The Titus Touch

"...God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus." 2 Corinthians 7:6

Friends are so valuable. Titus was God's gift to Paul at the perfect time.

"...the arrival of Titus." Titus just showed up. "His presence was a joy..." vs.7

Sometimes God allows someone to just "show up" in our life as well. Just when we think we can't go another day, a phone call, a note, the doorbell and God's presence is evidenced in a personal way.

Maybe today you could give or receive the Titus touch.

Never Ending Story

"Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This 'letter' is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts." 2 Corinthians 2:2-3

It's funny the things that can get me reminiscing about the past. All of a sudden an aroma, a word, a song, a touch invades my thoughts and my mind drifts back to a memory held forever captive in my heart. That happened the other night for me.

I was watching a movie when an event depicted had me journeying back to a moment in my childhood. The Mom portrayed in this film was explaining to her adopted, illiterate daughter the joy of reading. My heart beat quicker with each adjective. I was one who lost herself in books as a child.

My parents took my sister and I to the Children's Library every Saturday and I can recall the anticipation of choosing stories that would transport me to another world. A land where I would become heroine - a girl of outstanding nobility and courage. I would travel to exotic places. Slay dragons. Capture thieves. Love and be loved.

I'd close my eyes and breathe in the scent of books. I would come home from the Library with my treasure, my arms holding hours of wonder and adventure. I would inhale each word. Let the book become a part of me. I would laugh, cry, turn pages in eager anticipation. I would read by flashlight under the covers when bedtime came too early and a tale still had to be told before this little girl could close her eyes and rest.

I've had a passion for words all my life. Watching "The Music Man" at every opportunity, I dreamed of becoming "Marion the Librarian". I wanted to surround myself with sentences, phrases, conjunctions, dotted "i's" and crossed "t's". Should a handsome man find me there, amongst the pages, as one found Marion, that would be wonderful too.

My dream became reality almost 30 years ago when my first job was working as a Library Clerk at a Children's Library. I thoroughly enjoyed each day of the twelve years I was employed there. In between doing the clerical jobs that were my responsibility, I was able to share my passion of the written word with children. Storytimes and reading clubs allowed me to remain a child myself, far past what the years would allow, opening up the hearts of children to the delight of reading.

The other day I purchased a new book - a Bible study. I lingered over the artists cover design. I opened it so carefully as if holding gold, turning each page tenderly, feasting on the truths unveiled. The Scripture passages take me down roads, into far away towns. I share in the lives of Kings and paupers. I weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh. I read of great joys and unbearable sorrows. I meet a baby whose birth has changed my life forever.

Then, this Author, who holds pen over my life, continues to write sentences over me. Sentences will become paragraphs. Paragraphs becoming chapters. A never-ending story that will continue for all eternity. Do the pages of my life rise as a sweet aroma to Christ? (2 Corinthians 2:15) My life is to be a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on the tablet of a human heart.

Tomorrow is a blank page, a clean slate. Words wait to be written. An award winning novel, a best seller, a captivating love story between a Princess and her King. Your life is the most beautiful story being written. Surrender to His plot. Trust His conclusion. I can guarantee it will be happily every after!

(As an aside, my son's school is presenting "The Music Man" as their musical this year. My son is playing the keyboard part in the Pit Band. As I listen to him practice, the music is stirring so many memories. Can't wait to see the production in the Spring.)

F.R.O.G.

"...we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God...We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." 2 Corinthians 1:9-11

My son and his "friend girl" often refer to one another as "FROG" friends. They encourage one another to Fully Rely On God.

Fully - to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; in full; without lack
Rely - trust: have confidence or faith in; fully satisfied of the veracity, integrity, or ability of persons, or of the certainty of facts or of evidence; to depend

There is no 'me', 'myself' or 'I'. No place for doubt or despair. No room for worry or wasted energy. Complete and total trust, not in ourselves, but in our God.

Where do you need to trust Him? Finances? Relationship? Plans? Guidance? Health? Job? A prodigal? Anxiety? Decisions? _____________?

We can rely on God in everything. Sometimes the wait is long, but He can be trusted. "For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding 'Yes!'". 2 Corinthians 1:20

I have a very dear friend who trusted the Lord in a journey that lasted over four years. She never lost hope. She cried many tears, but she still trusted. She never stopped looking towards the horizon and the dawning of a new day. She never stopped checking her mailbox or eagerly answering her phone. She never allowed exhaustion to detour her as she filled out more paperwork. She never stopped preparing, believing that her day would come. She celebrated with others who's dreams became certainty long before hers became reality. Twenty-five days ago her prayers became sight. On that day, her precious little daughter from China was placed in her arms.

Here are just a few pictures of the joy to come when we fully rely on God.

A Not So Simple Song

"If we live, it's to honor the Lord. And if we die, it's to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8

I have a friend, Deanna, with six children who all have been blessed with amazing musical ability. Their harmonies are absolutely gorgeous and they have recorded two CD's. They call themselves, "simplesong", the name of their title track, a song Deanna's daddy, Ross Seabrook wrote. The lyrics say:

"Come and sing a simple song of Jesus
Sing it like you never sang before
Tell it everywhere; He is alive and cares
Give no place to doubting anymore

Chorus:
If I live, praise the Lord
If I die, praise the Lord
If I live or die, my only cry
Will be Jesus in me, praise the Lord."

I can't tell you the number of times I have pulled that CD out and listened to this song when life was going well. It requires little effort to sing the lyrics loudly when the living is easy. What about when uncertainties are scattered on the path? Can my voice find volume? Is this still a "simple song"?

At times along our journey we have to come face to face with this truth. Can I say with Paul in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"? Although we can reason that truth in our heads, the struggle to surrender still comes. Yes, "in acceptance lieth peace".

A crossroad of decision. A resolute position taken. Ofen times through tears. Singing today a not so simple song.

Groanings to Guidance

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And 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 8:26-28

Not being able to sleep, I climbed out of bed, picked up my Bible and began to read. I wasn't very far into today's reading before I came to the passage above and tears began to flow. That's exactly where I am. I am weak. I don't know what God wants. I'm wordless. But, God is working.

Not knowing the undisclosed will of God, should I be praying for relief or endurance? As some of you know, I went for my yearly physical this past Thursday. I was feeling great going into the exam. During the internal something happened. I have been in much abdominal pain over the last five days. Going back to my Dr's office on Monday, he wanted me scheduled for two different ultrasounds. The receptionist called the clinic and I was scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th in the afternoon. (I'm speaking at a Ladies Christmas Tea in the morning.) Without any prompting from me, before hanging up the phone the receptionist asked if they ever have cancellations and could they call me if something came up sooner. Do you know that my cell phone was ringing as I pulled in my driveway minutes later? Could I come Thursday morning at 8:30am instead? That's today! That's God! Before we call He answers. I honestly don't know how I would have lasted another 12 days of being in this much discomfort without someone doing a further exam. (Just to clarify the word "discomfort". I have a very high pain tolerance. My appendix almost ruptured years ago because I wasn't demonstrating that I was in enough pain. So, "discomfort" to me would probably translate to severe pain for someone else.)

Although I am so thankful how God has brought today to dawn, I'm scared. If you read yesterday's post, you know the evil one has been attacking my mind with endless worry. The verses above have spoken to my heart. God's timing is perfect.

I am so thankful that the Spirit knows what I do not know, namely God's revealed will. When life is against me, God is for me. The Holy Spirit is praying and interceding on my behalf. Times of deepest perplexity are times of deepest communion. The Spirit translates my uncertainty with divine certainty, making my confusion exactly what I should pray. The will of God is being taken to the heart of God on my behalf.

God is good all the time, but everything is not good all the time, yet He is causing everything to happen according to His purpose. I do believe that nothing happens accidentally. In all things God is working out His plan. God is not working for those, but to those, on those. God cares about Christlikeness, not convenience and comfort. He is calling me to trust Him in this.

This health concern may appear to be ruining my life right now, but it is ramping up God's plans. God foreknew, pre-destined, called, justified and He will be glorified, even in this circumstance. I must walk forward today, confident in Christ. God will not allow anything to get in the way of how He is conforming me. When I pray God's will, I know He hears me, and if He hears me, He has the answers I truly long to receive. It's not knowing what to pray that is important, but that I pray. I will go from groanings to guidance.

Lord, help me not to waste nasty, unexpected circumstances. You can use them to reveal Jesus in me. Sometimes God doesn't remove a 'thorn' because we can experience the perfection of His power in us and show God off. What God allows is often challenging, but we know He loves us and He is still in control.

Take my prayers God way so that God can take my life Christ way.

(Many thoughts taken from a sermon I heard back in the summer of 2006, Pastor Rick Baker)

War of Worlds

"So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." Romans 8:6

A war has waged in my mind today. A war between panic and peace. A war between sin and Spirit. Worry has caused my heart to walk a path of death today instead of life.

"Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not." (Aragorn, Lord of the Rings)

Open war is upon me. The thief has come to steal my trust, kill and sacrifice my life and destroy my spiritual progress. Demonic opposition is delivering oppression. Hell has been enraged and satanic forces are hurling their mightiest weapons.

It's not peaceful in the invisible. A war of worlds is being fought. The evil one has a plan and an army behind the scenes and he's looking for an intentional attack moment to terrorize, torture and immobilize. He knows my weakness and the battle for my life is raging with intensity. Ground zero has been my mind.

Health concerns and medical appointments tomorrow morning have caused concern. My mind is racing to possible what if's. It hasn't helped to read today of being called to share in Christ's suffering (Romans 8:17), and encouraged to rejoice in trials (Romans 5:3).

Lord, I pray you will bind satan from further assault. Father give victory. The powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil are wielding weapons at my mind, but they cannot stand against You.

Faith

“…Abraham’s faith did not weaken…” “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” Romans 4:19-21

Didn’t weaken. Never wavered. Grew stronger. Brought glory. Fully convinced. Is able.

Each of these couplets characterized Abraham’s faith. I'm jealous of such faith.

Faith that holds on. Faith that trusts an invisible hand. Faith that knows God is at work. Faith that says, I cannot change certain circumstances, but I know You are in the midst of them. Faith that sees beyond the perplexities to the promises. Faith that resists doubt and discouragement. Faith that isn’t hindered or handicapped, frustrated or fearful. Faith that accepts without understanding. Faith that takes root and grows in the soil of our soul. Faith that meets triumph and trials and treats both the same. Faith that sustains through silences, silently. Faith that stands and stays. Faith that perseveres personal loss and public misunderstanding. Faith that pivots destiny. Faith that sings at the midnight hour. Faith that hears the songs still to be written. Faith in the lot and little. Faith in the much and the more.

“Faith that believes in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” Philip Yancey

Lord, today I pray for such faith. A faith that says, through tears, I trust You even in this. Hold me. I surrender again to all Your plans for me. I want my life to bring You glory, whatever path that will walk. Not my will, but Thine be done.