Lighthouses

I think we have a hard time sometimes- deciding how best to tell people about God, or the Bible, or Jesus. We get nervous about deep and meaningful conversations, or committing to relationships with people who are emotionally draining, or engage in behaviors that, quite frankly, terrify us to address.

Instead, we debate politics and scholars and scientists and popular culture. We protest and picket. We attend church and serve those who already know Jesus. We form “safe relationships” and talk about “safe” topics. We avoid the real stuff. The stuff that changes lives.

I don’t know how you came to know God, but I’m betting it probably wasn’t from watching some Christian debate some Atheist. It probably wasn’t watch a political debate between a conservative and liberal.

For me, it was relationships. It was because God put people in my life who wouldn’t give up on me when I was a fool. It’s because some of those people weren’t afraid to have terrifying conversations with me. It’s because I saw the way those people lived and wand the joy and peace that they had.

D.L. Moody once said, “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine. “

We’re called to be light. We don’t reach people by blowing political horns, or by loudly debating good vs. evil and right vs. wrong. We reach people with relationships. We reach people with love and peace.

I’m not saying there’s not a time to boldly proclaim, or debate, or protest. But I am saying, that the majority of lives, are reached through relationships, with lighthouses. We can’t be fearful to have those terrifying conversations with people.

We can’t be so judgmental that we won’t befriend someone who is engaging in behavior that we don’t approve of.  We must do it with caution and protection so we don’t slip, but that fear shouldn’t stop us entirely.

When you hear a foghorn up close what do you usually do? Walk close and embrace it? No, you probably cover your ears and back away. There’s a time and a place to be a foghorn, and I’m afraid that we use that excuse and option too often, and in replace of entering into challenging relationships.

Are we really so arrogant as to not consider how challenging WE must be in our relationship with a holy GoD?? I don’t know about you, but I’m not always sweet as pie to deal with… And He does it anyways.

We should do it anyways.

A few weeks ago, my Pastor said, "God teaches us to love by giving us people who are unlovable." Relationships with those people, is how we lead them to God.

Enjoy you’re weekend!

Jill

HIS Tangible Love

I was at a loss as to what to write for this blog today, so I sought the Lord about it. After my mind wandered around a bit, it seemed that it kept coming back to one place. God seemed to be reminding me that He wants everyone, everywhere to be consciously aware of His tangible love and affection for each and every one of us personally.

Not just the assurances of His love for us that we get from the Bible and not only the signs of His great creation around us. But rather the personal touch kind of love that each of us needs to sense from time to time.

Now you might be thinking that tangible means something you can actually physically feel. Or something you can see and then reach for. So it may be a stretch for some to consider this concept. But tangible can mean perceptible. And God so wants us to perceive His personal, individualized love for each of us.

He often demonstrates it to us through others and that is awesome. But I want to encourage you to look for God’s private encounters with you. When He speaks directly to your heart. When He holds out His hand of love to you to grab hold of or when He slips His hand into yours without you having to do anything. When He sings a song to you. When He pats you on the back. When He places His arm around you to draw you closer to His side or across you to bar you from harm.

He is so ardently in love with you. And like any one of us would, He wants us to be aware of it.

We all have different styles or seasons of expressed affections toward our loved ones. But when conveyed at their best we would hope that those we love would be delightfully aware of the depth of our love.

Let God love on you. Look for it. Expect it. Receive it. Delight in it. To quote a little talking bear I was given once, “The wind on your face might just be God blowing you kisses.”

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

My Life is Not My Own

 When I was pregnant and my body was changing beyond my control I started to feel like my body was just not my own anymore. I made decisions that transcended my preferences for the benefit of my child.

Then when my boys were little my days were filled with meeting their needs, teaching and creating family memories. It takes a crazy amount of time to care for infants and toddlers and even school age children. The demands on a mom are endless.

 I I felt like my life was no longer my own.

These were not necessarily bad feelings. Although some days it was difficult and even overwhelming at times.

 I can remember wanting to be able to read a book, not just one page over and over for lack of concentration. I wanted to take a bath without children knocking on the door with their questions and needs.

My days were consumed with my children. My life was just not my own. My needs and desires became secondary to their needs and desires. I made this choice to put my needs and desires after that of my children when I became a mother


When I became a Christian I did the same thing; I put my needs and desires after the desires of God.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

This past week I had spoken this Scripture to someone in describing my life of service.  I wake up (almost every day) and I think "what can I do for God today?" My deepest longing is to meet HIS needs along with meeting the needs of my family. It's what I do.

Well, God has a funny way of testing us when we profess to live a certain way. So today I  was faced with a decision to prove that I do "know" that my body is not my own.

God provided an opportunity for me to say "yes" to a need that came up on a mission trip, I would like to say that I said "Yes" easily without reservation but that wouldn't be the truth. I wrestled for awhile with my own needs and desires before I remembered that Jesus paid a huge price for my life and t is not my own.

I have spent the evening gathering all the necessary items that I need to fit into my suitcase tomorrow. I will be flying off early Wednesday morning to do HIS work.

I am not a lover of extreme heat but I am heading right into it. For one week I will submit my personal preferences to HIS; for my life is not my own.

In Him,

ruthann

Awe and Wonder

As I drove up to Waltham this Wednesday I admired God’s handy work as we passed forests of trees on the side of the highway. Now that summer is here and plant life is in full bloom, from an elevated point on the road, it looked like a jungle around us, with no visible sign on man’s intrusion. At times, I get caught up in the intricate design of something so seemingly simple, like a tree. I am fascinated time and time again by how beautiful a place God has made for us.

When I lived in Virginia I would follow the constellation Orion from where I worked all the way across the city, down the highway, and up the mountain to my apartment. On my ride home last night, an enormous yellow-orange moon served as my guide up 295. I had a worshipful spirit as my mind tried to fathom the vast expanse of sky above me

One of my favorite memories from living in Virginia was driving on The Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall. I lived in a city that was tucked in a valley surround by mountains. Each morning on my walk to class all I had to do was lift my head to see the colorful mountains surrounding me. I was immediately aware of just how small I was.

I’m sure you’ve had moments when you’re staring into a picturesque landscape and wondering how you have the privilege of viewing such sights. Staring out at a beautiful and vast ocean, gazing at the stars on a clear night, looking out into the most magnificent mountains...I get overcome with wonder and awe when I remember some of the things of this earth I’ve seen.

Tonight as I was thinking about that moon, all the sudden a verse popped into my head, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”....I...ME.

I look at these scenes, and I think about the intricacies of this created planet and I’m full of awe and wonder at God’s creation...rarely do I think of myself that way. Or any another person for that matter. (With, of course, the exception of newborn babies.)

I think of that verse to remind me that I was created in God’s image, and that I have a purpose, and that I matter to God. But I have never really thought about it with the words and emotions it actually uses. “Fearfully” and “wonderfully” made... When God looks down on us, perhaps he has the same feelings we get as we look at the mountains, or ocean, or sky. “Look at that amazing design.” “Look at the beauty and intricacy of that creation, my creation”

I felt love last night as I looked at that moon. Because the same God who created the galaxies, created me. The same God who painted the mountain ranges, designed every fiber of my being.

When I look at it that way, it is impossible not to be in awe of God. It is impossible not to have a worshipful spirit. It is impossible not to want to serve Him and give Him the very best of the life He gave me.

God has created us full of beauty, whether of not we choose to see it, is up to us.

In Him,

Jill

Reflection

Did any of you catch a glimpse of the moon last night, the 4^th of July? It was a brilliant sight to behold - a giant, radiant, glowing orb of orange hue as it crept up over the horizon. I was driving in a direction toward it so it was frequently in view during it’s early rising phase, (without my attention being diverted from safely driving). It had competition at times by random fireworks displays, but it was the consistent form of brightness in the night sky.

As it crept skyward its size appeared to diminish. The tint of color faded but an ivory luster took its place, shining brighter still; a boldly liberated body in the span of darkness surrounding it.

Streaks of clouds wove their way across its surface, but still its light shone through. My eyes were continually drawn to its mystery and beauty. Light in all its forms has a way of being irresistible.

I did a little research this morning. You probably all know that the light of the moon is really only the light of the sun’s reflection upon it. In fact the moon itself has a surface of darkness like coal. It couldn’t glow if it wanted to, unless set on fire.

I discovered that while the face of the moon that we see remains the same, the other dark side of the moon also gets reflective light from the sun. When the dark side is getting its light bath is when we earthlings can’t even see the moon, or only see waxing and waning slivers.

We are much like the moon; pretty dark all on our own. Only able to glow because we hang in proximity to the ultimate Source of Light, The Son. Sometimes appearing bigger than we really are. Rapidly changing our colors. Needing to be set afire to be useful. Clouded over. Often barely visible. Or worse than that, totally invisible.

However, like the moon we too are boldly liberated bodies. We have opportunity to shine greater because we are amidst the darkness. Even when we have days and weeks of not appearing to be a light, we are still and always being lit up in the hidden places of our being, by the ever-present Light of the World, Jesus. We have the ability to be consistent, not just fleeting sparklers. And whenever we shine we have the capacity to be irresistible.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Gratefully HIS,

Jan

Summer Reading

This past weekend I didn't get much summer reading done. Instead I spent time flipping through the pages of various bridal and wedding magazines. It was great fun checking out all the new wedding gown designs and trendy themes versus classic styling.  Even at my age I still love to look at wedding magazines.
Afterall, there is not  many things more beautiful than a bride.

You may be wondering WHY I would be looking at a wedding magazines so I will gladly tell you. A week ago my stepdaughter, Jen, became engaged to a wonderful young man. I am happy for them and their future and excited about the upcoming wedding.  I am looking forward to ALL the plans for their big day ( I am a planner and a hopeless romantic).

Weddings take a great deal of planning. Every little detail is attended to with the utmost attention.  A color scheme is chosen, the location is reserved, the dress is purchased, invitations printed, menus planned, floral arrangements created, guest lists written and so many more details are covered before the big day.

Although many hours are spent planning the ceremony, the rehearsal, the reception, honeymoon the centerpiece is love.

The Bible is a book about God's love for us. From the beginning to the end it declares God's love for us, HIS desire to be in a deep relationship with us, with you and with me.

The book of Hosea is a testimony to God's persistent, unfailing, unconditional, and forgiving love.

Eugene Peterson who wrote the paraphrased translation of the bible, The Message, says this in his opening commentary on the book of Hosea; 

" God is love, that God loves the world. Each single detail of the real world that we face and deal with day after day is permeated by this love. But when our minds and imaginations are crippled with lies about love, we have a hard time understanding this fundamental ingredient of daily living, "love", either as a noun or as a verb. And if the basic orienting phrase "God is love" is plastered over with cultural graffiti that obscures and deface the truth of the way the world is, we are not going to get very far in living well. We require true stories of love if we are to live truly."

I grew up with the happily ever after books and movies that little girls view and grew right in to the grown up romantic comedy genre. Watching romantic movies and reading love stories may seem like a harmless activities but if not balanced with the Word of God our minds and hearts can be deceived.

Intellectually we may understand "this is only a movie" but emotionally we can start to belief them. Satan, the father of lies, just loves for us to buy into these romantic tales calling them love stories when in reality they are stories of lust and selfishness.

When you want to sit back and relax with a good love story may I suggest picking up the Bible. The book of Hosea is one of many stories that will melt your heart.

"I will betroth you to me forever;" Hosea 2:19a NIV

Aren't those beautiful words? (Deep Sigh)  Did you know those words were written for you? You are betrothed to Christ. He is coming back for HIS bride and there will be a great wedding. (check out the book of Revelation) 

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7 NIV

As my family goes through the months preceding the wedding I will have many reminders regarding preparation. For as she is preparing to stand before her earthly groom we all need to continue to prepare to stand before our Heavenly Groom.

 I want to be a bride- adorned  and dressed to please her groom , Christ Jesus, radiant with love, and glowing with hope and expectation of eternity together.

 I must give attention to all the details of my life, my heart and my mind so that I will be that beauty-full bride.

I need to know deep in my heart and soul and mind the truth about love not the lies that the world will tell me about it. 

I want to please HIM and bring HIM glory on that day? How about you, beloved?

My summer's reading list will include some wedding material for sure but I plan on spending most of my time on the greatest love story ever told- The Bible.

Joyfully,

ruthann

Just Loving

Good Morning Beautiful !!!

Will you join me this Monday morning by joining your hearts with the heartfelt words of Christie Nockels and just love on Jesus, for HE is worthy of ALL our love and adoration. Click on the link below and then sing your heart out to Jesus. What a way to start any day!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww7tlzgMz6U

Rejoicing In Jesus,
ruthann