Taking Safety Measures Against the Enemy

Yesterday afternoon, I and other greeters at my church attended a Mandatory Greeter Safety Environment Training. I wasn't sure what that meant until I heard the explanation by the City of Dallas' Police Department's Commander of Strategic Forces, who is a member of our church and is the Coordinator of our church's Safety Ministry. I never knew we had a "Safety Ministry" but I soon learned what that meant.

He spoke to us about the safety measures that the church has been taking for months now and is amping up the Safety Ministry another notch by equipping those of us who are greeters to play a significant role in being vigilant in our Greeters' Ministry to help keep our church and its members safe against enemies.

With compassion, He told us the Police Department receives over 800K "911" calls in a year from people who carry heavy burdens from society, relationships, family, schools, and workplaces. Figuratively, he said, "Everyone carries a backpack full of heavy bricks that represent their struggles and burdens and it is up to us to help lighten their loads. Those of you who are 'Greeters' can do some incredible things with a smile, a 'hello', a 'welcome'. Those simple expressions may be the best thing that has happened to them in a long time. We really do want everyone to be in the church where they will find healing and help,"

He went on to describe our new role, not only as burden-lifters in our warm and welcoming expressions of love to those who enter the church but also to be "assessors", not judging or profiling, but since mental illness has become such a critical public health issue, we need to keep our eyes open for questionable demeanor or someone who is displaying a deep sense of pain, depression or is very emotional.

Now we will be asked to carry a walkie-talkie and if we question someone's demeanor, wearing an out-of-season trench coat, has a disheveled appearance, has signs of mental illness or is carrying a bag or backpack, we should alert our "Safety Ministry" team members who will simply get sets of eyes on them to watch their behavior. We all need to have "situational awareness".

1 Peter 5:8 says: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

Initially, I was taken back by the mere notion that anyone would come to a church and pose a threat of any kind to those who are innocently worshipping God, but then, I remembered the schools and churches where indescribable harm came to innocent people The enemy of our souls is a thief and he came to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) and now, not only in the physical and natural realm do we need to be prepared and vigilant against his tactics, we need to continue to shore up any little chinks and holes in our armor. We need "Safety Ministry" teams in the physical realm and in the spirit realm. Perhaps we need to set up a "Safety Ministry" in our homes and pray these scriptures as our greatest shield of defense:

~ "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1
~ "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3
~ "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
~ "You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7
~ "In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Live as Children of the LIGHT.

My word for today is LIGHT: the brightness that dispels darkness. Christmas LIGHTS are getting scarce now as most of us have taken down the LIGHTS from our homes and businesses, and packed them away for another year.

Now, it’s up to us to represent and be THE LIGHT to our family, our neighbors and our world. We are "the chosen ones" to be the peacemakers, servants, joy and hope bearers to this world that needs that LIGHT so much. We must live as Children of the Light! Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are LIGHT in the Lord. Live as children of LIGHT."

Just before Christmas my family and I went to see the new Star Wars movie: The Final Jedi. As with any Star Wars movie, the LIGHT Side and the Dark Side are at war with each other. You can sure tell that jealousy, hate, bitterness, anger and revenge caused Kylo Ren to champion the Dark Side. When we examine our hearts, it’s quite possible, we won’t find that we hate anyone, but every little “dark” thing that we allow to remain in our hearts can have a “dark” effect on us. We might not be in darkness, but we certainly might find ourselves in the “shade”.

In 1 John 2:5-7, John writes “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is LIGHT and in Him is NO darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Jesus is the ultimate, ever-ready, radiant, source of LIGHT that dispels darkness, but He told us in Matthew 5:14-16 "YOU are the LIGHT of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shines to all that are in the house. Even so let YOUR LIGHT shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

What if OUR LIGHTS were shining so brightly that when people pass our way, they draw toward THE LIGHT and their world of darkness is dispelled? Maybe at the beginning of this new year, we should have a winter clear-ance sale and clear out all those things that hinder the LIGHT in us. Let’s open ourselves to His healing and empowering LIGHT today. When we declare with the Psalmist, “The Lord IS MY LIGHT and my salvation, who should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge, of whom should I be afraid?” – then there will never be a shadow of doubt which side we’re on, and all the dark forces that try to draw us to their side, will never win! May we BE the LIGHT that keeps on shining -- all year long!

Living in the Fast Lane

Living in the Fast Lane
I’m integrating myself back into Texas, one step at a time. Got a Texas license plate, bought a house (putting roots down), and yesterday, I surrendered my Oklahoma driver’s license (had that Oklahoma license for 46 years – a little mellowness ensued because of the many precious years in our beloved Oklahoma), and got my Texas driver’s license.

Old memories caught up with me again. One of the questions on the application was “Have you ever had a Texas driver’s license before? If so, when?” Going through the archives of my mind took me back to when I was 14 years old, and my Mom applied for a “Hardship Driver’s License” for me. A hardship license is available (in some states) for teen drivers. In my case, it was because of my dad’s very serious illness and I needed to be able to drive to and from school which was several miles away. My precious mom rode the bus to work. Even then, she was sacrificing for me. I was a mighty little girl in that huge Chevrolet Impala.

Yesterday, I became an authorized Texas driver once again. And, whew – that means I’m driving in the fast lane in this enormous city that has way more highways and interchanges than what seems possible. And, you best realize – there is NO slow lane…..anywhere. So, by now I’ve realized that I best be wrapped up, tied up and tangled all up in my Father’s watchful eyes over me and regularly be in good terms with my angels to help keep me protected and safe. I know one thing for sure -- driving here is definitely not for the faint hearted.

I know I may sound like a little old lady who left the country for the big city. But here’s the deal -- our security and deep peace that keeps us in a place of comfort and strength when we’re driving on the back roads, is no different than every day when we're taking to the fast lanes. Either way, we awaken to the challenges AND possibilities of another day. We never know what this day may bring, but our safe place is found in Him Who is our strong tower and the rock we depend upon.

What roads are you travelling on? The ones less travelled, or the super sonic speed ones where complete focus is a must. Sometimes I think we all feel like we’re living in the fast lane, with things moving way too quickly, in directions we don’t understand or comprehend. But more than that, because we belong to Him, Jesus passionately cares about us. I really don’t think life is going to slow down anytime soon, but because we know that regardless of who’s driving the car or how fast it’s going, we’re going to be alright, because Jesus not only cares about His own but He intercedes for us, strengthening our unity and sending us out into the world with an assignment to fuflill. And you know, maybe just knowing that, it will make living a little easier in the fast lane.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”Psalm 91:1-2
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

And That's The Way It Goes!

My mother-in-law, who has always been known for her wit, called me a couple of nights ago and she was on a roll. Typically, it is just a "check-in" call to see how things are going, but this night she was recalling some stories of her childhood and how she and her brother got into mischief. And that story led to another story. There are times when she'll repeat stories that I've heard dozens of times before, but this night, they were all fresh ones. She told me how the floods were coming quickly in Winnipeg (Canada) in the early 50s and how she had to pack a little suitcase and send her boy, my husband (then 4 years old), away to a friend's home so he would be protected. She said he stood in the driveway with his little coat on and holding his little suitcase....looking so sad and forlorn. I can visualize that picture now.

Mom finds great joy in talking about the past because she has such sweet memories of when times were tough, but God brought them through each and every time. The floods came, but they had the good sense to move their best furniture to higher ground before their home was under water.

Now, here we are in 2016 and. if taken at face value, it may seem we're in such a perilous and concerning time. When we listen to the news reports or to a voice that just called us on our phone, or when we've read the latest updates on social media and take them just as they are, it may seem as if the best escape is for God to open up a window above us in the sky and snatch us away to a better place beyond the clouds.

Mom has a habit of saying "And that's the way it goes". That's kind of the way she has looked at life -- when she could be down because her dear husband passed away and left her a widow some twenty years ago or that she can't get around as good as she once could.....she just patiently and calmly says, "And that's the way it goes."

Here's the deal -- we shouldn't be down about the way things appear. Let's don't lose hope based on what our news anchor or our social media feed or our great-aunt Lillie may be trying to tell us about the gloom and the doom and the brokenness of this world. All of this is not too much for God to handle. Whatever decade or political year or tough year it was, and is today, literally, whatever is upon us, will never stump God, or leave Him wondering what in the world to do next. I'm quite sure none of the stuff is enough to make God throw his hands up in surrender.

Psalm 147:5 says ".....He is abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." ! Samuel 2:3 "For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed." Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity; plans to give you a future and a hope." Psalm 27:1

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?"

Mom has it right. "That's the way it goes" -- trusting, leaning on and depending on our KNOW-IT-ALL God, is the way to live a calm, peaceful, and assured life.

Good Morning, Lord!

Day 90 of Photo Inspirations -- Good Morning, Lord!
A couple of days ago, I captured this photo on a morning walk with a friend.   We start out our walk when it's still dark outside and soon the dark must bow to THE LIGHT.  What a sweet way to behold God and His goodness.  When we say, "Good Morning, Lord!"  He replies with a gorgeous sunrise.

During this particular walk, it seemed "light" was our focus.  His Light.  And, how when His Light comes into our conversations, our situations, and our thoughts -- darkness is dispelled.  When He said, "Let there be LIGHT" -- He showed up with sun and moon and stars and daytime.  And when He says "Let there be LIGHT" in our lives, He brings joy and peace and a bright new day.

We finished our three-mile walk and as we made the corner to our homes, we looked back and there was a brilliance of light over the homes in our subdivision.  It felt like God was putting a big spotlight on the place that we walked around.  We sensed His favor and approval.

I came back into my home and sat down for my morning devotion and my scripture reading was:  "The Lord is my LIGHT and my salvation; whom should I fear?  The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

This is a week for waiting.  I'm recalling Jesus' final days, his final steps toward the cross, His final words, and awaiting His final victory.  I really don't like thinking about His suffering, but when I do, I know that everything about that suffering is still colored by victory.  So the Psalmist's words , "The Lord is my LIGHT and my salvation" is not just wishful thinking.  It is the bedrock of our lives.  He is the Victor.  Period.  He triumphed.  And so can you and I.  Yes, He is our LIGHT!