Getting a Breather from the Heat

Red River, New Mexico – Here we are at the Sangre de Christo Mountains aka Blood of Jesus Mountains at the town of Red River. That gives me holy chilly bumps to know we are surrounded and covered by the "blood of Jesus" in God's creation and in His blood that keeps us healthy and alive in Him. "Oh the blood of Jesus -- it washes white as snow." (chorus of an old song). Heaven on earth puts it mildly. Oh, the sweet ride God takes us on when we chill out and let Him lead us to the mountains. "I lift up my eyes to the hills (aka mountains) where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1

"Chill out" is literally what we're doing. From the Dallas 102 degrees heat to the 70s high in the day and 40s low at night. I look at these sweet times as heaven to earth. I sense it because my heart is overflowing in gratitude for these off-the-chart moments. Here we are right in the midst what seems to be a whole lotta’ hell on earth around us – if we allowed ourselves to live in that zone – but those who choose to take the higher peace-zone way – will find places like this -- literally AND spiritually.

My children (both sets) purchased “homes-on-wheels” last year. I know that it was God leading them for “such-a-time-as-this” that we are living in right now. They are able to be safe-at-home when at their at their residences AND in their travel homes. I’m a beneficiary of their blessings. Larry and Staci bought their RV when they both turned 50 so they named theirs: “Jubilee “, which means “50 years” and in Biblical terms, blessing.

When they got theirs in January, they announced to their two children, and me: “Pick out a destination you’d like to go to and we’ll take you there.” It didn’t take long for me to tell them mine because my cousin had just invited me to Red River, NM where they’d be enjoying their own travel-home this summer. My bestie-cousin (my dad’s brother’s daughter) and I had a world of fun as kids. So, here we are in this spectacular weather, majestic mountains, tall pine trees, lakes, rivers, a great resort town AND trout! Heading out to fish in a few minutes!

We made it here on Saturday evening, and getting to hang out with my cousins. Their RV is across from ours amidst spectacular pine trees. Yesterday started with quiet times watching online church, a great breakfast and then we headed out to drive around to get the lay of the land and waters. Hold on for updates on fishing adventures in these plethora-of-trout waters. I’m so grateful. And, were it not for these travel vehicles, we wouldn’t be able to be here. The media call these RVs/motorhomes “pandemic palaces” because families are able to get out during these times for family get-aways. Staci prefers to call theirs “blessing-palaces”.

Actually "Heaven on earth" is when we pause to bring worship from earth to heaven and then God brings heaven to earth. When we take time to be thankful for journey, whether they are winding and twisting, or 4-lane smooth highways, and have gratitude in it all, heaven shows up on earth. Any time we pray, “God, let your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we’re asking God to declare the truths of heaven into this world.

I know what heaven on earth is and every day I invest my time in looking for and living there. One day, we’ll get to graduate from this earth to heaven. I sincerely believe God delights in our appreciating the heaven we can have daily as we commune with Him and let Him make His presence known in every facet of our lives. All those "heaven on earth" times sure makes this journey sweet on the way to "heaven in heaven". Every day, we can make the choice to have "heaven on earth" moments. Maybe it's time to take stock in YOUR "heaven on earth" blessings, too!

It's That Looney Cardinal Again

My son and family live in Austin on a large acreage which includes a lovely guest house that they offer to visiting missionaries, ministers and other visitors. I'm always at the main house when I'm there visiting, but I wanted a day of solitude a couple of weeks ago to meditate and finalize my thoughts for the upcoming Advent event I would be speaking at today here in Tulsa.

The house is tucked in heavy trees, off the beaten path, so it’s a perfect place to be still and hear from God. And that I did. As I settled down at the dining room table with my Bible, computer, notes, and cup of coffee, soon my envisioned “quiet and secret” place was interrupted by the constant beating on the windows of a hard-headed red cardinal. Poor bird -- I was concerned he was about to break his neck. It was annoying to say the least, until I thought “If I’m truly trusting God with all my heart and leaning not to my own understanding, and in all my ways acknowledging Him and trusting that He is directing my paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6), He must be using that cardinal to speak to me.

I remembered two winters ago that a cardinal family made their home in a crepe myrtle just outside my bedroom window. I began to cherish the cardinal because I came to understand that the cardinal is said to symbolize hope, joy, health, rejuvenation and celebration, the blood of Jesus that was shed for us, as well as to remind us of a dear loved one that may have passed from this earth.

A friend of mine, on the anniversary of her Dad's passing, was at her Mom and Dad's home, organizing family photos into envelopes for each of her eight siblings. When she put the last photo in the envelope, she looked out the window and saw a red cardinal in their backyard. Her dad loved cardinals. It was a sweet memory, and she knew that cardinal was heaven sent as she heard the words in her heart "Well done, good and faithful servant."

And, on this day in Austin, what seemed earlier like a looney cardinal, I knew now was a kiss from heaven to me. I like to think that my daddy, mama, grandparents AND, most of all, my sweetheart were sending me kisses from heaven to speak about the signs of Advent -- and talk about the many other "heaven sent" signs and messages from God that occur on a daily basis. Jesus used objects and "signs" to convey messages all the time. All those analogies that He used were probably from actual situations where He'd be by a well, and He'd talk about "living water" where we'd never thirst again; or the lilies of the field how they never toil -- He was probably by a field of lilies at the time; or when He said, "Consider the sparrows -- there were probably sparrows flying over head.. When He taught the parable of the sower, it's by no means a major stretch of our imagination to think that there was a sower in the next field where Jesus was.

So WHY wouldn't we see a cardinal and think of hope, joy, celebration AND sweet loved ones that could just be sending their love to us in the most beautiful way?

I knew my message tonight would include reference to the cardinal as a "sign" of hope and peace. And, all of that was confirmed when I arrived at Mom's house on Saturday.. When I walked in and saw her Christmas decorations with obvious "signs" of the cardinal -- the placemat, the pillow, the ceramic house and the sign. I knew I was on track.

It's about being a "Noticer" -- noticing those objects, signs, things, scriptures, nudges and hugs, where God reminds us of His love, His presence, His peace and hope. I'm just trusting Him so much that I'm willing to keep "noticing" how vast, how wide and deep is His love for me AND you.