O Come, Emmanuel

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

Matthew 1:23

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

This is my favorite Christmas song. A strange choice, is it not? Neither cheery nor upbeat, it definitely fits into the solemn category.

But every Christmas Eve, as I hold my lighted candle during a worship service, and sing this to God I feel it in my bones. This deep need put into words and notes and chords. A song that speaks of the lost who are longing to be found.

When Jesus came to earth as a newborn baby the people of Israel had not heard from God in over 400 years. Can you imagine? Remember this was a time before the Holy Spirit was gifted to believers. The veil was still in place in the temple to keep the presence of God apart from His people.

I know what it feels like to be in exile, to be lost and alone. I know what it is to mourn, to feel a loss so great that like a wave crashing over you no air can get to your lungs.

So maybe this is why I relate to this song so much. Israel is not the only one looking for Emmanuel - we all are. We all feel a little lost and alone and mourn with all our hearts to be saved, to be rescued.

But that's where the similarities with us end. We, who sing this song in the mindset of 2015, have a very different perspective from the people of Israel 2,000 years ago.

The difference? They were looking for Him, but we have found Him!

That's the thing about this song, as mournful as it may sound, it's message is of hope. And it will meet you wherever you are today:

I am filled with sorrow, but He has come!
I am angry, but He has come!
I have been betrayed, but He has come!
I carry shame and guilt, but He has come!

Emmanuel. Not only has He come, but He has stayed in hearts by way of the Holy Spirit. Emmanuel, God is with us.

Oh, beloved. Emmanuel came to earth. He died a sinner's death in my place. He arose from the dead, thereby conquering it. He lives in all of us who believe in Him.

So, this year, as I pack away Christmas ornaments and vacuum pine needles off of my floors, I will remember. There is no need to mourn, no need to feel lost. My circumstances may take my joy for awhile. Life may not be ideal today, but I remember the message of hope from the song that may sound the least hopeful -

I long for a Savior, One who is good and true and faithful. One who can vanquish sin and death. One who can right wrongs. One who can deliver me from evil.

But the wait is over! He has come.

Emmanuel is here.

Consider it Joy (to the World)

This is the season of joy, right?

Joy to the World! The Lord has come! 

Good tidings of comfort of joy! 

But what if, during the Season of Joy, I feel anything but joyful? What if life has thrown me a curve ball and the unexpected or the unwelcome has happened? What if the joy in my heart has faded?

If you're anything like me you've walked through these times of joylessness. We realize during these times that joy isn't vital to brainwaves and heartbeats, but joy is vital to living the way God intends us to live. We are called to abundant, joyful lives as Jesus tells us in John 10.

Oh, Lord. The circumstances of life have taken my joy. The path You have called me to walk brings a sorrow to my life. So what do I do with the darkness and pain You've let me encounter?

Beloved, consider it joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Or, as the Message version translates it:

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Here's the thing: we don't always get to pick the paths we walk down in life. God directs our paths and these paths are not always well-paved and peaceful. Sometimes the path God chooses for us seems dark and painful. Sometimes the Way is not the way we would choose for ourselves.

But it's not our call. Isaiah 30 tells us that even when we "eat the bread of adversity and drink the water of affliction", His presence will be with us saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

So maybe God has called you down a bramble and thorn-filled path, but we are to consider it joy, a gift. We are to rejoice in our troubles because God is using them for good. God uses our troubles to make us better, to refine us.

This path, friend, counts for something. Your pain, your sorrow, your loss. It means something. God loves you enough to make you uncomfortable. He loves you enough to lead you through the valleys, so your mountaintops will be sweeter.

I don't pretend to know why God has asked you to walk through your particular trial. But I do know that your trial is very precious in the sight of God. I know that He has promised to walk with you through it.

I also know He has told you to rejoice and have joy in your trial. Your trail will deepen your faith and deepen your need for Him. 

And when the road is finished and the time of darkness has passed, you will have been shaped into a new and better version of yourself. A version that does not depend on circumstances for your joy. Instead you'll be someone who finds joy in one place and one place alone. 

Because, as the song says, the moment the Lord came, angels declared joy to the world. Our joy, true and deep and real joy, comes from Jesus alone. 

So, consider it joy, friends. Consider the path He has called you to walk as joy. Each sad and painful step will lead you closer to Jesus.

And knowing Jesus is knowing the best kind of joy there is.

Living in the Not Knowing

by Jennifer Smith

What is it like to wait for your whole life, but to never quite be sure what it is you're waiting for? What is it to look at the underside of the tapestry of your life and never quite be sure of the design God is weaving?

I know this feeling. You know this feeling. And most certainly, Anna knew this feeling:

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:

God, you can now release your servant;

    release me in peace as you promised.

With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;

    it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:

A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,

    and of glory for your people Israel.

 Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. 

Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,

This child marks both the failure and

    the recovery of many in Israel,

A figure misunderstood and contradicted—

    the pain of a sword-thrust through you—

But the rejection will force honesty,

    as God reveals who they really are.

Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:25-38

Anna must have been someone of note because not only is she called a prophetess (the only woman OR man to be clearly given that title in the New Testament), but the writer of Luke assumes we know the identity of her father, Phanuel (His name, by the way, means "Face of God." Coincidence that his daughter would actually see the face of God? I think not.)

When we meet Anna she has lived and served the Lord in the temple for at least 50 years. She knows the stories, has memorized the scripture concerning the Messiah, and has praised and worshiped with all her heart, but God, her God, has sent no direct message to His people in over 400 years.

Anna is waiting, but she's not quite sure what she's waiting for. She knows her service to the Lord is vital. She knows that her walk with Him is special. But does she ever question the Why? Does she ever question the When? Does she ever question the How?

Well, if she's human, the answer is yes. Yes. And yes.

And that's where faith comes in. A.W. Tozer says that simple faith is the most often overlooked attribute of the servant of God, but yet it is the most vital. 

Neither Simeon nor Anna knew God's exact plan for the redemption of the world, but they kept their eyes opened for God's plan. See, Tozer says, "Faith looks out instead of in. Faith keeps an inward eye on the Father."

And with this sight, then, and only then, nothing else matters.

Not the Whys, or the Whens, or the Hows.

Faith answers these questions with, "I don't know, but I serve a God who most certainly does."

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about the things we cannot see."

Y'all, I cannot see my Whys, Whens, or Hows, but I can always see My God.

Anna's faith was rewarded. Her steadfast trust in God's plan (that she had no idea of) was celebrated by God Himself when He allowed Anna to look upon the baby Jesus as He was blessed in the temple. 

Dear Sister, just as Anna's faith was rewarded, yours will be, too.

I cannot answer your Whys, Whens, or Hows. But I don't need to. I don't know the plans for your life, but God does. 

Live in faith, like Anna. Live in the not-knowing in peace because God does know.

The last verse of this passage says that Anna "talked about the child to all who were waiting for freedom."

You know, there are those around us now who are waiting for freedom. Freedom from sin and chains and hurt. So let's be like Anna and tell them.

Let's tell people living in uncertainty of a God who is certain. 

Let's tell of a Savior who knows the way even when we are lost.

Let's find rest in a Good Father and His good plans for us. 

I read this week that we don't get to know all the details about our life. It's just not in the cards for us to walk in full knowledge of what will happen today or tomorrow. And that's okay. Don't be afraid of what you don't know. 

God knows. 

That was enough for Anna. And that's enough for us, too.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Savior

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

"Comfort, comfort my people,"

    says your God.

"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

    and proclaim to her

that her hard service has been completed,

    that her sin has been paid for."

Isaiah 40:1-2

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

Luke 2:10

I wonder what the world looked like on the night Jesus was born. Not the landscapes or the climates, but its heart. What was brewing inside the heart of men? Had God forgotten His people? The physical night was dark, but darkness was settling into the hearts of mankind, too. Whether a member of the Hebrew nation or not, I wonder if those living on the earth felt a lack of....something.

A lack of purpose or hope or redemption.

Or Comfort and Joy.

We've got some basic needs in this human shell we live in: food, water, shelter, oxygen, clothing. But there's something about the lack of comfort and joy that make daily living almost impossible. Without comfort and joy we have to remind ourselves to breathe or to get out of bed in the morning.

There are times when you're without comfort of mind and spirit as you walk through dark days and other times when the joy of your heart seems to have disappeared. Comfort and joy do not give us physical life, but friend, they most certainly give us abundant life.

And Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

Our good and gracious heavenly Father sent His Son to provide even more than the salvation of our souls and He wishes to supply more than just our basic needs. He sent His Son to provide you with tender comfort for your hurts and doubts, and great joy for the beautiful hope that is ahead of you.

On that dark night when the angels appeared to the shepherds with their words of Good News, they were exclaiming more than precious eternal salvation, they were telling us that in this life, as we wander in this human form, that there is much to be had here, too. That comfort and joy are things God wishes to give us now.

My human shell walks through times of plenty, health, success, and prosperity.

But it also walks through times of sorrow, uncertainty, fear, and longing.

But through all these seasons there is comfort from a Good Father and joy in the hope of the Coming Christ.

So, this Advent, let me be the first to say to you, no matter what season you may find yourself, dear friend:

I bid you good tidings of comfort and joy from a Good Father and a Coming Christ.

Praise from the Pit

Friends, I am thrilled to introduce this week's guest blogger, my dear friend Hannah Clements. Hannah is beautiful inside and out and speaks words of encouragement from a heart that is much like His. Take a few moments today and listen to this timely message for the holidays. xo, Jennifer

This Thanksgiving I gave thanks on the mountain top. Praise Jesus! 2015 was the best year full of adventures with the ones I love. While sipping coffee and praising Him on the mountain top Thanksgiving morning, I hear Him gently whisper, "But would you praise me in the pit?” 

"Yes Lord, I will praise you in the pit,” I responded, a little hurt that He would need to ask me. Peter must have felt the same when Jesus asked him not once, but 3 times, "Do you love me?"  

Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:16-17 ESV

You see, the pit is where faith is refined. Where Jesus becomes enough. James said in Chapter 1 "to consider it pure joy when you face trials.” Consider it joy when you are in the pit. James says trials produce "steadfast" faith. Steadfast means unwavering and firm. Lord, I want to be steadfast. But my heart cries, "God protect me from the pit, protect my family, friends and all things dear. No pits for me, please. ...But if it be so l will praise you.” 

I think of my sweet friend whose Thanksgiving this year may feel more like the pit, whose 2015 was filled with more heart break than adventure. Lord, you see her. You see her praising you in the pit. How you must delight in her unwavering faith and praise in all circumstances. 

If you, like my friend, find yourself in the pit this holiday season, rest assured that God, El Roi - the God who sees - sees YOU. He sees your heartache and hears your faint whispers of praise AND He delights in you. Whispers of Praise in the pit must be worth more to Him than shouts of Praise on the mountain top. One thing I know is He is good in seasons of mountain tops and in seasons of valleys low. For He alone is worthy of your praise. Praise Him where you are today. 

Oh Lord, help me to praise you in the pit. Help me to praise you in all circumstances. Lord, you give and you take away. Bind my wandering heart to thee, Lord, for I will need your help to praise you in the pit. Lord, the cry of my heart is to love you, to tend your sheep, and to praise you in the pit.

Amen.

What Has He Brought? Why Has He Brought It?

I've done something that I believe is contrary to the laws of nature and moral order. I fought my heart in this and demanded that it take a different direction.

But, alas. I was compelled:

I'm going to talk about Christmas before Thanksgiving.

Sigh.

I'm a firm believer in keeping the two sacrosanct. I tried to conjure a sweet message of Thanksgiving, but this message of Christmas hit my heart quickly this morning. The Lord supplied it with very little effort from me.

So here I am, bidding you to jump into Advent this week. I hope you'll forgive me. I hope you'll come along.

My favorite passage of Christmas scripture is Isaiah 9. I love it for so many reasons: it is powerfully prophetic and unyielding in it's truth. I love this scripture because on the night of Jesus' birth perhaps the very words of it resounded in the hearts of Mary and Joseph.

Let's read:

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9 asks two questions and just as quickly answers them.

What has He brought? Why has He brought it?

A summation of this passage tells us exactly what Jesus brought:

Hope. Joy. Freedom. An end to all wars. A righteous and just reign from a wise and brave Ruler. An everlasting Kingdom where humanity is wholly loved. Peace. Fulfillment of every promise made by the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Justice for all evil and goodness to replace it.

Friends, we will stand in praise for eternity because of what Jesus brought. This is reason enough for a forever of singing, shouting, dancing, laughing, celebrating.

But the second question and it's answer is enough to bring you to your knees. It is reason enough for an eternity of sincere and breathtaking heart-song to a Holy and Good Father.

We know what He brought. Why has He brought it?

Let's look again at verse 7. The very last line.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Why has He brought all of these perfect gifts? Because of the zeal of the Lord.

See, the Lord is a God of honor. What He says He will do, He does. He is honor bound to Himself, to His Son Jesus, and to you and me, His people.

He is intensely passionate about the promises He has made to you. Why?

A man much smarter than me, John Gill the 18th century philosopher, said this:

"...and his zeal or fervent love to his people will put him upon all this, since it is for their good, as well as for his own glory, and the honor of his Son."

He made you good promises, promises He knew He would be mandated to keep simply because...He loves you.

The greatest minds and theorists, philosophers and scholars, can wax poetic and create highly sophisticated notions on why Christ came, but it only and simply boils down to this:

Love.

He brought you good things because of His great love for you.

As the world cried out in sin and hopelessness, sweet redemption was born in a stable.

What has He brought? Why has He brought it?

He brought perfect love. Because of His perfect love for you.

#PrayforParis

Nehemiah sat stunned, hanging on every word of the escapees from Jerusalem. His heart belonged to that city and he was desperate for any news concerning its stability and its inhabitants. Questions rolled off his tongue in quick succession: Who else had escaped? Who had survived their exile? Was the city still standing?

And then, the crushing news: "The survivors of the city are in great trouble and great shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and it's gates are destroyed by fire." (Nehemiah 1: 3)

The city that Nehemiah loved had been brutalized by a foreign army and laid to waste, its inhabitants either killed, sent into exile, or barely surviving in the city walls.

But Nehemiah knows exactly what to do:

"As soon as I heard these words I sat down, wept and mourned and fasted, and I prayed."

I know how Nehemiah felt. All too sadly, for a woman only 34 years old, this feeling is familiar.

Littleton.

New York.

London.

Madrid.

Fort Hood.

Boston.

Charleston.

Paris.

There are more. There are always more.

I sit and watch the brutalization and violence in these beloved cities.

And just like the hashtags tell me and just like Nehemiah did, I fall to my knees.

I pray for Paris.

Because we need more than hashtags and French flag overlays on our profile pictures. We need to encounter the Holy, Living God. We need to ask Him to forgive our world and restore it.

Nehemiah's prayer lasts for seven verses and from his chambers in Susa almost 3 millennium ago he teaches us how to pray for Paris today:

Nehemiah 1:5-6 I said, “God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me. Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel. And I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you."

We come to God acknowledging His might, His sovereignty, His steadfast love. We remind Him that we are His people, a people who are in covenant love with Him. We are reminded of our great privilege to be His servants and this reminds us of the great ways we've failed him.

We come to His throne in earnest supplication and repentance for ourselves and for the world.

1:7-9 “We’ve treated you like dirt: We haven’t done what you told us, haven’t followed your commands, and haven’t respected the decisions you gave to Moses your servant. All the same, remember the warning you posted to your servant Moses: ‘If you betray me, I’ll scatter you to the four winds, but if you come back to me and do what I tell you, I’ll gather up all these scattered peoples from wherever they ended up and put them back in the place I chose to mark with my Name.’"

We come to God remembering that He is just and will always do what He says He will.

We come in true repentance knowing God will move heaven and earth to restore and heal what is broken.

We come to God knowing He will not cast the sinner out, but bring the repentant in to dwell with Him.

1:10-11 “Well, there they are—your servants, your people whom you so powerfully and impressively redeemed. O Master, listen to me, listen to your servant’s prayer—and yes, to all your servants who delight in honoring you—and make me successful today so that I get what I want from the king.”

We come to God reminding Him that we are His people, that there is a remnant in all cities who love Him and seek Him.

We come to God asking Him to grant mercy.

We come acknowledging our only way to success in this war is through Him.

Because we are in a war. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

If you think the mastermind behind these attacks on our beloved cities is man, you are mistaken. The violence and sheer terror bear the mark of Satan himself. Satan who declared war on Jesus at the beginning of time and declares war on His people today.

And we, in our frail humanity, cannot win.

But Jesus can.

See, Nehemiah's prayer was answered. God heard his servant's prayer and sent him home to Jerusalem to rebuild its wall and restore its people.

And just like God heard the earnest and repentant prayer of Nehemiah, He will hear ours, too.

So, let us run to God's throne with prayer. Let us, in sincere supplication, repent and ask our mighty and good God to reign supreme on earth.

Let's pray for repentance.

Let's pray for restoration.

Let's pray for mercy.

Let's pray for light to overtake darkness.

Friends, let's pray for Paris.

Becoming Grace

I was about to turn onto the main road near my house, but quickly approaching was a small silver car. I stopped and waited for the car to pass in front of me, but instead this car quickly turned off the road not using her turn signal.

I don’t have patience with this. Drivers who aren’t courteous are a big pet peeve of mine. Turn signals, headlights, slow lanes. These were made to be used.

Stupid silver car.

Moments later I was pulling out of the post office. And guess what?

I forgot to use my turn signal and totally inconvenienced an oncoming car.

Maybe this is just a small example, but how often do scenarios like this play out in my life?

I have zero patience for others when they mess up, but expect kindness and understanding and consideration be extended to me when I do.

I think I’m grace-spoiled. God is such a giver. He has bought my freedom through His Son, Jesus. He is a patient Father who disciplines me with love. I know that He still loves me when I fail Him.

Psalm 103:8 says that The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

But I forget. I don't forget that I've been given grace.

What I forget is that others deserve my grace.

What if I extended forgiveness and love to others in the same way it’s been given to me?

Maybe I will find a gentler, kinder version of myself. Maybe I will find a more free, less stressed face in the mirror.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Y’all, I need God’s grace. God’s grace is the base of every good thing in my life. It is the hub from which all other blessings flow.

Verse 10 goes on to say this: “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

What if I was bought by grace to become grace itself?

Grace bought me. Grace saved me. Grace gives good things to me. I should be giving it away.

My favorite hymn reminds me: Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.

Since I’ve been given grace in such abundance it is only right that I give it.

So maybe the next time I’m so eager to place blame on someone for a mistake, I should instead place grace.

Today I will try. I will try to show myself as God’s handiwork. I will look like someone who is compassionate and gracious. Someone who is slow to anger. Someone who is abounding in love.

I’ll look a little less grace-spoiled.

I’ll look a little more grace-full.

Crushed {An Evergreen Post}

Every once in awhile we like to look into our archives and share one of our more popular posts. So from earlier this spring, here is a look at how God blesses us in the midst of brokenness. Here is Crushed:

Have you ever had a bone crushed? No? Well, I have. And let me tell you in case you doubted...it hurts. Like...a lot. Like I've had two babies and the pain of a crushed bone totally trumps having two babies.

I repeat: a crushed bone is more painful than childbirth.

So, how did I break this bone, you ask? A skiing accident? Car wreck? Putting myself in harm's way to save a small child from wandering out into traffic?

Nope. I was a senior in high school and a varsity cheerleader...and I fell off the top of a pyramid.

The ridiculousness of it is not lost on me.

The days and weeks that followed the accident were excruciating. My left foot broke in half vertically and the small block of bone that connects my foot to my leg was shattered into several pieces. I missed weeks of school, took strictly-managed Vicodin to ease pain, and attended three-times weekly physical therapy sessions. I had a cast up to my knee, but it couldn't go all the way around my leg because of the three pins that for 8 weeks stuck three inches out of my foot. The cast instead was held on by an Ace bandage.

But the most heartbreaking consequence of the break was when we told my surgeon where I'd be attending college in the fall: the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I remember when he, very-matter-of-factly said, "Jennifer, I'm sorry but you can't go that far away. Your leg is still healing, still fragile. And I'll need you around for therapy."

But, I already had my dorm assignment. And a roommate. I was ready to sing "Rocky Top" and proudly wear that obnoxious shade of orange! Peyton Manning expected me to be there!

Bone crushed. Heart crushed, too.

Psalm 51:8 says, "Let the bones you have crushed rejoice."

In this Psalm David is experiencing some anguish of the soul. But David knows God. He knows this crushing of "bone," of spirit was momentarily painful, but ultimately for his spiritual good.

God was allowing David to experience hurt, so he could know greater things and live a better life.

That fall I began my college experience at a much smaller school than UT, a school only an hour away from my hometown - Western Carolina University.

That winter I met amazing friends. Friends who are still dear to me today.

That spring I laid eyes on the cutest boy I'd ever seen.

And four summers later I married him.

If not for my crushed bone:

I would not be his wife.

I would not be their mother.

I would not live this life.

I would not be this person.

We live through painful experiences both physical and emotional. But just like Joseph who experienced slavery, sexual harassment, and wrongful imprisonment we need to believe that God will mean all these things for good (Genesis 50:20).

A crushed bone. A crushed heart. A crushed spirit.

God loves you enough to give you momentary pain for eternal joy.

Almost twenty years after my injury there is still daily pain, still a slight limp, still more surgeries to be had in the future.

But that crushed bone paved the way for the greatest joys of my life.

So when I take that first stiff step in the morning or feel from the ache that it's about to rain or get "Is something wrong with your leg?" from a stranger I say, "Oh, that's just my crushed bone...and it's rejoicing."

Leave the Light On

The Joker. Gypsy. Bride. Hippie. Woody Woodpecker.

What do all these things have in common?

They were all Halloween costumes I proudly wore as a child.

I'll never forget the year I was a toucan. (Yes, a toucan.) My mother lovingly stapled hundreds of construction paper feathers to a black garbage bag.

That's love, folks.

I didn't live in a neighborhood so we'd always drive around to houses of people we knew looking for porch lights that were on.

Boo to the friends whose porch lights were off. They will never know the wonder of seeing a 7 year old girl wearing a Hefty bag covered in feathers.

Oh, you know. You know you've been the person to turn off all your lights, close the blinds, and hide in your bedroom watching Hocus Pocus until all the merriment of Halloween was over.

We say Bah Humbug to Halloween!

Our hearts are two sizes too small to celebrate this day.

We hate Halloween!

Don't like it!

No way!

And anyway, doesn't it have something to do with Satan and devil worship? I mean, WWJD?

Hmmmm...what would Jesus do?

For at one time you were darkness, 

but now you are light in the Lord. 

Walk as children of light!

Ephesians 5:8

No matter how you celebrated in Halloweens past or plan to celebrate in Halloweens future there's always been much debate on the Christian church, Halloween and our role in it. Some churches embrace the night fully and have trunk or treat events, some hold fall carnivals, and some stay out of it altogether.

I'm not here to talk about that. I don't want to talk about church history or pagan rituals. I'm here saying let's look at Halloween as an opportunity.

In John 17 Jesus says that you and I are not defined by the world, but we still have to live here. Why? Why do we live here? Because He has given us a mission - to declare His truth to the world.

I always celebrate Halloween with the tiny thought in my brain of what does God think of all this?

And, friend, I can't answer that.

But I can respond to Jesus' commissioning of you and me. For all the evil and darkness that Satan and His evil forces claim Halloween to be, what if we claimed it for Jesus? What if we took a night meant for darkness and made it a night devoted to light?

What would Jesus do on this night?

Well, he'd take it back. Jesus has literally taken the keys to death and Hell from Satan. So let's take Halloween, too.

What if on the night when Satan feels strongest we made him tremble at the power of Jesus' Name?

Jesus says to us "the harvest is plentiful!" There are so many in our communities who don't understand the saving goodness and grace of Jesus. You have neighbors and friends who are clueless when it comes to knowing the Gospel. And you know who is supposed to tell them about it?

You are.

Jesus also tells us that the workers are few. It doesn't take a mathematician to realize that there's much work to be done in getting people to heaven and we need every one of God's people declaring His truth to our neighbors.

So this year let's be the houses that not only keep their porch lights on, but have the best candy. Let's not just decorate our yards with pumpkins, but let's invite our neighbors over and cultivate relationships. Let's extend hospitality and warmth and, well, Jesus.

Use this night as an opportunity to do your part as a harvest worker.

Don't be the house that shuts the world out. Be the house that invites it in.

This world is dark and, some believe, is darkest on Halloween.

There's not a better night to share Light. Let this night be for sharing the Name of Jesus.

Let this be the year you leave your light on.

Where You Dwell

Where do you dwell? Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? Do you bask in the sun on the shore or rest in the shade of a mountain? Are you cozy in a cottage or spacious with square-footage?

It is so exciting to choose a place to live. To select house plans. To find your acreage. To visit a million 3 bedroom/2 bath/enclosed garage/open floor plan homes with a patient realtor.

Where you live is a choice. A beautiful, exciting choice. Your house, your spot, your location, your corner of the world is where you find comfort, shelter, refuge.

Home is where the heart is, right?

Scripture has some advice on where you live as well. Let's listen closely:

Psalm 91:1-5

Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the LORD:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will deliver you from every trap

and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers.

He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Our physical houses are precious places of warmth and comfort, but the spot where we dwell spiritually is far more important. Psalm 91 gives us a beautiful picture of the security and safety that comes from a life lived with God. 

If we break apart some of the key words from this Psalm and put them into their original Hebrew we see some pretty incredible promises for those who dwell in the shelter of God, the Most High:

The word 'refuge' can also be translated as hope, trust, shelter from rain and storm, shelter from danger. My absolute.

When the psalmist speaks of how God will deliver us, the word 'deliver' actually means to snatch away from evil. I love the thought of God's mighty right hand coming down to grab me out of harm's way.

Another beautiful picture of God's protection is found in verse 3. The wings described here are actually eagles' wings. Eagle wings are special because of their great size. Their wings are too big for their bodies and when they walk eagles may seem a bit clumsy. But when they fly these expansive wings are so powerful they barely have to flap in order to soar for miles upon end. When God covers us with His wings it is a mighty protection. Our entire being is covered. We are completely shut in.

Verse 5 mentions that we will not be afraid of the terror of the night. And this, friends, is my favorite translation in this passage. 'Not afraid of terror' translates to the word 'unconcerned'. And oh, how I love this. Unconcerned not only means unafraid, it means I am so unafraid that I'm being ultra-cool about it. There is no silent anxiety or nagging worry. It means I am Ferris Bueller and I have the day off. It means I am wearing black Raybans while cruising in some sort of convertible. While hanging out with James Dean. This is the kind of security I find in the shadow of the Almighty.

Listen, friends, we are safe from all things that may attack us from the outside, from the inside. There is not an evil, an adversary, or a simple inconvenience from which the Lord cannot protect us. 

But here's the thing: just like the physical houses we choose to live in, we have to choose to live in God's presence, too.

Verse 1 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High" receives these blessings. Matthew Henry phrases it this way, "We must, by faith, choose God as our protector."

Like I said, where you dwell is a choice. And that place in which you dwell is where you find your comfort, your refuge.

I could dwell in the things of this world. I could find my comfort in short term remedies and fixes that are bad for me. 

But this world can't offer me what God can offer me. It can't give me hope and faithfulness and eagle-wing protection. The world won't pull me out of danger. And this world will never tell me to be unconcerned. 

So let's choose to dwell in the shelter of the Most High, to let Him hold our thoughts captive, to seek Him in all things. 

Because when I dwell with Him, it is well with me.

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:27

I don’t worry about when I’m going to die. I don’t sit and fret about basic needs. I get to live firmly in middle-class America: full stomach, access to medical care, warm home, and quality clothing. The water I drink is from a deliciously clean well.

So my American, Western Hemisphere brain doesn’t think this verse applies to me. Sure, I've read this passage in Matthew enough to have memorized it, but more often than not I just skim it.

God, I’m not worrying about my life span. I’m worrying about getting to work on time. I’m anxious about that phone call I have to make. I’m stressing because I have approximately 7,534 items on my To Do list and only two free hours in which to do them.

I’m not worried about the length of my life, Lord. I’m worried about ridiculously stupid (let’s be honest) things.

I’ve been thinking a lot about worry lately. I feel like it takes up too much of my time. Too much of my precious brain space. I’m a champ at going over scenarios in my head. How will this conversation play out? In what order should I carry out the tasks of the day?

Efficiency and planning are all well and good. These are gifts God has given me. But sometimes I use these gifts as idols and not the tools for which God intended them.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (emphasis mine)

So many times the thoughts in my brain, my worry and anxiety, are sinful. I don’t stress for my good. I stress because I worship my control. I stress because in my striving to control any and all situations, my control has become an idol. An idol to myself; that I think my way is always the best way.

See, how I should be reading Matthew 6:27 is this:

And which of you by being anxious can fix any issue you have?

Jesus is saying worry isn't any good, no matter what you're worrying about. Food, clothing, phone calls, planning. It won't make anything better. In fact, if Jesus says not to worry and then you worry, that's sin. Your worry is telling God that He isn't powerful enough to care for you in the big and in the little issues of life.

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, 

and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

He has shown me how to plan without worry. How to manage without obsession.

When I have done my daily tasks, let me rest in thoughts of true, lovely, and commendable things.

Let me let go of thoughts that hold me captive.

And let my thoughts be captive to Christ.

This is Good Advice

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

Psalm 26:3

I love weddings. Weddings are parties where people cry happy tears. I love parties and I love happy tears, so therefore, weddings are awesome. There is also good food. And dancing. And cake. If I were to conjure a patronus I would picture a wedding. (That was a super cool Harry Potter reference.)

My love for weddings is a good thing because "go to weddings" is in my husband's job description as a minister. I am guaranteed to celebrate a wedding three to four times a year. I do not mind.

But two weddings in the past month were of special significance. See, in my family I am the lone girl. My parents have four kids and only little ole me carries the XX chromosomes. These three brothers of mine are incredible blessings in my life. 

And two of them were married within weeks of each other this fall. My oldest son was in both weddings serving as ring bearer in one and AS BEST MAN in the other. My husband officiated both weddings. In one wedding my 2 year old loudly announced, "I'm goin' to the potty!" In the other, which was held in a beautiful field, he ran across said field to the bridesmaids as they began their walk down the aisle. I chased him at top speed wearing boots and a skirt and almost fell in front of a hundred people. 

I don't even get embarrassed anymore.

Where was I?

Oh, I love weddings.

During both ceremonies not only vows of commitment and sacred promises were shared, but the reasons why affections bloomed in the first place were stated. 

I love that you pray with me.

You love Jesus.

Your bible is worn.

You love the Lord.

Friend, do you want to know the greatest, most powerful piece of advice I can give you for a happy life?

Find a spouse who has found Jesus.

I know as young people we may make lists of attributes we'd like in a future spouse: educated, good cook, common interests, attractive, great job.

These things are certainly lovely to dream about. But that tip-top item should be Jesus. 

They should love Him more than they love you.

A man or woman who is devoted to Jesus lives their life in goodness and mercy, just like David said in the Psalm. Not because they are good and merciful, but because their Master is. David said, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me." 

Not, "I will be good and merciful." 

But, "The Lord will be."

Eleven years into marriage and I can promise you some things: it's fun, it's comforting, it's the greatest blessing of my life, but it's hard. Choosing to love and, more importantly, like your spouse through the babies, bad moods, will-you-stop-snoring, will-you-take-out-the-trash, why-are-your-socks-on-the-dining-room-table moments is hard.

And, oh my, how my flesh fails at being good and merciful to my husband. But the Lord is present and where He goes mercy and goodness show up as well. Jesus not only makes a marriage work, but He makes it thrive.

Dear one, no one will love you more than your Savior. And no spouse can love you better than the one who loves Jesus most.

So make your lists. Dream about who you will meet at the altar, but make sure Jesus is there, too. 

Where He goes so go goodness and mercy.

And goodness knows we need a life full of that.

Jesus, create in us a heart that is filled with love for the one who loves You.

Just One Thing

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Just one thing is necessary.

In all of creation from beginning to end, to the heights of our atmosphere to the depths of the seas. To all that is scattered by the four winds. The darkest night, the brightest day.

Just one thing is necessary.

In all of your life from beginning to end, from the day your first child is born to the most mundane. To all the nooks and crannies of this earth that life may take you. Your darkest night or your brightest day.

Just one thing is necessary.

In your greatest accomplishments and your most daring feats to your moments of utter failure and your shame of shrinking cowardice.

Just one thing is necessary.

In all that you love, your spouse, your child, your job, your cup of coffee. 

Just one thing is necessary.

From autumn and its changing leaves to winter with tree branches delicately encapsulated in ice. Spring, with blossoms that remind us hey, there is life after all. To summer and a rainstorm that smells like earth and moss and childhood.

Just one thing is necessary.

Friend, whatever you love, whatever loves you, wherever you go or don't go, whatever you do or don't do. It's all well and good. We are hearers and we are doers of His Word.

But just one thing is necessary. Indeed, only one thing is needful.

You may find yourself praying, Lord! I need something! Anything! I need peace, I need hope, I need love! 

I need a husband! I need more time! I need a new job! I need rest!

Only one thing is necessary, beloved.

Him.

The Alpha, The Omega. Beginning and End. Bright Morning Star. Master. Savior. Love. Refuge. Fortress. Lover of your soul. Prince of Peace. 

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, 

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 

Psalm 27:4

Is He the only thing that is necessary to you? If not, ask Him to be. Shake off all that holds you from giving yourself fully to Christ.

"As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once." A.W. Tozer.

Instead of worry, sit at His feet. Put your focus on Him and all else will be supplied to you. 

I want love and joy and peace and prosperity. I want rights and ambitions and good things.

But I only need one thing. Jesus.

Just one thing. The Holiest, Best, and the Most Perfect Gift that heaven has to offer.

Only He is necessary.