Today's Wardrobe includes...

"They'll know we are Christians by our love.."  I realized yesterday I was mouthing the words to the instrumental offertory. The light bulb came on. I'd been considering Mark 3:20-35 for several days. 

Jesus was at a house with a crowd so large He and the disciples couldn't eat.  His family heard and came to the house to get Him as they thought He was out of His mind.  The teachers of the law came from Jerusalem because they thought He was under the prince of demons' control.

Jesus pointed out the error in their  logic.  How could Satan drive out Satan?  If Satan acts against himself, his kingdom would end.  The truth was that all the sins and blasphemies of man will be forgiven.  However, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.  They thought He was an evil spirit.

Then Jesus' family arrived.   His mother and brothers sent someone to call Him.  Jesus replied that those sitting in the circle around Him were His mother, brother and sister.

My first read of these verses reminded me that Jesus really knows how we feel when other people misunderstand us.  People think we are out of our minds, possessed by evil and refuse to listen to our logic or heed our warning.  My usual response, after I control  my anger, is to avoid and ignore them, to distance myself from those who refuse to consider me worthy.

Jesus' own family, the ones who grew up with Him, thought He had taken leave of His sensibility.  How that must hurt?  The most educated thought His teaching was derived from evil.  Yet Jesus warned them of the consequence of their thinking.  And Jesus knew exactly what  they were thinking, not just what they said to Him and others but He knew every single angry and conniving thought.  He even knew what would happen to Him as a result of those thoughts, words and actions!

These verses remind me that Jesus loved us, and me, so much that He provided the forgiveness for my wrong thoughts, my sins.  He, Himself, in the midst of others' doubt, conspiracy and misunderstanding, gave His life as a sacrifice for others' sins.  He defines love for us in these verses.  His love is displayed in contrast to hate and confusion.

In addition, to providing the avenue for my forgiveness of sins, He provided me with an eternal destination in Heaven and a spot in His circle of family.  In response to the world treating Him with disrespect and challenge He looked to those sitting in a circle with Him and declared them His true family.

Do I act like I'm a member of God's family as I travel through this world of chaos, misunderstanding and all out evil?  Does anyone see a glimpse of true love from me?  After all, I received an overabundance of love when Jesus died on the cross for me, and others like me, centuries ago.

When I think of the state of the world, is loving it first on  my mind?  Love was first in Jesus mind.  WWJD! (What Would Jesus Do?)

It's time to prepare for today and face the challenges of the world.  I usually plan what to wear first. I'm going to put on love today because Jesus first loved me. 

Come when I call

"When you hear me call, you come!"  It was one of my mom's rules.  Recently my husband and I were reminiscing about growing up in our respective neighborhoods.  My most vivid memory of  outside play was "Kick the Can."  It's basically an outdoor night version of "Hide N Seek."  Most of the neighborhood kids my age were boys so this was the usual activity.  I don't think Mom liked us being out after dark running through yards and jumping fences to avoid detection.  So when she'd thought we'd played enough she'd call us home.

She'd impressed upon me the importance of coming when she'd call.  I don't recall ignoring her even during the game.  Not responding to her call was not an option, even if I was well hidden.

I am still impressing upon Mickey, the male pup, that "Come" is not optional. If he is not ready to come when I call, I go get him.  He gets a  reminder tug on the collar, much as a mother dog would use on her pups.

When I read Mark 3:13-19 I was impressed that when Jesus called The 12, they came.  Jesus was going up a mountain and called those He wanted with Him and they came.  He designated them as apostles so they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach and have authority over demons.  These verses name those 12 and includes a bit of description for several.

Would I come when He calls?  Too often we think it's too risky to come when Jesus calls or we think it may cost us something.  Yet I am reminded of John 10 when Jesus tells me He is the Good Shepherd.  His sheep know His Voice and when He calls they listen and obey. If a single sheep strays and gets lost, He goes to find it.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd so coming should not be an option to weigh and choose.  Coming to Jesus' call should be a "no-brainer" because He calls us to be with Him (as The 12 went to the mountain), to have adventures together(as The 12 were sent out to preach) and to have victory (as The 12 had authority over demons, one of the  more incomprehensible situations in their lives). 

Jesus called The 12 to the good and gave them authority over evil.  Jesus calls to me to come to the good, Him, and away from the evil.  Why do I hesitate or deliberate? Because I'm selfish and want to play a bit longer the way I want to play.  So my mom had a rule.  So I have to go get Mickey and remind him of my rule.  I want Mickey to come to me to protect him in the future.  I want him to listen and obey so that if he is in danger and I call, he comes to me.  Jesus calls to me so He can protect me from sin, mine and others.

I know Jesus' voice.  I will listen for His voice and I will choose to come.  It's really not an option.

Have a Good Walk

"Keep walking" Most mornings I feel like Dori in Finding Nemo when she urges "keep swimming" or that mechanical voice in a large airport that subliminally urges travelers to "keep walking."  This week is the two year anniversary of Mickey and Molly joining our family.  The puppies are still in training, as I mention to those who pass by us on our daily walks.  They are better, I keep telling myself.

After months of "jerk and pull" and a few weeks of my self-designed chaos method(I'll describe it in a future blog), I finally enjoy the walks and for the past two days have declared them "good walks."

I keep distractions to a minimum.  We walk in the early morning. It's just the puppies-I haven't added our third dog Makena.  When we encounter other dogs we cross the street and I turn on  my Dori voice - keep walking.

When we meet humans on the path, I take plenty of time to pull them to the side and give the sit and stay.  Now more often than not, they stay as the human passes.   Early on, I mentioned "we're still in training."  Now we often get a "well-trained" compliment.

We walk the exact same route every day.   I know the obstacles and don't feel we are prepared for the unknown.

When I read Mark 3:7-12 I noticed three similar "bullet points."  Jesus took His disciples to the lake and a large crowd followed. They came from everywhere, Galilee to Tyre and Sidon.  To keep these people from crowding Him, He told His disciples to have a small boat ready.  He healed many as they pushed forward to touch Him.  When the evil spirits cried out "You are the Son of God",  He gave them strict orders not to  tell who He was.

Jesus knew these crowds could distract Him from His mission and distract others from hearing His message.  So

ü  Jesus kept His core group, His disciples, close. 

ü  He handled the curious by healing their disease, and

ü  He was strict with the evil.

(I've always been curious as to why Jesus was so strict about the evil spirits keeping silent.  Now during the political campaigns I have a glimmer of understanding.  Candidates spend far too much time answering and defending the negative comments.  Who knows what they stand for?  Instead we keep lists of their negatives and argue which is worse.  Jesus knew this was a waste of time and energy.  Unlike today's politicians, He had the authority to silence them because He didn't need their kind of advertising. He knew it would only distract the crowds from hearing His message of grace and understanding His gift of love.)

These three points remind me how to have a good daily walk with Jesus.  When circumstances beyond my control become part of my life, I need to keep my focus on my mission, my relationship with God. When I face challenges

ü  I should enlist the assistance of my core group, my family and my friends in the Lord.  They "get me" and have my interests as their goal. 

ü  I need to be "real" with the crowds of the world and live out  my relationship before them.  If others see how God gets me through a challenge, they will be attracted to God, not distracted. 

ü  Finally,  I need to keep evil in check.  This world presents far too many opportunities for evil, opportunities to focus, not on God and our relationship, but on distractions, emotions, gain, loss, pleasure, pain....

Each morning the puppies start the walk with a few moments to calm down.  First they sit calmly to have me connect the leashes.  Then at the end of the driveway, they sit again and I'll say "good walk" as I remind them of our mission.

Today I am reminded that each day I need to start with a few moments to focus on my mission for that day, the mission God has for me, not my "to do" list of activities and chores. I must learn to keep the distractions of life challenges from crowding my day and keeping me from my real mission. Each day I interact with people that may need to see or hear God and  I might be the instrument.  Each day my goal is to have a good walk with God.

Good Gravy!

"No gravy?  You don't know what you're missing."  Grandma said this each and every time she made dinner for us.  She always made pot roast, whipped potatoes with real cream and real butter and cole slaw that was the best ever.  She always made brown gravy but I never ever ate it.  I like to taste my food and never was a gravy eater until............

Dick learned to make Beef Wellington. Since he made it, I had to taste it and it was fabulous, even the gravy!  Now he makes that gravy for any dish and I enjoy it.

I was stubborn when I was young (surprised?) and refused to taste Grandma's gravy. Her pot roast, potatoes and cole slaw were the best ever.  Guess I will never know if her gravy was good enough to convert me to an occasional gravy eater.

I reflected on stubbornness when I read Mark 3:1-6.  Jesus went to a synagogue and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of those who were looking to accuse Jesus were there watching.  They wanted to see if He would break the rules and heal on the Sabbath.  "Stand up in front of everyone" Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand.  Then Jesus addressed the accusers.  "Which is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or kill?"  They remained silent.  Jesus was angry and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts.  He told the man to stretch out his hand and when he did it was completely restored.

Wow!  Talk about addressing the opposition.  Jesus knew they were waiting to catch Him rule breaking.  He tried to point out to them that they were missing out on God's Good Gifts because they were too stubborn.  When they wouldn't engage in a discussion he gave them a demonstration and healed the man.  He gave this man a fully functioning hand, on the Sabbath  in front of everyone.

The Pharisees were too stubborn to recognize  this as a sign or a wonder or a preview of coming events.  Instead they began to muster forces to kill Jesus.

This display of stubbornness in the face of God's love and giving, makes me wonder when I've been so set in my faith that I can't recognize God's work in my life. I hope I don't choose to be stubborn and miss the signs and wonders that happen in front of me.  Just because something challenges my faith view of life, I need to ask what is God doing; it this good or evil; will this bring life and restoration?

Too often believers think they have never a miracle or maybe only one or two in their lifetime.  But suppose our stubbornness and our definition of miracle is the reason we don't recognize a good thing when it's right in front of us.   I believe God is at work all the time, all around  me.  Therefore, good things are happening because God is Good.  The problem is I am defining good when God invented Good.

God has given me so much more than a palette for good gravy. My mission is to suppress my stubbornness and I will see more of God's Good Works in the world.

The Rule of the Day

"I don't have enough bathrooms!"  My mom woke up to this realization several nights.  She was planning my wedding.  I wanted to get married outdoors in my parents backyard.  She was an excellent planner because she worried about the details.  Yet she did not let the "tail" (of a potential restroom shortage) wag the "dog" (my wedding). 

I remember her telling me about her mid-night revelations. There were other panicked thoughts, but I don't recall her trying to convince me to change the venue for the wedding.  She was also perceptive.  She knew if I was engaged to this man after a couple of weeks that I probably would have married him sooner than 9 months later.  So I must really want that outdoor wedding in her backyard.  So my dad re-landscaped and she problem-solved to give me the wedding of my dreams.

"The tail does not wag the dog" would be my section heading for Mark 2:23-28.  Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees when His disciples picked some grain as they walked through a grain field on the Sabbath. They had a rule that declared this grain picking unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus answered them with a reminder that when it was necessary David and his companions entered the house of God and ate the bread that only priests were to eat.  He concluded with "the Sabbath was made for man, not the man for the Sabbath.  So the Son of Man is head of even the Sabbath!"  (I added the !)

The Pharisees made the rules the "dog" or the point. Today these verses remind me that the "dog" or the point is my relationship with God, not how I follow the rules of the relationship.  The rules should be the "tail" or the expression of the "dog".

In our spiritual lives we construct "rules" so we will be consistent and comfortable in our worship of God and relationship with God.  Too often we allow the rules to rule rather than let God be the ruler of the rules.  The point (or the "dog") is not how I keep the rules or how well I've followed the rules, but that I glorify God. Times change and I need to be ready to experience God in a new and deeper way.  I can't take God's gifts and try to rule them instead of enjoying them.  Then it becomes about the rules and not the gifts.

Most believers think the rule for time spent with God should happen first thing each day. I've been to many seminars to learn techniques to deepen my relationship with God.  I've gathered many tips.  Yet my observation is to be realistic with my situation and put my relationship with God time in the best possible spot in my day.  Now I'm early to rise and spend some of the first moments of the day (after feeding the dogs and brewing the coffee, I've learned eliminate some distractions and wake up are good ideas for effective learning.)   When my husband was in seminary and I was working fulltime, my study time was during my break at work and doing the dishes was my prayer time, so much so that I often turned down help from guests with the task.  When my child was very young, I spent bath time in prayer (yes, my eyes were open) and nap time studying.

Today I am reminded not to let the "tail"  (the rules of my relationship) wag the "dog" (my relationship with God).  The point is not the rules and how often I accomplish and fulfill the rules but the point is the worship of the Ruler, God.  Jesus is the Ruler of the rules!

My relationship with God ("the dog") should be apparent by my "tail"( the rules) management.  My two dogs express their emotions through their tails.  When I arrive there is a lot of wagging as they are excited. When the tails are straight up they are concentrating.  I want my time with God to be full of excitement and concentration, not just a time to "check a box" and get it done.  I look for new ways to break my own "rules" of relationship so I will be ready and excited to hear and experience God.

I can't let my rules rule rather The Rule (Jesus) rules my rules!

13 years and counting

August 5, 2002 was a day in my life where worlds collided.  I heard those dreaded words-  the test was positive.  It was The Big "C" as my mom called it, cancer.  My old world of my invincibility collided with my new world of living as a survivor.  It was a whole new world for me.  I have  learned a lot about the importance of living each and every day.  I have learned to use faith in God to manage my fear.

I think Jesus was trying to tell some people that a "new world" was beginning and you can't live with the old rules in the new world.  In Mark 2: 18-22, some people asked Jesus why His disciples were not fasting like John's disciples and the Pharisees.  Jesus' answer was they couldn't fast while the Bridegroom was present.  He followed up with two more illustrations of sewing a new patch of fabric on an old garment and putting new wine in an old wineskin.

I almost understand the fabric reference.  I'm a quilter and it's a cardinal rule, don't mix washed and unwashed fabrics because they won't shrink the same when laundered.  But I have little experience with wineskins and fasting apart from bridegrooms.

I think Jesus is telling them that He has brought them a new world and they can't live by their old rules.  If they try to continue to live the old way in the changed world, they will fail.  The patches will not mend the tears and the wineskins will no longer hold the wine.

Today these verses remind me of The Big Picture.  What Jesus has done in my life today will bring me to a whole new, eternal world.  Why would I try to change His gift of the new world by trying to change it back to the old way of life.

After August 5, 2002, I have learned to trust that no matter the circumstance or challenge I am not alone.  He is with me, always.  More often I stop living the old way and just enjoy the moments as presented. Like breathing deep and smiling at any and all sunsets. Like just touching my granddaughter's hand. Like starting my day enjoying what I want, a few moments with The One who gave me the new day, a cup of coffee and a bit of knitting before I enter the old world.  Like remembering Who is always with me.

On August 5, 2002, God brought my old world of busyness and stress into a collision with His offer of a new world.  I have the choice to live with the worry of what if...  or I can choose to trust His deliverance and love.  He miraculously saved me with a routine mammogram and He'll do it again.  The collision of these two worlds has put perspective in my life.  My mother would ask me in those teenage angst moments, "In the span of eternity, just how important is this?"  Now I understand, focus on the Big   Picture, what really matters, the truly important, the eternal.

My new world presents me with circumstances and challenges.  I have the choice between trusting in the world's answers, which are not eternally satisfying, OR enjoying the party with the Bridegroom.  More often these days, I choose "Party On".

Enjoy today, just today.  Deal with tomorrow when it's tomorrow.  Thanks be to God for His Indescribable gifts!

Life's Pro-Am

"Somebody should do this."  I said.  "That somebody is you!"  the "professional" replied.  I felt there was a need for a new approach to prayer for our missionaries.  I'd mentioned it to this third "professional" because the first two had failed to accept the task.  This is when I learned that when I say  "somebody needs to..." three times that somebody is me.  But that's not my point this morning.

I felt the need for more prayer for others but I was not a prayer warrior.  I was an amateur.  An amateur who knew the basic technique but hadn't taken the time or made the effort to perfect the ability to become a "professional."

In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus interacts with some "professional spirituals."  Along a lake, while Jesus was teaching a  large crowd, he saw Levi sitting at the tax collector table.  Jesus told Levi to follow Him and Levi got up and followed Him.  (I noticed Jesus told him not asked him.  But that's not my point this morning.)

Later Jesus had dinner at Levi's house with many tax collectors and "sinners."  The teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him there with those  people.   So they asked His disciples why He would eat with tax collectors and "sinners".  (Notice their tactic to breed dissent among Jesus' disciples, rather than asking Him.  But that is not my point this morning.)

Jesus heard them and replied "It's not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick and I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners."  This is when I noticed that the previous mention of sinners had quotation marks.  I thought that "righteous" should have the quotation marks.  When I retell this passage I'm using air quotes because these teachers and self proclaimed righteous missed Jesus' point about sin and right standing.

 Professionals put in time and effort to be the best. A professional is good, very, very good because of their commitment to excel.  Yet there  is a danger to being a professional.  One might attribute success to their effort and then miss the joy of the blessing, the gift and the unmerited favor.  The spiritual professionals, the teachers of the law who deemed themselves "righteous", were missing the point of Jesus' mission, the gift of grace.  No longer will we strive to follow rules to be deemed "righteous".  That standing cannot earned and is not deserved because we are all sinners, forever amateurs.  We know what it takes to be righteous but it's just not in our nature to follow through.  We can't succeed because we are selfish by nature.  No matter  how hard we work to be a "professional" in spiritual matters we will never succeed to become perfect.

 I am proud to be an amateur because I know My Professional has given me my freedom.  My freedom from a life of being a professional failure.  No matter how hard I work to be perfect, I will never achieve it. I know my righteousness is a gift,  paid with a very expensive price by Jesus Himself.

 Thanks to the love and mercy of Jesus, Who provided the avenue of grace, we can be called righteous, not because we have worked to become a spiritual professional but because we are amateurs who need to admit our amateur status and acknowledge the only Professional and follow Him when He tells us.  (OK, maybe that second not my point this morning is one of my points!)