Honor

 

Many of us have experienced it. A bible verse you have read a hundred times suddenly comes alive with new clarity and understanding. Or a well-known biblical concept jumps off the page of your daily devotional. It happened to me just the other day.

The writer was sharing about Old Testament burnt offerings. Done every morning and every night. Every day and every night. By the priest. And I remembered that it was for the atonement of sins. But the writer went a step further and said it was also to serve as holy worship. Worship... God-honoring. Revering. And it made me pause. Because, yes, I do pray to God. I do ask and give thanks. I sing praise songs. And I try to do things that please Him. But the idea of stopping and dropping everything - and taking a moment to just honor the Lord for Who He is - without the asking. Without even the thanking. 

So this morning I took the pause. When the house got quiet, I lit a candle. I looked into the flame. And I said,  "God, You are important to me." No asking. No pleading. No concerns. Not this time. Not in this moment. Just, "God, You are important to me. I stop and drop everything in this moment. To honor You."

HONOR - to regard with great respect

EXALT - to hold someone in very high regard; to think very highly of

REVERE - to feel deep respect or admiration for

I didn't stay long with my candle. I just tried to breathe and stick with my chosen train of thought. 

I wonder what would happen if I chose to add this one simple little God-honoring moment to my mornings. And to my late afternoons. "God, You are important to me."

I believe I want to find out...

Peek-a-boo God

 Like many people, I have a prayer list next to my chair. And in the morning, I lift those folks up in prayer to an almighty God. I pray in confidence and trust that this almighty God is already fully engaged in each person's life. I pray, watching and waiting, to see what almighty God will reveal to us.

Songs, phrases, and circumstances can all trigger additional thoughts (and prayers!) about a person throughout the day. Another reminder to trust and believe in our Lord and Savior, Healer, Helper, Comforter, and Friend.

I do send a card once in a while, to let someone know they are remembered and prayed over. But not every time - can you imagine? There seems to be a constant flow of what many call a "popcorn" prayer - a one-sentence prayer that just pops up - with that person's life in mind. But no one ever really knows how many prayers are said over them because God called them to mind.

The same is true for God's involvement in our lives. There are times when we feel an answered prayer. But innumerable times when God blesses, protects, intervenes... without our realizing it. But we know, we can trust that God is forever faithful. There is a constant flow of His caring, loving attentiveness over each one of us. 

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, know that God has called someone to pray.

Jesus, Himself intercedes.

I pray for them. (John 17:9)

God, Whom I serve... is my witness how constantly I remember you. (Romans 1:9)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:18)

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. (Philippians 1:4)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. (Colossians 1:9)

So watch. Wait. Trust. Believe. With a certain hope - what goodness God will reveal in His time.

If you need some notecards to let someone know you care, visit my card shop:

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/card-shop.html

I struggle with this verse

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I hate to admit it. But this verse comes and visits me more often than I can sometimes stand. One of those in-your-face verses. Makes you think as well as be challenged to examine your motives, attitude, and heart. I also hate to admit that I often quote this verse when someone is telling me their ministry isn't growing, or they would rather be in a different ministry. A bigger one. A more visible results one. Or "I'm doing the same things as her and I'm not getting blessed like her."

But here's the truth. From Jesus.

When Peter saw Him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21:21-22)

What's it to ya?
You must follow Me.

And not compare what you've been called to do, or where you've been called to minister. You've been called to do My bidding. 

I admit I've fallen victim to some of these lies. The comparison lie. The "why aren't You blessing me equally?" lie. And Jesus is having none of it. You obey Me. You follow Me. Never mind what everybody else is doing. What everybody else is getting. Ouch.

Jesus has a calling and a purpose designed exclusively for you - and one for me. You can't do someone else's. And no one can do yours. We gotta all work together - each doing their part.  There is no "ME" in Jesus - only an "US". And in whatever way He calls us, we are to reflect this Jesus to the world. Whether your calling is big or small, God has a purpose for having you, yes, you - there. This time. This place. And He promises to equip everybody.

You've heard it said: If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, start watering your own.

In other words, there is plenty on your own plate as you listen to and obey God daily. Keep your mind and energies steadfast on that.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Are we walking?

 No, this isn't about a new year's resolution about walking. But as I've been reading in Genesis the past few days, I have discovered a distinction between living with God and walking with God.

Now  we know in the bible there are plenty of people who have lived for the Lord. But a couple passages caught my eye and got me to wondering:

(Genesis 5:24) Enoch walked faithfully with God, then he was no more, because God took him away.
And Enoch walk in habitual fellowship with God. (AMPC)
  Enoch walked steadily with God. (MSG)

Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)
Noah walked in habitual fellowship with God.

So I looked up the word "walk" and what I found was so interesting.

WALK - to move at a regular pace by lifting up and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once.

Is that packed with some thought provoking stuff, or what?

I hope you ponder this.

Is your walk with God -

•    at a regular pace?
•    does it involve lifting up?
•    and setting down?
•    and in its own turn (time and place)
•    and how about never having both feet off the ground at once!

In every season of life, in every season, may we be ever walking - walking with the Lord.

Lights! Camera! Action!

LIGHTS!  I recently participated in a research study at M.S.U. to see if light therapy will help alleviate fatigue and changes in mood for breast cancer survivors. I don't really understand the science behind all of it. I just know that after a few days - I felt more like doing things. Like the blind man who confessed, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in the Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see." (Luke 9:11) More light in my life has helped me. 

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

CAMERA! We all love to take pictures. Why? Because they help us remember good times. Precious moments. They uplift and inspire us. Photos to look at again and again. To remember. To re-enjoy. Spending time in the light every day, regularly and consistently, has helped me immensely, in seeing not only a brighter future, but a "can-do" now. 

Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:4)

ACTION! What happened when I remained in the light - day after day? I became energized. The days became full of possibilities. I raked leaves for the first time in years. I've been trying different things. My whole spirit is more light-hearted. Why?

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:4)

The light therapy simply drove home the all-important basis of hope and of living. Jesus is the Light. Jesus is the One we need to soak up, exposure ourselves to every day. Remembering Him every day. He is our energy and strength when we stick with Him.

Just as I remained in the study and received positive results, how much more must we remain in Him to receive all that we need?

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Jesus-up close and personal

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

This passage in today's devotional caught my eye, or maybe I should say my breath:

He can ...grant to those who seek it, the power to subdue their selfish desires and passions

I had to pause and think about that.
But it was the ending that shifted my attention:

Those who continue to seek for purpose and meaning along other corridors of this temporal existence may ultimately find the door to eternal joy and abundance closed shut.

O God, I never want to lose sight of You. I want to lean into You forever. May my connection with You grow stronger. My thoughts, my choices - may I consider You. In my haste I forget to seek Your counsel. In the moment, it looks right, even IS right - but I trusted my own wisdom and counted it as enough.

Should not every questioning thought we have, great or small, begin with - Jesus?

If we would but add that one single word, that Name, to preface our every choice today ...

• Can I afford to buy a few extra groceries this week for the food pantry?
• Can I find the right words to write that long overdue note?
• Should I eat that last piece of cake and just enjoy it?
• Is it okay to say no, stay home, and just relax?
• Should I try to make it to the gym this morning?
• What should I make for supper?

Did you answer those questions easily, quickly, in your mind as you read them? How often do we think the answer is obvious? "I don't need to know what Jesus thinks; what God might have planned..." Or maybe the question is too insignificant to "bother" the Creator with.

How would adding the name of Jesus influence your decisions?

God came down to rescue us, to help us. To infiltrate every aspect of our lives - in love. To bring a joy the world cannot give. And He wants all of you. Not just a specified prayer time, quiet time - then off you go to face the day.

God is ever-present for you.
Will you be ever-present to Him?

Jesus, should I really post this - our conversation?
Jesus, don't you think my examples are lame?
Jesus, is the closing question too direct?
And, Jesus, what's for breakfast?


(the devotional I've been referencing is called Jesus Now by Leslie Brandt)

A Trip to the Zoo

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. (Ruth 1:16)

I saw one family rushing their children through from one exhibit to the next, so they could see every animal on this trip.  Pulling on little arms, they shouted words of excitement and encouragement regarding the next place - while hardly glancing at the current one.

My family strolled where the children wanted to stroll. We lingered or left as the children lingered or left.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. (Ruth 1:16)

My family sat, one minute on the bench, then leaping up to the guard rail of the monkey enclosure - before sitting down again. We pointed, we talked, and laughed. Ran to the guard rail yet again. The sun was bright and warm on our faces. The breeze cool and refreshing. Simple delights.

We didn't get to see everything. We didn't get to do everything. But we sure enjoyed the place we were.

There is a lot to see in this world. I'm not going to be able to see it all. There is a lot to do in this world. I'm not going to be able to do it all. So many choices ...

That's why I think it's important to connect with God, and listen to God's voice. That's why I think He created us, each of us, to each be a part of the whole and not the whole by ourselves. Some do this. Some do that. Take time to enjoy your "this". Take time to do it well. While someone else does their "that" well. And to enjoy. Enjoy whatever the Lord leads you into seeing, tasting, doing. Simple delights have been assigned to you. Abilities have been granted.

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:20-22)

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. (Ruth 1:16)
This passage is from Ruth. But I like to hear God saying it to me. And I feel pretty good when I am able to say it to Him...

Something for everyone

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I have many wonderful memories of my mom - especially Christmas ones. My mom mothered 8 children! They all got married in time. They all had children. So Christmas Day at home was always a houseful! Tables end to end from the dining room into the living room. Plenty of home cooked food and a place for all to sit down together and eat. But one thing that stands out in my mind is her desire that everyone should have a gift to unwrap - no matter how simple or small the gift - something for everyone. Now with such a large family, that added up to quite a bit! How my mom made it happen on such a limited income ... well, some might call it Christmas magic.

But I see it as the love of God - coming down. And just like sending His Son to save the whole world (something for everyone) at the Table, around the Tree ...

Its true, Christmas isn't about the presents. As I watched my mom year after year, I learned its about love, compassion, concern, care, thoughtfulness, and acceptance of one another.

One and all.

Inclusion. Long before it became a buzz word. Long before it needed to be said.

From Mom.
From God.

They so loved the whole world...

Helping you, helping me

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

... let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another ... (Hebrews 10:24-25)


I had coffee with a friend yesterday. She was mentioning how she was sticking to her diet. Tell me more! Tell me more! I'm ready to try anything! Her telling of her commitment inspired me to give it another try.

Another friend was talking to me about going to the gym. I have a membership but have failed numerous times in getting over there. But her talking about going - somehow made me want to go.

Someone I know recently started a new hobby. The excitement and passion over it keeps her hands and mind busy so she isn't doing any unhealthy snacking. Maybe I should find a new hobby too?

When I had cancer last year, the thing that spurred me on the most was the fact the others survived. So I could too.

People meet regularly to talk about addictions or weight loss - their sharing of hits and misses spurs one another along.

You ask my son and he will tell you he joined the army because "Mom, if you can do it, I can do it."

Bible reading and prayer can fall under this category of topics too. That's why there are so many small groups - made up of real, regular, ordinary people - sharing in their doubts and fears and struggles to understand.

Let's not be afraid to talk about our struggles. We might just help someone else along the way. And gain some fresh insight for ourselves.

Let's get together ...

Refreshment, anyone?

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (Deuteronomy 32:2)

Oh, the morning dew! I look out the window and see every single blade of grass moistened by the morning dew. Not one overlooked. Every single blade sparkling in its own way; reflecting in pure beauty the brightness of the sun. Each blade joined with all the rest – all together creating this most wondrous sight!

 If you’ve ever been on a spiritual retreat weekend, you may have experienced something similar: every single person in the room having their “dryness of spirit” watered, quenched. And everyone reflecting the “Son”. Being a part of that “all are one” experience can be, well, delicious! Refreshing! Wondrous! It’s the every single little “one” joining together to magnify the light of the Lord; lifting their faces to the Lord. That is truly sensational on an inner spiritual level.

Dryness. Relieved.

 If you’ve never experienced the whole room of believers sparkling in faith as they drink in the love of the Lord, I encourage you to put a Pilgrimage or other spiritual retreat on this year’s bucket list.

 Here is the link to the website of the one I have been involved with for many years. It is ecumenical despite having “Presbyterian” in the name.

http://mppilgrimage.org/

 Join us, won’t you? And be refreshed like the grass in the morning’s dew.

Ahhh … wouldn’t it be wonderful to have 
 your spirit – sparkle?

Unplugged?

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

… and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. (James 5:16 MSG)

You know that feeling when you forget to plug in your phone to recharge it?

Or so busy and involved that you forget to eat and refuel your body – feeling drained?

Or praying all the way home because you forgot to refill the gas tank?

 Well, how about your spiritual energy?

I’m not talking today about strength in the Lord to get your own self through the day. But spiritual energy for others. The Bible calls it “spiritual fervor” (Romans 12:21).  Specifically, I want to talk about praying for others. The simple act of praying God’s scriptural truths into another’s life.

 Which means reading God’s Word and realizing there may well be a verse or phrase that needs to be prayed into someone’s life. Have you ever read the Bible and thought of that?

 Know someone who needs courage?

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

DEAR LORD, HELP THIS PERSON TO TRULY SENSE YOU GOING BEFORE THEM AND SENSE YOUR CONSTANT PRESENCE. MAY THEY NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED BECAUSE YOU, LORD, ARE ALWAYS, ALWAYS NEAR.

 Know someone with a full plate?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

OH LORD, FOR THIS PERSON TRYING TO BEAR AND HANDLE SO VERY MUCH BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY MUST, MAY THEY ENTRUST THEIR BURDENS TO YOU. MAY THEY SIT AT YOUR FEET AND JUST REST FOR A WHILE. MAY THEIR SOUL, HEART AND MIND INDEED REST IN YOU.

 Know someone anxious / stressed?

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:1-2)

MAY THIS PERSON FULLY RECEIVE YOUR LOVE AND MERCY AT THIS TIME. MAY THEY GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION TO LET GO AND REST IN YOUR PERFECT CARE OF GREEN GRASS, BLUE SKIES, PUFFY CLOUDS AND THE GENTLE, SOOTHING SOUNDS OF THE WATER. MAY THEY BE COMFORTED BY YOU AND  KNOW YOU ARE CARING FOR THEIR EVERY NEED. MAY THEY FIND THE FREEDOM TO RELAX BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVING CARE AND PROVISION.

 When YOU plug in to God’s Word on a regular basis, your ability to pray effectively, personally, is filled up. Charged up. Refueled. Ready to go at a moment’s notice.

 Do you seriously WANT to pray for someone’s specific need – and CAN’T find the words?

Fling open your Bible.

For everyone who asks, receives; all who seek, find; and the door is opened to everyone who knocks. (Luke 11:10 TLB)

 So there you go!

C'mon, c'mon - let's get together

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32) 

I sure love it when my knitting group gets together. We all have a passion for knitting, but we don’t all do the same pattern. Talking, laughing, sharing, helping, encouraging, teaching … we rejoice in what the others are working on, lend a hand when need be, and just be good support for each other as we spend this time together united in heart and mind – for knitting! We don’t all like the same colors or patterns. But it sure is fun to see what the others are steadily working on!

Yes, I can knit alone and I enjoy that too. I can find a variety of patterns online; tips and helps too. I can do pretty good on my own. But it’s not the same as when a whole group of us gather, all of us interested in pursuing different levels of the same thing.

I’m thinking the same can be said of church-going, church attendance, church participation. You can read the bible on your own, pray on your own, sing Christian songs along with the radio, and find online bible studies to follow. And it’s certainly good to do so. But it’s not the same, is it?

When I’m excited, enthusiastic about something, how wonderful when friends join in – just as excited and happy. Full of celebration too!

So, gimme Sunday morning church with its lighting of the candles, tolling of the bells, God's Holy Word read aloud, and a roomful of people singing His praises. And oh my, Holy Communion all together – for EVERYONE who believes. Gimme those people who can rub me the wrong way – that also encourage me when I fail. Gimme those people who are restless for the sermon to end - but also share joys and fears during the coffee hour.  Those who grumble and also have great compassion for others going through a similar thing. What do you love about worship service in church?

As I so love the time with my knitting group, may it also be said of my time in church.

Let's come together.

Let’s build the church up.

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:26)