A Rose Among Thorns

Hello friends! I’m still slightly jet-lagged and bleary-eyed from my week in Australia, but Lauren is all set up and excitedly starting classes. Please remember her in your prayers as this first week is “intensives” which means classes from morning to night. Thanks so much. 

Today I’m posting over at Laced With Grace about an unlikely lesson learned from my friend Rose. Please click here to meet me over there. And be sure to leave a comment!

Highly Favored

Today’s post comes from my friend Barbara Higby over at The Hope Perspective. Her great insight into Mary’s encounter with Gabriel moved me deeply and makes me want to be more like Mary.  


“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28

Mary had plans. She was engaged to be married to an honorable man. Likely, her expectations were to be a faithful wife, a good Jewish mother, and a prudent housewife as a Jehovah worshiping Hebrew woman. Her expectations would be fulfilled, but not as she anticipated. A surprise visit from the angel Gabriel drastically changed the dimension of her dreams. They were no longer confined to the home of a carpenter in Nazareth but took on world shaking significance. 

Gabriel presented Mary with the astonishing news that she would be a virgin mother—a mother of God. How could she wrap her mind around such a thought? The child’s conception would be unnatural, miraculous, inexplicable—an immaculate conception. Mary would never be the same; the world would never be the same. The significance of this prediction would change history. She had but one thing asked of her. The only request the angel made was, “Do not be afraid.”

How could this young girl not fear pregnancy? How could she explain a conception that did not take her virginity? How could she marry when pregnant? How could anyone, Joseph included, believe the truth?

But Mary heeded Gabriel’s words. She set aside her fears and ten verses later we see this highly favored young woman respond as a humble servant. “I am the Lord’s servant…. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

Lord, Director of history, Ruler of earth, omniscient Father, loving Master, Your plan is always greater, bigger, more complex, farther reaching than we can imagine. Help us to internalize that truth so that we will not fear but, in every situation, say with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant…. May it be to me as you have said.”


But I’m Not A Morning Person!

I am not a morning person. I used to be a night owl. But age, kids, and work schedules have changed that for me. Now, you might say I’m strictly an afternoon person.
So when my friend Diane suggested a “ladies bike ride” at 7 am on a Saturday morning – at the shore – an hour away, I was secretly ambivalent. The fellowship sounded awesome, but the early morning hour, well let’s just say, I’m not a morning person. Despite my reservations, I agreed to go. And because I had a bike rack, I was committed.
The night before the ride, I had terrible trouble sleeping. When I finally fell asleep at 4 am, I dreamt that one of the girls cancelled the bike ride. Waves of relief flooded my subconscious REM sleep. When the alarm went off in the predawn darkness, my disappointment was palpable. You mean it was only a dream??? With great reluctance, I lethargically rose, got ready, and headed out. If it wasn’t for that darn bike rack commitment, I think I would have backed out. Have I mentioned that I am just not a morning person? Oy!
Six of us met at the rendezvous point, loaded up our bikes, and headed down the highway. Little by little, my morning brain fog began to dissolve.
We set out on our bikes heading north. A spectacularly glorious day. With the ocean to our right, the bay to our left, the refreshing wind in our faces, and nonstop laughter abounding. 

And I thought – I might have missed it all.
It’s not just the morning hour. I almost let my feelings dictate my actions. It sure wouldn’t have been the first time that happened. So often, I don’t feel like reading the Word OR making that phone call OR going to the homeless ministry OR preparing a Bible lesson OR writing that encouraging card OR going on that health walk OR a host of other things that turn out to be amazing blessings when I do follow through. 
And yet I justify my actions – or lack thereof –
– But I’m just not a morning person.
– But I’m just not organized.
– But my temperament is _______ (fill in the blank.)
– But I don’t have time. 
– But I’m afraid. 
I recently saw this on facebook: 
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” Martin Luther
I’ll add to that – you and I are not only responsible for what we do, but also for what we do not do. 
Paul struggled with this issue – “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, the the evil I do not want to do -this I keep on doing.” Rom 7:19-20 
Thankfully he went on to say “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1 Oh joy! 


But I want more than to be free from God’s condemnation. I want to be obedient. I want to be centered in His will. I want to invest my “talent“, not bury it. (Matt. 25:14-30) I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to experience the rewards of obedience, sensing His peace and His pleasure in my actions. 


If Jesus could endure the cross for the joy that awaited Him (Heb. 12:2), can’t I even roll out of bed for the joy that awaits me? 

Though it may be cliche now, it’s still true. Nike’s slogan “Just Do It!” is echoed in the letter to the Hebrews (Message version):


“… we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Heb 12:1-3 MSG


One act of obedience paves the way for the next. Each time we obey, we make it easier for the next time. So friends, can we all “Just Do It!” 


BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dear friends,


Today is my debut as a contributing writer at the devotional blog, Laced With Grace



Laced With Grace



In New Jersey, we have been devastated by flooding. Today’s post reflects on the how’s and why’s some people suffer yet some are spared. 


Please click the link to visit me over at Laced With Grace. And pretty please leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you, and will respond ;D


Blessings,
Susan

The Unthinkable

The unthinkable happened this week.
A multi-generational tragedy so great there are no words.

We hugged. She wept, “I didn’t sign up for this.”
Pain unimaginable.
Walking wounded.

It can’t be real. These things happen on Law and Order. They happen to other people, not to me, not to us. But on tv, they are resolved in 60 minutes. This will take a lifetime, if it ever is resolved.

The why’s are not for us to know…. Yet.

But He knows what it is to lose a loved One in a violent tragic seeming mistake.

And because He knows – we can trust.

We can have peace that is beyond understanding.
Not peace of the “worry-free” variety.
But peace that comes from a deep assurance that belies common sense. It is uncommon sense.

How do we cope?
Another friend lost her firefighter husband on 9/11. After being bombarded with literature on how to cope, she searched the Scriptures to see what God said about coping. And found that the word “cope” is not in the Bible.
But the word “hope” is.
Nearly two-hundred times.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love…
We wait in hope for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in You.
Psalm 33: 18-22

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

 

How To Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day



What did you first think when you read the title of today’s post?
– Leprechauns? Shamrocks? Pot of gold?
– Drunken revelry? Celebrations out of control?
Green bagels? Green beer? Green painted people?

After working in NYC for years, I’ve seen it all. I find it most curious the way that people “honor” St. Patrick on March 17th. I once witnessed a near-fatal showdown between mounted police and carousing, green-faced partygoers who spilled out of a bar and blocked 33rd St. and nearly became a casualty myself!

Since St. Patricks Day in Ireland is a religious holiday, I wondered how these American traditions developed. MSN.com provided a few answers:

Leprechauns
-In Irish folklore, leprechauns were cranky tricksters who you wouldn’t want to mess with. The cheerful, friendly ‘lil fairy most Americans associate with St. Paddy’s Day stems from a 1959 Walt Disney film called Darby O’Gill & the Little People. The Americanized, good-natured leprechaun soon became a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland in general.

Shamrocks
– You may have worn a shamrock tattoo or donned a clover-covered necklace on some St. Patrick’s Day past. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick used a three-leaved clover, or shamrock, to illustrate the idea of the Holy Trinity, versus the good luck associated with the four-leaved variety, a mistake many Americans make.

Green Milk Shake
– Introduced in 1970, and discontinued in 1990, the deliciously minty McDonald’s Shamrock Shake returned to select stores in 2008. Only available for the month of March, the shake has received rave reviews by milkshake connoisseurs, who have entire websites dedicated to finding all of the shake-selling McDonald’s outposts.

Chicago’s Green River
– Chicago has dyed its river green for St. Patrick’s Day every year since 1962, when city workers realized that the dye they used to trace illegal dumping would provide a fun way to celebrate the holiday. They released 100 pounds of dye into the river, which kept it green for an entire week. Chicago now uses just enough dye to last one day in order to be kinder to Mother Earth.

Parades
– The First St. Paddy’s Parade didn’t take place in Ireland but in the U.S. in 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through the New York City streets playing music. In America today, New York, Boston and Chicago boast the biggest St. Paddy’s Day parades, with New York being the longest-running civilian parade in the world. (Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is a wee 75 years old.)

Drinking … a Lot
– While Americans associate St. Paddy’s with binge drinking, the Irish consider it a religious holiday. Until the 1970s, a law required all Irish pubs to close every March 17th. Drinking on St. Paddy’s really only became popular in Ireland post-1995, with the start of a national campaign to attract tourists for the holiday. It worked — over a million people now attend Dublin’s five-day festival.

Corned Beef
– Those who celebrate old-school by eating a meal of corned beef and cabbage are only really getting it partly right: The dish was originally eaten with bacon, not corned beef. Irish immigrants in America couldn’t afford the traditional bacon, so they substituted it with corned beef, a cheaper option they picked up from their Jewish neighbors. (Too bad they didn’t grab some bagels while they were at it!)

The prayer of St. Patrick adds the right perspective to this celebratory day. After reading the words and sensing the heart of this godly man, it grieves me to see the misunderstanding that the celebration of his life has become.

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear for me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
Christ be with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Oh that Christ would flow through me in such a way that people would see Him when they “think of me, speak of me, see me, or hear me.” May your day today be filled with His presence. And may His presence flow through you to those around you today and everyday.


Stuff

I heard a song recently that struck a chord with me. It wasn’t the tune which got me. In fact, when I first heard it, I was ready to dismiss the song as fluff, “gospel-lite”, not worthy of my attention. But the words convicted me deeply.
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Too often, I’m derailed by small things, things that are so trivial it’s embarrassing to admit I’m bothered by them, “stuff” as Francesca Battistelli calls them. In a world where people experience deep suffering, why do I allow these small matters to rob me of joy and peace?
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The Bible refers to small annoyances such as these as “little foxes that ruin vineyards.” Song of Sol 2:15
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Many small things have great impact.
• A poor widow donated two small coins and was honored for it.
• A young boy shared a lunch of two small fish and five loaves, and it was used to feed thousands.
• The mustard seed is the “smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants…” Mk. 4:31-32
• “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Jms 3:5
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Small things can have large consequences — negative ones or positive ones — depending upon our response to them. We’re given a choice: to just be irritated OR to allow God to use these irritations to shape our character like a file smooths a rough surface.
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This is the Stuff – Francesca Battistelli
I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please ‘Cuz I can’t find my phone
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This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
So break me of impatience my frustrations
I’ve got a new appreciation
It’s not the end of the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HteoxWzAT8

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The Perfect Comeback

I almost did it.
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Have you, like me, ever yearned for a perfect comeback to someone discourteous, but couldn’t think of a thing until hours later, and only then after mulling over all possible options for hours?
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Today, I almost had my moment.
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Of course, it’s a dicey situation, isn’t it? What if that person walks into my office tomorrow or my church on Sunday, not to mention the fact that I represent Jesus who is always with me. But today, as I muttered to my steering wheel, it came to me. The perfect comeback. And I almost had the opportunity to express it.
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Here’s how it all went down:
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I met my husband and son at the Post Office needing to renew our three passports. The clerk, Ann, had just taken their mug shots photos and seemed a little annoyed that she had to stay in the chilly lobby to take yet another one. [OK, I get that.]
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My husband’s joke, “Can I get a different background?” was met by stony silence. No smile, headshake, or even an acknowledgement that he had spoken, despite the chuckles of other patrons stamping their letters nearby.
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After my quick headshot, we returned to her station to proceed with the paperwork. Tony reminded her to process my son’s application first because he needed to leave quickly. Her steely-eyed glare was almost as cold as her reply, “I heard you the first time.” Ouch, that was a little harsh, but giving her the benefit of the doubt, my husband can have a tendency to make sure things are done “right.” [Luv ya, hon ;D]
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As she continued to process the many papers, photos, and payments, her attitude continued to deteriorate from abrupt to curt to downright churlish.
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Tony and I walked away mumbling to each other about her. My photo horrified me. For the next 10 years, I will be identified by a ghastly auburn slash of bang bisecting my forehead. Come on, I’m a girl, you’re a girl, can’t you clue me in before you snap?
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But later I had to return to mail the applications with a “traceable delivery method” and I would have my chance. At least I thought I would. Here’s how I had it worked out in my head:
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“Hi, again. Are you having a bad day today? Because I’d like to pray for you.” [genuine sweet smile]
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“Hmmmpphhh…”

But if you’re just ordinarily surly, I’ll pray differently for you. [wink, not so genuine huge sweet smile] Thank you so much. Have a great day.”
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When I returned to the scene of the crime, alas, at clerk Ann’s counter stood Charles; Ann nowhere to be seen, perhaps gone for the day. The momentary disappointment that I wouldn’t get my chance for the perfect comeback was partnered with a flood of relief that I couldn’t share that perfect comeback.


In the movie, You’ve Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) longs to hurl a perfect comeback to her adversary, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks). Only when she finally does, it came with the realization that her words left her feeling worse for having said them. “Do you ever feel like you’ve become the worst version of yourself? That a Pandora’s Box of all the secret hateful parts — your arrogance, your spite, your condescension — has sprung open. Someone provokes you, and instead of just smiling and moving on, you zing them. I didn’t get any satisfaction from it,” she types, “I just felt mean. When you say the thing you mean to say at the moment you mean to say it, remorse inevitably follows.” I knew I’d feel the same way.

So, what is the perfect comeback? It is to come back to the Lord and allow Him take care of any consequences my “adversary” deserves. I spent half my day invisibly tethered to a mean-spirited postal worker. What a waste of time and energy.

Instead, I decided to honestly pray for her. You never know why God puts certain people in your path, and it may be that I’m the only one praying for her. For the next 10 years, my bifurcated forehead photo will serve as a reminder, not just to pray for Ann and others like her, but to keep turning the other cheek, going the second mile, and loving the unlovely, for as Jesus said, “If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? …In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Mt. 5:46-48 MSG



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Draw Near


Thanks to Lynn Mosher of Heading Home for sharing this excellent post. What an awesome God that woos us to draw near.

Draw nigh to God…
…in holiness
Draw nigh in repentance, for the forgiveness of sins
Draw near…
…in silent adoration
Draw near in unrestrained awe and praise
Draw close to the Lord…

…to that Intimate Friend
Draw close to the Beloved of your soul

Draw alongside…
…kneeling as a petitioner
Draw alongside as a listener, in deepest affection

Draw closer still to the Babe in the manger…
…listen to the sweet sounds of the Newborn, as a foreshadowing of grievous sobs for a world of sinners
…smell the scent of the timbered cradle, as a harbinger of the distinctive fragrance of a destined, wooden cross
…see the Babe’s tiny hands reaching out, as impending vessels for prophetic iron spikes
…hear the gentle beat of His humble heart, as the antithesis of the future, rhythmic clanking of a metal hammer

Draw near to receive…
…a salvation so freely offered
…the power and strength you are lacking
…the guidance necessary to proceed through life’s events
…the tender touches of love to ease your pain and suffering
…overflowing streams of peace into your tired and hurting soul
…words of comfort and encouragement to soothe your broken heart and wipe away your tears

Draw near…
…in moments of anger
…in moments of praise

Draw near…
…in moments of emergency
…in moments of stillness

Draw near…
…in moments of deep sorrow
…in moments of great joy

Draw near…
…in moments of despair
…in moments of thankfulness

“Something better has been brought to us. It is God’s promise. And by that promise we come near to God.” (Heb. 7:19b Worldwide English) Therefore, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22 NKJV)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8 NKJV)

Draw near to the King of heaven and earth! Draw near to sing Happy Birthday!

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A Prophecy of Peace

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Into the turmoil of our world, our families, our hearts, comes One who is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These names of the promised Messiah who came on Christmas always rivet my attention when reading this prophetic passage in Isaiah. Reflection on any one of those names stirs wonder within and calms my heart. But this Advent season a different phrase brought the peace into my unsettled world.
“The government will be on his shoulders.”
Like a placard, the words hung over a door through which too many uninvited concerns had paraded. Concerns that demanded urgent attention, shouted threats, and bullied my composure. Now the words of Scripture blocked out the noise and boldly declared, “The government of life, the government of your life, is not on your shoulders, they are on mine.”
The dictionary helps us understand what it means for the Lord to govern our lives:



• He exercises continuous sovereign authority over us


• He controls, directs, and strongly influences the actions that touch our lives


• He exerts a determining influence over us


• He holds our lives in check


• He prevails and has a decisive influence over our lives


Verse seven elucidates the blessings of our Lord’s government – nothing falls outside His influence (no end to the increase of his government), He rules with peace, justice and righteousness, and He is zealous to govern and accomplish His perfect will.

The Messiah has come and the government is on His shoulders. Let us rest under His loving reign until He returns to free us from the conflicts of this world and bring us into His Kingdom.

 

Today’s post comes from gifted writer and leader of our local writers group, Barbara Higby of The Hope Perspective.