Windows to My Soul (via Mowser)

Friday, July 25, 2008

To Be Home With Him

"And we are not afraid but are quite content to die, for then we will be at home with the Lord."
~ 2 Corinthians 5:8 (TLB)

Just received news that an old dear friend of ours, and precious saint in the Lord, died from ovarian cancer. The funeral is tomorrow.

I've been remembering her love for God and all His people. Remembering, too, how God used this particular friend to water the writing seed in me years ago. While no one else took my writing bug seriously, Dot came (seemingly) out of the blue to encourage me. Funny, but I don't remember telling her. She had amazing discernment. After talking with Dot one night after choir practice, she pulled me into a corner to pray, that the Lord would open doors for me to write, that He would give me the words, that the words would flourish and point others to Him, that I'd learn to put all my trust in Him, no matter what.

I had no idea how all this would come to pass. For the longest time, I focused way too much on my inadequacies and stumbled around. I even gave up writing for several years. But this dear soul prayed until my doubts turned into faith. The inkling grew. She made sure I had a Writer's Digest every month, sent money for my first writer's conference, and provided "stamp money" so that I was without excuse when it came time to mail my submissions. Because of Dot Lee, my faith has been stretched in several directions. She showed patience with me. Oh, but I could tell you oodles of stories of how she tirelessly helped and encouraged everyone I knew, even in the midst of her own hardships.

Dot's faith blessed my heart and my family. I miss her. But I'm rejoicing that she is finally in her Savior's embrace. This is a woman who lived to shed joy on others.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Abiding is Not About Church Attendance

I think some of us have confused going to church (a building) with being the Church (the Body of Christ, all true believers). This comes to mind as I recall and pray for the persecuted Church in other regions of the world.

Other countries are filled with believers who can't meet for weekly Christian fellowship because of harsh persecution. Have they fallen away because they don't attend church? Of course not. These believers learn to stay intimately connected to the Head, which is Christ our Lord. Their fellowship with Him is constant and sweet, and we admire such strong faith sometimes without understanding the depths to which they're abiding in Him through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

Here in the West, we often hear, "I need to get back to church; my attitude has suffered lately." Or, "God won't bless me if I miss church on Sunday, or if I forget to tithe, or if this or that..." These attitudes seem to reflect more superstition than a true understanding of our ongoing relationship with God through Christ. Sure, we can squeeze another bible study into our crammed schedules if we want to, or make sure we're in church every time the doors open. In all these things we appear as devoted disciples, but unless we're abiding in Him to start with, it's just religious activity.

The other day I heard, "Josie stopped coming to church - better pray - she's out of fellowship with the Lord, you know." Not only did the person not have a clue as to the real reason Josie stopped coming to church, it was somewhat arrogant to make an assumption. Church attendance is not the barometer of our spiritual condition.

I'm pleading that we don't look to church gatherings, worship services, meetings, and bible studies as our life source. Our only Life Source is Jesus Christ. The person anchored in Him will continue to abide in Him, whatever we may think of their Christian activities (or lack thereof).

Something else. The Lord may call certain ones of us to a season of rest and solitude so we'll learn to fellowship more deeply with Him - away from the institution of church. Maybe we're tired of what's being done in His name, or maybe it's time to pull back. People will misjudge; that's okay. But what about the shut-ins with chronic health issues? Those who don't live near a good Christ-centered church? Those who've suffered unbearable legalism in their church and need to leave in order to heal? These folks have the opportunity to trust and abide in Christ like never before. Oh, that we wouldn't heap coals on their head by misjudging!

This is not a post to endorse lone ranger Christians; I'm empathetic to our struggles. Fellowship with other believers, of course, is a precious thing, something to enjoy as we're able and as God provides. He reminds us in His Word not to forsake the assembling together, but nowhere does He tell us that this assembling must take place in the Mega complex down the street. Let us not discount the beautiful fellowship of "two or more" gathered in His name. If nothing else, we don't have to plunge to our despair if fellowship with others is temporarily interrupted. At times like these we find that Christ alone is not cliche, but Sustenance.

Times of persecution are on the rise. It's going to get worse. Just as we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God, I hope we know that nothing can take the place of abiding in Him.

graphic provided by Heartlight.org

Saturday, July 19, 2008

I See Parched People...

I've never known a thirsty person to refuse a glass of water. Especially in the summer. When we're parched, we drink. To keep from getting parched, we drink often. Water keeps us hydrated and cleansed. It impacts our bodies on a cellular level, but we don't have to understand molecular biology to know that we can die without water.

Still, I see parched people. Every day Living Water offers Himself to us continually, yet for some reason we reach for other things.

My last post mentions abiding. To abide, it's necessary that we nest in His Word to drink of His goodness and grace. During this daily inward renewal, we come just as we are, confessing our need for His provision. We worship quietly before Him with an opened bible, letting the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts as He continues His work of transformation in us. But not only that, He meets our deepest need for love and acceptance and we're freed from striving. I love how personal worship, prayer, and bible reading is not about any sense of "duty," but instead, something we do to commune with Him. We realize full well that His Word cleanses and hydrates us down to the innermost parts of our being, and this is something we need oh-so-daily!

Do we understand how the Holy Spirit refreshes us? No, we just drink. It's a part of every day in the life of the believer. If we turn away from such an elemental need for spiritual sustenance, we forfeit His loving and free provision. Now who of us can afford to refuse Living Water? I can't.

Are you weary? Overwhelmed? Hurting? Feeling empty?

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." ~ John 7: 37

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
~ Psalm 63:1
~~~

graphic courtesy of Heartlight.org

Friday, July 18, 2008

Abiding: It's 24/7

"Self-awareness is the first thing that will upset the completeness of our life in God, and self-awareness continually produces a sense of struggling and turmoil in our lives." ~ Oswald Chambers

When my life is unraveling, it's important to let the Lord re-establish my rest in Him. I take Oswald Chamber's mention of "self-awareness" to mean those times when I'm too caught up with self and feelings. It's important to ask (quickly) for the Lord to place His awareness in me before the pity party takes over. Getting stuck in self mode is just an unhealthy way to live. It's destructive. Chambers calls self-pity satanic. Ironically, if we try to overcome it ourselves, we only strengthen it.

Looking to Jesus is the remedy. Again and again, He offers, "Come to Me and I will give you rest." Sometimes it's not until we grow absolutely sick of our ways (or struggles) that we finally respond to Him. But the turmoil ends the moment we meet His gaze. He renews us deep within. He steadies our heart. We start to realize we can't possibly live without Him, but with Him - all things are possible.

The healthy life, this Life in Christ, is always about abiding in Him.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Suffering in China is Intense

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you...If they persecuted Me they will persecute you...for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:19-21

It's been awhile since I've posted about our persecuted brethren around the world. My heart is particularly heavy for believers in China right now. There are reports that religious persecution in China is increasing as the Olympics draw near (Aug. 8-24, 2008).

"The eyes of the world will soon be on the Olympics. But the eyes of God remain on His children and especially those who suffer for their faith.

Despite what you may hear in the news, Chinese Christians who refuse to register with the government controlled church are being persecuted. Many have undergone horrific suffering.

Recently a prominent representative of a group of house churches in China asked Christians throughout the free world to pray for China during the Olympics. The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with China Aid Associates, has accepted that call and has produced the Olympic Prayer Band. We would like to invite you to request one for free to wear during the Olympics. Similar prayer bands will also be distributed to house church Christians in China and they will be praying for you as well."

Christian Persecution Persists Ahead of Beijing Olympics
China Crackdown Hits House Churches Hard
China Funds Campaign to Eliminate House Churches
Over 100 Foreign Missionaries Expelled from China
More China Persecution Info

Will you join me in praying for China? I'm praying our hearts will be moved with compassion.

Voice of the Martyrs will gladly provide prayer bands (like the one above) just for the asking. Feel free to order in multiple quantities to share with your friends or your entire church. Let others know who might want to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Communist China.

Order China prayer bracelets here:
I want to pray for China too!

Bob Fu's Incredible Testimony

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

To See the Son

How much does one reveal on her own blog? I guess enough to let you know I'm broken. But as one who is broken, I am leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Please never look to me. Look to Jesus.

Thank you for praying, caring, and sharing your own heart here. The comment section ministers to us all. I've not been on vacation; I've been heartbroken. There comes a time when writing has to stop while the Lord tends to my wounds. He strengthens my trust. He restores my hope. And, not to sound melodramatic, He is gently ripping away a protective layer that I've been hiding under.

So, Lord willing, I'm back.

Spiritual truth isn't what we learn by reading or writing blogs. We're shaped by Him as we get in stride with Him, but that won't happen by personal effort. It's about abiding. Trusting. Responding to His grace movement in my life; trusting in His provision to meet all my needs, one way or the other. Again this week He reminds me that His grace towards me is not in vain, even though I have failed in many ways. Jesus is the only person in my life who never writes me off when I mess up.

Halleluiah, I see the Son again.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Summer Blessings

Posted HERE today. Taking a short blog break. If you need to reach me, just email.

God's love and grace to you.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Something to Smile About

This page contained an embedded video. Click here to view it.

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord," says the book of Genesis. Learn from this devotional how God's favor on your life isn't determined by how good you are. It's all about His goodness, not yours.

Genesis 6:8

Monday, June 30, 2008

Varied Roles but One Purpose

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." ~Ephesians 4: 11-13 (ESV)

Ministry must lead others to the simplicity found in Christ; all else is mere distraction. Wherever we fit in the body of Christ, may our purpose be one and the same - to point others to Him. Jesus Himself will then do what is needed. He will purge, strengthen, equip, and reveal Himself. He will pour out His grace. He will draw us to Himself.

"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." ~ John 12:32

Friday, June 27, 2008

Happy Birthday, Son

To my firstborn, my child who "grew up" with me: It's been 34 years since I first held you in my own young arms. At 18, I might have been naive and inexperienced, but I was also filled with joy and awe to call you my own. Having you changed my life in ways I'll be forever grateful. You're a blessing to everyone who knows you, Son. You're a wonderful son and we're thankful for you.

Happy Birthday! We love you!