"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." ~Paul
I was expounding on the beauty and uniformity of creation to an atheist. I could see that he wanted to believe in a creator but couldn't push past his prejudices. He had carefully constructed scientific arguments that he leveled at me with genuine curiosity mixed with skepticism. I replied to each with a combination of scripture, common sense, and answers I had learned from my own searches. After about fifteen minutes of this spirited conversation, I felt the Holy Spirit take over. I could actually feel the light pouring out my eyes. Sunshine broke through the clouds, tumbled through the skylight and clothed me in gold. I will never forget the look on that man's face. His jaw dropped and his eyes grew round as he exclaimed, "Your AURA is HUGE right now!" I giggled involuntarily, "It's the Holy Spirit. He's one of the best parts of knowing the creator!" God had used me to make himself real to this gentleman. Just by sharing my faith, I began to understand more and more every good thing I have in Christ. How awesome is that?
Since that conversation, this man confessed Jesus as his savior and now his aura is huge too! We still have some pretty lively conversations which I thoroughly enjoy. As a brother, he's another good thing I have in Christ!
"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." ~Paul
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Silly Speculating
"When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested." ~Esther
An orphan that had been raised by her cousin, Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She had been given a year of beauty treatments, special food, seven maids and the best place in the harem. As a favorite of the eunuchs, she was able to use their knowledge of the king when choosing the one thing that she was allowed to take with her from the harem when she was presented to him. I've often speculated what it was that she took that made her memorable to a man who had his choice of any woman in the land.
I've wondered if perhaps it was a musical instrument or a special lotion. There have been times that I've thought a game or a dazzling costume might have intrigued him. Scripture is silent about it and it's not all that "spiritual" to think about but silly speculating is fun sometimes. Whatever it was, she went from being an orphan of exiled parents to the queen of 127 provinces stretching from India to the upper Nile, won the heart of a king, and saved her people from persecution. I doubt it was just the beauty treatments!
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." ~Sons of Korah
An orphan that had been raised by her cousin, Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She had been given a year of beauty treatments, special food, seven maids and the best place in the harem. As a favorite of the eunuchs, she was able to use their knowledge of the king when choosing the one thing that she was allowed to take with her from the harem when she was presented to him. I've often speculated what it was that she took that made her memorable to a man who had his choice of any woman in the land.
I've wondered if perhaps it was a musical instrument or a special lotion. There have been times that I've thought a game or a dazzling costume might have intrigued him. Scripture is silent about it and it's not all that "spiritual" to think about but silly speculating is fun sometimes. Whatever it was, she went from being an orphan of exiled parents to the queen of 127 provinces stretching from India to the upper Nile, won the heart of a king, and saved her people from persecution. I doubt it was just the beauty treatments!
"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." ~Sons of Korah
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Story Motives
"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth." ~Nebuchadnezzar
In the book of Luke I'm told there was a group of people that went to Jesus and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. I've often wondered what their motive was for this. Were they trying to garner his support for an anti-government campaign? Maybe rile him up to become the conquering messiah they wanted him to be? Force his hand? Did they wish to slander the victims because Jesus knew them? He was from Galilee and must have known several Galileans after all. Maybe a sort of "wink, wink" type move. Regardless of their intentions, I'm sure they didn't expect his answer. He said, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~Paul
In the book of Luke I'm told there was a group of people that went to Jesus and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. I've often wondered what their motive was for this. Were they trying to garner his support for an anti-government campaign? Maybe rile him up to become the conquering messiah they wanted him to be? Force his hand? Did they wish to slander the victims because Jesus knew them? He was from Galilee and must have known several Galileans after all. Maybe a sort of "wink, wink" type move. Regardless of their intentions, I'm sure they didn't expect his answer. He said, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~Paul
Monday, September 30, 2013
A Lawyer in Love
Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
I can only imagine how stressful that day must have been for Ruth. When I read her story for the first time and Boaz was going to meet with the elders in accordance with the laws; my heart ached for her. When the kinsman-redeemer that had first rights to her life said he wanted the inheritance, I about choked! A widow, stranger and wife number what?! Poor woman just couldn't seem to catch a break.
I didn't need to fret though, Boaz knew God's word and he used it. He also knew his relative. He skillfully applied the laws of God and the matter was settled. He was a lawyer in love. Ruth became his wife and he spread his protection over her mother-in-law as well. What a wonderful man of generosity, integrity and action!
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." ~The Lord
I can only imagine how stressful that day must have been for Ruth. When I read her story for the first time and Boaz was going to meet with the elders in accordance with the laws; my heart ached for her. When the kinsman-redeemer that had first rights to her life said he wanted the inheritance, I about choked! A widow, stranger and wife number what?! Poor woman just couldn't seem to catch a break.
I didn't need to fret though, Boaz knew God's word and he used it. He also knew his relative. He skillfully applied the laws of God and the matter was settled. He was a lawyer in love. Ruth became his wife and he spread his protection over her mother-in-law as well. What a wonderful man of generosity, integrity and action!
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." ~The Lord
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Evangelist Invite
"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." ~Paul
I've asked the Lord to give me a spirit of urgency regarding the end of my life. I've asked him to give me boldness to speak forth with the power of the Holy Spirit to a world that is in desperate need of hope. So, when I'm in a situation where I can invite someone into the Kingdom of God, why do I invite them to church instead?
I've realized that I should be inviting people to meet Jesus first. Once they've established that relationship, they'll want to meet others that share the Spirit and join the flock that God has called them to. An invitation by an evangelist should be an invite into heaven first!
"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'" ~Jesus
I've asked the Lord to give me a spirit of urgency regarding the end of my life. I've asked him to give me boldness to speak forth with the power of the Holy Spirit to a world that is in desperate need of hope. So, when I'm in a situation where I can invite someone into the Kingdom of God, why do I invite them to church instead?
I've realized that I should be inviting people to meet Jesus first. Once they've established that relationship, they'll want to meet others that share the Spirit and join the flock that God has called them to. An invitation by an evangelist should be an invite into heaven first!
"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'" ~Jesus
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Letting Go
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." ~Genesis
I sat in the front row of my son's wedding and couldn't contain the tears. He was the first of our children to marry. He was leaving his father and I and starting a new family. I was no longer the most important woman in his life and I mourned the loss of that intimacy. His eyes shone as he watched his stunning bride walk down the aisle on the arm of her proud father. Letting go was harder than I had anticipated but it was made easier by my son obeying the Lord and leaving us to be one with his wife.
Fast forward to the present and they have a son and another child on the way. Like all our kids, they have lived within a half hour of the place they spent their whole lives. We've been blessed with having all the members of our family attend birthdays and holidays for several years in a house we built ourselves. That is about to change. My son is moving his family across state and they will start their own traditions. He is beginning a new chapter in their lives. I am mourning the loss of the ordinary but rejoicing with them over the freshness of change. I just wish I could contain the tears!
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." ~Solomon
I sat in the front row of my son's wedding and couldn't contain the tears. He was the first of our children to marry. He was leaving his father and I and starting a new family. I was no longer the most important woman in his life and I mourned the loss of that intimacy. His eyes shone as he watched his stunning bride walk down the aisle on the arm of her proud father. Letting go was harder than I had anticipated but it was made easier by my son obeying the Lord and leaving us to be one with his wife.
Fast forward to the present and they have a son and another child on the way. Like all our kids, they have lived within a half hour of the place they spent their whole lives. We've been blessed with having all the members of our family attend birthdays and holidays for several years in a house we built ourselves. That is about to change. My son is moving his family across state and they will start their own traditions. He is beginning a new chapter in their lives. I am mourning the loss of the ordinary but rejoicing with them over the freshness of change. I just wish I could contain the tears!
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." ~Solomon
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Avoiding Truth
"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." ~ The Lord to Cain
The desire to sin was only waiting for opportunity. It was crouching at the door of my heart just bidding it time. The seed had already sprouted and the battle began in earnest. My thoughts had become entwined with justifications for the soul-deep urge to commit evil. My mind wrestled with the Spirit in a way it never had. I had almost deceived myself into thinking that I was doing what God wanted me to do. Almost. He shouted through the Logos that what I had been planning and longing for was sin. The Spirit of truth never lies. It's like being told not to eat something because it will kill you and spitefully taking a huge bite.
I began to be troubled and couldn't sleep. I was consumed by conflict to the point of despair. I found myself on the edge of the black abyss of depression. A hole I hadn't thrown myself into since Jesus had rescued me from it. All joy and peace had fled. I consoled myself with the thought that no sin had actually occurred. It had all been in my thought process. All in my head, so to speak! It startled me to realize that the only reason it had not taken root was because God had kept it from happening as an answer to prayer. The prayers of a confidant for accountability and my plea to never be led into temptation. Jesus himself had taught me to pray! My Spirit rested and my joy returned.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ~James
The desire to sin was only waiting for opportunity. It was crouching at the door of my heart just bidding it time. The seed had already sprouted and the battle began in earnest. My thoughts had become entwined with justifications for the soul-deep urge to commit evil. My mind wrestled with the Spirit in a way it never had. I had almost deceived myself into thinking that I was doing what God wanted me to do. Almost. He shouted through the Logos that what I had been planning and longing for was sin. The Spirit of truth never lies. It's like being told not to eat something because it will kill you and spitefully taking a huge bite.
I began to be troubled and couldn't sleep. I was consumed by conflict to the point of despair. I found myself on the edge of the black abyss of depression. A hole I hadn't thrown myself into since Jesus had rescued me from it. All joy and peace had fled. I consoled myself with the thought that no sin had actually occurred. It had all been in my thought process. All in my head, so to speak! It startled me to realize that the only reason it had not taken root was because God had kept it from happening as an answer to prayer. The prayers of a confidant for accountability and my plea to never be led into temptation. Jesus himself had taught me to pray! My Spirit rested and my joy returned.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ~James
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