Tag Archives: God

May 18, 2014

From Breslau, with love

By valencia68

“On the question of relating to our fellowman – our neighbor’s spiritual need transcends every commandment.  Everything else we do is a means to an end.  But love is an end already, since God is love” – Edith Stein.

God created us to live in community with one another.  We are all souls created in His image.  He uses others to guide us and light the path beneath our feet – a path that leads back to the foot of the cross, a place of love.  In Home, Daughtry sums it up well with, “The miles are getting longer, it seems, the closer I get to you.  I’ve not always been the best man or friend for you.  But your love it makes true and I don’t know why.  You always seem to give me another try.  So I’m going home, back to the place where I belong and where your love has always been enough for me.  I’m not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong; I don’t regret this life I chose for me.  But these places and these faces are getting old.  So I’m going home.” 

Last week I had the chance to speak with a mentor and friend from 35 years ago.  She is a woman of great wisdom, patience and insight who has a keen understanding of long-term investment.  In my formative years, she spent a lot of time imparting lessons on me that she knew very well I didn’t understand.  Nonetheless, she passed the information on with the determination to prepare me for my future, holding out hope that understanding would come.  Although my talents and gifting seemed light years away from coming together, she knew that time would pass quickly and seemingly in the blink of an eye, God would put those pieces together with dime-size precision.  When I look in the rear view mirror at that part of my journey, I see an assertive but confused little person, caught up in the fog of war, who lacked the ability to discern the Commander’s intent.  Having figuratively and literally been through war, she saw an enterprising pre-teen who would go on to do great things.

Our conversation was both intimate and inspiring.  As she did years ago, she repeated last week.  She filled my basket with more than I could consume in the moment, knowing that I would use it to feed the future.  Specifically, she reminding me that:

  1. Hope is a necessary virtue.
  2. Nothing here is ours.
  3. The Lord gives quiet assistance.
  4. My only cut card is love.
  5. We need time with Him to sustain working for Him.
  6. Do not concern yourself with what you may lose when there is so much to gain.

By the end of our conversation, I realized we were no longer the old lady and the girl, but rather two friends from different generations sharing similar experiences.  Her patience with me as a child taught me that there is something deeper than disagreement.  Her insights and experiences shared with me as an adult made me know there is something beautiful in connection.  Proverbs 3:13-18 tells us, “You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.  She’s worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.  Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.  With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.  Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.  She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.  Hold her tight—and be blessed!” (MSG)

My reflection on the conversation drove home the notion that life’s journey is not a series of unplanned disjointed twists and turns, trips and blunders, setbacks and disappointments, triumphs and victories, and achievements and successes.  Instead, it is a highly planned, coherently organized movement of people, places, and things, designed to bring us back to Him.  God uses the bumps to slow us down and redirect us and the open-country road to build us up and encourage us.  Ellie Holcomb in The Broken Beautiful says it so well:  “I’m better off when I begin to remember how You have met me in my deepest pain.  So give me glimpses now of how You have covered all of my heart ache, oh with all Your grace.  Remind me now that You can make a way.  That Your love will never change, that there’s healing in your name; that You can take broken things, and make them beautiful.  You took my shame and You walked out of the grave.  So Your love can take broken things and make them beautiful.  You say that You’ll turn my weeping into dancing; remove my sadness & cover me with joy.  You say your scars are the evidence of healing; that You can make the broken beautiful.”

Life is not a linear, even-paced walk.  We will stumble into the valley as much as we walk on the mountaintop.  When the going gets rough and forward progress seems like an impossibility, God doesn’t just tell us to find a way.  He makes one for us.  He places teachers, mentors, and sponsors on our path; people who light the way, hold our hands, sing praises of encouragement, and show us that “it” can be done.  He places them there to soothe our misplaced aggression, bandage our bruises, lighten our spirits, and give us wings to fly.

Like my teacher and friend (and her mentor), we are all built to be blessings to one another.  So get going!  Soar high and generously sprinkle His love on everyone you encounter.  Be a Godly teacher, mentor, or sponsor and friend in your next human engagement.  Share your story of God’s love and grace with those you meet.  Do so and your actions will teach people this:  “I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.  The Fear-of-God means hating Evil, whose ways I hate with a passion — pride and arrogance and crooked talk.  Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.  With my help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly; With my help, governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority.  I love those who love me; those who look for me find me.  Wealth and Glory accompany me — also substantial Honor and a Good Name.  My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.  You can find me on Righteous Road — that’s where I walk — at the intersection of Justice Avenue, Handing out life to those who love me, filling their arms with life—armloads of life!” (Proverbs 8:12-21 – MSG).  Thank you, my friend!

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May 10, 2014

The Taking of Jericho

By valencia68

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he was obedient and answered the call dutifully.  Both God and Moses knew he would not make it to the promised land.  Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 tells us, “Moses climbed from the Plains of Moab to Mount Nebo…facing Jericho.  God showed him all the land from Gilead…to the Mediterranean Sea…Then and there God said to him, [“This is the land I promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the words ‘I will give it to your descendants.  I’ve let you see it with your own eyes. There it is. But you’re not going to go in.”]”  (MSG)  God seeks obedience and the pursuit of excellence, not perfection.  The role Moses played was a small (relative to time) but an important piece in His masterful mosaic created to bring His people back to Him.

The plan to get the Israelites to Canaan included raising up a young leader named Joshua.  He was Moses’ understudy but was mentored by several people around him.  Upon Moses’ death, Joshua took the helm, even though he did not believe he was ready for the assignment.  In a leap of faith and a great act of obedience, Joshua did what he was told.

God gave Joshua an order to lead His people and a promise to protect him along the way.  Joshua knew God was faithful and delivered on His promises because he witnessed the miracles worked by Moses through God’s hands.  Joshua knew that whatever he might be lacking to complete his mission, God would provide in abundance.  Joshua 1:1-9 says, “Moses my servant is dead. Get going.  Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people.  Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel.  I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses.  From the wilderness…to the Great River, the Euphrates River…to the Great Sea.  It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you.  In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you.  I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you.  Strength!  Courage!  You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.  Give it everything you have, heart and soul.  Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it.  Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going.  And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind.  Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.  Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.  Haven’t I commanded you?  Strength!  Courage!  Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged.  God, your God, is with you every step you take.”  (MSG)

As Joshua set out to honor the God who called him and in memory of the man who trained him, he surrounded himself by the willing and the faithful.  One of his first acts was to rally the tribal leaders.  He prepared them mentally by reminding them that their mantra was strength and courage.  He then let them know they were going to battle and gave them instructions to cross the Jordan River in formation.  He had them to leap-frog their way towards Jericho, taking possession of every parcel of land they touched.  As loyal soldiers, they executed the mission.

Joshua then sent two spies on a reconnaissance mission to gather combat intelligence.  While out, they encountered a prostitute named Rahab who intuitively knew the spies were not ordinary men.  The spies remained focused on mission while Rahab exposed her compassionate heart and open mind.  Because of this, their actions were each pleasing to God and beneficial to His people.  They paid her in conversation for her service of protection.  They spoke and trusted while she listened and believed.  A crimson cloth was the symbol of their covenant; an emblem of the spies’ safety and Rahab’s salvation.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.  (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed).” (Voice)

Joshua 3:1-5, in relevant part, tells us, “Joshua was up early and on his way…Then Joshua addressed the people: ‘Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you.’ ”  He passed along instructions from God to the men of each tribe.  They dutifully followed the guidance and carried the Ark of the Covenant across the Jordan River near Jericho.  The entire nation was able to bear witness to God drying up a swath in the river wide enough for all of them to cross without one person getting even a toe wet.  After celebrating the Passover with a meal, Joshua sat aside in stillness.  Then God provided someone else to help him and to remind him that God is with him.  “13 And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho:  He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword.  Joshua stepped up to him and said, ‘Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?”  14 He said, ‘Neither. I’m commander of God’s army.  I’ve just arrived.’  Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped.  He asked, ‘What orders does my Master have for his servant?’  15 God’s army commander ordered Joshua, ‘Take your sandals off your feet.  The place you are standing is holy.’  Joshua did it.” (Joshua 5:13-15 – MSG)

Afterwards, with continued obedience, the faithful followed the instructions given.  As promised, God delivered Jericho to the Israelites.  It was a mighty battle fought with strength and courage by people who dreamed of freedom (from slavery, the desert, emptiness…).  Casting Crowns tells us in Courageous, “We were made to be courageous.  We were made to lead the way.  We could be the generation that finally breaks the chains.”    

My thoughts about this story have led me to question the following:

Do I follow the guidance from my leadership?  Do I serve where I am needed?  Am I willing to do the unconventional to provide a way for others?  Am I willing to obediently, dutifully and faithfully pursue His plan with excellence and honor?  Am I able to see the miracles that are worked out in front of me?  Am I thankful and prayerful in all circumstances?

Moreover, what role am I playing in His plan in this moment on this day?  [A person in a stretch assignment who, through obedience, led a nation to the Promised Land; An informant whose pursuit of excellence during reconnaissance provided safety and protection for God’s people; An empty soul who gained faith and then believed at the 11th hour; an honorable messenger masquerading as someone else.]  Have I ever been placed in a position that I believed exceeded my capacity?  Have I ever been two-faced?  Am I willing to give away what I have to get what I don’t need?  Have I ever been mistaken for someone or as something I am not?  I challenge you to answer these questions for yourself.  To the extent that any answer in the first set of questions is no or any in the second set is yes, remember this:

  1. Advancing His kingdom in our own neck of the woods is as important to God as the taking of Jericho.
  2. Now, as then, the people he calls upon are ordinary people who are able to do extraordinary things because they commit themselves to His plan.
  3. Our actions are the insignia of our covenant with Him.
  4. We come from all walks of life and have various talents.
  5. None of us is perfect.  Each has character flaws and developmental deficiencies.
  6. The things we have in common are dedication and dreams.

As the retelling of Psalm 126 says in Men Who Dream, “Captives came back into Zion; from their freedom came a scheme.  While the city, it lay in ruins; we believe they had a dream…When our souls were like the desert and we stumbled on the stream; and found revival in the water, we became like men who dream.  And yes our mouths were filled with laughter; and our songs rushed like the stream.  Where He washed our sorrows under; we became like men who dream.  It shall be said among the nations, [There’s a God who shares our dream.]  The Spirit moves our generation; Shed your tears, fill the stream – men who dream.  We are shedding tears that flood the thirsty waters – Men who dream!  We are planting seeds of Men who dream.  God has done great things among us.  Every eye now shines a gleam.  A spark of light reveals the wonder.  We became like men who dream…So let us go into the nations, plunging souls into that stream and singing songs that stir the angels.  We became the men who dream.”

What is your calling? What is your dream?  This is Jericho.  Let’s take it!

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March 30, 2014

Amazing Grace

By valencia68

People come to yoga for various reasons and from diverse walks of life. Those who  stay muddle through the poses, stretching and straining as they struggle to learn the purpose and proper positioning. Those who stay, infinitely lean towards enlightenment, a place of perfection they are comfortable never achieving. With each practice, internal doors are opened and pathways of knowledge are illuminated. Truths that have always existed are revealed. Intrinsic connections are made that strengthen the being and allows the yogi to share with and embrace those around him. The biblical corollary 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “17 When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” (TLB)

I have practiced yoga off and on for several years. In the past when I practiced regularly, I could move into and out of most beginner and intermediate poses with ease. Then, life happened and I stopped practicing. Because I am a former martial artist, the semantics of yoga are not foreign. For instance, warrior II is easily translated as a modified front stance; warrior I is a slow and exaggerated pre-position in a kata before grabbing your opponent’s head and driving your knee into his mid-section; etc. What I have learned this go-round from my return to the mat is that the physical part of the poses is a miniscule part of what yoga is about. One cannot begin to grow until an internal transformation has occurred. The yogi becoming the pose, instead of striking the pose, is the proof that understanding is occurring. In those moments, the yogi extends beyond himself and emits an energy strong enough to inspire and support those around him. His multi-sensory experience releases shackled ideas and unleashes creativity. With a discharged ego, he takes his learning to the next level.

It is inspiring and encouraging to watch the courageous yogi make her umpteenth attempt at a headstand. Having been on the mat next to her for a while, I have seen and felt her progression. I saw her when she started. At 40 pounds overweight, she couldn’t get her feet a foot off the ground. One year later, she could kick off the ground, touch her heals to the wall, immediately boomerang back to the balls of her feet and then fall forward onto her knees. Two decades later, she stands with her feet hip-width apart, bends forward at the knees and waist, and places her forearms on the floor in front of her. Slowly and methodically, she shifts most of her weight onto her forearms, with only a small portion of her load remaining on the balls of her feet. One foot takes to the air as the same leg levitates into a vertical position with the other following to join. With grace and a radiant positive energy, she enters into and maintains a headstand. She is the pose! When enough time has expired, she slowly bends at the waist and knees, allowing her legs to gently descend as though gravity’s power cord has been cut. Her feet delicately arrive on the floor as if the ground were made of rose petals. The sensory awakening one enjoys on a spring stroll through a flower garden is the same pleasure she encountered.

Christians are very similar to yogis. We are a very diverse and eclectic group. There are many times we are called to do things that prepare us for our future. Many times we ignore the call. Other times we answer it, only to be distracted by something else that causes us to quit. I have been called into a relationship with God many times. At times I have ignored the call. Other times I have gone through the motions of going to church services that didn’t speak to me and reading a bible I didn’t understand. I would meet with a congregation for three to six months and then other areas of my life would beckon my attention. A year later, I would try it again – only to be overcome by other events.

Verse 18 continues with, “18 All these new things are from God who brought us back to himself through what Christ Jesus did.” When I moved into my house, my next door neighbor invited me to go to church with her. I declined because I already had plans to travel to Delaware to enjoy the sunrise over the ocean and the weekend at the beach. The day before the beach excursion, one of people whom I was to accompany uninvited me by calling me to tell me that I shouldn’t come because she didn’t think the trip would be child friendly. She said I could come if I wanted to find a babysitter and leave my child behind. I knew the babysitter statement was sheer rhetoric as everyone who knew me also knew that with the exception of work, my child and I were two pieces of an inseparable package.

Feeling hurt, abandoned, and confused, I went back to my neighbor and asked her if it was too late to go to church with her the upcoming weekend? She said, “Of course not. We are delighted to have you.” My neighbor drove us to an outdoor service that was held on the banks of the Rappahannock River. The message spoke to me and led me to establish a lasting relationship with God. When someone rescinded my invitation to the ocean, it opened the door to a lifetime membership to the river of life.

Verse 19 says, “And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him. 19 For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.” We are constantly called to bring his children to Him. To do so, we must invite people, embrace people, love people, pray for and with people, walk with people and most importantly, share our lives with people. His son shared his life, gave it up, and returned as proof that he defeated death to give us a new birth.

For those who still question, the answer is simple: The bible is a love story of an amazing Father seeking the presence of lost children He wants to adopt to give them the unconditional love they are desperately in search of. He even sent his only begotten son to seek and save them. It explains, through story after story, how He pursues the children and keeps a watchful eye as they drift in and out of His presence like the cyclical tide because they are constantly pulled away by distractions. Their ways cause them to wonder and stumble as they ignore His guidance in favor of following their own path. Eventually, there is an awakening for some that causes them to listen to Him. Their stillness allows the truth that has always existed to be revealed to them. Some of them try out the things He offers. After a bit of practice, they comfortably begin to move about as they were intended to do – because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When they are weak, instead of tumbling to their deaths, they simply fall into the plushness that is His great grace. As for the rest, He is still reaching for them and waiting for their arrival.

By putting away our ego, He lives and shines in us. By learning His ways, we deepen our understanding and take living to a new level. Through living by His guidance, we increase our likeness to Him. Others are able to see His reflection through us. There we stand, not necessarily artfully, but definitely because of His amazing grace.

He called someone to lead us and they answered. Will you do the same? Will you extend beyond yourself, make connections with others and accept the invitation to light a path for them that leads to Him?  Verses 20-21 tells us, 20 We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. 21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!

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