Whiter Than Snow

by Jamie Gunter

Psalm 51:7

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”

My dear Eric grew up not understanding what a skunk smelled like. Bless his heart he was clueless until we moved to the foothills- then he got more than enough of the stench. As did our shepherd Jake- he was skunked several times. When I think back to those late nights in the cold holding a squirming, disgusting, smelly dog as we battled soaping him up and rinsing, I feel queasy and shiver. I felt like I would never be truly clean again. 

Maybe you’ve felt like this- dirty, disgusting, unclean to your core. Impure and unworthy. I know. We all know. Those amazing Christian people you know who are perfect… no. No- they are unclean, disgusting, and dirty… UNTIL. Until they realize Christ has made them clean. Spotless and pure white, like newly fallen snow. WHITER than newly fallen snow. This is the power of Jesus. He loves you so much He became dirty, disgusting, mutilated so that you and I could be whiter than snow. 

Praise God. Listen to Him whispering to you friend. He asks for your tiny seed of faith in Him and He will grow you into something beautifully amazing. You may be in the depths of stench, wretched, awful sin, decisions you know are dirty and dark. BUT He is here! He is among you, walking, whispering, loving. He hears you and sees you. Listen, Look, Reach out to Him. You do not have to walk in darkness- unknowing, questioning, feeling dirty. Be made new! You can be made clean just by asking for the grace and forgiveness Christ provides. 

There is no greater news in this season of Easter, this spring season of new growth. All of us, whether new to faith in Christ or years in, make dirty, disappointing decisions. We all must kneel before Christ and confess our uncleanness and ask for Christ to forgive us and wash us new again. I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness through His son, Jesus. That though we are unclean, impure, dirty and sinful, He is so willing to wash us new and clean so that we can be in His presence as spotless, whiter than snow. 

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. - Isaiah 1:18

What Bible Study Looks Like for a Tired Momma (Or Anyone Else Overwhelmed Right Now By Life)

By Jennifer Smith

I have dropped all the balls. In a former life I was an amazing juggler. I could juggle kids and marriage and career and art studio and church and bible study. It wasn’t without effort and I was exhausted, but I did it and I did it well.

I was very impressed with myself.

And then came Baby Three.

He is VERY cute. But he is very tough. He is one of those You-cannot-ever-put-me-down babies. He must be continuously held or he will erupt into screams. We regularly attend to dinner or laundry or clean up duty to the sweet sounds of Baby James crying screaming in the background.

I juggled the balls well before, but now they are all over the floor. And I find them in random places. Like under the couch. And in the refrigerator. I think I saw the dog chewing on one just the other day.

I once read about a woman who read Anna Karenina while breastfeeding late at night.

I am not this woman.

I bottle feed Baby 3 while watching Hart of Dixie reruns on my phone.

Needless to say the part of myself devoted to Bible study and to time with Jesus is nowhere to be found. I am not far from my Savior, but I am definitely far from quality time spent in His word.

I know I am not alone. One of my sweet co-workers who also has a new baby approached me a few weeks ago and asked me about my time in the Word. Where did I find time? What did that look like?

I learned a long time ago, transparency is the only way to truly learn from and lean on each other.

So I looked at her...and laughed. And then I shot an arrow-prayer up to heaven for Jesus to help us.

After I laughed the words came out confused and jumbled, but they came out:

“Wasn’t there a widow who gave her last bit of oil or pennies or doves? She gave the very last bit of what she had and Jesus said it was precious to Him.”

My brain that used to be so quick and is now a muddled mess was trying to recall this from Mark 12:

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Jesus taught me and my sweet friend in that moment: Give me what you have, little momma. I know you’re tired. I see you in the night during the feedings. I see you during the days calming the tantrums, checking the homework, sorting the laundry.

I see you in your sheer exhaustion.

I know you don’t have much to give me. But what you do give me is sweet and is worth much.

Please don’t falter and tell yourself: if I can’t come to God today with a full hour of study time and with my study bible and my devotional and my commentary, well, I might as well not come.

Nope, come anyway. Bring your two copper coins. Whatever they may look like: a prayer and praise song in the car, a quick devotion on your phone before you hop out of bed, a prayer in the shower.

Give Him what you’ve got. He does not turn your offering away because it’s not big enough. In fact, the smallness of it is where He finds it precious.

This time of motherhood is flat out exhausting. Please don’t misunderstand: I know the days are long, but the years are short. I honor this time in my life, but it does not take away the sun up til sundown race. Sisters, just as we know to treasure these years we’ve been given, conversely, we should not feel guilt about the tiredness that comes from them. We get to treasure! We get to be tired! We get to do both things!

Momma, it is okay. Jesus ain’t mad at you. He loves you and wants to hold your hand and help you mother your children. And even more so, He wants to take care of you, too. Truly, we find care in His Word:

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope, says Psalm 130:5.

Time in the Bible and prayer matter; let’s not neglect it. The small moments we give it are not wasted or shamed. They are treasured by our Good and Kind Jesus. The Jesus who understands the poverty of your time and stamina and sleep. The Jesus who understands motherhood better than you or I ever will.

Turn to Him and give Him what you can. Just as our precious Jesus did not turn away those two copper coins, He will not turn away your tired and weary few moments with Him.

Little Momma, your babies love you. But don’t forget, Jesus loves you more.

So let’s give him what we’ve got, even if it’s all we have left. It will be the best two copper coins you ever spent.

A Father to the Fatherless

Hello, my friend. It's Father's Day. And I want to talk to you. Just to you. Not to all of our sweet friends who have present and faithful and good daddies. This Father's Day post is just for you. So lean in, I have things to tell you.

I'm not sure what your story is. Your Father Story. Did he leave when you were a baby? Or when you were a teenager? Is he sometimes there when it's convenient for him? Or has he just never been there? Did he walk you down the aisle? Or did someone else stand in his stead? Did he make some rotten, no-good mistakes that shook your world to the core? And you've found forgiveness, but the connection is just gone?

As I type these words, I weep with you and the dad-shaped hole he has left. Because I won't tell you a lie. Daddies are important. Research shows that fathers who are present in their children's lives create adults who are empathetic and more joyful.

We are our best selves when loved by a dad who gives his best.

But there are some who just don't get the gift of a good dad. And guess what?

It's not your fault.

I have several dear friends who have Rock Star Status Fathers. And, in their adult lives, you see the fruits of love-seeds their dads sowed in their lives: security, joy, self-assuredness.

I also have several dear friends who feel an intense lack of belonging on Father's Day. Their day left to wonder what could have been, what should have been if their fathers had done their job.

Dear friend, your dad had a job to do. Given to him by a holy and good Creator. And that job was to love you, shelter you, and lead you to Jesus. If your dad failed at these things I am sorry. And I have three truths to tell you today:

Forgive him.

Find a better Father.

And embrace Him.

See, fathers are humans. And just like us they are made of flesh. And that flesh comes with baggage. Things like their own upbringing, bad experiences and bad choices, holes of sin they cannot climb out of. We need to find a place in our grown-up hearts to forgive the wrong they've done us and to move on to better things.

Better things like a better Father.

Listen to Psalm 68:

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through
the deserts;
his name is the LORD;
exult before him!
Father of the fatherless and protector of
widows
is God in his holy habitation.

Let go of the things your earthly father can't be, or won't be. And cling to the things your heavenly Father can be and will be and ALREADY IS.

Our Father God comes and finds us in solitary, deserted, lonely places. He will love you with the intense love that only a Perfect Father can muster.

This perfect Father is also the Father of your earthly Dad. Let this perfect love that is completely yours transform your heart. Let go of the anger, the hurt, the emptiness, the loneliness, the trying-to-fill-the-dad-shaped-hole-with-whatever-thing-that-seems-to-work.

Use your heavenly Father's love to overcome to lack of your earthly father. Use your heavenly Father's love to forgive your earthly father. Use your heavenly Father's love to move on and reclaim your Daddy happiness.

I don't know why God chose you to walk this fatherless path. But I do know if God chose it for you, then it is good. Instead of clinging to a vision of what you missed, cling to the firm knowledge of what you have: shelter, security, and love from the One who will never hurt you or leave you.

It's funny, but somehow I think the fatherless are actually the fortunate. You see, it's you alone who understand the importance of a father and you alone who find all you need from our Heavenly Father. You know the completeness of being filled by Him above and no other. His love alone is perfect. No father, even a present one, can accomplish this.

"Every good gift  and every perfect gift  is from above," says James 1:17, "coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

This Father's Day, rejoice and celebrate. Be free and be full. Because you clearly have a Father. And beloved, He is the very best Daddy you could ever have.

He's the One Parting the Water

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided...

Exodus 14:21

I want to tell you a story. It's about my oldest son, Wyatt, who spits out wisdom from his little seven year old heart faster than I do at thirty-six. This is not one of those precious, precocious stories that I love to share about my boys. This story is so full of good and real and it changed my life a little today.

I hope it will do the same for you.

Three weeks ago Wyatt received his first real Bible. He is quite the pint-sized theologian spouting out intense biblical knowledge like, "The Old Testament just had Numbers. The New Testament has 2 Timothy."

Word, son. Word.

This morning he was sharing his biblical prowess with his little brother, four year old Morgan. 

"Morgy, do you know about Moses parting the Red Sea? Mom, where is the Red Sea?"

"Egypt." (This sounds right. Maybe? Where is the Red Sea? Eh, Egypt sounds good. He's seven. He won't know if I'm wrong. This, folks, is parenting at its finest.)

"Morgy, Moses took his staff and pounded it down and the sea parted right down the middle so the people could walk through."

This is where Morgan, who is surprisingly listening to the story, questions, "Where was Jesus?"

And this is where my Momma heart is so pleased that he asks such a question. I wait for brother's reply, expecting something like: "He's not born yet" or "He's not in this story."

But his answer, friend, makes me want to weep. Not as a proud Mommy, but as a fellow sojourner in this Christian walk. 

My fellow Believer, Wyatt, says, "He's there. Not like really there, but He's the One parting the water."

He's the One parting the water.

Do you hear it? Does it sink into your heart with Holy Spirit power and clarity? 

How many times have I whispered Jesus, I can't see you. Jesus, I can't feel you. Jesus I can't hear you.

And He's there. He's the One parting the water. 

I look ahead, out over the vast sea. Not being able to see a sliver of land on the other side. And I cry out, Oh the enemy is so close behind! He will overtake me. There is no escape. I can't see a way around or through. 

I am hopeless. 

But why don't we see it? Opening up in front of us? The way ahead is as clear as day.

My friend, I want us to understand this truth today.

You can't see Him. But He's there. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...

I Peter 1:8

Oh, how I promise you. He's there. And your believing in Him, Him who is holy and good will bring you holy and good things.

He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot-- come, 

let us rejoice in him.

Psalm 66:6

Let's listen to our sweet Christian brother, Wyatt (who I just yelled at through gritted teeth for having caused intense amounts of chaos for the entirety of our Sunday afternoon. Perfection will not be obtained on this side of glory, friends...even for master theologian, Wyatt Smith).

When the enemy taunts and the waves seem rough and there is no land in sight, fix your eyes on Him who is unseen, but who is really seen in everything. 

Because He's there-

He's the One parting the water. 

It's Time to Shine

When I was younger, in my early 20s, each day I would drive to work and pray, "God, please don't let anything bad happen today." Bless my heart, how genuine I was. I worked as a first grade teacher at a Christian school and spent every day giving my all and doing my best to guide those little hearts to Jesus.

But, looking back, I see that I lived in such fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of confrontation, fear of pressure, fear of not having things go my way, fear of terrible things happening to my family and my friends. I was in such fear that I could not even give my day to God. Instead of asking for His perfect path, I asked that He make my way perfect and smooth and carefree.

And safe.

But thank God! He loved me too much to listen to me and my playing-it-safe prayer. In my career and every other facet of my life I have been exposed to the unknown, to confrontation, to pressure, to not having things go my way, and to terrible things happening to myself, my family, and friends.

And I'm so wonderfully glad.

Let me explain. Matthew 5:17 tells us this:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

See, I've discovered my light cannot shine if I'm hiding under the covers. With the shades closed and the door bolted shut. No one can see my light if I'm too afraid to expose it. I've found that my greatest times of witness of Jesus Christ have been borne from incredibly, horrifying, broken moments. I've found that my God-given talents, when exposed to scrutiny and pressure, in these times, they shine the brightest. 

Friends, our terrible, horrible no good moments are actually gifts from God. They refine us like silver, says Psalm 66:10. He's burning off the no-good, impure, junk that weighs us down. He's making us into the best version of ourselves possible in these bad moments and bad days. We just have to be willing to see it.

I've found a better morning prayer and it's this: Jesus reign today. Show up in all my moments, both good and bad. 

See, as a believer, you've got power residing in you. Holy Spirit power. We just have to claim to access to it. Because when we call on God to show up in our problems, not only do we see He's there, but others see Him, too. The problems you face, ultimately, can be a display for God's goodness and His glory. 

Let's not ask for no problems, let's ask for God to show up in our problems. Let's watch Him move and weave and fix. Let's watch Him turn complete waste into complete wonder. And my dearest, He can do this through your life! Through the smallest issue to the biggest, most devastating problem. Giving Him our problems works for our good and His glory. 

People will notice when you practice handing over your problems to Him. They'll see a light in you and they'll want that light too. They'll see you succeed with confidence and lose with grace. They'll see you glow in the midst of darkness and shine bright in times of light. Not only will you feel loved and secure, but they'll get a glimpse of God. This is where seeds are planted in hearts.

Adversity is nothing when we give it to God. If anything, adversity is our time to shine. 

So tomorrow, let's pray together, God in your wisdom and goodness let your glory shine in me today. I won't hide it in fear. I will stand, exposed, to this world and believe in your good plans for anything that comes my way. 

Olly Olly Oxen Free {Safe Here with Me}

This week's blogger is my dear friend and studio co-owner, Andrea Noles. Sit down, tuck in, and listen. She always has a beautiful word to share.

___________________________________

Olly Olly Oxen Free!

Remember this childhood catchphrase?

It meant “Come on out now, it’s safe!”

We proclaimed this after a serious game of hide and go seek or capture the flag.

Sometimes childhood phrases come into my mind for no apparent reason, and today while having a little breakfast at McDonald’s, this particular one lingered. I almost dismissed it, but something said not to. A faint voice that whispered, “There’s more you need to know.”

Suddenly and sweetly he reminded me of the Prophet Elijah and his journey through strength and weakness, wilderness and abundance, boldness and fear. I remembered his darkness, his courage that eventually sent him running for his life, looking for a hiding place, not wanting a seeker, unless it was death.

Elijah- Prophet of Gilead, bold man of faith, whose whole life was devoted to the work of restoring true worship in Israel.

We first meet him 1 Kings 17 and soon realize his boldness as he predicts a drought and tells King Ahaz, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

MY WORD? That’s some authority.

We see his obedience as he listens for the voice of God and goes exactly where God tells him to go.

He raises a widow’s son from death.

He confronts Ahab.

He defeated and killed the prophets of Baal.

We see his strength and God’s glory in every place, in every part of his story.

Until the rain came.

And as word of his strength spread, revenge grew, as His enemies, King Ahab and Jezebel, sought to take his life.

He ran fast and hard into the wilderness and after a day’s journey, sat beneath a broom tree and begged God that he might die. “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

The same voice that declared a drought was declaring death.

“Olly Olly Oxen Free!”

Our God proclaims freedom here by sending an angel to remind Elijah, “Come on out now, it’s safe here.”

The angel brings him bread and water.

The angel really brought him strength.

He pressed onward, still fleeing in fear and after forty days and forty nights, he finds a cave and hides in darkness.

“Olly Olly Oxen Free!”

Our Father called to him and said,

“What are you doing here, Elijah? I have more for you.”

“Listen to me and come out of hiding, it is safe here with me.”

Wrapped in a cloak, he stands at the entrance of the dark cave and faintly hears God whispering, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness, and when you arrive, you shall anoint a new King."

What a sweet savior. He found his fearful child and gently whispered truth back into his soul. He still had so much more for him.

Dear friend, have you been in hiding, holding back, keeping distance from the Lord?

Afraid of your sin?

Hiding secrets from your past?

Seeking darkness?

Roaming the wilderness, thirsty and desperate for God?

Psalm 32:7 says, “You are my hiding place, you protect me from trouble.”

The same sweet savior that spoke to Elijah at the entry of the cave, and under a tree, wants to speak to you. He has places to send you, people to reach, and a gospel to be told.

The nations are awaiting your courage and your simple obedience could bring forth rain in the midst of drought, hope in the face of darkness, love in a world of hate.

Father, teach us to seek refuge and safety under the shadow of your wings. Send your Holy Spirit to remind us of what we already know. Help us remember the story of Elijah and teach us to see your glory in every place.

We will hear your voice crying out to us,

“Olly Olly Oxen Free, you are safe here with me.”

Onward ever,

Andrea

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.

Out Sing the Birds

Standing under the dogwood, a whistle, sharp and solid, flies on the breeze to my ear. A cadence of piercing birdsong spanning for several minutes- this bird has something to say. I make my way through the trees, trying to match my sight to the sound. His music fascinates me as he praises his Creator with a melody both lovely and pure. Finally, I spot him in the old walnut tree near the edge of the woods. Perched on the highest limb, his call as bold as his bright red feathers. He knows Who his song is for.

I wish I lived life this way. In certainty of my identity. Brave enough to stand on the highest branch, singing my song without the least concern of what the blue jays or robins or sparrows of nearby trees may think.

The red bird's song is sure and heartfelt.

I want my song to be sure and heartfelt.

And, in that moment, I refuse to let him out sing me.

So I begin filing through the music in my brain. What song do I sing?

What can I proclaim to this early springtime forest, that is alive and dancing in sunlight and birdsong and breezes, that could add even an ounce of beauty?

And so I sing the only thought that makes me fly to the top of the tree and sing my clearest and best.

Jesus loves me. 
This I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.

And with my song sung to the end, the red bird opens his wings and takes flight over my head and into the thick trees. Having listened to God’s own child declare her praises, he knew. His clear, instinctive melody of worship was no match for the voluntary praise of a precious daughter, clothed in Jesus’ own righteousness. So he flew, knowing he is no match for the human heart. And he and I, red bird and God’s redeemed, both learn what our Creator already knows:

I can out sing the bird.

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

    praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels;

    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon;

    praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens

    and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for at his command they were created,

6 and he established them for ever and ever—

    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

    stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,

    fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,

    small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,

    you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and women,

    old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for his name alone is exalted;

    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,

    the praise of all his faithful servants,

    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148

A Lesson in God's Love From My Oven

Hello, friends! Please welcome back to the blog Hannah Clements, my dear friend who carries joy and wisdom like a mantle. Listen in as she learns a lesson in God's goodness from...her oven. 

My oven is old, I like to think vintage, maybe an antique.

My oven is impossible to clean. It holds years of meals and burnt grease. When the oven light is off, it appears clean(er). It hides its stains and grime in the darkness. The oven light exposes its true character.

Today, the light exposed burnt spaghetti sauce, a popcorn kernel, and an occasional husky hair amongst its old grease. I saw the mess and was tempted to turn the light off and let it linger in the darkness, but I have dinner guest coming and a messy oven won't do.

While wiping away grease and grime, God reminded me that light exposes our sin.

"Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and dispose the motives of men's hearts, and then each man's praise will come to Him from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5. 

We may think we are hiding in the darkness but nothing can separate us from God's love. Light pierces darkness:

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5 

Praise Jesus because He doesn't just expose our mess and grime but He stays around to clean and restore us. Psalm 51:7 says, "Purify me from my sins and I will be whiter than snow."

Praise Him because He doesn't turn a blind eye on our darkness but He cleanses us - loving us too much to let us remain in the our dirty form.

Oh Lord, "Search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24

Amen.

Big Deals and Small Stuff

So, I'm pretty good at trusting God in Big Deal situations.

Emergency c-section? No worries, God is taking care of us.

My house burning down to the ground? Y'all, I literally praised God as I walked through the rubble and ashes.

Emotional trauma? No biggie, God will bring beauty from the ashes.

Yes, my faith in the Big is mighty. I believe that in tragedy and pain and sorrow that God holds me up with His righteous right hand like it says in Isaiah 41:10. I believe in Psalm 91 where God tells me He will cover me with His feathers. During these times of darkness I hold fast to Him, I long for Him. I find my joy and strength and peace only in Him.

But, thankfully, life isn't all Big Deal situations. Most of life is made up of the Small Stuff, and this friends, is where I fail.

See, I remember the God who parted the Red Sea, but I forget the God who watches the sparrow fall. I believe for the Big, but I forget in the Small.

I've found that when I'm facing Big Deals, I'm so close to the Lord. But then, thankfully, things get better. But this also means I do not cling to Him as tightly.

I need to start trusting God with my day to day, Small Stuff. I need to remember that He cares about my morning drive, my deadlines, my fleeting thoughts, my simple choices. God cares about it all and He wants to be included in it all. 

The Bible tells us that we should pray in all situations and for all things (I Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18), so doesn't this mean God cares about all situations and all things? He hears our prayers for help in small moments just as much as He hears our prayers for miracles. 

Psalm 139 speaks of God's intimate knowledge of us:

"...even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

    I’m never out of your sight.

You know everything I’m going to say

    before I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you’re there,

    then up ahead and you’re there, too—

    your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

    I can’t take it all in!"

I'm so thankful for a God who can handle the Big Deals. I'm so thankful that in hurricane-like situations I'm confident in a God who will keep me from drowning. But I also need to remember that He's the God of the Small Stuff, too. I shouldn't just be a bad-weather friend to God, only drawing close during turbulent times. I should draw close in all times. God loves me so much that He wants to be included in the smallest, most inconsequential times of my day. 

So, that's my resolution. In 2016 I will thank God for parting the seas and seeing me through the storms, but I will also thank Him in my smallest moments and include Him in my conversations, my coffee breaks, and my simple tasks.

Because Big Deal or Small Stuff, He's the God of it all.

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.