Things Above

This morning, the Lord and I were speaking.  I have been crying out regarding a particular matter for about seven years.  The ends simply do not meet, and that can be disturbing to say the least.  Still, I don't want to be so introspective that my life becomes about me or my problems.

Colossians was on the brain this morning.  Then, the Lord led me to Colossians 3:2:

"Set your minds on things above."

It was a great reminder that the best way to soar is to look up.  When we focus on our problems, we take our eyes off God.  We take our eyes off the One who is above our circumstances, the very One who can deliver us from them, even if it is only a mind shift.

I once heard someone say that the best way to be depressed is to focus inward.  I can see where this is true.  When I look at problems that seem insurmountable, I can start to worry.  This brings no change or relief to anything going on in my life.  In fact, it often makes things worse.  As I walked with the Lord this morning, I started to repeat Colossians 3:2a over and over in my mind, and then I spoke it out loud.  Aspects of confusion and worry lifted.  My heart lifted as I truly set my mind on Jesus who is sitting at the right hand of the Father advocating for me...and you.  It didn't change my circumstances, but it changed me and brought joy inside.

So I encourage you to set your mind on things above.  Let the Lord lead you to soar above all circumstances, even when all hope is gone.  He is the hope restorer, the Kinsman Redeemer.  He sees us, loves us, and wants what is best for us, even when our circumstances might scream otherwise.  I need to remember that - always.  It is one reason I love to study His Word daily.  His promises, His love for me, who He is - it's all right there in black and white.  And when things seem out of control, black and white is necessary to level me out, help me through, and to remind me that He is good all the time.  May you know in your heart that He is good all the time, too.  And may His love wash over you and fill you with joy, peace, and hope.  My best to you...wherever you may be.

Prayer and Words for Those in Need

Today, I checked the stats on the blog, and a few read the last post, which is exciting.  Then, the Lord asked me to pray for these people in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the United States.  So I did...I am.  I pray for peace and joy and love to enter their hearts, minds, souls, spirits, their lives.  I ask, Lord, that they would see more of You and have boldness well up inside them to step out and say yes to You every day.  I pray that their hearts would be so consumed by love for You and Your people that they can't help but say yes in radical ways.  I ask You to fill them with more of You, fill them with joy and abundance, wisdom and grace.  And, Lord, may each of them feel loved by You in a way they never have before.

The Lord is telling me that one of you is really hurting, and He wants you to know that He is there with you.  He wants you to know that He is proud of you and delights in you every day.  Your efforts are not going unnoticed.  He is telling me that you mother many, raising them up, encouraging them.  He delights in how you do this.  He also wants to bring new resources to you and fill you with peace.  He will heal every hurt and wipe away every tear.  He loves you very much.

For another, you are a hard worker, someone who is in need of rest.  The Lord is telling me that He will bring it.  Keep going.  Revelation 3:7-13 is for you:

To the Church in Philadelphia

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

I pray this blesses you and all you touch.

To another, you are frustrated by your work.  God is going to open a door for you, and He is going to keep it open.  Remember that you are highly favored and that God loves you very much.  Also remember that you are special to God.  You are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10, NLT):

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

May this also bless you.

And there is one more.  For you, the Lord is showing me that you are tending a garden.  It is alive and green.  The ground is a bit dry, but the Lord is bringing rain to revive the land and to refresh you.  He will give you all you need and give you a great abundance in the harvest.  May this bless and strengthen you today.

The Lord wants to show up in each of our lives in so many ways through prayer, words of encouragement, a hug, an act of kindness...even from a stranger.  Ask the Lord how He wants to use you.  Ask Him to open your heart and spirit to what He has for you and make you aware, giving you wisdom and understanding of the gifts He has given you and wants to release in and through you to a hurting, broken, and dying world.  Life and death is in the tongue.  Won't you step out in obedience to God and speak life to someone today?

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

John 6:63b (words of Jesus)

And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Pausing...in a way

I love a story told well.  Shakespeare, Dickens, Goethe, Dumas, Robert Louis Stevenson, Peter Mayle, Frances Mayes.  Words and wonder, tumult, trouble, victory, great adventure.  All in the name of writing.  I think a key to good writing is observation.  What do I see?  What do I hear?  What is funny?  What is charming?  What delights me?  There is so much to see in this world and the next.  So many people to encounter, so many stories to observe.  And, if worth the time, those wondrous stories to record for posterity, even if they are only snippets in time, a brief reflection on a delightful moment:

Saturday when my nephew raced boats with his Cub Scout friends.  Afterward they dined that great delicacy of hot dogs, along with apples, celery, carrots, oranges, jello, and worms of gelatin and sugar.  My niece, aged 3, plopped an entire orange section in her mouth.  Quite a feat for her tiny chompers.  I suggested she take smaller bites when she proceeded to assume a staunch position, setting her jaw and pursing her lips:  “Mimi,” she said quite seriously, “if I bite the orange in two, it drips down my chin and on my clothes.”  Hard to argue with her logic, and most definitely humorous.

There is much to observe here.  Green grass.  Fields freshly planted.  Peonies perfuming the air.  Blue buntings, doves, robins, rabbits, and ground squirrels.  All delights for Mom’s rat terrier to chase.  The wind whips through this plain with vigor.  Just as well, for it keeps the bugs moving onward, preventing them from munching on me for their morning snack.  It is a warm day, feels more like spring now.  Many of these May days seemed to have an identity crisis, only getting into the 50s and low 60s.  I had to pull out cozy sweaters, drink hot tea, and turn the furnace on again.  I love the ups and downs and unpredictability of the weather…most of the time.  Then, there are those moments when I would love to look out on the ocean and smell the salty breeze.  Alas, no.  I am here, and that will do for now.

This time has moved slowly in many ways.  My brain has not worked well since the accident, over a year ago.  It has made me pause in a rather busy life.  It has provided a time to be here where it is quieter, and I like that…most days.  I love that I get to spend time with my family, watch my nieces and nephew grow up, delight in the free entertainment they provide on a continual basis.  Pause is good.  And so is stillness.  But I don’t always want to be in pause mode.  I am seeing improvements in the brain, needing fewer supplements to be out in public.  I can concentrate for a longer period of time without headache or eye strain.  All good things.  Still, a few things need to be put in order up there so that I can move and circulate in a hustling and bustling world, write, remember, be able to critical think for more than a short time, be on airplanes, speak to large crowds.  And so I do what I can, and I wait.

Yes, there is great improvement, and I am thankful for that.  Still, it seems there are miles to go.  With feeling somewhat better, my hope is renewed.  I want to work and travel and help people.  I want to speak into people’s lives and do great things.  It is in these moments that I must remember that great things often look small on a world stage.  Sometimes we feel small in a world gone mad.  But we and everything we do is significant because we and everyone we meet are significant.  We each have a purpose, something we are designed to do, something that only each of us can do.  It may seem strange, but it’s true.  You and I have a purpose for which we were built, tasks to accomplish, a message of reconciliation to share.  We are to be salt and light, crashing into darkness, exposing the lies of the enemy.  What a great message to share.  What a great call to have.  It starts with our families, our neighbors, work colleagues, friends.  We each have a sphere of influence, people specifically placed in our lives.  I want to be salt and light to the people around me.  I want people to know how great Jesus is and what He can do and will do today in and through us.  Whether I am here “pausing” or out there in go mode.  What about you?