Fighting with a friend.

You know, some days you just feel like you need to hit something. To be honest, I didn't wake up thinking I wanted to hit something; in fact, I've been traveling under a little black rain cloud emotionally the past few days. Fighting back was the last thing on my mind. I really wanted to curl up under my covers and hide from the world for a while.


Still, today called for some good old fashioned fighting. Some of my most favorite people came down from Memphis to lead us in a Krav self-defense class and I was signed up for the entire day! I downed a few cups of coffee and made up my mind to have fun. Yes, I actually have fun in these classes.


When I arrived, I discovered that Sam, my favorite instructor, was already there and a "new friend", Jason, was there as well. I find that the guys that come down and lead these classes quickly become some of my favorite people; I think it's because they push me to my limits and teach me to find my inner warrior. 


That's what got me to thinking. Over the years, I've had the privilege to "fight" with a lot of friends through Krav, and the bond that is created is something I truly treasure. We come from all walks of life, and we're as different as night and day...but after a few hours of sparring I feel like I have made a lifetime friend. Why is that?


Is it the intensity with which we train? Is it the shared sweat (and sometimes blood and tears)? Is it the adrenaline rush? I think it's probably all of these and something more.
Something happens when you fight with a friend...I mean the good kind of fight of course. You become a better you.


Proverbs 27:17 - You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. 


I am very thankful for my friends made of steel - both physical and spiritual. During the past two days, I received encouragement from some of my "spiritual sharpeners" as well. They saw my discouraged facebook posts and sent words of encouragement to help me refocus. They prayed for me, (yes - I could tell you guys were lifting me up!) They "fought" alongside me when I was too tired to fight for myself.


I am so thankful today for my friends that "fight with me." They bring out the warrior in me - even when I am tired and discouraged and don't think I can fight the good fight anymore. I am so glad God placed me in a community of believers...and fighters. I love you guys! Thank you for "having my back."


Ecclesiastes 4: 9 - 12 
Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor: 
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Gideon, the reluctant leader

It's time for the Friday Favorite...a Bible story you may already know, but someone may have never heard before.


Today's story is about Gideon, the reluctant leader. I like the way one writer put it, "It gives us hope that if God can use Gideon, He can use anyone." You see, Gideon was not what anyone would have thought of when they thought of "leadership material." 


Times were bad for the Israelites. They had rejected God's law - again. The results were they found themselves under the domination of the Midianites for seven years. Because of Midian, the people of Israel made hideouts in the mountains. Finally, they started to cry out to God. (Ever notice the pattern in this?) God responded with a loving word of correction and then He sent an angel. 


This angel comes down and sits down near where Gideon is threshing wheat in a wine press. The angel of God appeared to him and said, "God is with you, O mighty warrior!" These seem like pretty strange words considering Gideon was hiding at the time. 
It seems that God often chooses reluctant leaders - those who don't see themselves as qualified...those who have no real aspirations of greatness. Gideon was one of those reluctant leaders. 


Gideon said to him, "Me, my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan's the weakest in Manasseh and I'm the runt of the litter."


The story is actually a lot longer, but basically Gideon tore down the altars to Baal and the Asherah poles. Of course, he did all this at night so no one would know it was him....he still didn't see in himself what God saw. 


Then came the time for real battle. The "bad guys" were all camping out in the Valley of Jezreel. God's spirit came over Gideon and he called out to all the other tribes, calling them to battle. Next comes the part of the story we all know...Gideon starts to doubt that God has really called him to be a leader. He asks God for a sign. Gideon will put out a fleece, a sheep skin; and in the morning if the fleece is wet with dew and the ground is dry, he'll know God has really called him.  Of course, that's what happened. When he got up early the next morning, he wrung out the fleece—enough dew to fill a bowl with water!


Then Gideon said to God, "Don't be impatient with me, but let me say one more thing. I want to try another time with the fleece. But this time let the fleece stay dry, while the dew drenches the ground."


God made it happen that very night. Only the fleece was dry while the ground was wet with dew. This is, of course, where we get the phrase "put out a fleece."


Finally Gideon is ready to lead troops into battle. That's when God tells him he has too many men. All he has to do is tell anyone who is afraid that they can go home. Twenty-two companies head home! That leaves only ten companies to fight the battle.


God tells Gideon he still has too many men. Take them down to the river and He'll tell him which ones to send home. By the time the final cut is made, there are only 300 men.


This next part of the story is straight out of Judges 7. 

That night, God told Gideon: "Get up and go down to the camp. I've given it to you. If you have any doubts about going down, go down with Purah your armor bearer; when you hear what they're saying, you'll be bold and confident." He and his armor bearer Purah went down near the place where sentries were posted. Midian and Amalek, all the easterners, were spread out on the plain like a swarm of locusts. And their camels! Past counting, like grains of sand on the seashore!
 ¹³ Gideon arrived just in time to hear a man tell his friend a dream. He said, "I had this dream: A loaf of barley bread tumbled into the Midianite camp. It came to the tent and hit it so hard it collapsed. The tent fell!"
 ¹⁴ His friend said, "This has to be the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite! God has turned Midian—the whole camp!—over to him."
 ¹⁵ When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he went to his knees before God in prayer. Then he went back to the Israelite camp and said, "Get up and get going! God has just given us the Midianite army!"
 ^16-18 He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He gave each man a trumpet and an empty jar, with a torch in the jar. He said, "Watch me and do what I do. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly what I do. When I and those with me blow the trumpets, you also, all around the camp, blow your trumpets and shout, 'For God and for Gideon!'"
 ^19-22 Gideon and his hundred men got to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the sentries had been posted. They blew the trumpets, at the same time smashing the jars they carried. All three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, ready to blow, and shouted, "A sword for God and for Gideon!" They were stationed all around the camp, each man at his post. The whole Midianite camp jumped to its feet. They yelled and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, God aimed each Midianite's sword against his companion, all over the camp. They ran for their lives—to Beth Shittah, toward Zererah, to the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.

Did you catch that last part? The enemy turned on themselves and was destroyed! Now THAT is a battle story! All from a very reluctant leader who wasn't really sure God meant him!

And that is the story of Gideon...a man who didn't see himself as a leader, but in whom God saw something more.

The war is won...and the fight has begun

Today is Resurrection Sunday. Easter. And there is a feeling in the air...of anticipation. Hope!


There have been many Easters before....but this one has a distinct feeling about it that feels - more alive!


As I pondered the meaning behind this "feeling," I got to thinking again about the C.S. Lewis movie, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - (I have no idea why that movie is on my mind!) specifically about the part where Aslan comes back to life. This is such a joyous time! Death has been defeated and Aslan has won! You'd think they would have had a party. Instead, they head directly into battle...a battle that has already begun. The witch, thinking she has won, has declared that she has no need of prisoners - kill them all. 


A battle? Wait...That really doesn't fit with my picture of Easter. A battlefield? Where is the sunshine and lollipops, I mean colored eggs? Where are all the flowers? Where are the pretty new clothes? In my mind, the story sort of ends with the Resurrection celebration. But, of course, it doesn't.


That really got me to thinking. Then, in the recesses of my mind, a verse about a sword started rolling around, begging me to look for more. It is from Luke 22: 36-38. "He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ³⁷ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’^[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
 ³⁸ The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
   “That’s enough!” he replied."


Why did Jesus tell his disciples to get a sword? I asked a few friends and they gave me the same, "I have no idea" kind of stare. Somehow, I had a feeling that verse wasn't talking about a literal, physical sword...but a spiritual one. 


When I got home from Easter lunch with friends, I took the time to do some searching. I found this commentary at Biblegateway.com that confirmed my thinking and explained it this way - "The disciples take Jesus' remarks literally and incorrectly. They note that they have two swords, but Jesus cuts off the discussion. Something is not right, but it is too late to discuss it. As the arrest will show, they have misunderstood. They draw swords then, but Jesus stops their defense in its tracks. He is not telling them to buy swords to wield in physical battle. They will have to provide for themselves and fend for themselves, but not through the shedding of blood. They are being drawn into a great cosmic struggle, and they must fight with spiritual swords and resources. The purchase of swords serves only to picture this coming battle. This fight requires special weapons (Eph 6:10-18)."

^{Ephesians 6:10} Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

That is what I think I was feeling in my spirit...a new start, a new stirring, and a new call to war. It's a call to put on the whole armor of God and take a stand. That's it! 


Happy Easter my friends....it's time for a new beginning. Dreams that were dead, hopes that were gone, situations that seemed hopeless - it's time for new life. The good news is this - this war is already won.

Rebuilding the walls

It's Friday, so that means it's time for a Friday Favorite....a favorite Bible story that many know, but some may have never heard. 


Tonight's story is about a guy named Nehemiah. (I love Nehemiah!) Nehemiah was just a regular guy working away at his regular job when one of his friends arrived from Judah so he asked about how everyone was doing "back at home" as it were. The reply was that things were in bad shape....I'm sure that wasn't what Nehemiah expected to hear. The walls of Jerusalem were in rubble and the city gates were cinders. How could that be? 


After 70 years of captivity, thousands of Jews returned to Jerusalem. Zerrubabel led the return and rebuilt the temple. About 57 years after the dedication of the temple, Ezra led a second group of Jews back to the city and found that those there had fallen into a state of spiritual and moral degradation. Through Ezra's teaching, the people repented and turned once again to God. That had been 14 years earlier, so I can guess that Nehemiah expected that things would finally be better by now. That obviously wasn't the case.


Nehemiah immediately started to pray. He asked for forgiveness for all the people (that whole, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." from 2 Chronicles 7:14) Then he decided to go and ask his boss for time off so he could go and help rebuild the city. Oh...in his words, Nehemiah simply states, "I was the cup bearer to the king."


The king grants Nehemiah a "leave of absence" (how wild is that!) and even gives him letters to help him out in the process because, while you may find it hard to believe, there were those who didn't want Nehemiah to succeed! (Sound like real life?) 


When he got there, Nehemiah went to check things out and then... "Then I gave them my report: "Face it: we're in a bad way here. Jerusalem is a wreck; its gates are burned up. Come—let's build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer." I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up.
    They said, "We're with you. Let's get started." They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.


But remember, there were those who didn't want the city to be restored! There were even those who fought against him so much that Nehemiah had those rebuilding the wall to carry a sword strapped to their side as they worked. Many had to hold a tool in one hand and a spear in the other! Still, they kept praying and they kept working.


In only 52 days, despite the intimidation of his enemies, Nehemiah led the people and they rebuilt the wall. If you read the entire book, you'll find they did some major "house-cleaning" spiritually in the process! 


My favorite part of this story lies in this; the temple had already been rebuilt and people were worshipping...but if you looked at the city, things were still a mess. That's like a lot of people I know...shoot, that's a lot like me! I have been saved and the Spirit of God lives in me, but let's be honest - parts of my life are still a mess! Some of it is my own fault, some of it is residue from years of living in a fallen world, some of it is because of attacks from the enemy....but just because I don't always "look" saved, doesn't mean that the temple hasn't been rebuilt or that I don't love God. It simply means some of the walls are still down and rebuilding takes WORK!


I was reminded of that fact today when I thought of how I had spoken to someone recently. I meant it in love, but I'm sure (thanks to someone else telling me) that my words sounded harsh. I never meant them that way - but evidently that is a part of my "wall" that still has a hole in it. I could sit and beat myself up over this or succumb to the enemies taunts that I'll never get it right...or I can pick up my tools and my spear and keep on working on the wall.


I'd love to think that my "walls" would be rebuilt in only 52 days, but I know it will be a battle and sometimes I don't give it my all so it's probably is going to take a whole lot longer. Thankfully, God doesn't give up on us in the rebuilding process. 


So there you have it....a semi-condensed version of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall. To get the "whole story", you probably want to check out the book of Nehemiah in the Bible. It's the 16th book and you can find it 3 books before Psalms. 

What do birthdays mean?

Since I celebrate my 53rd birthday tomorrow, I've been doing a lot of thinking about just how to handle getting this old. Over the hill, past my prime, etc. Even if a person tries to tell themselves that 50 is the new 30, there echoes in the back of their mind that feeling that makes them cringe...that perhaps they are, in fact, getting old. 


Funny thing is, I remember when I turned 30 feeling pretty much the same way! I even wonder does my father-in-law have those same thoughts now that he's about to turn 83.

Our society celebrates youth, that goes without saying. Even in areas of ministry, we tend to look to the next generation....those who will be the "Joshua" generation and take the promised land. While I in no way want to discount those who have not yet made the trip around the sun as many times as me, I can't help but wonder....am I done? Does God look at me and figure, "Well, she's still alive but I can't really use her for much anymore. Time to look at the next group coming up." Of course, we all know that's ridiculous...but many of us who have made the trip over 40 or 50 times still have those moments. You know the ones I'm talking about, those times when you wonder if your best years are behind you and perhaps you just never fulfilled what God had planned for your life. Those times when you wonder...am I too old to be used by God?

I've often heard that a baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. Not sure how theologically sound that is, but I do believe that every child born is born with a purpose. There are no "accidents". Each life has a purpose in God. That's what got me to thinking about those birthdays again. Perhaps, just perhaps, each passing birthday is God's way of letting us know He's not finished with us yet....He still has a work for us to do...we need to "go on". We may not have the same spring in our step that we once had, but that doesn't mean we're done. Whatever God created you to do, as long as you're still blowing out the candles on the cake, it's not over yet.

The gifts of God are without repentance....and as long as we abide on this earth, we are to use those gifts. Don't think that just because you are older that God won't still fulfill the dream...you know the one I'm talking about...the dream that He placed in your heart years ago...when you still had that spring in your step. God doesn't make mistakes....and He doesn't forget about you or that dream.

God's time table isn't the same as ours, and if you're still alive, then evidently God still has something for you to do. Though it tarries, wait for it. Let your gifts continue to grow and mature...and be used. Allow each passing birthday to serve as a reminder that God is in control and He's not finished with you yet.

For everyone, no matter when it comes, I wish you Happy Birthday! May this birthday bring you assurance that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it....and don't be afraid to continue to dream.

Ephesians 1:11-12 (Message)

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

What's wrong with this one?

This past Sunday, I was invited to share at a nearby church. I was excited to speak; but soon after I got there, I discovered God didn't have me there to speak as much as He had me there to hear.


To begin with, praise and worship was so sweet! I've heard Chadd Watson, a fellow teacher, sing with the students before, but this was the first time I'd had the opportunity to hear him lead in worship. Immediately I was caught up in the sweet sweet spirit of the place and the presence of the Lord.


At the end of the worship time, Chadd stopped to share a story that touched my heart, and I have not been able to quit thinking about it. I was so excited when he agreed to let me share it with you.


Chadd is a wonderful husband and a father of two precious little girls. As a family, they keep a coin jar where he dumps his spare change at the end of each day. About once every three months, they take the change to one of those CoinStar machines and convert the coins to cash so they can have a little fun - maybe a trip to the park, an ice cream treat, or even a train ride at the zoo!


It was at the CoinStar machine that this story took place. As Chadd dumped his change onto the tray, the coins started down the slots. Occasionally a coin would "spit out"  - rejected. Usually all it took was another try and the coin would join all the others in the machine. There was one quarter, however, that just kept getting spit out. 


At first, my friend was a little aggravated. What was wrong with that coin? He thought about taking it home and putting it with some of his other coins, or maybe he'd just use it in the nearby gum machine. Then something made him stop. What was wrong with that coin? He held it up and looked at it more closely. It looked different. It felt different. 


On a hunch, he looked up the coin on his phone. Now he realized what was different about this coin! It had been made the last year that they used silver to make quarters. That 25 cent piece was worth probably about $6.00! 


It was then that it hit him. He had been looking at the coin and wondering, "What is wrong with you," when in fact, he should have been asking, "What is special about you?" As Chadd shared his story, I could feel God nudge my own heart. He went on...it's not just coins we need to look at this way. That person who cuts you off in traffic, that person who is rude to you, that student that drives you crazy (okay, that example wasn't Chadd's; it was mine); instead of asking what is wrong with them, we need to ask for the eyes of Christ so that we can see what is SPECIAL about them.


How will I treat others differently when I see them not as "wrong" but as "special".... designed by God? What if we all started looking at people differently - the way God sees them? Would the world be a different place?


Yep, I thought I went to this church to speak....instead, I think God sent me so that when Chadd shared his story, I could hear. Now I've shared it with you....do me a favor and share it with someone else today. (Thank you again, Chadd...for being who God created you to be!)


Isaiah 64:8 
"Still, God, you are our Father. 
   We're the clay and you're our potter: 
   All of us are what you made us."

Psalm 139:13-16

The Message (MSG)

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother's womb.
   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I'd even lived one day.

This old house...

This was a whirlwind adventure of a weekend with my daughter attending her senior prom. (That's why I haven't been blogging for the past week - I've been getting ready for prom!) Let's just say, proms sure have changed a LOT since I was in school! I survived and she looked absolutely beautiful. 


The evening began with a pre-prom meal at the home of one of the parents - and that's where this blog began. 


When we arrived, I was immediately taken aback with how beautiful their home is. Inside, I was even more impressed with this sweet family's gift of hospitality and decorating sense! To make matters worse - the mom could actually cook! Okay, I was definitely entertaining the envy monster now. Beautiful home, wonderful decor, sweet spirit, AND good food? Why don't I know how to do things like that? 


This morning, I was still thinking about all this and making peace with my own thoughts. I knew I didn't want to entertain the envy monster any longer. I simply don't look good in "envy green." Instead of wishing I had a new house, perhaps I needed to spend some time appreciating the one I have.


This house isn't fancy and doesn't really stand out in a crowd. It's not one of those old homes filled with "character" - it's simply a house that has survived a lot of years, and even a few storms. It was built by one family who raised their children here until they had all moved away and built homes of their own...and it has been our home for over 10 years.


I thought back to when we first prayed to find this house. I remember the kids and I put the lyrics to "Big House" on our fridge and started to pray for our future home. It would be a "big, big house, with lots and lots of room; with a big, big table and lots and lots of food; a big, big yard where we could play football"...and that is just what God provided. How could I not love what God provided? This is His house.


It started to hit me - I needed to take a little better care of that which God has provided. I am guilty of thinking, "Oh, it's old...I can't make it look like those other houses so why try?" Instead, I need to focus on taking care of what I have. For me, that means I need to begin with getting rid of some of the clutter that so easily builds up. "Stuff" just seems to come in uninvited...okay, sometimes I bring it in. At any rate, all that extra stuff makes it frustrating simply trying to live! 


Uh oh....I sense a parallel coming into play. These ideas don't simply apply to my house - they apply to ME as well. It's easy to get caught up in looking at the younger, more beautiful "models" out there and get entirely dis-satisfied with the "house" God gave me! Maybe I need to get rid of the clutter there as well and then taking care of it will be easier and more fulfilling. There's probably a lot of junk that I've let pile up both physically and mentally and life will just be easier if I'll just let it go.


I don't want to look around and think it just doesn't matter since my house is "old." So what if it doesn't stand out in a crowd or seem unique. I want to develop the character that lies within and bring its beauty to light. I want to see with new eyes that see possibility instead of age.


Hospitality - okay, I'm severely challenged here. I like to open all the windows and let in lots of light...but I'm afraid to let people in. I know I'll do something wrong or things won't be perfect and I'll be embarrassed and I'll think it would have been better if I'd just never let anyone in to begin with. I want it to be perfect before I allow others to see inside. I guess anyone can see the parallels in that one.


Then there's the decorating part. Okay, I'm clueless here. Everyone has their gifts, and I have to admit that cooking and decorating are not mine. I like to look at pictures and cooking shows, but I haven't quite figured out how to put it all together. My mom and dad were hard-working, wonderful people...but decorating wasn't something they learned growing up in the Depression. It's kind of difficult to decorate when you're just trying to survive. So, maybe I need to ask for help elsewhere. I can go to those who I've seen display these gifts and ask them where to start! I don't have to go this journey alone...that's why, as one friend said it, God doesn't save us alone. 


So how about it, friends? Anyone out there want to share their advice with someone who is completely clueless about where to start? How about sharing your ideas on how we can bring out the beauty in "this old house." I think I'm ready to stop looking at what others have and start appreciating what is right in front of me.

Psalm 127:1

Unless the LORD builds the house,
   the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
   the guards stand watch in vain.