"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." NKJV
"Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them." JCB
I have a treasure. It rests in a place of honour on my dresser. It seems out of place in my sensible/feminine bedroom, yet, it belongs there.
It's a sword.
It's not a sword that ever hung at the side of an honorable soldier. It's not a sword that has ever seen battle except when my brother and I would sword fight using the scabbard as another weapon. The metal scabbard is dented because of it.
It's not a sword tempered and strengthened in fire. Liquid metal was poured into molds, not forged. It's edge is dull. The point is pointy. It's a wonder nobody lost an eye from it!
It's a showy, stainless steel sword meant for dancing.
I think it came into my possession after my father brought it back following one of his many trips to Ontario while we lived down east. I was probably eight or nine. He brought it back because I'd been taking Highland dance lessons for a while. After mastering the Highland Fling...side back, side front, turn two, three, four, is all I remember...we were taught the Sword dance where fancy footwork skipped over and around a crossed sword on the floor. I have no recollection of any of the steps.
I do remember with utter clarity one of my first recitals (the only one?) and how gut wrenchingly nervous I was.
Two flimsy yard sticks had been taped together to form the crossed swords. I kicked mine by mistake. It spun away then ended up on top of the next "sword" over. Mortified to make such a blatant error in footwork in front of all the attending parents and families, I kept on dancing as if nothing had happened. So did the girl next to me. (Hmmm, that seems to have been a philosophy that had a tremendously, terrible impact on my life. Something to think about.)
As much as I hated the dance lessons and was relieved when they came to an end, (give me a pony any day) the sword is one of the few childhood items that stayed in my possession despite multiple moves and a marriage breakdown.
Like my Bible, it was important for me to hang on to it although I never really understood why.
I know why now because the sword has become an emblem of my faith. There's even a painted eagle embossed on the hilt.
It reminds me that the Holy Spirit is an integral part of my life. It reminds me that I have overcome much through the help and grace of Jesus. It reminds me that the hold the enemy of my soul once had has been permanently and irrevocably severed.
It reminds me I am a soldier of peace.
Wednesday, 9 May 2018
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
Romans 6:17-18
I am a slave to righteousness.
"But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." NKJV
"Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves of righteousness." JCB
I sit here feeling convicted by these beautiful words. I feel convicted because there are a number of areas where I have allowed myself to get lost. TV is the greatest time vampire. Far too many hours are disappearing from the day. It's a pacifier, a false soother, that helps me avoid the many decisions on my plate and the many chores that keep piling up. I am overwhelmed by them all. But doing nothing doesn't make that go away. It makes it worse. So the TV has been turned on sooner and left on later each night to disconnect my brain from common sense.
Oh, I can use the excuse that I've been struggling with some health issues, a bug that doesn't seem to be doing much of anything but leave me tired. Yet, being a couch potato means any sort of physical exercise is tiring because a body unused is a body weakened. Yup, TV is a vampire that sucks the life out of me.
Righteousness: being right with God.
I need to make a list, to set down everything that is waiting to be done. Perhaps there are some areas I could even ask for help in accomplishing. Wow. Is that out of character!
Maybe I need to pull the plug on the box, too. For a while anyways. Until the cycle is broken. Until the weight I gained back over the winter is lost. Until my fitness level improves. Until I get some of the big projects off my plate.
There are three tree stumps in my front yard. Two that are rotten and one that could be burned down to below the ground. The TV is like that. A habit left behind from an old life that was severed the moment I believed Jesus was Lord.
It's time to buy a new axe handle.
First things first.
Lord, forgive me for allowing worldly entertainments to keep me apart from You. In You, I can overcome this addiction. In You, I can accomplish many things...far more than I could ever do alone. Lord, there's loneliness here, too, that the box has served to soothe. Lead me into friendships whose foundation is You. These things I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
"But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." NKJV
"Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves of righteousness." JCB
I sit here feeling convicted by these beautiful words. I feel convicted because there are a number of areas where I have allowed myself to get lost. TV is the greatest time vampire. Far too many hours are disappearing from the day. It's a pacifier, a false soother, that helps me avoid the many decisions on my plate and the many chores that keep piling up. I am overwhelmed by them all. But doing nothing doesn't make that go away. It makes it worse. So the TV has been turned on sooner and left on later each night to disconnect my brain from common sense.
Oh, I can use the excuse that I've been struggling with some health issues, a bug that doesn't seem to be doing much of anything but leave me tired. Yet, being a couch potato means any sort of physical exercise is tiring because a body unused is a body weakened. Yup, TV is a vampire that sucks the life out of me.
Righteousness: being right with God.
I need to make a list, to set down everything that is waiting to be done. Perhaps there are some areas I could even ask for help in accomplishing. Wow. Is that out of character!
Maybe I need to pull the plug on the box, too. For a while anyways. Until the cycle is broken. Until the weight I gained back over the winter is lost. Until my fitness level improves. Until I get some of the big projects off my plate.
There are three tree stumps in my front yard. Two that are rotten and one that could be burned down to below the ground. The TV is like that. A habit left behind from an old life that was severed the moment I believed Jesus was Lord.
It's time to buy a new axe handle.
First things first.
Lord, forgive me for allowing worldly entertainments to keep me apart from You. In You, I can overcome this addiction. In You, I can accomplish many things...far more than I could ever do alone. Lord, there's loneliness here, too, that the box has served to soothe. Lead me into friendships whose foundation is You. These things I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, 7 May 2018
I am Shielded. Psalm 91:4
"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." NKJV
"He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." JCB
Our church has been following a series from The Meetinghouse entitled, "Peacemakers". I believe it is going to become an annual teaching subject. The Peacemaker topic selected this year is racism. It provided the catalyst for what I am about to share, the poem read in church yesterday.
It was accompanied by four youth who held up signs, emphasising the points made. Wonderful atmosphere was provided by our pianist playing quietly in the background. Music, somehow, makes words special.
The writing ties into today's affirmation, too! Lord, I am in awe of how seemingly random events always come together to glorify You.
I did make one modification this morning because a prejudiced stereotype had found its way in through a slip of the pen. I hadn't picked up on it before. Boy are they sneaky!
I struggled coming up with a title but failed...A big grin...It would appear being "title-less" fits...
Bullied bullies share the pain of
outside with fists and words.
Because geek is chic: the new cool pool
that still leaves others outside.
Labels enable the enemy of our souls to
keep us apart.
Language, learning, faith, food upon the
table,
Who is
that person, different from me, sitting across the way? Can I see past what I
assume?
It’s labels that enable the enemy of our souls to keep us apart.
Yet, we fall for it...I have fallen for
it...because it means there’s others just like us, like me; I believed the lie
that it is okay to reject others...just like them.
Hollow words silence the heart seeking,
belonging longing written into our DNA...But only for a time. Until another
label comes along to throw us into despair of ever being one of them.
The “in” crowd wants out. The “out”
crowd wants in.
We climb into a box, pretending. Oh,
Lord, I’ve done some foolish things...
Forgive us, Lord...forgive me,
Help us let go of labels, the poison arrows
we aim at ourselves and each other.
Because, Jesus,
Because, Jesus,
You came to put a new label on everyone’s custom made packaging.
“Contents: 1 child of God. Batteries
included.”
"He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." JCB
Our church has been following a series from The Meetinghouse entitled, "Peacemakers". I believe it is going to become an annual teaching subject. The Peacemaker topic selected this year is racism. It provided the catalyst for what I am about to share, the poem read in church yesterday.
It was accompanied by four youth who held up signs, emphasising the points made. Wonderful atmosphere was provided by our pianist playing quietly in the background. Music, somehow, makes words special.
The writing ties into today's affirmation, too! Lord, I am in awe of how seemingly random events always come together to glorify You.
I did make one modification this morning because a prejudiced stereotype had found its way in through a slip of the pen. I hadn't picked up on it before. Boy are they sneaky!
I struggled coming up with a title but failed...A big grin...It would appear being "title-less" fits...
Too fat, too thin, too dark a skin,
Too slight, too bright, too dim,
The other...outside the norm.
It’s labels
that enable the enemy of our souls to keep us apart.
Their targets marked by different: too
tall, too small, too shy.
Too smart was once their fool and
mocked. Now it’s bullies, condemned.
Employment, enjoyment,
Parentage, heritage...age.
The visible used to classify, to pacify
identity, when there’s so much more unseen.
It’s labels that enable the enemy of our souls to keep us apart.
I’ve built boxes to hold others even
though they are waaay too small to contain life.
Let the Cross cross out prejudices,
those insidious, sneaky, thoughts and words, which enable the enemy of our
souls to keep us apart.
You came to bring us together, to fill
the gift Your Father gave of belonging longing with the Lightness of Being.
You came to bring us home where suspicion, derision, condemnation, and judgement
become the real outsiders who don’t
belong.
Written in Holy Blood,
Written with love, acceptance and grace,
Written with permanent, eternal,
unfading ink,
Saturday, 5 May 2018
I am Sheltered. Psalm 91:1
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." NKJV
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." JCB
This is my favorite Psalm. It has been for a while since, well, the beginning of my walk with Jesus. Through trials, sorrows and madness these words have comforted me and assured me. No matter where I was, He was there, too, keeping me safe beneath His wings. (v.4)
I think of the Jewish temple, the inner sanctum behind the veil. Only God and the priest truly knew what went on inside this secret place, the sole domain of the holiest priests. No one else was admitted.
But He gave us an advantage, a back stage pass, in the form of Jesus who admits all who believe into the secret place of His Father's presence. It is no longer the sole domain of priests.
Our temple is everywhere. There's no cleansing ritual. There's no formula. No hoops. The opportunity for intimate connection with our heavenly Father is all around us.
Should we choose to believe it. Should we choose to pursue it. (Please do!)
It's within the seen and the unseen realms of our heart. It's within the lyrics to a song. It's within prayer and contemplation. It's within rest and work...It's within. But it's also without.
Time nor wind can contain our connection. Neither can gravity or the fathomless depths of the universe. It's beyond all these and more.
Once again, language fails me. How can mere mortal words describe the indescribably beautiful paradox of God's shadow?
Maybe, if I simply say...it's big.
And I am left smiling about how a thousand, million words can be contained in three letters. It's a humbling moment for a writer.
Lord, forgive me for when I wander away and do things the world's way. Let me remember to acknowledge You when life is good. Let me learn, even more, what abiding, what living in and through Your presence means. Let my life reflect the price of admission Jesus paid on the cross. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." JCB
This is my favorite Psalm. It has been for a while since, well, the beginning of my walk with Jesus. Through trials, sorrows and madness these words have comforted me and assured me. No matter where I was, He was there, too, keeping me safe beneath His wings. (v.4)
I think of the Jewish temple, the inner sanctum behind the veil. Only God and the priest truly knew what went on inside this secret place, the sole domain of the holiest priests. No one else was admitted.
But He gave us an advantage, a back stage pass, in the form of Jesus who admits all who believe into the secret place of His Father's presence. It is no longer the sole domain of priests.
Our temple is everywhere. There's no cleansing ritual. There's no formula. No hoops. The opportunity for intimate connection with our heavenly Father is all around us.
Should we choose to believe it. Should we choose to pursue it. (Please do!)
It's within the seen and the unseen realms of our heart. It's within the lyrics to a song. It's within prayer and contemplation. It's within rest and work...It's within. But it's also without.
Time nor wind can contain our connection. Neither can gravity or the fathomless depths of the universe. It's beyond all these and more.
Once again, language fails me. How can mere mortal words describe the indescribably beautiful paradox of God's shadow?
Maybe, if I simply say...it's big.
And I am left smiling about how a thousand, million words can be contained in three letters. It's a humbling moment for a writer.
Lord, forgive me for when I wander away and do things the world's way. Let me remember to acknowledge You when life is good. Let me learn, even more, what abiding, what living in and through Your presence means. Let my life reflect the price of admission Jesus paid on the cross. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!
Friday, 4 May 2018
I am His Sheep. Psalm 23:1
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." NKJV
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I want." JCB
The phone rang at 7:40 this morning. A bit early for that sort of thing. By the time I found my phone and fought down the niggling worries these outside-the-norm calls create, the call had ended. They did leave a message. My appointment today with my psychiatrist was cancelled because he is not well.
So, here's the thing. I would have been late to work because of the appointment. The centre was covered by another staff so that would have been okay. The other staff messaged me last night they weren't able to come in. I didn't see that message until this morning.
Isn't God good?
Instead of a road trip, I get to do some writing.
Instead of having to find someone to cover work for the couple of hours needed, there's no need.
Instead of having a long day with lots of travelling, me and the car can rest easy.
Instead of being tired tonight, there will be plenty of energy to make a joyful noise at worship team rehearsal.
Isn't God good?
Stuff like this happens on a regular basis.
I quit believing in coincidences a long time ago because the Lord is my shepherd.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I want." JCB
The phone rang at 7:40 this morning. A bit early for that sort of thing. By the time I found my phone and fought down the niggling worries these outside-the-norm calls create, the call had ended. They did leave a message. My appointment today with my psychiatrist was cancelled because he is not well.
So, here's the thing. I would have been late to work because of the appointment. The centre was covered by another staff so that would have been okay. The other staff messaged me last night they weren't able to come in. I didn't see that message until this morning.
Isn't God good?
Instead of a road trip, I get to do some writing.
Instead of having to find someone to cover work for the couple of hours needed, there's no need.
Instead of having a long day with lots of travelling, me and the car can rest easy.
Instead of being tired tonight, there will be plenty of energy to make a joyful noise at worship team rehearsal.
Isn't God good?
Stuff like this happens on a regular basis.
I quit believing in coincidences a long time ago because the Lord is my shepherd.
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
I am Sharing His Glory. John 17:22, 24
"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they maybe one just as We are one...Father I desire that they also whom You gave me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." NKJV
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one...Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!" JCB
www.questions.org provides this definition of glory: The glory of God, which is manifested in all His attributes together, never passes away. It is eternal.
I just deleted everything that was written over the last forty minutes. It was a fruitless effort to define Someone so wondrously all encompassing with woefully inadequate human language. But that's okay.
It's okay to surrender to the mystery; to allow it to be just that: a mystery. It's okay to let my heart flood with joyful awe and amazement that a God as big as You fills a life so small with Your purpose, with belonging, with Your love.
It's okay that my connection with You is mostly through Your God, the Father, identity. It's okay if someone else finds a connection with You as Bridegroom, as Brother. For You are all these things. And more!
Let the understanding of "I AM" flood my soul, in Jesus name I pray. AMEN!
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one...Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!" JCB
www.questions.org provides this definition of glory: The glory of God, which is manifested in all His attributes together, never passes away. It is eternal.
I just deleted everything that was written over the last forty minutes. It was a fruitless effort to define Someone so wondrously all encompassing with woefully inadequate human language. But that's okay.
It's okay to surrender to the mystery; to allow it to be just that: a mystery. It's okay to let my heart flood with joyful awe and amazement that a God as big as You fills a life so small with Your purpose, with belonging, with Your love.
It's okay that my connection with You is mostly through Your God, the Father, identity. It's okay if someone else finds a connection with You as Bridegroom, as Brother. For You are all these things. And more!
Let the understanding of "I AM" flood my soul, in Jesus name I pray. AMEN!
Tuesday, 1 May 2018
Romans 8:17
I am sharing Christ's inheritance.
"And if children (of God), then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." NKJV
"And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." JCB
It's taken me a while to think about how I want to explore this affirmation. Being able to throw the kitchen window open to a lovely, sunny day has proven to be a bit of a delightful distraction. There's birds singing. The scent of new growth and moist earth fills the house. The hush of a gentle breeze through naked tree tops is music for the soul. It wafts into the heavens to herd linen white clouds across a blue, watercolour wash sky.
It makes it hard to want to explore suffering.
So maybe I want to think about Christ's glory, the love that overcame all obstacles to unite us with our Father in heaven; the love that overcame the grave to give us the gift of God's presence, the Holy Spirit.
Maybe it's a day to be thankful.
Maybe it's a day to simply be in the moment, this first day of May that has brought a reluctant Spring out of its hiding place with the flip of a calendar's page.
"And if children (of God), then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." NKJV
"And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." JCB
It's taken me a while to think about how I want to explore this affirmation. Being able to throw the kitchen window open to a lovely, sunny day has proven to be a bit of a delightful distraction. There's birds singing. The scent of new growth and moist earth fills the house. The hush of a gentle breeze through naked tree tops is music for the soul. It wafts into the heavens to herd linen white clouds across a blue, watercolour wash sky.
It makes it hard to want to explore suffering.
So maybe I want to think about Christ's glory, the love that overcame all obstacles to unite us with our Father in heaven; the love that overcame the grave to give us the gift of God's presence, the Holy Spirit.
Maybe it's a day to be thankful.
Maybe it's a day to simply be in the moment, this first day of May that has brought a reluctant Spring out of its hiding place with the flip of a calendar's page.
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