Our Value in these Days

These days I am working from home and not going out for anything...just staying in and taking care of my Dad.  What about you?  In light of these days of Covid-19, I find comfort in this isolation, but the isolation also messes with my mind a bit.  My sleep is restless and my dreams are full of anxiety and sometimes even terror.  Lives are ending at an increasing rate.  I hear interviews with Christians on television who say, "Oh, I have prayed and God will take care of me."  True.  But you may get the virus.  And you may die.

I'm sure many are wondering whether God is seeing any value in human life during this time as so many are affected either directly by the illness or by the loss of income.  I don't know about you, but I need reassurance that God does know the value of His children and continues to show His love in numerous ways.

John Indeemark's quote from his book, Genesis of Grace: A Lenten Book of Days, gives me just what I need today...remembrance that God values and loves each human life.  It also reminds me from whence I came...dust.  Thank you, Father, for your love and for the reminder to be humble before you.


 "Genesis 2:7 says, 'The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground.' It all begins in dust. The creativity of an Amadeus Mozart, the compassion of a Mother Teresa, the faith of a young Nazarene woman named Mary— all begotten of dust.

Dust even gave humanity its first name. In Hebrew, the word for ground or earth is ‘adamah.’ Thus, in a subtle but revealing play on words, God formed ‘adam’ (Adam) from the dust of the ‘adamah.’ In the earthy imagery of Genesis, dust not only describes ‘what’ we are— it actually christens ‘who’ we are. ‘Adam.

Scientists hypothesize that some trace elements in our bodies come from the dust of stars born of creation’s first explosive light. For decades, scientists have said that humans are made from stardust; and a new survey of 150,000 stars shows just how true the old cliché is: Humans and their galaxy have about 97 percent of the same kind of atoms.

The idea of such an origin surprises some. It shouldn’t. Genesis sees the same hand that flung galaxies into motion and lit novas to blazing, as shaping humankind out of dust. Out of dust. The idea sounds so, well, ordinary. Might not God have been better served by forming the blessed image-creature with something a bit more noble, a bit more valuable? To start from a flock of gold would have been nice, or a dollop of crude oil. Perhaps then we might have valued one another more highly, if for no other reason than to protect our inherent market value.

But what is the value of dust? “The Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” It seems that the value of dust, our value, derives from the breathing of God’s breath— into dust, into us. God would have had a hard time finding anything more ordinary than dust. Yet, into the ordinary, God breathes life.

And that becomes one of the very first clues in Genesis that grace defines the manner of this God towards creation. What of dust merited the gift of God’s breath moistening its soiled bits into life? What of dust held the promise of birthing an infant’s cry or harboring a parent’s love? Such potential would be hard to discern, even if you put a speck of earth under the penetrating gaze of an electron microscope. But somehow, the breath of God fashioned ordinary dust into the living image of God.

We are formed of dust— which suggests, among other things, not only our humble beginnings; but our startling potential. For if God can breathe life into soil, what does that say about the latent potential in our lives? Who can tell what God’s breath might make of us yet— of will and mind, of imagination and compassion— opened to the One whose breath is life?

You are formed of dust; a child of God’s creation. Think of the particular ways in which God graces your existence: with relationships, with faith, with love, with community. Add to that list those things (and persons) that trigger your gratitude. In each of those life-gracing gifts, God breathes life into you. Yet, even those gifts do not exhaust your life’s possibilities. Relationships can grow; faith can deepen; love can broaden; community can expand. The potential is there. God has breathed it into you.

You and I find our origins in the dust, but Genesis does not leave us there. God’s grace enacted in creation invokes the promise of those formed from dust— the promise you carry within you— your potential to be the very image of God. Wow."

~ John Indeemark, Genesis of Grace: A Lenten Book of Days

Wonder Woman

When I die I want people to say, there goes Wonder Woman.  It was great to know her.

The “new thing” these days is to come up with a word that you latch on to and claim for a new year.  I guess people are finally done with resolutions.  So, it’s January, and I’ve been thinking of what my “word” should be for 2019.  It hit me yesterday morning during my time with Jesus.  I am currently reading about Elijah in I Kings 18-19.   

Now, I’ve read these chapters many times over the years and have many notes and highlights throughout these chapters.  But, boy, yesterday the Holy Spirit gave me so much insight into these verses.  It was wondrous.  There were lots of “WOW moments” at the insight and knowledge I was receiving and understanding.  When this happens, and I’ve only felt this way in one other instance (more about that later), I am elevated in my spirit, and sort of can’t catch my breath.  It is mystical…this sense of wonder.  I feel connected to God on a level unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

This is my word.  Wonder. 

Actually, it is my word for my life.  I want to live in this sense of wonder.  Children experience it all the time.  Their hearts are so open to all that God has created in them and for them to enjoy.  They have yet to be corrupted, jaded and beaten down by this broken, sin-filled world. It is glorious really to watch them in their wonder.  And, I long for that.

In my late in life (I cringe saying that!) pursuit of art, being immersed in it and creating it, I have experienced this sense of wonder.  It has lit a fire in my soul that I cannot ignore.  When the brush touches the canvas and leaves paint there in a “just so way,” I catch my breath and stand there in wonder.  God has put something deep within me that somehow comes out through my hand, into the brush and onto the canvas.  It is not of my doing.  That’s the best I can explain it.

Now, that doesn’t happen every time.  And, you may look at my work and say, “Eh, I could do that!”  But, I’m learning and realizing that that doesn’t matter.  If the piece never gets sold and it just hangs in my living room (poor David)…it gives me such joy and wonder to realize that came out of me and is from God.

This wonder that I feel in both these experiences comes from within, deep within, and, in both cases, it is of God.  God is in me.  God lives within me.  And, He manifests Himself in me through wonder.  Now, that’s a mystery and a wonder in itself.

So, I don’t want to be remembered for mighty acts and superhuman strength like the Wonder Woman of the comic strips.  I want people to know me as the woman who passionately pursued the wonder of God and all He has created for us and in us to enjoy and glorify Him.

Cindy

Don’t Just Stand There, Walk!

Habakkuk. I love this guy.  He lived near the end of the seventh century and may have witnessed the fall of the Assyrian empire and the rise of the Babylonian kingdom.  He book is divided into three short chapters, but boy does he pack a punch.  First of all, he questions God.  I love this because I wrestle with God on occasion.  Secondly, though what God tells him is grim about the fate of the Jewish nation, and Habakkuk trembles at what is to come, he says, “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord.” Such a small word overflowing with so much hope, steadfastness and courage!

Though, for the most part, these three chapters are indeed grim and even terrifying, Habakkuk begins chapter three, his prayer or psalm, by saying it should be set to “wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music.”  Can you imagine?  He then proceeds with describing how frightfully terrifying God is in His judgment, glory, and righteousness.  Can you imagine this psalm being sung?  The idea of God’s terrifying judgment and righteousness set to wild, enthusiastic and triumphal music?

Habakkuk wraps up his prayer with three thoughts:  Chapter 3, verse 17~ ”Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the product of the olive fails and the fields yields no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls…”

Read:  Though your heart fails you and you’re ready to sink, though your strength leaves you and there is no hope; though the mountains of trouble and suffering seem insurmountable…

Each one of us suffers and experience trials or afflictions that affect either our natural or spiritual strength or both. Habakkuk knew judgment was coming to his people.  He acknowledges and accepts this, though he didn’t know how long they would suffer or to what degree. He prepared himself for the worst as described above in verse 17.  But, now read the first word in verse 18.  Yet…

What a glorious word! 

“Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the victorious God of my salvation!”

I WILL rejoice.  I WILL exult.

What a lesson here.  Though my strength fails me.  Though life’s challenges overwhelm me.  Though I am in distress and pressed with sorrow.  Though it seems like there’s no hope.  You can write your own “though” here. 

Yet, I will rejoice.  I will exult the God of my salvation.  What a challenge for us.

But wait!  There’s more.  Verse 19 gives us the hope we’re looking for and the strength to carry on.

“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army.” 

Waozah!

And, here’s the clincher…read on, dear one, read on:

“He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk, not to stand still in terror, but to walk, and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility!”

Hinds are a type of deer that are known for their swiftness and the strength and firmness of their feet.  They can go upon rocks and mountains securely, and tread and walk, and even run upon them with safety. 

According to John Gill’s commentary, the word used in this verse signifies to "make", or "set", fix, place, order, and settle.  The feet of hinds, and our feet, are firm.  God makes me swift and sure-footed, like a deer that does not stumble.  He will make me to walk upon my high places of trouble, suffering and responsibility.

When the Old Testament talks about “high places,” it is referring to the enemies’ fortresses, strong holds or temples built high on a hill or eminence.

God will make us to walk upon the high places of the enemy.  Okay, what?  Trying to wrap my head around this one.  It’s kind of like the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  God chose not to keep them out of the fire.  He chose to go in with them. 

Here, in verse 19, we see that God is there with us on these mountains of trouble, suffering and responsibility giving us His Strength, His bravery and His invincible army.  And, He tells us, “Don’t stand in terror, walk!”  Make spiritual progress upon these high places.

We will be made perfect in our weakness, and we will be upheld by Him under it all and be brought out of it.

Amen, sister.  Amen.

By CindyQG

Finding God’s Presence in My Neighbor’s Backyard

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Confession:  I struggle to sit my butt down in my sacred space and spend time with God.  So, this morning when I finally was able to get there, I was presented with a challenge from my husband to walk away from it.

Our neighbor, Joy, is 70 years old and has been battling cancer for several years.  She is a warrior.  So is her daughter, Carolyn.  Together they are a quiet force against this devastating disease.  Joy is a Christian of great strength and fortitude.  Carolyn told us this week that Joy’s time with us is now down to just a few months.

My hubby’s bond with Joy runs deep.  He came into my room this morning to say that a large tree branch had fallen in their back yard, and Carolyn was asking for help to remove it.  He wondered if I would like to come help in the tree removal.  Almost as an afterthought he mentioned he was struggling with what to say to Carolyn and Joy.  I could see in his eyes a deep sadness.  I told him at these times, words do not work so much and presence is so much more powerful.  I hesitated about going.  I am so protective of these rare times I have to meditate and commune with God, so I declined.

About thirty minutes later, in the midst of my study, the Lord had a Word with me.  Yes, clear as day, just shy of being audible, in a flash of transcendence, I heard:

“I appreciate that you want to be in My Presence.  But, my presence is over there, so go be in My Presence over there.  Work out your salvation over there, hauling branches and sweating and doing service for my child.  This land across the street is fast becoming Holy ground. The thin veil between heaven and earth will soon lift. This is where you need to be.”

In a moment, two things became crystal clear:  that what my dear husband was really saying to me was that he needed me to be “present” with him in his space of grief.  And, number two, that the Lord wanted to deliver some mercy this morning to these two ladies, and He wanted both my husband and I to deliver it. 

I never moved so fast in my life…throwing off my good clothes, getting on work clothes and shoes.  I started out walking and ended up running. I couldn’t get there fast enough.  I was desperately seeking the presence of the Lord this morning.  Thank God I quickly realized He was across the street!

When God speaks that clearly, put your running shoes on and get moving! 

The God of Options

I’ve never had to deal with options before.  In my career, it’s always just been handed to me…yes, I admit it…on a silver platter.  I haven’t had to hunt down jobs, go to interviews, and “sell” myself.  It all is frightening and stomach turning.

So, now at this point in my life I feel God is giving, gifting, blessing me with options.  But, I just need Him to do what He’s done in the past and just open one door, show me one path…these multiple paths are freezing me in my tracks, and I am incapable of movement in any direction for fear of making the wrong decision. 

Obviously He thinks I have enough life experience and wisdom to be capable of making a choice that I feel is good for me and my family.  Most days, however, I have no such confidence.  I still feel like the younger version of myself, naive, inexperienced, simple in heart and mind needing to rely on total Supreme guidance.  Sometimes I want to cry out, “For goodness sakes, Lord, just tell me what to do!”

I should be honored and humbled by the fact that He feels I have matured enough to be capable of making wise decisions in my life, and therefore gifting me with options.  And, by the way self, He did tell you a while back, “I will be with you wherever you place your feet.”

My spiritual mentor said to me recently, “You know, God may be gifting you with options.  He’s giving you the gift of making your own choice.  There may not be any wrong choices.”  Oh boy.

So what’s the problem? 

It could be the lingering feeling of failure from a business venture w/ the biz partner that went rouge at the end.  That took up seven years of my life…prime career time wasted.  Wasted?  I know better.  But, at times it feels like it.  It feels like a huge bad choice on my part.  So, I’m done with making bad choices, and I plea with God to not make me choose.

But, He didn’t make us that way.  He gifted us with choice.  A free will to learn, experiment, create, and also to strike out, stall, misfire, and fail.  But...then, we learn.  And then experiment, study, create, and on and on.

Life truly is a cycle on so many different levels.  I do believe God is my best and brightest light in my balcony of cheerleaders.  He is looking down on me eager encouraging and cheering me on.  He can’t wait to see what I’ll do next and has promised to “be with me wherever I place my feet.”   I am glad He reminded me and you of that today.

He wants us to grow up into wise, confident and capable human beings that He created for great and wonderful things.  I am learning this day-by-day and becoming more self-assured in this knowledge.  I am realizing that by free choice God does not merely mean free choice between good and evil.  He also gifts us with free choice to live our lives in the most creative, magical and giving ways we can imagine for ourselves.

Yae for us!!  Now, go and be, and He will “be with you wherever you place your feet.”

Quit Telling me God has a Plan

This is a great blog written by Jordan Nations.  Click on link below.

Quit Telling Me God has a Plan

Aliens, Strangers and Exiles

So, I’ve been called a lot of things in my life…

…alien, stranger and exile are interesting labels that got me to pause when reading I Peter 2  (Amplified) this morning (see verse 11). 

Peter implores us to conduct ourselves properly among the Gentiles (peoples of the world).  Okay.  I’ve heard the phrase “living in the world not of the world,”[1] and I have tried to do my best in this regard.  I’m also familiar with the thoughts that Christians are “strangers in this land,” “just passing through” and that “this world is not our home.”

But, this verse 11, with this description of Christians being “aliens, strangers and exiles” evoked a curiosity to look at the original Greek words[2] Paul used to see what further meaning I could discover in these interesting descriptions of, well, ME!

The Greek word used for “aliens” and “strangers” is Paroikia.  It has the following meanings:

• Sojourning
• Dwelling in a strange land or temporary residence
• Dwelling as strangers

The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says, “A stranger/foreigner who lives in a place/land without rights of citizenship.”[3]

Whoa.  I’ll get back to this.

The Greek word used for “exiles’ is Parepidemos.  It has the following meanings:

• Passing through
• One who comes from a foreign country to a country or land to reside alongside the natives
• Pilgrim
• Stranger
• Sojourning in a strange place

“A sojourner or foreigner who is passing through but still with a personal relationship with the people in that locale (close beside).  This temporary but active relationship is made necessary by circumstances.”[4]

Whoa.  I’ll get back to this, too!

Sometimes I feel totally out of place in the world.  Sometimes I get weary.  It is, at times, hard living— here in this world, and, yes, I do feel like a “foreigner or stranger in this land.”  I don’t belong here, my home is elsewhere, and therefore there is this constant rub against the grain of the world that is uncomfortable, awkward and sometimes difficult.  This weird, un-comfortableness should not surprise us.  It is all because we are temporarily living in this land without rights of citizenship. 

Rather, we share a citizenship with “God’s own people…belonging to God’s own household.” Ephesians 2:19 

Sidebar:  THIS…THIS is why it is so important to be active in a community of believers.  Don’t be alone, out there in this foreign land (the world), by yourself.  Christians were not meant to be islands.[5]  Reading on in Ephesians 2, verses 20-22, Paul reminds us that we each are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone.  Paul says, “the whole structure is joined, bound, welded together and continues to rise, grow into a holy temple…In Him, and in fellowship with one another, you, yourselves are being built up into this structure, with the rest, to form a fixed abode, dwelling place, of God.”

Though we are sojourners and foreigners just passing through, we should have “active,” “personal” relationships with the people of the locale…those “close beside” you.  I wonder what “this temporary but active relationship is made necessary by circumstances” means?  Perhaps these “relationships” are necessary to conduct business…to live harmoniously.  In order to live successfully in a foreign land, one has to work actively together with those around them to create a peaceful, safe and thriving community.  Thus, we’re back to Peter imploring us to conduct ourselves properly among the Gentiles.

A lot packed into these three words— aliens, strangers and exiles.  Though we will always feel “not at home” here and sometimes living as exiles will be uncomfortable, God instructs us to live in close, active relationship with “the locals” and in witnessing your good deeds they will “come to glorify God in the day of inspection.” I Peter 2:12

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[1] Great blog on this subject  http://www.compellingtruth.org/in-world-not-of-world.html

[2] Jamee, you would be proud!

[3] Thayer’s Greek Lexicon © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by biblesoft, Inc.

[4] HELPS Word-studies ©1987, 2011 by HELPS Ministries, Inc.

[5] Swift kick in the butt for Cindy regarding her sometimes erratic church attendance

The Way of the Cross

My church celebrated its one year anniversary in our new location this past Sunday.  It was a wonderful celebration.  For several years we had talked about how glorious it would be when we finally got into our new home in downtown Dallas.  We wanted to be an urban church.  We wanted our fellowship of believers to have the look of Heaven…every race, language and background.  We purposefully prayed for a location that would open ourselves up to those around us and be a church of love and acceptance.  We found just the place…right on a DART rail station platform and across the street from one of Dallas’ community colleges.  You get off the train and within a few feet you’re at our front door. 

The church and parking lots sit on an entire block.  Our parking lot is behind our church.  So in order to get to the doors of the church you either have to walk around the back of the building to the left through another parking lot or around to the right via the DART rail platform. 

I have always taken the route of the platform.  It is a mysterious and wondrous journey.  The platform is always full of people, a few tourists, but mostly homeless people, some obvious drug addicts and some just passing through with no apparent destination in mind.  Usually it is an uneventful walk.  However, on a couple occasions I’ve had someone ask for money for food.  I ask them if I can buy them a cup of coffee and a muffin, and walk with them down the platform into the church where our coffee shop is located.  It gives me an opportunity to explain that this building is a church, etc.  I am a shy person, don’t like confrontation, so I try to get to know this person, find out their name so I can pray specifically for them and that’s about it.  I don’t preach, don’t ask if they know Jesus…I tend to just listen and spring for a cup of joe. 

You’ve got to know this is WAY outside my comfort zone.  I have butterflies in my stomach when I walk the platform every Sunday.  But, somehow I have the courage and KNOW KNOW KNOW that it is the right thing to do.  Somehow doing this reminds me of my Dad.  He came to mind one Sunday as I nervously walked the platform and found renewed courage and determination because I knew my Dad would walk the platform.   He’d do it quietly, but be open to whatever came his way.  Plus, my 45+ years of being a member of The Salvation Army church laid a foundation within me of loving the unlovable however I am able to do it.

So, here’s the thing.  One Sunday about two months ago I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car.  A lot of my brothers and sisters in Christ were arriving as well.  As I started to walk through the lot to the right towards the platform I notice everyone was walking in the opposite direction to go around the building to the left…away from the platform.  Wow, I thought.  How interesting.  I pondered it for a few minutes and then moved on.

Last Sunday I arrived and parked in the lot, got out of my car and started to walk toward the platform as usual when the parking attendant called out to me. 

“I’m sorry ma’am, this lot is for church parking only.”

I turned around and smiled at him and said, “Yes, I know.”

He said, “Oh, uh, oh, I’m so sorry.  It’s just that everyone usually walks this way (pointing to the left).”

I couldn’t help but smile as I assured him it was okay and turned to continue walking toward the platform.  Then as what took place started to sink in, I became very sad.  Sad because I realized my church may be headed down a path of fear, judgement and isolation.   What we all were cheering about and united in prior to moving into this space- being an urban church accepting and loving of all- perhaps is harder to live out than what we originally anticipated. 

Yesterday as I sat listening to our pastor celebrate our one year anniversary and others talk about how “God is in this place”…I wondered...yes, God is in this place, He shows up every Sunday it seems and moves, blesses, sanctifies, forgives, loves….but He’s also out there on the DART rail platform…and if we’re not careful, as the body of Christ, He may move out and just take up residence on the platform.

I know most of what is happening is out of fear.  Fear of the unknown, of confrontation, of being rebuffed.  I have those fears.  This route is definitely not the safe way.  But, I believe the way via the platform is the way of the cross.  It’s not easy, it’s hard.  You may be rejected, bruised, even beaten up.  Sound familiar?

The outcasts of Dallas populate the platform and we are walking into our church doors without acknowledging them or loving them or inviting them in from the world.  Yikes.  God help us.

It doesn’t have to be that complicated…it’s just about love.  Nine times out of ten no one approaches me, yet I am determined to walk down the platform because I know it is Jesus who is walking that platform, not me.  We are the body of Christ.  If we don’t walk the platforms of life, who will?  How will the outcasts see Jesus if they never see us?

Go the way of the platform.  Go the way of the cross.

Your Pot of Manna

Moses said, “This is what the Lord commands, ‘Take two quarts of manna to be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’"

And Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot and put two quarts of manna in it, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations."

As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron laid it up before the Testimony to be kept in the ark.

Exodus 16: 32-33

Amplified

God fed the Israelites because they needed some learning.  Yes, they murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness about being hungry…they felt the physical hunger pains in their bellies, but the Lord God of Israel saw the lack of spiritual food in their hearts.  They were, indeed, starving, and the Lord, in His creative, mysterious ways, provided both food for bellies and food for souls every morning and evening.

Of course, the big issue was trust.  The Lord wanted His people to learn how to trust Him.  They had been in bondage for 400 years.  Generations knew nothing but misery under the hands of others.  Their hardships, I’m sure, clouded their vision regarding the God of their forefathers, His mercy, His protection and provision.  They felt rejected and forgotten.  Now they were being asked by this God to trust the thing He was doing with this nation.

Throughout the years of instruction, the Lord continuously admonished His people to “be watchful and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever.”

Through the manna in the morning and quail in the evening, God was teaching His people to trust Him daily.  They were living from miracle to miracle, living only from daily bread.  This, so that when they no longer were in a place where they needed to rely on God for their daily sustenance, the land flowing with milk and honey, they would remember from which their “bread” came...both physical and spiritual bread.

A very practical and visual reminder of this was created when the Lord commanded… commanded…Moses and Aaron to take two quarts of Manna and put it in a pot and place it in the Ark of the Covenant.  This would be their testimony to God’s faithfulness and provision to future generations.  This gold pot would speak their testimony of how God taught them to walk with the cloud (God) daily…not getting behind it and not getting ahead of it (Numbers 9: 16-23).

What are you doing with your manna?   The Israelites had 40 years of God’s daily guidance and teachings from which to draw upon for their pot of manna.  A generation of testimony that God commanded them to preserve and share with their children…so that “it may go well for you and your children after you forever.”

My pot of manna are my journals and my “children” are my nephews and niece and their children.  My father is a great genealogist.  There is a lot of talk about past generations in my family, which over the years has opened my eyes to the spiritual legacy my ancestors have passed on to me and my brothers.  And, because of this, I feel a great burden (not a hard one, but a great one) to honor this spiritual legacy by passing it on to the next generation in my family.

For you, it may be a series of letters written to your children or simply a conscious, intentional way of living now that is a testimony to your family.  When life gets icky and hard, how do your children see you respond?  These moments can be your pot of manna to them.

God has commanded us to put His manna in our pot as a testimony for future generations.  There is no greater legacy to your family.  So grab a pot and start gathering God’s manna.  Keep it in a sacred place (treat it as sacred) so that it will speak your testimony to generations to come.