I've Arrived!

I had such a sweet, tender encounter with Jesus when I was eight-years-old at a Christian youth camp. I remember it so well. We were singing “Kumbaya” and “I have decided to follow Jesus” around the campfire. The camp director invited those of us to raise our hand if we wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. I did. I believed. I received. I became a follower of Christ and our love story will continue through all eternity.

My sweet and tender story pales in comparison to the Apostle Paul’s (formerly called Saul) conversion story and experience. Paul had been persecuting Christians. A light from heaven blinded him and he heard the voice of Jesus saying "Saul, why do you persecute me?" We know the rest of the story where he came to believe in Jesus and became the notorious apostle who wrote nearly one-third of the New Testament.

So what did my young 8-year-old experience and St. Paul’s Damascus Road have in common? Like that song, we decided to follow Jesus. We could almost hear the choirs of angels singing in unison “You have arrived!” Now our lives were changed for so much good. We’re God’s, so NO problems. We’re born again, so LIFE will be a bed of roses. We know the truth, so NO more mistakes. God’s got our backs, so NO longer will people annoy us. Easy, peasy Christianity! Let's do this!

And the well-seasoned soldiers of faith say “Oh my dear, you have such a great imagination!" It is much more like being on an elite training team, like learning to be a Navy Seal (not that I really know what that is like – except for the movies where they nearly die from the training). There are grueling tests and drills. There’s an arch-enemy who wants, more than anything, to cause us to cave under the mere weight of it all. There are loads of bone-tired days and wrenching hard work. There is sweat, grit, and perseverance. It almost seems like we picked the wrong team to be on!

Oh, but there are so many reasons to say “WHY NOT?” There is heart. There is passion. There is dedication. There is vision. There is comfort. There is joy. There is peace. There is unexplainable love. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way, because, no matter what – with Jesus, there is always hope. Jesus delivers BIG TIME. Not just for eternity either. I confess there are times I need a deliverer right this minute! Jesus holds me. He relieves the pressure. Jesus is so…good. He surpasses easy. He is that good. And, so, our battle is good.

It makes us warriors. As crazy as it seems, our battles are good for us. They are conqueror-makers. It’s hardly about arriving, but all about journeying to touch the hem of His garment, pouring a bottle of perfume on His feet, reaching out to touch the nail scars in His hands. It’s grabbing hold of His hand and never letting go. It is walking in His footprints and sometimes letting Him carry us when we’re worn and tired. We become the most radiant and dedicated warriors ever. Deep in our hearts, we know, what He’s given us, is truly – the very best. When we understand that, we really have ARRIVED!

Good Friday = DAY of all DAYS

You know the feelings...you, or someone you love is hurting so much, or your closest family member has passed away.....and it seems everywhere you look people are just fine -- they're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could all that be going on when I'm hurting, or my loved one is hurting so much?" This morning, I had business to take care of, then deal with some other routine things.....and I was smack dab hit with "What am I doing?" This is GOOD FRIDAY -- the DAY OF ALL DAYS -- that should be commemorated with thanksgiving, celebrations, and everywhere we looked were crosses adorned with neon lights, and music and bands playing and choirs singing -- and we'd see people paying homage and giving tributes to what this day means. THIS IS THE DAY Christ bore every sin we've ever committed, He carried every sickness we have had and will have, He gave His life so that WE WOULD LIVE FOREVER and EVER! How could we be so distracted and be so oblivious to this DAY OF ALL DAYS? Oh, happy day! Oh glorious day! This day marks our FREE PASS to heaven! Thanks be to God!

Good Friday? or, Black Friday?

Shouldn't "Good Friday" be called "Black Friday"? After all, on this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. He wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, compassionate, giving, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends,and spit on by countless people, some of whom, just a few days before, treated Him as royalty as He entered the city. He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. And, bottom line, He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.

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 it's called "GOOD FRIDAY".

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?" He answered, "This much," as He spread out his arms and died. This is a TRUE love story written with you and me in mind. Isn't that enough reason for us to slow down and literally put on the brakes, today, to REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS for this GOOD Friday when HE loved us -- TO INFINITY and BEYOND!

Goodness & Mercy Following & Favor Chasing

Really? God's goodness and mercy are following us? His FAVOR is chasing us? Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father -- pursuing us and chasing us with His desire to bless us and do good things for us? It's not just enough to be followed by His goodness and mercy. No, He is relentless in pursuing us -- every single day, and He wants to catch us. So, let's look for Him. We'll surely find Him as we notice those times when God's goodness and mercy catch....like just feeling that kiss from heaven when a prayer has been answered, or being hugged (REALLY hugged) by someone that God used to do the hugging for Him, or getting a sweet surprise phone call, or winning an unexpected prize, or maybe it was the extra patience we were given when dealing with a difficult situation. Let's slow down enough today.....so goodness and mercy and God's favor can catch us.....and not let us go!

We are No Surprise to God

Did you know that you, and your circumstances, are no surprise to God? It took me a while to get that, but, now that I know that, it's how I roll these days. Maybe it's a pain in a place where we never had a pain before, a flat tire, a friend's call for help, an unexpected bill, a disappointing phone call, a job loss, a leaky faucet, and so many other "surprises" that may interrupt our day -- though it may be a jolt to OUR plans, it's not a jolt to God's plans. And here's the consolation.....the "knowing" that whatever comes our way, and whatever we may encounter, God's got this. In fact, He knew about it before it got to us....and guess what? He knows how it's all going to turn out.....and, in fact, He has special plans for turning it for our good. What a relief that is! And, He sure surprises me with His favors.....but I just can't "one up Him" -- I can never surprise Him. "We know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

I Believe I Can Fly -- Come Fly With Me!

God really wants us to fly! He wants us to fly free of yesterday's fears, guilt, disappointments and frustrations. He wants us to fly free of today's anxieties. He wants us to fly free of tomorrow's concerns. God moves mountains and He promises to answer our prayers. That's what He promises in Matthew 21:24 "If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer!" So come fly with me....above the earth-bound circumstances, and let's soar with the eagles to that place of great hope and live with the expectation that "Something good is about to happen to me today!"