Time to Unleash the Lion Within

Time to Unleash the Lion Within
It's the 365th day of 2018. I made it -- 365 days of posting a positive word each day to, hopefully, bring inspiration to others. I've had to make sure to stay "in the zone" by seizing the moments, noticing little and big God-encounters, and recognizing that God is always speaking. I just had to tune in to His still small voice, and, often, His big booming voice as I witnessed His object lessons to me through nature, His Word, His kids, and His embrace. I showed up for my daily appointment with God, and He was faithful and ALWAYS showed up for me. And, please trust me, my meditations have increased my desires to grow even stronger in my faith and witness.

I was deeply inspired by the message my daughter spoke at Dwell Church yesterday. “It’s time to stop with the labels of abused, broken, sick, defeated, divorced, too old, too young, too fat, too thin, too afraid and realize WHO lives in us. It’s time for us to GET UP and pick up our “mats” and turn those labels into stories of strength and redemption and conquerors who change the world.” Her message made me start to think about how we keep Jesus in the manger way longer than we should. He is no longer there. He is the great “I Am”, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and it’s time to unleash the LION of the Tribe of Judah Who lives in us and let Him out. I love that song, "My God's not dead; He's surely alive. He's living on the inside; Roaring like a lion."

Revelation 5:5 “But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory…..”

We’ve kept sweet, meek and mild, little baby Jesus in the manger long enough. We’ve set limitations on what we should or shouldn’t say about Who He is and what He has done in our lives which means as long as we keep Him caged up, we are keeping others from coming to know Him as we do. It’s time for the boldness and courage of the LION to come out of us to a hurting and dying world.

I don’t want to tame the LION in me and become a pious little old lady that looks the part and doesn’t display the strength of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah that lives in me. Jesus certainly isn’t a household pet that should be caged up and let out occasionally for a walk around the block with us. He IS the LION of the Tribe of Judah and as I go into this new year, I want to put the key in the lock and let Him out more in my life than ever before. Won’t you join me in that commitment? To free the Lion to do the things that only He can do if we will just let Him out? Being bold enough when a friend is in pain, that we remember WHO it is that lives BIG in us and we say “Can I pray for you?” Being courageous enough to invite a lonely friend to church or a Bible Study. To gather our family around us and boldly speak to them about our faith and God's love and amazing grace.

Listen to the roar! Let the LION out! Dear Lord Jesus, I truly desire to set You free from the limits that I’ve put on You as to what I’m willing for You to do in and through my life. I pray that you will stir others to join me and to set You free in their own lives, too! May 2019 be the year when the "Lion" was set free in our lives! In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Holy Week -- a Time for Remembering

Just look at those amazing signs of Spring that celebrate this marvelous Holy Week aka Passion Week, the week just before Easter. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the sacred day that commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He rode into town on a donkey as crowds of people joyfully lauded him and spread out palm branches in his path to honor his kingship. Unfortunately, those same crowds would, later in this same week, cry out “Crucify Him!” This is the week of remembering His love and great sacrifice for you and me.

On Palm Sunday, our congregation, symbolic of those crowds in Jerusalem, meets together in our Fellowship Hall and then we all process into the sanctuary carrying our palm branches as we sing praises to our Lord. This day marked the start of Christ's journey to the cross, and ultimately, His glorious resurrection. The very least we can do this week, in the midst of our daily activities, routines and responsibilities, is to make room for the magnitude of what this week means to us.

We ponder with heart-felt gratitude He Who knew no sin, He Who loved so unconditionally, He who paid the price for our salvation and enable us to live a life of abundance, and He Who offers live-everlasting to each of us. Over 2000 years ago, He went the distance and finished what His Father set out for Him to do. His arms are still open wide for us to come to Him, to know Him, to receive Him and for us to live our lives in honor of such great sacrifice.

I snapped these photos as I left Inverness Village where a dear friend is in Skilled Nursing care there. I took her one of the palm branches from the service earlier, and I also took her communion. She cried when she saw the palm branch. I cried with her. Though she couldn’t be at the service, she remembered what this day meant, and humbly, she embraced receiving the Body of Christ in communion. As I left her and witnessed the beauty of this Spring day that represents newness of life, I also rejoiced because of such love from my Savior. Our Lord is no longer riding a donkey facing a horrific death. He is our risen Lord and Savior, soon coming on a white horse as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:11-16).

"You were worth dying for." -- Jesus

Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare

Day 352 of Photo Inspirations -- Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare
#TBT  This is Roscoe Owen Wheat, Sr., my sweet Daddy who graduated to heaven 51 years ago today, December 17th, 1964. I was 15.  I remember that day so clearly. I came home from school and found him lying on my bed. I said, "Daddy, are you okay?" He responded, "I'm okay, Baby, I'm just resting." I knew he wasn't okay -- he NEVER took naps on MY bed. I ran quickly to a neighbor for help and by the time we got back home, he was gone. My Mom was at work -- we had to break the news to her. While rushing home, she passed the ambulance taking my Daddy to the hospital. She knew it was him. We wrapped our arms and hearts around each other -- from that day on....it would be just Mom and me.

There were pj's and house shoes already wrapped for him under the tree. I remember my precious Mom, tearfully unwrapping them. But, having had so many years of illness, we knew my Daddy was loving having Christmas in heaven.

My heart goes out to anyone that this is their first Christmas without their loved ones. The memories seem more vivid and the love we had for them is even greater during this tender season. And, quite honestly, there's this yearning to be with them -- after all, what Christmas could compare to a Christmas in heaven? We all have this sweet assurance, they aren't celebrating with Baby Jesus. They're with our King of King and Lord of Lords. So rather than feeling sad or disheartened -- let's celebrate that they get to be where joy and peace and love and comfort and healing is ETERNAL.... and one day we'll be there to celebrate with them.

I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you.  You are not alone --  He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

Watch and listen to this beautiful video "Christmas in Heaven". I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you and know you're not alone -- He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QroAdejZD4w

"You make known to me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

Merry Christmas!

Day 312 of Photo Inspirations -- MERRY CHRISTMAS
Just look at this sweet sunbeam!  Yesterday, I walked into Reasor's Grocery Store in Jenks, the cafe side. The cashier at that side of the store, Beverly, was beaming from ear-to-ear and greeted me, "Good Morning!  It's a great day for sweaters, isn't it (I had on a sweater)?"  I have never been into that store that Beverly wasn't cheery with that delightful smile.

With my shopping done, I headed to Beverly's register. I told her "What a blessing it is to see you....always so full of joy.  You are the PERFECT one to be here at the entrance."  She promptly said, "Oh, I'm sure not perfect, but I sure try to be the best I can be!"  I replied, "There's no one perfect but Jesus.....right?"  She agreed.  Then, I whispered....."Merry Christmas", and she quickly replied, "Merry Christmas to you.  Mr. Reasor says it's okay for us to say 'Merry Christmas'.  In fact, he let's me put my NOEL sign up here at my register."  I told her that makes me want to buy my groceries there even more now.  I headed out the door and it hit me, "I know what my photo inspiration will be for tomorrow!"  I asked Beverly if I could take her photo for my blog today. Now.....you know what a sunbeam looks like.

I could go on about being a bright light to our world and if ever our world needed more Beverlys in it, it does today!   St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words." Beverly is preaching the good news every day with her happy heart and encouraging smile.

My Starbucks Coffee Cup photo here was inspired by the recent "red cup without snowflakes or representation of Christmas on it" issue.  Someone got uptight about it.  Seriously?  I think that guy hangs out at Starbucks too much and too much time on his hands.  But, his uptightness (Is that a word?) has sure given Starbucks a boatload of free marketing. They've gotta love it.  But, I'm sure not going to get on that band wagon.  The cup is bright red like bright red Christmas lights and ornaments. Oh, and here's really good news for that uptight guy.  They still sell their "Christmas" Blend Coffee.  

Back to the conversation that Beverly and I had -- I won't let anyone keep me from declaring in my greetings and my spirit and my outward joy...."Merry Christmas".  I agree with columnist Rachel Held Evans when she said,  "The whole story of Advent is the story of how God CAN'T be kept out. God IS present.  God IS with us. God shows up — not with a parade but with the whimper of a baby, not among the powerful, but among the marginalized, not to the demanding, but to the humble."

Yes, it's more important than ever that Christians stand courageously and boldly for Jesus.  But it's also crucial that we do so with a positive, joyful spirit.....like Beverly's.  We know how the story ends.  We know that the Bible is true, and heaven is real. We know that the One, Jesus Christ, who came as a baby will come again as a King. And we know that one day, we will be celebrating Christmas eternally with Him!  

Merry Christmas to all.....and to all....a really GOOD Saturday!

The Way We Were

#TBT – Day 91 of Photo Inspirations – The Way We Were – Easter 1980
Thank you, Facebook, for the joys you’ve given me…..in so many ways – especially the opportunity to remember -- OUT LOUD!   Getting to go through archives of the past, is both a hoot and a sweet way to recall some really precious times.

This photo was taken at our church in Shawnee, OK.  It was a big deal, big enough to dress up for the big celebration of Easter.  Had to get those new Easter outfits and an Easter bonnet.  I had enough hair back then, that unmistakably served as all the hat I needed.  ;-)  And after church, it was all about the Easter egg hunts.  Every family would bring a dozen colored eggs and some appointed folks would hide them in a nearby field.  Then we’d have a spirited time of finding them all.  I remember being one of those kids – doing my best to load up my basket.

But remembering the new clothes and Easter bunnies and baskets and egg hunts, as sweet as those times are, nothing compares to the true meaning of this victorious time of celebration.   Today is Holy Thursday – the day of Holy Week, that we recall the Last Supper – the night that Jesus set the greatest example of what it is to be a Servant Leader.   Jesus -- the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet.   He, with the towel and basin, is KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted his disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and SERVED them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34.  That's a tall order order, isn't?  Love as He loved us.

Christ certainly didn't just talk the TALK -- He walked the WALK. He led by example. Such love -- such service!   And, what an example He was for us.  Surely there are those in our world that cause irritation in our lives.  In fact, like Jesus, they may have denied us, deceived us, rejected us, spoke evil against us, and completely disappointed us.   Doesn’t it cause us to have a great sense of awareness that He Who was perfect and knew no sin, could set the example for us on how to deal with those honorary folks in our lives?  To be like Him, we SERVE.  We serve by loving, sharing and giving, for in that serving, we become like Him.

Merry Christmas Eve

My sweet Mama would always make her calls to each of her grown children on Christmas Eve morning -- "Merry Christmas Eve".  We expected that call.   And I say that to all of my FB friends today -- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!  That little greeting and memory certainly does turn my heart to this day 2,000 years ago.  Mary, in labor and fast approaching the birth of her baby boy, and Joseph scurrying to find a place for the big debut of the Son of God, knew what "last minute details" were all about.

Here in Washington, we'll be taking care of a lot of last minute details, too!  Maybe some last minute shopping, final wrapping of presents, placing the plate of cookies by the fireplace for Santa's big debut tonight, preparing food for tomorrow's Christmas dinner, but the sweetest part of today will be the Candlelight service we'll attend that will take our hearts and spirits back to that Christmas Eve when our world changed forever.  A King was born in a stable and His coming brought us love, joy, peace, and everlasting hope. We'll sing "Joy to the World", "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful", "Silent Night", and we'll make our way to the stable -- to bow down and worship our LIFE-CHANGER, our HOPE-MAKER......and LOVE personified.

Can you imagine.....this BABY, sent straight from Heaven's Throne, was about to be born in the lowliest and dirtiest of all places, but it didn't matter, because wherever HE shows up -- it becomes a place of honor, dignity and high esteem.  That little stable became a Throne Room for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  And that Throne Room is what our hearts become when we invite Him into our hearts.  It doesn't matter the condition of our hearts -- dirty and lowly -- it WILL become the Throne Room for Him. Let's make this Christmas Eve the ONE to remember.  Let's give Him an invitation to "Come in today.  Come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus."

Oh, come let us adore Him -- Christ, the Lord!
#ChristmasEve #ComeIntoMyHeart

The PERFECT King Size Bed for Royalty

Celebrities can certainly make some hefty demands on the hotels they stay in.  I read that Jennifer Lopez asks for her hotel rooms to be completely white -- EVERYTHING -- walls, furniture, white candles -- so that she is properly rested.  The sheets must be Egyptian cotton, minimum 250 "thread count" and the room temperature must be a constant 77.9 degrees.   And, Madonna insisted that her room at Berlin's Soho House be given a $23K  makeover, which included a fresh coat of paint, new lights and a new bed - all for a one-night stay!   Apparently she doesn't like sleeping in beds that other people have slept in. And, indeed the hotel accommodated her.

Quite the contrast to the room and bed the greatest celebrity of all had when He came for a visit.  The Bible tells us that when God's Son came to earth, He made no demands for comfort of any kind. When it was time for Mary to give birth to Jesus in the small town of Bethlehem, there was no royal, red carpet reception, no soft bed or fine interior decor'.   In fact, there wasn't even a room left at the inn that Mary so desperately needed for her labor.  Instead, when her baby boy, Jesus, was born, He was put in a 'manger' (feed trough).  It was  hardly a place fit for the King of creation, the one who is: 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords' (Revelation 19:16).

When Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor who sentenced Jesus to death, was interviewing Jesus, he asked him whether he really was a King. Jesus replied: "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37).

Christ changed everything when He chose to leave his heavenly throne for a humble manger -- a KING size bed. May this be a season of worship and thanksgiving for us, because that baby in the manger in the nativity and creche scenes at this time of year, is no longer there -- He IS the King on His heavenly throne.
#KingSizeBed #GreatestCelebrity #KingofKings

Meeting Elvis Presley -- the King of Rock n' Roll

I’ll never forget the day I met Elvis Presley. My young husband and I were in Memphis, TN, attending a Gospel Quartette Convention, and my husband’s piano teacher, as a child, was Joe Moscheo, who had become the piano player for the Imperials Quartette. The Imperials, at that time, were the back-up singers for Elvis, and little did we know that he would be at the convention. He came just to walk on stage, so the Imperials could honor and thank him for his generosity to them and for elevating their careers.

Joe had given us advance notice, and invited us back stage to see Elvis before he left the building. My heart was racing – Elvis had been my teenage idol. I was a basket case – just thinking that I could potentially get near him. Back in those days, we used cassette players to record. I was doing that with the music of the convention, but now, when I saw Elvis coming toward me, I quickly put the recorder on. Elvis nodded at me, and as he passed me, I reached out and touched his shoulder, and shrilled into my recorder “I JUST TOUCHED ELVIS PRESLEY!!!!” I was enamored, and all I could think about was the thrill I felt from meeting “Elvis – the King of Rock n’ Roll”!!! My precious husband enabled the whole experience. In fact, he also admired him as an amazing musical talent. I thought about it over and over, and here I am, almost 45 years later, still talking about that encounter.

But that encounter with Elvis, didn't hold a candle to what I found to be the REAL DEAL! In fact, this REAL DEAL didn't just nod and pass me by either. I am ever so grateful for the encounter with THE King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, that I continue to talk about. There is nothing, or no one, to compare to the encounters I have with Him on a daily basis. While seeing Elvis gave me a momentary thrill......knowing Jesus has changed my life forever. My joy, peace, comfort and hope for tomorrow lies in knowing Him. The more I encounter Him in my prayers and praises, the more I think about Him. And the more I think about Him, the closer I want to be to Him, and best of all, I'll get to be with Him forever. How sweet it is to have a relationship with THE King, and even better, that I’m a part of His royal family.

Have you met Him? I can get you better than a "back-stage" pass. I'd love to introduce you to Him, and get you a one-way ticket to heaven someday. You'll find Him to be a friend that is closer than anyone you will ever know, and I guarantee you....that encounter is one that will change YOUR life forever!