PREPARE YE THE WAY FOR 2015!

The new year is imminent, or may already be here by the time you read this post. I pray you will find 2015 to be a special year spiritually. Many people, even whole church congregations are preparing themselves to hear from God concerning direction for the next12 months of their lives. My church in particular is inviting all who will to join together in a fast for 21 days starting Monday, January 5. Although it is discretionary, Destiny Worship Center (DWC) will follow the Daniel Fast. I have joined the DWC church members for two years in this same fast although I had never heard of the Daniel Fast until 2012. 

Personally, I enjoy cooking: the decision of what to fix, the shopping, the prep, the frying/sauteing/boiling/mixing/baking (whew!) and anything else that goes into the preparation of a meal. The clean-up...not so much. In this late-in-life development I even like to read cookbooks as much as I do my mystery books. And, if I'm looking for a particular recipe, I'll go online--spending too much time--in search of it. 

So, when the idea of revamping old recipes and/or adding new ones to my culinary repertoire was presented, I thought this surely was a "sign" that I needed to undertake this fast's challenge. The first year I concentrated on finding acceptable vegan recipes that could be spiced into a palatable form. It was fun, and, since I was alone during the week, it was easy enough to do. If I didn't like a dish, anything remaining after one serving could be chucked pretty easily. J

The fact is, I had missed the real purpose of the fast. So what if I lost a few pounds during those 3 weeks; was that my goal?  Although I knew the rudimentary concept of a fast was to draw closer to God, my relationship with Him didn't seem to have developed or blossomed beyond what it was before the fast. After the first fast participation in 2012, I felt like I had done way too much for the little that it accomplished. In my perception, it was a bust!

But, because it was such a disappointment to me, I started researching the Daniel Fast more and connected with a couple of very informative and encouraging resources. Susan Gregory has written some books (& some e-books that you can download) with the expanded thrust of the Daniel Fast becoming a continuation into our everyday life. Rick Warren & friends has developed a program with the same focus called the "Daniel Plan." There is even a small group at DWC with the same emphasis. (I might have to look into that one...)

Anyway, I have slowly come to the realization that my focus on buying, cooking and enjoying new and different foods for the fast was not what I wanted to concentrate on this year. As an article posted by Susan Gregory suggested, I'm going to select simple and humble dishes this year. I hope my efforts to prepare "pleasant" foods that I could squeeze into the restrictions of the Daniel Fast are a thing of the past. 

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

 If you wish to join or individually participate in the Daniel Fast, here are a couple of places to look for information on the purpose, encouragement, devotionals and food preparation. Hopefully, you will find at the end of 3 weeks that you have drawn closer to the Lord and He has drawn closer to you.
Susan Gregory's website          Rick Warren's Daniel Plan          12 Recipes for Daniel Fast

Ladying for December 31, 2014: "Life needs to be prepared for! There is no better groundwork for a new year than to spend time getting direction and purpose from the Lord. Do everything you can to "hear" from Him! You will not be disappointed."

OH COME, LET US ADORE HIM!

I love Christmas for several reasons and none have to do with gifts. Really!! I'm so old that I don't need "things" anymore; oh yeah, I do need my "Happy" perfume replenished a couple of times a year and maybe a few different teas once in a while... Anyway, let's look at Christmas.

First of all, I love Christmas because we get to sing (worship songs) Christmas carols for six weeks no matter where we are: at work, in the mall, on the street, not to mention home and church. For hours in the day we can endlessly sing praise to our Lord. We need to take advantage of it because someone (in the spiritual minority) is sure to try to stop it. 

Secondly, I love Christmas because people you would NEVER hear speak the name of Jesus, other than as a curse, sing adoring words to Him. The irony is so obvious that even I saw it! I am reminded of the scripture that says, "every tongue will confess He is Lord." These people, some totally heathen and unchurched, are unaware of how privileged they are to be able to adore Jesus, the Lord.

Lastly, I love Christmas because it unites believers from different church denominations on the one subject on which we agree: Jesus came to redeem His people; to save them from their sins. Churches, as they do annually, are rejoicing, having pageants, & pontificating about historical events: Jesus' birth, shephards coming & out-of-time kings following a star to find the new "king" they saw prophesied in the heavenly bodies.

Whoops! I started sliding there, didn't I? Well,yes, there are also some things I don't like about Christmas. The most frustrating element for me is that, churches, and people, focus so one dimentionally on the historical event of Jesus' birth without taking it any farther. Of course, the Christmas Story is so miraculous...so romantic:  the long arduous journey, the uncooperative innkeeper, the manger and the animals, the majestic angelic chorus, the adoring shepherds and finally, the kings seeking to honor him. I bet you "saw" each detail as I listed them, didn't you? We know the story so well!

However,...that was hundreds of years ago. Have you since met the man Jesus? Do you know what He endured because of His love for you? Jesus came that first Christmas knowing that He would experience excruciating wounds and suffer the worst death possible. Yet...He came! He obediently came! Unbelievable, isn't it? Jesus put aside His deity, His royalty, His authority and donned a robe of pain and humility and love just for you! and me and everyone who will accept His priceless gift of salvation. Just so we could live with Him for eternity.

Chistmas is just the first step, an introduction of sorts, to the master plan God has to restore His people to the magnificence of His original creation. The most brilliant design will never reach its chief intention if it fails to go past the first step. We have the unsurpassed opportunity to lead any who have not heard "the Good News" in examing the ensuing steps: Jesus came; Jesus died. Jesus rose! Jesus is coming again! 

Maranatha!! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Ladying for December 15, 2014: Look at Christmas as an introduction to Jesus ... but don't stop there! To be a friend you must talk and share and laugh and cry together as you live your life. Jesus will be your BFF if you will let Him.

EYES OF GRACE

My drive-time ruminations today started when I was adjusting my mirror after leaving the twins at Rocky Bayou Christian School. (I turn my mirror down enough to view them in the backseat while I'm driving. Just a little "help" for the Grammie whose 'eyes in the back of her head' can't see through the headrest. ;o/)

I was thinking about how God made our ability to "see" beyond the image we think we are observing. Joined to the physical sense of sight is a process in the brain that controls our emotions. This process can help us to focus better on what we see; on the other hand it might skew it completely. You've heard the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This is so true! The question comes to me though...can that be changed? and, if so, how?

The majority of us have a healthy self-image. I mean, even though we have a flaw or imperfect feature, most of us have learned to live with it. And, if doctors were a little more forthcoming with us, we would understand that most people have one ear higher than the other, or one leg slightly shorter than the other. There is no perfect person on this Earth!! We couldn't handle being perfect any better than we handle imperfection. 

Besides, I believe that God gave us the little flaws, the stand-out ears or the one eyelid that is slightly droopy, on purpose. Every time we look into the mirror we see that blemish, that not so perfect image, and, when we do, we are reminded of our inadequacy. I mean, really! Look in the mirror. Do you see someone that can be called a god or goddess? Someone who knows all about the millions of people on the Earth and how their lives should progress? Someone who can heal disease or a broken bone? (Well, when the Holy Spirit moves through us, that can happen.) We know our limitations and do not vie with our Creator to be God...at least consciously. 

SIDE NOTE: Why do people ask "Why did you do that, God?" Do they think that an answer from Him could be understood by us imperfect humans? Really??

This is the bottom line of my musing today. If we can love ourselves, including the imperfections we have, why can't we accept and love those imperfect people around us?Their flaws may be different than ours, but who is taking notes on flaws?

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man,I put the ways of childhood behind me.

Several years ago a couple in our church was expecting their third child and all seemed to be going well. I don't know specifics because I wasn't in close relationship with them. However, it was apparent at birth that the child, a boy they named Daniel, had the genetic disorder of Down Syndrome. I don't pretend to understand the thoughts and emotions that a parent feels at such a revelation nor the magnitude of change it brings to the family so the following is strictly my observations.

On a Sunday morning soon after Daniel was born, the Lord gave me a word I was to share with Laura. As I said earlier, I wasn't in close relationship with them but, as the Associate Pastor's wife, held some authority to speak...and was to be an example of obedience. If I did not obey, He would find someone else who would and there seemed an urgency that I couldn't deny. So, with tears in my eyes I told her, "God has chosen you to be Daniel's mom just as He chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus." 

We left the church not long afterward so I never talked with Laura to hear how that word affected her life. I do know that she shook her head and cried when I spoke it. I have also watched Laura and the whole Lehenbauer family as they walked through the beginning of Daniel's life. God did not heal Daniel; instead he fashioned a miraculously changed heart in lives of people around Daniel starting with his parents and siblings. 

I can't speak for the family but I know for myself that Daniel was not seen as imperfect; he was just Daniel. Without his imperfections, he would have been a different person and we who knew him would be less healed and more imperfect. We see Daniel through "eyes of grace" and let him be Daniel Lehenbauer, third child of Laura and Gregg.  If he falls into the average stats of a Down Syndrome child, Daniel will forever be a child mentally. Why should we who experience the hardships of life, who entertain sinful thoughts, who are disobedient to our Heavenly Father and who live with the knowledge of our sin feel sorry for Daniel? He is the one who is free of it all!

On the other hand, Daniel knows what it is like to see with the "eyes of grace" as a child does. He does not envy or become jealous; he does not covet the things another has. Daniel is for us a silent teacher of what is right and an example of how it can be lived out.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

The Lehenbauer family went to the mission field of Guatemala and the Casa de Esperanza for a period of 3 years. Gregg was in charge of new building construction, operations, all new mechanical systems in addition to repairing and maintaining the old ones. Laura, as a Registered Nurse, was greatly needed and utilized. What no one thought about was the effect of Daniel on the Guatemalan people! We all should meet someone with the spirit of Daniel.

LADYING FOR DECEMBER 11, 2014: Do you have "eyes of grace" to see the beauty in others instead of their flaws? If you can't, take a look at the (spiritual) glasses you have on. It could be the lens are yellowed with selfishness and pride. Ask God to clean them. Beauty is all around you! Behold it...

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LOVE UNFATHOMABLE, PEACE DIVINE

You have probably seen from past posts that God often speaks to me through analogies, which is a logical argument that reveals how two different things are similar and, at the same time indicating that, if two things are similar in some ways, they are similar in other ways as well. 

Most mornings I'm the shuttle driver taking the twins to Pre-K classes in Niceville. Now that is 22 miles (11 miles one way) during which I often pray, examine recent events or plan my day, or, most of all, hear from the Holy Spirit what the Father desires of me that day. 

So, today I was contemplating the traffic: how fast we travel and the limits that are imposed on us by other people--who surely walk, maybe even mosey around town, instead of drive on highways. I travel on three different state highways and they have different characteristics that affect the speed limits that are assigned to them. Highway 85 has four lanes and is completely divided which gives it a speed limit of 65. The recently built "connector," is a two-lane rural highway and the limit is 55 mi/hr. Lastly, we travel the city part of Highway 285 and the speed limit is 45 mi/hr. Now I mention all this detail to show you how interrupted my thought processes can be. My brain has to be engaged to change my cruise control keeping me at the maximum speed I have previously calculated I can get by the state troopers with safely. 

I'm not what I define as a "speed demon," who has a terrible disability. These people have a right foot & leg that transform upon contact with a car's gas peddle. The foot is engorged with 8 lbs. of lead and the leg atrophies to the point of having no strength to lift the foot. There is strength enough to slide the foot from the gas peddle to the brake which then throws everyone in the car to within inches of the front windshield. I consider myself to be the "choosy speeder" because I am in control enough to "choose" when I want to speed. 

There is about 3 miles of construction on Highway 85 approximately in the middle of the 11 miles I drive. FDOT is building an overpass and some new traffic lanes using several pieces of heavy equipment, some of which cross a section of the highway. For safety's sake--and imposing a hefty extra fine for speeding--the speed limit gradually decreases from 65 mi/hr to 55 mi/hr then to 45 mi/hr which is maintained for about 1 mile. I am amazed at the number of people who cannot be bothered with safety and flaunt the speed limit changes! for 3 miles! The increased fine alone would deter me. 

SIDE NOTE: We had a friend in California who worked for the state highway department cutting down branches and trees along highways. He was killed by a negligent driver not heeding the speed limit change where he was working. That was a senseless death. But I'll save that for another time...

I'm sorry for having to give so much background but, since I had this info as I made my observations, you needed it too.

I perceived that drivers, especially those driving on a long stretch of a boring or often-traveled road, are not as "engaged" in the activity of car operation. I know this because it happens to be me quite often. There's nothing new going on, nothing to perk up my interest. Isn't this similar to life? We just go along supposing today will look like yesterday, not taking note of subtle changes or expecting something new--a miracle--could happen or is available for us.

Then, we see the State Trooper on a road off to the side hidden by trees and brush. Everyone, including you, hits the brake and not only is everyone immediately going 45 mi/hr but probably 40 mi/hr or less. And someone, you hope it's not you! is engulfed in the undulating rooftop and grille lights of the trooper's car. There may be a momentary "thank you" that goes up when you can move on or possibly various expletives from the one "chosen" to undergo this consequence. I've "been there, done that" for both and hope I have learned a lesson.

The thoughts all this information and observances triggered in my mind had to do with the love of God for us. We see the open road as the "unfathomable" aspect of the unconditional love God gives to us.

1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

          - it's free for us to experience 
          - we are unfettered as we live in it
          - are called, and treated, as God's children
          - He is in charge so we don't have to be as vigilant

All this gives us a sense of well-being and we cruise along in life basking in His love because that love is often unfathomable, (deep and difficult to understand) to us. He gives and gives and will never stop no matter what we do. This at times causes us to think we have Carte Blanche (complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best) and we end up taking advantage of that no-boundaries love.  So then, not only are we cruisin' along but we push a little, "I'll use my tithes for this (TV, computer, trip). God won't care if I do it just this once." And, maybe a little more, "God won't care if I move in with my financee' since I'm going to marry (him/her) eventually."

These actions don't cause God to love us less, but we are not obeying Him by doing them. Not only are we disobedient, we are being disrespectful of His love and subsequently, His authority over us. Would you let your child act this way toward you? He does, time after time, but our actions can also come with consequences. Speeding on the highway often comes with bad outcomes too: State Troopers, deer, bears, heavy equipment in construction zones. Are you pushing the limits? Do you understand His unfathomable love? 

1 Samuel 12:15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

There are also times when we've been cruisin' along obeying God's commands and we are hit by difficult circumstances. You can be doing speed limit on the highway but not being aware of what's going on around you. Someone might pull in front of you and slow down, you might experience unexpected heavy traffic that keeps you from making an appointment, someone could rear end you causing lots of dents and wrinkles in your car's skin. The struggles haven't occurred as a result of disobedience but,...there they are!

One of the first responses those who don't "fathom" God's love is, "Where was God when this happened?" or "Why didn't God stop this from happening?" We often forget that God is not a magician nor does He promise that our lives will be free of suffering just because we are His children. 

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

When God's love seems to be dim or nonexistent, we should see it as an opportunity to trust Him. Did He say His presence was only with us if we were doing well? No! He has promised to be with us forever. His love does not depend on circumstances or our perception of it. Thankfully! 

In those times of least awareness that God is present, we need a spiritual peace to see us through. Pastor Steve shared with us that we are already going to a place of peace (Heaven) so there is no need to pray for ending up in a place of peace. The future cannot bring us peace for when we need it--the here and now. We need peace for the times of difficulty, for the journey when it gets hard to go on. 

We need God's divine peace along the way, when God's love is more unfathomable than normal, when our emotions get the best of us. It is available; take advantage of receiving it NOW! There are no special conditions, no sale ending date, no quality control rejects.

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 LADYING FOR DECEMBER 2, 2014:  Life isn't a road to speed down looking for a joy ride. It's a useful tool to use for God's Kingdom to be spread to everyone. God's love, although sometimes unfathomable, is all encompassing and will bring you the peace you need at the time you need it--in the journey.