Armor of God Series – The Thought Police

For the next several blogs, I’ll be doing a series on the Armor of God, as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-20. Today, we begin with the helmet of salvation. Rather than discussing the armor the way it is listed in Ephesians, I’m going from top to bottom.

In the workshop I teach, based on the book 8 to Great by MK Mueller, I teach people of all ages to “choose thoughts that feel good”. The reason I don’t say, “choose good thoughts” I tell them is because there is no thought police judging your thoughts. And there is not. You decide what thoughts feel good. If you lost someone you love, sadness is a thought that feels good at the time.

Let’s acknowledge that thoughts have power. Proverbs 23:7 tells us “For as he thinks in his heart, so [is] he. “

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”

That is why we want to choose thoughts that feel good. So, we can feel good.

We know from 1 Corinthians 13:5 that love “thinks no evil”. Evil thoughts do not feel good – especially not to people who love.

Like all human beings, believers can struggle with our thoughts – whether they are thoughts that are vanity, or thoughts that undervalue our worth before God, or are thoughts that pull us toward actions that are wrong, or thoughts of hate toward others or ourselves.

Satan and this world are continually bombarding us with messages that confuse us or seek to pull us in the wrong direction. Like the Bible warns, we hear today the same kind of distortion

Those of us who are a bit older remember when we listened to music on a radio that had to be tuned into the frequency of the station we wanted to hear. Just a bit off on the dial – left or right – would give us nothing but static.

These messages that are broadcast by Satan, and by the world he controls, are like static noise that shows up when are minds are not protected and focused – when they are not tuned into the God’s frequency.

The helmet of salvation is our tuning dial.  It helps to bring godly thoughts into focus for us – thoughts that support the beauty, power and joy that is the truth about our salvation through Jesus and the future glory that is promised to us. It helps us focus on thoughts that include gratitude for what God has done for us. It also helps us to focus on thoughts that align with our true value to Him, and the fact that we are precious to Him. It also helps us to extend the same value toward all other human life – whether we would identify the person as friend or foe.

Philippians 4:8 give a list of some of the thoughts that the helmet of salvation helps us to tune into: “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”

The helmet of salvation also acts as a block to Satan’s broadcasted messages that can pull our focus away from thoughts guided by salvation. If he was able to get to our minds, Satan would sew seeds of anxiety, hate, worthlessness, hopelessness and the like.

Philippians 4:6-7 shows us the importance of that guarding of our minds again Satan’s barrage:  “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We need the filter of salvation placed over our minds, so that we look at others from a vantage point of this:

2 Peter 3:9 [NKJV] “The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Yes, even that person who gossiped about you at work, even the person who cheated on you, even people who are currently incarcerated for crimes they committed, even the person of a different religion, race or political party. The - addict, the homeless, the alien, the migrant, the atheist each represent one for whom Jesus died and who God wishes would come to repentance.

A mind protected, filtered and focused by the covering of the helmet of salvation will tune out Satan’s temptations and pulls, by tuning into the love, the will and the focus of God.

It all begins with our minds. Every word and action began as a thought.

Let’s protect our minds, sweet sister, by putting on the helmet of salvation every day and letting it do its work of filtering our thoughts through the lens of salvation.

Join me regularly for this series on the Armor of God.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write  me in the comments section, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Doing More with Less

If I hear one more leader say, “we have to do more with less”, I’m going to quit. More than one person I know has talked to me about the company they work for cutting back on staff, in order to save profits for their share holders, improve the look of performance for reporting so leadership can keep their jobs, or so they can sell the company based on better looking numbers, or just as an extreme survival mode.

Whatever the reason, the result is greater pressure on employees who don’t usually get profit-sharing bonuses, or raises as a result of doing more with less. Their lives take on new stresses, not only because employment now seems tenuous at best, and with the staff is half what it used to be, they are  required to do more and to produce just as much as they did with full staff.

Ephesians 3:20 [NLT] “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

It reminds me off the Israelites in slavery in Egypt. For a reason having nothing to do with profits or bottom line, Pharoah famously told the Israelite slaves [in Exodus 5] that he would no longer provide straw for the bricks they made. They were to gather the straw themselves now, and yet not reduce the number of bricks per day they made.

Pharoah was trying to suppress and oppress. Most company leaders are just trying to survive. But it amounts to the same stress on employees who are trying to do more (or the same) with less help.

A wonderful blessing for believers is the way that “do more with less” plays out in our relationship with God. The best part about this from a believer’s standpoint is that He also asks us to “do less with more”. And, yes, these two, seemingly conflicting things, can and must occur at the same time.

God never intended us to save ourselves. When Philippians 2:12 instructs us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”, it is not saying we can do it on our own. Otherwise, it would not be followed by this in verse 13, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure.” God is doing the actual work, we just need to work with Him. And, if the Spirit lives in us, it provides the “want to”  as well as the “doing” in us.

Our own sacrifices, good works, repentance, and obedience do not save us, though they are an important part of how we “work out” our salvation. These are just the ways that we align ourselves with the will and works of God through us.

God bids us to do less, because nothing we can do can compare to what can be by Him in and through us, when we are less and He is our “more”.

And yet, through that process He gives us the power to do more, by Him doing the “more” in and through us. So much more.

We cannot save ourselves. All our works will not earn us salvation. We must live differently. We must work the works of God. But we do that because we are saved, not in an effort to be saved.

We can do more with less because God is able to do more with less:

Ephesians 3:20 [NLT] “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

With just mere mortals lead by Him, God is saving the world. With passionate believers who step aside from what we can do to allow that bigger work to be done Him through us, God is changing the world.  

Sweet sisters, are we willing to do less so that His “more” can work through us? Feel like you are not doing enough? Getting burned out by all your struggles, by the pressures of life or by the way the world is going? Concerned that your congregation is not big enough to have an impact in your community?

Act like a business leader who needs more profits = ask God to do more with your “less”. He will.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me now in the chat or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Intrigue

Wes and I are watching an older series on Netflix. It is a spy drama. One of the interesting things about it, and something that helps to keep our attention – even now that we are in season 4 – is that there is always more going on in the background than what you know in the beginning. Unraveling that back-room intrigue is part of the drama and what keeps it interesting.

There’s always something going on behind the scenes – some scam or ulterior motive.

1 John 2:1 [NLT] My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

As a Christian, if you think your life is all happening on the surface or that what is really going on is all the you can see each day, I’ve got a big reveal for you. Like any good drama series, there are backroom deals going on. There are high-speed chases and hidden agendas. There are potential dangers that may hit you with a bang or may get stopped in their tracks just inches before collision.

Ephesians 6:12 [NLT] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

This passage confirms that there is stuff going on behind the scenes in the spirit world that we don’t even know about. And we are probably glad we don’t know about it.

If you were Job, would it have been helpful at all to know that Satan and God had a couple of conversations in heaven that directly resulting in the trial of your lifetime? [See Job 1:6-12 and Job 2:2-6]

But the unknown things going on in heaven might not be all bad. Could it been that, when the answer to your biggest prayers are not being answered, that there is something going on in the spirit world, similar to what we read about in Danial 10:12-13? Danial 10:12-13 [NKJV] 12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Could it be that help is on its way, but something not visible to us right now is preventing it from getting to us? It might be a comfort to know that help is on its way – that God has already answered with “yes” to your plea. But maybe it would not be helpful to know that Satan or his minions are blocking it.

God saw fit to let us know about the heavenly “backroom” conversation about Job. He wanted us (and in this case Daniel) to know that help had been on the way from day 1.

In this age, I have not heard of anyone who has been given an actual account of things going on in heaven related specifically to them, their circumstances or their prayers. But we do know that we have an Advocate there in heaven who is pleading our case before the Father.

1 John 2:1 [NLT] My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

If a deal is “going down” there, one related to our sins, our lives, Jesus is on it. So, we don’t have to know about or try to handle it.

While it is good to be aware that there are heavenly battles we are not privy to, and that our Advocate is there to see to it that our interests are served. The best news of all is that an end to all this hidden intrigue is coming.

Revelation 12:7-9 [NLT] Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

Good triumphs over evil. Finally. And all that intrigue is put to rest.

Some nights I get weary of all that intrigue in the show, all the hidden agendas, and secrets. I’m not sure I’ll make it through the 8 or 9 seasons.

Sweet sisters, we do not have the option of giving up. We must see our Christian journey through to the end – even if it lasts 100 seasons.

We can be grateful for our ignorance of the unseen battles going on in heavenly places, and also grateful to know that Jesus is watching out for us. Most of all, we can be grateful when it’s all over and good has triumphed.

God speed that day.

I welcome you comments and questions. You can write me in the chat or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

Bowling with Bumpers

If you have ever been bowling with kids, you know that the best way for them to enjoy themselves is to use the bumpers that prevent the ball from going into the ditch on one side of the lane or the other.

Given my mixed success with bowling, I sometimes wish I had a child bowling with me to be the excuse for pulling out the bumpers. It is way more fun to be assured your bowling ball will make it down the lane every time and at least hit something.

Sometimes, I wish there were bumpers on my life. I think, “how nice it would be to be assured that I could never ever make a decision, or have someone else make a decision, that cast my life into a ditch”.  

We humans tend to be ditch dwellers. Take Israel, for example. We read in the Old Testament that they time after time went into slavery or oppression because of Sabbath breaking or idolatry. So, what did they do? When the finally were sent back to rebuild the temple in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, they threw the nation into the opposite ditch and put layer upon layer of detailed Sabbath rules on top of God’s Sabbath command.

It got so bad it actually came to this: Luke13:14 [NKJV] “But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."  Imagine telling the Lord of the Sabbath what can and cannot be done, by Him, on that day!  (See Matthew 2:28)

I understand why the world ping-pongs from ditch to ditch like some erratic pinball game being played by the Devil himself.

But I have to wonder why either ditch so appealing to believers? While some organized religions push “nothing but faith” and completely ignore James 2:26 where it says, “For as the body without the spirt is dead, so faith without works is dead also”, and Matthew 25:31-46 that list the deeds Jesus expects to see Christians doing, others push works to the extent that it feels the same as saying that “by your works you will be saved”.

God expects faith. We cannot be saved without it. We cannot be healed without it. But the Word is also clear that there are behaviors God expects to see from those He has called, chosen and redeemed.

The Bible says, the disciples of Jesus will be known by their love for one-another. But we don’t get to just feel love. Love has behaviors that are proof of love – behaviors like patience and kindness and so forth, as outlined in               1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Works without love are futile as outlined in the verses before that (1 Corin. 13:1-3)

And there are our bumpers, keeping us out of the ditches. Have faith and show it by works. Have love and show it by behavior. We see this time and again. If only we bowl the game of life with the bumpers on, we’d end up with a much better result in the game of life.

To be clear, there are ditches that others can through into – ditches injury or poverty, pain or instability. That’s a subject for another blog, though.

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirt is dead, so faith without works is dead also”,

For now, I’m talking about the things we can control.

So, let’s strive to play the game of life with the bumpers provided by God’s word and, thereby, avoid self-driven gutter balls.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

WATERBOARDING CHRISTIANS

A couple of weeks ago I was at an event with about 2 dozen others who’d gathered for food, fellowship and some motivational speeches and music. A vignette that I watched playing out at that event brought to mind the dangers of what I now call waterboarding Christians.  

I don’t mean that anyone was deliberating torturing Christians, though. I mean that well-meaning Christians were emotionally waterboarding a new believer whose life history makes him/her slow to bring people in and also makes it tough for him/her to handle overstimulation, even of the most well-meaning kind.

Don’t get me wrong, the intentions of everyone were clearly love and support. But it was going too far – getting to the point that instead of offering a cup of cold water to a thirsty believer, they were metaphorically holding his/her head under the water. I wondered, “What’s next? Will someone cut up his/her food – maybe even chew it?”

The risk of waterboarding a fellow believer may be hinted at in Luke17:2 [NKJV], where it says, "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”  Implying that someone is unable to do for themselves can be offensive. Even if you have the best of intentions.

There are dozens of scriptures telling us not to oppress the widow, the stranger, the poor. But even if we are well-meaning – just trying to help – an offense of a little one is an offense of a little one.

What does waterboarding a fellow Christian look like? It could be:

·        Offering unsolicited advice

·        Pushing toxic positivity

·        Talking instead of listening – especially about your own “similar” past trials

·        Speaking words that ought to just be left to memes on you Instagram page

·        Jumping in when letting them figure it out is what is best

Can you think of others?

I am not suggesting that we let ourselves off the hook for caring for others. We certainly don’t want to be guilty of the behavior outlined in James 2:15-16 [NKJV]1where it says, “5 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what [does it] profit?”

I am also not trying to impute motives, as you can waterboard someone with the best of motives. However, I think we would do well to ask ourselves about our motivation for how we are trying to help. Is it fear of letting them figure it out? Worry that they can’t do it or might fail? Thinking we could be the savior instead of the actual Savior?

Could it be that Phillians 2:3 is applicable?  Phillians 2:3 [NKJV] [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Again,  we must ask ourselves if we are doing what we are doing, pressing unwanted, unnecessary or unhelpful service onto someone else because they need help, because we truly love them OR because of personal ambition or trying to “rescue” them, or the conceit of trying to be known as someone who helped this person?

MATTHEW 10:42 [NKJV] 42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold [water] in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Romans 12:13 [NKJV] talks about “distributing to the needs of the saints” – not forcing them to accept something we want to give, just because we want to. We must ask ourselves, “what is needed?” and maybe seek some wise counsel.

Some people need space. Sometimes people are easily overwhelmed or have physical, mental or emotional scars that should be taken into consideration before forcing help, gifts, cheery encouragement (or “needed advice”) or unwelcome attention on them.

So, what is the solution? I encourage us to consider the actual needs of our “little ones” in the faith, as well as those of our seasoned members who may prefer not to be swamped by our well-meaning, but misplaced, efforts.

In Matthew 11:28-30 [NKJV] Jesus says, 28 "Come to Me, all [you] who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke [is] easy and My burden is light."

I encourage us to be sure that we don’t burden fellow believers. I encourage us to find out what needs actually need to be met and support in whatever way is needed – including if the need is to have some space. I encourage us to be sure it is THEIR needs we are meeting and not our own.

Giving to others what they don’t need can come from thinking of ourselves over the other person. To avoid that, we can ask the person we plan to “bless” with a firehose of water if they need that or if all they really need a cool drink.

God respects the cool drink as much as any other type of support. [See Matthew 10:42]

Sometimes there will be a “fire” in their lives that requires that hose. But turning it on when it isn’t needed could be nearly as damaging as not helping at all.

Remember to respect others, and their needs, above our own in all things, even in acts of service.

Have you ever been waterboarded by a well-meaning Christian, when all your really wanted was a drink of water? Have you ever been guilty of turning on the firehose instead of just handing over a single glass of cool water?

I’d welcome hearing about your experiences. You can write me in the comments now, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.

STORM-WARNING

Recently, I was startled awake in the middle of the night by the weather alerts going off on our phones. Only then did I notice the thunder and the lightning, the heavy rain. They had not woken me up. I was oblivious until the warning came.

I got up to read the warning in case it was for a tornado, which would require us to move to a shelter.

The warning was for a severe thunderstorm with winds up to 80 mph, which advised us to take shelter in a sturdy building and stay away from windows in case of flying debris. That is very nearly a tornado, except the winds would not be twirling.

I turned off the window air-conditioning unit, lest it attract a lightning strike and went right back to sleep. Unheard of for me because I am a light sleeper.

Just before dozing off, I distinctly recall a question, as if from God, coming into my mind. I cannot recall the exact question, I only now sense that it was something along the lines of whether or not I was afraid. I answered that I wasn’t and then slept.

But I dreamed of a very different storm. You know how dreams are, though. The details are pretty fuzzy now. Something about being a part of an organization that was trying to help people. Something about things not working out and troubles blocking the way.

And then, just before my alarm went off, I was speaking with two other folks working with me. We were assessing where we were on our efforts and what had happened along the way, including a sort of last minute, seemingly out of the blue, resolution and I said, “God was working it out all along”.

I woke up feeling extremely comforted. I felt that I’d needed that dream – that reminder.

Proverbs 18:10 [NKJV] The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.

I believe that the physical storm triggered a concern about a personal situation and my subconscious mind offered me the truth I know deep within but sometimes forget on the surface: God is working it out even when we don’t see Him working – even when (or especially when) we cannot figure out a way out. No matter what it looks like in the moment,  matter what the storms around me are doing in that moment, God is working it out.

This is something I’d probably not tell someone else who is in the midst of a storm. It’s to “meme-ish” – along with phrases like, “God teaches us the best lessons – the deepest lessons – in the storms of life”.

I might teach about that truth in a class, or post about it in a blog, but I am not going to offer that to someone who is currently, metaphorically speaking, seeking a sturdy shelter and staying away from windows lest flying debris hit them. I do not want to pile onto the grief and pain of a current life storm by offering phrases that, while true, come with the back-handed undertone that maybe they are just not as close to God as they should be – not as wise about scripture as I.

Instead, I’d offer a listening ear, sympathy and love, as I remember my own struggles (present or past). I’d also offer a hug (if they are open to it).

God is our strong shelter from the storms of life. That is why Jesus told us to build on Him as protection from the storms of life. [See Luke 6:46-49] Proverbs 18:10 [NKJV] The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.

Even when God is definitely allowing a storm to happen and bidding us to wait – with faith – through the storm, He is working. He will ensure that the storm taught us something we’d never have learned otherwise – something that we can learn only through suffering, which Jesus, Himself learned. [See Hebrews 5:8 and 2 Corin. 2:7-10]

He bids us to see, with our own eyes, through our own suffering that His power and glory and abiding love is woven through it all.

Sweet sisters, if you are going through a severe storm – or even a small one that is disrupting your peace (or sleep) – rather than offering you meme-worthy quotes, I’d just like to say that I have been there, and if you need to talk, want someone to pray with or for you, or you just need a hug, you can reach out.

I trust God to teach you want He wants you to know. My job will be to be a person of comfort.

I trust that you have seen all those memes already and that eventually, as the storm clears, they won’t make you want to throw something at the computer screen when you read them.

Storms will come. If you are in the midst of one, I trust God to whisper His love into our mind and to fill your soul with peace. I have faith that He will reveal the lesson He wants for you to you and will heal you when the trial is over.

Been there. Done that. Read the memes. When it was over, I saw God’s hand in working it out. In the storm: not so much. And that is only human.

I’m here for you. And I’d love to hear from you.

You can write me now in the chat, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Also Ran

I’m not sure they do this any longer, but it used to be that when a newspaper reported on a race they would list the winners – first, second and third place at least – and then include the names of those who also ran, but did not place.

There are times when I feel a bit like an “also ran” in my Christian Walk. I know, I know, it boils down to comparing myself to others, which I should not do. We should not “compare ourselves among ourselves”. [See 2 Corinthians 10:12] I’m just being honest here, in case there are others who might have this kind of a mental struggle.

We cannot help but be impressed by the examples of Paul and Peter, Job, Moses, Joshua – the mighty ways in which they were used by God. Then there are the women like Esther, Ruth, and Mary (mother of Jesus), whose great faith and/or dramatic works are so inspiring. There is Dorcus whose care for widows was renowned.

These pillars of faith inspire us, as they should.

However, on the chance that there are other Christians out there, who are, like me, who are at this point just putting one foot in front of the other every day, counting ourselves successful that we are just continuing to get out of bed each day and walk the walk - not even feeling the strength to try to walk on water, I want to talk to you about being counted among the “also ran” of the Christian rac.

Let me back up and set this up a bit. I set a goal to read through the book of Acts in a week. Just four chapters a day. I always read the Gospels between January 1 and the spring Holy days, but thought reading “the next chapter” in the saga of the apostles made sense for this time of the year. And it has been good to remind myself what happened after the Lord Jesus went back to the Father to wait until the time of His final, victorious return comes.

And because I’ve been thinking about my own, less impressive testimony, I started noticing the folks who get a mention in the book of Acts (and the Gospels for that matter), but then nothing more.

For example, in the Gospels we have a lot of information about James, John and Peter. A little less about Andrew, Philip, Matthew and Thomas. What about Nathanial? Simon the Zealot? Judas, not Iscariot (he its literally mentioned that way in John 14:22)?

In the book of Acts, we mostly learn about Peter and Paul. But we also learn about Pricilla and Aquilla, John Mark and Barnabas.

Do you recall Eutychus? No? He is the young man who fell asleep during Paul’s preaching, fell from the rafters and had to be resurrected by Paul. How about Agabus? He prophesied to Paul that he would be bound, hand and foot, and turned over to the Gentiles. How about Publius? He opened his home to Paul and his entourage after they were shipwrecked on Malta.

Small mentions. Small acts. They were “also ran” folks in the great story of Paul’s ministry.

And for every one-time mention, there are dozens (maybe hundreds) in the room where it happens that are not mentioned at all.

But here’s the thing. We know that with God there are no “also rans” among the faithful. We each are important enough that God knows the hairs of our heads. [Matt. 10:30; Luke 12:7] There are no “lesser acts” with God. We know that even something so small as giving a drink of water to another believer is counted with God.

Matthew 10:42 [NIV] “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."

We might be more impressed with the person who builds dozens of orphanages than the person who helps one child in foster care feel loved and wanted. But the Bible indicates that the Father views all acts of kindness as worthy of reward. Every kind act is noted. That call to the widow. That time you donated canned goods or gifted a prom dress. Your prayers for a hurting friend.

Sweet sisters, God is not calling “also rans” to His work. Judging our stories, our acts, our testimony by comparison to others is a Satan-supported human construct. Because God cares deeply for every human being on the planet, every act we do that shows we care for His a child of His touches His heart.

So, if you ever feel like an “also ran” because your time or health or resources or opportunities seem small, or if you feel your testimony is boring, know that God’s plan for you is unique and valued. All we have to do is do what He leads us by His spirit to do – what He gives us resources to do.

Sure, your work may not get written up in a book of the Bible, but it is definitely written in heaven and on the heart of God. You are not an “also ran”.

So, run YOUR race, sweet sister. [Acts 20:24] You will be counted among the blessed.

I welcome your thoughts, comments and questions. You can write me in the comment section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

John, the Beloved Example

I’ve mentioned before that I read the four gospels every year between January 1 and the Lord’s Supper (maybe you think of it as the Last Supper).

I appreciate that not a one of the gospels ends with the death of Jesus. We are never left without hope. We are left with Jesus leading the way to life after death for all of us.

But the time between the Lord’s Supper and the resurrection is rough. It includes Judas leaving to betray Jesus. The emotional prayers for the cup to pass, and sweating great drops like blood. Then there is the betrayal by one of His own with a kiss, no less.

It gets worse.

Arrest. Literally, all the disciples except John and Peter fleeing/abandoning Jesus. Mocking. Being smacked about. Peter denying Him. False accusations. A crown of thorns. Finally, a brutal beating followed by a gruesome death.

It is hard to think about – not only because He did not deserve any of it and simply took it on in my place, but also because it is hard to imagine the hard-hearted cruelty of the mocking, crown of thorns, smacking, beating and crucifixion.

Jews and Romans, who normally hated or barely tolerated each other, worked together to carry out what was destined to happen, but which is no less depressing because it was meant to be.

It seems that Satan had a stronghold on that situation. Yet God was never not in control. He knew what would happen, as did Jesus. The scripture clearly predicted it.

Even the Father momentarily turned His back so that the sacrifice could occur as predicted.

But John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was there. He was in the courtyard and even let Peter in there. He was at Jesus’ feet at the last and received the last instruction that Jesus is recorded to have given.

How tough that must have been for John, who had less than a day earlier reclined on Jesus’ breast at dinner.

Sometimes that is what we need in a trial, isn’t it? Just someone to be there with us. Someone who knows and loves us, just being present with us in our suffering.

Even though there is nothing else they can do.

Even though there are no words that can make it better.

Even though it hurts them nearly as much as it hurts us.

Just being there is enough.

Of course, John was not the only one there. We know Mary, Jesus’ mother was there, as well as several other women.  

Bless you John for being with our Lord in His darkest hour, when I could not (because I wasn’t born yet). Frankly, I don’t know what I would have done in that situation.

It is tough to watch a friend or family member suffer. I’ve seen both my parents ravaged by cancer. You’ve probably experienced the same.

If you are in the midst of a struggle, please don’t do it alone. Call on your friends to come sit with you. Don’t be tempted to be embarrassed by your condition. Sickness, suffering and trial can be ugly. It can be smelly. Don’t let that cause you to drive your supporters away.

If you have a friend or loved one suffering, remember that you likely do not need to do anything. Probably, there isn’t anything you could do.

Just be like John, the beloved, and be there. Be present.

And remember Hebrews 13:5, … “for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’"

Jesus will be there with you too, sitting with your friend and you, just being present when you suffer – like John. Maybe waiting for you to ask for something you do need.

I’m so glad that we have the example of John, the beloved.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me here or any time at Nancy@DyanmicChristianMinistries.org

Sidewalk Cracks and Monkey's Paw

Do any of you remember reading a short story by Edgar Allen Poe called "The Monkey’s Paw”? I think I read it in junior high. It had a huge impression on me because I still remember it, about 50 years later. In the story, the mummified paw of a monkey granted three wishes. But each wish came at a price. For example, a couple asked for a specific amount of money and the next day their son died in a horrible accident. The insurance payout was exactly the amount they wished for. It only gets worse from there.

 Lately, I have felt a bit like the answers to my prayers have come from the monkey’s paw. That is, I got what I asked for, but not without cost to me that I did not expect to pay in exchange. The situation is far too personal to explain but let me take you on my journey from monkey’s paw to manifestation of grace.

 When a major trail came up recently, I found that amid all my sorrows, something I had wanted and prayed for came true as a direct result of that trial.

 As is typical of Satan’s attack plan, and, sadly, our own human nature, the story of the monkey’s paw came to mind. In other words, I thought “God’s blessings come with a cost”. Or “blessings come with curses”.

 But let’s see what God’s promises about blessings and trials really are, as outlined in scripture.

 Contrary to the “health and wealth” gospel that some denominations teach, Jesus is pretty clear about what His followers should expect in this world. And it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.

Mark 10:28-30 [NKJV] 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." 29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.

Please note that Jesus is clear that we will receive both blessings and troubles in this life. He specifically says “persecutions”. While I would not use that word for what I have been experiencing, there is underlying thread of persecution to all trials, because this is Satan’s world and he hates all who are made in the image of God, whether we are “called, chosen and faithful” or living in darkness or disobedience.

Blessings in this life don’t come with persecutions attached. They are just both part of the believer’s life until the day we are resurrected to eternal life with Him. What God does promise is that our trials will have a purpose to them.

James 1:2-4, 12 [NKJV] 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ... 12 Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Romans 5:3 [NKJV] And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

1 Peter 4:12-13 [NKJV] 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Trials teach Jesus’ followers so much more than a trial-free life could. For believers, a trial is not a punishment for the blessings we receive. They are tools and, in their own way, blessings, that produce patience and perseverance, blessings and even joy (if we will let them).

1Corinthians 15:19 [ESV]“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

I’d like to point out just two lessons regarding trails, though there are many we could discuss.

Rather than looking at my current situation as a blessing with a trial attached to it. I believe God wants me to see and be grateful for the blessing that came in the midst of the trial as proof that He is there with me - that having a trial does not mean He hasn’t heard my prayers.

Lesson 1 is that God wants us to see that He is still with us in the midst of the storm. He is there, even when it feels like we are drowning in sorrow during that trial – still blessing us, providing support, loving and helping us endure.

Lesson 2 comes from 1Corinthians 15:19 [ESV], where we read, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

This life is not where our greatest hope for blessings and rewards should be primarily focused. For it is not where Jesus’ life was focused. His example was of suffering in our stead and dying for us so that we might live eternally with Him and the Father in His Kingdom – not for prosperity in this life.

During His human life, Jesus walked away from everything He had, lived on the road, delt with people who didn’t understand Him and falsely accused Him throughout His ministry and not just at the end. His siblings walked away from Him. He got hungry and thirsty and tired.

For, dear sisters, trials are not proof that God does not love us. They are, quite often, proof that we are on the right path and Satan is mad about it. They are also an opportunity for us to experience God’s love even in the tough times.

 So, now I think of a trial with a blessing as being like a flower growing from the crack in the sidewalk. This world is a cracked sidewalk – long since broken by Satan’s leadership. Our walk of faith allows flowers of blessing to grow in the cracks.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the chat, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Spring and Renewal

As of this writing, Spring is not officially here. That’s a few days away yet. But it is close and East Texas, where I live, is already acting like it is Spring. Spring rains are upon us and trees are blooming.

Spring is by far my favorite season because of the blooming of flowers and trees.

Spring is a time of renewal. It represents to we who believe that God gives us a new start daily. The dark, dreary and cold winter kills almost all plant life and drives animals to hibernate. But Spring brings new birth to the earth and the animals. Birds that have been driven to find warmth go back to their home nesting grounds. Bears venture forth from winter dens with new cubs.

Spring is a time for Christian renewal as well. If that were not so, why would the Father have instituted the traditions of the Passover in the Old Testament so that Jesus’ death and resurrection would also occur in the Spring season?  

It was not a coincidence. God could have freed Israel from captivity and sent the death angel and required a perfect lamb as sacrifice in any other season. But our perfect God scheduled it all at the perfect time so that even nature itself is a testimony and remembrance of the renewal available to us through the death of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 [ESV] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation

And all of Christianity, and all Jews, and many other faiths as well (including those we might call “pagan”) celebrate this time of renewal.

There is a reason that not a single Gospel account ends with the death of Jesus. While His death made the way for forgiveness of sin by paying the penalty for all sin, it is His resurrection that gives us new life.

Colossians 2:12-13 [ESV] 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Coming out of the watery grave of baptism, we are resurrected to new life.

And each Spring as we see the earth budding into new life, we ought to be reminded that this is what He does for us as well. Not just annually as we commemorate His death and resurrection, but each time we sin and then are renewed to obedience.

Romans 12:2 [ESV] 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Spring has sprung here in East Texas. So, sweet sisters, let’s view Spring and the new life it offers remind us that we are resurrected to a new and beautiful life.

Let it remind us that while we were dead, and hope was dormant, like daffodils in winter, we are now blossoming into the beauty that God has in store for us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 [ESV] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

I encourage you to bloom with renewed hope and commitment to living a beautiful life that blesses and brings joy around you.

Stops and smell the roses. But remember that you too are God’s roses.

You are God’s beautiful creation, meant to bless others with the fragrant flowers of peace, hope, and love that a child of God puts out into the world around her.

I welcome your comments and questions. Maybe you are a daffodil or a rose, but you might be a sunflower or or a cherry blossom or a bluebonnet.  Tell me what you think.

You can write me in the comments section, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

The Woman Caught in Adultery

One of my favorite lessons from the bible is the story of the woman caught in adultery. To me, it is the most moving representation of how Jesus demonstrated love of, compassion for, mercy toward, and acceptance of sinners.

And while few of us may be caught in the act of adultery, we all can understand what it might be like to be caught in a sin and feeling like the spotlight is shinning on us and giving attention to that sin that we really do not want.

Let’s review the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.

John 8:3-11 [NLT] 3 As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" 11 "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."

Here are the key lessons of this incident, according to my thinking:

1.      This was meant to be a trap for Jesus – to see if He would put the law of Moses ahead of the message of love and forgiveness He had been preaching.

Often, Satan seeks to bait us with sin as well. For him, it seems to be his hope to provide us with opportunities for us to fail, especially to fail in showing the love and compassion for others that we want God to show to us is a tool that Satan particularly loves. It is certainly something that we see in the world around us. There are plenty of situations where we hear newscasters, political leaders and even churches encouraging us to think “us and them” instead of “we are all struggling with something”.

2.      What He wrote in the sand is unknown. John chose not to share it. BUT, it was enough to take the wind out of the sails of the would-be stoners.

This is one good example to learn from these would-be enforcers of “justice”. When faced with our own sins, we should accept our own guilt and show some humility.

3.      Jesus’ first thought was to make the woman safe – to protect her.

Let’s not forget that she was clearly guilty. Jesus knew that. But His first thought was to get her safe. We would do well if our church congregations and we as individuals understood that our first job with sinners may be to ensure that they feel safe in our congregations. Maybe feed them. Clothe them. [See Matthew 25]

4.      He made sure she knew that He did not condemn her.

One of my favorite Bible teachers is Beth Moore. She said, “No one is shamed into loving God.” (Or something similar.) Some churches seem to be afraid to lead with “God loves sinners” and “you are welcome here”. The message too often seems to be, “Come let us tell you why you deserve death.”

It is true that we all deserve death for our sins and it is one of the greatest tenants of the Gospel message that Jesus took on the death we deserve in our place. But isn’t it also true to say, “Come let us tell you why and how you are loved.”?

5.      Only after ensuring she was safe, felt loved and accepted, did He tell her to stop sinning.

I believe that the lesson here is that love and trust must be built before we can possibly even consider speaking to another about their sin? Or maybe the lesson is that it might not be our job to judge at all? Or what exactly do we think Jesus meant when He by His teaching recorded in Matthew 7:1-5?

The Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit convicts each of us. Right? So, if a sinner feels safe and loved and accepted, might he/she then be more open to listening to a sermon about living out the love of God in obedience? Might they not more willingly be convicted by the Holy Spirit and the scripture while sitting among other humble, loved and loving followers of Jesus, rather than among those who have spoken as though we are less worthy of death? Love is the greatest power in the universe. Not “tough love”. Love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [NLT] 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I believe that the story of the woman caught in adultery is an amazing example of Jesus showing us how His example of loving us enough to die for us can and should look in how we live our everyday lives – of how congregations and congregants should interact with the other sinners we meet.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me now in the comments section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

PEACE IN THE STORM

I’ve had a few reasons to be working on peace lately. Things are a bit stormy.

Because of that, I signed up for a scripture plan about peace from a Bible App, which included an excellent blog about biblical peace.

I acknowledge that I am fighting for peace in a storm, which is a lot different than peace from the storm.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I think that it is also important that to me that I am able to recognize that I am struggling for peace from within my faith – from the vantagepoint of a long-term walk in faith and obedience. I am not struggling for peace apart from my faith or without faith. In other words, the storm might be likened to a dark room where I know I have left my glasses. The glasses are there, I’ve just lost connection to them. So, I reach out, rummage in drawers, making the effort to reach for them, because I know they are there, in the room.

God’s peace is like that. Even when I feel like I have lost connection to it, I know it is there. The storm may make it feel difficult to put my hand on it, but I have no doubt that it exists because I’ve seen and fought against storms in life (a favorite tool of Satan) before.

 It is important to me that I not react like the disciples did, as we read in Mark 4:37-39 [NKJV] 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

The disciples forgot that they were in the storm with the Storm Breaker Himself – the one who spoke the wind, water and waves into being.

We, sweet sisters, would do well to keep our minds focused on Who is with us, not matter how wildly the choppy waters beat against the boat or how boisterous the wind gets.

And, here’s the thing: if you’ve been a follower of Jesus for any length of time, you are likely pretty experienced in weathering storms that test your resolve and focus. We develop stronger faith, more enduring peace and greater love when we fight for it from within a stormy time.

 Peace and every other character quality of God that we are to have and to show, like all the fruit of the Spirit that we are to be growing, is always there, in the Spirit, for us to access. In the same way that Jesus is always in the boat with us during the storms.

So, like my glasses in the dark room, I might have to work to get my hands on them. The fact that it takes effort to do so does not indicate weakness. It indicates resolve. It indicates an opportunity for building additional strength and endurance – like building a muscle.  

Like any muscle that we are trying to build, there comes a time when we have to add more weight to continue to build your muscles and your strength. Stormy times build our connection to the peace of God. And it is God’s peace we are seeking.

Philippians 4:6-7 [NIV] 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The storms come to our lives to build our peace muscles (or maybe faith or love or all three). When we are faced with a storm, we may find that we have to work harder and depend on God more. We may have to add more prayer and meditation time. Maybe some fasting. We may have to boost our time in scripture and in connecting to like-minded friends who can be our “spotter” in the spiritual weight room.  

Even Peter, who had the faith to step out of the boat amid a storm, found that he later needed to grab onto Jesus to survive. His faith was not yet strong enough, though it existed. By the very fact that he took those steps out on the water (we don’t know how many steps he took), he was building his faith. Later, he weathered the storm of persecution and death with his faith firmly intact.

So, when we are in a time of peace – in the sunshine between storms – we do need to be preparing for the next storm – the next muscle-building opportunity – by connecting to the Peace-giver.

We are in the fight of our lives as Christians every day. Mostly against our own human nature, but sometimes in all out hand-to-hand combat with Satan and his minions.  It is little wonder that God offers us these times to strengthen our muscles and build them for the next storm.  

I’m still not a fan of the storm, but I am grateful for them because I know they are allowed by God for the very purpose of strengthening me – building my spiritual muscle. Well, at least I am working on my gratitude muscle along with my peace muscle in this particular storm.

How about you, sweet sister? What spiritual muscle(s) are you building at this time in your life?

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comment  section or any time at Nancy@dynamicchristianministries.org

Soup Sandwich

Many people believe that we came from primordial soup, which evolved into a complex being comprising body, mind and spirit. While I believe we were designed and created by our loving, all-powerful Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that there is a crucial point of connection and similarity between the two. That is that we are one being. We are not a created or evolved mind and a body and a soul. We are fully interconnected and interdependent creatures the came into being together.

Within the multiple and complex systems that run the beings that we are, a troubled mind affects the workings of the body, emotions impact our health, physical injury impacts our mental health and so forth. Science is at a point where we can prove this. [Read The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk for more on that.]

However, even anecdotally we can see this at play. How many of us have found that we are in a stressful time, whether it is fear of job loss, money troubles, relationship problems, or whatever other things might stress us out, find that we also seem to catch everything that goes around?

Now, please hear me out, I am not saying that the opposite is true – that if you live a life of love and hope and gratitude you will never get sick. All I am saying is that we can see the link if we pay attention.

I am passionate about my health, eating healthy foods with as much of it being organic as I can afford or can get my hands on. I exercise regularly. My biggest weakness (as I have mentioned before) is taking the down time that I need. That includes the fact that I often do not get the 7 or more hours of sleep I should each night. Also, given free time, I will not likely choose to sit and rest. I struggle even though I know that modern science supports the need for rest and I can see how consistent rest helps me.

In addition to resting our bodies, our minds and hearts need rest. We need to unplug as much as possible from news, or shows, or people that stress our minds. And from our jobs duties.

Just like the body needs recovery time after a marathon, our minds need recovery time after a mentally or emotionally stressful time. Meditation time, sitting in nature and listening to the melody of local birds or the rhythm of waves breaking on the shore, reading uplifting things, and listening to music are just some options that help us disconnect.

I invite us all to consider this Psalm written by Solomon: Psalm 127:2 [NLT]  It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Whether or not you believe we are commanded by God to rest one day a week, please consider that our whole being demands it. Either you believe it is a loving gift from our Father in Heaven, or you see that science supports it, or both.

Life can be a “soup sandwich” sometimes, often through no fault of our own. Political or governmental upheaval. Money wows. Relationship issues… Who hasn’t been impacted by one or more of these in our lives?

Even though life might currently be a “soup sandwich”, not working on any level. But getting the proper rest can help us to not become one too. Please nurture your whole beings, sweet sisters. And I will try to do the same.

Feel free to call me out about it, if you notice I’m not honoring my wish to actually take some down time.

I welcome your comments and questions. I’d like to hear how you schedule downtime and what helps your being become restored and rested. You can write me in the comment section, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Lessons from the Gospels – Diet

It’s January of the new year. You know what that means? Gym memberships and enrollment in weight loss programs are at their annual high point. Every year, people make a new commitment to better health, eating and fitness. And that’s okay. Good health is an important component of our abilities to serve God in this life (though not essential as God can use anyone in any circumstance) and a desire to care for these “fearfully and wonderfully made” physical bodies is not a bad thing.

Jesus had this to say about His diet, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. [John 4:34 KJV]

We, His grateful followers, would do well to also renew our commitment to Jesus’ diet, whether at the start of a new calendar year or just on a random Monday.

I am in the process of being trained to teach a weight loss lifestyle program that focuses both on what to give up and what to ensure you get enough of in your diet. The thing is that it takes both – both cutting down on what is not so helpful for good health and adding what will help our bodies function at peak performance.

Good spiritual health is not different. It must include both cutting out what is spiritually toxic or at least not helpful and adding in what will support peace, faith, hope and joy.

I have found, in this training, that when we focus on what to include in our eating plan for best fueling our bodies that there is less room for the things that do not provide as much nutrition.

Again, the alignment of this with spiritual health is great.

In the church I grew up in, there was one phrase often repeated that would be very helpful in visualizing this. It is something like, “The only way to remove air from a jar is to add something else.”  Adding in the “will and the way” that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to our lives, minds, and hearts, in other words, is what pushes out the “former man”.

In my opinion, and in my own experience with trying to remove sin from my life, this analogy is spot on. If I want to remove gossip, it is very helpful to replace that gossip with words that lift others up instead.

If I want to remove thoughts of fear or doubt, I can count my blessings instead or put on some praise music to focus my thoughts elsewhere.

Saying to ourselves, “don’t gossip” or “don’t fear” is not as effective (according to what I’ve read about how our minds work) as saying “speak words of kindness” and “trust God”.  

In the future separating of the sheep and the goats, we can see that doing (instead of removing) is the focus of that sifting work. The scripture praises those who showed godly love for the poor by clothing or feeding them, for example, rather than those who just didn’t steal from them.

A focus on more study and prayer time or more time calling or visiting the sick, rather than less time watching secular TV might be more effective than simply committing to less TV time.  

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. To fuel our bodies, we need to include plenty of the foods that nourish it, exercise to keep it running smoothly, and supporting our minds with input that supports its health.

The spiritual bodies that God is creating in us through the Holy Spirit are just as amazing. To fuel our growth in the fruits of the spirit, I encourage us to consider a focus on what to include in our thoughts and actions, as a way to remove what is ineffective, just like putting water in a jar removes the air.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments, or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Lessons from the Gospels – The Wedding, Part 4.

It’s time to wrap up our discussion of the wedding of all weddings – that of the bride (the church) to the Lamb of God.

We’ve talked about making excused not to attend, showing up without your wedding garments, and not preparing for the long wait. Today, let’s talk about would-be scene stealers.

1.      Making a scene

Entitled. It’s a dirty word these days. Maybe it always has been.  We all know people whose money or job or celebrity status makes them feel entitled. Jesus had a warning about entitlement and attending the Wedding Feast.

Luke 14:7-11 [ESV] 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

None of us know where we will sit at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb or what jobs we my have or number of cities to rule in Christ’s Kingdom – except the disciples who Jesus told that they would sit on thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel. [See Matthew 19:28]

In Luke 14, Jesus warned us about thinking we will own a high position. It is not for us to exalt ourselves – not in this life nor in our assumptions about the next.

Jesus had a little experience with this among His 12 disciples. James and John, whom Jesus nicknamed “the sons of thunder”, asked to be seated at Jesus’ right and left hands in the Kingdom. That a pretty entitled request. You can read about it in Mark 10:35-40. Jesus had to snap them back into reality. These places were open for the asking. Jesus said that God the Father prepared (or will prepare) those seats for specific people. Even Jesus would not pick those “chief seats”. Certainly, we cannot pick them for ourselves.

Thankfully, most of us know better than to sit at the table with the bride, groom, and their wedding party unless we have been asked to do so. Often, at least in wedding in America, the rest of the tables are not specifically assigned, but are up for grabs. Thankfully, though, in more formal weddings, where the bride and groom might want their close family in specific seats, they put out place cards or at least “reserved” signs. 

 The thing is, God has places reserved for us. It took the blood of Jesus and our humble acknowledgement of sin and acceptance of His sacrifice to even get us invited to the wedding. We should not now fall into a feeling of entitlement about where we should sit in the Kingdom.

To be clear, salvation is the free gift of God. We cannot earn it. But Jesus taught us, in many lessons, that our rewards – our places or positions, if you will – are earned by serving God and our fellow man. You can read the parable of the talents and the story of Jesus judging the sheep and goats – both found in Matthew 25. Also, James has almost a whole chapter on how our faith is shown in the works we do. [James 2, beginning in verse 14]

It seems clear to me that it is our job to do the work of preaching the gospel and to serve our fellow man, understanding that we will receive what is right for our service to the Father and mankind. We “see through a glass darkly” when it comes to all that is in store for us in His Kingdom. We rejoice it what the scripture tells us about it – for example that there will be no more war or death or crying, and that some will rule a number of cities. But we don’t have all the details. So, any assumptions about position or place would be futile.

Sweet sisters, we can and should get excited about being invited to the marriage of the Lamb. It should cause use to prepare enthusiastically and thoroughly, and to wait with unflagging excitement.

Let’s prepare with:

1.      Commitment to attend, rather than excuses for why we cannot.

2.      The right garments of the fine white linen of righteousness.

3.      Plenty of oil to last through what might be a very long wait.

4.      Humility about what our places might be, while focusing on doing the work we need to be doing now.

I just love a wedding. I can remember being so very excited about my own. And I was thrilled attend many weddings of family and friends.

It seems clear to me that God and Jesus are excited about the upcoming wedding of the Bride and the Lamb.

For now, we have work to do to be prepared to take our places at that wedding feast.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments or email me at Nancy@dyamicchristianministries.org

In China, I’m an XXL

Travel is a mind-expanding experience. I recommend starting early in life and traveling as often as you can. Traveling within a home country can help us see that others live differently than us, have different accents, traditions, concerns, opportunities, and types of communities.

The differences between states and regions in the USA can be significant. Just consider the debates over pizza styles, BBQ flavors, and chili ingredients.

But if you really want to get a better perspective on life and your place in the world, travel abroad. I’ve just gotten back from a trip to China to see my son. This is my third trip to visit him since he moved to Shenzhen in about 2012, right out of college.

At least once during each visit I have been in a position where no one around me spoke English. This is not surprising, of course. The real surprise is that most of the time there is someone who does speak English and I can easily communicate. Believe me, I get the blessing of that. We’ll circle back to it in a bit. Typically, my son is with me all the time. He speaks Mandarin fluently, and, therefore, knowing just hello and thank you in Mandarin (which I do) is all I need.

You want a perspective-broadening experience? Get dropped off at a spa in China where, once your interpreter leaves, you have to resort to pointing and pantomime. You might as well be deaf for all that the conversations mean to you.

Get immersed in a totally different culture and you learn about perspective quite quickly. In the USA, I’m a small or medium sized person. Not so in China. The one time I tried to buy shoes (on my first visit), I found that they do not offer women’s shoes in my not-so-unusual-in-America size.

This time, due to my luggage being delayed, I needed to buy a couple of garments. I went to a store with “American brands” (made in China, though) and so I selected a medium, just like I would at home. The clerk was so sure it would not fit me that she insisted on taking a tape measure to my hips. Much to the attendant’s surprise, it fit just like it would if I bought it in the USA. I found this all very amusing.

Then at the spa, I was offered an XXL set of the spa’s pajama-like uniform, and it fit. So, that is why I say that I am an XXL in China. Because this spa was not a tourist hang out, but attracted more of a local clientele, I was a giant compared to all of the other women there and most of the men I saw.

I am clearly “not from around here” as I am a blond-haired white woman, but I am also, compared to them, huge. As I said, XXL.

Children stared up at me. I smiled at them and said “hello” in Mandarin.

Here is the point I want to make: perspective is everything when it comes to human interaction. From their perspective, I was the exotic looking one who stood out in all the crowds – just like a petite Chinese woman would stand out if she came to the small East Texas town I grew up in.

1 Samuel 16:7 [NKJV] gives us some insight into God’s perspective: But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God does no see people the way we do. His perspective is internal (the heart) and eternal. And aren’t we extremely thankful that He sees us differently than our neighbors and coworkers might?

Despite our struggles with sin, obedience and growth, He sees us as His beloved and wanted children.

People will say they don’t see color. I think God sees it in all the varieties He created, and the blends mankind has created over the years, and He loves us for who we are to Him, not the color of our skin, the region we are from, the language we speak, etc. I believe He appreciates the variety in language and culture, clothing and traditions (though not the pagan religions) mankind has created.

The good news of our future eternity with Him is not bound by looks, language, culture or any other factor that makes us unique. It is only bound by God’s love – and, really, that has no bounds.

When we are tempted to take an “us and them” mentality, we risk opposing the perspective of God.

Isaiah 55:8-9 [NIV] 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

So, sweet sisters, as we approach another year on this twirling globe that we share, let’s continue to set an example of what a child of God should “look like” on the inside, but continuing to focus on looking more like Him in how we act, think and speak to our neighbors near and far.  Let’s continue to strive to align our thoughts with God’s thoughts, rather than being tempted to try to fit His thoughts into our perspective.

And when you travel (and I hope you do travel), whether it is just out of your neighborhood or to the other side of the world, let’s try to see God’s children and potential children for who they are to Him.

Differences in how we look and dress, in our food and culture, do not change our potential and future as the reborn sons and daughters of God. And that is a perspective that will help you wherever your travels take you.

The world is a beautiful creation. The hand-made inhabitants of this world are also beautiful in the eyes of God.

I welcome your comments and questions. I invite you to share your travel experiences and lessons. You can write me now in the chat or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Lessons from the Gospels – The Wedding, Part 3

In my blog “The Wedding, Part 1” we discussed people who refused to go to the banquet when called, citing all sorts of what seem to us to be ridiculous excuses, until we consider some of the things that keep us from spending time with Jesus. In The Wedding, Part 2, we discussed how it can be that people who do show up are not properly “dressed” for the event.

But just because people showed up doesn't mean they were actually ready for the banquet.

Today, we let’s look at what can happen, when you think you can just “pop in” for a wedding.

1.      Pre-ceremony drama

I have never understood long engagements. Personally, I went 3 months between engagement and wedding. Just long enough to find a dress and location.

However, the long engagement was a practical arrangement in Biblical times. As I understand it, the tradition was to have the engagement and then for the groom to go build a room in his father’s home or otherwise make housing and other arrangements and then come back for the bride and the wedding.

This is the more accurate view of the wedding of the Bride of Christ (the church) and Christ Jesus. He came to this earth, paid the bride price for us in His death, was resurrected to go back to the Father and prepare a place for us. Now we wait for His return.

Waiting can be tough – especially when you don’t know how long you will be waiting. That’s what it was like in Bible times.

Today, we, the called and chosen, must “occupy” until He comes, as we find in the Parable of the Money Usage found in Luke 19:1`1-27. We are given jobs to do now while we wait. Just like in a modern wedding you might be asked to help with picking a dress or a venue, creating invitations, doing a pre-wedding photo shoot with the bride, etc., Jesus has called us to be helpful in preparing ourselves and others for the marriage of the Bride.

Revelation 19:7 [KJV] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.

It’s easier to be ever-vigilant and on our toes when the engagement is new – when we are in our “first love” phase. But we can get “weary in well doing” if we are not careful. [See Galatians 6:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:13]

Let’s consider the parable of the 10 virgins. You can read it in Matthew 25:1-13. Like us, all 10 were waiting for Jesus (the Bridegroom) to return. They all had oil. But half of them knew the wait might be long and acted accordingly, by bringing more oil that what their lamps could hold at that time.

We, too, should never think we have enough time with Jesus, with study, with prayer, with learning, with using our talents and so forth. It could be a long wait. What if you live to be 100? What if your trial lasts longer than expected? What if you are asked to do or give more.

We must build up our stores of oil by learning and growing and serving and seeking to draw closer to Him. That is how I see the oil in the lamp being generated.

They all slept. Maybe this means all had times of complacency. Or simply that a long time of rest, free of trials, had come. Either way, as time passed, oil burned and supplies dwindled.

Then, suddenly the time was right, and the groom showed up. Then there was no time to run and clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the sick and so forth. [Matthew 25:31-46]

Sweet sisters, the time we have to wait between the engagement and the wedding ceremony could be very long. Around 2000 years have already passed. And you or I may have 5 more years or 25. We don’t know.

We must then, “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” [Eph 5:15-16 NKJV]

Whatever life throws at, we must focus on our lamps and stores of oil, because the wait may be long.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments or email me at Nancy@dyamicchristianministries.org

Lessons from the Gospels – The Wedding, Part 2

In my blog “The Wedding, Part 1” we discussed people who refused to go to the banquet when called, citing all sorts of what seem to be ridiculous excuses.

But just because people showed up doesn't mean they were actually ready for the banquet.

Today, we will start taking a look at three wedding guests – or would-be guests – to learn a bit about what it means to be prepared to get the most out of the Wedding of the Lamb. We will consider proper wedding attire, the proper attitude actions of a guest, and how we might miss out even if we RSVP’d that we would be there.

1.      Proper attire

The last time I attended a wedding, I bought a special dress just for the occasion. That’s what women do. We don’t try to overshadow the bride, but we are not going to get caught being dressed for a casual, summer outdoor wedding when attending a winter, indoor wedding where the bride said, “cocktail or better attire”.

Amazingly, in Jesus’ parable, someone did show up in the wrong attire.

Recall that, in The Parable of the Wedding Banquet found in Matthew 22, the servants of the kind ended up going out into the streets and inviting just anyone they could find to come to the wedding.

Matthew 22:11-14 [NIV] 11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless. 13 "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

This would seem like a draconian response to just having the wrong clothes, if we didn’t know importance of our spiritual garments, as outlined here:

Revelation 19:7-9 [NIV] 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God."

We are to be closed in fine linen, bright and clean. How are we clothed in these fine linen garments? Revelation 19:8 tells us it is by our righteous acts. This aligns perfectly with Matthew 25.

How do they get bright and clean? We find that in Revelation 7:13-14 [NIV] where it says, 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

It is the very blood of Jesus that gets our garments white and keeps them white.

Sweet sisters, when we are called to the marriage supper, we cannot just show up without the proper attire – disrespecting the bride and the Father of the bride by our lack of self-preparation. We must be wearing bright, white linen, created by our righteous acts – our loving, caring acts of service, and cleaned with the blood of Jesus whenever we repent of the sin that has dirtied them.

We have more to learn about attending the “wedding of all eternity”. So, I invite you to meet me here again next week.

In the meantime, I invite you to share your thoughts and question in the chat or via email at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org

Give Thanks Always

It’s Thanksgiving time in America and if you expected something other than a blog about being Thankful, you are probably not familiar with how hard it can sometimes be to find inspiration for yet another blog when you feel like you just wrote one a minute ago.

When it comes to Thanksgiving time, I think everyone feels a little more motivated to focus on our blessings, to be grateful for them, and to express thanks to God.

But, what about a commitment to thanking those whose lives only get harder from the week before Thanksgiving through the end of the calendar year? We might complain about long lines, inconvenient changes in the checkout help, rising prices, rigid store policies, etc. But what about the poor clerks who have to wait on us? Are their lives better or worse for having to wait on the frantic, frazzled and frustrated shoppers?

This came to mind this year when I, against my better judgment and my husband’s sound advice, headed to Wal-Mart mid-evening on the night before Thanksgiving day.

As I patiently stood in an exceptionally long line, super excited to have found Sonic the Hedgehog PJ’s in the right sizes to give my twin grandsons on Thanksgiving I maintained my patience. I even picked up a small bouquet of flowers that the guy behind me thought better of and just discarded on top of the candy at checkout. [Side note: Bet that was a story.]

I was feeling good, chatting up the cashier, who looked like she’d rather be having a root canal, and thinking I could charm a smile out of her. [I did not.]

Much to my dismay, the cashier, noting that the PJ’s would not ring up, whipped out her phone, checked something and said, “those are Black Friday items. You’ll have to come back Friday.” My look must have said, “Are you INSANE, woman?”, because hers got suddenly very “deer in the headlights”. I said, “So they are out there for sale, but I cannot buy them?” “Not until Friday.”

As I mentally took a beat (which may have seemed like 20 minutes to the stressed-out cashier), I relaxed enough to mumble “Okay” and let her finish ringing me up. But that was not the end of my gratitude lesson.

I had divided my purchases into three sets – the PJ’s and other stuff for the grands, medicines that I buy with my FSA card, and some stuff for Sabbath school, which I buy on a card solely for church expenses. [I’m sure they love that kind of stuff.] Before she got to the third group, it hit 7:00 pm and my cashier was replaced so she could go home.

I am sorry to say that I was reaching the limit of my ability to deep breathe through it all, but a look at my first cashier broke my heart. She was about to slink off like a totally defeated, beaten down puppy. And I realized what the day might have been like for her, standing on her feet, dealing with a constant throng of never-ending, frazzled humanity who possibly even took out their unhappiness at Wal-Mart running out of pumpkin pie (I had to buy sweet potato pie) or the crazy policy about putting on display but not selling Black Friday items, on her.

I handed her the flowers and said, “these are for you.” She took them, but just stared like she had no idea what was going on for a beat, and then nodded, said “thanks”, and left.

The new cashier gushed effusively about how nice that was, though she affirmed that I could not buy those PJ’s today. [You cannot blame a Gigi for trying.]

I doubt I will see that cashier again. But I hope when she got home and put those flowers in a vase, that seeing them at least caused her to maybe move humanity up from an F to a D+ for that day.

I hope you are thankful to God, especially this time of year when we see all those posts about thankfulness and get all those reminders from friends.

But please also keep in mind that, like my stressed-out cashier, there are so many people dealing with the worst of human traits at this time that gets called the “most wonderful time of year”. If you are stressed by rising prices, products shortages, long lines and unfriendly company policies, give a moment of thought to those who hear the complaints every day just so they can put their own overprice food on the table or high-priced gas into their cars.

Take time to be thankful, not because you do or don’t celebrate whatever holiday might be causing the long lines at the gas station, grocery stores and fast-food restaurants, but because expressing thanks to God isn’t all that is required of us. We should be thankful to others as well. Even when it’s difficult.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Yep, even when the lines are long, and prices are high and store policies seem ridiculous, be thankful. And every other day of the year.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me know in the chat or any time at Nancy@dyanmicchristianministries.org

Lessons from the Gospels – The Wedding, Part 1

If you tried to stick to a budget when you got married, you likely found yourself trimming the guest list. Maybe rethinking if your best friend from third grade should be invited or if all your 20-person work pod really need to make the list.

Seems like God has the opposite problem when it comes to the marriage of the Lamb.

Matthew 22:1-10 [NLT] 1 Jesus also told them other parables. He said, 2 "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! 4 "So he sent other servants to tell them, 'The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!' 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. 7 "The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. 8 And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor. 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.' 10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.”

Incredibly, the invited guests placed so little value on this invitation that they went about their daily business, ignoring the big day altogether. I don’t know about you, but I would never miss a wedding or a banquet if I could at all get there!

In a parallel parable found in Luke, we get an ever better look into the kinds of excuses these folks made.

Luke 14:17-20 [NLT] 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' 19 Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' 20 Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'

Seems like any old excuse would do for these folks. I mean, was there no “plus one” option for the guy with the new wife? Are you telling me that the field couldn’t wait a day or two? Or that the oxen were going to forget how to plow?

The core of the excuses seems to be that their own day-to-day lives were too important to be bothered with the greatest marriage feast of all eternity. Unbelievable!

But then, I have to ask myself just how often I get up in the morning and get busy with prepping my lunch, answering emails, doing a few chores and getting ready for my workday without stopping to spend time with the King who has invited me to His banquet? How often do I find at the end of a day full of chores and errands that I have fallen, exhausted, into bed that I never took the time to study or to pray (other than over a meal)?

How often have I allowed something I wanted to do (or felt was necessary) to take my focus and left Jesus at the door, holding my invitation to a banquet of love, wisdom and fellowship He and the Father have prepared for me?

Motivational speaker and author Steven Covey is known for saying, “Begin with the end in mind”.

God did. When He created this earth and then formed man from the dust of the ground, He had already made plans for a big wedding feast. And He has been doing the prep work ever since.

Sweet sisters, we, too, must begin our days, our weeks, our months, our educational plans and work plans and family plans with the end in mind, if we intend to attend that wedding feast.

Make no mistake, you ARE invited. Jesus has given you an invitation. We must begin each day as one who is ready (or who is preparing to be ready) to drop all our daily tasks should that call of “Come, the banquet is ready” be made that day.

Brides are excited for their wedding day to come, whether they planned a small ceremony or a huge event. A bride may be so excited on that day that she doesn’t notice or care that her second cousin who RSVP’d “yes” failed to show up after all. But if daddy sees place settings empty when he has already paid the bill, HE might be a bit miffed.

It’s actually worse than a wedding guest being a “no show”, though. You see, WE are the bride. What bride would decline to attend her own wedding???!!!

Jesus paid for my place at the Bride’s table, and for your place too. We would do well to remember that the Father will not be amused if we make some sorry excuse for not showing up each day. The price He paid for that seat was very high – the blood of His only begotten Son.

The least I can do is accept the daily invitation to meet Him – to daily live with the end in mind – knowing that it is a banquet like no other AND the soon-to-be bride is me.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me now in the comments section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMInistries.org.