Everything he did was unorthodox. Everything about him was a paradox. He was uniquely unique and seemed to have no problem with it. He marched to the beat of his own drum and didn’t seem to mind the ridicule, the stares, and the controversy that surrounded him everywhere he went. I could almost see him chuckling as he walked away from the ever head-scratching Pharisees. Nothing he ever did made any sense to them. He healed blind people with a dab of mud made out of his own spit. He had Sunday night dinners with the IRS. He fed an entire football stadium with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. He stood silent as he faced a death sentence. He chose to die.
In my own life I see distant traces of eccentricity. There are things about me that cause people to stop and shake their heads. The difference is that I’m not healing people or feeding the hungry or making friends with the un-populars. The things I find myself doing are not brag-worthy by any standards. In fact, if I had a giant, imaginary eraser the thing would be worn down to the nub by now. Even as a Christian, I find myself making poor choices. Regret is often an itchy, tight fitting scarf that wraps itself around my throat, making it impossible to breathe at times. There are days when I am constantly pulling at it, writhing in a sweaty heap to remove the unwanted reminder of my own humanness. I am vastly imperfect and I am constantly aware.
Everything I’ve ever done is laid out in one giant cyber melting pot of waste. It’s a massive flea market where everyone helps themselves to everyone else’s stuff. I can’t make my bad choices or my stupid mistakes go away. There are there and they always will be. All I can do is keep moving forward. With broom in hand, I clear a tidy space to walk and keep going, one foot in front of the other, day by day by day. In the background I hear his gentle voice. “Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more.”
Today is a new day and I am a new creature. I stretch my arms, wriggle out of my cocoon and soar above the clouds, over the barren wasteland of my flubs and failures, and into my future. My scarf is looser around the neck today and not quite so itchy. I pull at it anyway, to remind myself that it’s ok to take it off. I am allowed to fly in His freedom because everything he did was unorthodox.
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It was bound to happen sooner or later. I have had such an invigorating run of creativity flowing through my veins lately that I didn’t plan on this one. The dreaded brain fog is returning with a vengeance. The last several days have been challenging for me and it seems that with each addition on my to-do list, the confusion gets worse. I hate to sound repetitive but I’m going to share my mantra one more time. I don’t miss my ovaries but I sure do miss my brain. The good news is that I am planning on sharing my adventure at the Mexican grocery store with you on Thursday. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here’s a poem I wrote about 11 years ago. If it ministers to you, please let me know. I could use the encouragement today.
Let Me
Let me hold you in my arms, sweet child as you begin your day
Give to me your worries as you step out in your faith
I will watch you closely and protect you from all harm
You may not feel it all the time, but I’m guiding you with my arm
Let me hold you in my arms, sweet child when you start to slip and fall
Let me dry the tears that fall from your eyes, let my big hands dust you off
You may not always understand the trials you go through
But rest assured, I’m right here waiting for the chance to cry with you
I know you feel like giving up, I’ve often felt that way
But please believe me when I tell you joy will follow pain
Le me hold you in my arms, sweet child, let me walk with you today
Let my peace fill up your troubled soul, let my love light your way
I’m right here waiting if you need a friend, you can always count on me
I love you so much that I gave my life so that someday we will be
Together forever all of our lives in the palace of eternity
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A couple of weeks ago, I had quite the scare. My heart was literally in my stomach as I took a moment to digest what had just taken place. For several days afterward the aftertaste of that mental assault lingered with me. To be honest, I’m still reeling and still recovering. Without even realizing what I had done, I compromised very personal information about myself and my family. Completely unaware, I had allowed a stranger to enter my inner chambers and get a full access pass into my life, no holds barred.
How did this happen? I “befriended” someone on facebook. The person had the same last name as many of my relatives and even had a cousin listed as one of her “friends”. Someone close to me had the good sense to do some investigative work. To make a long story short, none of us have any idea who this person is. Yet, she infiltrated the system and by permission was given the opportunity to do massive damage. I have since blocked this person from gaining access to me and it remains to be seen how much damage, if any will be done. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, God is showing me some valuable lessons to be learned from this whole thing. Here’s what I’ve gleaned so far…
It’s old news and by now everyone is hip to the current privacy protocol that goes with social networking. Nobody needs to be reminded how easy it is to get hacked, have their identity stolen, and become the latest casualty of the internet wars. Yet I think some of us are still a bit slow on the take. I went back to my info page and was astounded by how much of “me” is available for anyone to see. As one blogger put it, If some random person called you on the phone and asked you the names of your mother, father, brother, sister, where you go to work, what your religious and political beliefs are, the names of your kids and how old they are, etc, etc, etc- you would tell that random person to take a flying leap and promptly have your number blocked. It’s none of their business. Yet because it’s facebook or myspace, or any other “safe” social internet venue, we think we’re actually safe. The truth is that we’re all subject to hackers and phonies, and people who are trying to invade our lives and take what does not belong to them. I think I get it now. If you really want to know something about me, just ask. I’ll either tell you the answer or tell you to take a flying leap. No offense.
As far as I know, Jesus didn’t have a social networking site that he frequented when he walked around healing people and casting out devils. For one thing, he didn’t have time. He was constantly on the go. His life was one continuous adventure and he was literally surrounded by people who were chronicling his every move. Yet, despite the gaping hole of the missing 21st century, it looks like he had a pretty good grasp of the situation.
Matthew 7:6
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.
This message can be applied to every aspect of our lives. When sharing our faith, it’s a call to choose our audience carefully and refuse to argue with those who have opposing views. Those who choose to reject Christ have that right and talking about things they aren’t going to accept or understand is pointless. Let it go and let your light shine in places where it will be received, with doors and hearts wide open.
Social networking can be a great place to make connections and get reacquainted with old friends. Just be cautious about how much personal information you divulge. We live in an evil world and there are snakes and vipers around every corner looking for a free ride. Treat the internet as you would a public restroom. Go in there to do your business but shut the door and keep it clean. Not everyone wants to see everything you have and those that do will most likely use it against you. In the worst case, they could cause devastating damage that cannot be recovered overnight.
Like Christianity, social networking can be loads of fun. You get to stay connected to friends and loved ones through common interests and bonds. When things are lousy, you get instant encouragement from people that are close to you. You get to tell the story of your life to an audience who is not only listening, but telling theirs as well. However, at the end of the day when all is said and done, nothing is more important than knowing that you and your family are safe. Have fun, but be smart about it too.
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I could be completely out of line here but I’m just going to say it anyway. As Christians we really need to stop picking on each other. From politics to the public school system, it seems that everyone has an opinion about everyone else and we’re not afraid to share it with the world. Differences in doctrine and parenting alone can be enough to get us riled up fast. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and it seems like the older I get, the more often I need to pull over and get a rabies shot.
Understandably, we are going to have our disagreements. We can’t all be republicans or there wouldn’t be any reason to practice self-control and patience. We can’t all be home school mothers or America’s Walmarts would go bankrupt. God forbid we all switch to the Pentecostal religion! Can you imagine the potlucks? The grocery stores would need a week just to restock after Sunday! One would think that with all of our uniqueness we would be stronger as a church body. Yet it is precisely these differences that are pulling us apart instead of drawing us closer together. Paul seemed to be well acquainted with the practice of backbiting. Check this out.
Galatians 5:13-14
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Apparently he was no stranger to Christians attacking other Christians. He offered some good advice that can still be applied today. “Listen, you guys. You’re supposed to be servants of God. Don’t use your religion as a means to attack your brothers and sisters. Love them and treat them the way you would want to be treated.”
It should be that simple but I don’t know that it is. It is a little known fact that registered Democrats are hiding out among our congregations. You might find one cowering beneath a hymn book or behind a bucket of fried chicken every election year but they are there. The plain truth is that they love Jesus as much as you do. There are also working mothers who put their children in public school. It is a very painful and difficult choice to send a child into the world and hope for the best. Does that make those mothers any less worthy of love and respect? Our words and our actions would indicate otherwise.
The world grows darker and colder by the minute. Selflessness is rapidly becoming obsolete as society finds more and more things to gratify its sinful cravings. Common courtesy, respect, and decency are as rare as the people who practice these attributes. As Christians, we are supposed to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Have we in our quest to be more religious forgotten how to be more loving? Perhaps it is time to take a step back. Let’s examine our motives when we “gently admonish” our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we can find an inkling of self-righteousness or pride, it might be time to put the pot on simmer and rest a while. After all, a little salt is good but too much is just plain nasty.
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Is this cool or what? I guess people are actually reading my posts because there have been problems commenting lately. First I want to say THANK YOU! Thanks for taking time out of your day to read and respond to my thoughts. It means so much! Also, I changed the comment settings so the kinks are finally ironed out. You are free to comment as you wish! I'd love to hear from you, finally. Comment at will and again, Thank you!
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My friend Cheri, over at Glass House Ministries (http://glasshouseministries.blogspot.com/2010/02/prolific-blogger-award.html)blessed me this morning with an unexpected gift. I've been given the Prolific Blogger award! Yay me! So while I'm actively working on how to insert the picture attached, please check out these other blogs I think you'll like and pass on the good cheer.
(PS- I did not inherit the computer tech gene from my father so I realize that there are quite a few errors in this post. A cute little icon belongs right here and for some ridiculous reason, my links don't work- you have to copy and paste them into your address line thingy at the top. My apologies.)
"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content."
1. Every winner of the prolific blogger award please (if you have time) pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers to spread some love! (Sorry! I didn't choose seven because I'm still new to blogging! I'm working on it, I promise!)
2. Every prolific blogger please link back to the blog from which he/she has received the award.
3. Each prolific blogger link this back to this post, which explains the origins and motivations for the award.
4. Every prolific blogger please visit this post and add their name in the Master Link so we can all get to know the other winners. (None of us are quite sure what the "master link" is, so just visit the post and check out some new blogs, make some new blogger buddies.)
I love having the opportunity to share blogs that bless. Thank you, Cheri, and thank you Prolific Bloggers!
www.writingzombie.blogspot.com.
www.on-the-write-track.blogspot.com.
www.joannesher.blogspot.com.
www.lovinthearts.blogspot.com.
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Last Friday I had the great pleasure of attending a benefit dinner in recognition of some very special people. Bay Area Chaplains hosted a gathering of former prison inmates and the volunteers who give up their time to visit them while incarcerated. It was a beautiful testimony of what God can do with an open heart and a willing vessel. The sad news is that I forgot my notebook. Therefore I am unable to give you specific details, such as the correct numbers of volunteers and inmates represented. I can, however share with you what I remember and hopefully pass on one or two valuable lessons.
Every week thousands of volunteers infiltrate bay area prisons, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. My husband was one of those honored for his efforts. It was staggering to see the numbers of men and women whose lives had been changed for the better. So often we hear ugly stories about former inmates committing gruesome crimes while out on parole. The truth that rarely gets told is that good things are happening inside many of our nation’s prison walls. Incarcerated men and women are hearing the Gospel message, accepting it, and applying it to their own lives. Every two weeks my husband comes home and shares stories about men who have accepted Christ in their jail cell. This simple act of submission changes the entire atmosphere in the prison. Guards are seeing the changes in these men and their lives are changed, affecting their families and everyone around them on the outside. The truth that rarely gets told is that incarcerated men and women are serving the Lord while simultaneously serving their jail sentence.
Of the 20 or so inmates represented at this dinner, three of them had testified that they had gone through seminary and were pastoring their own churches. Every single individual acknowledged that they were actively serving God and going to church on a regular basis. One woman stood and shared how she had received her GED and regained custody of her three children, despite the court’s ruling of a life sentence in prison. She is currently holding a steady job and raising her children to love and fear the Lord. One individual was asked, “How many lives do you think you changed since you’ve been set free?” Without missing a beat he answered. 2,000 lives had been touched since he had walked out of his jail cell. The message resonated with everyone. One choice truly has the power to affect thousands upon thousands upon thousands of other lives.
I learned two very important life lessons as I sat at my table listening to these men and women. As Christians, we have an obligation to preach the Good News at every opportunity. People in prisons and hospitals are just as hungry to hear the Gospel as anyone else. They need to be told that they have a purpose and that God does indeed have a plan for their lives. They need to know that they are not forgotten and that God loves them regardless of what they’ve done. Once they know this and have it rooted deep in their spirits, miracles happen and the Lamb’s Book of Life grows ever larger.
The other thing I learned was that it’s so important to make the most of every opportunity. Our days are numbered here. Nobody knows how much time we have left until Christ’s return so we really do need to be about our Father’s business. Colossians 3:5 commands that we walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. We need to remember those who are incarcerated, pray for them, and pray for the volunteers who sacrifice their time to go to them on a regular basis. We need to remember the guards who are being changed simply by witnessing the transformation among the inmates. I have stored all these things in my heart and will be prepared to pray for my husband the next time he goes to visit his inmates. I will also remember to be prepared next time an opportunity like this comes along to learn something about the world around me. I will remember to bring my notebook.
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I should have seen this coming. Are you kidding me? We’re really going to do this again? Why, Lord? Why do I have to go through this over and over again? What is it that I’m supposed to learn this time that I didn’t learn the last three hundred or so times before? Sound familiar? Life is like that sometimes, isn’t it? Every now and then we get handed the same bowl of lemons we had last week and we’re expected to make some kind of decadent dessert because we’re just plain sick of lemonade. It’s not fair! So really, what is it that we’re supposed to learn from all this? Joshua, Chapter 6 gives us some clues.
vs 10—“You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” The first thing we need to do is shut up. Stop talking. Remain silent. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, when we’re not silent we can’t hear God. During this time of trial we have a wonderful opportunity to get to know God better. When we really stop and listen we could learn some fascinating things about ourselves and our sovereign God. When faced with a difficulty our first inclination is to complain and gripe. After that we beg or bargain. Anger usually comes strolling in right about the time we think we’ve had enough. Eventually we come to the sanctuary of acceptance. God is telling us that this is actually supposed to be our first stop. Zip the lip and simply trust. Be still and know that He is God. When we’re silent we rebuke any form of negativity and allow God to be in His rightful place.
The second thing we need to do is appreciate the power of repetition. By allowing us to go through the same problem over and over again, God has a specific purpose in mind. He wants us to learn to trust and obey. It’s a bit like practicing for a recital. While the act of practicing can be tedious, exhausting, and even painful at times, it produces results. The instrument or dance step we’re trying to learn is perfected the more times we go over it. When practicing a new song, a singer oftentimes starts out rough. The notes don’t sound right, she has to find the right key, and the timing may need some work. The more she practices, the more the song comes together. The notes find their way to perfect harmony and the song becomes a beautiful act of worship for its creator. So it is with us. Repetition should ultimately lead to worship.
I am convinced that worship is the end-all to every problem. When I am worshiping God, my mind is focused on Him and not on my problems. Worship teaches obedience, it silences negativity, and it draws us closer to God during our challenges. It opens our mind up to the things of God and makes every problem seem small in comparison to Him. He’s a big God and he can handle our big problems. John Waller said it perfect in his song, “While I’m waiting”. “I will serve you, I will worship, I will not faint. I’ll be running the race even while I wait.”
If you're waiting, let me pray with you. God is able.
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Call it corny but I have a confession to make. I used to write letters to myself. There was a time not so very long ago when the face in the mirror was the one I most despised. Self-loathing was a familiar evil that embraced me every time I tried to succeed at anything. Depression was the cloak of destruction I wore and it fit very snug. Eventually I came to a point where I was able to see past the hatred if only for a moment. During these quiet times I would search for something positive about myself and then write it down. I think my hope was that I would discover these letters and remember where I was and how I had progressed during the darkest periods of my life. Recently I was rummaging through my old journals and came across three of these letters to me. One was a ridiculous attempt at poetry which I promptly burned. The other seemed like a half hearted attempt that was probably meant to uplift but fell miserably short. The final, posted here was a heartfelt “Way to go, I’m so proud of us!” What I’ve noticed about this last letter was that much of it can still be applied to my life today. If you feel like you can relate, feel free to insert your name where appropriate.
February 11, 2003
Dear Sherry,
When I look at you from a distance I’m so proud of you. You’ve made a lot of mistakes and you’ve taken the hard way more often than not but that’s what’s so admirable. Each time you fail or fall down you grow a little stronger. In a word, you are a fighter. You wear your bruises in a proud but humble way and you never forget to thank God for even minor achievements. Instead of putting yourself down all the time, make an effort to congratulate yourself for the things you did right or didn’t do wrong.
You are a good friend who only asks the same in return. Notice these things! There’s no limit to all the creative energy swelling up inside you. God wants to use it so let him. Stop being afraid and look forward, anticipating good things. You’re not perfect but who is? You’re always reaching for something better because in your heart you know it is right within your grasp. Claim what you are after and don’t let anyone or anything block the entrance to your dreams. Allow God the freedom to do all that he has planned for you. Listen to his instruction and do what he says. Have faith in yourself. The more of you that you give away the brighter you shine.
Love,
Me
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