CONNECTIONS

In my reflection BUILDING TRUST, I wrote about a Fred Rogers quote a music director, a “stranger” to me then, mentioned. When I sent an email and shared the link with him, his return email included another Fred Rogers quote. He was excited to share a powerful story of Mister Rogers’ influence in his life through the years and suggested we meet in person. I was honored to listen to him share, as I both smiled and cried seeing God working in his life.

As I was listening, I could see the influence of Mister Rogers flow out of him through the way he lives. This man, through the years, has learned the importance of caring about the people he meets, both professionally and personally. He lives knowing the value of:

 

 

Continue reading “CONNECTIONS”

POSTURES OF WORSHIP

As Christians, we have the privilege and responsibility of worshiping God above all else in this world. From the following definition, we learn worship should only be rendered to God and God alone.

The KJV Dictionary definition of worship is: “Homage rendered to God which it is sinful (idolatry) to render to any created being.”

 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”  –Luke 4:8  (NIV)

Jesus instructed us to worship and serve only God in and with our lives modeling this with His short life on earth. Everything Jesus did was to worship and serve God, even being put to death on the cross for you and me. Continue reading “POSTURES OF WORSHIP”

GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALED

I am enjoying the engaging spirit-filled conversations I have making new friends while sharing my books. My life is enriched by these warm exchanges which often spark a reflection of some sort. One of these special encounters was another cherished God moment leading to this reflection.

In the second face-to-face conversation with a new friend, he was curious to hear my story of how God led me to my writing ministry. My friend, as I was sharing, was reminded of what a college chaplain mentioned at his first event on campus that he sees in my life with writing. The chaplain was encouraging the students to see God’s presence revealed in their lives and said:

 

Continue reading “GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALED”

JOY AND SORROW

A friend recently shared a New York Times newspaper article, “What Mary Can Teach Us About the Joy and Pain of Life.” I found it thought-provoking, having a few messages relevant to our lives.

 

 

With the holiday season upon us, the story of The Birth of Jesus Foretold, in Luke 1:26-38, might be familiar. In a short version of the angel’s announcement to Mary we read:

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” –Luke 1:28-31 (NLT)

Consider what joy and pain Mary must have experienced with the angel’s greeting.

*The angel’s greeting is one of joy as Gabriel shares Mary is favored!

*At the same time, we learn Mary is confused and disturbed, wondering what her life was going to be like. She is already pledged to be married to Joseph and has not had relations with any man.

How will people view her?

Will they believe she is a virgin?

What will Joseph think?

Will Joseph divorce her?

How will she explain this to her parents? Continue reading “JOY AND SORROW”

BOAST IN WEAKNESSES

Have you ever read a Scripture passage you’ve seen many times before, but one particular day it was so powerful and took on special meaning?

I recently experienced that blessing on the night before the launch of my second book, God’s Love Illuminated. I had been feeling peaceful all week after my Pastor prayed over me. Well, that peace lasted until that night when I laid awake for a long time. I began reading email devotions.

At 2:30 am, God used a Proverbs 31 devotion entitled “You Don’t Have to be Amazing” to minister to my spirit. It featured the following Scripture passage. In the thoughts the writer was sharing, the word “boast” was italicized and jumped out at me. Continue reading “BOAST IN WEAKNESSES”

PRAISE AT ALL TIMES

While reflecting on “gratitude” from last week’s reflection, I can’t help but think how “praise” goes hand-in-hand with gratitude. Warning: There might be a challenge for this week.

Dictionary.com’s top two definitions for the word “praise” are:
–the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
–the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship.

 

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.  –Psalm 34:1-3  (NLT) Continue reading “PRAISE AT ALL TIMES”

GRATITUDE

What do we do when overcome with grief?
How about the times we experience despair?

 

As Christians, what are ways we can deal with grief and despair?

~Turn to scripture for comfort.

~Pray.

~Share with a trusted friend who can encourage.

~Take a walk in nature.

~Share with the Lord.

~Cry when we need to.

~Seek Godly counsel.

~Express ourselves through music, artistry, or writing.

~Express gratitude to God.

 

Wait a minute! What was that last one you mentioned? Yes, have you ever considered expressing gratitude to God when you are experiencing grief and despair? Continue reading “GRATITUDE”

BUILDING TRUST

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”  –Fred Rogers

 

A music director of a church congregation shared this quote. He was having surgery for cancer the following day. What wisdom can we take away from the quote?

 

 

 

While reflecting on this quote, I couldn’t help but think how God is the perfect model for us.

When we turn to God in our brokenness as we go through trials or when life’s problems seem to overwhelm us, doesn’t God…

…welcome us in the safety of His arms as we share our hearts with Him?
  His huge outstretched arms protect you – under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.  –Psalm 91:4  (MSG)

…listen to us with His heart?
  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  –Jeremiah 29:12  (NIV)

…let us know we can trust Him?
  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  –Psalm 62:8  (NIV)

…send us encouragement, be it a blessing in nature or a passage in the Word?
  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  –Isaiah 41:13  (NIV)

…assure us He is with us?
 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  –Joshua 1:9  (ESV)

 

Photo courtesy of Eric Holmes under Creative Commons License (CC0 1.0)

 

What a treasure it is in our lives when, especially in our distress, we first turn to God to share with Him. Knowing that God is always there for us, listening to us, comforting us, and encouraging us gives us true peace. As we trust the Lord more and more, we realize we are never alone. God is with us in the most difficult of circumstances.

It is always an extra blessing to see the people God puts in our path who model those Godly attributes in the human form. Sometimes we need that human connection to feel God’s grace even more in our lives.

Can you think of people who provide that for you?
Who comes to you knowing you are there for them?

 

This week may you be encouraged to…
…reach out to God and share your heart when life is tough, and you need a reminder you are not alone.
…look for faithful, trustworthy humans who will be there when you need them.
…seek ways you can improve yourself in building trust with others.
…praise God by the way you respect and honor those in your path by meeting them in their need.

 

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.  –1 Peter 1:22  (NIV)

INSTRUMENTS OF LOVE

If I asked you how you have experienced the love of God, how would you answer?

 

Have you experienced the love of God through…

…the beauty of nature?

…viewing the ocean waters?

…worship music?

…inspiring writings?

…the quiet?

…those that serve you when in need?

…feeling valued and respected by another?

…the person who takes time to listen to not only your words but your heart too?

 

I heard this quote from a sermon:

 

How powerful is that statement?
Does it ring true in your life?
Didn’t Jesus model that quote?

 

Jesus was an instrument of the love of God to others by the way He valued and listened to them.

 

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.  –Mark 1:40-42  (NLT)

Jesus listened to the leper’s earnest plea to be healed. Valuing this leper so much, Jesus willingly touched him, which was something that would make Jesus unclean according to the Mosaic law.  The leper was healed immediately and experienced God’s love for him.

We know sometimes God has reasons for “not willing” to heal our bodies in the way we want. We should keep in mind that we are still valued and loved by Him. God is God, and we need to trust His perfect will reigns in our lives.

  

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”  –John 8:4-11  (NLT)

This woman committed adultery, an offense that warranted stoning her according to the law of Moses. Jesus valued her as a child of God. He asked the teachers of the law and the Pharisees that whoever of them was without sin to cast the first stone. Jesus shared God’s love with this woman by not condemning her but encouraging her to change her life and ways.   

 

I believe this acrostic describes some of Jesus’ listening skills:

 

 

How well do you measure up with Jesus’ example?
Is there one area above that you think you need to improve upon when listening to others?

 

How can we model Jesus’ listening to others?
How can we better share God’s love by listening and making others feel valued?

By…

…giving our full attention to the person.

…letting our heart hear what the person is sharing.

…ridding our mind and heart of prejudices.

…asking engaging, open-ended questions.

…not interrupting.

…showing patience.

…trying to empathize.

…validating what the person is feeling.

…praying with the person.

 

May you be encouraged this week to…

…work on one word from the acrostic to better model how Jesus listened.

…be instruments of love,

   of God’s love,

     as you strive to listen from the heart,

       helping others feel valued.

 

 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  –James 1:19  (NIV)

TREE OF LOVE

Recently I received an unexpected, unique treasure from a friend. He was cutting wood at his camp and saw this masterpiece.

 

 

He thought of me because he knows God keeps putting hearts in my path daily. The hearts are reminders of God’s great love for me and to love others with His agape love.

This masterpiece was formed by the growing together of two lilac trees. Each tree “happened” to have part of the design that formed a perfect heart shape on the inside grain when the two trees became one.

~How did God make that happen? Continue reading “TREE OF LOVE”