The Hand on the Handle

"Then the LORD closed the door behind them." Genesis 7:16b

When I walk through the neighbourhood I'm often drawn to the style of the front door on the homes I pass. I'm partial to the ones without any glass. A good solid door, usually dark in colour, with some shaker style framework in its design always takes my attention.

A front door is more than esthetic beauty; it is there to provide security. A door is a boundary between the outside world and an inner place of peace as it shuts out the noise and chaos that can surround us.

Doors are often mentioned throughout scripture. In John 10, Jesus refers to Himself as the door. In Acts 14:27 and 2 Cor 2:12 God opens a door for the gospel message to be heard. A door can often be synonymous with new opportunities. We like the idea of open doors. It implies the welcome of possibilities, adventures and freedom.

So, what's our reaction to closed doors? I think it really depends on seeing whose hand is on the handle. In Genesis after Noah completes the building of the ark and all his family and the animals God instructed are gathered inside, the text tells us that the LORD closed the door behind them. When God closes a door you don't need any other bolts or locks. Safety will not be in question. And, we love it, as long as it's a door we also wanted to see shut tight. What about when the door closing brings us disappointment? 

I'm praying that the Lord will teach me the value of a closed door. When God closes a door it is always for my good and His glory, even when I don't understand. There is mercy in every closed door. And, just because it's closed now doesn't mean it will never open. This time could be temporary as God is preparing me for when He will fling the door wide open with blessings beyond my imagination and it will be better than anything I could possibly hope. My trust is built during times of closed doors. Instead of viewing it as a time of confinement, I need to view it as refinement. God is getting me alone with Him and at His appointed time He will say, as He did to Noah, "Leave the boat" (Genesis 8:15). Lord, help me accept Your closed doors and make me open door ready for Your glory.

As Per Normal

"So God said to Noah...." Genesis 6:13a

This phrase caught my attention this morning because of it's casual insertion. Nothing surrounding it sounds miraculous. God didn't draw Noah's attention with wind, storm, fire or even a whisper. He observes what is happening in the world, and initiates a conversation with Noah. Imagine, the God of the universe coming to chat with you about His plans. To Noah it was natural and normal.

Earlier we read in Genesis 6:8-9 that Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord, and that he walked in close fellowship with Him. There was intimacy. They had a relationship that invited mutual sharing. God didn't need Noah's advice or approval, but He chose Noah to share His observations and carry out His will.

Every day, through His word, a timely message, lyrics from a song, a conversation with a friend, and a variety of other ways, God speaks to us. Hearing from the Lord, although always miraculous, shouldn't be so surprising. If we are walking in close fellowship with God, we need to expect God to speak and anticipate Him interrupting our thoughts at any moment with His plans for our day. 

Noah's response? It says at the end of Genesis 6 that Noah did exactly what God directed. Presented with a staggering task before him, one that would take years to complete, we see immediate, simple obedience. God knew Noah would obey. Does He know that about me? Am I walking in close fellowship with God? Can I be trusted with His confidence? Does God have the assurance of my obedience? Would His voice today startle me because it's so unexpected, or has our time together through the years developed such intimacy that we do commune as Friend to friend? Lord help me to be living in a way that brings Your favour, and whether Your request is "Ark-sized" or "ant-sized", may I instantly obey, delighting in You.

Accepting "Excepts"

Genesis 3:13, "Then the LORD God asked the woman, 'What have you done?'"

Today's scripture reading had me in Genesis 1-3. I asked the Lord to open my eyes afresh to a new truth from a familiar passage. In Genesis 2:16 the Lord told Adam and Eve that they could "freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden, except..." one. They have an abundance of choice surrounding them, blessings galore, with a restriction on just one tree and that "except" becomes their focus. The serpent later draws their attention to the limitation and suddenly they are consumed with consuming its fruit.

If you're anything like me, God's question above sounds familiar. In a moment of weakness I have succumbed to an "except" that God has spoken, and I've walked in disobedience. He has given me countless gifts and provisions, yet the "don't eat" warning increases my desire. My heart has heard both His questioning and His heartache..."Joy, what have you done?"

Father as I walk into this new year, help me value Your "excepts" even when I don't understand. Help me to not resist but trust You. You have divine purposes that are rooted in Your goodness and unfailing love. Lord, when I fail, enable me to hear Your Spirit asking without condemnation, "What have you done?" and may I respond quickly in repentance, receiving Your love and forgiveness. Lord, may You and Your word be my daily delight and guide me to walk in the way of Your "everys" accepting Your "excepts".

Bigger Still

"Have you ever been in a situation where something little suddenly felt really big?" Lysa TerKeurst

As I read that question on a Facebook post the other morning, my heart skipped a beat.  YES!  Can I share a story with you?

In February of this year I had just wrapped up the paper work for Winter Interlude 2014, an annual event for women held at our church, and was beginning the search for speakers for the next two years.  I found an Internet site that had short bio's for over 100 Christian Women Speakers from around the globe.  I bowed my head and asked the Lord to direct my search, then with a cup of coffee and pen and paper, I began clicking into each link, watching and listening to teaching videos that had been uploaded to the web.

Suddenly my heart was resonating with a young gal who was sharing about her love for Jesus.  I did a double-take on her name.  Who was she?  Why hadn't I heard of her before? I considered myself fairly knowledgeable of Christian speakers after serving on the "Women of Grace" ministry team, and acting as a consultant for women's ministry events.  How did I ever miss hearing about this precious young girl who was surrendering her anything for God's everything?

I "Googled" her name.  Videos and links began appearing.  I started reading everything I could find.  I watched and listened to every download and video.  I went to Amazon and ordered a book she had authored, as well as one of her Bible studies.  

After a long time of inquiry and prayer, I put her name forward to our ministry team.  This began a long process that sadly ended in dates conflicting.  I'll admit...my heart was dashed.  I had felt such an instant tug of connection with this godly young woman.  I was certain the Lord had led me to find her.

On July 2nd I pulled out her book and began re-reading.  Tears flowed marking the pages.  I questioned the Lord, "Why did You lead me to find this young gal only to meet a dead-end path when it came to booking her for our event for 2016?  Why?  I'm confused.  I felt so confident it was You who lead me to her.  I don't understand."   

I came to a chapter where she quotes a blog post she had written in 2010.  It was entitled, "Falling into Obedience".  Writing about her life being a "domino", she says: 

"But what if I laid down my life, my domino, and through that unleashed an army of others who laid down and unleashed their obedience, and through this matrix, God's glory was displayed through the laying down of lives in the midst of a generation?"

I saw myself as an affected "domino".  I was one little "domino" in this matrix.  I felt the Lord unleashing something in me that was so much bigger than "finding a speaker for an event".  In the quietness of my heart I heard God whisper to me:  Joy, I have led you to Jennie because there is something I want to birth in you.  I know your heart is ready.  I know you love Me.  I'm calling you to a new obedience.  I led you to Jennie just for you.   Just for me Lord?  You love me so much You'd go to all this work just for me?  Yes

I thought of "little actions" that suddenly "felt big".  I considered Simeon who was "moved by the Spirit" to enter the temple, a little action, not knowing the bigger revelation that would take place that day as he held the Savior (Luke 2:25-32).  I thought of Zechariah, who, because of the lot that fell to him, was in the right place at the right time to have an encounter with the Lord that spoke of the miraculous gift of a son to be born (Luke 1:8-20).  A little act of obedience with divine proportion.

My "little something" of sitting at my kitchen counter in February looking for a speaker, suddenly felt really big.  God was in this.

After feeling God's undeniable call on my life and becoming a Local Leader for "IF", the ministry for which Jennie is the founder and visionary,  I hosted the first event in August, where "Two Little Dominoes" gathered.

This past Tuesday, September 23, 2014, I opened God's Word early in the morning and through the prophet Joel, the Lord spoke to me "Gather the people...", "call a sacred assembly".  He said, "I will gather all nations..."   "Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there.  Bring down your warriors, LORD!  Let the nations be roused..." (Joel 1:14, 2:15-16, 3:2, 11-12)

The nations were roused on Tuesday evening.  Hosting "IF:Pray", women around the world met in homes, churches, parks, schools, and empty buildings to pray.  The menu was simple.  Prayer.  The results miraculous.

There were eleven women who answered God's call and met in my home.  Three different churches were represented.  Two ladies appeared at my door and just asked, "Are you Joy?"  I looked into their precious faces and responded, "You must be here to pray."  Only God can do this!  Only God!

After over two hours of kneeling at the feet of Jesus and joining together praying for our Pastors, our churches, our personal walks with the Lord, our neighbourhoods, our country, foreign missions, for God's plan for each of our lives, for unity, for unsaved friends and loved ones, confessing our own sins and praising and worshiping our Savior, we hugged and knew without a doubt, this was not the end, just the beginning.  God's Spirit was so present, He took our breath away.  

Something "little", searching for a speaker, had NOTHING to do with planning an event, but everything to do with God drawing me close to His side and inviting me on this amazing journey.  I am completely overwhelmed and humbled by His call.  I'm not exactly certain of what is next, but I know there IS a next and I know God will be in it.  Already more women are contacting me and asking, "When is the next prayer event?"  Falling to my knees and seeking Him.

When something begins to feel "big", take a deep breath and get ready and be thankful that God is bigger still.  AMEN

(The picture above is missing three gals who came later.  My photographer, aka husband, had left by the time they arrived.)

Here's the video that started it all.  Thank You Lord, and bless you Jennie.

Two Little Dominoes

As I listened to her speak I imagined the visual in my mind.

"What if...these little acts of obedience were a small part of a matrix of dominoes unfolding the glory of God (small because after all I am a small domino in huge matrix).  Could He bypass me and find another route? Of course-He is God.

But what if I laid down my life domino and through that unleashed an army of others who laid down and unleashed their obedience and through this matrix-God's glory was displayed through the laying down of lives in the midst of a generation?"

"We are all dominoes in this.  We all have our place in this. What is yours?

I beg you-all of us-to fall.  Fall into obedience that will shape the glory of God in our generation.  We don't want to get to heaven and realize we missed it.  God rerouted around us...and besides maybe it will be fun!"

"So 4 years later...it turns out it's been pretty fun and I can't wait to see what happens next.  I picture all of you in your places laying down your lives in so many small and big ways and I can't wait to get to heaven and see the impact all of our lives falling into each other had.  I know it won't feel small then."

Maybe you recognize the voice of the domino visual.  I only "found" Jennie Allen six months ago while searching for Christian Women Speakers, and immediately felt a heart connection.  Jennie is the founder/visionary of "IF Gatherings".  As I listened to this Live Chat three weeks ago, something within me responded.  Jennie was calling for local leaders to arise and share the vision the Lord had placed on her heart to gather, equip and unleash women to live out their purpose in communities around the globe.

I began to pray.  Lord...do You desire that I register as a local leader?  I asked the Lord to specifically speak to me through His Word as I spent time with Him each morning.  I started looking for the word "gather", opening my Bible and reading my scheduled passage in the chronological plan I've been following since January.

I began to document...

July 25
Isaiah 49:18 - the word "gather"

July 26
Isaiah 55:5 - nations coming to the Lord
Isaiah 56:8 - "I will gather still others...besides those already gathered."

July 27
Isaiah 60:3 - nations coming together
Isaiah 60:4 - "All assemble and come to you.."
Isaiah 60:21; 61:3 - The assembling happened for the glory of God.

July 30
Jeremiah 3:15 - the idea of the Lord giving shepherds who will lead their own communities/flocks

August 1
Nahum 3:18 - people are scattered with no one to gather them

August 2
Zephaniah 2:1 - "Gather together...gather yourselves together."
Habakkuk 1:5 - "Look at the nations and be amazed.  For I am doing something in your days that you would not believe, even if it were told."

August 3
Zephaniah 3:8b,9 - the Lord has decided to gather nations and have them serve shoulder to shoulder
Zephaniah 3:20 - "I will gather you."

Even with all this repetition I was fearful.  As the date for the local leaders event was fast approaching, I earnestly asked the Lord on August 8th to again speak with authority and confirmation.

August 8 - Jeremiah 8:14 - "Why are you sitting here? Gather together!" (Emphasis mine, but it's the way I heard it!)

Minutes later I had drafted an email and sent it out to 17 ladies all involved in leadership roles, influencing and impacting others.  A couple were on vacation.  Others lived a little further away.  Ideally at least five would come.  I waited.  By faith I set my table for six.  Ours would be an afternoon tea gathering.

My table was set.  A globe representing the leaders gathering internationally around the world was my table centerpiece.  A quote on the globe echoed my thoughts: "Hope is waiting with expectation for the good and miraculous things God will unfold."  Even my china plates spoke of "dreaming big".

My doorbell rang just once.

For the next two hours "two little dominoes" joined the matrix.  Although disappointed that my table wasn't full, my heart was bursting.  Together this dear one and I planned, dreamed, imagined, prayed and took hold of the vision.

Any great design starts with a single thread.  Our two dominoes, although tiny, are needed to make the matrix complete.

Falling into obedience and laying down my life domino.

Introducing my friend Leah Adams!

I think I first "met" Leah through my introduction to "blog world".  She is a precious sister in the Lord, who has an exciting new Bible study releasing shortly, and I've been honoured to take part as a member of her "Launch Team".  Today I thought it would be fun to have you meet Leah.  So, pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and sit down with me for a visit.  I know you'll make a new friend.

Leah, I may have readers who have not met you online.  What would you like for my readers to know about you?

I am a North Georgia girl who loves Jesus -- A LOT.  I asked Jesus to come into my heart at the age of 15.  Within a few years, I made some horrible moral choices that drew me away from Him.  I spent the better part of my 20s walking far from Jesus, and God let me go my own way until I was sick of it.  Then, just like the prodigal son's father, God welcomed me back, and overwhelmed me with a desire for His Word and His presence.  He made it clear that nothing I had done, no sin I had committed, changed how He felt about me.  God loved me with a ridiculous love.  He lavished grace on the heart of His daughter, and ultimately called me into ministry in 2007.

My passion is teaching God's Word, and He allows me to do that through two avenues; speaking and writing.  I have had the privilege of speaking to groups all across the United States.  While my signature message is about the legacy we are leaving for the generations that come behind us, the ultimate message is always about the grace, love, acceptance, and mercy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.  I love speaking to women of all ages, but my heartbeat is for women under 40 years of age.  My hope is that the words God gives me encourage and challenge women to walk intimately with Jesus every single day they walk the dusty sod of earth.  I want them to know that Jesus loves them more than they can imagine.

Another area of ministry that the Lord has assigned to my husband and me jointly is ministry to international students who are studying in the US.  Over 750,000 students fro other countries study in America every year, and the vast majority of them are never in an American home.  What a missed opportunity for the church of Jesus Christ to show the love of Jesus to students who might, otherwise, never hear about Him!  Greg and I regularly host international students in our home, and have developed close friendships with many of them.  In fact, we have become 'American parents' to a delightful young woman from Australia.  God brought Bree, Greg, and me together, and she is now very much a part of our family.  We love her as if she were our own.

What occupies your free time? Hobbies, interests?

I love to read...Christian fiction and biographies are what can be found on my bookshelf, alongside lots of biblical commentaries, Bible translations, and cookbooks.  I enjoy cooking, camping in our fifth wheel RV, and spending time with my husband and my girlfriends.

What are some items on your bucket list?

I would love to visit Australia, Germany, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Grand Canyon.  Speaking gigs in any of those places would make the trip that much sweeter!  My husband is a golfer, and we would like to attend the Master's golf tournament.  I sponsor two girls in Tanzania through Compassion International, and visiting them one day is definitely on the list.  I would like to write another Bible study, or ten, if the Lord gives me the words.  As I said, I love to cook, and attending a weekend Southern Living cooking school would be great fun.  A return visit to a hummingbird haven where many different types of hummingbirds are together in one place is on the list.  I'm amazed at those little fliers.

How did you develop an interest in writing and when did you begin writing seriously?

I have enjoyed writing and public speaking from my junior high school days.  I always excelled in English, and term papers were never a drag for me.  I know...I'm a geek.  My deep-end dive into writing came in 2002 when my Daddy was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.  As he progressed through his chemo treatments, I would write a weekly email to family and friends who wanted to keep up with his progress.  Each email would close with a few inspirational thoughts that usually included Scripture.  After my Daddy graduated to heaven in late 2004, people began asking if I would write a weekly devotion ad send it out via email.  After a year or so doing that, over 125 people were receiving each email, but unfortunately, my ISP was deleting the emails as spam.  It was at that point that I made the jump to blog format, where I now offer my writing.  When the Lord called me into ministry in late 2007, I needed something to speak about, and that something was the topic of legacy.  for my first speaking engagement, I wrote a 15 minute message about the legacy we, as Christians, are leaving for the generations that come behind us.  Eventually that message grew into an hour-long message, and ultimately became the foundation of my first Bible study, From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest: Creating a Godly Legacy, which was published in 2010.

What is the back story behind HeBrews?  What was the impetus for you to write this book?

I began writing HeBrews: A Better Blend purely out of obedience to the Lord.  Several years prior to writing the study, I had done a pretty intense self-study of the book of Hebrews.  It was my hope that the Lord might allow me to write something out of that time of study, but I wasn't sure.  Perhaps it had just been for my edification.  In 2012, I sensed the Lord giving me the go-ahead to write a Bible study from the book of Hebrews.  I've learned that when God says do something, the best response is 'Yes sir'. So, write I did.  I had no intention of publishing HeBrews, thinking it would just be an act of obedience, and perhaps a study that my Tuesday morning small group would do.  God had other  plans.  When I was about halfway through the writing, my friend, Brooke, introduced me to the wonderful woman who is no my Editor at Warner Press.  One thing led to antoher and before I knew it, Bod had opened the door for HeBrews to be published.  It was totally a God-thing, and I often tell Him that this is His doings, and the responsibility is on Him to place HeBrews into the hands of the people who need to read it.

Share with us a bit about your book.

HeBrews: A Better Blend is an eight-week Bible study that takes the student through the entire book of Hebrews.  The Old Testament constructs that were so important to the Israelites, i.e. Old Testament tabernacle, priest, sacrifice, and covenant, are examined alongside the New Testament parallels that we find in Jesus.  Jesus was the BETTER priest, administering a BETTER covenant, offering a BETTER sacrifice, and ultimately bringing us into a BETTER tabernacle.

There are five days of homework each week, and most days the student studies form both the Old and New Testaments.  HeBrews: A Better Blend can be done by individuals, and in group settings.  At the beginning of each week of study, I offer a dessert recipe taken from my collection, or from the collections of some of my friends and family.  Dessert definitely makes Bible study richer.  No pun intended!

Why should someone read HeBrews: A Better Blend?  What does it offer them personally?

The study of Scripture, God's Love Letter to humankind, is as important to me as taking my next breath.  Without it, I would be right back in the ditch of sin that I crawled out of 20 years ago.  HeBrews: A Better Blend offers the reader a guided study of the book of Hebrews, as well as opportunities to apply faith principles to their own life, and grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.

How can readers find you?  Blog?  Social media?

I would love to meet your readers.  They can find me at my website and blog, The Point, at http://www.leahadams.org.
I am also on several social media platforms:
Facebook Ministry page
Hebrews Facebook page
Twitter
Pinterest

When and where will HeBrews: A Better Blend be available to the public?

The release date for the Bible study is July 1st.  It should be available at major e-tailers, as well as Christian bookstores.

What final thoughts would you like to share with my readers?

I want to encourage your readers to fix their eyes on Jesus.  My prayer is that they will raise their eyes above the horizon of their circumstances (good or bad), and look to Jesus for their strength and hope.  He is everything we need.  EVERYTHING!  Developing an intimate relationship with Jesus will not happen accidentally.  It requires intentionality, perseverance, and lots of time allowing Scripture to speak to the heart.  Once a heart gets a taste of walking in intimacy with Christ, there is no going back.  I want that for your readers, because I know what a thrill it is to me.

Thank you Leah for taking the time to "visit" with us here.  I hope and pray that many of you will visit Leah's blog or post and leave a comment here that will encourage her heart.  She is a blessing to me and I trust that the Lord will continue to use her in mighty ways for His glory.  May the Lord bless the release of this new study and draw hearts in close intimacy to His.

Embraced in His Love

"Joy"

She knew my name!  She recognized me!  How and why is still beyond me, but she did.  Yes we share a mutual friend, but she and I had never met before.  There has been no personal correspondence, yet as she looked at me, my name flowed from her lips as her arms embraced me in a hug.  Sisters meeting for the first time.  Sharing the same Father.  Part of one family.

Yesterday was a dream come true, and a re-gift from the Lord.  Back in 2011 I was scheduled to attend "She Speaks" in North Carolina, but cancer and chemo took me down a different road.  Plans changed.  Instead of hearing Ann Voskamp speak I was fighting a battle, a battle that required me to remain on the home-front.

Over a month ago a very precious friend extended an invitation to my sisters and I to attend an event where Ann would be speaking.  Excitement was an understatement!  Yes, excitement to see Ann, but even more excitement to see the God in Ann.  Some people wear Him so well.  He is their covering and His light shines through their countenance.  Ann is one who is clothed in His beauty and robed in His righteousness.

She opens her mouth and her heart speaks.  Words not like any I had heard before.  Like a masterpiece painting, her sentences artistically display His truth.  Yes, I can see Him as each phrase is a brushstroke of His design.  Poetic and powerful.  Breathtaking and beautiful.  Words that burn and bore, seeking surrender and sacrifice, longing to be received, believed and lived.

Unassuming, she takes the platform, shrouded in humbleness.  Although she is nervous (or so I've been told), God's power fills her petite frame.  Overflowing with His Spirit, she shares as one who lives the "holy experience" of intimacy with the Lord.  This is who she is.  No pretense.  No mask.  This is simply a girl and her God.  A girl walking so close to Jesus that she is covered in the dust from His sandals as she follows in her Father's footsteps.

She shared seasons.  Opening with Katie's story, a story that has only a month or so ago started to mess with my heart in a profound way, God continued a message to me of sacrifice, trust, adoration, suffering, space, time and revival. I broke yardsticks, welcomed boring, breathed simplicity and worshiped my Father.  It was a day of burning bushes and radical love.

Ann (without an 'e'), has a style that is unique.  A gift.  Her words fall, saturating the ground; ground delighting in the soaking.  The watering flows from a vessel made pure.   Words that are "other world".  The dialect of the King, yet understood by paupers and princes.  Complimenting syllables and sounds singing His melody of redemption and salvation. Lyrical lines captivating His truth and compelling my love.

Honesty wrapped in modesty. Beauty under the umbrella of forgiveness.  Grace.  Always grace.

This is a friend with whom I can envision endless cups of tea on porch swings.  Tables covered in Bibles.  Books and paper with pens poised.  Journal pages covered in heart stirrings.  Silences.  Abandonment.  Listening.  Tears.  Sharing.  Laughter.  Prayer.  Someday we'll have all of eternity to praise the Lord together.

As I've reflected over yesterday I've been reminded of Someone else who knows my name.  Of One who speaks His "Joy" over my life.  I'm a nobody to most.  An unknown to many.  Yet, God recognizes me.  He knows my name.   Did you hear that?  The God of the universe knows my name!  

Pausing.

Receiving.

He looks at me.

"Joy"

Embraced in His love.