Monday, October 26, 2015

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.



Sunday, October 18, 2015

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.










Sunday, October 11, 2015

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.


Sunday, October 4, 2015

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.