A Light in the Darkness

My daughter and I were talking about the explosions that struck Beirut on August 4th, killing 154 people, wounding over 5,000, with 120 still in critical condition on Friday. 300,000+ are now homeless. Lebanon's president, Michel Aoun, said that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate caused the explosions. The Port of Beirut was destroyed. Windows were blown out two miles from the explosion. Losses are estimated to be $10-$15 billion.
.
Our hearts go out to the precious people of Lebonan who suffered the loss of their homes, suffered physically and are mourning the loss of loved ones. As awful as the devastation was -- a video and photos covered social media and the airways of the beautiful Lebanese bride, Dr. Israa Seblani, who was smiling and posing in her long white gown and veil when the scene was shattered by the horrific roar and shockwave.

I watched the video with certain angst of her being photo’d and video-graphed because the report had already come to us about the blasts. The interruption was shocking, yet I saw a “light in the darkness” as she was interviewed. Seblani, a doctor who works in the U.S., said later, "There are no words to explain. I was shocked and wondered what happened, am I going to die?”

According to Reuters, she attended to several wounded people in the area before ultimately seeking safety for herself. [On a personal note, I’m thinking that those she attended to must have thought, in her white array of beauty, that she was an angel.] Reuter’s captured her words: “The one thing I said was ‘Praise be to God, we’re still alive. I thank God for protecting us. I was so sad for what happened to people – what happened to Lebonan. God have mercy on those who were killed and the wounded. Also, I want to look at us, myself, my husband, and the photographer there with us – how we escaped unharmed. I thank God for protecting us. This makes me feel always optimistic and say thank God and keep the joy.”

We pray for the beautiful people of Lebonan and all who have suffered. Still, there is always a light that brings hope in the darkest times and darkest hours. It is reassuring for us in our great country -- in the midst of difficulty, of tragedy, of discomfort, of pain, of insecurity, of loss, if we keep our eyes and ears open (and don’t listen to the naysayers, the doubters, the doomsday-plot-givers, the sky-is-falling chickens), we will always find those who are bright lights in the darkness. Oh, how I want to be like that bride who shines so brightly in the darkest hours.

As I embraced this story, I thought about this scripture: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear” (Rev 19:7-8) As the members of Christ’s Church, we are encouraged to be faithful and be ready, waiting with anticipation for the glorious day when we will be united with Jesus and live in harmony with Him as His beloved bride. That makes me want to live praising Him, as did this Lebanese bride – giving Him the honor, the glory and the praise in the dark and in the light-bright days of our lives.

When You’re a Hugger AND Encourager

That’s me. I come from a family of huggers. So, throw me into a world of social distancing and stay-at-home orders and I’m really uncomfortable. Actually, my heart aches for our world that needs a good dose of love, compassion, understanding and HUGS. Let’s get the truth out there. God, the greatest of all lovers everywhere, didn’t cause this world to be locked up. Not our God Who “reached out and touched” the untouchable and loved the unlovable. It was our Lord’s mode of operation that He modeled for us from the feet of His disciples as He washed them as the greatest Servant of all. Our Lord was the One that crowds thronged around Him. He was the One Who called the little children to Him. He was the One who fed the thousands in a crowded situation. So, who is responsible?

It is the enemy of our souls – the greatest hater of all – the one who locks us up to keep us from loving, the one who would rather kill, steal and destroy our peace, our joy, our hope and our love. He is the one who tried to take our Lord out, once and for all, by crucifying him. He failed. It is he that has us locked up and away from others. But, he will not win. He is a loser in every way because we have read the end of The Book, the Bible, AND, we win!

A friend of mine posted on Facebook: “I hate Facebook”. I commented: “Oh please don’t hate it. It’s my mission field. We just have to let our little lights shine brighter so the darkness gets lit up with God’s love. I’ve learned to avoid the negative in every way. You have too many blessings to not share them. Love you so much sweet girl.” The truth is if we’re not the light and the encouragers, who will be? Sure I might need to stave off my hugging for the time being, but I can still encourage in word through social media, email, and when I am at church (yes, my church is following the 50% rule – sitting in every other pew and 6 feet apart). I can wave and blow kisses through my facemask. Encouragers just have to encourage.

Country Living magazine came out with more scriptures. I posted their encouragement in uncertain times' scriptures a few weeks ago). Now they posted scriptures about encouraging others to brighten their day. I love this so much and I’m passing on excerpts from their article and scripture verses for you to use to encourage yourself and others.

“Encouragement is something we all need to keep us motivated, loved, and feeling confident in ourselves and what we do. It’s something that is important for our mental and overall health and it truly can give us just the same amount of joy to give it to others as it is to receive it. Because God created us and knows this about our personalities, he has provided countless verses in the Bible to not only encourage us but also to teach us the importance of lifting up those around us. Imagine how your community could change for the better with a little more encouragement between neighbors instead of community message boards filled with complaints. Or how strong your team at work could become if each person talked up their teammates' work instead of their own accomplishments in order to get ahead. What a world that could be!”

** Hebrews 10:24-25 -- "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds..”
** Psalm 31:24 -- "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."
** Psalm 121:1-2 -- "I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
** Romans 15:2 -- "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
** John 16:33 -- "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
** 1 Corinthians 16:13 -- "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
** Romans 8:31 -- "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
** 1 Thessalonians 5:11 -- "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
** Romans 15:5 -- "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had."
** Romans 15:2 -- "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
** 1 Timothy 4:12 -- "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
** Isaiah 40:31 -- "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
** Joshua 1:9 -- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
** 2 Timothy 1:7 -- "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
** John 14:27 -- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
** Philippians 1:6 -- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
** John 15:13 -- "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
** 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
** Galatians 6:2 -- "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Thank you, Country Living magazine, for giving us exactly what we need to be encouraged and be encouragers!

He’s a Good, Good Father on this Good Friday!

I’m smiling because I posted this family photo on what is supposed to be a somber, serious day. But is it really? Were it not for THIS day, we wouldn’t have an Easter. This photo was taken at our church in Shawnee, OK. It was a big deal to dress up for Easter. Had to have new Easter outfits and an Easter bonnet. I had enough hair back then that served as all the hat I needed. After church, it was all about the Easter egg hunt. The kids would have a spirited time of finding them all.

Remembering that Easter fanfare, as sweet as those times were, doesn’t hold a candle to this year’s Easter experiences. It seems the frivolous things were, well, just frivolous. Oh, I’m sure many will still be having Easter egg hunts in their backyards, but because we’re nestled into our homes, it’s easier to hone into what Easter is really all about. Introspection of the holy of holiest times that goes from Friday's sorrows to Sunday's alleluias!

Did you sleep well last night? Jesus didn’t. He had not been to sleep! All night long and in this day, He was interrogated, lied about, beatened, tortured, suffered and died on a cross that was meant for murderers and thieves. Today is Good Friday! Good? How could this day be called GOOD?

I can’t help but consider all our world is going through right now. Maybe some “Good Friday” issues like the suffering, the dying, and so many unknowns. I get it. The struggles are real – lost jobs, financial insecurity, kids testing every nerve their parents have because they’re not used to isolation, the concerns for our medical field and essential services workers. It is truly a time like we could never imagine.

I titled this post “He’s a Good, Good Father on this Good Friday”. Really? How could a Dad be called a “good dad” when He allows His Son to die in such a horrific way? “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer …” (Isaiah 53:10). Of all the powerful verses in the Bible, this one brings me to my knees. How much does God the Father love us? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. Because the death of His Son would bring salvation to His children. That means salvation to you and to me and to all who know Him as Savior and Lord. Indeed, He is our good, good Father.

But, how could this day be called GOOD? Because out of the appallingly bad came what was inexpressibly good. And the good trumps the bad because the bad was temporary while the good is eternal. God’s love and grace came to us soaked in divine blood. The Cross is God’s answer to the question, “Why don’t you do something about evil?” “Why do You let bad things happen to good people?” God did do something. One look at His Son on the cross should silence the argument that God doesn't care about human suffering.

Without Jesus’ death, we could never know Him. We could never have eternal life. Our salvation cost a lot. And Jesus thought “they’re worth it”. And that is what’s so good about Good Friday. There is no such thing as a resurrection without a death. There is no such thing as an Easter without a Good Friday.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Now, we know why God is a good, good Father and why this day is called "Good Friday".

A Big Return on our Investment

It is Sunday morning. After a month-long Tour de Texas, it’s good to be back home again – “home” home, and to my church home. I hear: “You’re back!” “Welcome home, Donna!” “We missed you, Donna!” I love those words: “Welcome home!” Can we even fathom what those words meant to the prodigal son when His dad welcomed him home? I’m in MY pew and MY seat. Well, it’s not really mine, but I get here early enough to claim my territory! Second row, first seat, middle aisle where those of us who are honored and humbled to be communion servers stand. Easy to get to my place from here.

There is no place like home with my “church family”. We are the ones who team up in volunteering, serving, sharing, loving and praying. A common goal – to let our little lights shine here and out there. Wherever I go, God goes -- so, actually, everywhere I go is home sweet home. But, I see Him loud and clear in my church family. We walk hand-in-hand in some tough times and in the over-the-top good times. We are family. We’re a part of the Family of God – we’re brothers and sisters.

As I kneel for a few minutes, I exhale all the busyness of my life and I inhale the One Who got this whole “church” thing started in the first place. He wanted us to come together in one accord. He wanted us to bear one another’s burdens. He wanted us to be Him to our world. I sense my Lord here. In this place and in my heart. I know Him intimately. He knows even more about me – even those annoying fly-away hairs that I have to keep licking my fingers to make them stay down. I express gratitude, with all this journeying I do, for getting me safe and sound back here.

I look around. I see Him in the etched glass reaching His arms out to His disciples. I get chills just thinking He’s holding His arms out to me in the same way. After all – I, too, am one of His disciples. He says: “Follow Me!” And, I follow. I see Him in the stained glass above the altar – the hand of God symbolizing the Father, the Lamb symbolizing the Son, the Dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. I’m familiar with the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know them well – not as casual acquaintances but as MY never-failing, always-present, Holiest of Holy team.

Maybe you don’t have a church family – those who go toe-to-toe with you in good times and tough times; those who see you and come with a hearty hug for you. I have an investment in this place – my time, my talent and my treasure. The return on my investment is peace, joy, comfort, stability, hope, love and long-term (lifelong and beyond-term) pay-offs. Here’s my humble advice: If you want the best return on investment (ROI), there is nothing like investing in the Kingdom of God, investing in people. People will endure through time and eternity.

We don’t have a mission. God has a mission and has invited us to become part of His mission. We are the people to accomplish that mission. Someone said, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” The main thing is the mission of God. If you want real ROI, be a part of a team of people who make you better because their interests are beyond themselves. Their interests are Kingdom-based, people-based. Together we’re strong and stalwart with eyes on the prize. So, onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Going to His Houses for a Pick-Me-Up

I amuse myself when I consider what kind of over-the-top, super-Jesus-fanatic I must seem like to those who don’t take their faith walk quite as seriously as I do. I love hanging out with those who talk the same talk and walk the same walk that I do. You know us. Those “Praise the Lord!”, “Thank you, Jesus!”, “Praise God!” cliche-speaking people who take attending church so seriously that we get there at least 30 minutes early to find the closest seats to the front. We’re the ones who attend Bible studies, retreats and serve on ministry and outreach teams. We just can't carry on a conversation without interjecting something about God’s goodness and even quoting a scripture or two. Besides, I know that we BECOME who we hang out with. So I make sure I'm hanging out with loving, kind, compassionate, brilliant, passionate, alive and giving people.

So, on Sunday, I went to two filling-stations for a pick-me-up! First, I attended Life Austin, a non-denominational church where Randy Phillips of the Gospel recording group, Phillips, Craig and Dean, is the pastor. I got caught up in the wonderful music and praise. Then the message on love gave me more reasons to love myself so I can love others stronger. The scripture reference was “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mark 12:39)

I left that service and headed to Emmaus Church where, as you enter the property, you see the statutes of Jesus and the two disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus. Quickly, you're reminded of the scene of them not recognizing Jesus until He broke bread with them. That is what we do when we break bread in Holy Communion. And I love the enormous cross with Jesus ascending to heaven statute in the sanctuary. I rejoiced in our risen Lord when we sang Hillsong’s “Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing”. The pastor spoke on -- guess what! “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” I think God was impressing that message to me. Pastor Samuel shared that the disciples wanted Jesus to rain down fire on the Samaritans and Jesus was so incensed at the disciples’ attitude that he rebuked them for their intolerance and unacceptance of the Samaritans. He urged them to love others. (Luke 9:54) Pastor Samuel said, “It doesn’t sound too different than what our country is like today – intolerant of each other and, quite frankly, we would even like God to rain down fire on those who don’t agree with us." I heard God's "love" message loud and clear!

The "icing on the cake" came at the end. The children just finished their “God is Good” VBS (the same as ours in Frisco) and the children sang their theme song for the congregation. It was worth my efforts to be with God’s people this Sunday morning. It was raining outside and it was raining showers of blessings and bucketloads of God’s faithfulness on me on the inside. Indeed, “I was glad when they said unto me ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1).

ROAR -- When Life is Wild -- God is Good!

Last year I heard about the exciting and fun-filled times that were had by the kids and the adult and teen volunteers at Vacation Bible School at my church. With all that enthusiasm, I didn’t want to miss out this year so early on, I enlisted! And, I am so glad I did. Today is the third day and, I’ll be honest, I think I'm getting as much out of this week as the kids are. I am on a “Faith Station” team with another adult volunteer and three teen volunteers who make up the narrators, actors and prop crew. There are four other Faith Station teams who also teach individual groups of kindergarteners through 5th grade. So altogether, we work with about 400 kids a day and then pre-school has another group of children.

There are 440 kids, 158 teen volunteers, and 155 adults. The VBS theme is ROAR and we are having a ROAR-ing great time. If you went to VBS as a kid, you’ll probably remember some of the fun, and most importantly, you probably remember the impact of hearing the messages of faith and overcoming life’s challenges. Like me, you were probably left with an indelible imprint of a time when your life-course pointed in the direction of following Christ the rest of your life.

We all have said, at one time or another, “God is good – all the time! All the time – God is good!” The theme of this VBS is built around those words. Some times we mindlessly say those words – but this week, I’m seeing those words go to a whole new level as we declare: “When life is wild – God is good!” And, as we all know – YES, life can get pretty wild! The building is covered in wild African animal prints and cut-outs, waterfalls, grass, skies, sun, and African jungle music is being played and relatable songs are sung with lots of hilarious shenanigan moments.

Monday, our Wild Bible Adventure theme was “When life is unfair – God is good!” It took us back to a time when the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians. After 400 years of horrific slavery, Moses was trying to work to make things better for them, but his efforts made Pharaoh really angry! So he punished God’s chosen people even more! It was so unfair! I loved it when a 3rd-grade boy raised his hand and asked "Why didn't they move to America?"

The words, “When life is unfair – God is good”, were repeated through the morning assembly, the faith station, imagination station, music station, and the outdoor station. This is not my VBS from years ago – when flannel board figures were the highlight, as well as kool-aid and cookies. But, even in that “ancient” time, this little girl was impacted so much that here I am wanting to pass along the message. I would say that’s “seed time and harvest” – especially as I see these precious children soaking in the message of the goodness of God.

Yesterday’s theme was “When life is scary – God is good!” This day was about Moses continuing to beg Pharaoh to let God’s people go and each time he refused, another plague fell on the Egyptians. We meticulously, and hilariously led the kids through each of the ten plagues from the river turning into blood, to the last plague of the death of the firstborn Egyptian sons and the remarkable protection over all of the Israelites throughout each plague and the Passover.

This is just a brief overview of our first couple of days of pouring into these precious children the goodness of God in whatever situation they may be in. How’s that for empowering our kids during summer break for the next school year when they’ll come into plenty of opportunities to remember that God is so good no matter what they may face? It's a work-out, no doubt, but the rewards we reap, in the light of eternity, in focused training and disciple role modeling carries on from generation to generation. "We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)

One Hot Mess Because Life Can Be Messy

I have served on faith-based women's teams and was amused when I heard some of the young women, after a long day of being "mom” to their young family, exclaim “I’m a hot mess!” I’ll admit I didn't know what that meant but it did seem they were frazzled and welcomed being a part of a faith group where they could “chill” a while. I googled "hot mess"! It's a state of extreme disarray; disheveled or unbalanced person, particularly one who is nevertheless still attractive! Aw! So I wasn’t too far off when I saw them frazzled and beautiful!

I'm sure I could have said that about myself as a young mom. I dreamed of being the perfect mom and pastor's wife. I wanted my "two" to be exemplary model children for others. But, they were normal kids who could act up and out just like the others. It perplexed me and I went down to the altar for prayer to be THAT mom and wife who merited the gold-star-winning, woman of the year. An older, wiser woman knelt down beside me, wrapped her loving arms around me and said, “Sweet girl, let go of your need for perfection. God just wants you to “Come as you are” – just keep coming to Him. He will turn what seems to be a mess into a beautiful message for others." Oh, my! She had "read my mail" and my heart. I felt refreshed and assured that my kids and I were going to be okay – just as we were. Suddenly it seemed attainable to raise a couple of kids, keeping life in order, and everything running smoothly, happy and clean.

But, then I went home and life had its messy moments again. Some days, wife-ing and parenting is just a hot mess. It doesn’t always go as planned. We get tired. When we’ve finally figured out one stage, another begins. We look for someone, like my "church" friend to wrap their arms around us and tell us everything’s gonna’ be alright. “You’re doing a good job.”

We listen to accusing lies that we know are not from God, but play over and over in our minds, “a good mom would never do that, why can’t you get it together, why can’t you be more like…” We start believing it to be the truth. The days seem so long. The ones when you’ve had more than enough of being a chauffeur, or referee between the kids, or hearing “mom” every few seconds. And just when you hear a friend tell you she’s headed with her hubby to a remote island for a week….

You stop and take a deep breath. You look into the eyes of these treasures who call you Mom…who you love more than life itself…and you realize how very blessed you are. And you notice not only the days have gone by, but some years have too. And suddenly you long for it to slow down. The “Aha” moment happens and you realize that maybe you are doing it. Maybe you are living a dream that is the right one for you. And you breathe in God's grace…again. Because life was never meant to be perfect. Life was just meant to be lived. Hope arises. You let go of those high expectations of perfect bliss somewhere else.

You realize your "hot mess" isn't really hot at all. It is a place of sweet life words found in the mess of the toys on the floor and fingerprints on the wall. Words of grace, straight from the heart of a joy-filled 5-year-old soul who knows what it is to live and to love. Love God, love your family, love yourself. So simple and so true. “Wherever you go, God goes with you.” (Joshua 1:9) He is in our mess, in our imperfections, in our day to day, in the ordinary, in the times when no one else sees, or knows, or cares. He’s there. With us. Perfect doesn’t matter. It never did. And all the other stuff we stress and worry about, it doesn’t really matter either. But love, it matters. He whispers His words of life and love over you today: “Good job, Mom, I am with you. And, together…..we’re gonna rock this!

Is it Clothes or the Heart that Makes the Man?

I saw these “ancient" photos and how stylish and dressed-to-the-nines we were back then. I remembered Mark Twain’s quote: “Clothes make the man! Naked people have little or no influence on society.” I had to laugh at that thought and visual! This first photo is my Mom and her best friends, my mother and father-in-law in their Sunday best. Check out those hats and gloves! That was the church apparel style 50+ years ago. The next photo was of us 30 years ago, in our backyard -- all dressed up for church in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. That's what we did "back in the day"! We were on purpose to dress our best. I learned that as a little girl in the "Jackie Kennedy" era, when we wore the pillbox hats, gloves and frills. I remember my Mom saying that we dress up for church because we're going to be in the presence of our King and we want to give Him our best.

Though I personally still carry that mindset even today as a product of my upbringing, I've come to understand that just being in church and praising and thanking God is what is most important. And, clothes DON'T make the man. What makes a man is a heart after God. I'm just thrilled when I see anyone worshipping God with me in their vast array of clothing styles -- from athletic wear, ripped jeans and shorts to suits, ties, and dressy dresses. And, bless my Mama's heart -- she meant well in saying "we're going to be in the presence of our King", but today I'd remind her...our KING lives IN us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) -- and Who is inside us -- is what matters.

I’m not going to be that little old lady that is whining about the good old days when we did things this way or that way. This is the good new days and God wants us to COME as we are: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Where I'm going with this post is of far more value and worth than our outward appearance. God isn't looking for the perfect ensemble or the latest fashion statement. God is looking for those who desire to be His fully devoted followers. The question is "How much time do we spend working on our hearts -- the part that matters most to God?" "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." I Samuel 17:31

That scripture was God’s explanation to the prophet Samuel of how God could pick a little kid (David) over impressive looking warriors. In this case, God had chosen a young man who didn’t look like he measured up or was even qualified for the job. In David's case, and in our case, God is looking for those who trust Him with their whole hearts and who live with the desire to keep their hearts pure and pliable. So, today, let’s represent Him in the way we act and look by "dressing up" our hearts. After all, the KING is right here....right NOW in our hearts!