And I wept...

Sometimes… crying just makes us feel better by providing some sort of release for a built-up energy inside. And sometimes tears just burst out and seem to have no end.

My beloved mom seemed like a pretty emotionally strong person. As a kid, I didn’t see her cry often. But at her mom’s funeral, she wept aloud and she wept hard – I don’t think anything broke my heart more. That is, until my own mom died. Then I never wept so uncontrollably in my whole life. Such overwhelming sadness! Such personal loss…

Why am I bringing up such dark, painful memories now? Especially when beautiful spring weather and Easter Sunday are right around the corner…

Because today is Maundy Thursday. All these gray Lenten days are culminating in a truth that my heart can hardly bear:

Christ Jesus died… for me.

I look back over my life and realize how lost, lost… lost…. And far from God I was. No promise of a beautiful life in heaven on my own merit. No hope at all. Separated from the God of all possibilities…

There’s a passage in Revelations, chapter 5, where, after describing this incredible, beyond human imagination scene unfolding before his eyes, John then hears a booming voice shout:

“Who is worthy to break the seal and open the scroll?” (Rev. 5:2)

John’s response? Read the first line of verse 4:

I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

And I ask you to pause there for a moment. Conjure up a memory of a time when you wept and wept because it felt like there was no hope in overcoming some tremendous,  heartbreaking, emotional pain you were experiencing. And then ponder this deep truth:

Christ Jesus died… for you.

(read each word slowly)

And now – the good news. Continue reading verse 4:

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able…

He is able…

·        Tears may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning

        ·        And He will wipe away every tear from your eyes
        ·        I love you! All  is forgiven

 

 

 

Rain, rain, go away...

 Another gray sky, brown grass day. Hmmph. I waited every day last week for some beautiful, spring-like, renewing “something” to happen so that I could post a refreshing, inspirational message. But I had one ordinary day after another. And here it is – the beginning of a new week and it’s starting off a another gray-brown day.

I guess it can be said of all of us. We want everyone to see us at our very best. Sunny and bright and hopeful and encouraging and light-hearted. But that’s not real life, is it? The truth is: in between the highs and lows, there are some pretty ordinary “blah” days – blah perhaps because we have such high expectations.

But life is constantly moving forward. The highs don’t last, the lows don’t stick around forever (good thing to remember); and these blah end of winter days won’t be here much longer either. Life is constantly cycling through. If there’s one thing you can count on, things are gonna change.

I think I’m going to spend a little time creating my own refreshing moments. Someone posted on facebook the other day a saying – something about I’m tired of being an adult – I’m going to hide in my blanket tent and color! And it got me to thinking about some pure, innocent, childhood fun. What was your favorite childhood toy? (paper dolls) What was your favorite childhood game? ( hmmm… hopscotch?) What was the best movie you ever saw as a child? (Ol’ Yeller) What about favorite childhood food? (of course, it’s ice cream – with banana cut up on it with chocolate syrup!) Goll, I’m feeling better already! Sitting here writing all this down has taken my focus off the gray – brown outside. Could there be a lesson there? Take your eyes (and your thoughts) off the circumstance and turn to something sweet and wonderful. Whatever is lovely – think upon these things. (Phil. 4:8) Apply biblical principles (truth) to your day today.

·         Thoughts of you make me smile – inside and out!

·         Remembering all the good times we’ve shared – miss you!

·         Some of my fondest memories are times spent with you.

 

 

Love Letters

Last night’s evening news ended with a story on some love letters written by former President Bush. Letters saved over the years by Barbara, his daughters, and friends. Beautiful writings expounding on his love and care for them all. Letters saved and cherished over the years. And listening to them read excerpts – you just had to sigh…

Who writes like that anymore? In this day and age of instant messaging, most written expressions of love aren’t even a sentence long. Just a little quip… sent back and forth, and then gone forever. Deleted. Whether its email or texts – one brief line or two used to express the feeling of a deep love. Really? Oh, what a beautiful lost art we have let slide silently away. It’s been a long, long time since the days of long, wordy, love letters from a sailor or soldier stationed far away. A slice of romance – literally gone…

I have a couple things that my mom wrote out. It really takes me back – fills my heart when I look at her handwriting… she’s been gone several years now, and sadly I have forgotten the sound of her voice. But seeing her handwriting brings back a warm, fuzzy feeling of her beautiful mom-love. I can re-remember her.

I also have a bag full of handwritten notes from dear friends. Notes of encouragement and affirmation. Also handwritten. Personally for me notes. Notes of cheer and well-wishes. Notes of love and caring. I enjoy bringing that bag out on occasion and wrapping myself up in all that love. I’ll admit. I’ve had several really nice notes via email and texts as well. But I don’t print them up and add them to the bag… I can’t help but wonder / worry about this next generation – will they grow up without these tangible writings of love affirming their value – reminding them how much they were loved and cherished by someone else?

I know that God’s Story was originally passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation.  People spent a lot of time together telling and re-telling the old, old stories. (Did God somehow know we wouldn’t spend as much time together anymore?) And then God made sure it all got written down. Many letters written since the beginning formation of the church. And the Bible as we know it survived thousands of years. The Bible. God’s Words to us. God’s love letter.

Is there someone you know who would benefit from a written expression of the depth and wholeness of your love for them?

• I am so thankful God brought you into my life
• My days are brighter with you in them. I can’t imagine life without you!
• I love you like crazy! I’ve never been happier!

 

 

 

 

Crazy love

 I have value and worth because it is God Himself Who created me; and by His good plan and purpose – He put me here in this place and time. God, Who loves me like crazy all day and night… Who is always with me – and watching over me – and always caring about me. Blessing me with good gifts. It is true! He never stops being crazy in love over me. He loves and understands my crabby days. Bad hair days. Backsliding days. Fearful days. Acts of kindness days too. Regardless, His love for me never changes. It’s always at it’s biggest, brightest, greatest, broadest. He loved me before I ever committed a sin and He loved me before I ever did any good works. He can not love me more and He will not love me less. Grasp the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this Man really is the Savior of the world.” – John 4:39-42

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” – Ps. 90:14

By God’s measureless grace – you are loved no matter what. And you are valued no matter what. Separate from your career accomplishments (or lack thereof), financial success (or lack thereof), motherhood / fatherhood (or lack thereof), marriage (or lack thereof) – you are loved and valued in all the thens and nows – God, GOD, GOD! Genuinely, tenderly loves you. Like a newborn baby – yeah, like that. God loves you greatly… all the time.

“… his banner over me is love.” – SS 2:5

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zeph. 3:16-18

And don’t forget: “For God so loved … - John 3:16

·        Can’t say it enough: God loves you and so do I!

·        Grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is! Yes, for you!

·        You are safe and secure in the love of Jesus. Don’t ever forget that!

 

 

Living in Confidence

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and thinking during this Lenten season. Questioning myself on what I know and believe. I mean… really, truly, absolutely.

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” – Acts 16:31

I feel pretty confident about that. It’s not just head knowledge. I truly believe in my heart that believing in the Lord and you are saved. And I can live each day in the knowledge that this promise from God is a true promise.

In My Father’s house there are many rooms… I go and prepare one for you… and then I will come back and take you to be with Me. – John 14:2-3

I feel pretty confident with that one too – I have an eternal place in heaven and that Jesus will come and take me there.

But these are only two of many, many promises God has made to you and me. What about some of these others:

How about this truth: “… be confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 1:6

“Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” – Isaiah 49:23

“See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:19

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” – Mark 9:23

 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Now what are you thinking and feeling?  What is happening in your head and heart when you read these words? Aren’t these also true words of God? Like the first two verses I mentioned - true promises we can live in confidence?.Take hold of one of these scripture verses, and claim it – head and heart for yourself today.

Confidence - belief or trust in somebody or something, or in the ability of somebody or something to act in a proper, trustworthy, or reliable manner
 
Trust -  to place confidence in somebody or in somebody's good qualities, especially fairness, truth, honor, or ability

Believe - to be of the opinion that something exists or is a reality, especially when there is no absolute proof of its existence or reality.

Surely - without a doubt or without fail

• You can be safe and secure in the presence of Jesus
• God always knows what to do next
• All of God’s promises are trustworthy and true