My pastor Scott Cagle for the last few weeks has been walking us up to the cross at Northstar Church. Last week he shared the story and his thoughts on Mary and her Alabaster Box. It fascinated me - for lots of reasons, and a few I had not considered before were brought to mind as I sat there listening and even in the days since.
The "incident" happened before Passover in Simons House. (By the way, Christ would have dined there even if He hadn't already healed Simon. He would have walked right in and blessed Simon and shared his table - just like my Lord...
There were several people there eating together, some of which were Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simon, the Disciples of course, maybe even more.
My Pastor shared with us that each time this Mary is mentioned in the bible that she was at the feet of Jesus - what a wonderful place to be found!
· She sat at His feet and listened to the Word in Luke when Martha was aggravated with her because she was not helping cook and clean and do the busy work of the day.
She knew the worship of listening to His voice and Reading the Word was more important
· She dropped to the feet of Jesus after the death of Lazarus in John. Not so much in sorrow that her brother was dead but in worship of the one before whom she knelt because she understood the life giving power He held and was overwhelmed - they were tears of worship of the Christ, the Messiah, the Miracle Worker
· She also was at His feet as she broke her alabaster container of the most expensive anointing oil that could be purchased at that time - a years salary worth in fact... how long she must have saved for this.
And this particular perfumed oil was usually reserved for a wedding bride, or to show honor of a loved one in death.
I have never truly considered this was for both of those reasons!
* Mary broke open this precious gift and proclaimed herself bound to the groom before her for eternity, as His bride, all as the disciples chastised her for "wasting" what could have fed the poor - they didn't consider the fact that here Mary was pouring out her personal worship on the one who IS the Bread of Life!
* Mary also broke open this gift over the One who would soon give up His life for all of them, for all of us, when He would die on the cross... she poured her personal worship out as the first one to anoint His body BEFORE He even died.
That's why you don't find this close personal friend of Christ at the cross with the others when He was taken down - she had already honored Him!
WOW!
And here's another thought that hit me like a ton of bricks - when Mary dried His feet with her hair and she left that room, she left that home that night being the only one who shared such a personal experience with him - one like no other would! She even smelled like Jesus! Oh my goodness, to have such a unique soul and heart meshing experience with the Son of God!
She found all she ever needed at His feet - blessings, burdens cast off, and beauty of a binding relationship with her King... all because she worshipped Him sacrificially and freely each time she encountered Him!
Mary wasn't rich. That anointing oil and perfumed spice was worth a years salary. It was a commodity that was expensive. Alabaster itself was the most expensive container you could buy. Once the box was opened, the oils had to be used immediately because they would begin to break down right away - lose their scent, their properties that made them extravagant. The stone container could only be used by destroying it.
Sound familiar? Like a broken body hanging on the cross spilling out the precious contents from inside?
It was all or nothing.
The gift - the one thing she had of value was all that would do. Like God's gift this Easter season over 2,000 years ago. It was all or nothing, only the most precious part of Himself would do to save His most precious creation.
Extravagantly lived out, freely flowing, sacrificial worship - we owe Him nothing less this Easter and every day after...
I want to break open my alabastor box of worship for Him! I want to have a heart and soul meshing experience every time I encounter Him!
Happy Easter
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ok - I'm reading the Chick Chat Book of the Month "Boundaries"... its rockin' my world people... a kick in the pants to not only set mine more firmly with a particular relationship in my life but helping that person learn theirs in the process of setting mine in a blessing for them whether they know it at first or if ever.
My responsibility isn't for them but to them... and to myself. I need to love myself as much as I love them, and love them enough to not enable their behavior any longer. Wow God - you are just lovin' me right on through this aren't you? Thank you for revealing what I needed to know in my heart through this book and through your Word! It will be hard, but you are beautiful and my eyes will be on you.
My responsibility isn't for them but to them... and to myself. I need to love myself as much as I love them, and love them enough to not enable their behavior any longer. Wow God - you are just lovin' me right on through this aren't you? Thank you for revealing what I needed to know in my heart through this book and through your Word! It will be hard, but you are beautiful and my eyes will be on you.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Where Patience and Contentment Meet
Patience – a hard trait to acquire, I just don’t ever pray for it – learned that lesson back in the day!
But I’m gaining ground on it little by little because it’s obviously something God knows I need more of but is gently teaching me in small increments fortunately… I think that’s why when my pastor mentioned a certain scripture in church a few weeks back it caught me so off guard – you know, you read something a million times then boom – all o the sudden it’s like you just learned to read a foreign language!
It was this: Luke 3:23 “Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry”
This was a picture of utter patience - even beyond Abraham waiting to have sons, beyond Job enduring the things he did, beyond me trying to lose weight and get healthier, beyond a young woman I know who tried for years to have a child, beyond a man I know who is waiting for his wife to decide she will come home and be a mom to their kids again and seek help to mend their marriage, beyond the woman whose waited so long to be able to find a job she has a passion for…
Here is Christ – who gave up everything – do you understand it was EVERYTHING? We’ve heard that before right? As we begin this 2009 and are maybe waiting for something to happen that we want so badly and are just so anxious for in our lives and that we want so much, think about this.
Here was God, get that, God in flesh, here on this earth that WE made a mess of, came in a world where He literally had t experience pain, hunger, being cold, dirty, lonely, scared, and then think about this...
Now this is where patience and contentment began to come together for me like ever before. I began to really, REALLY see, you CAN’T have one without the other.
How early did Jesus begin realizing he was special, different, how soon did he have the comprehensible relationship with the Father that He knew what was to become for us, when he was 12 years old in the temple teaching the sacred scriptures, when he was working in that carpenters shop learning his earthly fathers trade, think for just a minute if that is you and you know – you know your purpose, your ministry, your destiny! When you know that you and the Father are one and that you are going to change the face of humanity forever even if you don’t yet understand how, or maybe you do! You know what God has sent you for! That there are those in need around you that need to hear what you have to say, that there are people dying every day that need what you have to offer. But you are silent. You are patiently waiting on your heavenly Fathers leading.
As I began to think about this at church that Sunday I missed the rest of the service lost in my own thoughts but that’s totally cool because God was speaking to me you know?! As I thought about all this I was amazed at His patience! But then the word contentment began creeping into my thought too. The Messiah was content in that.
The Bible tells us he worked as a carpenter and in his life growing up that he was loved by everyone who knew him. See, He was content… He didn’t walk around anxious, irritated things weren’t happening quicker, in a bad mood, wishing he could hurry and get started, day dreaming about things he didn’t have or questioning constantly why he couldn’t begin now, second guessing what God was doing because he knew he was born to do something great…
I think when Luke 2:52 says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and standing, and was loved by God and man”, that it’s a picture of contentment and that he trusted God so he found his opportunities to serve wherever he was – working in that carpenters shop, in his daily chores at home, at the temple, being a good son, and friend to those around him, letting his actions and his life draw a circle of love around the community he lived in. Surely if He could await Gods timing and gifts knowing it meant the world, the WHOLE WORLD, then we can too.
So as we begin 2009 with the goals and desires we have, lets first make sure it’s in line with what God wants for us, that we are leaning on His wisdom and timing for it all. But also that we don’t sit in a stagnant state waiting until He moves us somewhere else. Serve how you can where you can – that’s what Christ did. Sometimes it’s as if we are waiting for the door that we want to walk through to suddenly sprout legs and come to us – if we’re out there engaged in our world then the doors we come across may swing wide open as we touch them! He never has us somewhere we CAN”T be effective or make a difference or that He hasn’t given us the talents and gifts to be used in that place.
Don’t compare yourself to others – look at the ultimate example of patience and contentment. Christ waited 30 years to begin. But yet He didn’t either – in the sense that he took opportunities where he found them to begin preparing for the coming purpose. And He gained in his relationship with God with each one
Be grateful what He has given you for this time, and this place even if you’re in a struggle – He gives you strength anew each day and simply pray for God’s eyes to how you can give and live outside of yourself… sometimes that inner voice needs your mind to be in a different place than where you usually dwell so you will hear what it clearly says.
Make time to be quiet with Him too – know Him, learn His desires for you. Be content that your are on a constant journey – and the journey itself is where you gain most of what you need for when the door finally opens – it’s all a part of the bigger plan. Be patient with knowing He is at work in you making you into what He designed you to be.
But I’m gaining ground on it little by little because it’s obviously something God knows I need more of but is gently teaching me in small increments fortunately… I think that’s why when my pastor mentioned a certain scripture in church a few weeks back it caught me so off guard – you know, you read something a million times then boom – all o the sudden it’s like you just learned to read a foreign language!
It was this: Luke 3:23 “Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry”
This was a picture of utter patience - even beyond Abraham waiting to have sons, beyond Job enduring the things he did, beyond me trying to lose weight and get healthier, beyond a young woman I know who tried for years to have a child, beyond a man I know who is waiting for his wife to decide she will come home and be a mom to their kids again and seek help to mend their marriage, beyond the woman whose waited so long to be able to find a job she has a passion for…
Here is Christ – who gave up everything – do you understand it was EVERYTHING? We’ve heard that before right? As we begin this 2009 and are maybe waiting for something to happen that we want so badly and are just so anxious for in our lives and that we want so much, think about this.
Here was God, get that, God in flesh, here on this earth that WE made a mess of, came in a world where He literally had t experience pain, hunger, being cold, dirty, lonely, scared, and then think about this...
Now this is where patience and contentment began to come together for me like ever before. I began to really, REALLY see, you CAN’T have one without the other.
How early did Jesus begin realizing he was special, different, how soon did he have the comprehensible relationship with the Father that He knew what was to become for us, when he was 12 years old in the temple teaching the sacred scriptures, when he was working in that carpenters shop learning his earthly fathers trade, think for just a minute if that is you and you know – you know your purpose, your ministry, your destiny! When you know that you and the Father are one and that you are going to change the face of humanity forever even if you don’t yet understand how, or maybe you do! You know what God has sent you for! That there are those in need around you that need to hear what you have to say, that there are people dying every day that need what you have to offer. But you are silent. You are patiently waiting on your heavenly Fathers leading.
As I began to think about this at church that Sunday I missed the rest of the service lost in my own thoughts but that’s totally cool because God was speaking to me you know?! As I thought about all this I was amazed at His patience! But then the word contentment began creeping into my thought too. The Messiah was content in that.
The Bible tells us he worked as a carpenter and in his life growing up that he was loved by everyone who knew him. See, He was content… He didn’t walk around anxious, irritated things weren’t happening quicker, in a bad mood, wishing he could hurry and get started, day dreaming about things he didn’t have or questioning constantly why he couldn’t begin now, second guessing what God was doing because he knew he was born to do something great…
I think when Luke 2:52 says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and standing, and was loved by God and man”, that it’s a picture of contentment and that he trusted God so he found his opportunities to serve wherever he was – working in that carpenters shop, in his daily chores at home, at the temple, being a good son, and friend to those around him, letting his actions and his life draw a circle of love around the community he lived in. Surely if He could await Gods timing and gifts knowing it meant the world, the WHOLE WORLD, then we can too.
So as we begin 2009 with the goals and desires we have, lets first make sure it’s in line with what God wants for us, that we are leaning on His wisdom and timing for it all. But also that we don’t sit in a stagnant state waiting until He moves us somewhere else. Serve how you can where you can – that’s what Christ did. Sometimes it’s as if we are waiting for the door that we want to walk through to suddenly sprout legs and come to us – if we’re out there engaged in our world then the doors we come across may swing wide open as we touch them! He never has us somewhere we CAN”T be effective or make a difference or that He hasn’t given us the talents and gifts to be used in that place.
Don’t compare yourself to others – look at the ultimate example of patience and contentment. Christ waited 30 years to begin. But yet He didn’t either – in the sense that he took opportunities where he found them to begin preparing for the coming purpose. And He gained in his relationship with God with each one
Be grateful what He has given you for this time, and this place even if you’re in a struggle – He gives you strength anew each day and simply pray for God’s eyes to how you can give and live outside of yourself… sometimes that inner voice needs your mind to be in a different place than where you usually dwell so you will hear what it clearly says.
Make time to be quiet with Him too – know Him, learn His desires for you. Be content that your are on a constant journey – and the journey itself is where you gain most of what you need for when the door finally opens – it’s all a part of the bigger plan. Be patient with knowing He is at work in you making you into what He designed you to be.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas as an Angel
As the most beautiful of heavenly creations, the angels played a part in the WHOLE nativity story (foretelling Zechariah and Elizabeth to be the parents of John the Baptist, a few months later appearing to Mary with the news that she too was going to have a son, appearing to Joseph as well telling him of Mary’s pregnancy and reassuring him that it was all part of God’s plan, and then appearing to the shepherds, of course, announcing the Savior’s birth
But have you thought about the fact that they were actually there at the birth of Christ – the point where heaven and earth actually met and collided!
These angels were created by Christ, they were with Him in His heavenly realm and glory, saw what he was giving up… imagine knowing this God who gave you life, created you to be the bearers of His news throughout creation… now He was giving it all up to go down THERE…
As his cherubim and seraphim must they have thought that this was absolute madness! Would they have wondered at the sense of the plan? Ever since they had been brought into existence they had watched Him create - the earth, the universe, witnessed Him spinning the cosmos, creating us with such care and love, now they were to witness Him setting aside His glory, His heavenly home, His heavenly robe to put on a flesh robe, a very costly robe, a plan that would end in His pain and death…
When God decreed that He was putting on this flesh and coming – coming as baby no less – needing diapers changed, needing food, being cold, hungry, alone in their eyes because they as His heavenly host, His army if you will, would not be staying with Him as they had before...
And the fact that He would arrive in a dirty stall or cave where animals lay and ate… that gold and frankincense and myrrh could not compare to all the riches
He would be leaving - what must they have thought of this sacrifice?
It would be easy just to say that they would just think it was crazy – and that may be true – but I think that when they were told of the plan, the cost, the sacrifice,
They then must have realized just how precious we were to Him and how immense the sacrifice would be and that they were more than proud, more than humbled, more than blown away by the fact that they would play such a integral part of that night.
Of all the figures and being hovering and kneeling around the stable at the first Christmas, only the angels knew just how much that Christmas really cost. Not in dollars and cents, of course, but in sacrifice and love. It cost Him everything.
They must have watched the event unfolding with wonder and love for their King… that He would leave their undying worship and love of Him to be with us. I think they thought how much more blessed we were to be receiving such a love, and how their hearts were breaking at the thought of the journey and where it would take Him.
I think those heavenly beings may have even bordered on jealousy for a moment – in my finite mind I can hardly comprehend that could not have been envious as they looked at the love Mary had for Jesus, the awestruck wonder of the shepherds, heard the earth whisper and rumbled on a deep level that only their ears and hearts could hear – that the most important event in history was beginning right then and there before their eyes – and it was all for us… not them, but for us… and they realized we would have the choice to love Him and know Him in a way they never could.
Maybe this Christmas when we look at the birth of Christ through the eyes of the angels eyes we can begin to truly see the sacrifice made only for us, and worship Him in a way only we can.
But have you thought about the fact that they were actually there at the birth of Christ – the point where heaven and earth actually met and collided!
These angels were created by Christ, they were with Him in His heavenly realm and glory, saw what he was giving up… imagine knowing this God who gave you life, created you to be the bearers of His news throughout creation… now He was giving it all up to go down THERE…
As his cherubim and seraphim must they have thought that this was absolute madness! Would they have wondered at the sense of the plan? Ever since they had been brought into existence they had watched Him create - the earth, the universe, witnessed Him spinning the cosmos, creating us with such care and love, now they were to witness Him setting aside His glory, His heavenly home, His heavenly robe to put on a flesh robe, a very costly robe, a plan that would end in His pain and death…
When God decreed that He was putting on this flesh and coming – coming as baby no less – needing diapers changed, needing food, being cold, hungry, alone in their eyes because they as His heavenly host, His army if you will, would not be staying with Him as they had before...
And the fact that He would arrive in a dirty stall or cave where animals lay and ate… that gold and frankincense and myrrh could not compare to all the riches
He would be leaving - what must they have thought of this sacrifice?
It would be easy just to say that they would just think it was crazy – and that may be true – but I think that when they were told of the plan, the cost, the sacrifice,
They then must have realized just how precious we were to Him and how immense the sacrifice would be and that they were more than proud, more than humbled, more than blown away by the fact that they would play such a integral part of that night.
Of all the figures and being hovering and kneeling around the stable at the first Christmas, only the angels knew just how much that Christmas really cost. Not in dollars and cents, of course, but in sacrifice and love. It cost Him everything.
They must have watched the event unfolding with wonder and love for their King… that He would leave their undying worship and love of Him to be with us. I think they thought how much more blessed we were to be receiving such a love, and how their hearts were breaking at the thought of the journey and where it would take Him.
I think those heavenly beings may have even bordered on jealousy for a moment – in my finite mind I can hardly comprehend that could not have been envious as they looked at the love Mary had for Jesus, the awestruck wonder of the shepherds, heard the earth whisper and rumbled on a deep level that only their ears and hearts could hear – that the most important event in history was beginning right then and there before their eyes – and it was all for us… not them, but for us… and they realized we would have the choice to love Him and know Him in a way they never could.
Maybe this Christmas when we look at the birth of Christ through the eyes of the angels eyes we can begin to truly see the sacrifice made only for us, and worship Him in a way only we can.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Just sharing someone elses words...
I just watched the video for Steven Curtis Chapman's song Miracle of Christmas on the Billy Graham Christmas Special the other night...
"So come to Bethlehem again and see
The One who's come to rescue us, our Saviour and King
Bring your past, the joy, the sorrow, all your hope to find tomorrow
And the God who spoke is speaking still
And the God who came still comes
And the miracle that happened still happens in the heart that will believe
And we see and receive the miracle of Christmas"
Sometimes looking again at that tiny baby in the manger again, after all this years, can become the equivalent of a seasonal afterthought, in fact we can let it all fade into the background of this Christmas season and find ourselves giving it what can become (if we're not careful) obligatory attention at the Christmas Eve Service at church as we take communion before we rush home, only to forget it all as we began wrapping and cooking and doing all the last minute things to make the family happy...
Might we just take the time, a few moments more than once this month to really think about what that tiny shivering little bundle brought to us all... changing the entire face and destiny of humanity... we literally place all our stuff, our issues, our futures, our pasts, our frailty and our hope not just at the foot of the cross, but on the shoulders of that tiny baby.
Our God, the Great I AM, the One in whose image we were made became the unthinkable -He came down to our level, the level of those who needed the saving... and oh my gracious... that same God still comes to us all over again each Christmas and takes all we have, all over again... shouldn't we be completely and utterly amazed all over again this Christmas?
"So come to Bethlehem again and see
The One who's come to rescue us, our Saviour and King
Bring your past, the joy, the sorrow, all your hope to find tomorrow
And the God who spoke is speaking still
And the God who came still comes
And the miracle that happened still happens in the heart that will believe
And we see and receive the miracle of Christmas"
Sometimes looking again at that tiny baby in the manger again, after all this years, can become the equivalent of a seasonal afterthought, in fact we can let it all fade into the background of this Christmas season and find ourselves giving it what can become (if we're not careful) obligatory attention at the Christmas Eve Service at church as we take communion before we rush home, only to forget it all as we began wrapping and cooking and doing all the last minute things to make the family happy...
Might we just take the time, a few moments more than once this month to really think about what that tiny shivering little bundle brought to us all... changing the entire face and destiny of humanity... we literally place all our stuff, our issues, our futures, our pasts, our frailty and our hope not just at the foot of the cross, but on the shoulders of that tiny baby.
Our God, the Great I AM, the One in whose image we were made became the unthinkable -He came down to our level, the level of those who needed the saving... and oh my gracious... that same God still comes to us all over again each Christmas and takes all we have, all over again... shouldn't we be completely and utterly amazed all over again this Christmas?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Anticipating Christmas
Advent: A period of spiritual preparation before Christmas when many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth, of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Typically the advent wreath is one of the more common symbols used to celebrate this season:
1st Sunday – we light the candle of Hope – the hope we have in Christ – hope for more than this world gives us
2nd Sunday – we light the candle of Peace – The peace we find in Christ – when we are at war with life we can find peace in Him
3rd Sunday – we light the candle of Love – the ultimate love we have in the gift of Christ and what He came to earth to provide
4th Sunday – we light the candle of Joy – the Joy we have in Christ – that no matter what we can be joyful in belonging t\to Him
On Christmas we light the 5th candle – the candle representing Christ Himself – that He is the light of the world, that with Him we never have walk in the darkness of fear
I’ve been thinking about Mary as we get into this advent time of year, about the month she spent before Christ was born – thinking about what thoughts and question came to Mary’s mind as she awaited the birth of her son… knowing He was of God, how the emotions must have intensified and the excitement must have been building the last few weeks… what would her child look like? He was God’s – but He was hers too - so would Jesus resemble her at all? Would people know by looking at him something was different? Would he understand things as an infant that most other infants wouldn’t? Would her life be different beyond what every other new mothers was? If so how? Would she be able to be all she needed to be for him? Would Jesus know He was special from the beginning? After all, He was to be a king the angel said - a king whose reign would have no end… Imagine the quite moments she must have spent going over all this in her mind and in her heart… wrestling with the meanings… wondering about the miracle that was coming… how much one on one time she must have spent talking with God…
How much time are we spending in the weeks leading up to Christmas truly celebrating how incredible the birth of Christ really was, really is? Are we being still and quite enough to really let the power of what it all means in? Are we trying to wrap our minds around it all or are our minds too full of wrapping presents and getting our shopping lists done, to think about it at any length? Are we talking it over with God? What do you think God wants to say to you during this time? I can’t imagine that there isn’t something that He wants to share with each of us. This is the birth of His Son we’re talking about!
We have to put ourselves in Mary’s place I think – whether you have ever had a child or not – you can read the Gospels, and as a woman you just can’t help imagine being in that position – awaiting something so special, even the unknown of it would have been not just scary but exciting I imagine!
We have the opportunity during these weeks for our souls to truly anticipate the hope, the peace, the love, and the joy of Christ – to somehow let that Light of the World shine inside us. Let’s take the time to let the true weight of the amazing gift we were given that night over 2000 years ago – take the time to let it settle into our hearts and our souls… let the wave of love truly wash over you as Christmas Day approaches… then get ready to open once again – or maybe even for the first time - the most amazing Christmas gift the world has ever known!
This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Typically the advent wreath is one of the more common symbols used to celebrate this season:
1st Sunday – we light the candle of Hope – the hope we have in Christ – hope for more than this world gives us
2nd Sunday – we light the candle of Peace – The peace we find in Christ – when we are at war with life we can find peace in Him
3rd Sunday – we light the candle of Love – the ultimate love we have in the gift of Christ and what He came to earth to provide
4th Sunday – we light the candle of Joy – the Joy we have in Christ – that no matter what we can be joyful in belonging t\to Him
On Christmas we light the 5th candle – the candle representing Christ Himself – that He is the light of the world, that with Him we never have walk in the darkness of fear
I’ve been thinking about Mary as we get into this advent time of year, about the month she spent before Christ was born – thinking about what thoughts and question came to Mary’s mind as she awaited the birth of her son… knowing He was of God, how the emotions must have intensified and the excitement must have been building the last few weeks… what would her child look like? He was God’s – but He was hers too - so would Jesus resemble her at all? Would people know by looking at him something was different? Would he understand things as an infant that most other infants wouldn’t? Would her life be different beyond what every other new mothers was? If so how? Would she be able to be all she needed to be for him? Would Jesus know He was special from the beginning? After all, He was to be a king the angel said - a king whose reign would have no end… Imagine the quite moments she must have spent going over all this in her mind and in her heart… wrestling with the meanings… wondering about the miracle that was coming… how much one on one time she must have spent talking with God…
How much time are we spending in the weeks leading up to Christmas truly celebrating how incredible the birth of Christ really was, really is? Are we being still and quite enough to really let the power of what it all means in? Are we trying to wrap our minds around it all or are our minds too full of wrapping presents and getting our shopping lists done, to think about it at any length? Are we talking it over with God? What do you think God wants to say to you during this time? I can’t imagine that there isn’t something that He wants to share with each of us. This is the birth of His Son we’re talking about!
We have to put ourselves in Mary’s place I think – whether you have ever had a child or not – you can read the Gospels, and as a woman you just can’t help imagine being in that position – awaiting something so special, even the unknown of it would have been not just scary but exciting I imagine!
We have the opportunity during these weeks for our souls to truly anticipate the hope, the peace, the love, and the joy of Christ – to somehow let that Light of the World shine inside us. Let’s take the time to let the true weight of the amazing gift we were given that night over 2000 years ago – take the time to let it settle into our hearts and our souls… let the wave of love truly wash over you as Christmas Day approaches… then get ready to open once again – or maybe even for the first time - the most amazing Christmas gift the world has ever known!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Get rid of them...
We did a segment on the morning show the other day where we asked what words or phrases you are over, that get overused in conversation, that you want to be done, get rid of, do away with...
We had a few that were expected like cool beans, whatever, my bad, I heard that, etc.
My friend Ann's response of a word and a phrase really got me thinking though... the phrase was "politically correct" and the word was "tolerant". How she was tired of them being used... I too hate them being used from both sides of the preverbial line in the sand. I agreed whole heartedly!
They both have a million different meanings depending on the agenda of the one speaking them (including me, inclcuding you)... so they're both relative. So yes, we ALL have an agenda when we use them that skews the definition at the time to what we want it to mean.
This got me to thinking about other words those of us who call ourselves Christians use on what we have deemed as our side of that line. Dare I say words that we wield, in His name, when we feel appropriate (which just comes out sounding most of the time as overly righteous - no matter what our intention). And also words we say we cannot use, but we really just don't understand the words and are afraid of them.
Words like morals, values, conservative, liberal, power, acceptance, and of course tolerance.
I think we have to find a way to not use any of these words in the same way we have, and learm to use those we are afraid to with a foundation understood long before we can begin to discuss grace, forgiveness, mercy and love in the truest sense.
I guess I really don't think our vocabulary has to be completely void of those words that have a history of offending... otherwise I would be guilty of trying to be "politically correct" myself then wouldn't I :o)
I'm just saying we shouldn't resort to using them out of habit, without regard to who we are engaged in conversation with and where they are coming from, and that we shouldn't just use them to throw an opinion out there in the same old way that actually causes more division because we feel justified in using them defined by what WE feel is the true meaning of the words.
And by the way, is the person we are using these words in conversation with someone we have actually formed a relationship with first? Have we earned the right to speak freely even? Do they know we love them no matter what we agree or disagree on? More importantly do they honestly feel we really do like them? If we can't find one thing to like and respect about someone no matter who they are then we cannot honestly expect them to believe anything we say. I heard Donald Miller say earlier this year that "people know when we don't like them". He's intirely dead on. Those you have found yourself in debates with... have you bothered telling them yet that God loves them? That He is not angry with them? That He loves them and why? Did you tell them this first? (more on all of that another day)
Let's just consider saying things differently, thinking about what we want to say long enough to actually not default to those crutches in our conversations, so that they are not the "easy way out" that is not easy to understand or agree on. They mean something different to everyone anyway.
How something is wrong means something different to each person. Why something is wrong means something different to different people.
Who are we to have the corner market on how we approach others about their "condition" anyway. No, we don't have to water anything down to be truthful. But what we can do is form a relationship first though so that those words never have to be used again in the same way though.
Maybe if we approach people differently than we have before, truly seeing them, with a real desire to connect on every level (including on their level), we may just be able to introduce them to the Jesus who loves them more than they realize, instead of driving a wedge deeper and further between them and Him all in the name of Christianity... heck, He just may use us inspite of ourselves :o)
We had a few that were expected like cool beans, whatever, my bad, I heard that, etc.
My friend Ann's response of a word and a phrase really got me thinking though... the phrase was "politically correct" and the word was "tolerant". How she was tired of them being used... I too hate them being used from both sides of the preverbial line in the sand. I agreed whole heartedly!
They both have a million different meanings depending on the agenda of the one speaking them (including me, inclcuding you)... so they're both relative. So yes, we ALL have an agenda when we use them that skews the definition at the time to what we want it to mean.
This got me to thinking about other words those of us who call ourselves Christians use on what we have deemed as our side of that line. Dare I say words that we wield, in His name, when we feel appropriate (which just comes out sounding most of the time as overly righteous - no matter what our intention). And also words we say we cannot use, but we really just don't understand the words and are afraid of them.
Words like morals, values, conservative, liberal, power, acceptance, and of course tolerance.
I think we have to find a way to not use any of these words in the same way we have, and learm to use those we are afraid to with a foundation understood long before we can begin to discuss grace, forgiveness, mercy and love in the truest sense.
I guess I really don't think our vocabulary has to be completely void of those words that have a history of offending... otherwise I would be guilty of trying to be "politically correct" myself then wouldn't I :o)
I'm just saying we shouldn't resort to using them out of habit, without regard to who we are engaged in conversation with and where they are coming from, and that we shouldn't just use them to throw an opinion out there in the same old way that actually causes more division because we feel justified in using them defined by what WE feel is the true meaning of the words.
And by the way, is the person we are using these words in conversation with someone we have actually formed a relationship with first? Have we earned the right to speak freely even? Do they know we love them no matter what we agree or disagree on? More importantly do they honestly feel we really do like them? If we can't find one thing to like and respect about someone no matter who they are then we cannot honestly expect them to believe anything we say. I heard Donald Miller say earlier this year that "people know when we don't like them". He's intirely dead on. Those you have found yourself in debates with... have you bothered telling them yet that God loves them? That He is not angry with them? That He loves them and why? Did you tell them this first? (more on all of that another day)
Let's just consider saying things differently, thinking about what we want to say long enough to actually not default to those crutches in our conversations, so that they are not the "easy way out" that is not easy to understand or agree on. They mean something different to everyone anyway.
How something is wrong means something different to each person. Why something is wrong means something different to different people.
Who are we to have the corner market on how we approach others about their "condition" anyway. No, we don't have to water anything down to be truthful. But what we can do is form a relationship first though so that those words never have to be used again in the same way though.
Maybe if we approach people differently than we have before, truly seeing them, with a real desire to connect on every level (including on their level), we may just be able to introduce them to the Jesus who loves them more than they realize, instead of driving a wedge deeper and further between them and Him all in the name of Christianity... heck, He just may use us inspite of ourselves :o)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Do You Smell Like Jesus?
“ Do you smell like Jesus?”
by Marisa Lykins
I’m sure a lot of us have been in stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Bath and Body Works, or a Yankee Candle store… we’re at least all very familiar with the scented candles that those stores and many more sell. Even schools and clubs sell them for fundraisers – everyone, at least all women love scented candles unless your allergies are sent completely into orbit by them…
They have candles with scents and smells for any mood… whether it’s the one you’re in at the moment or the mood you want to be in within the hour, for all situations, and even for different seasons if you will.
It’s all based on aromatherapy concepts:
Some medical research says that “Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. Aromatherapy benefits includes stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, immune system’s stimulation, blood circulation, skin improvement and even disease healing”.
I say even if it’s all in our head it does make us feel better to get a hint of something that produces nice images or memories in our minds.
Lavender – relaxing
Citrus/peppermint – for energy, to be invigorated
Melon/Cucumber – refreshing
Vanilla/berry – soothing, calming
Vanilla with cinnamon, or oatmeal and honey, may take you back to the cookies your mom or grandma used to make
Cinnamon may take you directly back to Christmas years ago and your home
Scent has the power to change us – enhance or change our mood, our point of perspective, our outlook… scents can leave such a lasting impression that just like the vanilla and cinnamon combination, or the oatmeal and honey, it doesn’t matter if it’s been 25 years you never forget what the scent of those homemade cookies in the oven smelled like and your are instantly transported back to moms kitchen on a Friday night as a 8 year old licking the spoon and trying to eat them before they had even cooled!
The smell of your favorite candles are slight and faint as they are on the store shelves, but what really activates them to truly release their scent is when a flame is applied to the wick. Sometimes you think it smells a certain way when you pick it up in the store but then when the flame is applied they sometimes release that scent on a totally different level.
Did you ever think about the fact that as we travel our daily road in life we leave a faint impression behind as well? We leave faint traces of a scent behind depending on our moods and what we are dealing with, how we treat others and behave around them because our actions always affect more than just ourselves.… but it’s when the heat and flame come, the hard times, the next crisis, the aggravating situation, the unexpected, when the flame is allowed to actually touch our wicks and we feel the heat, how we react then – to that flame - will determine what scent we are really leaving behind and what that says to others.
Galatians 5:22-23 says “The fruits of the spirit are love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…” what truly heavenly aroma’s
So, does the vanilla scent of kindness and gentleness linger when you have had a disagreement with another because you remained calm and handles it with care? If we became angry, and condescending, how would that smell?
Does the renewing scent of melon and cucumber tickle the senses of that family we just shared our groceries with even while times are hard for us too because we got outside of ourselves for a moment – that would surely leave them with that scent that gave them a renewed faith in human kindness… or would we leave the stench of a lack of compassion trail behind when we didn’t even ask how they were doing even though we knew they were struggling so hard last month, because after all things are tight for us too aren’t they?
What do you think the scent of selfishness smells like? Really, try to conjure up the image of what scent lingers when we turn a blind eye and ear to the person next to us who just needs a little compassion and someone to talk too… but hey, we really needed to get out of work on time that day because the dry cleaning needed to be picked up, and we wanted to get to the video store before it closed, so we put it out of our mind that that coworkers spouse just walked out on her and her two kids the week before… we can always ask how she’s doing tomorrow… right?
When someone encounters us as disconnected and uncaring what does that smell like?
Now here’s a question for you… Do you think Jesus has a scent?
What would he smell like to you? What soothing smell does He leave when He comforts your loneliness, what scent is in the air when He gives you a precious day with your family that was unexpected, or blesses you with just the right song on Love89 just when you needed it?
I think He has many – because He fulfills all needs, right? He’s wants to be our everything, is our everything, so His sweet aroma changes as our needs change!
If we were created to glorify Him, then we should always be leaving faint traces of His smell as we travel our daily road.
As we seek to know ourselves based on His reflection we develop His scent I think. When God created woman He created us not only differently from man, but specifically on purpose different from man. We are I believe created to reflect the emotional relation side of Him on a level that man could not… so we are naturally I think able to be more in tune to His heart of compassion, we understand relationships on a different level… so if we as women find our true identity and freedom He provides from the very beginning of time, if we really tap into that we can walk that daily journey more ready to leave strong lingering scents behind us with all those we meet. We just have let the world for far too long tell us how busy and able to do it all we as women need to be that we lose touch with the ability… it seems hit and miss of not completely hidden at times.
When we understand what He has truly given us in life – in eternal life, in His intention for how we are to live - to be – then we glorify Him. To Glorify God means simply this – to reveal Him.
And if He is our everything, then when the heat is applied to the wick of our lives - when that unexpected death of a loved one comes, when we lose that job of 10 years without warning, when we have that miscarriage, when we are betrayed by a spouse, when the deadlines at work loom and we feel stressed, whatever heat gets applied to our wick and becomes a flame, how we handle that determines how we Glorify Him… if they smell the Jesus they need or an unpleasant odor that is all us – when we take our eyes off ourselves and see the world through His eyes and react accordingly we glorify Him and the scent becomes so strong those around us can’t ignore it and the images they will conjure up for the rest of their lives because of what they experienced in our presence becomes a sweet aroma of being in His presence…
At this holiday time of the year when we should naturally think of what we are thankful for and what has been given to us in the birth of our Savior we still can sometimes let the chaos, the hectic pace, and the anxiety brought on by all those families and friends get to us, then our focus can still get off track of why we should truly just enjoy Christmas for what it is. Now more than ever it’s even more important to leave the right impression and scent behind.
I wanna smell like Jesus!
by Marisa Lykins
I’m sure a lot of us have been in stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Bath and Body Works, or a Yankee Candle store… we’re at least all very familiar with the scented candles that those stores and many more sell. Even schools and clubs sell them for fundraisers – everyone, at least all women love scented candles unless your allergies are sent completely into orbit by them…
They have candles with scents and smells for any mood… whether it’s the one you’re in at the moment or the mood you want to be in within the hour, for all situations, and even for different seasons if you will.
It’s all based on aromatherapy concepts:
Some medical research says that “Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. Aromatherapy benefits includes stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, immune system’s stimulation, blood circulation, skin improvement and even disease healing”.
I say even if it’s all in our head it does make us feel better to get a hint of something that produces nice images or memories in our minds.
Lavender – relaxing
Citrus/peppermint – for energy, to be invigorated
Melon/Cucumber – refreshing
Vanilla/berry – soothing, calming
Vanilla with cinnamon, or oatmeal and honey, may take you back to the cookies your mom or grandma used to make
Cinnamon may take you directly back to Christmas years ago and your home
Scent has the power to change us – enhance or change our mood, our point of perspective, our outlook… scents can leave such a lasting impression that just like the vanilla and cinnamon combination, or the oatmeal and honey, it doesn’t matter if it’s been 25 years you never forget what the scent of those homemade cookies in the oven smelled like and your are instantly transported back to moms kitchen on a Friday night as a 8 year old licking the spoon and trying to eat them before they had even cooled!
The smell of your favorite candles are slight and faint as they are on the store shelves, but what really activates them to truly release their scent is when a flame is applied to the wick. Sometimes you think it smells a certain way when you pick it up in the store but then when the flame is applied they sometimes release that scent on a totally different level.
Did you ever think about the fact that as we travel our daily road in life we leave a faint impression behind as well? We leave faint traces of a scent behind depending on our moods and what we are dealing with, how we treat others and behave around them because our actions always affect more than just ourselves.… but it’s when the heat and flame come, the hard times, the next crisis, the aggravating situation, the unexpected, when the flame is allowed to actually touch our wicks and we feel the heat, how we react then – to that flame - will determine what scent we are really leaving behind and what that says to others.
Galatians 5:22-23 says “The fruits of the spirit are love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…” what truly heavenly aroma’s
So, does the vanilla scent of kindness and gentleness linger when you have had a disagreement with another because you remained calm and handles it with care? If we became angry, and condescending, how would that smell?
Does the renewing scent of melon and cucumber tickle the senses of that family we just shared our groceries with even while times are hard for us too because we got outside of ourselves for a moment – that would surely leave them with that scent that gave them a renewed faith in human kindness… or would we leave the stench of a lack of compassion trail behind when we didn’t even ask how they were doing even though we knew they were struggling so hard last month, because after all things are tight for us too aren’t they?
What do you think the scent of selfishness smells like? Really, try to conjure up the image of what scent lingers when we turn a blind eye and ear to the person next to us who just needs a little compassion and someone to talk too… but hey, we really needed to get out of work on time that day because the dry cleaning needed to be picked up, and we wanted to get to the video store before it closed, so we put it out of our mind that that coworkers spouse just walked out on her and her two kids the week before… we can always ask how she’s doing tomorrow… right?
When someone encounters us as disconnected and uncaring what does that smell like?
Now here’s a question for you… Do you think Jesus has a scent?
What would he smell like to you? What soothing smell does He leave when He comforts your loneliness, what scent is in the air when He gives you a precious day with your family that was unexpected, or blesses you with just the right song on Love89 just when you needed it?
I think He has many – because He fulfills all needs, right? He’s wants to be our everything, is our everything, so His sweet aroma changes as our needs change!
If we were created to glorify Him, then we should always be leaving faint traces of His smell as we travel our daily road.
As we seek to know ourselves based on His reflection we develop His scent I think. When God created woman He created us not only differently from man, but specifically on purpose different from man. We are I believe created to reflect the emotional relation side of Him on a level that man could not… so we are naturally I think able to be more in tune to His heart of compassion, we understand relationships on a different level… so if we as women find our true identity and freedom He provides from the very beginning of time, if we really tap into that we can walk that daily journey more ready to leave strong lingering scents behind us with all those we meet. We just have let the world for far too long tell us how busy and able to do it all we as women need to be that we lose touch with the ability… it seems hit and miss of not completely hidden at times.
When we understand what He has truly given us in life – in eternal life, in His intention for how we are to live - to be – then we glorify Him. To Glorify God means simply this – to reveal Him.
And if He is our everything, then when the heat is applied to the wick of our lives - when that unexpected death of a loved one comes, when we lose that job of 10 years without warning, when we have that miscarriage, when we are betrayed by a spouse, when the deadlines at work loom and we feel stressed, whatever heat gets applied to our wick and becomes a flame, how we handle that determines how we Glorify Him… if they smell the Jesus they need or an unpleasant odor that is all us – when we take our eyes off ourselves and see the world through His eyes and react accordingly we glorify Him and the scent becomes so strong those around us can’t ignore it and the images they will conjure up for the rest of their lives because of what they experienced in our presence becomes a sweet aroma of being in His presence…
At this holiday time of the year when we should naturally think of what we are thankful for and what has been given to us in the birth of our Savior we still can sometimes let the chaos, the hectic pace, and the anxiety brought on by all those families and friends get to us, then our focus can still get off track of why we should truly just enjoy Christmas for what it is. Now more than ever it’s even more important to leave the right impression and scent behind.
I wanna smell like Jesus!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hand Prints of Love
So today on the show we decided to spin the disappointment some were feeling after the election (since there is always a winner and a not-so-much of a winner... I hate the word loser when not in jest) into something positive, so we asked for folks to call in with their stories of when disappointments in their lives turned into something that God used to change their paths for the better.
We heard about a young 17 year old who was raped and found herself pregnant but after deciding to keep the baby found love, is a fantastic mom, and has since found a wonderful Godly man with 2 children to become a family with.
We learned about illness and death that resulted in salvation for others.
One woman shared how after losing a job unexpectedly after 23 years that she began college and now has a masters degree 30 years after finishing high school and has the career she has always dreamed of.
One story shared was that of a 15 year old that after years of her mother being abused, was abused herself, ended up being removed from her home, living with friends, and was finally being taken in by a loving family - she is now a young lady with relationship with Christ, in church, and wanting to help others.
Oh my goodness, and how a life of alcohol and drug abuse following 11 miscarriages now has been molded into a ministry as a youth pastor.
I am continually floored by my God and the ones He creates... how He restores brokenness... how He not only does that, but how He allows us all to look back through that pain and see glory, see His plan in motion, and see His handprints all over our lives.
But that's not even all... through it all we leave our handprints too you know. On those we touch through those experiences. During and after. Are our handprints the shape of our hand or His?
I pray that I'm more like the strong women we heard from today - that I leave handprints through life on the lives of others in the shape of His nail scarred hands and not my self indulgant one... His gentle hands leave the shape of unconditional love, of joy, of faithful obedience. They hold His love and offer it to all He touches... I want to touch the world like that.
We heard about a young 17 year old who was raped and found herself pregnant but after deciding to keep the baby found love, is a fantastic mom, and has since found a wonderful Godly man with 2 children to become a family with.
We learned about illness and death that resulted in salvation for others.
One woman shared how after losing a job unexpectedly after 23 years that she began college and now has a masters degree 30 years after finishing high school and has the career she has always dreamed of.
One story shared was that of a 15 year old that after years of her mother being abused, was abused herself, ended up being removed from her home, living with friends, and was finally being taken in by a loving family - she is now a young lady with relationship with Christ, in church, and wanting to help others.
Oh my goodness, and how a life of alcohol and drug abuse following 11 miscarriages now has been molded into a ministry as a youth pastor.
I am continually floored by my God and the ones He creates... how He restores brokenness... how He not only does that, but how He allows us all to look back through that pain and see glory, see His plan in motion, and see His handprints all over our lives.
But that's not even all... through it all we leave our handprints too you know. On those we touch through those experiences. During and after. Are our handprints the shape of our hand or His?
I pray that I'm more like the strong women we heard from today - that I leave handprints through life on the lives of others in the shape of His nail scarred hands and not my self indulgant one... His gentle hands leave the shape of unconditional love, of joy, of faithful obedience. They hold His love and offer it to all He touches... I want to touch the world like that.
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