Treasuring and Making Jesus Famous

We all knew from social media that Anastasia, my friends' baby girl, made her debut Friday morning. I love her name because my Staci's name is a derivative of Anastasia, which means "resurrected life"! My thoughts went to Mary and how she "treasured these things in her heart", unlike how descriptive we are about our children and their lives. I'm guilty, as charged. Back in my day, it was word-of-mouth to alert our friends and family that our baby had arrived. Today, we even know the gestation periods of moms as they show photos of their growing tummies at 12 - 16 - 28 weeks and more. We wore full tops that kept our expanding waistlines from showing. Now it’s tight-fitting outfits that let it show, let the whole world know as the baby grows! And, the latest trends are showing photos of babies bearing a sign "One Week Old", then at one month, two months, etc. We are our babies and families' "publicity managers"! The world of social media certainly is different than Mary's “treasuring those things in her heart".

Mary shared very little about her baby, the Son of God. Dr. Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke, must have interviewed Mary because she was the only surviving eye-witness of those events. Only do his writings explain the miracle birth. And, very little "detail" did she give us, unlike my "many words" daily posts. I reflected on Mary’s brief explanation of her miracle pregnancy and the wonders of her baby’s birth – the angels, the shepherds, the star. I marvel at her quiet demeanor and her ability to “treasure” these things in her heart. “Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” Luke 2:19 \

We know little of keeping things to ourselves these days – with social media that keeps us well aware of what’s going on in our lives. I know I'm not measuring up to Mary's "treasuring in her heart", especially when I post about where I am and what I’m doing and what my family is doing almost daily. Obviously, my "treasuring" is bold and in technicolor to the world.

But, in reality, how can we make Jesus famous if we simply sit and treasure Him -- keeping Him all to ourselves? Unlike Mary, who had the benefit of a host of angels and a star, we have so many extraordinary, available ways to broadcast the GOOD NEWS of Jesus. Oh yes, there are times to sit in His holy presence and treasure Him and adore Him and honor Him. But, if we don't get out of our comfortable places of "Silent Night. Holy Night" to "Go Tell It On the Mountain" -- who will be the bearers of "Joy to the World. The Lord Has Come. Let Earth Receive Her King. Let every heart prepare Him Room" to our world?

If ever a mother could exploit the exploits of her Son, Mary could have, but she chose to treasure those things in her heart. As I treasured Mary's "Yes" yesterday, I realized God was inspiring me to use whatever platforms I’m given to be Mary’s mouthpiece. She treasured in her heart because that was God's best plan for her. Now, her heart is revealed in how I can help her make her Son famous and help people fall in love with Him as I did.

I’m inspired by Mary’s quiet “treasuring-in-her-heart” ways, but in John 14:12, Jesus said "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, 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." Why then, would we NOT use every means possible like books, churches, missions teams, movies, television, social media, and word-of-mouth to get the word out to make Him famous?

I hope to live my life with the same willingness of Mary. What if she had said no? What if she had rejected the opportunity to be the Mother of the Lord? But, she would have missed out on being a crucial part of the greatest story ever told! Millions of people throughout time wouldn’t look back at her life in gratitude, understanding that their salvation was made possible because she was a willing servant of the Lord. No matter the cost. Like Mary, I want to treasure each moment as Mary did, choosing to trust in God’s sovereignty, but I want to get out there in every way possible to shine the spotlight on Him and help make my Lord famous. Will you join me?

There’s No Place Like Home, But There’s Also Nothing Like Epic Adventures

This post was inspired as I was having a phone conversation with a friend yesterday by the chicken pen at my children’s home in Austin. Our conversation was interrupted when I saw two little renegade chickens out of the pen again. Those who follow me will remember the last time I was here in Austin. I was on a daily mission to shore up holes around the pen where the younger chickens were escaping. When I returned home to Frisco, I heard that these two chickens weren’t escaping through holes, but flying out and back in the pen.

Here I am on "animal patrol" again. It’s a work-out, but I find being here is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places on earth. It’s back to nature and profound appreciation for God’s creation. AND, I get “aha” moments to share with you.

These two little black chickens have learned there’s fun, living-life-large adventures, as well as yummy bugs and treats outside of the pen, so they fly outside the safety and comfort of home. I don't worry about them roaming around anymore because they know where home sweet home is. When they need water or hanging out with their “family” – they’ll fly right back in. On the other hand, take a look at the photo on the right of the renegades. Those are older, mature hens and roosters who are watching what the renegades are doing, but they aren’t tempted to follow them. They are quite comfortable in their familiar surroundings of home.

To the right of the chicken photos is a quote by Helen Keller from her book published in 1940: "Let Us Have Faith” and a chapter titled “Faith Fears Not” contained the passage: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Don't you love that a blind woman speaks about faith AND adventure?

Have you ever done something that took you out of your comfort zone like becoming a pilot? Have you joined a new group that required you to meet total strangers? Have you spoken in front of a room to a group of people you don’t know? Have you gone on a 21-day trip with total strangers to Europe? Or eaten at a restaurant and were the only one in your booth? Have you taken on a crazy assignment like the care of a motley crew of animals? All of those questions, I've said “yes” to. Those all speak to the season I am in. I could stay at home in the comfort and safety of home or I could take risks and enjoy the adventures that are “outside the pen” like those adventurous chickens. If you have, maybe you’ve made the same discovery: adventure breaks monotony.

Adventure breaks monotony not only in the roles I play, but it also breaks any ho-hum-ness in my relationship with God.
Sometimes … my consistency, my predictability, my same-way-every-day when it comes to the way I interact with God can get downright "ordinary", and ordinary sometimes is BORING! God didn’t create us for ordinary and boring. He created us for EXTRAordinary. In John 10:10, Jesus said He came to give us a rich, abundant and satisfying life. Are we taking Him up on His offer? Taking on some out-of-the-comfort-zone adventures with the Holy Spirit can sure break ordinary.

Life is a great adventure. Seriously....there is so much awe and wonder to life if we live with the attitude of adventure. Let's blaze a trail for others to follow. Let's live life with gusto. Let's pursue it. Let's hunt for it. Let's say "no" to the whines of those who have settled for a mediocre life and who want us to do the same so they won't feel guilty. It seems our options are quite clear: On one side, there is the voice of safety. We can nestle into the pen (our home), settle for living for “us four and no more” and we can watch others that are spreading their wings and are flying to places of wonder and delight. We can hear the voice of adventure -- God's adventures. Instead of nestling in, we can ignite a fire in our hearts. We can follow God's impulses -- maybe......adopt the child; move to a new place; change careers; run for office, give blood, accept that teaching position at church or school, join that group with a cause to change the world and determine to make a difference in other people's lives. What a way to live! What a GREAT adventure!!