40 Days of Discovery- Day 2

Recently, I've been reading two very different books.  One book is a collection of essays and articles written on the "inner spiritual life" or meditative prayer.    I thought the book looked interesting.  I'll be honest, you almost have to have a PhD to read it.  It is a book written by intellectuals to intellectuals--though it continually encourages the reader to engage the heart in prayer rather than the mind.  It takes the most simple concepts and describes them in such complexity that they become unrecognizable.  I am gaining insight into other sides of Christianity-- Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic faith.  It's good to hear other perspectives and see what nuggets of wisdom can be gleamed.  But there is MUCH sifting to be done.  MUCH!  I am honestly most disappointed with the lack of devotion to Jesus.  It's Jesus and...  It's "the Christ" or "the Christ in us" or "the divine is us".  One article even proposed that Jesus came so that we could become God.  There is no gospel message spoken.  If meditation doesn't compel us to "Go and Make disciples..", then Christianity simply becomes one of many paths that one can take to somehow achieve the "divine is us"--as some say. 

On the other hand, I just finished reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand(www.persecution.com).  What a powerful and passionate book!.  It talks about the author's experiences in Communist Romania working in the Underground Church and his 14 years in prison being tortured, as well as giving lots of stories of others who have been persecuted for the name Jesus.  What a stark contrast to the other book I've been reading.  This book isn't some theological discussion about higher plans, and such, but a book written about people who have fallen deeply in love with Jesus.  It's plain and simple.  People are going to prison, refusing to renounce their faith, refusing to hate their enemies, and refusing to STOP preaching the gospel.  And the Church continued to grow in spite of the intense persecution they are under.  This book inspires you to support our brothers and sister who are being persecuted around the world through prayer, and financial support.  It's also convicting!  People around the world are excitedly sharing the gospel and publicly declaring their love for Jesus amidst intense opposition! What excuse do I have?

Oh Jesus give me such intense love for you that I long to live in your presence, allowing you to fill me to overflowing that I may be a fountain for a world that is thirsty for your redeeming grace.  Amen.

The Little Pebble and the Majestic Water Fall Part 2

Suddenly, a mighty wave lunged from the river, towards the little pebble.  The first instinct of the pebble was to cringe with fear at this great wave, but then it remembered that the Water Fall loved it.  So it took a deep breath and let the wave take it into the river.  The pebble found the wave was surprisingly gentle.

That little pebble was filled with so many emotions.  Fear, exhilaration, surprise... These experiences were all so new and unknown to the pebble that it really had no idea what to expect next.  It didn't know what to do, and every time fear seized it and threatened to take it under, the little waves would tickle its cracks and crevices whispering, "Cooperate with me.  Do not fight me.  I will make you into something beautiful."  And so the pebble would finally relax, letting the currents take it to all sorts of strange places.  As it did, it enjoyed a myriad of delights.

Now I must not mislead you into thinking that all of the pebbles experiences were delightful.  Oh no!  There were many difficulties along the way.  A few times the pebble was way-laid by little islands in the river, leaving it feeling impatient and disappointed at its lack of progress.  Other times forceful rapids threw the pebble here and there, bruising and beating the little pebble senseless.  It was during those times that the pebble thought it would never survive this adventure in the river.  There was even a time when an evil bird tried to snatch that pebble right out of the river, but the Great Water Fall rescued it with its mighty waves, sending the bird away disgusted for not being able to pick up such a seemingly easy little prize. 

I guess now seems like a good time to tell you that this pebble was changing.  All of the plights that the pebble endured during the  journey were changing the pebble.  It's rugged edges were becoming smooth.  It's dirt, of course, was washed away and it was being reshaped.  It even gleamed in the sun, which was why the bird tried to snatch it from the river.

The pebble also experienced lazy, restful days when the water danced around it playfully.  The pebble loved days like this.  It enjoyed the view around it and even took time to look at the water creatures, marveling in their beauty.  It was on one of these days that the pebble discovered its change.  As the little riplets of water danced around it, they began to sing.

"Look into the water little pebble.  See your reflection."

That seemed like a puzzling request, yet the pebble did as it was told.  Lo and behold!  What a surprising view met it! It did not recognize itsself.  It was beautiful!  The Great Water Fall had done what it had promised.  It had made it into something beautiful.  Yes, now it was becoming a worthy offering for the Water Fall.

There was still much more the pebble had to endure, for the Great WaterFall had not finished with the pebble, but now that the pebble had seen the Water Fall's work, it gladly submitted itsself to the Water Fall's power.  (Most of the time)  The Water Fall could be trusted.  It loved the little pebble more than even the pebble realized.

Stay tuned for more.  Please read the story to your kids, or grand kids.  I'd love to get feedback.  Does the story make sense?  Is anything confusing?   What do you or your children enjoy about the story? 

Searching through the Ashes

Today as I prayed with a group ladies, God gave me a very powerful revelation that I'd like to share with you.  One of the ladies was praying for the victims of the recent fires of Central Texas and recounting the miracle of a couple finding their wedding ring in the midst of the ashes.  It was as though her words were spoken from the Heavenlies themselves.  This couple needed to search among the ashes, the ruins of their lives in order to find that which they treasured and through supernatural intervention, they found their prized possession--a wedding ring.

Fires are raging everywhere.  In our homes. On our jobs. In our churches. In our finances.  In our families.  In our bodies.  And for many there is little left, except ashes.  There seems to be no hope.  Everything.... is....gone. Maybe you're ready to give up.  All that's left is empty promises and unfulfilled dreams.  But our God, our Great Redeemer has this word for you:


Search among the ashes, and find your treasure.

What have you lost?  Intimacy in your martial relationship?  Have you lost everything financially because of a recent layoff?   Has your child walked away from God?  Have you lost your joy?  Seek, as one searching for a Great Hidden treasure.  Persist.  Get dirty--really dirty.  Deal with painful memories.  Dig past the rubble.  Do the hard work.  Search for the hidden treasure.  And if you persist, you WILL FIND it.  God promises that those who seek will find.  I also want to encourage you to solicit friends who will seek with you.  It is much easier to find a hidden treasure with help.  Friends will encourage you when you want to give up, and keep you from getting sidetracked.  Searching for treasure among the ashes isn't a work to be done alone.  And don't forget to dress properly for the occasion.  You don't search through ashes with flip flops and a tank top. Put on your armor--the FULL armor of God so you will be able to take your stand against the Enemy.

I believe that as you search you will discover that your treasure is God Himself, for He said that He is our inheritance.  In Him you have ALL.  God is a compassionate and generous God.  He delights in giving His children good gifts.  Expect that He will bless you in ways you cannot begin to imagine.

Don't give up.  Don't walk away.


Keep looking.  Keep searching.
                                                        Through the ashes

Psalms 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD;
    I have promised to obey your words.

  Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Do you know Him?

 Do you know Him?  I wanna know.  Do you know Him? 

I heard this song as a child growing up.  I didn't understand the significance of the question then, but now I have a much better understanding.  These are questions that people who call themselves followers of God should be asking themselves.  Do I really know Him?  I'm not speaking of an intellectual knowledge here.  Yes, I know there is a sovereign creator of the universe who is omnipresent, omnipotent, all wise,  perfect, holy, righteous...  The question is: Do you know Him?  I don't want to know what you know about Him.  I don't want to know what you've read about Him or heard about Him.  I don't want to have a theological discussion about his invisible qualities.  What I really want to know is:  Do you have an intimate relationship with the King of the Universe?

Do you know Him?

I love being a momma.  I've been blessed with 4 children that I know very intimately.  From the moment they were conceived, they've been near me.  I've cared for almost  every need.  I heard just about every cry.  I've celebrated the joys, and tried to kiss away their pain.  I've watched them discover the world around them, and I've answered their questions, questions, questions.   I know these children.  I have intimately experienced their weaknesses and strengths.  I've listened to their dreams.  And we've simply spent time together simply enjoying life--looking at the clouds, laughing at something funny their dad has said, or ballroom dancing in the kitchen.  I've taught them most of what they know.  From the word "mama", to how to read, to the first law of thermodynamics, to the word of God.  I know these kids, and they know me.  It's taken time.  It's taken commitment.  It's taken love.  It's taken perseverance.  It's hard work! Intimacy doesn't come to the faint of heart.  It doesn't come for free. We've had to walk through disappointment, discouragement, struggles, pain and lots and lots and lots of tears.

And I'll be honest, pain makes you want to close off your heart to others.  You want to protect yourself from the pain.  But when you protect your heart from pain, you also keep yourself from receiving love.

So what does any of this have to do with knowing Him?  Well, everything--mostly.  Have you taken time to know God's heart?  Have you listened to His dreams, His vision, His purpose for you and all of mankind?  Have you spent time with Him enjoying life--taking in this world He's made, laughing at His jokes (He made jokes, you know), or simply dancing with Him?  Have you let Him teach you?  He knows everything there is to know, and He says that He gives wisdom freely to those who ask.  He's been near you from the moment you were conceived, and even planned every one of your days before you existed.  He's heard your every cry and met your every need.  He knows you--through and through, and He loves you--completely.

Do you know Him?

So you've chattered away, telling Him every thing you want.  Telling Him what you want Him to do.  Sometimes, telling Him what you think He wants you to say.  You know. (clearing throat here) Noble prayers. Godly prayers.  Beautiful prayers.  Have you stopped your soliloquy long enough to listen to Him?  It's hard to know someone you've never listened to.  Listen.  That means  you may have to endure some silence.  It'll feel awkward at first.  You may not even be able to silence your own thoughts.  You'll want to give up, but if you will persevere , you will be rewarded with a faint whisper.And as you continue to listen intently, that faint whisper will become louder and louder until you begin to hear a beautiful symphony.  It's been playing since the beginning of time--and even before that.

The more you know Him, the more you'll know yourself.  You'll discover treasures that He's placed inside of you.   You'll discover that  you've been given everything that you need to live life victoriously, purposefully, productively, and joyfully.  You'll discover that you don't have to be held down by chains of fear, depression, past failures, guilt, shame or anything else.  You've been given a tremendous gift.  It's there.  Actually, I should say, He's there.  The gift is the Holy Spirit.  (Of course you have this gift only if you've accepted the love of Jesus Christ.)  It is through the Holy Spirit that we can know Him.  And it is by knowing Him that we are able to be more like Him.

Do you know Him?

I pray that God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Amen.

  Ephesians1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

COL 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Press Through

I am amazed at the many lessons that can be learned from one story.  God continually shows me that He has so many layers of truth.  We'll spend an eternity discovering newer and newer layers.

Recently, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the story of the woman with the blood disease.  I've written about her before in "More than a Hem".  If you haven't read it, check out my sept. 2009 posting.  Anyway, the Spirit showed me another dimension of this story.  As you may or may not know, this woman with the blood disease approached Jesus in the midst of a crowd.  In fact the crowd followed him and pressed him in.  Luke says that the crowds almost crushed him.  Sounds like a mob--huh?  Everyone wanted to see what he was going to do for the  ruler's daughter who was sick.  He was on his way to the ruler's home.

While on his way, Jesus stopped.  He questioned the crowd, "Who touched me?"  The question seemed a bit absurd given the crushing crowd around him.  Interestingly, everyone denied touching him.  (Sort of like what happens in my house when I'm trying to find out who did something wrong. ) Even his disciples were a bit sarcastic in there response.  "Um...Jesus, the crowd is pressing around  you. Pretty much everyone is touching you." (my modern paraphrase) Jesus continued, "Someone touched me.  I felt power leave my body."  Well, as the story goes on, the woman with the bleeding problem reveals herself. 

So here's the powerful revelation:  Many people seemed to be followers of Jesus.  Many seemed near him, but only one set out to intentionally touch him. Only one experienced his healing power in her life.  Only one pressed through the crowd believing that Jesus would set her free.  This lady pressed through.  She risked everything to get to Jesus.  And not only was she immediately healed, but she was blessed with an intimate, face-to-face conversation with Jesus.  Jesus stopped everything, to talk with this woman.  See many seemed near Jesus, but none of them experienced a personal interaction with him. Interestingly, the crowd that seemed to be followers of Jesus, were actually a hindrance to those who truly sought Jesus.  Yet, the woman didn't let them stop her.

I've observed the same thing happening in our churches today.  Many seem to be touching Jesus.  Many seem near him.  Many go to church.  Many read and study their Bible--even memorize scripture.  Many go to christian schools, listen to christian music, buy christian stuff, but few have actually touched Jesus.  Few people have experienced His power in their lives.  Most are content to see him work in other people's lives, to hear about him, or to study about him.  Very few are willing to press through the christian culture, press through their preconceived notions about Jesus, press through what they've been taught about Jesus, press through their pain, press through their insecurities, press through their comfort, press through their fears ... press through to get to Jesus.  Understand that pressing through isn't easy.  It makes other people uncomfortable when you press through to get to Jesus.  Imagine how many people were annoyed with the woman as she pressed through the crowd.  I'm sure she was apologetic, but she was on a mission.  Are you? 

How desperate are you to experience His power?  How desperate are you to experience freedom, and healing?  How desperate are you to see His beauty?  How desperate are you to experience abundant life?

Those who choose to press through walk a narrow, narrow path.  Some think this path is reserved for the spiritually elite, the prayer warriors,  pastors, or missionaries.  No.  It is the path that all who follow Jesus should be walking.  It is the only way to life.

^{Matt 7:14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 On the flip side, are we hindrances to others getting to Jesus.  Has our religiosity, our programs, our christian conservatism, our political beliefs, our judgementalism, our christian bubbles, or our limited views of God kept people from connecting with Jesus? Quite convicting, I must admit.  We must be willing to ponder this question--especially when we seem to be swimming with the culture--the crowd.  If we will ask the Holy Spirit the question, you can be sure that He is ready and willing to give you the answer.

I leave you with this encouragement:  Press through to intimately connect with the King of the Universe.  Press through with an expectation that He will heal, save, free, and give you life and power.  

Do not stop until you touch  Him.

From one pressing through the crowd.