Did God Put His Kids in Time Out?

I watched Andrea Pacelli’s awe-inspiring Easter concert online on Sunday from the Cathedral of Milan. As magnifico as it was, I couldn’t help but think about the thousands who would usually attend one of his concerts. But this day, the Cathedral was empty, save Andrea and the organist. I noticed the empty streets in that bustling city where crowds come to visit the magnificent architecture and art everywhere. My husband and I were among the thousands there, entralled by this city's beauty, on our 40th anniversary cruise.

A couple of weeks ago, right in the middle of this shelter-in-place, I went to a doctor appointment and noticed how empty the streets were here. I thought to myself “It seems like a Sunday when so many folks stay home.” Then I started thinking about the Sabbath day that God specifically called for in the Ten Commandments #4 to be exact: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." Have we kept this day holy? My musings continued: "What if God allowed this pandemic to get us shaped up and back to the main thing of being His devoted and consecrated people?" Like any good parent who loves their kids too much to let them keep on disobeying, maybe He was put out with our disobedience and slack in our observance of the Ten Commandments. And, He called for a “time-out” for us to reconsider our ways.

So, let’s just say that’s a truth – then what do good kids do while they’re in time out? I remember my daughter put her kids in time out, with an added-on discipline of writing a scripture verse at least ten times that represented their “infraction”. I also remember the necessity of apologizing to the one (usually her brother and vice versa) who had been the recipient of the naughtiness.

So what are we doing in this time-out? Especially, if we sensed in any way, that our Heavenly Father might be disciplining His kids? Proverbs 3:11-12 says “My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the LORD reproves Him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”

I'm sure God wants us to get along better. Maybe He wants us to “lie down in green pastures so He could restore our souls” (Psalm 23:4). Maybe He wants us to use our minds for creativity and ingenuity. Maybe He wants us to seek Him more. And so many of us have done that – we’ve been on daily prayer regimens, been a part of encouragement to others via Zoom-type meetings, and not missing a beat on attending church because we’ve watched on-line church.

As parents, we want our kids to learn from their mistakes, and when they do, there are so many rewards for those kiddos. I really think God nudged St. Paul’s writings with these words: “ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28) Our good, good Father knows best. He IS working out these times for our good. I just know it.

I’m doing my best to be my most faith-filled daughter to Him during my time out! I want to make my Father proud that I’ve learned my lessons well. How about you?

Happy Passover and Temple Tuesday

What timing! Medical and essential services personnel are on their call of duty. The rest of us are all snuggled in at our homes. Those of us in Christ, don’t work the frontlines or snuggle in fear – we carry on into each other (while apart) and into our Lord – our Place of Refuge (“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27) and our Hiding Place (“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7) No fear – there!

I had seen the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments” many times over the years. In fact, it was the first “theater” movie I ever saw. Of course, I remember it – it was scary – especially the part when the “death” clouds (or death angel) rolled in that killed all the firstborn children of the Egyptians after Pharaoh would not let God's people go. The movie was aired a few nights ago and I watched it again.

Tomorrow begins the Jewish holidays of Passover, April 8th -16th. This holiday is about the Passover sacrifice when God passed over the houses of the Israelites during the 10th plague on the Egyptians. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. It represented the power to protect their families. And it did. In the movie you could hear the wailing coming from the Egyptian homes, but not the Israelites.

Amidst this pandemic, I somewhat followed applying the blood, by placing a picture of Jesus – Divine Mercy – that represents the blood and water poured out for us on Calvary – with the words: “Jesus, I trust in You” on my front door. Even more effective than a lamb's blood is my Lord's blood and I declare: “I am covered by the blood of Jesus, and 'no evil shall befall me or plague come near my dwelling.'" (Psalm 91:10).

I’ve seen where other Christians put red ribbons on the doorposts of their homes declaring the precious blood of Jesus to wash, purify, heal, guide, and protect them from evil, harm, sickness, and bless and make them holy. I love this symbolism – but more so, the faith in God’s Word and Christ’s blood that was as an atonement for our sins and our salvation.

Today is Holy Tuesday. We read in Matthew 21 how Jesus spent His entire day in the temple – teaching and using parables to make His points to religious leaders who doubted Him. Jesus knew this was His last week leading up to His death, so I suspect He was determined to leave an unforgettable “last impression”. He answered them so successfully that "no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions". Matthew 22:46

As we continue to journey during this Holy Week, on Thursday, we'll remember the Passover, the Last Supper and Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Then on Good Friday, He was tortured, suffered, shed His blood for our healing and our redemption, and died. He was our Lamb that was slain. As despicable as it was....we can REJOICE! It is really good news! We know the end of the “The Ten Commandments” movie. God set His people free. And OUR movie expresses freedom, too!. DON"T lose hope! Just when we think the "movie" could get no worse, our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Easter Sunday aka Resurrection Sunday……so, we win, too! So, why should we worry or fret? God has got this. God has got us!

Stuck in the MIDDLE?

The MIDDLE: the center, an equal distance from the extremities of something; halfway, a position at an equal distance from the sides, edges or ends. The middle child. The one in the middle of a circle. The piano's middle "C". The middle of the night.

I know what being stuck in the MIDDLE is all about. I started out strong in a challenging “stormy” season. I was determined to ride out this storm in relentless faith. I kept saying “We’re on the brink of a miracle. I just know it.” A new day came, and we’d proclaim “God’s mercies are new every morning!” But, there were still no changes and, what seemed to be no answer to our prayers. It was getting darker by the minute. Initially, I hit those challenges with courage head-on, but as the battle persisted, I became bone weary in the fight. I know God’s Word enough to “have the faith of a mustard seed and speak to the mountain and say ‘Be removed’, and I know how to “stand, and when I’ve done all to stand, keep standing”, and I know Jesus “approved” of those who had great faith, and I didn’t want to be one of those “Oh ye, of little faith” followers. But I – rather, we, seemed to be STUCK in the MIDDLE of this storm.

The fact is, in most all circumstances, problems don’t disappear overnight. More often than not, we just keep moving through them with slow, persistent diligence and consistency. As much as I’d love to think that this life of living for God was “Easy Street” or “Comfort Road”, quite often, there are MIDDLE hills and valleys and detours of working through something – in the space between moving on courageously and waiting for something to change. In that space, it’s quite natural to lose our gumption to function. Hope gets buried beneath piles of defeated thinking, and we’re sure we’ve planted in the wrong fields or hung with the wrong people, or made the wrong decisions or wrong moves.

In Exodus 14, we see that Moses and the Israelites were stuck in the MIDDLE . Pharaoh had just freed them from captivity when the Lord led Moses and His people out and away from Egypt. But shortly thereafter, Pharaoh changed his mind and went after them. As the Israelites camped near the Red Sea, soon all of Pharaoh’s army barreled down on them. When the Israelites saw them approaching, they were full of fear and began to question every move that brought them there. Moses spoke up “Fear not, stand firm . . the Lord will fight for you.” Exodus 14:13-14

I loved this scene from the movie, “The Ten Commandments” when the Lord parted the Red Sea waters and the Israelites went through on a dry path. Charlton Heston (rather, Moses) led the Israelites across to the other side unharmed, and then the big finale was when God brought the waters back together again over the Egyptian army. The Israelites were scared, yes, but they saw the promise fulfilled: "The Lord will fight for you".

I don’t know the details of your circumstances or situation, but if you’re worn out from running from the enemy and fear is making you question where you’re at right now, please hear this: Keep on keepin’ on. You’ve got this."The Lord will fight for you!"

Psalm 31:24 says it like this: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage; all you who wait for the Lord.” It doesn’t say HAVE courage. It says TAKE courage. Keep on keeping company with Christ and ask Him to make you tenacious in faith, to take your fears and to give you courage to not only face the Red Sea – but to walk across unscathed. Bravery is not the absence of fear but following God through the fear as we believe God’s promises. It’s holding on to the facts of our faith more tightly than to the fears for our future. I promise you – I know it’s true. This MIDDLE season will not be wasted. It will not last.

Jesus Christ freely gave Himself to be "stuck in the MIDDLE" of the cross, in the MIDDLE of two thieves -- even though He could have called 10,000 angels to free Him, but didn't. He FREELY gave His life "in the MIDDLE" for you and me. Best of all -- He died, and in the MIDDLE he was buried, but on the third day rose out of that grave to FREE you and me from being STUCK in the MIDDLE. Just maybe, right smack dab in the MIDDLE of our circumstances God is wanting us to let go of the doubts, fears and worries, because He isn't surprised about our MIDDLE. It's probably just the tip of the mountaintop where we'll slide right down into the Finish Line of what He has prepared for us. So....“Hold on, my child – JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!” (Psalm 30:5)

Values That Make Home.....A Sweet Home

Family rules. I saw this sign in my kids' home, and I knew what I would post today. Family values. Those are their non-negotiables, and that's what makes for a family who loves, shares and cares. VALUES -- those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives.

When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God makes them clear to us. Those things are our CORE VALUES. King Solomon’s core value was wisdom, Mother Teresa’s was compassion, Nelson Mandela stood for equality and Pope Francis, his love and compassion for the poor. So the question is "What do we stand for? What are our values?"

Moses delivered God's Ten Commandments on a tablet of stone and if those commandments were followed, the Israelites would experience God's favor and blessings. Just imagine the blessings that would be on our families if we not only followed God's Ten Commandments, but also the family values (non-negotiables) that we stood for in our homes and lives.

Perhaps it's time to put a stake in the ground on behalf of our families and define those things that matter most to us and when we do, then we'll be blessed in our homes and we'll pass them on to our children and their children. Indeed it would be a HOME SWEET HOME.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!”

The Ten Commandments and Peace

Day 274 of Photo Inspirations -- The 10 Commandments & Peace
Having spent the last 4 days at a beautiful retreat center in Luther, OK, and experiencing the peace of God in this away-from-it-all location, was beyond explanation.  Finding ourselves in many opportunities to "Be Still and Know....He is God" was exactly what we all needed to experience.   Most of us there, from young single women, to young mothers to more mature women,  live with daily opportunities to face conflict AND noise -- from careers, attending school, raising children, health and financial challenges, etc.  But, when there's an opportunity, like what we had over the last several days, to go to place of quiet and stillness, we have the incredible opportunity to refresh, restore, reconcile, and rejuvenate.

Before I left this "oasis" yesterday morning, I took these two photos -- the first being a beautiful statute of the Ten Commandments carved into marble stone.  And, then as we were driving out of the Retreat Center, this sign bade us farewell......"Go in Peace".

I thought about what we experienced during those 4 days -- peace, serenity, feeling in touch with God, hearing His voice, having MANY "aha" moments, seeing women experience life transformation, and it occurred to me......those 10 Commandments expressed how it's possible.

1.  You shall have no other gods before Me.
2.  You shall not make idols.
3.  You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4.  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5.  Honor your father and your mother.
6,  You shall not murder.
7.  You shall not commit adultery.
8.  You shall not steal.
9.  You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

I read this in our local newspaper:  "Last week, the Capitol Preservation Commission, following a ruling by the state Supreme Court and a district judge, ordered that the Ten Commandments monument be removed from the Capitol grounds by Oct. 12th."

Honestly, I don't get that those 10 Commandments could be so controversial, but nevertheless, for my part.....I live by them.  And, I'm so thankful that the blessings in my life are attributed to those "rules of conduct", God's laws, and keeping Him FIRST above all else.  Everyone is entitled to their own rules of conduct, but "As for me AND my house....we will serve the Lord".

Of course, leaving those grounds and seeing those words "Go in Peace" made perfect sense as to how we should live.  "Go in God's peace" that represents the greatest "system" for success -- principles that respect our fellow man -- principles that, if followed, guarantee a peaceful and abundant life.

And, by the way, it's possible to find a place of peace like that Retreat Center.....even if it's in the middle of a football game or cleaning house with kids playing Nerf War games.  In our hearts and minds, we can "check-out" of the routine and experience that "peace that passes understanding".  Going to Him Who is our PRINCE OF PEACE -- anywhere and anytime -- we'll find Him there.  I KNOW!  I'm there right now!

Sister Marie Pierre -- God's Messenger of Love and Joy

Day 38 of Photo Inspirations - Sister Marie Pierre
I was so thrilled to see this precious lady at a luncheon on Tuesday -- I just knew she would be my photo inspiration for today.  She retired to St. Joseph's Monastery a year or so ago -- after being over Pastoral Care at Church of the Madalene for many years.  She'll be celebrating her 60th year as a Benedictine nun later this year. Sister Pierre is the epitome of deep devotion and commitment for God, His Church and His people, and at the same time -- she is so real and down to earth.  She is delightful and hilariously funny, yet exudes her love for God and His people in such a practical way. She moves slower these days, but her charm and wit have never ceased.

I'll never forget hearing her tell her personal story.  She said, "I made my first public appearance on December 17, 1928.  When the news of my birth reached the party lines the whole country fell into a depression."  Her own critic, she said,  "I had the kind of hair that belonged under a veil.  My cousin said it looked like the first rays of the morning sun reflected in a pan of cold dishwater.  I struggled with it until the day it was shorn and I had no regrets over that. There was a movie star that had her hair around her head and I thought it was so pretty and I worked and worked to try to get my hair like that.  I still can't figure out how she did it.  But the movie star I looked like was Mickey Rooney."

While teaching at Marquette she had this experience.  "I was on the playground with Cora Jackworth one time.  She was the 4th Grade Teacher.  One of her kids got in a fight and she sent him in to write about which commandment he had violated.  They were learning the Ten Commandments.  After a while she brought me his paper and he had written ten times, "Thou shall not commit adultery in vain."

I just wanted to share how much she has meant to me.  She was relentless in her visits to the hospital and to our home when my sweet husband was so ill....and after he went to heaven, she continued to check on me to be sure I was okay.   This precious woman of God, no doubt, will one day have a royal homegoing and I'm quite sure the red carpet will roll out, the bands will be playing, and choirs singing.....but most importantly, there will be lines upon lines of peope there giving her a standing ovation because of how she impacted their lives with God's love.  Whether here, or up there with her, I'll be among those singing her praises and celebrating the gift God gave us in her.