Astonishing Generosity

We all have this one incredible person in our life. Need to borrow something? She gives it. Need an ear to listen? She patiently gives two. Need a ride to the airport? You know she'll take you.

No, she's not a pushover. She's deeply generous.

We've confused what it truly means to be generous. We hear this word and immediately see dollar signs. And sure, giving financially and tithing are important aspects of generosity. In fact, we have a biblical command by Christ Himself to give to those in need.

But generosity carries other definitions.

I'm reading this fantastic book called Rediscover Jesus (given to me, by chance, by a generous friend - I'm looking at you, Hannah Schellenberg!). There's a chapter in the book devoted to the topic of generosity and the following statement blew me away:

"There may be no more practical way than generosity to bring Christianity to life." 

My generosity in encouragement, friendliness, compassion, optimism, truth, and rides to the airport is the most real way the world will see Jesus.

Jesus was radical in His generosity. He lived in the Roman Empire where self-interest was the standard way of living. Jesus changed the world, even to those who don't believe He is the Messiah, by flipping this me-only way of thinking into others-only thinking. Our precious Jesus taught His followers to give selflessly, serving each other in never before seen ways.

Yesterday, I had a precious experience. After reading this chapter on generosity my husband asked me to letter some envelopes for church. These were actually our offering envelopes. I found myself standing at the kitchen counter writing the word 'generosity' one hundred times.

Like the teacher who has their student write lines for misbehavior, my Teacher was reminding me, too. Generosity doesn't stop at the dollar sign. Generosity should flood over into every aspect of my life, being a clear and tangible representation of Jesus.

Matthew Kelly, who wrote Rediscover Jesus, says, "Jesus wants you to become the most generous person in your sphere of influence. He wants you to astonish people with your generosity."

Let's all strive to be that person, that friend who gives with joy and abandon. Because when people see my giving they will see my Jesus.

The Blame Game, Shame, and Why that's Not Your Name

by Jennifer Smith

I was thinking of Monica Lewinsky today. Random, right? A friend on Facebook posted an interview with her. As I read the article I was struck by how greatly I identified with her. Like her, my past is full of mistakes.

I'm luckier than Monica, though. Most of my sins have been committed quietly. Only the knowledge of a few or even just myself. She, however, was branded. A reputation. A dirty word. A scarlet letter. "That woman."

Monica says, "The shame sticks to you like tar." Oh, how I know that feeling. Whether or not my past has been ridiculed on the world stage, I know what shame feels like. I know what it is to wonder what a certain group of people think of you because of past actions. I know what it is to have Satan whisper If they only know what you've done, they won't love you.

Shame, Shame. Everybody knows your name.

As I was reading the Lewinsky article my freedom in Christ bounced around like a rubber ball in my heart. I desperately wanted to reach through my iPhone, grab her, and share with her that shame is not her name.

But you, dear reader, I can grab through your screen. God has brought you to this meeting to tell you the same thing He wants to tell Monica:

Shame, shame. It's most certainly not your name.

"Though your sins be as scarlet, I have washed them white as snow" says the Redeemer of the world (Isaiah 1:18). No scarlet letter, only a blank canvas.

My pastor said the most brilliant thing this morning about our past sins. See, it's not that God forgets your sin. It's that He chooses to not remember them. There's a difference. The Creator of the universe, the One who is in charge, chooses to forgive you, chooses to call you His own, chooses to rename you.

Isaiah 43:7 tells us that God will be with all those who are called by His Name. You, dear one, sweet Christian, are most certainly labeled with the Name of Christ.

Shame and guilt are not of God, friends. They are perfectly orchestrated devices Satan uses to tell you that you aren't good enough. Here's the beautiful irony - you're not good enough. But you don't have to be. On Calvary Jesus, in all His perfection, covered you in His righteousness and goodness (Isaiah 61:10).

The next time Satan tries to brand you with the Blame Game of Shame, remind him that's not your name. Your name is inscribed on the palms of God's hands. He says in Isaiah 49:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands..."

Remind Satan who you are. Better yet, remind yourself of who you are. And that, no matter what you've done, the blood of Jesus is enough to cover it.

Open My Eyes

Can you picture it? 2 Kings 6 describes a small army of ragtag warriors completely surrounded by a brutal military force waiting for the sunlight to tear them limb from limb. The Israelites were terrified of the oncoming battle, none more so than the servant of the prophet Elisha. After rising early to get a better look at the enemy he returned to Elisha exclaiming, "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?"

Elisha answered calmly, "Do not be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17

Yes, the enemy had horses and chariots, but God provided horses and chariots of fire.

Eyes opened. Fear gone.

The prayer "open my eyes" is seen throughout scripture, encouraging believers for thousands of years that there is more to be seen than you can actually see. Psalm 119:18 asks God plainly to "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."

Friends, we walk around just like Elisha's servant seeing the bad, seeing the ugly, feeling our way through the darkness. And God is there clothed fully in light saying, "Open your eyes, child."

There is a lot of yuck in this world. I watch the news and want to take the hand of bitterness, hopelessness, and fear. I say to them, "Hey, guys. The world is a mess. I think we should be best friends." How easily we are led to believe that we cannot win.

If my eyes are closed, what exactly are they supposed to be opened to? What exactly am I supposed to be seeing, Lord?

Lean in with me and listen to Ephesians 1:18-21:

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

Let's dissect these verses and figure out exactly what it is God wants to open our eyes to:

• You may know the hope to which He has called you. What's the opposite of hope? Despair. And every time I feel it I should rebuke it. That's not where God has called me to live.
• The riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people. Hear that? Our inheritance from Him is glorious. Live like you know it.
• His incomparable great power for us who believe. Horses and chariots of fire, people. They encircle you, too.
• That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. The same power that commanded Jesus from the grave is in you! Use it, work it, call it down.
• Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And that power that lives in you? It's above everything. Every evil, every sin, every curse, every sadness, every broken family, every lost child, every addiction, every bad thing you see happening in this world. There is nothing so lost that it cannot be made new by the Name Above All Names. 

I hope you understand by now that God has called us to the wonderful. Not just the making it or the getting by. God has called us to wonder and riches and hope. But our eyes are closed to it. We won't open them to the possibility that putting our faith into action can bring a beautiful clarity to our sight. 

If you feel like you're stumbling around in the darkness today, will you pray this prayer with me?

Father, the enemy is encamped around me. I am afraid. I am in despair. Lord, open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things you have called me to. Open my eyes to the hope, the riches, and the power of a life lived in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, work in my life.

When Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to His followers the Holy Spirit had a very distinct appearance: flames, bright flames alight over the heads of each of those who believed. When I think back to Elisha I remember the horses and chariots of God's army alight with that very same fire of the Holy Spirit. I sense Elisha's utter confidence in the God of Angel Armies. Elisha said another prayer after his servant's eyes were opened. He asked God to blind the eyes of the enemy, so they could be diverted away. And it happened. They were blinded and Elisha led them away. The battle was over before it even began.

I know that many of us are fighting battles in our lives with enemies both seen and unseen. But I want you to understand today that "those who stand with us are more than those who stand with them." Your God and His perfect promises are with you, fighting for you. You, just like the Israelites with Elisha, need to offer nothing but prayer to God and allow Him to lead your enemy away. No fight or loss on your part, just confidence in the angel armies that surround you.

Because they are there, my friend, glowing with the fire of the Holy Spirit. So look, see, believe. Let today be the day you open your eyes.

God is Doing a New Thing

God is doing a new thing, 
Isaiah Forty Three Nineteen
God is doing a new thing, 
Isaiah Forty Three Nineteen

This very catchy little song that my boys listen to in the car has been stuck in my head this weekend. Over and over it plays, reminding me of some big truths.

Because, sometimes, don't you just feel old? And don't define old by years. Scripture tells us that even young men can grow weary and tired.

But God is doing a new thing.

Before I tell you the new thing I want to share with you some old facts.

At the turn of the 20th century in Mount Holly, North Carolina a little green building was constructed on Main Street. Over the years it was used as a pharmacy, a five and dime, and a photo printing shop.

One hundred years later three young women left their homes in various parts of the Appalachian Mountains.

Two moved to Cullowhee and became sorority sisters. The other went to Marshall.

Another few moves in a series of random events placed them all living within fifteen minutes of each other in and around Mount Holly and the little green building.

Several divine appointments and God-ordained friendships later, the three of them found themselves staring at the front of this little green shop in Mount Holly begging to breathe new life into its walls.

I need you to know the old facts before I tell you the new thing. Because that's the whole point. I want you to understand that this post is about more than what you think it is.

See, because when those walls were constructed over a hundred years ago God knew of the new thing He would do with it in 2016. When those three girls left their homes in the mountains almost two decades ago God knew of the new thing He would do in 2016. When they met in Cullowhee in 2001 and a coffee shop in 2013, when they poured their hearts out and painted on walls and canvases and on their pants, God knew of the new thing He would do in 2016.

This is what I want to tell you today, especially if your new thing hasn't happened yet: it will. God is always preparing circumstances and situations and little green buildings. He is always aligning meetings and creating new desires and forging new opportunities.

When a new thing comes from God you can't make it happen. You can't will it to happen. He just decides that it's time. He remembers that it's time for your new thing. He's the One who makes the move and you can only wait on Him. But the waiting is worth it because His ways are so much better than anything you have planned for yourself.

Andrea and I have looked at each other over the course of the last three years and said, "What are we doing? We're supposed to be doing something. What is it?"

Our only answer was that God would tell us when He wanted us to know. And on Wednesday morning, the For Rent sign in that little green building told me:

God is doing a new thing.

So this summer we say goodbye to A Place to Land and hello to Create In Us. We will be working to restore our shop back to it's former glory while offering our community a space to create, congregate, and be inspired. We will have retail space for our own original artwork and creations. This incredible space will allow us to bring you all of your favorite classes, but to larger groups. Our new three person partnership will also allow us to expand our list of art and creative classes. (Personally, I can't wait to start my weekly middle school girls bible journaling class! Details on this will be posted soon!)

With keys in hand in the next 48 hours we will begin remodeling while still holding classes at A Place to Land through May. We covet your prayers, your knowledge, and your advice while we embrace this gift He has given.

God is doing a new thing.

Now let's watch it spring up.