Praying Buckets of Freedom Rain Down on You!!

I love the ocean.  I feel so overwhelmingly blessed that I am able to live right on the water.  I am carried away everyday by the sounds, the breeze, and the smell of salt in the air.  As William was working out on the elliptical this week, he asked me, "Can you ever get tired of that view?!"  No, no I don't believe you can!!

Today, for our sabbath rest we decided to head downstairs with a picnic in hand to spend the day just being beach bums!  We had a wonderful time.  William was able to meet some boys on holiday from Saudi Arabia, and Grace played with girls from Portugal and India.  This really is a fascinating place to live!

At one point in the day, I looked up to find Grace standing in the surf, throwing buckets of water back out into the gulf.  As I watched her, I thought to myself, "That child really does some crazy things sometimes."  As soon as it came into my mind, the Lord whispered to me, "Just as crazy as when people try to throw their righteous works up to me, the one who is righteous."  Wow! how often is this the case in my life!  I asked Grace what she was doing, and her reply was, "trying to help the ocean not loose so much water."  Here we are, so small in comparison to the sea raging around us, holding a bucket of self works trying to throw it back so that He doesn't lose too much water.  We are crazy!!  He doesn't need us!  He is trying to lavish us with His love.  All He wants us to do is swim in HIS righteousness....just "be still and know that I AM God!!" (Psalm 46:10)

But it goes beyond this present craziness....we not only work in vain; we employ others around us to join in the toil.  As the day progressed, Grace being the leader that she is, had kids (in the name of service of good works, of course) throwing buckets of water.  The breakdown comes when those following us (our own children for example) no longer desire to work.  They were only working out of obedience or simply to please us, but at some point they will see the futility of striving with no hope of success.  The kids on the beach all went on to do something else leaving Grace alone on a weary task.  Some left the ocean area entirely. 

Are the people that follow us able to see that it is a relationship with the water (God) that is the most important thing?  Or do they simply see that following rules/the law, attending services/meetings, giving and "obedience" are the things that matter to us?  If we are only following rules and working to "help" make ourselves righteous, not only will we be sorely disappointed (as well as physically spent!), we will miss out on the joy of simply bathing in His abounding grace!

Romans 3:20-24 instructs us that we will not be justified by the deeds of the law. "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

In other words, let's stop adding to the gospel!  "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works so that not one may boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

No more throwing water back into the ocean!!  Let's simply trust in His goodness and walk in His grace!  "Where the Spirit of the Lord is - there is freedom!"  2 Corinthians 3:17  AT

Consistent Listening...

We have been at our new apartment for only 2 weeks.  However, it has been long enough that our ears are accustomed to the constant sound of the ocean.  I love it!  It is a wonderful sound and makes me feel good all over! At first, I wondered if I would ever get any work done.  I just wanted to stare out the window and/or take a nap.  My brain kept telling me I was on vacation! 

However, life must go on...and today, Matt left to go back to America on a business trip.  That left me to drive for the first time up to our new church in Ras Al Khaimah.  Okay, everyone that knows me realizes two things about that statement.  One, I have NEVER driven overseas, and two, I have NOOOOO sense of direction!  What I do have is my GPS - aka - Mr. TomTom, but more importantly, I also have William!  He is like his dad and has been telling me where to go since he could talk and realized I was lost.  (which is any time I drive!)

Well, as my "luck" would have it, they are doing construction on the outskirts of Ajman.  I managed to get around it on the way out of town, but on the way back in, I got totally "re-directed" which equals = turned around.  Mr. TomTom had no clue what my problem was because he had not been updated.  His answer was for me to "turn around when possible".  The more I drove the more anxious I began to get, but bless his precious heart, William just began looking around the area.  Then he said, "Mom, we live by the water.  Let's just go in that direction."  He then rolled down the window and paused: "Listen! I hear it" he exclaimed after a few seconds!  "Let's just follow the sound!" 

There was great wisdom in that advice!  Yes, why continue to just drive around? What I needed to do was pause, pray and follow the right sound...HIS "sound"! 

John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."  Do I know the voice of my Master so clearly and amidst traffic, city noise and much distraction, I can pick it out and follow it?  How can I learn to know it that well?...the only way is to daily, consistently with purpose - LISTEN!

Am I spending time listening?  Do I ever get so engulfed that I feel His sound all over me like I do the ocean? 

Psalm 139:17-18 says, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." 

If I really believed that God's thoughts were precious,  I would be quiet and listen so that I could hear them.  If I really believed that God had something to say to me when I wake in the morning, I would be quiet and listen!  If I really believed that He was with me, I would be quiet and LISTEN!

Father, quiet me.  Help me to spend time listening.  Help me to know your voice so well that I can follow it despite distractions, other voices and confusing feelings.  You alone are what I need.  May your voice be the constant rhythm of the ocean in my ears today.  AT     

 

Discover Life

It's crazy how something can be right under your nose for a long time, but you never see it.  We had been in our extended stay hotel around 7 weeks when I noticed that the towels said "Discover Life".  All companies have their slogans, so that was not the unusual thing.  The significance of the motto struck me because during this transition period for our family, the Father has been laying out our new purpose of service.  The big theme He has been revealing to us is "Sharing Life".

I know that a "catch phrase" is supposed to make the customer feel pampered and taken care of in a hotel setting, but the spiritual application just seemed to be smiling at me! 

To add to that...the name of the hotel in Arabic is Al Hayat.  Literally translated this means "The Life".  It is further interesting in my mind because hayat is also a word used in Turkish.  Hayat loosely means:  your current journey; your circumstances or the road you are on.

So here we are...starting this new piece of our journey...in a hotel that is encouraging us to discover life...using phases and words that the Father has already taught us along the way!  It makes you grin...doesn't it!?  "There is nothing new under the sun!"  He just keeps growing us and showing us more of Himself and more of how He desires to work in and through us! 

It is my prayer today that as we get settled into our new country, we will remember that from the outset of our time here in the U.A.E. we were to be a family that discovers life and shares life with those around us.

John 8:12 says, "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

May the light of life shine through us to a world that needs so desperately to know Him!!  May we discover life and lead others to discover true life!  AT

Being Peacemakers

I am a middle child.  Being the only girl in the family, I don't have all the middle child traits, but one I did inherit was peacemaking.  I have this crazy strong desire to almost always want everyone to get along.  I cringe at conflict, and yet I want everything out in the open so people can deal with it and move on.

Being a peacemaker is not the same as having mercy...although they cross over a little with a need for compassion.  In 1997, for my first "real job" I was required to take a ministry type test/evaluation.  Sadly, mercy was not even on my chart....I scored an extreme low.  My world was really black and white then.  I was embarrassed by this reality and began asking the Lord to work in my heart.  It has been many years and I have had to walk through very difficult situations, but I believe the result has been that I have grown in my understanding of compassion, mercy and what it means to be a person of peace.  (Not that I have arrived my any means!!)

One thing that I have learned is that compassion/mercy is not just an "emotion".  It needs to be a heart decision that is bound with wisdom and clear direction from the Father. 

In a similar fashion, a peacemaker is not someone that "just wants all people to agree and get along". A true peacemaker  is someone that has aligned themselves with the Prince of Peace and shares HIS passion:  "that all will become children of God."

Non-believers can show great mercy.  How many wonderful charitable organization are there in the world today?  Believers obviously need to be in the mercy "business", too; however, it is only Christ and those that truly follow Him that can bring peace. 

I recognize that there are some really "hot" topics in America and all over the world today that are tearing at the Christian community.  How can we heal?  How can we unite? 

I am also saddened to see so many Christian families that simply don't know how to work as a team.  How can we work as one?  How can we build each other up?

Here is what I know scripture tells us:  Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." 

Prayer  James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  Am I praying for my fellow believers?  Am I praying for sinners?  And I don't just mean "in general"....I mean by name!  I have been so surprised over the years that when I faithfully pray for a person and over a situation how powerful and effective prayer really is! 
Lov E 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  Am I loving people with whom I disagree?  I don't mean...."I love you because Jesus said I had to love you attitude"...I mean, am I washing people's feet kind of love!  1 Corinthians 13 kind of sacrificial love not expecting anything in return... 
Th A nkfulness Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Am I thankful for my local church or am I only finding fault in its practices and persons?  Am I joining a movement that is determined to bring about unity and restoration or am I condemning and making a divide with my deeds and decisions?  Maybe there are things that need to change, but can I start by making a list of things for which I am thankful?  Am I showing my thankfulness for my spouse and my children?  Have I written them notes of gratitude or verbally shared a thank you for at least one thing today?
Patien Ce Proverbs 19:11 "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."  This verse is not talking about overlooking sin.  Yes, I believe in a biblical manner we need to address sin; however, am I offering grace where it can be blessed onto someone?  So often we ask the Lord for patience.  If we look closely at scripture, we will see that patience comes out of spiritual wisdom.  Where am I being called to be be a rock of long-suffering for someone or some situation?
Agre Ement 2 Samuel 3:12 "Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, 'Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.' ” 
We see all kinds of agreements in the Bible.  Yes, some good and some bad.  What we have to learn to ask ourselves is:  where can I make an agreement with an "opposing party"?  No, I am not willing to compromise my integrity, but where can I allow for a differing of opinion or where can I sacrifice not having all things the way I would like them? 
Hu M ility Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."  In my current situation, what is my goal?  What do I hope to accomplish?  Sometimes asking myself those two questions will show me where my heart is.
Underst A nding Psalms 119:34 "Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart."  Often disagreements happen simply because we didn't truly understand the intentions of the other person.  We assume upon his or her plans & heart attitude.  Let's face it...most of the time we assume the worst instead of offering grace! 
K indness Colossians 3:12 ^"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  Yes, I believe that we are to cloth ourselves with the armor of God!  I recognize that I am daily in a spiritual battle.  I see it around me now more than ever before in my life!  However, do I take the time to also put on the garments of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?  Am I only ready to "rebuke" and "correct" or am I equally ready to show all manner of love?  Part of the armor is "feet that are ready with the gospel of peace". 
Fri E ndship Proverbs 12:26 "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."  I believe we should have many circles of friendships.  I wrote a blog last fall on Relationships.  As believers we need to be very purposeful about boundaries and areas of influence.  We are warned repeatedly throughout the Bible about not all relationships being healthy.  Yes, I believe that there are times when we must break fellowship with people.  However, this should not be something by which we are characterized.  The goal is to be at peace with all men.
Fo R giveness   Psalm 130:4 "But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you."  Where do I need to seek forgiveness today?  Maybe it is with an individual, maybe it is with my family, maybe it is with a group of fellow believers...maybe it is simply with God?  How can we serve Him if we are not a people that seek forgiveness and offer it freely.

Let us be a peacemaking people today.  Let us truly show what it means to be sons and daughters of God.    AT
The acrostic and verses are taken from Truth and Dare.  The questions and "opinions" are mine. :)

How Deep The Father's Love for Us

At the first of the year, just before we left the States, I met a very sweet lady.  She is in a blended marriage and told me a story about her step-daughter.  She felt like she had a great relationship with her 14 year old step-daughter.  They had her in their home every other weekend, and would always plan special family outings and events when she was there.  Everyone got along famously this way for years.  However, when the daughter decided to come and live with them, things didn't go as expected.  The child didn't like living by "rules"; having a schedule; and in general participating in "normal" family everyday living.  In her mind, living with daddy would be "a trip to Six Flags".  Sadly, the young lady decided to go back and live at her mother's house.  I would say that this is not an unusual scenario.  What did surprised me was the woman's "take" on the event.  She ministered to me by explaining:  My husband is a good father.  He thought that by saving the "fun" things for when his daughter was with us that he would be bonding with her and helping her to know how much she was loved.  What happened instead was that she only got to know a portion of who her father is.  Her father is fun, but he is also a disciplined and hard worker. 

Wow, what a testimony to me of my own lack of understanding sometimes of who our Father God truly is.  When things do not go "as I think they should", how often do I question God?  Is He really who I think He is?  Is He really there for me?  Yes and No!  Perhaps I still only know a portion of who He is.... 

Many of you know my ongoing saga with trying to establish a better "exercising lifestyle".  (see my post On to Victory for a laugh.)  Well, yesterday was another "grand experience" on the hotel treadmill.  Just as I would get into a steady jog, the silly thing would stop, and I would have to grab the rails to keep from busting my face!  After about the 3rd time, I was exhausted and frustrated to say the least.  In that moment, God whispered to me, "Sometimes you just need to hold to Me." Normally, in a run you swing your arms at you side; however, following God often means doing things "differently" if even for just a time.  The key is trusting Him to know what is best.   

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  It's not that I don't know Him; it's just that He keeps revealing more of Himself to me. Yes, a life spent walking with Jesus is better than any other.  It is a "trip to Six Flags" and so much more!  However, a life with Him is disciplined, orderly and challenging.  Sometimes you think you are going to bust your face!  However, if we "hold on", he will always show us a better way.  O, how He loves us!    AT   

How Deep The Father's Love for Us Stuart Townend; click to listen on YouTube.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Falling in love with the Word

Want to read a love story?  God's Word is the best love story ever!  Here's the "plot":  I love you; I lost you; and I want you back!!  And the best part about it is:  It's all true, and it is alive!  No matter how many times you read it, God will speak to you and touch your heart over and over!   

You might be saying, "I have tried reading the Bible in the past, but it was difficult and it didn't hold my interest."  Yes, I would agree that there have been times in my life that beginning as well as staying in the Word have been difficult, but just like in any love relationship, you will have to commit yourself.  Sounds tiring, but the benefits of spiritual discipline far outweigh the work.

You might be asking, "Is reading and knowing the Bible really necessary for having a relationship with God?"  Our family is living in a country that has over 200 different nationalities.  I am sorry to say that I do not know people well enough to know the difference between a person from Pakistan and a person from Iran; between a person from India and a person from Malaysia.  However, when I see a Turk or a Korean I know them right off.  Why?  Well, because I have relationships with people in these countries.  I know language, foods, customs, etc.  How can we build a solid relationship with the Almighty?  We start learning His ways...His language...His food...His customs...  How can we best learn those?  His Word!

Another crazy thing about living in a foreign country is learning the money.  The bills and coins are obviously different than U.S. money.  It takes time to memorize the shapes, denominations, colors, etc.  It is important to know the real from the fake, right!!  You better believe that it is one of the first things that we put our hearts into learning when we came overseas.  We didn't want to "lose our shirts" in the market!  How can we know truth?  How can we begin to take delight in God; in a relationship with Him; and in His Word?  Here's my method:

1) Read it!  Take the time daily; read with a plan in mind; and read expecting God to use it in your life!
2) Apply it!  Make small changes in your life one at a time; The Father will direct you.  Listen to Him alone.
3) Pray it!  Our wisdom is limited; pray the prayers that are in scripture; pray the promises
4) Memorize it!  In context I would add...
5) Sing it!  Yes, even with your scruffy voice!  Make a joyful noise!
6) Talk about it!  I have found that being a "teacher" made me a better student.  Share with people around you what you are learning.  AND Ask Questions: ask God, ask yourself, ask friends and others.

Geoffrey Thomas is an Englishman and former "footballer" that has written many things on the importance of knowing and reading the Bible.  He has a pamphlet online entitled Reading the Bible you can click on it if you are interested in more details on the importance of God's Word in your life.  Here is my list of what I believe are important facts to remember about the Bible:

1) It is Authoritative Truth.
2) It is Inspired by God.  
3) It is Applicable for today. 
4) It is Powerful for Creating and Transforming lives.
5) It is Gospel and Redemption centered.
6) It is the primary method God uses to reveal Himself to us.  (Please don't be offended by this; I am one that believes in dreams, visions, etc, too.!)

The gospel of John is my favorite book to read.  I love it for so many reasons, but for today I will share that one thing John reveals to us is that God is the Word.  We need to know the Word and have a relationship with Him.  I'll ask again on this Valentine's Day....Do you want to read a love story?  God's Word is the best love story ever!   A relationship with Him is like no other!  AT

Love Suffers Long...

I'm the mom!  What does that mean on most days?  I'm the teacher, the nurse, the head cook, house administrator, etc. etc.  What does that look like on most days?  I'm the one that brings "reality" back to this "house of fun".  I'm the one that says, "Write your spelling words; take this medicine; peal the potatoes; vacuum the hall" and so on.  That is not to say that Matt is not ultimately in charge.  He is a wonderful leader.  I am just the COO getting it done, if you will, while he is away.  That is also not to say that my kids do not work with joyful hearts.  Some days it is a challenge, but overall we all serve together.  What I am trying to share is that being the mom in a family is not just about kisses and hugs.  Yes, those are needed and abundantly handed out.  However, being "the mom", especially when children are young, usually equals requiring children to do things that do not seem fun or fair.  Yep, sometimes being "the mom" makes you the "meanie".  Hebrews 12:11 says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."  The word discipline does not always mean chastisement or punishment.  Instead, it often means to instruct, educate, disciple, prepare and exercise.  Proverbs 3:12 says, "For whom the LORD loves He reproves (corrects, disciplines), Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights."  We don't often think of love as discipline, yet the Bible clearly tells us that if we love, we will be the trainers of our children.  Love Suffers Long...

Grace has a planter's wart.  We discovered it in September and treated it with an over the counter freeze formula.  After a month, we realized that this had not taken care of the problem; so we saw our doctor who administered a "freezing procedure" in office.  Unfortunately, this did not cure the problem.  In fact, 2 additional warts have come to the surface.  Now, 2-3 times a day, we are soaking her foot, scrapping it and applying a medicine that is basically a chemical burn.  As you can imagine, this is a weary process for all involved.  I truly hate watching Grace have to go through this; however, I love her too much to ignore the problem.  I tell her this all the time.  "Grace I love you and I don't want you to have a worse problem in the future."  During a treatment the other day, she told me, "Mom, love hurts!"  Yes, yes it does baby! However, thankfully, Isaiah 40:29-31 promises us that, "He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Love Suffers Long.... 

Matt's mother has Alzheimer's.  Several years ago, when we first began discussing the topic as a family, Matt's father told us about a story he had read.  In the story, a man's wife was in a nursing home to receive care for her disease.  The husband faithfully visited her everyday.  One day someone asked him, "Why do you come every day?  She doesn't know you or even remember that you came."  The man responded by saying, "Yes, but I know and remember her.  I know who she is to me."  God knows who we are to Him.  He is faithful!  "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1)  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  (Hebrews 10:23)  Love Suffers Long...

Justin Buzzard, the author of Date Your Wife and a the new book Why Cities Matter, was a guest speaker at a fellowship we attended in Dubai last Friday.  He gave an amazing message on the last chapter of Jonah.  I honestly have to say that I had never taken note that only 2 books in the Bible ended with a question:  Lamentations and Jonah.  Both of them question love.  Buzzard challenged us with a question of his own at the end of the meeting:  "How much larger would your life be if your self could become smaller in it?"  In John 3:30 John the Baptist is quoted as saying "He must increase, but I must decrease."  John was trying to teach his disciples that "our life/our ministry" is not what is important.  Christ is all that matters.  In our lives, how many things do we choose to do that we realize will not "give us any credit"; we know we will receive no recognition;  there is no "glory" attached; it will likely cost us something personally; it will bring about hardship and pain; we will never be thanked, etc.?  Not many, if any I would guess!  Yet, this is Christ's example to us.  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a  Love Suffers Long...          AT