Write down the revelation...

It's Not Supposed to be This Way

2012-02-28T06:00:00.001-08:00

Our family has joined thousands of others who are changing eating habits due to food allergies or intolerances. I’m still in the learning curve – how to eliminate gluten, nuts and dairy from our diet but I can’t help but think, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.” John 10:10 says the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came so we would have abundant life. I don’t see how it can be considered abundant when we have so many limitations on what we can and can’t eat.

You might think I’m in the denial stage of change. I understand North Americans have developed ways to process everything we eat to increase the profit margin for food manufacturers and by doing so, we’ve ingested chemicals and steroids for so long our bodies are finally making a revolt. It’s true the food industry needs an overhaul to return to the basics where food is actually food – not simulations, but even so, doesn’t Mark 16:18 apply?

“...and when they drink [or eat] deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all”

Unless you exclusively eat organic foods, whole grain and nothing processed, most of what we eat has been treated with chemicals. It can definitely be classified as poison. Although the food industry should have an overhaul, I don’t see that happening so in the face of widespread food-related illnesses, allergies and intolerances I have faith to see Mark 16:18 become a reality in our everyday life.

In the last days the scripture says we’ll see an increase of signs and wonders. It’s already happening in developing countries and many places outside of North America. In many places around the world, there is no Plan B medical plan; they require supernatural intervention or death is certain. I believe we are setting ourselves up for such a move of God in North America as well. We need God to save us from ourselves.

I want to see healing breakthrough in many things (in everything) but one of the issues on my heart has long been for food allergies – even before it affected our family. The first prayer I felt God leading me to pray for was a woman severely affected by food allergies. The prayer has been unanswered to date but I still pray for it, believing God and his word in Mark 16:18.

It’s not supposed to be this way, it’s not denial, it’s truth. However, until I see the word of God fulfilled I’m not going to take offense by what I don’t see. I’m not going to stick my head in the sand and pretend it’s not affecting our family. I will change our eating habits so we eat whole foods with as little additives as possible and I am going to still believe for miracles and healing so that heaven is truly seen on earth.

How about you? What areas do you think, “this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be?”

Psalms for Sunday - XXXVI

2012-02-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

I go to the House of the Lord, and with one voice, we worship the Might One, the only One who is worthy to receive praise. We laugh in the place of sorrow.

Joy, such unspeakable joy; the joy you have for your people is my strength.

Peace like flood waters wash over your people.

I desire to see a glimpse into heaven, to do what the angels do, to sing what the angels. In the worship, I’m still, longing for more of heaven, more of the Lord.

In my heart I see one, two, three angels in humble adoration; solemn and worshipful. They have joined with human voice to give praise to the One Most Holy. It’s their stance I remark about; deep reverence for the Creator. They saw the others fall, but they have remained true and they worship.

Teach me to worship; teach me to praise the Name of the Lord in perfect reverence and fear so that I might share in the wisdom of heaven.

The Lord, my God, is worthy to receive blessings, glory and honour.

Living Large

2012-02-24T06:00:00.003-08:00

People love boxes. More boxes equal more stuff and we love stuff even more than boxes, but boxes mean we have stuff. We like boxes and we want pretty boxes. The organizational section of any given department store or Fred Meyer has an overwhelming display of sizes, shapes and colours. Not only do we organize our stuff by putting it in boxes, we also catalogue our lives into allegorical boxes, labeling everything from experiences to people.

We love our boxes, and yet, some common phrases, “outside the box”, or “boxed in” and descriptions such as “boxy” denote a negative connotation. It seems that although we love to live our lives in boxes (constricted way of thinking and living); we have a sense that there is more to life than what we’ve put in our box. If that’s true, should we get rid of the box entirely?

I’m not making an argument either for or against living within a defined method of thinking. I can’t imagine life without it because I like the comfort and security a defined box provides. Whether or not boxes are necessary for living isn’t the question but the knowledge Jesus is beside us in the box is the only answer we need.

Despite the comfort of my box, I am aware having a narrow focus may hinder my ability to serve God; mercifully God is not hindered by my narrow box. Several years ago I read Quiet Shouts – Stories of Lancaster Mennonite Women Leaders by Louise Stoltzfus. The book chronicled many women dating from the turn of the 20^th century up to around 1950. As I was reading, I was struck by the amazing way God chose to work through women in leadership capacities, despite in the past women have been unable to officially work in church leadership roles. He acknowledges our boxes and simply increases the size so his plans are still fulfilled.

We’ve heard humans use less than 10% of their brain capacity. What if God intended us to live large but like our limited brain function, we are only living 10% of the life we could be living? Often the 10% life we are living seems quite adequate and most of the time we don’t realize there’s more – until we read it John 10:10 when Christ said, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full,” and we say to ourselves, “Oh yeah, life to the fullest – I wonder what it looks like?”

Matthew 14 offers a glimpse of what life might be like if we filled our box. It had been an incredible day –it started out by hearing some very bad news – John the Baptist, Jesus’ friend and cousin was brutally beheaded and when he tried to get away by boat to absorb the awful news, crowds of people followed on foot and surrounded him when he reached his destination. The Bible says Jesus had compassion on the crowd and healed the sick.

He let go of his own emotional needs to heal the emotional and physical needs of the people. On the same day, Jesus also miraculously fed 5,000 men (plus women & children). Wow. Living a full life means we can give graciously to others, despite our own needs. We also receive a glimpse if we allow God to work, we are not confined (nor defined) by our inadequate physical offerings. Jesus shows us the possibility by his example and Peter shows us the reality and the hope.

It all happened in one day and afterward Jesus sent the disciples on their way while he continued to deal with the crowd. After experiencing the exhilaration of watching God at work firsthand, you would think the disciples immediately rushed to tell others about the impossibilities that become possibilities through the Holy Spirit. Sadly, they reacted like many of us do; they got back into their fishing boats because that’s what they knew to do – it was familiar and comfortable.

Perhaps the disciples didn’t deserve another chance at redemption but Jesus didn’t come so they could be satisfied with fishing, he wanted to give them a fuller life, so in the middle of the night, they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water! Everyone was terrified, but Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” In other words, Peter was asking, “Lord, if it’s you, expand my way of thinking, give me fuller life and let me do what you do.” And Peter did it.

The hope Peter gives us is it’s possible for simple human beings to expand our thinking (and so our box becomes larger) and do miraculous things – as long as our gaze is fixed on Jesus. Jesus wants to give us life to the full; keep your gaze on Jesus in all circumstances and be prepared as He increases the size of your box.

Enjoy life and live large.

Don't Sell Me the Opportunity, Give Me the Goods

2012-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember Amway? If you grew up in the evangelical church, you’ll know it. Heck, you might have even been involved with Amway but for those that don’t know what I’m talking about, allow me to offer you the Reader’s Digest explanation. Amway was (and still is) a multi-level marketing company. They targeted church folks because who else has such a large network? Amway preached prosperity gospel and encouraged members to display pictures of their dream house/vehicle/boat/vacations on their fridge as an incentive to increase their recruiting efforts.

My Man and I had firsthand experience with Amway consultants when we were first married. We didn’t buy into the message they were selling and in the process we felt used and abused. The trouble with Amway is that I like some of the products, especially their pre-wash laundry spray, however no one wants to sell the product, they only want to sell the opportunity. It seems many churches are like Amway – they want to sell the opportunity to “do church” but they lack inviting you to participate in the substance of Christian faith, which is Jesus. It’s not their fault; they can’t offer what they don’t have.

The church is interested in doing things for Jesus but they haven’t realized Jesus left the building. Doesn’t anyone else wonder why Jesus was standing outside the church in Laodicea while the congregation were in there supposedly worshipping him? Unfortunately, many churches today are similar. Like Amway, we want new church recruits but when other people start asking for the goods we’re like a deer caught in headlights. A blank stare is the only answer to the one pertinent question, “Isn’t there more?”

There is more but it isn’t found in creative programs, or good teaching, or awesome music. It’s found in a real relationship with a real God. People are tired of empty recruiting promises offered to get you in the door of the church. It may work for a while but soon enough people become wise to the glitz and glamour which is a smokescreen designed to hide the fact they don’t have anything more to offer.

Jesus is amazing and more than enough. When we invite him back into our church and release the Holy Spirit to come again like he did at Pentecost, we will [once again] see the harvest the early church saw in the books of Acts. The presence of God attracted the harvest, not their programs, teaching or music.

So, how do we get from here to there? The answer is simple – hunger. I can guarantee the church is not hungry if we haven’t noticed Jesus is on the outside knocking. If you are still lingering over the last meal you ate, you’re not very hungry for anything now. Have you ever seen 3^rd world hungry people? They aren’t very polite when the rice truck comes rolling in. Small, frail women, and scraggly children turn into beasts, trying to get to the food first. That’s the kind of hunger we need to have for the presence of God. Because the hungry get fed. There is food for the ones who want it.

Do you want the opportunity to “do church” or do you want the actual goods – the presence of God? Are you hungry?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Psalms for Sunday - XXXV

2012-02-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

I lift my head to you and one word escapes, “Help.”

Isn't She Lovely?

2012-02-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I wonder how many couples became engaged on Valentine’s Day. Spring is the most popular season to have a wedding so there will be hundreds of brides planning and preparing to be married within a few months. A number of brides will diet, primp and preen to look her best on her wedding day and she will have support from friends and family to help her meet her goal. The payoff is that she will look beautiful; dressed in white with flawless hair and make-up. All the hard work it took to get to that moment will be worth the sacrifice and guests will rejoice at the wedding.

In general, we love weddings. We love love stories and we love seeing the bride look beautiful. Why is it then we defile the bride of Christ?

Jesus is coming again, and he’s coming for a wedding. The Bible tells us the bride (which is the church) will be pure and spotless and yet Christians love to expose and make a mockery of other Christians who put a stain on the bride. I don’t suggest we cover-up things that need to be removed (sexual abuse, power abuse, or abuse of any kind) but too often denominations take pot-shots at another and expose ugliness instead of praying for one another and loving each other as Christ already loves us. It’s not just denominations doing it to each other but blog after Christian blog expose for the sake of public shaming, rather than trying to bring around Godly restoration. Jesus always redeemed the one caught in sin. None of us were shamed into the Kingdom of God, why do we think it would work on anyone else?

The practice of exposing our family member’s error in judgment is nothing new. Genesis 9:20-23 offer a glimpse into another family – Noah’s family. Noah was drinking. He was enjoying the fruit of his labour (maybe a little too much) and he passed out with his tunic falling open to his nakedness. His youngest son saw it and instead of covering his father, he exposed his father’s shame further by telling his brothers. The two older brothers would not even look upon their father naked, and made every effort to help their father save face. As a reward for their actions, the younger son received a curse, while the older two received a blessing.

The interesting thing in this story is it’s about family. No one else is involved, just one family member shaming another family member. The one who does the shaming doesn’t offer any covering, whereas the other two bring something with them to cover the shame and exposure of their father. Shouldn’t we do that for our fellow Believers? Aren’t we considered a family? Let me state clearly again, we do not cover-up something that needs to be removed but when we expose for the purpose of shaming, the church is weakened and tarnished with no plan for recovery.

Jesus is coming back for a pure and spotless bride. Jesus sees us as we will be, not as we are. Hebrews 10:14 says we are perfect already, the ones who are being made holy. What is the process of “being made holy”? Of course it involves correction however Scripture offers multiple avenues for discipline (not punishment). 1 Samuel 12:20-23 doesn’t excuse the behaviour (you have done all this evil), but gives hope (yet don’t turn from the Lord because he was pleased to make you his own). Then the passage instructs the other believers (failing to pray = sin). The one who sinned or the one who caught the sinner are not instructed to expose and flaunt the shame.

In addition to the Old Testament at least two New Testament passages come to mind for Biblical conflict resolution: Matthew 18:15-17 where the protocol is outlined for when a brother sins against you – first to the individual, then to trusted individuals, then to the church, and then consider the one who sinned to no longer be a part of the church body. However, it does not suggest continuing to air dirty laundry past the doors of the church. Another example of finding someone in sin is the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Jesus didn’t shame her, even though he would have been the only one who could have because he was a man without sin.

Jesus is coming back for a lovely bride. Will we stand in the way and expose the shame? Or will we pray for grace and mercy for others because we’ve been recipients of the same grace and mercy in our own lives?

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.”
1 Samuel 12:23

Be Back Soon

2012-02-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Our household has been shrouded under the cloak of sickness; normal posts will resume shortly.

Try Before You Buy

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

God’s love for us is immense, and it’s more than I can comprehend and although I’m pretty confident I’m his favourite (and have been for almost a decade), this week the Lord unloaded a fresh dose of even greater love. Or rather, it wasn’t greater love but my understanding of the depth of his love was increased. He can’t love me more because his love is already at capacity. There was never a moment since the creation of the world that he loved me, and you, less and there will never be a moment when he loves me, and you, more. The only thing to change is our understanding of the depth of his love.

It’s true if you know him and it’s true if you’ve never heard his name or deny his existence. God loves, period.

One of my favourite passages is Isaiah 45:3, I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel who summons you by name. I return to the verse time and again and I use it often to encourage others. It’s such a familiar passage to me I rarely turn in my Bible to it because I’ve memorized it but this past week I read the whole chapter and I received new insight.

Isaiah prophesied God would make Cyrus leader over Babylon, 150 years before Cyrus was born and 75 years before the people of Jerusalem (and Judah) were exiled. At the end of 70 years (according to Jeremiah’s prophecy regarding Judah) Cyrus would let the Lord’s people return to their homeland to rebuild the temple and the wall.

The Lord gives his word in advance so men would know he is Yahweh - the God who covenants with his people - and there is no other beside him. The declaration in itself causes me to fear the Lord but the words that caught my attention are found in verses 4 & 5, “though you have not acknowledged me.” God chose Cyrus, to honour and bless him before he (Cyrus) acknowledged him (God).

Likewise, Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. God never expects us to show him our poker cards first. He puts up the risk first and invites us to respond. Romans 2:4 says the kindness of God leads to repentance, not repentance leads to his kindness.

You’ll never believe me if you haven’t experienced it. My wish is upon reading this, you will be moved into a deeper understanding of God’s love and you will walk in the experience of his love. His heart beats for you. And you are his favourite.

Psalms for Sunday - XXXIV

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

At the sound of your name, we will worship you.
At the sound of your name, like a trumpet call,

and we will worship,
worship,
worship.
Worship the King.

At the sound of your name, Jesus, like a trumpet call,
Every knee will bow,

and we will worship,
worship,
worship.
Worship the King.

We will worship the King, King Jesus
with dancing, twirling
and spinning in delight of your name,

and we will worship,
worship,
worship.
Worship the King.

Heaven declares, the glory that comes
from the sound of your name.
Jesus.

and we will worship,
worship,
worship.
Worship the King.

Jesus,
Jesus,
Jesus.
We worship your name, Jesus.

Your name is power, mighty & holy.
You are so holy.
Your name is power, mighty & glorious.
You are so glorious.

and we will worship,
worship,
worship.
Worship the King.
We worship the King.

Who Can Forgive Sins? Can I?

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Let’s be honest, Jesus demands you to make a decision. It is not possible to be on the fence about him. Either you love him or hate him. Either he is a nut job (and deserved to die), or he is the Son of God (and had to die).

His message is offensive to the proud and religious elite but to the desperate Jesus is the only source of hope they have. By chapter two in the gospel of Mark, Jesus has a reputation as a healer and travelling preacher-man. He has a significant group of followers. If you want to see Jesus, it’s best to arrive early because there isn’t even standing room if you are late.

The religious elite, the teachers of the law, are probably keeping an eye on the new guy but are not very concerned because Jesus tends to stay with the working class; he’s fairly removed from religious leadership and doesn’t seem to be gunning for their positions. But in Mark 2:5-7, suddenly he goes too far. He forgives sin.

What Jesus did was offensive for two reasons. First, the Pharisees kept the law meticulously, and they lived with entitlement that A+B=C but when someone circumvents the system and A+B does not equal C, then they fear they’ve lived their life in vain, counting and tallying theirs and others’ sins so the scales balance but in the end it doesn’t even matter.

Second, Jesus was a man, like themselves. No one can forgive sins but God. As a child, growing up in the church, I never questioned this and other stories of Jesus forgiving the sins. Jesus is God and that explained it all. I understood he was a God-man, meaning for the purpose of miracles, signs & wonders and the forgiveness of sins Jesus put on his “God” hat, but when he was only walking around teaching and preaching, then he was a regular man.

In recent years, I’m no longer satisfied with the answer and I’ve come to understand why the religious elite take offense at him. Jesus disrupts the way people think. Jesus did not put on and off his deity at a moment’s whim, otherwise he would not be an example for us. He was God, and he was man, I believe it but when he performed miracles he was a man on whom the Holy Spirit rested. That is why he said to the disciples in John 14:12 they would do even greater works (miracles, signs & wonders) than him.

So, my question is this: if Jesus forgave sin (before he died for them), can we also forgive sin?

Before I am called a blasphemer, understand I am not suggesting new doctrine or theology which makes us like God. . I think there is more to our role and participation in the kingdom of God than we’ve realized. I would rather ask hard questions and search for an answer than be found to be ignorant of what Jesus taught. Perhaps you’ve had questions about it as well.

In John 20:23, Jesus tells his disciples whomever they forgive, it will be forgiven but when they withhold forgiveness, forgiveness will be withheld. Huh? If that’s not confusing enough, Matthew 28:18 infers the authority held by Christ is given to us to do what he did and in Matthew 16:19 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and tells him whatever he looses or binds has spiritual implications in heaven.

John 8:1-11 tells a story of a woman caught in adultery. Certain religious men brought the adulteress, full in her shame, to Jesus to test him. There was no question about the woman’s guilt and by law, she deserved punishment. In the end, she was forgiven. What if, they hadn’t forgiven her? What would Jesus have done then? I think he would have had no choice but to make a judgement on her.

Sin requires punishment, that is true, but there is a higher truth where mercy triumphs judgement – every time. I think when we forgive someone for their trespasses we stand in the gap and act as an intercessor for them. We can’t do this by our own righteousness but by the righteousness we have through Christ.

Jesus could stand before God and be totally self-righteous because he was without sin and he could offer forgiveness as a man, and God would agree because mercy triumphs judgement. The self-righteous religious Pharisees couldn’t do it, even though they had followed the whole law for their lives. Jesus changed the way things were, and it was offensive for they who had lived their lives according to the law. No one likes to have the game change if they are the ones who appear to be winning.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16, For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.

Jesus is offensive, no doubt about it.

Garden Party with the King

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

An invitation arrived in the mail. It was addressed to me:

You are cordially invited to the presence of the King for a garden party.

Of course, I was delighted to go and I planned to wear my best dress, to honour the King. On the appointed day, I arrived to the meadow. The sun was bright and the temperature was exactly as I like it. I saw the King in the distance, waiting at a table. I walked across the field of grass and wild flowers, the colours magnified and exaggerated by the sun.

As I approached the table, I saw the King was none other than my Beloved and he beckoned me to sit. Others milled about and at once I knew who they were, although we had never met. They were from stories of old and though they seemed to know me, they did not speak or cause my attention to stray from the face of my Beloved, the King.

We sat down and tea was served. It was like gold and I wondered how it would taste. It was hot and sweetened with honey. I wanted to drink and have some more. My Beloved, the King, understood my desire and touched the teapot next to him. Eat, drink and have your fill, he said. The time was merry and joyful. It was a minute or a day, I don’t know. It didn’t matter because I was with my Beloved, the King and I was his favourite. I was rapt in the peace of his presence and I closed my eyes to remember the moment.

When I looked again, others had joined us at the table. I knew them; they were treasures to me and my inheritance. I was filled with gladness to share the generousity of my Beloved, the King. The moment held on the vibration of sound, suspended and prolonged. Do you love me more than these, he asked. Yes, I tried to say, but I couldn’t and I hung my head. I want to, my beloved, my King.

When I looked again, my Beloved, the King was gone and the table was at the foot of a mountain. It seemed to stretch to the heavens. Sitting in the place where my Beloved, the King had sat was a lamb who was slain. Its eyes were full of life and it looked on me with a ferocity of love I have never experienced before. A lion was seated next to me, and I wondered if I should be afraid but the look in the lamb’s eyes told me it was safe.

The lamb looked at me and then spoke. It said, I love you more than these. Then he offered me a cup to drink. The aroma was intoxicating and I wanted to gulp the liquid down because suddenly I realized my throat was dry and parched. Even a drop from the cup would restore and satisfy me. Will you drink from this cup, the lamb who was slain asked me. Then he awaited my reply.

What's Your Battle Strategy?

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

You want to know something? We are all different. I know that intellectually but sometimes I become confused and I ask God, “Why am I not like that person, or this person?” The Lord reminds me of the mix match of apostles he chose – sensitive, brash, blue collar, white collar, strong in finances, strong in encouragement, ones who like to lead, and others who like to work behind the scenes. We are not supposed to replicate each other; we should complement each other for the glory of God.

We’re in a battle. Some of us know better than others, how intense the battle is. Each side of the battle has soldiers, commanders and battle equipment. This week on Kingdom Bloggers, we’re describing how God has designed us to fit into the overall battle strategy of the Lord. Which one of is a battle strategist? Who is a sniper? Read along for the week and offer your insights about who you are in the battle.

Psalms for Sunday - XXXIII

2012-01-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

In the quiet morning, my Beloved speaks to me; he whispers to my soul:

I love your presence. I long for it and covet every moment your attention is turned away. You are the fullness of my joy and the capacity of my love for you is complete. Come with me and you will experience it.

Come with me and I will delight your senses. I will wake up your soul, your spirit and your body. The softest touch you’ve experienced before is as a hammer blow but the soft I will show you is nothing you’ve thought about before. It envelopes you and carries you, it is that strong but light like the air you breathe. It is light - glorious and bright. Come with me and you will experience it.

Come with me and I sing songs of love to you - musical notes suspended, dancing. You listen for sound, straining your ear. You can hardly understand because it’s not sound but smell you encounter. It smells sweet, like a fragrant aroma of a precious memory. I love you. Come with me and you will experience it.

Come with me and fill your stomach with tastes so divine the flavour lingers for a lifetime. Taste once and you will desire nothing else. Just one taste and you will seek my goodness for eternity. I give it to you, without limit because I am limitless. Nothing will be held back from you for all that I have is yours. Come with me and you will experience it.

Come with me to place beyond your experiences. I will revel in your delight of this world where everything is available for you. Come with me and you will experience it.

Come with me and you will experience it.

Guess How Much I Love You?

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

At house church this week, during corporate worship the leader invited us each to sing (or speak) our own words of praise and worship to the Lord. I began to tell the Lord if I would gather all the beautiful jewels in the world and bring them to him as a token of my love for him it would not be enough. Without missing a beat I heard him say to my spirit the value of all the jewels in the world were not equal to the value of his love for me. The ferocity of his love for me, particularly in that moment, took my breath away. I am so loved by the Father and I love because he first loved me.

I am my Father’s favourite and I know, without a doubt, you are his favourite, too; not only does he love you, he likes you too.

Last year during a weekend outreach at a large carnival and local fair, more than 300 people came to our tent because of the sign that offered ‘Free Spiritual Reading’. The Bible says God’s thoughts toward us are as numerous as the grains of sand on the sea and by working in a team 3 or 4 we ask Father God to reveal something for the guest sitting in front of us. Time and again, Father God wanted to make them aware of how they are loved beyond measure and he knows them intimately. The thoughts of God revealed to us are always pleasant and always good and most people believe it because of the information we knew (by divine knowledge) about their personal life.

I was surprised how frequently the message was so basic – you are loved by God. I asked the Lord about it, thinking I must be hearing the wrong thing but he said to me, “If they don’t know I love them, then they won’t believe my plans for them are good.” Right. Love comes first.

Some friends of mine are contemplating divorce. It’s a tough place to be. I know because I’ve been there and well-intentioned Christians offer helpful advice, such as, “God hates divorce.” Judgement abounds when others are not living by the law, but we forget the law was fulfilled in Christ and more than God hates divorce, he loves you. He loves the husband and the wife. He loves the one initiating the separation and he loves the one who will do anything to keep it together. God loves, period.

A friend was concerned for another friend who was had scheduled an abortion and asked me what to do. God said to tell the mother, she is loved and there is more to life. Father God wanted to speak life to the mother. After the encounter the Lord said to me to make an offer to drive the expectant mother to the abortion clinic. I argued about it because I am pro-life but the Lord said to me the mother would need to know she is still loved by Father God, and abortion wouldn’t change it. God loves, period.

Another friend was a heavy drug user when she became a Christian. It took her 8 years to realize it was wrong. If I had known her 8 years ago, I would have judged but I asked the Lord about it. I mean – sex, drugs & rock n’ roll – those are the “big” sins. The Lord told me he was wooing her, and speaking to her heart for those years, the behaviour was secondary to the heart. God love, period.

One of my favourite children’s story is “Guess How Much I Love You”. Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare are comparing their love for each other. I still can’t read the story without tears welling up in my eyes.

There is a similar story that speaks of a love like that. It’s called the Bible and it says, Father God loved you, but he was separated because of sin so he made a plan to sacrifice his son, Jesus so we can be reconciled and live forever with Father God.

I asked Jesus how much He loved me.
He answered, "This much."
Then He stretched out His arms and died for me.

God loves, period. You are loved, and you are his favourite.

What Do You Do, When the Decision is Important?

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

When you have many decisions to make, how much time do you spend listening to God for the answer? If I’m honest with myself, a lot of the time I spend with God is spent by my talking and filling in the space, and then after getting nothing but silence from the other end, I make my own decisions. It’s not the most effective way to achieve a peaceful decision. Sometimes things work out but often I create needless toil and effort than if I had waited a little longer to hear clearly from God.

Fortunately for me (and anyone else who can relate to making rash decisions on their own), Jesus models a different way.

Mark 1:35-38 offers an example of how Jesus made decisions – by solitary prayer to listen to the Father and seek his direction from him. If we back up even earlier, we learn from Jesus he understood the importance of by-passing his natural decision-making abilities and rely on the spiritual direction from the Father. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus responds to temptation by saying we rely on the rhema (word) of God, not only on natural provisions.

The rhema of God is the personal utterance for you, in that moment. It’s personal and direct and it takes practice to hear it. Some Christians live their whole life without learning to recognize the rhema of God. Jesus indicates how important it is to sit and listen to God when he rebukes Martha for being worried about the preparation and gives Mary a “free pass” to sit and listen and learn (Luke 10:38-42).

I’m challenged by Jesus’ example in Mark, chapter 1. I’ve spent the last four years becoming comfortable in his presence but I sense the season is coming to an end. In my former pattern, I am apt to move forward in the direction I think God is moving, although sometimes I’m mistaken and have to scramble to catch up again.

After Jesus had been moving in his ministry for some time in the local area, he inquired of the Father about the timing to move forward. After spending some early morning time with the Father, he was resolute in his next step – to move out to the nearby villages because is why he was on earth, to keep extending the kingdom of God.

Other examples of how Jesus listened to the direction of the Father at crucial times in his ministry are when he chose the 12 apostles from among his disciples (Luke 6:12-13), and before he went to the cross as he prayed at Gethsemane (Mark 14:32).

If Jesus didn’t do anything without the Father, how can we expect to manage?

Honor Your Father & Mother

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have good parents –my mom and my dad. Are they perfect? No, but who I am today is a direct [positive] result of how I was raised. At Father’s day last year, I wrote a post called, 5 Ways my Dad Taught me about my Father. It’s one of my favourite posts I’ve written because I love to honour my parents for the way I was raised.

Not everyone has a good family background and you might say your parents never did anything right. If that’s true for you, read along this week as the Kingdom Bloggers each write and honour our parents for the things they did right. By reading with us, our collective prayer for our readers is the Lord will reveal ways your mom or dad did a good thing for you, so you can also give thanks and honour them for even the smallest action.

Ephesians 6:2-3, Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise - so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

Psalms for Sunday - XXXII

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am repudiated; the approval and acceptance I want is absent, or long in coming. Rejection is like a cloak I wear, I hang it up but it keeps returning, like the cat that couldn’t stay away. I am running in circles, going nowhere and seeing no deliverance.

Abortion, like a spirit, killing off the young; the aged not wanting to lose ground or the control they’ve fought their lives to achieve. The old are not safe either; a revolution of euthanasia, to eject the useless lives perceived to have no value any longer.

I run to your presence and feel your arms reach for me. I am accepted here, and I find my peace.

Without Delay But Wait a Moment

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I’m certain reading the Bible is not supposed to feel like condemnation (conviction, yes but condemnation, no) but on my current reading of the gospel of Mark, that is exactly how I feel – condemned and accused.

Mark 1:17-18, 20 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they [Simon & his brother, Andrew] left their nets and followed him...Without delay he called them and they [James & his brother, John] left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

I’ve been impacted by this before because there are markings in my bible surrounding the words I’ve emphasized above. It appears Jesus appeared to them immediately returning to Galilee after his temptation in the desert and neither set of brothers asked questions but dropped everything, literally at their feet, to follow Jesus. No doubt you and I have heard messages at one time or another about following Jesus without any further delay. It’s great in theory but 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to test everything and only keep what is good.

The gospel of Luke writes about it differently. In his gospel, after the temptation of Jesus, he returned to Galilee and started teaching and performing miracles before calling disciples to join him. Perhaps the chronological order is out of sync but even so, according to Luke 5:1-11 Jesus showed up at the marina where Peter, Andrew, James & John were working and was teaching and performing miracles so when Jesus called each of them, they had already seen and heard Jesus in action. It gives a very different perception than the book of Mark and I no longer feel condemnation.

There are still some things to learn from the first disciples. Peter, Andrew, James & John were ready for Jesus. Is there anyone who hasn’t questioned if life is the sum of our job? Haven’t we all wondered if there was more? I think the first disciples asked these questions and they weren’t satisfied with the answers they were looking for so when Jesus taught a fresh message and supported it by acts of power and healing, they reacted quickly. I want to respond quickly when Jesus invites me to come because I’ve already been doing my thinking and I’m ready for what he has to offer. Are you ready? Are you hungry for more?

Secondly, Peter, James and John were with Jesus more than anyone. Being the first disciples seemed to cement their relationship and they are recorded with awesome displays of power being manifested through them in the books of Acts. I can’t help but assume there is a correlation between being early [and eager] adopters of faith and a relationship with Jesus and accomplishing big feats for Jesus. I don’t despise small beginnings but I have great faith for great acts of power and miracles. Miracles are the bi-product of a relationship and time spent with Jesus.

I feel like I am like Peter. I grew up in a Christian home, going to church regularly but I felt there must be more. Like Peter, when I heard Jesus’ message afresh and witnessed miracles, I believed and set my sights on him to follow wherever he leads. We’re in a new reformation of the church, and I’m on board with where it’s going, even if I don’t know all the bumps and turns. Are you?

Everyone Needs Someone

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

When I turned 30, I invited 30 women who have been influencers in my life to join me for a weekend in Whistler, BC. Some were women I’ve known my whole life, like my mother or aunt and others were new friends; some were 50+ years my senior, like Anne Waterton (I wrote about her here) and others were younger than me. As I prepared the invitation list, I counted my blessings because each woman was/is a blessing and an influencer to me. I’ve always put a strong value in having women in my life and I give them opportunity to speak into my life. Many are older and I value their experience and wisdom, and even if my choices are different, I listen and consider their counsel.

This week on Kingdom Bloggers, we are giving honour to someone who has influenced us. Come along with us as we give honour to people who have been special for us and join the conversation and let us know who has influenced you.

Psalms for Sunday - XXXI

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

A miracle is unfolding before my eyes; at first slowly and at times indistinguishable. I might have missed it altogether. But it’s true and it’s happening and you are good. You are marvellous, truly marvellous.

You are worthy of all praise. You are worthy of my praise. You are my praise and my boast. I will declare of your work with my mouth and in movement. Nothing is impossible with God, nothing is beyond his reach. We are not left without salvation.

I am loved, you are loved – more than he detests sin, he loves me. He loves you. Like a rhinoceros on a warpath, nothing will stop the Father from protecting his beloved child. I am the beloved child.

A laugh escapes my mouth because I am free. Free from brokenness, free from shame, free from oppression, free to love God with my whole heart. I am free.

My heart is in danger, not from brokenness as it once was but from the fullness for which it seems cannot be contained. I am full of life; death has no part of me. I sing, I sing because he is marvellous.

What is the Gospel?

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Jesus is explosive, not the man but what he represents. Some could argue he is not safe. Historians and scholars have not come to a consensus about Jesus for 2000. I do not have any thoughts of grandeur that I will be able to make sense of him in a post of 500 words and yet, I’m intrigued by the question, is Jesus safe? When I have questions, I look for answers and I’ve invited you to pick through the gospel of Mark with me to [hopefully] discover new revelation to the age-old debate.

Mark 1:14-15, Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

These are not Jesus’ first recorded words, but they are the first words of Jesus in the book of Mark, and they tell us quite a bit about the course Mark is going to take in his writing. I grew up in the church and these words have been rendered innocuous by their familiarity but they are in fact, quite explosive.

The Jews were waiting for a new kingdom to be established. They assumed the kingdom would overthrow the oppressive Roman government and they would be established as a favoured people – as they had been before. The first statement, the time is fulfilled, carries with it the meaning there is a critical situation that demands a decision. Jesus then explains what decision must be made – change your way of thinking (repent). The kingdom of God is at hand and it looks different than was anticipated. The kingdom of God is at hand and that is the gospel. It is as true now as it was then.

What is the gospel? If the question were asked in a church environment, inevitably someone would answer the gospel is translated ‘good news’. If pressed further to explain what the good news is, someone might clarify it is the death and resurrection of Jesus so our sins are forgiven. Then, after having satisfied the question, the matter would be considered closed. Except...I’m not satisfied, because more than once Jesus is quoted as preaching the gospel and directing his disciples to do the same - and he wasn’t dead yet.

The word ‘gospel’ in Mark 1:15, is the Greek word euangelion and is the equivalent to the Hebrew word bâsowrah, which simply means ‘news’ and it has the implication the messenger is the news. The phrase, “don’t shoot the messenger,” no doubt has its beginnings in ancient culture where indeed if the news were bad, the messenger most likely lost his [or her] life (for example, 2 Samuel 4:10). The inference is clear - Jesus is the gospel; he is the news.

Jesus begins his ministry with this explosive idea and the rest of the book of Mark (and the other gospels) is an account of the kingdom of God in action and why Jesus is the news. Next week, we’ll look at his ministry in an on-going quest to answer the question, is Jesus safe?

I’m learning as I’m writing and I’m interested in other thoughts and ideas about this; start a discussion in the comments.

The Lion or the Lamb?

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I asked a question. Is Jesus safe?

The question is more loaded than I initially thought which is why I’m having a problem to write this post. I couldn’t do it for Friday’s post and I’m not any wiser now after having the weekend to think about it further. But my lack of ability or knowledge has never stopped me from moving headlong into a challenge so I invite you to come along with me for the journey to answer this question, reading through the gospel of Mark to look at the life and works of Jesus. Add to the conversation with your own thoughts and perceptions. This will be a multi-post theme.

I am so familiar with the Christmas story I can easily tune out when I hear, read or listen to sermons on Bible passages pertaining to his birth. I’ve on the story for 30+ years but this year a small fraction of the scripture in Matthew 2:16 gave me cause for pause. Herod ordered all the boys in the vicinity of Bethlehem ages 2 and under be killed. Two thousand years of hindsight later and safely tucked away in our western freedom and culture, we can say Jesus is safe but would the mothers of boys born around the time of Jesus say that?

John 1:1-2 says Jesus is the Word and in Hebrews 4:12 it says the Word is sharper than a double-edged sword, which penetrates and divides. Jesus himself said he came to bring a sword and turn sons & fathers, daughters & mothers against each other (Matthew 10:34-36). Revelation 1:13-16 describes his likeness as eyes of fire, a voice like rushing waters, large enough to hold 7 stars in his right hand and a double-edged sword in his mouth. No wonder John fell as though dead – better to play dead than be dead. These scriptures seem to say Jesus is unsafe.

But what if that’s not the whole picture? The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-26) or the demon-possessed man at Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-20) or the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11) would probably testify that Jesus was the only safe person they had ever known.

Who is right? Could both pictures of Jesus be right? Jesus is called the Lamb of God, but also the Lion of Judah. One is meek and mild – in other words, safe but the other is fierce.

Mark’s gospel jumps right into the start of Jesus’ ministry – at his baptism by his cousin, John. The scene at the baptism opens up the question – is Jesus safe? The heavens were torn open; an act of violence, of rending and dividing and out of the violence descends a dove. The dove is a symbol of peace and tranquility; the dove rests on Jesus. Is Jesus safe? Maybe, but it depends on which side you perceive him. Where Jesus goes, there is a rending and a division but we can’t forget the dove rests on him, also.

There is definitely more to discuss and discover with this topic. I love the challenge to understand both aspects of Jesus – the lion and the lamb. I want to hear your thoughts, too. What is your experience with Jesus? Is he a lion or is he a lamb?

Psalms for Sunday - XXX

2012-01-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

Praise him, all creation. Rejoice with me in the Lamb. He is rising to take up his place, to reign in his kingdom and all the world will see his majesty. He is glorious, and beautiful – the Lamb who was slain.

Press the trumpet to your lips. Prepare your oil, be ready. He comes quickly and those who are waiting will see it.

Is Jesus Safe?

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is my second article post for 2012 and already I’m off the rails. I didn’t want to ignore my regular posting day but I also didn’t want to post something I didn’t fully think through.

I’ve been contemplating the life of Jesus and I want to ask your thoughts on this question - is Jesus safe?

I’ll be back on Tuesday with a regular post and in the interim, watch the video for some food for thought.