God Has Always Had a People

As relentless as I am to be optimistic, I know there will be plenty of opportunities to go rogue and get caught up in the whirlwinds of negativity that will, no doubt, get even more ferocious in 2020. After all, it’s a presidential election year, and, well, if you’ve paid any attention at all to the rancor and nausea-inducing negativity, you’ll know 2020 will not be for the faint of heart.

That’s why we must shift our mindsets and our thinking from falling prey to that darkness. Our true colors will be revealed this year. We’re going to witness just how Christian we really are. How kind. How compassionate. How courageous. How committed. How fervent we are in prayer and absolute certainty that God is in control. The real questions are “What kind of representatives of Christ are we?” How deep is our faith? How different is our voice than the mean-spirited voices that surround us and bombard us 24/7, if we let them?

The key to UNLOCKING the PLENTY in 2020 of God’s grace and love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.– the fruit of the Spirit -- is letting our lights shine so much brighter than the darkness that permeates the other side. It doesn’t take going to see a Star Wars movie to realize that we are in a constant battle of darkness (the dark side) and the light side.

The crazier (and darker) things get, the more clearly our light MUST shine. I sincerely believe God has always had a people – a people who represent Him as His non-compromising followers. There’s a shaking about to occur. I believe it’s going to be a time when God's people rise up with wisdom and insight and courage, and live above the political fray.

When I was writing this blog and typed the words “God has always had a people”, I remembered that was a line in the song, “The Church Triumphant” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. I googled it. Just take a look at these words in the interlude. They nail it – nail the hand-writing on the wall of WHO we are and WHOSE we are:

"God has always had a people. Many a foolish conqueror has made the mistake of thinking that because he'd driven the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, that he had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life, but God has always had a people. The powerful current of a river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground. The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has forced its way through solid rock. There are charlatans, who like Simon the magician sought to barter on the open market this power which cannot be bought or sold but God has always had a people; men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase. God has always had a people.There have been times of affluence and prosperity where the Church's message has been nearly diluted into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, re-organized and financially profitable. It's been gold plated, draped in purple and encrusted in jewels. It's been misrepresented, ridiculed, lauded and scorned. These followers of Jesus Christ have been, according to the whim of the times, elevated as sacred leaders and martyred as heretics. Yet through it all, there marches on this powerful army. God's chosen people who cannot be bought, flattered, murdered or stilled. On through the ages they march. This church, God's church is ALIVE and WELL.

And, yes, my friend and fellow believers in the Church and the Cross of Jesus Christ, let us STAND tall, knowing that we are on the LIGHT side – the Church Triumphant side -- and we know, based on the end of the book – WE WIN!

"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame." Joel 2:26-27

Be Sure to Wear Your Little Black Dress

I was amused when my daughter told me she was invited to a dinner with several women and the tagline was: "Be sure to wear your little black dress." Staci said, "I don't have a little black dress but I'll make it happen!" And, she did!

I remember last year when my granddaughter was trying to decide what to wear for her Junior Prom and she just wasn't "feeling it" with the semi-formals other girls were wearing so she chose a "little black dress" (pictured here). I loved the look and she owned it.

The fact is, we usually clothe ourselves according to the occasion. A t-shirt and shorts may mean a comfortable afternoon at home. A sportscoat and tie for guys and a silky chiffon dress for gals might mean a special night out. An athletic shirt and tights might mean we're headed to the gym. That's what I had on yesterday when I was headed to my daughter's after she called to ask me to come over and see their new "Cinderella" room (that's a blog topic for another day).

In Colossians 3:12, God’s people are encouraged to clothe themselves with five attributes of Christ. Not just for a special occasion, but for every occasion of every day. So when we're asked to "come as you are" or "wear your little black dress or suit" -- we can wear these clothes described in this scripture that really matter regardless how we're stylin' or what "threads" we have on:

~ Clothe yourselves with compassion. Compassion is a way of living that reaches others with the hands and feet of Christ in very practical and loving ways. I love that in my work at the hospital or consoling ministry.

~ Clothe yourselves with kindness. Kindness can be an encouraging word to a friend or a gesture that says, "I see you. You matter.” Kindness is a way of living that finds such great pleasure in making others feel cared about.

~ Clothe yourselves with humility. Humility is the epitome of selflessness. It's a way of living that looks to others first because they genuinely care.

~ Clothe yourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is a way of living that expresses quiet, peaceful and calmness in our approach with others.

~ Clothe yourselves with patience. Patience a calm, peaceful endurance. It is a way of living that accepts God's timing as perfect timing, trusting Him Who holds all things in His hands.

Just a little reminder today that when we go to our clothes closet to choose that "perfect" outfit for the occasion, let's remember to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience each and every day, then we'll always be dressed for success and blessed for being the best!

What's Your Rhythm?

Rhythm -- a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
This morning I woke up, looked at the clock and first words out of my mouth were, "Thank you, Lord, for getting my sleep rhythm back to normal." For me, that is a regular, repeated pattern of at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep. Since moving from my home, I've slept in lots of different places, in different beds and getting only 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night. But, now that I've been at my friend's home for several weeks now, and getting used to the bed here, I'm back to my normal 7 hours sleep a night. My sleep rhythm is back! Thanks be to God!

My mother-in-law has had a pacemaker for keeping her heart rhythm regular and constant for many years. She knows it when it's out of rhythm. She feels weak and dizzy.

Most importantly, God wants us to get into His rhythms -- those strong, regular, repeated patterns of love, kindness, forgiveness, tenderness, gentleness, giving, honoring, respecting. In all seriousness, there are just way too many people who are OUT OF GOD'S RHYTHM. They think it's okay to be nasty and hateful. That's certainly not His rhythm. I want to live on His side of the sweet music that He makes -- because when we are in tune with Him, we'll recognize all those folks, situations and circumstances that want to take us out of rhythm with Him and we'll resist that music with everything that's in us.

Since God, Himself, is the source of music, He wants us to get in His rhythm that dances, sings, lives and breathes His character and in His ways. His music sounds like this: "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!" (Philippians 4:19) "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!" (Phiippians 4:13) "Greater is He Who lives in me than He who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Mark 12:31) "I have the peace of God that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7) Those are rhythms that make for really spectacular music.

So you ask me why my heart keeps singing,
Why I can sing when things go wrong.
Since I've found the Source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.....Yes, I'm dancing, singing, living in God's rhythm!

Got Your Clothes On Yet?

Now that's a loaded question. The answer could be "yes", even if you've got your jammies on, your swimsuit on or a 3-piece suit on.

The fact is, we usually clothe ourselves according to the occasion.

A t-shirt and shorts may mean a comfortable afternoon at home. A silky chiffon dress might mean a special night out. An athletic shirt and tights might mean you're headed to the gym.

In Colossians 3:12, God’s people are encouraged to clothe themselves with five distinct attributes of Christ. Not for a special occasion, but for every day. So when we're asked "Got your clothes on yet?" -- these are the clothes that really matter regardless how we're stylin' or what "threads" we have on:

~ Clothes yourselves with compassion. Compassion is a way of living that reaches others with the hands and feet of Christ in very practical and loving ways.

~ Clothes yourselves with kindness. Kindness can be an encouraging word to a friend or a gesture that says, "I see you. You matter.” Kindness is a way of living that finds such great pleasure in making others feel cared about.

~ Clothes yourselves with humility. Humility is the epitome of selflessness. It's a way of living that looks to others first, because they genuinely care.

~ Clothes yourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is a way of living that expresses quiet, peaceful and calmness in our approach with others.

~ Clothes yourselves with patience. Patience a calm, peaceful endurance. It is a way of living that accepts God's timing as perfect timing, trusting Him Who holds all things in His hands.

As God’s dearly loved children, that before we put on our daily clothing attire, may we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience . . . each and every day, then we'll answer that question, "I've got my best outfit on today!"

A True Romance is Going On

Day 269 of Photo Inspirations -- A True Romance is Going On
So I've known romance.  My husband was the truest romantic EVER.  He loved candlelight, love songs, little "I love you" notes, surprise date locations, slow dancing, surprise gifts, and though I knew I wasn't the most beautiful girl in the world, he made me feel like I was.

I'm studying and preparing for a Bible Study I'll be leading, starting next Monday, the 5th.  God led me to the study of  "Knowing Them By Their Fruit" and "The Fruit of the Spirit".  The Fruit of the Spirit's qualities are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I believe the foundational quality of them all is LOVE.  After all, GOD IS LOVE, and He embodies all of those qualities.  That's why we pray...."Make me more like YOU!"

“And now abide these three: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

Yes, my Sweetheart was a true romantic.  But the love talked about in this verse is the truest of true romantic loves.  The love of God -- THE purest love.   Completely selfless, immensely sacrificial, unstoppable, a burning and unquenchable passion, a jealous and unchanging love.  This makes it the strongest possible kind.  And one that is so incomparable.  It can’t be bought, it is only given.  It is never manipulated, but given with grace.  And it can never, ever be broken.  The truth is, not even death can contain, limit or abolish this awesome love of God.

And here's some really good news that those of us may miss or be longing for -- our relationship with God is a romance.  And a greater romance has never been told.  It’s a romance that is eternal, not like the world’s.  It’s a romance that is infinite.  It was being formed before the universe was spoken into existence.   That same love is the one, the same power that sustained Christ when He gave up His last breath on the cross to save a heartless and undeserving world.  And THAT love is woven and knit into each of His children.  He is constantly wooing us and romancing us through blessings that He continually pours out on our lives.  When no human stands with us through a storm, He is always there.  When we experience heartache and pain, He remains faithful.  This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Our romantic God shows us us what TRUE LOVE and TRUE romance is all about!

Here is how our romantic God shows what TRUE LOVE is:
Love is patient. Love is kind.  Love is not jealous. Love is not boastful.  Love is not rude.  Love is selfless.  Love forgives and forgets.  Love rejoices in the truth. Love never fails.