Music - melodies, rhythms, lyrics, harmonies - all combined those elements have affects on us like nothing else. I have passionately loved music as long as I can remember - from the music of Simon and Garfunkel, The Carpenters and The Eagles that my parents listened to in the 70's and the infamous boy/hair bands (still love Bon Jovi!!) from the 80's to my current play lists, not a day goes by without a song in my head and my heart.
Music somehow transcends us to another place, another attitude, another memory...and that can be good or bad depending on where we are and where we are going. Music can make us laugh or cry, give us hope, or connect us with another person - or God. I love the way a friend of mine described music. She said it leaves footprints. I like that.
I have felt the gentle press to work on a Bible study about music. It's been a long time since I have written - or felt like writing. But somehow I can't ignore this tug at my heart. Music is God - ordained and God- organized. Sometimes man messes it up and distorts it, but sometimes man has an inspiration of the Holy Spirit and gets it right. When that happens a song will sing to hearts in ways that are difficult to describe. When a song sings to my heart and soul, I feel it to the depths of my being. I might not be able to put it in intelligible words, but it resonates and worship happens.
You and I were created with a need to sing. Sometimes it is the only way we can express our feelings. And in my case, someone else has been gifted with the ability to pen the emotions I feel, but don't know how to say. So I sing along and you probably do too.
Here is what is currently blaring in my ears :
If you put your arms around me, could it change the way I feel?
I guess I let myself believe that the outside might just bleed its way in.
Maybe stir the sleeping past, lying under glass, waiting for the kiss that
breaks this awful spell to pull me out of this lonely cell.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something...
Change this normal into something beautiful.
What I get from my reflection isn't what I thought I'd see.
Give me reason to believe you'd never keep me incomplete.
Will you untie this loss of mine, it so easily defines me.
Do you see it on my face? And all I can think about is how long
I've been waiting to feel you move me.
Close my eyes and hold my heart.
Cover me and make me something..
Change this something normal into something beautiful.
And I'm still fighting for the Word to break these chains and I still pray when I look in your eyes that you'll stare right back down into something beautiful.
I'm sure if you have stuck with me for this long, you probably guessed it's a Jars of Clay http://jarsofclay.com/ song. I love it because I think it delicately describes the transformation for which so many with authentic faith are desperate. One of the members of Jars describes songs as "living." They take on lives of themselves - and their meaning changes over time through experiences. I can certainly testify to that one.
So the next time you sing, think about what you are singing and why you are singing it. Reflect on the words, listen to the depths, and drink in the meanings...and when you think have it figured out, it might just change on you - or it might change you.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A Faithful Family
This morning in worship I was overwhelmed as I looked around me. I saw faces of all different ages and stages of life, different races, and different personalities, yet we all worshipped the same God together. I felt surrounded and encompassed by the love of my church family. I also felt many of their hurts, pains, and fears.
That's what family does - we love and we take care of each other. From the very beginning way back in Numbers 10, God commanded the "entire community" to gather together at the Tent of Meeting for worship. We can also see the same unity and worship in the early church in Acts as they loved, supported and encouraged each other.
This morning all around me were many brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring today trials and storms of all sorts including health issues, financial issues, addictions, persecutions, and crises of their faith. On the other hand, I also see faces of those who have found liberty in Christ and healing for their wounds for many of the same problems. Their triumphs and victories encourage me each time I see them.
It's not an accident that we are all on this path together. God knew thousands of years ago that we would need to live as family and community helping one another, praying together, ministering to each other and simply just being there together through this journey of life. Sometimes just seeing a face in our church family and knowing that person survived the road you are walking now is enough of a reminder of God's faithfulness.
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness in my life and for how He has demonstrated that through His own people in our church family. As we gather to worship each week, lets be reminded that our lives are constant living testimonies. If we have passed a significant landmark, we should be reaching back for those behind us showing them the way. If we are struggling to make it to the next landmark, there are many around us to look to for examples of God's grace and mercy..
FBC Family - I love you and I'm thankful for each of you that have poured into my life. May we all be faithful to pour out on another and be a faithful family!
That's what family does - we love and we take care of each other. From the very beginning way back in Numbers 10, God commanded the "entire community" to gather together at the Tent of Meeting for worship. We can also see the same unity and worship in the early church in Acts as they loved, supported and encouraged each other.
This morning all around me were many brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring today trials and storms of all sorts including health issues, financial issues, addictions, persecutions, and crises of their faith. On the other hand, I also see faces of those who have found liberty in Christ and healing for their wounds for many of the same problems. Their triumphs and victories encourage me each time I see them.
It's not an accident that we are all on this path together. God knew thousands of years ago that we would need to live as family and community helping one another, praying together, ministering to each other and simply just being there together through this journey of life. Sometimes just seeing a face in our church family and knowing that person survived the road you are walking now is enough of a reminder of God's faithfulness.
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness in my life and for how He has demonstrated that through His own people in our church family. As we gather to worship each week, lets be reminded that our lives are constant living testimonies. If we have passed a significant landmark, we should be reaching back for those behind us showing them the way. If we are struggling to make it to the next landmark, there are many around us to look to for examples of God's grace and mercy..
FBC Family - I love you and I'm thankful for each of you that have poured into my life. May we all be faithful to pour out on another and be a faithful family!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Perfect Plan
As usual when God wants to get my attention about something, He presses the same verse into me over and over again. At first I didn't pay close attention because Jeremiah 29:11 is such a familiar verse in church circles. But, the Lord had me back up to the beginning of the chapter and take it apart very slowly. What I found amazed me, and I think if you will stick with me for a few minutes it will amaze you too!
This chapter includes a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon. This captivity had been prophesied and was a result of the disobedience of the Israelites to follow their God (who by the way is your God and my God too!) In this letter Jeremiah was attempted to instruct them how to live in the Babylonian culture and also to encourage them that it would not last forever. Over and over in the chapter Jeremiah refers to the Israelites as exiles. Ok, this is where it gets interesting.
You see, I think all of us have been in "exile" at some point in our life, or perhaps that is where we find ourselves now! Captive to something we don't want to be. So, if that is where we are, how can we be encouraged in a difficult place, circumstance, relationship, or situation? Well, to begin with we really have to understand the orginal meanings in the Scriptures.
The word "exile" has several meanings: to remove or be led into captivity; revelation; an opening of the eyes or ears; secret; or to uncover. It is that last definition that I find most fascinating: uncover. This is the same word used when Ruth uncovered the feet of Boaz in the book of Ruth, (see Ruth Chapter 3) petitioning him to rescue and redeem her. It is the idea that our shame or sin is uncovered in the eyes of God. It is also us simply being vulnerable and helpless in front of our God.
Now that you understand who or what an exile is, listen to Jeremiah 29: 10-11 "For thus says the Lord, 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
As we break down these verses we find that the word completed means to cover. Did you notice it's the exact opposite of exile? So the Lord is saying to us, that in His timing when He visits (which means to come to the aid of) of, He takes our shame and reverses it and restores and covers us. Think back to Ruth chapter 3! When Boaz realized Ruth had uncovered his feet she petitioned him to "spread his covering over her!" This meant he would redeem and restore her, and cover any shame she had as a widow!
Even the term "bring you back" in verse 10 means to recover and restore! God is clearly encouraging us in these verses that He is for us, that He is the One to make right what is wrong in our lives. He heals the wounds, He fulfills His promises to us and He restores what is lost.
And it gets better! In verse 11 we see "plans for a future and hope." The word hope has several different meanings: expectation and the thing we long for. Those aren't suprises. It is just what hope sounds like. BUT it also means "cord." It's the very same word used for the scarlet cord that Rahab let down to signal to the Israelites where her family was located so they would spare their lives. (If you don't know that story check it out at Joshua Chapter 2 and don't forget that Rahab became the mother of Boaz!!!) That cord represented the hope for a brand new life established in the Lord.
So now you are probably asking the most important question: "What does this have to do with me?" It has EVERYTHING to do with you!
These verses so clearly illustrate that our hope in Christ is so very real. God has a magnificent plan for all believers - individually and corporately - in churches, in the nations and worldwide. He has a wonderful plan to release us from the things that hold us captive, uncover our shame and guilt, and then release, restore and cover us with His love and His blessings. He is so faithful to do such a work in His people and encourage us as we wait for Him.
What is it in your life that needs uncovering and covering? What is it that you need release from? What are you hoping for in and through Him? We are not a people without hope. Our God is for us and not against us. Your hope is very real when it is found in Him. May He do more abundantly than you can think to ask or imagine in your life!
This chapter includes a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon. This captivity had been prophesied and was a result of the disobedience of the Israelites to follow their God (who by the way is your God and my God too!) In this letter Jeremiah was attempted to instruct them how to live in the Babylonian culture and also to encourage them that it would not last forever. Over and over in the chapter Jeremiah refers to the Israelites as exiles. Ok, this is where it gets interesting.
You see, I think all of us have been in "exile" at some point in our life, or perhaps that is where we find ourselves now! Captive to something we don't want to be. So, if that is where we are, how can we be encouraged in a difficult place, circumstance, relationship, or situation? Well, to begin with we really have to understand the orginal meanings in the Scriptures.
The word "exile" has several meanings: to remove or be led into captivity; revelation; an opening of the eyes or ears; secret; or to uncover. It is that last definition that I find most fascinating: uncover. This is the same word used when Ruth uncovered the feet of Boaz in the book of Ruth, (see Ruth Chapter 3) petitioning him to rescue and redeem her. It is the idea that our shame or sin is uncovered in the eyes of God. It is also us simply being vulnerable and helpless in front of our God.
Now that you understand who or what an exile is, listen to Jeremiah 29: 10-11 "For thus says the Lord, 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
As we break down these verses we find that the word completed means to cover. Did you notice it's the exact opposite of exile? So the Lord is saying to us, that in His timing when He visits (which means to come to the aid of) of, He takes our shame and reverses it and restores and covers us. Think back to Ruth chapter 3! When Boaz realized Ruth had uncovered his feet she petitioned him to "spread his covering over her!" This meant he would redeem and restore her, and cover any shame she had as a widow!
Even the term "bring you back" in verse 10 means to recover and restore! God is clearly encouraging us in these verses that He is for us, that He is the One to make right what is wrong in our lives. He heals the wounds, He fulfills His promises to us and He restores what is lost.
And it gets better! In verse 11 we see "plans for a future and hope." The word hope has several different meanings: expectation and the thing we long for. Those aren't suprises. It is just what hope sounds like. BUT it also means "cord." It's the very same word used for the scarlet cord that Rahab let down to signal to the Israelites where her family was located so they would spare their lives. (If you don't know that story check it out at Joshua Chapter 2 and don't forget that Rahab became the mother of Boaz!!!) That cord represented the hope for a brand new life established in the Lord.
So now you are probably asking the most important question: "What does this have to do with me?" It has EVERYTHING to do with you!
These verses so clearly illustrate that our hope in Christ is so very real. God has a magnificent plan for all believers - individually and corporately - in churches, in the nations and worldwide. He has a wonderful plan to release us from the things that hold us captive, uncover our shame and guilt, and then release, restore and cover us with His love and His blessings. He is so faithful to do such a work in His people and encourage us as we wait for Him.
What is it in your life that needs uncovering and covering? What is it that you need release from? What are you hoping for in and through Him? We are not a people without hope. Our God is for us and not against us. Your hope is very real when it is found in Him. May He do more abundantly than you can think to ask or imagine in your life!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Learning Lessons the Hard Way
Teaching. It’s what I do. During the week I am disguised as a high school teacher and on Sundays I teach a Sunday school class for women of all ages. My life is consumed with planning lessons and making sure my students comprehend whatever concept I’m presenting. High school is easy. I have state-mandated standards that I am required to follow to assure all students are being taught the same curriculum.
Sunday school is a little different though. Even though we have a set curriculum, teaching the Bible leaves a lot of room for life application. And life application is best taught when one has life experience to back it up.
For ten years I have been in leadership in women’s ministry - leading, teaching, and writing Bible studies. During those years I have poured my heart out to women encouraging them to keep their priorities in order – God first, husband second, children third, and then on to work, ministry, and other interests.
All the while I was teaching other women what to do, I’m not sure I did a very good job of practicing what I was preaching! You see, God has taken me down a path the last 3 years that I could have never envisioned, nor would I have gone if He had told me where we were going. My family experienced the economic crisis before anyone even mentioned the term “recession.” My husband lost two businesses in the process and our marriage was going right down with it.
After surviving one crisis after another, with each one individually being a major crisis by anyone’s standards, and making it by the grace of God, I have come to see God’s hand in the darkest of the nights. God faithfully provided financially for our family. He very intentionally placed mentors to encourage and guide me, and strong believers to intercede in prayer in the very midst of our shattered lives. Scriptures that I had known for years came alive as I claimed God’s promises with every breath I took.
Looking back over the past 3 years, I can see that God has taught me volumes about stewardship, forgiveness, and total dependence on Him, just to name a few lessons. Probably the hardest lesson I have had to learn is that I was not doing the very thing I not only knew to do, but taught others to do. We can’t always learn everything sitting in a Bible study. Sometimes we have to have the heart and physical experiences to go along with the head knowledge. By walking the road we have walked, my eyes have been opened to the times I missed ministering to my husband. My heart was opened to the times I placed ministry ahead of my husband and children.
I’m not going to back off from serving and using the gifts God has planted in me, but I am going to get it right this time. God is teaching me to re-evaluate and to be very intentional in where I serve – to balance meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of my family and to passionately fulfill my role in furthering the kingdom through teaching. When the lesson is all summed up, the final assessment is that I have realized to be the most effective and influential teacher, I simply first have to be a willing student.
Sunday school is a little different though. Even though we have a set curriculum, teaching the Bible leaves a lot of room for life application. And life application is best taught when one has life experience to back it up.
For ten years I have been in leadership in women’s ministry - leading, teaching, and writing Bible studies. During those years I have poured my heart out to women encouraging them to keep their priorities in order – God first, husband second, children third, and then on to work, ministry, and other interests.
All the while I was teaching other women what to do, I’m not sure I did a very good job of practicing what I was preaching! You see, God has taken me down a path the last 3 years that I could have never envisioned, nor would I have gone if He had told me where we were going. My family experienced the economic crisis before anyone even mentioned the term “recession.” My husband lost two businesses in the process and our marriage was going right down with it.
After surviving one crisis after another, with each one individually being a major crisis by anyone’s standards, and making it by the grace of God, I have come to see God’s hand in the darkest of the nights. God faithfully provided financially for our family. He very intentionally placed mentors to encourage and guide me, and strong believers to intercede in prayer in the very midst of our shattered lives. Scriptures that I had known for years came alive as I claimed God’s promises with every breath I took.
Looking back over the past 3 years, I can see that God has taught me volumes about stewardship, forgiveness, and total dependence on Him, just to name a few lessons. Probably the hardest lesson I have had to learn is that I was not doing the very thing I not only knew to do, but taught others to do. We can’t always learn everything sitting in a Bible study. Sometimes we have to have the heart and physical experiences to go along with the head knowledge. By walking the road we have walked, my eyes have been opened to the times I missed ministering to my husband. My heart was opened to the times I placed ministry ahead of my husband and children.
I’m not going to back off from serving and using the gifts God has planted in me, but I am going to get it right this time. God is teaching me to re-evaluate and to be very intentional in where I serve – to balance meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of my family and to passionately fulfill my role in furthering the kingdom through teaching. When the lesson is all summed up, the final assessment is that I have realized to be the most effective and influential teacher, I simply first have to be a willing student.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Growing Up Into Him
As many of you probably already know, God has given me a great passion for women's ministry - including women of all ages - and especially the ones just a few steps behind where I am! Over the last few months I have watched time and time again on Sunday mornings as Bro.Tim baptizes former students of mine - or they join the church - or they have just came to faith. I have often lamented that I let many of my students slip through my fingers in the classroom - that I didn't live my faith out in front of them as I should have. God has impressed on me now that He is giving me another chance - this summer.
You are invited to join us this summer for the "Growing Up Into Him" Bible study. We will meet on 5 Wednesday nights this summer and childcare is available! We will have class on the weeks that Rebecca will be teaching the children ages 3 - 5th grade and of course there is always childcare for 2 and under. While this class will be directed at ladies younger than I am (and that's quite a few now! :-)) all are invited to join us and I always need extra words of wisdom. There will be no homework (Yeah?) but we will dig deep into God's word this summer to see what He has to say about several different topics:
"Growing Up Into Him" Ephesians 4: 15 - Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ."
Wed, June 10 - Intro, Testimony, Background, "Where did the time go?"
Wed, June 24 - "Serving, it's not Just for Tennis Players!"
Wed, July 1- "Tithing & Giving - Making Cents in God's Economy"
Wed, July 22 - "Dress to Impress - Our Outer Adornment"
Wed, August 5 - "Identity Theft - Taking Back Our Roles as Wives and Mothers"
We will meet from 6-7pm each week. If you are looking to grow in your faith, learn how to live out your faith in everyday life with real purpose instead of just coming to church on Sunday, and are looking for sweet friendship, you have found the right group! Please invite anyone you think might want to join us and of course email me if you have questions!
You are invited to join us this summer for the "Growing Up Into Him" Bible study. We will meet on 5 Wednesday nights this summer and childcare is available! We will have class on the weeks that Rebecca will be teaching the children ages 3 - 5th grade and of course there is always childcare for 2 and under. While this class will be directed at ladies younger than I am (and that's quite a few now! :-)) all are invited to join us and I always need extra words of wisdom. There will be no homework (Yeah?) but we will dig deep into God's word this summer to see what He has to say about several different topics:
"Growing Up Into Him" Ephesians 4: 15 - Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ."
Wed, June 10 - Intro, Testimony, Background, "Where did the time go?"
Wed, June 24 - "Serving, it's not Just for Tennis Players!"
Wed, July 1- "Tithing & Giving - Making Cents in God's Economy"
Wed, July 22 - "Dress to Impress - Our Outer Adornment"
Wed, August 5 - "Identity Theft - Taking Back Our Roles as Wives and Mothers"
We will meet from 6-7pm each week. If you are looking to grow in your faith, learn how to live out your faith in everyday life with real purpose instead of just coming to church on Sunday, and are looking for sweet friendship, you have found the right group! Please invite anyone you think might want to join us and of course email me if you have questions!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Praise of the Pines - Isaiah 55:12
Ever wondered why God put so many trees on earth? I think I have finally figured it out.
It's Isaiah 55:12 "...and all of the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Not only do the trees add beauty to the earth for us and provide us with natural resources (just for my economic students) but the trees exist to give praise to God. It makes me proud that Georgia has the 2nd greatest number of pine trees of all the fifty states!
Can't you just picture a couple of the tallest pine trees clapping their needles together and giving each other "knuckles" and "high fives" in praise and honor of the One who created them? Hey - maybe those "knuckles" and "high fives" are how the pine combs end up on the ground! What a thought!
So every time you see a tree swaying in the breeze (or a pine comb on the ground!) remember they exist for God's glory and return the glory back to Him. And guess what? So you and I are created for the same reason! Give up some clapping and high fives today in honor of the One who is worthy!
It's Isaiah 55:12 "...and all of the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Not only do the trees add beauty to the earth for us and provide us with natural resources (just for my economic students) but the trees exist to give praise to God. It makes me proud that Georgia has the 2nd greatest number of pine trees of all the fifty states!
Can't you just picture a couple of the tallest pine trees clapping their needles together and giving each other "knuckles" and "high fives" in praise and honor of the One who created them? Hey - maybe those "knuckles" and "high fives" are how the pine combs end up on the ground! What a thought!
So every time you see a tree swaying in the breeze (or a pine comb on the ground!) remember they exist for God's glory and return the glory back to Him. And guess what? So you and I are created for the same reason! Give up some clapping and high fives today in honor of the One who is worthy!
Friday, April 24, 2009
The First Step in the Right Direction
This week we began the Bible study, "The Frazzled Female" by Cindy Wood. About 25 or 30 ladies were willing to admit they were frazzled as they joined the class - including me the teacher! Our focus this week to begin "defrazzling" has been to make a conscious effort to have a consistent quiet time if we were not already, and if we were already having a quiet time, our goal was to really make it more effective.
Of course the place to begin was in Luke 10:38-42 with the story of Mary and Martha. After meditating on these verses the last couple of days, I really believe Martha started out on the right path. She welcomed Jesus into her home. That's really where we begin isn't it?
Welcoming Him into our lives - our marriages, our parenting, our careers, our relationships, our ministries...well, you get the idea. If you have ever heard me talk about my neighbors, you know that all are welcome on the culdesac. We are blessed with amazing friends around us - the kind you trust with the codes to get into your house. (I would say a key but Brian has never given me a key to this house!) We constantly borrow and share with each other - lawnmowers, milk, poundcakes, pools, children - even if the other one isn't home to get permission from, we know it's all good.
Welcoming....Martha started out right - she welcomed Jesus into her home. That word "welcome" translates "to receive." She "received" Jesus into her home. Wow...that makes a difference doesn't it? She didn't have a clue what she was really receiving.
The distractions came later so we'll talk about distractions another day.
For today - are you welcoming Him into every aspect of your life and your home? Are you receiving all He has to give?
Of course the place to begin was in Luke 10:38-42 with the story of Mary and Martha. After meditating on these verses the last couple of days, I really believe Martha started out on the right path. She welcomed Jesus into her home. That's really where we begin isn't it?
Welcoming Him into our lives - our marriages, our parenting, our careers, our relationships, our ministries...well, you get the idea. If you have ever heard me talk about my neighbors, you know that all are welcome on the culdesac. We are blessed with amazing friends around us - the kind you trust with the codes to get into your house. (I would say a key but Brian has never given me a key to this house!) We constantly borrow and share with each other - lawnmowers, milk, poundcakes, pools, children - even if the other one isn't home to get permission from, we know it's all good.
Welcoming....Martha started out right - she welcomed Jesus into her home. That word "welcome" translates "to receive." She "received" Jesus into her home. Wow...that makes a difference doesn't it? She didn't have a clue what she was really receiving.
The distractions came later so we'll talk about distractions another day.
For today - are you welcoming Him into every aspect of your life and your home? Are you receiving all He has to give?
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