Royal Son

A Prince was born and it's all over the news. It's captivated America and taken over media headlines.  He's third in line to the throne. His future holds titles and responsibilities: Son of a Duchess, Head of State over numerous nations, Supreme Governor of an entire country's church. Just days old and his future is planned. No questions asked. No earning the titles or losing the status. This Prince was birthed into it like you are birthed into air. It's in His blood. Royalty.

And countless mothers stare in awe at this Majestic Mama- What must it be like- to be her- to birth him. How will she raise him? Will she participate in his schooling? Will she use positive discipline, behavior modification, emotion coaching, or just a royal butt woopin? Will she make him meals or teach table etiquette? Will she share her faith and train him in God's Word and ways? Will they read bedtime stories together and bend the knee to pray each night? Will he call her Mom, Princess, Duchess, Madam?

                                                                                 

What a mighty responsibility.

It all seems like a fairytale and we're thankful it's her story, yet we crave the happy ending; the once upon a time beginning. We exhale with thanksgiving that the expectation's on her, not us. The eyes of the world look and watch, question and consider. He's a Prince and she's his Royal Mother.

But what I may not know, what I might have forgotten, what this Mama is reflecting on today- I'm royal too. My son, he's not just any boy. He's the child of a King. Son of a princess. His future is written in stone- his works fashioned before time began. I bore this boy through water, and God bore him again in the Spirit (John 3:5).

I coddled, cleansed, and kept him safe. I prayed with him. I interceded for him. I taught him grammar, math, manners, and a myriad of dos and don'ts. I've appealed to him with bribes, and beaten him with rods. I've rubbed his back, tickled his pits, and giggled over toots and poop and life's mysterious sounds. And smells.

More than 6,000,000 minutes in my care. Over 4,000 days under my responsibility. 12 years for me to show him love. To teach him truth. To lead him to Jesus. And watch Jesus have His way with a boy named Joseph.

My son is a prince and an heir to the throne. God's throne. An eternal throne. Once upon a time, twelve years ago, he was born. And he will live happily ever after in the presence of God and the hands of his Savior. And what happens in between? This royal Mama lavishes him with affection and dramatic adoration. She corrects him and cries with him, while the Author fills in the gaps. Gaps only He can perfect. Making wrongs right and walking a prince to the door of His courts.

He shaped his inwards parts and covered him in my very womb. That tiny frame was never hidden from God when he was made in secret, skillfully wrought by the Master Maker. His substance was seen before that little face was ever formed. And there's a book. A book containing all his days; fashioned for him when as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:13-16). The words within speak of my son- that he's of a chosen generation, of a holy nation. Yes, even a royal priesthood! That he's a special person (1 Peter 2:9). Yes, that's my boy. No earning the title or losing the status. My prince was birthed into it like you are birthed into air. It's in His blood. It's through His blood. It's a Royal Blood-Line and an eternal Life-line.

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What I REALLY Want for my Children

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ~Matt 16:26

Or what would a mama give in exchange for her child's soul? I read of God's people following after the ways of the world and sacrificing their children to demons (Psalm 106:37). Why would you do such a thing? What drives a parent to give their child over to such wickedness? The world. Fear. Doubt.

This morning I was led to pray failure for my children. Failure! Why? Because I've been trying something different during prayer lately.

Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can't unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors. ~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

I've been seeking/striving/learning to not use my time in prayer for prayer alone, but for worship. Can I really practice one without the other? Can I really pray in Jesus' Name without first recognizing who He is? Can I agonize with Jesus for another without becoming one with Him? A mysterious thing happens when we offer praises to Almighty. I'm not talking about out of body, mystical experiences. I'm referring to real-life changes in our thoughts, our desires, and our understanding of people and events around us.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it

shall be done for you. John 15:7

My motherly flesh has ideas about what's best for my children: academic success; a stable, high paying job; good health; a secure retirement plan; anything that will guarantee their comfort and safety. But what does their Lord want? Because ultimately they are His first, and mine second. I have them on loan for just a brief moment, and my only responsibility- point them to Jesus.

So I worship and sit in awe. I envision a grand throne, and on it sits the Savior. He is my Master. He is praying for this mama and for these little ones; the ones entrusted to me. And what is His desire? I find no longing for prosperity, or safety, or success, or even health. This Perfect One has one perfect care- that they would hunger and thirst for the God that quenches and satisfies.

And which of us with full bellies and fat checkbooks will plead to God for needs that don't exist. Why would my children seek out Living Water and the Bread of Life when they are feasting on greasy cheeseburgers and deep fried french-fries? In making themselves rich, and having need of nothing, they can't see that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

It's in their weakness He's made strong. It's when they fall, He lifts them up. It's through the deep waters and burning flames that The Rescuer is revealed.

I don’t want to ask that "we make it safely to school this morning" but rather, "Lord, whatever it takes to show us our desperate need, and make us crave you more, let it be!" I don’t want it to be easy, I want it to be fruitful. I don’t want my children to do it all right and never know the disappointment of seeing the flesh fail. I want them to fall face first and see that they are nothing without Christ and that while Christ is everything with or without them, He pursues them so that they will pursue Him.

What drives a parent to sacrifice their children's souls? Fear. When I imagine my children failing, I transfer that failure to myself. Suddenly their failure becomes my failure. All of a sudden I bear all responsibility for that poor test score, the missing homework assignment, or the really, really, really bad choice that was made. And if I am responsible for their failure, then I must be just as responsible for their success. And when they see me beating myself up and knocking myself around for their failure, they will either condemn themselves for my sake, or grow in bitterness toward me because I am the reason they can't do anything right.

No one is perfect! No, not one! Reflecting their failure on myself requires taking the light off of Christ. And taking the light off of Christ means they will not run to Him in need.

What good is it if they gain the whole world and lose their souls? What benefit is the best education, finest stick built home, and secured bank account when you're spending eternity in misery?

Self sufficient, independent, strong and capable children who recognize their desperate need for the Risen Lord- Impossible? No, but rare.

Yes, I want them to succeed, be happy, live pain free, and not have to worry about tomorrow. But what I want more than that is for them to hunger and thirst! I need them to need the Savior. The self-sufficient, independent, strong and capable child lacks nothing and has need of no one. He who finds himself poor, blind, destitute, and lonely also comes to find himself in Christ- not in a career, or a sport, or a spouse, or even a religion.

In Christ alone the lost are found,

To the one in need- will grace abound.

The rich, the proud, the able one,

How hard it is to need the Son.

But when you fail and when you fall,

You come to find He's your all in all.

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Seeing Beyond These Walls

I worry about paying bills. My heart grows anxious over who might become my childrens’ future spouses. I am engulfed with dread as I envision them leaving home someday. I agonize over what clothing I will wear or what to make for dinner. I grow frustrated at myself for not being more dedicated, determined, consistent, and faithful. I want life to be easier. I wait for the difficulties to pass and wallow in what I have allowed myself to think are 'trials and tribulations.'

Meanwhile, a precious sister weeps over the devastating murder of her dear friend. Children in Uganda are abducted and made into sex objects and deadly soldiers. A husband and father faces death only because he chose Jesus as his Lord and Master.

Millions suffer starvation from lack of simple resources I take for granted. Families are left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs because of the effects of a deadly tornado. A man suddenly loses his wife and newborn; in one day he is made a widow and single dad.

My worries- they begin to fade. My anxieties- they really don’t compare. My frustration- it is redirected toward the meaningless hatred, the death, and the consequences of sin in the world. My prayers- they are turned from my selfish desires to those in need of the comfort, provision, and grace of a Savior.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so

fulfill the law of Christ.

~Galatians 6:2

God's Little Blessings

For the last month, I’ve been extremely inconsistent in the area of fitness. It’s been a struggle to run just a few times a week, and I’m paying the consequences for it! Since I slacked off, I have gotten out of shape and made running even a short distance incredibly difficult. It’s so discouraging to go through this struggle, knowing I’m capable of going further because I have done it in the past, but also knowing I have to work back up to that place.

My main struggle is that I haven’t wanted to run alone lately. I used to run solo just fine! I even enjoyed the solitude I found in that time with just me, the outdoors, and the Lord. I’m not sure why my thinking has changed in this area, but hope I can get out of this ‘funk’ soon! My hubby has been so gracious to run with me when he can, even skipping the gym (which he much prefers) to come straight home after work and run with his needy wife. However, this results in us running the dark, which is not the best of circumstances. I can’t wait until the sun decides to stick around longer each day!

Yesterday I was having a difficult day, and knew I would feel better if I got out of the house and spent some time praying. So, I made myself do it; I made myself run alone! I put those shoes on and decided I would take a new route; enjoy a change of scenery. I hadn’t voiced to God my desire to run with someone. I hadn’t asked Him for a running buddy. But He knows our hearts and our desires, doesn’t He?  

You understand my thought afar off…. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. –Psalm 139:2,4

So I’m running, trying desperately to enjoy it, forcing myself to observe the blessings around me (thanks to a little perspective change from a friend) when all of a sudden this little guy scares

the bajeebers out of me! He came out of nowhere, and at first I thought he was chasing me. After a while, I realized he was running with me! God sent me a running buddy! I literally started laughing! Yes, my run was slightly interrupted since I had to take pics- I didn’t want to forget this! Have you ever tried running and using your cell phone’s camera at the same time? I don’t recommend it! But I’m glad I did J

Yes, it was only a silly bird, but I knew it was a little gift, just for me from my ever present God. On a trying day full of disappointment and tears, He met me and reminded me that He is always there, always comforting, always making Himself known, always offering ways to ease my burdens. I was filled with thanksgiving and joy. I don’t usually laugh on my runs! This day I did. Eventually my new friend ventured off into a nearby field (I think those short stubby legs got tired) and I was slightly disappointed to see him go. However, I was thankful he didn’t follow me home, since I would feel obligated to feed him, and then he might stay indefinitely.

Here is a short video of our run together. Such a cute little thing. (I apologize for how shaky it is -remember, I was trying to run- and in an attempt to save myself the embarrassment of allowing you to hear my labored breathing, I added music, but for some reason it's not working! Ugh. Again, I appologize, now you get to hear just how out of shape I am.) I wasn’t going to include the video, but decided I must, so you can fully enjoy my blessing with me!

God's Little Blessings

The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.

-Psalm 115:12

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Guest Post! The Giver, Not the Gift

Today’s guest post is brought to you by my favorite reader- my husband, James. After much fierce bugging some gentle nudging, he agreed to set aside some time and share his thoughts and convictions with us. I pray you are blessed.

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To believe = To be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust.

Faith = Firm persuasion, a firm conviction producing a full acknowledgment of God's revelation or truth, a personal surrender to God.

As we go into this year full of hope, expectation, etc., we are constantly looking with our physical eyes and mind’s eye for God's promises, or prophecies to come to pass.  We also look for opportunities as well as ways that we can accomplish things that we desire, and maybe even look to the Mayan Calendar. “HA!”  Let us step back and once again put our feet on the ROCK, our foundation.  For He never moves and can never be shaken.

The book of Romans says (as it is written.  “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; (Rom 4:17) and later He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform (Rom 4:20-21).

Abraham did not put his faith in the promise but the One making the promise.  Believe in God. Trust in God for who He is.  When we walk in the darkness, we need light and hope, and God gives us light and hope.  However, light and hope are only as good as their source.  Therefore, let us not overshadow the Giver with the gift or with the obsessions of our life.  Rather, let us take a deep breath as we plunge into the future focused on whatever our spiritual eyes may detect from the lamp of God, and be at peace because all things are being molded together for your good by Him who loves you with great love.  So let’s set our gaze on the Lover of our soul like a love struck teen, and not be so overwhelmed by the details but with the Source of the details.  For He is GOOD.  

From Stressed to Blessed

Alright friends, here we are, December 19^th and only six days until the Big Day! Can you believe it!? Every year it seems to descend upon us quicker than the last. Before we know it, time has escaped us and we are left with only days to accomplish the impossible. Get the Christmas cards mailed- will they even make it in time? Oh well, nothing wrong with receiving a card after Christmas… maybe I should send it as a New Year’s card

instead! Oh dear, what about the lights!? Christmas isn’t Christmas without the lights! However will the hubby find hours to spend on the roof before the Big Day?! Panic is setting in! Dinner? Cookies? If we are going to have a real Christmas we must make it a feast. The door bell rings. It’s my all too thoughtful neighbor delivering an amazing assortment of edible gifts. Really? And now I have yet one more necessity to pile upon my mile long list because, well, I will not receive without giving back! Ahhhhhhh! I am overwhelmed to the point of tears. I cannot possibly do it all, Lord! Who do You think I am? Super Woman? I am overwhelmed! Overwhelmed. This word devours me lately.

But God. Let me repeat that- But God. I love when the scriptures include a “But God.” Whenever I read those two words I am immediately relieved with anticipation of God’s Buts. (Please don’t read that the wrong way!) He gave me some Buts today and I can’t help but share with you! As the enemy came against Jehoshaphat and was too much for him to bear, God proclaimed “‘Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chr 20:15). “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever “ (Ps 73:26). And my favorite: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).

When I am dismayed and overwhelmed over the great multitude of things I must conquer, I take heart that this battle is not mine, but God’s. My flesh and my heart fail, but God is my strength! I choose not to be overwhelmed by my list, but rather overwhelmed by the affection of a God that loved me and died for me while I was yet a sinner, despising and hating Him. I am overwhelmed at the miraculous birth that took place over two thousand years ago. I am overwhelmed that this perfect God-Child grew to be the Servant of servants, yet King of kings, all the while seeking, loving, and choosing me. This God, this Love, this Friend of mine, He is overwhelming. And all of a sudden, I am devoured by an overwhelming God rather than an overwhelming list.

And as the Psalmist pleas, so will I: “From the end of the earth I will cry unto You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I” (Ps 61:2).

A Thankful Heart

Do you have a favorite book of the bible? A favorite scripture passage maybe? I do, but they seem to be constantly changing. However, one of the Psalms I continually go back to and reflect upon is Psalm 95. I just love to read the praises of God; to be reminded that He is a great God, the King above all gods, the Creator of everything we see; that He is my God. These reminders encourage me to be grateful on this Thanksgiving Day. These truths stir my spirit to worship Him, to kneel before the LORD my Maker!

There is also a warning within this Psalm that I must heed: the hardness of my heart. Oh, I can look back and see so many Thanksgivings I spent being anything but thankful. How I sulked and moped about, ruining not only my Thanksgiving but that of my family. I remember the year I defrosted the turkey incorrectly, leaving it inedible, forcing my hubby to go in search of another one Thanksgiving morning. Have you ever tried to find a store open Thanksgiving Day in Douglas County? It's no easy task! I recall being so stressed and grouchy no one wanted to even be around me. Who wants to spend Thanksgiving Day with an unthankful, cantankerous wife and mother? Not my family!

The last half of Psalm 95 speaks of those who have seen the works of the Lord, yet during times of trials and difficulties refuse to remember those works, refuse to choose to worship God with a thankful heart, refuse to enter the rest He beckons us into. I know that I am not alone and that we all have burdens this morning. Today I am afflicted with thoughts of spending the holidays without my gramma, with tension about financial stresses, with worry that this day may not turn out to be the best Thanksgiving Day ever. Today I am busy. BUT... I am choosing to remember who God is. I am choosing to shout joyfully to Him. I am choosing to come before Him with thanksgiving. Today I choose to set my eyes on my King! On this Thanksgiving Day, I choose to hear His voice and rest in Him.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

For the LORD is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.

In His hand are the deep places of the earth;

The heights of the hills are His also.

The sea is His, for He made it;

And His hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture,

And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:

"Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,

As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

When your fathers tested Me;

They tried Me, though they saw My work.

For forty years I was grieved with that generation,

And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts,

And they do not know My ways.'

So I swore in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest.' "

~Psalm 95

Forgetting and Remembering

This may sound like one long ramble, and I apologize ahead of time.  However, if you endure to the end, you will find I do reach a conclusion.  I anticipate reading your conclusions as well!

Today I am meditating on forgetting, yet remembering. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God instructs us NOT to remember the former things, nor to consider the “things of old.” Yet, a few chapters later He tells us we ARE to remember the “things of old” because He is God and there is no other; He is God and there is none like Him (Is 46:9). His Word commands both and we know there are NO contradictions with our Lord. Ugh, can you see why I become so confused? This is why we must take all of God’s word, chew on it for a while, spit it back up, and then chew on it some more.  Sounds not only tedious, but kind of gross, I know. However, the result is well worth the effort and risk. 
 

While meditating on this thought, I am lead to Paul’s words of forgetting those things which were behind in order to reach forward to that which lies ahead (Phil 3:13-14). So, maybe forgetting assists us in moving forward. Ok… if remembering keeps us from moving forward, is it because of the types of things we are remembering?  Is it that we are supposed to not remember the bad, ugly things of our past? No, that can’t be, since I’m convinced that God allows some of the most difficult times in life to teach, train, and draw us closer to Him (such as the life of Job: James 5:11). So, it’s not about forgetting the bad and remembering the good (my previously referred scriptures say nothing of that anyway).

After more chewing and spitting up, I go to the words of 1 Chronicles 16:12- Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. For now (and if I am wrong God will reveal even this to me, maybe through you!), I find my answer in this small verse. The purpose of remembering is to recall what God has done (His marvelous works and wonders) in my life and in the lives of those who have left us a testimony.  I am told to forget however, because I cannot move forward if I am stuck in one place, focused on the things I have or haven’t done. Focusing on my successes can lead to pride, while focusing on my failures can lead to doubt, fear, or frustration. In short, it comes down to removing myself - forgetting the 'me' of the past, and focusing solely on Christ- remembering who 'He' is and what 'He' has done.  This will strengthen my faith and grow my love and knowledge of Him. I must take me out of the equation! Clear as mud? J

Around and Around

The changes of seasons are sometimes beautiful and anxiously anticipated.  We look forward to the colors of fall, moving into a schedule with the new school year, and the coming of gathered family for the holidays. On the other hand, this new season can bring dreaded coldness and dryness distinctly unlike the drought of summer. We may begin moving about each day as if in some sort of trance, stuck in the daily grind of work, school, sports, laundry, dishes, only to tuck the kids in at night so we can wake and do it all over again. Oh the mundaness of it all. Hehe, my computer tells me ‘mundaness’ is not a word. It is obviously NOT a mother, because this word fits into my life day in and day out. Yours?


How about you?  Do you ever have that feeling of being stuck in a rut?  Ever feel as if you’re in a dry wilderness, gasping for a taste of God, a small drop of His presence, just a sip of His Word; struggling for life? Your soul thirsting for God, your flesh longing for Him, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water (Ps 63:1). At times we feel as if we wander, gazing upon the mountain before us, longing for that mountaintop experience. We know we’ve been there before, long ago.  We remember the sensation; the same one Peter, James, and John must have felt as they stood atop that mount with the transfigured Lord of Lords (Matt 17). Looking back summons feelings of disgust at our current, parched situation.  “How did I get here again?  Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I do it to You, Lord? Where have I gone wrong?” We may even plead with Him to take us from this place. 

Recently an elder of my home fellowship referred to this mountain in life in a sermon entitled Who are your Angels?. He described it as having a track around it and talked of walking around and around that track; around and around that mountain.  He went on to tell how he repeatedly saw the same scenery over and over again. In his frustrated and discouraged state he said, “He we are again, same old place, God.” Sound familiar?  I had to laugh as he shared only because I’ve been in the same place so many times myself. However, God responded to his cries of frustration, whispering, “No. Every time you go around that track you are higher on the mountain.”[1] This, my dear sister, was a drop of God’s presence for a thirsty soul. This was a sip of His Word that we so long for when in that place. God is faithful and sometimes we just need a change in perspective.

 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

~Proverbs 15:24

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[1] Terry Nelson – Sunday, Nov 6, 2011 “Who are your Angels?” http://camasfellowship.org/media/sermons/special/terrynelson11062011/