all piled in to go for a ride. I didn't even know where we were going and at the time it didn't matter. I was able to ride on a mattress above the driver's seat and look out funny windows during the entire ride.  I never once had to buckle up! Uncle Albert suddenly became the coolest person that I had ever met! -At least in that moment. 

After a long drive, we pulled into the parking lot of Sea World. Being an animal lover, I loved it before we ever went through the gate but it would truly become one of the highlights of my childhood. We admired fish and bought trinkets at the gift shop. We ate food with funny names and watched as many of the shows as we could fit in. My favorite part was the seal show. Not only for their cuteness and silly stunts but there was a significance to this show that would soon make it hard to beat. 

Toward the close of the show a seal broke out of routine, swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out. He headed straight for the audience and went up the first tier of stairs and then the second. The instructor was calling his name to return to the pool. The crowed studied the stray as he ignored each request and continued to climb higher and higher.

In my mind, I am thinking "Oh please come to me. Come to me!" I am sure that I am bent down, holding my hands out and calling his name, just as earnestly as his instructor was calling. As the seal climbed the third tier of steps, he answered my plea. He came right to me and planted a big fishy kiss on my lips.

The crowd awed and I melted.  Though it was only a moment, time paused and I was in love. I patted his wet body and tickled his whiskers and begged for another smooch. As quickly as he came, even faster he went, as he slid down the stairs back to the pool; as if to slip in line and say "Hey master, here I am. See, I never left." I was certain that he sought me out of the crowd and I was sold. I felt special.

OF COURSE seals became my favorite animal. This was the.best.vacation.ever. At any opportunity I was ready to return to an aquarium, secretly hoping for another moment just like "the one" to take shape again. Years later, I still think of that day and smile. 

Psalm 119:64 says "The earth is full of Your loving kindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes."

As I reflect on that verse, it holds so many nuggets for me alongside such a simple story. The promise of each day. The beauty of life and all of God's creatures. The way that we bond with time and others through different experiences.

I also think of the way that we treasure only some of our moments. Sometimes we spend so much energy trying to recreate something that we've already gotten to experience. We leave no resource available to the "new". In our efforts of trying to get to the 'one spot' again, we wear out the very thing that used to thrill us. Yet what if I had another "grand experience" before this moment and I missed this one altogether because it couldn't possibly compare to one before it?

On a sadder note, how many of our more painful moments are held onto with such regard?  ...The one big sin, the one big loss, the one time that the 'one thing' happened. By holding onto those experiences, we also allow ourselves to feel special. In doing so, we isolate ourselves to our own interests, away from God and others.

Throughout the bible, scripture asks us to be the salt and to win others over. Rather than looking for moments that make us feel special, Philippians 2 asks us to shine like the stars instead. -Burning for God in such a way that we simply shine within each moment. I just can't imagine anything more special than "shining".

As I challenge myself to draw closer to God, I can't help but ask myself- Do I wake up seeking him just as earnestly as other moments because time with him is my favorite time of all? Am I open to each gift that he sets before me, no matter how it's packaged? Do I see the journey there as a gift within itself? Am I so excited about where I am that I can't help but embrace anyone that is near me? Is this the.best.opportunity.ever? 

Some of those questions strike me. Convict me. Thankfully we aren't paused in time. Once God created us, we became a living soul. We are free to move forward and well, live. But for which experiences are we living for?

Paul considered everything a loss when compared to the greatness of knowing Christ. I too have found that every moment that I am in tune with the Holy Spirit, is equally meaningful. When I combine that fact with knowing that he is always with me. I can add him to every moment of every day. Then any opportunity can be a moment that is hope-filled and joyful.

Theodore Roosevelt said that "comparison is the thief of joy". Finding joy is not about picking, choosing and waiting only for the right experiences to embrace. It's remembering what to bring into (God) and give of (Self) in each circumstance that makes the difference.

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Obviously the picture above isn't me but it IS terribly cute, isn't it? For continued reading check out the book of Philippians. It's only 4 chapters. Try spreading it out over the week and meditating on it. Journal some of those special thoughts and pray about what they might mean to you.