The Church has been Deployed

I like some of the memes because they give me food for thought for my blogs. For those who aren’t 100% sure what a “meme” is, Merriam-Webster says a meme is “an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online, especially through social media.”

One came along during quarantine that struck a chord: “The church has left the building”. We have found that we ARE the church as we and our families are conducting church in our homes! And this one, I loved: “Yes, the Church is empty. But, so is the tomb!" And, “The Church isn’t empty. The Church has been deployed.”

The Church really has been deployed. Here we are on another Sunday and most churches are closed, but pastors and priests will be leading church services again via technological resources that have provided the opportunity to sit in our homes and watch online services given by a skeleton crew – a few people to lead in singing and speaking – all social distanced and looking into monitors to make sure their live feed is streaming to their audiences at home.

Has a sleeping giant been awakened? It seems a larger family of faith has arisen out of the chaos. I’m hearing reports of more people coming into the Family of God through the saving power of Jesus during these times. And, isn’t it something that this time is paralleling with what happened after Jesus was resurrected? In Acts we read about how the Church was deployed and when the “new and improved” Peter, after Pentecost, spoke about our risen Lord, over 3,000 people came to Christ in one day. I heard Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life.Church say that since quarantine, over 240,000 people made a declaration of faith in Christ via their livestream.

I seriously believe that God is doing something in a quick matter-of-time far beyond what man can do in a lifetime. Our buildings may still sit empty, but the Body of Crhist is more active than ever. Just look at us! We are still the Church triumphant and we’re alive and well – no matter whether we’re together at the same time or apart. The Good News of Jesus is still being proclaimed! Aw! Yes! That’s what Jesus meant when He said: "Truly, I tell all of you, the one who believes in me will also do what I’m doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I’m going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Today the good news of Jesus is going around the world – even though church buildings might be closed.

It seems that the coronavirus really did awaken a sleeping giant. It may have kept us from meeting together, but it has brought the broader family of faith together and has engaged the army of God’s people in a way that has not been seen in my lifetime. Indeed THE CHURCH has been deployed!

Our Mission Field is Wherever We Are

All my life, literally, all my life, I have been encouraged to love God and share His good news. It started, early on, when I saw the flannel board images of Bible characters while my teacher shared the Gospel story. I was also taught little songs that emphasized the love God has for me. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I was raised in an evangelical home and church. Evangelical, in the sense, that my family was zealous in their faith and love for God and His children. Early on I became a devoted follower of Jesus.

But, I assure you, I wasn’t that girl that was very outspoken about my faith like others who went door-to-door giving out Gospel tracts or standing on a street corner shouting “You must be born again!” I was even quiet when it came to letting others know I was a Christian, in part, because I was shy and I lacked self-confidence. Yes, I took friends with me to church and I did my best to be an example to them of what a good Christian looks and acts like. But, I was not outspoken about it.

Later on, I became a Bible teacher, but even in that sense, my teaching was confined to “within-the-four-walls-of-the-church”. A safe place. People expected that “talk and walk” there.

Before the internet, many of us who were Jesus followers were pretty reclusive. Our faith was within our homes. Jesus “talk” was easy there. Prayers were welcomed there. We’d pray for a good grade on an upcoming test or for healing from an illness. You know the usual requests and petitions. It was faith that was between us four and no more – so to speak.
Who would have thought, way back then, that we would one day have the internet and social media that would open the doors for us to live out our faith online before countless numbers of people? We became evangelists and we were unleashed to spread the good news from behind a computer or a cell phone. I see you. You know who you are. You are the ones who post a scripture photo or you share a quote by Mother Teresa or Billy Graham. You are the ones who share an answer to prayer and also are the ones who ask for prayer.

So when Jesus said in John 14:12, “And greater works than these (the works that He performed) will you do….”, He was foretelling about what we could accomplish in our times. It is time for us to raise our voices even louder. We never know whose life we might impact because of something we posted or said on social media. There is so much power in our words. When we change our words from complaining, blaming or criticizing to faith-filled, loving and caring words, we change our world. Change your words. Change your world.

There will always be a reason to keep us from genuinely loving. But we can decide to be different. We can respond in love when someone hurts us or when it’s difficult to love them. This is what can make those who follow Christ look different from the rest of the world. Love that knows no bounds. Love wrapped in grace. Love that can get over our own insecurities, doubts, and fears. Love that doesn’t have conditions or rights. Love that doesn’t demand its own way. It’s the 1 Corinthians 13 way. May we not walk, talk or scroll right past the opportunities that God has placed in our paths to let His love flow through us. Let’s be billboards that make God famous. We are missionaries because we are on a mission. We have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb to this earth and now to wherever we are today and to whoever crosses our paths – via the street or the internet!

Bored? Climb a Mimosa Tree!

“I’m so bored!” Famous words from kids during their summer vacation even with all the technology gadgets they own – they still get weary from the same-o, same-o!

Did you complain of boredom when you were a kid? I did. My Mom’s reply to that – “Go outside and play. Make some soup.” WHAT? Oh, I knew what she meant. She wanted me to go outside because that's where we had lots of "play-grounds and play-gyms" that resolved boredom by offering great opportunities for imagination and adventures. My playground and gym was a mimosa tree in our front yard that I climbed and pretended I was in a fortress from all my enemies and when I got hungry, I made a delicious soup to share with my friends.

Those memories came back to me when we were at Beaver’s Bend this spring and mimosa trees were everywhere. I pointed them out to my grands! I still think a mimosa is the prettiest tree in the world. Its leaves are like ferns. Its flowers are pink puffballs. And it blooms in summer when few other trees do and when the puffballs fade, the tree grows hundreds of 6-inch long, bean-like, brown seedpods which hang from every branch.

As I said, not only did we climb my tree and ward off evil pirates from my “tree ship”, but we would take the bean pods from it and break it up into a big pot. We’d add the leaves, seeds, pods, and flowers from it, and add a little dirt for seasoning. Then, we pretended to cook it and enjoy our scrumptious pot of mimosa stew! BTW – I just found out in writing this post for today, that we could have actually boiled up the flowers for a real mimosa healthy drink. Both its flowers and bark were traditionally used as a sedative, specifically for calming and lifting one's spirit. HOLY MOLY! I could use a jug of it right now in dealing with my Animal Kingdom here in Austin!

We also pretended to be school teachers and mothers and sometimes we did some things that required bravery – like riding our bicycles with no hands or jumping off the high diving board. Sometimes our imaginations went too far. I’ll never forget the trouble my friend and I got into when we wanted a swimming pool and dug an 8 ft X 8 ft X 1 ft hole in my backyard. We were caught when we were adding water to “our luxurious mud pit”.

I’ll bet you can remember some wild and crazy adventures when you were a kid. Those adventures sure did break up the boredom. I talked about adventures in my post yesterday and it seems I’m on a soapbox for living life to the fullest, with no room for boredom. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you change and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” What exactly does that mean….especially when you’re as “mature” as I am? Of course, God wants us to come before Him as children, because children are innocent, and trust with a pure heart. To go before God as a child is to go with wide-eyed wonder that comes from total faith. Our Heavenly Father – our great Creator was an Adventurer par excellence (just think about all the adventures He directed His kids into – water-walking, water-parting, boat rides on stormy seas, giants tumbling with a mere stone from a shepherd boy’s sling, falling into pits and landing up in a palace). It sure seems like, as His children, it should be just “natural” to be adventure seekers because of the childlike faith we possess.

Here’s the thing -- God didn’t create us for boredom! We are always being “pushed” to be more, do more, experience more, celebrates more, live life larger than ever before. Here’s another GREAT verse. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing and they will do even GREATER things than these because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

So, why sit in the recliner of boredom, complacency, and idleness when there's so much to see, so much greater things to do and so much to experience? This world is the greatest "playground". Why should we be "dead men and women walking", instead of people who are alive, imaginative, creative AND adventurous? I’m already planning my next adventure. How about you?

Greater Things Shall You Do

I walked in the door of the Wuerch's home and there came my youngest grandson to me -- not running -- but riding (standing up) on his hoverboard -- with perfect balance and agility. I remembered the one he had a couple of years ago -- more of a starter version. This one has lights, off road wheels, bluetooth that provides music, is weatherproof and there is no weight restriction.

Older brother, Brennan, was sporting his high tech camera that gets crystal clear, high definition shots with a flip video screen. Larry gave Staci a sweet gift of taking all her music from her five CDs and getting them all listed on iTunes and Spotify. (Check it out if you get a chance.)

And my oldest grandson received a "vlogging" camera, stablizer and headset with retractable earbuds. All the kids received iPhone cords in their stockings. Bear got an Apple watch. Ryan got an Echo-Plus and Dots which all synchronize in room to room or different, which also serves as an intercom system.

All this technology -- wonder if that was what Jesus had in mind when He said, "And greater things than what I do, you will do." John 14:12. Goodness gracious -- Jesus walked everywhere, he was so in touch with others that He knew what they were thinking, his eyes were looking to see what He could do or help someone in need. He was multi-tasking all the time. Yes, we are in the age of the greatest advancements in technology and it is moving at warp speed. What a day it is to be alive to experience so much innovation, witness brilliant minds coming up with such creativity (I love "Shark Tank" where week after week people are coming up with innovative ways ways to do things.)

We heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?" so many times, by so many different artists, over the Christmas season, and I think about all the Mamas out there who could have been asked similar questions "Mrs. Ford, DID YOU KNOW that your son would invent the car?" "Mrs Wright, DID YOU KNOW your boys would invent the first airplane?" "Mrs. Gates, DID YOU KNOW your son, Bill, would be a world leader and innovator in computer technology?" Mrs. Zuckerberg, DID YOU KNOW your son, Mark, would create Facebook?"

Sincerely, we are the only one who can put limits to what we can achieve. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said "I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm going away. If I don't go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) won't come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7. How awesome is that? He is in us, and greater things and greater results and greater accomplishments we can achieve because our CREATOR, came to us as the Baby in the Manger. Oh, but He grew up and opened the door for our creativity and our freedom of being and doing anything we set our minds to do. After all, He Who knows everything about everything lives BIG in us! EMMANUEL -- God with us!

Unplugged To Get Plugged In

My cousin and I were going on a “girls night out”, but I couldn’t find my cell phone. I went to pick her up (she lives just a few blocks from me) and brought her back to my house so she could call me to see where my phone was at. (I forgot about the iPhone Find app I could have used from my PC.) Sure enough, I had left it in my bathroom. Being the “mature” ages that we are now, we starting laughing about how important our cell phones are to us, which led to our conversation about the old pay phones that we relied on when we were driving somewhere. There are so many “new and improved, time-saving” ways of doing things today.

My all-time favorite app that has saved me hours upon hours of time and stress, is the GPS system on my phone – in particular, my WAZE app. Going or coming home from Austin has been a challenge when I pass through Temple, TX. It seems they have eternal road construction going on that causes up to an hour of delay because of the traffic. Aw – but my WAZE app guides me to the off-roads that gets me around it – saving a lot of time.
This post, today, was written a couple of days ago. I knew I would be heading out on a retreat where I’ll be completely unplugged from technology for several days so that I get “plugged in” to complete focus on God. But in order to get my daily posts out, I relied on the wonders of technology. I used a great app called “Hootsuite”. It gives us the tools to set up a Facebook post for delivery at a later date and time – thus this post today, as well as the ones that will be posted through to Sunday. On Monday, I’ll be back on “live” again.

How blessed I feel to live in this day of innovation, technology and seemingly endless opportunities to truly be the best we can be at anything we attempt to do. Continuing to be in a learning mode has been my modus operandi and it has served me well. It impresses upon me that this "mature" dog can continue to learn new tricks. I don’t want to live in a state of complacency – sitting in a rocking chair, just flipping channels on TV, and let life slip through my fingers. I want to squeeze everything I can out of this life while I still can. There are adventures to be had, lessons to be learned, trails to blaze and imprints to be left behind.

Over the next few days, technology will be unplugged from my world as I’ll be intentionally plugging into focus on God without the everyday distractions of my doorbell or cell phone ringing, or my incessant need to check my emails, text messages or my Facebook page. I’ll be learning some “God-first” lessons without technology to assist me. I will be “present” with Him to experience Him in the beauty around me. But, believe you me – I’ll be excited to get back on-line, come Sunday. As sweet as getting away from it all can be, it doesn’t compare to knowing no matter what I’m doing in the busy-ness or quiet of my life – God is ALWAYS there. I’ll be coming back to the scripture “Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do EVEN GREATER THINGS than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12).

I think He must have had technology, television, satellite and social media in mind, to spread His good words and works, when He said that. He is as close as a whispered prayer and He is also so close, I can communicate this minute with my friends around the world. It’s a blessing to “unplug” and a great blessing to “plug in” to all the conveniences and blessings of making this big world come right into our homes and lives. Let’s make the most of what we’re blessed with, to become the best we can be in sharing the light of Christ to our world….doing the GREATER WORKS THAN THESE, that He promised.

Greater Things Will You Do!

What a day to be alive!! I keep saying that when I see yet another new electronic game, toy, machine or gadget is introduced to the market. And, no sooner does it make its debut, that that item is sold out because we just can't wait to get our hands on it.
nds on it.

I am so amused as I watch my two youngest grandsons enjoy their high tech Christmas gifts. Of course, the 2017 Madden Football and the 2017 NBA video games were Brennan's attention getter, but the one that grabbed Bryson's attention the most was his remote controlled fishing boat.

Though he tried it out in the swimming pool first, he wouldn't settle until we took it down to the creek to try to catch a fish with it. With all his effort, those fish were just not attracted to a buzzing fishing boat with cheese on the hook to lure them in. LOL!

The other gimmick toy was the biggest bubble ever. Long gone are the days of those little bubbles we blew from the tubes and tiny straw. These giant bubbles are strong enough to sit and read on them! LOL!

My big boys enjoyed the video games and without much encouragement, they got some fresh air and exercise on the basketball court.

But, back to all this new technology and innovations. Wonder if that was what Jesus had in mind when He said, "And greater things than what I do, you will do." John 14:12. Goodness gracious -- Jesus walked everywhere, he was so in touch with others that He knew what they were thinking, his eyes were looking to see what He could do or help someone in need. He was multi-tasking all the time. What a day it is to be alive to experience so much innovation, witness brilliant minds coming up with such creativity (I love "Shark Tank" where week after week people are coming up with innovative ways to do things.)

We heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?" so many times over the Christmas season, and I think about all the Mamas out there who could have been asked similar questions "Mrs. Ford, DID YOU KNOW that your son would invent the car?" "Mrs Wright, DID YOU KNOW your boys would invent the first airplane?" "Mrs. Gates, DID YOU KNOW your son, Bill, would be a world leader and innovator in computer technology?" Mrs. Zuckerberg, DID YOU KNOW your son, Mark, would create Facebook?"

Sincerely, we are the only one who can put limits to what we can achieve. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said "I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm going away. If I don't go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) won't come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7. How awesome is that? He is in us, and greater things, greater results and greater accomplishments we can achieve because our CREATOR, came to us as the Baby in the Manger. Oh, but He grew up and opened the door for our creativity and our freedom of being and doing anything we set our minds to do. After all, He Who knows everything about everything lives BIG in us! EMMANUEL -- God with us!

Greater Things Shall You Do

Day 361 of Photo Inspirations -- Greater Things Shall You Do
I have to laugh out loud as I watch my two youngest grandsons enjoy their high tech Christmas gifts. The one that has grabbed the most attention is their hover board.  For most of the day, they're counting the minutes until it's their turn to use it.

Last night, we went to the grocery store and as we exited the car, Brennan said, "Nana, can I take my hoverboard in?"  I was surprised he brought it with us, and at first I said, "No", but then I thought that it may be a good way to keep them locked into me at the store.  After all I needed to be their responsible grandmother.  They took turns riding it up and down the aisles, following me closely.  Several people stopped us to ask "Where did you get that?" Their reply?  "Santa".  A friend said, "Michael J Fox from Back to the Future!"  Hilarious!  When it was time to check out, we were warned by the cashier, "Better not bring that in with you next time. We've had to ban skateboards, skates, hoverboards and heelies from the store.  The risk is too high!"   I get that, but the boys sure were able to enjoy themselves going down those long stretches of "landing strips" before their fun came to an end.  Leave it to Nana to stretch the limits.  LOL!  

My first photo inspiration today was catching Brennan -- not only on the hover board, but, as easy as walking, he had on his Beats headphones and using his iTouch -- operating 3 high tech items at the same time!  Wonder Boy!  LOL!   First it occurred to me -- "Look at the coordination of that boy. He's just like his Nana........NOT!"  I fell yesterday just going up the stairs while talking on the phone to Mom in Tulsa.  Brennan came running to me.  He and  Mom, both, where shouting, "Are you okay?"  I was.

All this technology -- wonder if that was what Jesus had in mind when He said, "And greater things than what I do, you will do."  John 14:12 -- Goodness gracious -- Jesus walked everywhere, he was so in touch with others that He knew what they were thinking, his eyes were looking to see what He could do or help someone in need.  He was multi-tasking all the time.  Yes, we are in the age of the greatest advancements in technology and it is moving at warp speed.  What a day it is to be alive to experience so much innovation, witness brilliant minds coming up with such creativity (I love "Shark Tank" where week after week people are coming up with innovative ways ways to do things.)

We heard the song, "Mary, Did You Know?" so many times over the Christmas season, and I think about all the Mamas out there who could have been asked similar questions "Mrs. Ford, DID YOU KNOW that your son would invent the car?"  "Mrs Wright, DID YOU KNOW your boys would invent the first airplane?"  "Mrs. Gates, DID YOU KNOW your son, Bill, would be a world leader and innovator in computer technology?"   Mrs. Zuckerberg, DID YOU KNOW your son, Mark, would create Facebook?"

Sincerely, we are the only one who can put limits to what we can achieve.  Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said "I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm going away. If I don't go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) won't come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7.  How awesome is that?  He is in us, and greater things and greater results and greater accomplishments we can achieve because our CREATOR, came to us as  the Baby in the Manger.  Oh, but He grew up and opened the door for our creativity and our freedom of being and doing anything we set our minds to do.  After all, He Who knows everything about everything lives BIG in us!  EMMANUEL -- God with us!