A FLAVOR EXPLOSION

Last year was my first real adventure in gardening.  Steve built 2 boxes for me, filled them with dirt and I began planting all my favorites; tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, squash, and strawberries.  I planted about 6 strawberry plants in one end of the box and as soon as a strawberry became ripe, there was a grandkid to pop it in his/her mouth.  This year all the strawberry plants came up automatically, filling the end of the box.  Since I couldn’t plant anything else until the end of May, I had not paid much attention to the garden.  Yesterday, Steve came in and said, “Get your bowl, there are a lot of ripe strawberries to be picked.”  Excitedly, I cut off the stems, washed them and popped a juicy berry in my mouth.  Talk about FLAVOR EXPLOSION!!!  It was strawberry flavor like I have not experienced in a looooong time.  “Wow, so this is what a real strawberry tastes like.”  Yes, I had been eating strawberries purchased from the local grocery’s produce department for so long that I didn’t even know how a strawberry should taste.  Instead of putting in the time and effort to acquire the best, I had settled for the easy offering of a Grocery Produce Buyer.

Too many times I have found myself in this same exact spot in my spiritual experiences and relationship with God.  I become lazy and satisfied living off the spiritual offerings of a congregation instead of cultivating a genuine relationship for myself.  For many years, I was content to attend church, participate on a superficial level in worship, feel the “thrill of the Spirit” run down my spine and continue on with my life satisfied with the “taste of God” on my lips.  Then one day, I found myself in a situation that church attendance couldn’t solve and the runoff of Brother or Sister’s blessing couldn’t cover; I had to start seeking, praying, shedding tears and forming a relationship with God on my own.

God is gracious and merciful to the truly repentant, the genuine seeker and the hungry heart; one day it happened.  I had what we in Pentecostal circles call a “BREAK THROUGH.” 

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Talk about a FLAVOR EXPOSION!   I had tasted of the GOODNESS OF GOD.  It was like nothing I had ever experienced before and I wanted more.  Never again would I be satisfied with feasting off of a bygone experience from yesterday.  I wouldn’t be shopping for one that had spent days ripening on a truck and sitting on a shelf; I needed FRESH PICKED!

REFUSE TO BE SATISFIED; REFUSE TO SETTLE!  Oh it is much easier to just walk in the store and pick up a neat little container of bright red strawberries.  You can even convince yourself that they still have a little “strawberry flavor.”  BUT, if you ever take the time to till the soil, plant healthy seedlings, pull the weeds, water faithfully and wait patiently, you will harvest a good crop.  And once you have tasted the genuine you will never again settle for the fruit of someone else’s labor.

God has blessings reserved just for you.  Don’t cheat yourself out of God’s best by hoping for the “spillover” of a friend’s spiritual experience.  Dig a little, plant the Word in your freshly tilled soil, root out the weeds that threaten to choke out and overpower the tender seedlings, water your ground regularly with tears, wait patiently and rejoice in your abundant harvest.  Your soul is about to experience a FLAVOR EXPLOSION!

WALLS AND BYPASSES

We live in a country that has developed an awesome system of interstate highways and intrastate roads.  We are able to travel between major cities and states on relatively smooth, paved roadways, some with 2 lanes, some with 4 lanes and some are as wide as 6 or 8 lanes.  If a person could stay awake long enough and had no need to make a pit stop, now and then, one could drive down I 75, beginning in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and ending 1786.47 miles later in Miami.  BUT IT HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.

Twenty three years ago my Dad and Mom moved to the little town of Doniphan, MO.  Except for orange construction barrels, our trip consisted of uneventful 4 lane interstates, until we came to Poplar Bluff.  At that point we switched to a 2 lane highway that went right through the city, stopping at every stoplight on our way to Highway 160.  At Highway 160 there was a museum of local nature named “CALL OF THE WILD.” When we would turn at that landmark, the excitement would build because we were almost at our destination.  BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED!

Now there is a BYPASS and the museum has become an Adult Entertainment Club, which still bears the name “Call of the Wild.”  As we approached 160 on the bypass, Steve mentioned, “That club probably wasn’t too happy when the bypass was built.”  BUT NO!!!  The parking lot was full of cars; the bypass hasn’t seemed to affect the club at all.

In his sermon last week, a pastor was preaching on the importance of WALLS in our life.  He stated that walls were put up for our protection and as the “Watchman” for that congregation, when he perceived that something may be dangerous, it was his responsibility to build the wall just a little higher to protect everyone.  But just like the BYPASS, it seemed the WALL had really not made a difference in the lives of so many.  WHY???  Did the BYPASS not go far enough out of the way?  Was the WALL weak or too low? 

BACK TO LIFE!!!  When we receive salvation and begin to follow Jesus, the road we travel down becomes a BYPASS.  It takes us around the pitfalls and stumbling blocks that sin puts in our path BUT it does not do away with temptation.  I could still view the “Call of the Wild” from the bypass but now, I would have to veer off the highway to get there.  As you continue on your journey, you will come to “EXITS” and “CROSSROADS” with luring signs, promising enticing adventures, it is up to you to make the choice; STAY ON THE BYPASS.

WALLS!!!  Is it the responsibility of the “Watchman” to build the wall?  Perhaps that is the problem…we have allowed others to build the “WALLS OF PROTECTION” around our life that WE and the HOLY GHOST should have been working together to build.  The Watchmen is called to WARN not BUILD WALLS!!!  When you allow the HOLY GHOST to build the wall around your life, you can be assured that the weakest spots will be strong enough to withstand a barrage of attacks from the enemy.  When you allow the HOLY GHOST to build your wall, a breach can occur only if you remove a brick. The bricks will not break and the mortar will not crumble. 

If you are struggling along the journey, if you always find yourself taking a detour to follow the flashing, alluring signs, it is time to reset your GPS and stay on the BYPASS!  Perform a thorough inspection of your WALLS; become intimately acquainted with every brick.  Refuse to protect your relationship with God by using a wall built by someone else.  Get on your knees!!! Start reading the instructions!!!  Even if you have to start building your WALL from the ground up, let the Holy Ghost lay the foundation and build it with strong bricks joined with the “MORTAR OF THE WORD.”  Satan cannot breach a WALL built by God unless you remove a brick and following God on the BYPASS will not lead to the “Call of the Wild’s” driveway.

GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

Have you ever started the car, driven to work or the mall and realized you don’t remember anything about the time between leaving your driveway and arriving at your destination.  I remember one time; I continued toward the mall, through a traffic light and about a block down the road, I realized I couldn’t tell you if the light was red or green.  It must have been green because no one honked, I didn’t get a ticket or have an accident, but I was so accustomed to driving a car and going to that specific location that I automatically went through the motions with no coherent thought to my surroundings.  There are so many routine things we do during our day in which we have become so proficient that we can perform them with expertise and little thought or as some would say “do them blindfolded.” Even our relationship with God can become a practice in just “going through the motions.”

If you have been a member of a church for any length of time, regardless of the denomination, you become an “expert” at “going through the motions.”  You know when to stand, sit or kneel; when to say “Amen” or other response; you can bow your head, raise your hands and clap at the appropriate time without consciously knowing what is being said, sang or prayed.  You speak “christianeze” and keep the smile pasted on just right without looking too “fake.” You have even mastered the art of encouraging others while evading probing questions and other's concerns.  You have become a Powerless, Professional Christian and sadly, you may not even realize how you arrived at this destination.

Samson, a judge of Israel found himself in this exact dilemma.  Samson was chosen and set apart for service to God from conception.  His mother was instructed to keep the Nazirite vow during her pregnancy and to raise Samson to adulthood, according to that vow.  I’m not sure when Samson started just “going through the motions,” fooling himself and everyone around him but eventually he became a Powerless, Professional Nazirite in Israel. 

One of the saddest verses in the Bible is in Judges 16.  Samson falls in love with a Philistine woman, Delilah, not realizing that she is being used as a tool to defeat him and the Israelites.  Delilah begs Samson 3 times to reveal the source of his strength and 3 times Samson lies and is able to defeat the Philistine men that attack him.  Finally, the 4th time, Delilah cajoles him into revealing the true source of his strength and Judges 16:19-20 reveals Samson’s true spiritual condition.  “Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” BUT HE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE LORD HAD DEPARTED FROM HIM.”  Samson had become so accustomed to his “station” in life that he wasn’t even aware that he had “run through the light” until the sirens sounded.

Perhaps, you have come to this point.  So many times you find yourself in a situation, you shake yourself and find just enough power to see you through this dilemma.  But what about the next and the next?  Unless you awaken out of the malaise that you have lulled yourself into, a situation will arise soon that you will not be able to “shake” free of.  Once the “Lord has departed,” no amount of professional “going through the motions” will be sufficient and like Samson, you may find yourself  blinded and bound.  Thankfully, Samson’s story doesn’t end at Judges 16:20.  Samson prayed, the power of God returned to him and in his death, he was able to defeat the Philistines.  The last word spoken of Samson in the Bible is found in Hebrews 11:32; he is listed as one of the “Heroes of Faith.”

The “last word” of your story is yet to be written.  There is still time to reconnect with the power source.  The “motions” can become powerful tools used by God to affect those around you.  You don’t have to die blinded and bound; powerless, at the hands of the Philistines.  It is God’s earnest desire to come upon you, not just one more time, but to dwell in you and fill you with power.  You have been called by God to a purpose from the moment of conception; focus on Jesus; listen to His voice and follow after Him.  Go when the light is green and stop when it is red.  God will lead you on to victory.

RUNNING ON EMPTY!

Several years ago, ok, I’ll admit it was more like over 40 years ago; our church was involved in an annual fundraiser for foreign missions, entitled Sheaves for Christ.  One of the fundraising activities was a 20 Mile Walkathon.  I enlisted sponsors, laced up my shoes and excitedly, took off with the rest of the group at the starting line.  We quickly moved ahead of some and fell behind others but that was ok because my friends and I were walking along, chatting and enjoying the day.  Almost 10 miles in, we stopped for a bathroom/rest break.  The workers handed out a cup of cold water and a snack, which I promptly sat down to enjoy.  BIG MISTAKE!!! I suddenly realized that my legs were like rubber and my feet had developed blisters on top of blisters; I had completely run out of “gas.”  No amount of “pride in finishing,” getting the t-shirt or hearing cheers from the crowd could motivate me…I was DONE and the only thing on my mind was getting a ride back to the starting line. 

SOMETIMES YOU DON’T KNOW YOU ARE RUNNING ON EMPTY UNTIL YOU STOP AND CAN’T GET RESTARTED!

Three years ago, we moved back to Michigan, exhausted, blistered and bruised.  Sure, the “gas gauge” of our spirits registered empty, but we were still idling, so we continued walking.  We found a church to attend full of wonderful people but instead of instead of allowing ourselves to get “refueled,” we jumped right in and kept walking.  We tried to be encouraging, prayer warriors and do what we were asked to do but secretly I knew we were “running on empty” and soon even the “fumes” would be ineffective.  If you have ever allowed your automobile’s gas gauge to fall to empty, you know if the car is idling, you put it in drive and step on the gas, it will go for a while because there is a small amount of fuel in the pump.  If you ever stop, however, there will probably not be enough to restart the car because it isn’t created to “run on fumes.”

YOU WERE NOT CREATED TO RUN ON FUMES!

Finally, one day, the engine died; there was no more to give and even the fumes had disappeared in the breeze.  But God was not about to let me sit and rust out, so I took in just enough fuel to get me to the next station and then the next.  Along the way, I have had some “God-Encounters” and “Divine Appointments” and times when I could reach w a a a a y down to the “bottom of the barrel” and find “just enough” to encourage that hurting soul or pray for a hopeless situation; then “just enough” to make it to the next prayer meeting or church service, but I had no reserves; only fumes.

IT’S TIME FOR A FILL-UP!!!

Living through 50+ years of northern winters, you quickly learn that it is a good idea to keep the tank full.  If you don’t, it is possible that moisture will get in and mix with the gas or even freeze in the hoses…not positive occurrences.  Spiritually, we do not want to sit, stand or run on empty for too long and allow foreign substances to dilute the fuel or freeze our spirit….It is time for a fill-up.  So for the next few months, I will spend time connecting with the only one who can REPLENISH, REVIVE and RENEW my spirit with His Holy Spirit.  I intend to spend time walking and talking with Him, refreshing my mind with His written instructions and listening, REALLY LISTENING to His voice. You will see me as we continue doing life.  I will wave and smile as I pass by and I’ll probably stop to offer an encouraging word and prayer but I can no longer RUN ON EMPTY…I need a HOLY GHOST FILL UP!

If this blog hits a nerve and you feel as if I am writing your story, maybe I am.  You don’t have to RUN ON EMPTY any longer.  God has an endless supply and it is available to WHOSOEVER WILL!  Get to the station!!!  It may be your secret place, an altar at your church or small group; you know where you need to go to be filled up.  The Holy Spirit will refresh, renew, reinvigorate and fill you with new purpose.  YOU WERE NOT MADE TO RUN ON EMPTY!

I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO.....

Before I begin this blog, I must establish two facts:

1.   I have lost the same weight at least 10 times over my life.

2.  I raised 2 boys that see life through a reality lens and have never sugar-coated anything.

It was a Monday morning and so of course my mind was on the start of a new week and maybe trying to start another “healthy eating” plan.  Because I am one of the world’s greatest multi-taskers, I was finishing up a cup of coffee, scanning face book and watching the morning news all at one time.  A familiar testimonial ad for a diet plan was playing on the television and the thought entered my caffeine-awakened brain, “I would do anything to look like her.”  Instantly, the phantom voices of my two boys interrupted my musings with, “No you wouldn’t Mom, because all you have to do is eat healthy and exercise.”  Well there went that fantasy and the voices were absolutely correct….after counting the cost, I was found to be a few dollars short!

A few years ago, I was walking with my daughter-in-law, when I saw the most beautifully landscaped lawn.  I remarked, “Oh I would love to have a yard like that.”  She replied, “Yes, me too, if I had someone to take care of it.”  (Amazing, my realist son has a realist wife.)  Obviously, the cost of the beautiful landscape was one she was not willing to pay.  Too many times we yearn for the finished product, after the price has been paid, unwilling to draw from our own treasures to cover the cost.

In the Word of God, there are many examples of men and women who COUNTED THE COST, then made their decision.  Matthew, Mark and Luke relate the story of a “Rich Young Ruler.”  He had a desire to prepare for the future and so he asked Jesus how he might inherit eternal life.  Jesus spoke to him of following the commandments, to which he proudly replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”  But the ledger was not yet balanced, so Jesus continued, “Sell all you have, give to the poor and come follow me.”  Luke 17:23 records the young ruler’s decision, after counting the cost, “But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”  After counting the cost for eternal life, the Rich Young Ruler made the decision; Eternal Life was not worth the price!

The Bible also records the story of a beautiful young Jewish woman named Esther.  She had been taken captive by the Babylonians and she lived with her uncle, Mordecai in the citadel of Shushan.  The king was looking for a new wife, so after a year of preparation, Esther was presented to the king.  The king looked upon her with favor, choosing her to be his new wife.  It came to the attention of Mordecai that one of the kings trusted men was plotting to kill all of the Jews and he had to be stopped.  Mordecai convinced Esther to petition the King for favor and to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation.  After fasting for 3 days, Esther went, unbidden, into the king’s presence, knowing her action could carry a “death penalty.”   The story continues with the king holding out the golden scepter to Esther and consequently saving the Jewish people, living in the kingdom.    The last line of Esther 4:16 tells the real story of Queen Esther, “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”  Esther had Counted the Cost and was more than willing to Pay the Price!

Throughout our lives, it is so easy to look at a possession or the achievement of a friend and think to ourselves, “I would give anything to….” And all the while, we have no idea the cost of their perceived success. If we could see their “Ledger,” would we consider the cost too great?  Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—Before you make any decision for your life, obey Luke 14:28; Sit down, count the cost, then make your decision! 

The next time you utter the words, “I would give anything…” do a little digging, what is the ASKING PRICE and what are you WILLING TO PAY!!!

WHEW!!! TIME TO CLEAN OUT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL!

I stumbled, sleepily to the sink, desperately needing that first cup of coffee.  As I turned on the water to fill the Keurig, a nasty smell cleared the fog from my brain.  The sink was clean, checking the trash can under the sink revealed nothing.  What was hiding in my kitchen?  Once more leaning over the sink, the smell took my breath away and the truth hit me; the garbage disposal needed to be cleaned out.  A couple of days ago, I had rinsed off the dinner plates and scrubbed the sink but I had forgotten to flip the switch to clear out the disposal and wash its contents down the sewer.  A garbage disposal is a wonderful kitchen tool to rid your house of unwanted food garbage but if you don’t flip the switch daily to clear out the unwanted fragments, you will eventually have a bigger problem in your kitchen today than you had yesterday.

How many times have we pushed aside the garbage that accumulates in our life every day, cleaning up the surface but forgetting the important next step; clearing out the garbage disposal.  You may go on happily through life for a few days and then at the most inopportune time, you notice a stench emanating from deep within.  You thought you had gotten rid of it but there were little bits and pieces lying there, putrefying, and just waiting to invade your life once again.  It is time to flip the switch and clear out your personal garbage disposal.

We can fool ourselves and those around us for a time but eventually the garbage that we have just set aside and forgotten to get rid of will make itself known.
Luke 6:4 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Check yourself, do your words carry an unpleasant aroma; sarcastic and cutting instead of edifying?  What about your attitude?  Are you guilty of “stinkin’ thinkin’” instead of hope and thanksgiving?  Even your actions can tell the tale of a full garbage disposal; you begin to consider your own lusts and desires instead of following the Will of God.  Don’t despair, there is an easy solution; FLIP THE SWITCH!!!

Prayer is a beautiful cleanser for our personal “garbage disposal.”  Spend a little time allowing God to give you a thorough cleansing.  He will take away the garbage of the day, the hurts and slights, the aggravations and even the little things we allow to discourage and weigh us down.  Then as an added benefit, God sprinkles on a little Grace to keep you smelling sweet.  You will feel fresher and those closest to you will begin to notice the pleasant aroma of God’s love that emanates from deep inside.  It is time to CLEAN OUT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL!  Don’t wait, the smell will just get worse; DO IT TODAY!!!

TWO LEGS AND A PIECE OF EAR

It had been a long, fun-filled week at Niswonger Grandkid’s Camp 2014 and I was totally exhausted.  The grandkids had gone home, my house was a cluttered mess and after a week of sleep deprivation all I wanted was a steaming cup of coffee, as I stumbled out of bed on Sunday morning.  To properly function, a body requires uninterrupted rest during each 24 hour period to heal, replenish the spent energy and store up a surplus of energy to be used the next day.  If your body goes without this restorative process for too many days, you will tire more easily, your immune system will break down, leaving you vulnerable to illness and disease and eventually complete collapse.  As the caffeine coursed through my veins, bringing me back to life I counted the hours of sleep over the last week and realized 4 to 5 hours per night was not enough to replenish the energy expended every day trying to keep up with 6 kids all under 10 years old.  I was physically exhausted.

It was Sunday and my teaching and tradition told me I should be getting ready for church but on this specific morning, getting dressed, driving an hour for 3 songs, an offering, sermon and prayer was something my mind couldn’t wrap around.  Pouring another cup of coffee, I turned on one of my favorite streaming church services in Louisiana.  I sang along with the awesome worship and prepared myself to hear a good sermon.  But today, it would be more than a sermon; God had a message prepared for me.  I cannot tell you the title or the text but there was one verse that grabbed hold of me and began to do its work. Amos 3:12 Thus says the Lord: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.”  Suddenly God wasn’t speaking to Israel, He was speaking directly to me and it hit me I was SPIRITUALLY EXHAUSTED and in danger of being completely devoured.

I honestly felt that about all I had left was two legs and not even a whole ear, just a piece.  Oh, I knew God still loved me and I rested in His salvation but spiritually, I was completely spent.  For too long I had been taking in just enough to pour out something to others but not enough to build up my own reserves.  Having been raised in church and filled with the Spirit as a child, I was an expert at going through the motions, saying “Amen” at just the right time, smiling and giving just the right word of encouragement, praying just the right prayer, then making my way home totally drained.  My Spiritual Immune System was breaking down, I was becoming vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and I didn’t even have the strength to pull my two legs and ear out of the mouth of the lion; I was exhausted.

The beautiful thing about God is He doesn’t leave us in our exhausted state to rescue ourselves.  No, Amos 3:12 says “As the Shepherd rescues..”  Healing tears began to flow down my face, a glimmer of hope shone faintly in my spirit as I snuggled comfortably in His everlasting arms. “But God is it enough?”  “What can you do with two legs and a piece of ear?”  And God softly whispered, “I created the two legs and the ear; they belong to me.”  If you will listen closely with even one ear, you will hear My voice which bids you come to me on your two legs and I will give you rest.”

Perhaps, you feel pulled apart and devoured until there is only two legs and piece of ear remaining.  You have given of yourself for too long without replenishing the reserve; you are Spiritually Exhausted.  Allow the Shepherd to rescue the parts of you that remain and remake you as only the Creator can.  Rest in His Presence, listen to His voice, allow His Spirit to rejuvenate and reenergize you.  Prepare to be amazed at what God will do with “TWO LEGS AND A PIECE OF EAR.”

 

A SURRENDERED HEART IS NEVER DISAPPOINTED

“Bampa’s taking us to “Red Robster,” 3-year old Maicie excitedly informed everyone as we walked out of church headed for Sunday Dinner with the grandkids.  Is Red Lobster her favorite restaurant in the whole world?  Probably not, but she is 3 so everything and every place is an exciting adventure.  When Maicie is with Grandpa and Grandma she has complete faith in our love, our desire to do whatever is best for her and she knows we have special little surprise blessings just waiting to be bestowed upon her.  Maicie has completely surrendered her will to Grandpa and Grandma, so it doesn’t matter if it is Red Lobster or McDonalds, having her favorite book read to her or snuggling on Grandma’s bed watching a video, going to the Reptile Zoo or making valentines at the kitchen table; A SURRENDERED HEART IS NEVER DISAPPOINTED.

As I meditated, during morning devotions, my mind went back over all the many blessings in my life and the few disappointments.  God whispered sweetly to my spirit, “A surrendered Heart is NEVER disappointed.”  I began to examine each one of those disappointments and realized once again, God was right.  Every disappointment I have faced has been due to following my hopes and dreams instead of God’s plan, imagining the outcome I wanted instead of understanding God’s work in my life, or having expectations all for my benefit rather than furthering the Kingdom of God.  On the other hand every blessing I have received as a result of a Surrendered Heart has been lasting and never disappointing.  Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Lord, help me to have the Surrendered Heart of a 3-year old.  Every morning help me to awake with the excited expectation of the new adventures You have prepared.  I want to have complete faith in Your love and Your desire to do whatever is best for me; knowing that YOU are working all things for my good.  Whether it is “Red Lobster or McDonalds,” I want to feast at Your table; whether it is reading your Word or resting quietly in Your arms, I want to linger in Your presence.  If you want to show me the “Reptile Zoo” or have me share the Gospel at my kitchen table, I am available.   I desire Your will to replace my will and Your hopes and dreams for me to come to fruition.  Most of all, remind me that A SURRENDERED HEART IS NEVER DISAPPOINTED.

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?

“The word passion originates in the Latin, meaning “to suffer.” The word was created by religious scholars in the 11th century to describe the willing suffering of Christ. Passions have become nearly synonymous with pleasures and what excites us in modern culture. But consider that Passion is originally defined as the moment of the deepest willing suffering of Christ for our good. It lifts the word from human desires to a monumental love willing to suffer. When we find ourselves willing to choose suffering for a cause, that cause may hold our life’s mission.

This excerpt from Jennie Allen’s book, “Restless, Because You Were Made for More” spoke something to me.  I’m not sure what the word, “Passion” says to you, but I certainly never considered it synonymous with “Suffering.”  When I think of passion or being passionate about something, I think of something I love, something that gets the creative juices flowing, or something that excites.  I have to confess, I really didn’t get why we always talked about Jesus Christ and His passion.  I seriously thought it was all about His love for mankind; that we were His passion.  Well it was and it is, but, in light of this new revelation of the word passion that I have received, I realize that the Passion of Christ was that He loved mankind so much that He was willing to SUFFER for the cause.

Paul says in Philippians 3:9:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.  Oh we dance and rejoice that we know Him and are partakers in the power of His resurrection but pull back slightly when we consider partnering with His “Passion.” Is the “Cause of Christ” one of which I am passionate? Perhaps, I am wowed by the “Glory.” The dream always includes great exploits, accolades and of course the “stars in our crown” representing the many souls won, but am I willing to DIE; is there any PASSION?

The call to the “Fellowship of His Sufferings and being Conformed to His Death” may not result in your physical death but it will require that you DIE!  If you want to share in the fellowship of His PASSION, your will must die.  What He Desires FOR Your Heart must become the Desires OF Your Heart. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Are you ready to take the first step in really knowing Jesus Christ?  Before you answer the call, consider the cost; “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.”  The COST is great; the cost is everything to share in His Passion for the Cause of Souls, but the REWARD is also great.  The reward is everything; Fellowship with Christ for Eternity.

I'LL DO THE HEAVY SHOVELING

Another snowstorm, another Saturday of shoveling, this has been a winter to remember, so far.  Once again, winter coat, gloves, earmuffs and a snow shovel in hand, I stepped out to clear the driveway of its fresh coat of snow that had fallen overnight.  Fortunately, it has been so cold that the 3 inches of snow was light and fluffy.  The one thing I hadn’t counted on, however, was the 35 mph wind that had created hard packed, 2 foot drifts along one side of the snow piles.  Tackling the biggest drifts first, I shoveled until my back hurt and my arms ached and still I had only cleared about 1/4 of our long driveway.  Walking out, carrying the other shovel, Steve said, over the roar of the wind, “Honey, I’ll get the heavy stuff, you go clear the lightly covered surface.  Thankfully, I went to where I could push the snow from side to side, quickly clearing my portion of driveway, while Steve shoveled the heavy drifts and chunks of hardened snow.

Many times, the “winds of life” roar, blowing our trials, burdens, and problems into hardened drifts.  With a “shovel” in hand it seems we face a daunting task and sometimes have no idea where to start shoveling.  Other times we work until we are exhausted, tossing aside every solution, despairing of ever finding the answer.  I wonder how many times we have missed the voice of God gently speaking over the roar, “I’ll get the heavy stuff; you take care of the lighter burdens.”

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

When life becomes overwhelming, I have a dear friend who always says, “Its ok God’s got this.”  We were not created to shovel the “hardened chunks” in our life, so why do we?  Whatever you are facing; whatever storm you are presently going through, you don’t have to “shovel” alone.   Jesus says, “Come to me and we’ll trade.  You take the light load; I’ll get the heavy stuff.  I’ve got this!” 

ARE YOU SPEAKING PROPHETICALLY?

Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

WORDS MATTER!  The words you speak are not just empty sounds that fade into the wind, they matter and they have a great responsibility attached to them.  They can speak life and blessing to the hearer or hurt and destruction, but they will have an effect.  The old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is totally false; words can break hearts, wound spirits and leave eternal scars.  WORDS MATTER!

A lesson I wish I had learned at a younger age is the words you speak over and to your children can have a prophetic affect. Research reveals that a child who is constantly told he/she is “no good, stupid, fat, clumsy or a piece of garbage,” will begin to believe that about themselves and ultimately become those words.  On the other hand, a child that is told they are loved, that their thoughts and opinions matter, encouraged in pursuing their dreams, and affirmed with loving correction will be successful.  True, some have been over-affirmed without the loving correction and we have created egotistical monsters but by using affirmation correctly and choosing your words, carefully, you can prophesy great things into the lives of your children and even your peers.

I will never forget the first time someone told me I was “sweet and nice.”  At first my mind just couldn’t wrap itself around that phrase; they were talking about me!  I couldn’t wait to get home and let Steve know that someone thought I was sweet and nice.  He, of course, looked at me as if I had lost it and said, “Well of course you are, I always thought so.”  My mind was reeling, I didn’t know my husband thought those things about me, no one had ever told me before.  I had wonderful parents who loved me and cared for me, but believed that pointing out negative traits would “shame” me into being a better person.  From the time I began to talk, I had a mouth that needed to be tamed.  I knew I was a “smart alec,” “hateful,” “sharp-tongued,” “intimidating,” and always “had to have the last word,” because I was told so.  I tried to be the soft-spoken, sweet girl that everyone flocked to but deep down I knew I just wasn’t born to be sweet and nice until one day a person, unknowingly spoke a prophetic word over me.  That sparked something in me that longed to hear those words again and again.  I began to find ways to speak loving things to others, to affirm them rather than criticize, to smile rather than retort and to listen rather than speak. A Facebook connection, recently commented that I was so arrogant and needed to tone things down; the old nature threatened to rise up.  I wanted to come back with sharpness and a quick retort but I refuse to let those words prophesy into my life.  I took them seriously and stepped back to do self-examination and asked God for a “heart adjustment,” but I refuse to allow the words to once again define me.

Jeremiah 29:11says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Allow God’s opinion to define you; allow Him to speak a prophetic word into your life.  He has great thoughts regarding you and He created you to be a beautiful vessel, set apart to accomplish great things.  GOD’S WORDS MATTER; let them be the words you speak to others.

STRONG WINDS & DRIFTING SNOW

I have lived in the northern United States most of my life, so I am no stranger to snow, shoveling, strong winds and subzero temperatures.  Still, it is something that my body has a problem acclimating to every winter.  On the first Sunday of 2014, we awoke to a winter snow storm that would eventually dump 18 inches of snow on our little town of Grand Blanc, MI.  We shoveled the first 6 inches at 11:00 in the morning and Steve went out at least 2 more times that day in a futile effort to clear the driveway.  Monday morning, the driveway was covered with 6-8 more inches and then came the winds.  Not just a little breeze, oh no!!!  These were 25-30 mph Arctic winds carrying the new name of “Arctic Vortex.”  Tuesday morning, the driveway had drifted shut; Wednesday morning, once again, 2 foot snow drifts filled our driveway.  We laughed, so we wouldn’t cry and joked that we were becoming so familiar with this snow we had shoveled over and over that soon we would have to give the piles names.  Finally, the winds died down, the air warmed up and a soft rain tamed the drifting snow and our driveway stayed clear and dry.

How many times have I shoveled the “snow” from my life only to realize that overnight, it has all drifted back and shut down my heart?  There are times the drifts pile up because I have not been diligent to “man the shovel” in seeking God.  Other times it is a fresh storm, which requires a little time and “sweat” to clear, with God lovingly, helping to guide the shovel.  Then, there are the days when it feels as if the “Arctic Vortex” has landed right in the middle of my spirit.  I watch, helplessly as the swirling winds threaten to knock me off my feet.  My spirit chills as the “snow” drifts impede my progress.  Every shovel-full blows back into my face and I want to give up.

KEEP SHOVELING!!!!  The strong winds won’t last forever; they will soon fade to a gentle breeze.  Allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to warm your heart and showers of God’s blessing to tame the drifting snow.  After the winter snow is gone, your spirit will bloom again.

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

IT'S OK, TWO WHEELS ARE ON DRY GROUND

This morning there was the first, of the season, visible, measurable, sprinkling of snow on the ground.  With a steaming cup of coffee and nowhere to go, it really was a beautiful scene; just don’t expect me to drive in it unless there is a real emergency.  My friends and family are well aware of my aversion to driving or traveling on icy, snow-covered roads.  Living in the north, all my life, I have experienced my share of skids, spin-outs, slide offs and accidents due to badly plowed roads and in-a-hurry drivers.  I know I make my sweet husband crazy by my constant reminders of “be careful,” “aren’t you going a little too fast,” “it looks slick up there,” etc.  He has learned how to pretty much just “tune out” everything he doesn’t want to hear but sometimes his exasperation at me explodes.  Several years ago, we were traveling to the northern Michigan town of Gaylord to attend a church fellowship meeting.  It was winter, snowy and the highway was not plowed to my satisfaction.  My never ending warnings and muttering, “Jesus” under my breath finally got on his last nerve; probably because he was trying to concentrate on not going in the ditch.  Without taking his eyes off the road (thank God) he very loudly said words in which I have often found great comfort and have never forgotten. “SUSAN,” he said, “It’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”

Our life is made up of interlocking seasons that sometimes morph into the next before we are prepared for the change.  One morning you wake up and notice a chill in the air, the vibrant green areas are frosted with snow and the trees are bare of fruit and leaves; winter has arrived.  Winter is not one of the seasons of life for which we yearn. It is a season of dormancy, in which we see little or no growth in our relationship with God.  It is a time of leanness and barrenness in our soul as we watch the greenness dry and wither.  It seems that when you try to keep pushing ahead on the path, you hit a slick spot and sometimes even spin-out and slide off into the ditch.  The temptation is to grab a hot cup of coffee and hunker down in safety until spring, but God has some good things planned, even for winter.  In Job 38:22 God asks Job, “Have you entered into the treasures of the snow?”  The snow falls in nature and in our life for a purpose and God provides “treasure in the snow.”

If you are in a season of winter, stand still when you must but when God says let’s go, move forward with the assurance, “it’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”  God has never had a spin-out or slid off into the ditch.  He has 20/20 vision, even during blizzard conditions and a “white-out.”  He is a “SURE FOUNDATION,” a “STRONG TOWER,” and He is “ORDERING YOUR STEPS.”  When the icy winds blow, the snow piles high and your vision is limited, allow that “still small voice” to whisper words of peace, “it’s ok, two wheels are on dry pavement.”

STUDYING THE GAME FILM

Ahhh, September; football season; Saturdays with the Michigan Wolverines and Sundays with the Chicago Bears have arrived at the Niswonger house.  We gather, watch the game; I listen to commentary both from the television and the sofa.  Learn what plays should have been called; find out the plays that we can’t believe they called and which team has the toughest defenses or strongest Offense and always, always root for our team and against the team (no matter which) that can hurt our team's chances for a championship.   Once the game is over, our weekly routine continues but it doesn’t end for the team.  There are practices, plays to design and learn and game films to review.  The coaches and players review their own team’s films, correcting mistakes and searching for weaknesses that can be strengthened by practice or personnel changes.  Game films from next week’s rival team are also viewed and studied.  The strengths are noted, but the most important search is for the opponent’s weaknesses.  No matter how strong a team, if a weakness can be identified and a game plan constructed to attack at the point of weakness, a rival team has a great chance of victory.

Judges 16 records the well known story of Samson and Delilah.  In an earlier chapter, we learn that Samson was to follow a Nazarite vow from his birth and throughout his life.  Even during her pregnancy, Samson’s mother was commanded by God to eat nothing unclean, to not drink wine and once he was born, Samson was to never cut his hair because God was going to use him to deliver the people of Israel from the Philistines.  As we read the story of Samson, we find out that Samson was disobedient to the counsel of his parents and to the command of God throughout his life.  In Judges 16, we find Samson has fallen in love with a Philistine woman and she is determined to learn the source of his strength so she can sell the information to her countrymen and gain an advantage.  To learn this valuable information, Delilah attacks Samson at his weakest, most vulnerable point, his lack of discipline and lust for women.  Eventually, Delilah’s tears and feminine wiles weaken Samson’s defenses, he tells her the source of his strength, she cuts his hair and he is taken into slavery by the Philistines.

Satan will search for the source of your weakness to steal your strength.  He has a whole arsenal of “fiery darts” which he is constantly launching at us from every angle.  If they hit the “Shield of Faith” in one area, he will fire into another area of life.  Satan is constantly on the lookout, loaded and ready to fire at any sign of weakness. The enemy of our soul is not so concerned with attacking us in the areas we have overcome through the Blood of Jesus Christ, but he is very focused on attacking us with the things our flesh is still battling.  If he can successfully strike us at our weakest point, he can gain an advantage over our strengths and eventually take us captive. 

God has provided us with a strong defense that will protect us even at our weakest moments.  Prayer is our “game film,” through which the Holy Spirit can reveal our weaknesses and give us the necessary exercises to strengthen our commitment and desire for the things of God.  He forgives our past mistakes and teaches us how to overcome and avoid pitfalls.  Then because He is such a merciful and gracious God, He gives us another opportunity to get in the game.  The Word of God is our “game plan;” study it.  Studying, knowing and practicing the “game plan” is the best defense against the attack of Satan.  Through Prayer, the Word and the Blood of Jesus, Satan cannot steal our strength by searching out our weaknesses.

DIGGING A HOLE IN ADOBE

When you move into a pre-owned home, you also acquire most of the fixtures installed and left behind by the sellers; not so in a newly built house.  One of the fixtures we had come to depend on was a mailbox.  Although, we could live forever without “junk” mail and preferred to ignore the bills that usually arrive daily; we understood that Creditors would not accept our mailbox deficiency as an appropriate excuse for late payment.  After a trip to Home Depot, acquiring a beautiful poly mailbox, to match our siding and a hardwood post for an anchor, Steve grabbed the shovel, confident that we would be ready to receive mail within an hour.  There were a few facts, however, that we had forgotten to include in our planning.  The soil was clay, the month was July, the temperature was 90 and there had been no rain for several days….Exactly!!!  He was trying to dig a hole in a giant, baked, adobe brick.  After a couple days of digging, filling the “hole” with water, digging, water, digging, water, digging we were finally ready for the next mail run.

Sunday morning, I heard an awesome sermon entitled, “The Cost of Forgiveness” by Anthony Garcia. God’s timing is perfect and it was of course, exactly what I needed to hear.  I heard that still, small voice whisper instructions to my heart and I couldn’t wait to get home and obey.  Someone had said something on Saturday that cut and on Sunday, I was still hurting.  I knew I needed to address the situation, clean out the wound and stop the bleeding.  After corresponding with the person and making it “right,” I tried to go to the next step outlined in the sermon; I needed to “Grieve and Leave.” 

In his sermon, Anthony talked about acknowledging the hurt, taking time to grieve over it, then bury it and leave; MOVE ON!!!  The first 2 steps were easy!!!  I had no problem acknowledging the hurt; the wound was fresh and raw.  The grief seem to come naturally, I shed a few tears, allowed the anger to spill over, reasoned it all out, over and over and finally got the shovel out to dig a hole.  I hadn’t counted on the hardness of the soil.   After digging a couple of minutes, I laid the hurt to rest and smoothed the soil back into place.  Monday morning, the hurt had somehow pushed back to the surface and I realized the hole had to be deeper and it was going to take a lot more digging, some watering, more digging, watering and digging.  So here I am, on my knees, softening the soil of my heart with tears; handing the shovel back to God, I submit to His digging.

Sometimes we go through life enduring the heat of the day and experiencing a drought in our spirit.  We don’t realize how hard the soil of our heart has become until God hands us a shovel and says, “It’s time to dig.”  You may encounter some stubborn weeds, a few stones and tangled roots deep in the ground, left from previous wounds but keep digging.  Allow God to soften the soil with your tears, dig a little more and soon you will have soft, broken ground ready for seeds of love and forgiveness.

Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

WHY HUG WHEN YOU CAN TWEET!!!

This morning is my daughter-in-law’s birthday, so I posted a birthday wish on her Facebook page and posted how much we love her on my status update, for the entire world to see.  Hey don’t judge me, I also sent her a birthday card and a check!!!  Later, I sent an email to check on a sick friend, posted an encouraging Bible verse and texted a man to see if we could go up to the hospital and pray with him and his wife.  Surprised???  We are actually considering getting in our car, driving down the highway to a hospital and physically touching a person as we pray.  Sad, really how rare personal contact has become.

Most of us are becoming increasingly accustomed to a “Sterile Relationship” world.  Just log on to Facebook, you can know more about a person that you have never met, than you know about someone you have spent a lifetime with; that is unless you check out their Facebook page updates regularly.  I email a joke instead of sharing a cup of coffee and a good laugh.  I text a “good morning” rather than take the time to actually hear the voice of my loved one over the phone.  If I’m really pressed for time and still feel the need to express my thoughts, I can “Tweet” in 140 characters or less.  The real beauty of a “Cyber-hug,” it is totally germ-free, I don’t have to be personally involved and I only need to be interrupted at my convenience.

 Has my relationship with God morphed into a “Sterile, Cyber” relationship along with all the rest?  There are days when I am “encouraged” by an emailed devotional or a status update scripture posting when my soul is starving for a meal full of the “Meat of the Word.”  God is waiting with an overflowing basket of blessings for me to take time for a little chat but I tweet a 140- character prayer with my most “pressing” desires prioritized instead.  How ready I am to comment, “praying  for you” but never consider that maybe my best “prayer” could involve a little action; perhaps being the one through which God fills the need.  Now that’s a novel idea!  It’s much easier to email ((hugs)) than actually put my arms around a hurting person or post an emoticon with a tear rather than actually weep with those who weep.

The Bible tells us that Jesus WEPT, He was MOVED with compassion, He TOUCHED the sick and wounded; He WENT out of His way to SPEAK to a woman at the well or GIVE LIFE to the person in the funeral procession.  How different our Sunday School lessons would be if Jesus had “tweeted” life-giving water to the woman at the well or posted a word of encouragement to Blind Bartimaeus.   Sometimes loving people can get messy; ask the man who received spit-filled mud in his eyes or the disciples who had their nasty, stinky feet washed by the Master.  I want to break out of the “Sterile” world I have created for myself.  I want to touch more, hug often, give a genuine smile instead of an LOL and say “I LOVE YOU” face to face.  Most of all, I desire to feel the personal touch of my Savior as I take the time, sit at His feet, lay my head in His lap and linger in His presence.

DON'T WORRY, IT' SLOW RELEASE

We moved into our brand new home on December 1.  Having never lived in a newly built house, I was not prepared for the missing elements such as towel racks, toilet paper hangers, some light fixtures and a fire place mantel, that were constantly used but never given much thought. Another huge undertaking was a lawn, but that would have to wait until spring.  Between our procrastination and the landscaper’s scheduling, the lawn was not seeded until July….bad, bad planning, just in time for the summer drought.  We spent a fortune in diligently watering the sprouting seed and finally by October, we had a sparse lawn to enjoy.

 This year, with the spring rains and a couple of "Weed n Feed” applications, the lawn began to show signs of becoming what I had envisioned.  My husband believes in the idea that “More is better” and decided to fertilize on the first day of every month.  It was great until we came to the hot summer days of July.  So fearful of burning up all the progress we had made, I begged him not to spread the July application.  All I could imagine were crispy brown blades of grass that would soon be trampled into the dry parched soil.  Steve assured me my fears were unwarranted because this was “Slow-Release” fertilizer and would lie dormant on the soil beneath the grass until activated by a water source.  A week passed and the grass became a little less green.  The heavy dew of the night quickly dried in the morning sun before the cracked soil below could benefit.  Another week passed, my fears mounted until one morning I woke to the sound of an abundance of rain.  The rain continued all day, slowing to a gentle shower until finally ending the next evening.  Within 2 or 3 days the brilliant green returned, new sprouts appeared and bare spots were filled; the fertilizer had been activated as promised replenishing the soil’s dissipated nutrients.

There are days I revel in the new growth my spirit experiences.  God is so near, the blessings are overflowing and I’m sure I will never go through leanness again. But “summer” comes, the reserves dwindle and the ground becomes dry and cracked.  The little bit of dew I experience along the way just doesn’t last long enough in the hot winds of life to give any relief.   Sometimes I have questions; I wonder if God really knows what He is doing with this application; will I lose what little progress I have made since the last drought?  His gentle voice reassures my thirsty soul, “Do not fear, it is a slow-release treatment.  The rains will come and activate it in due season.”  So, I wait; my thirst becomes unbearable as I pray, search His Word for answers and listen patiently to the silence, until one day I wake to the sound of an abundance of rain. 

It may come as a gentle shower or a raging storm; begin as a few sprinkles and grow to a deluge, but the rain will come.  God is faithful and as surely as He gives us everything we need to accomplish His will, He will activate it with the necessary rain, at just the right time. You will begin to grow, the bare spots will fill in and the slow-release nutrients will be just what you needed for your next adventure in God.

YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD!!!

In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed a psychological theory known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  It is usually portrayed in the shape of a pyramid with all the basic human sustenance needs forming the base of the pyramid and the other 4 levels forming the rest of the structure.  The theory is that as each level is fulfilled, the human need for the next level is revealed.  Also, until each level is satisfied, a person cannot progress to the next level and reach the final goal of Self Actualization.  I find the 3rd (love/belonging) and 4th levels (esteem) so desired and strived for in today’s world.  Everyone wants to have their existence validated by someone else, you want to matter, you want to be heard and you want to be seen; no one truly wants to be invisible.

Just in case you think I’m getting too scientific or technical, let’s move on to the recent conversations that inspired this writing.  A friend and I were discussing a situation and she made the remark, “We were pretty much invisible.”  Her remark put everything into a neat little package that described her entire experience; Invisibility.  It really didn’t matter what positive events had occurred, her feeling of being invisible overshadowed everything.  In a different conversation, another friend remarked, “BUT don't you like to think that SOMEONE is at least interested or cares enough to ASK? I may not choose to share, but I guess I would like the option!”  INVISIBILITY does not inspire a warm, fuzzy, secure, “all is right with my world” feeling.  Instead, it has the ability to make one feel small, unimportant and insignificant.

So many times in my life I have experienced the feeling of invisibility; walked into a room and no one even glanced my way; talked to the self-important individual who not only monopolized the conversation with his/her exploits but talked past my shoulder, scanning the room for anyone more interesting, exciting or of a greater social standing.  All of these contribute to a feeling of invisibility. 

There are times I have even felt invisible to God.

Now before you think I’ve lost my mind, my salvation and all reasoning, I know God sees and knows all but sometimes it feels no matter how hard you try, nothing works out, no matter how many tears you shed, they were all for nothing, no matter how many hours you spend on your knees, there doesn’t seem to be an answer and you feel you must be invisible.  BUT, YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD!!!! 

You know all those tears you’ve shed and thought no one knew or cared?  God sees and He cares.  Read this precious promise from His Word;

 Psalms 56:7-9 You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
⁹ When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.

The Word of God contains many more promises to assure you that He knows your name, He knows right where you are, and He hears every prayer; “This I know, because God is for me.” 

YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE TO GOD!