How To Have Zen-like Peace

The phone rang. By the time the conversation was over, it felt like someone knocked the air out of my chest. Before I answered the phone I was happy, content. I noted that I had a zen-like peace. It was strange because there were anxious circumstances around me – family, job, relationships. I was beginning to revel in this feeling of peace which defied any human understanding.

After the phone call, the brick on my chest was painfully palpable. It hurt to breathe. But I had to keep going. I made some panicked phone calls then walked around the block with my husband. I started to beat myself up, wondering what role I played in this outcome. I came up empty. Then I started to ask why. The why seemed loud initially, but that zen-like peace wouldn’t disappear; it

Ezra Bible Study - Traveling: Weighty Matters

Early in his ministry in Montgomery, during the final difficult months of the bus boycott in 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. preached a sermon to encourage his congregation to live hopeful lives. "Lord, help me to accept my tools. However dull they are, help me to accept them. And then Lord, after I have accepted my tools, help me to set out and do what I can do with my tools.” -MLK  (Source: Michael Hyatt)

The priests were given some tools that were weighty as part of their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In Ezra 8, after Ezra prays for protection, he distributes the treasure from King Artaxerxes (Ezra 8: 24-30), Ezra and thousands of Jews arrive in Jerusalem safely (Ezra 8:31-32), they perform a delivery check (Ezra 8:33-34), then worship God (Ezra 8:35) and finally relay King Artaxerxes' orders to the local authorities (Ezra 8:36).

When Giants of Faith Laugh

Both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard God's promise of a child to them. We often hear about Sarah's laughter; rarely Abraham's.

In Genesis 17, God visited with Abraham first and made a promise to him. This was after Abram and Sarai had taken things into their own hands whereby Hagar had a son with Abram. When this visitation happened, Abram was ninety-nine years old and Ishmael, Hagar's son, was thirteen. It was in this meeting that God

Do You Want to Grow in Wisdom?

Wisdom is integral to the Christian walk; it allows us to act in the right way for the situation at hand, even though it may appear unconventional. If your teenager is snapping at you, your first thought may be to respond in kind, but then you say a quick prayer for wisdom and realize that it may be best if you say nothing. Or, perhaps you’re with your toddler in a department store, and she disappears. You could run to security, but something makes you look under the clothing racks, and there stands your child, smiling with not a care in the world. Maybe it’s time for your annual performance review at work. It’s not going as you anticipated but you are prompted to speak up calmly on your behalf, and this time your manager actually hears you.

Guest Post - Faith Don't Fit

This guest post is a late birthday present from my son. I think it's right on time. It makes my heart sing when my children share these thoughts with me. It lets me know the hard work is not in vain. Read on and be encouraged.

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What is faith? It's defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not
seen in the Good Book (Hebrews 11:1). Martin Luther King Jr. described it as “taking the first step, without seeing the whole staircase." Webster defines it as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

Simple Pleasures Bring the Greatest Joy

Simple pleasures bring the greatest joys.

The assembling together of saints regardless of the denomination and basking in the worshipful adoration of the knowledge that our lives are in His hands while heartily singing songs. Recently, I was moved by this song that I had never heard before - I, the Lord of Sea and Sky. The singing of this hymn was a simple pleasure.

They Killed My God on a Friday

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Every year, without fail my husband gets very reflective on Good Friday. One year the school the Little One attended scheduled parent-teacher conferences on this day. He said he's not going as, "They killed my God on a Friday." He does nothing on this day but reflect on the significance of the day. Good Friday is sacred to him.

One of the benefits of marriage is you get to see your partner live out their beliefs. The day is called good, but on this day what Jesus went through in terms of suffering was anything but good. But he hung on a cross for our good. He was sacrificed for us, for our sins.  His death made us perfect.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, on which the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is commemorated in the Christian Church. It is traditionally a day of fasting and penance. (source: Wikipedia)

The Good on Friday is equivalent to the suffering we go through in

Ordinary Othniel - the First Judge

Othniel was Caleb’s nephew from the tribe of Judah – the same tribe that Jesus actually came from. God left the oppressors in the Promised Land so that the Israelites wouldn't forget who God was. We forget the need for God when things are going smoothly. Or like children, if we removed all things that we perceived could cause a problem, how would they ever learn? How would they know what “hot” meant of they never touched anything hot and pulled away? This is the same principle that God employed. 

After 8 years, the children of Israel (notice how they are always referred to as children) cried out to God and God sent Othniel as their first Judge. This is the same guy that married Caleb’s daughter as a prize after defeating Debir. Remember, Othniel married his cousin – Achsah, so through marriage, he also received the benefit of Caleb's lineage.

Othniel’s leadership is covered in 3 short verses (Judges 3:9-11), but there’s a lifetime of lessons here.

Good family – In the cooking world, a stock is considered liquid gold because once it’s made anything you cook with it will have an intense flavor and be more enjoyable. But stock making is not a quick process – it involves roasting bones, adding water and aromatics and simmering on a low heat for hours. The longer you simmer, the greater the flavor that’s released. Othniel came from good stock. He was Caleb’s nephew from the tribe of Judah. He had a warrior’s heart and knew what God could do, just by listening to Caleb.  By the time he was selected as a Judge, he was much older, around 60 yrs. As with Caleb, we see in his nephew the lesson reinforced that we are never too old to be used by God.

Good God – The Spirit of the Lord came upon Him. He judged Israel and went out to war and the Lord delivered the King of Mesopotamia into his hand. From personal experience, it is amazing what you can do when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon you. It is a feeling of doing what you thought was initially impossible. It might be as simple as speaking up during a business meeting to as profound as being led to start a church. All those who put their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) and as such you have access to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s powerful indwelling is an amazing gift we should never take lightly. (gotquestions.org) With the Spirit of the Lord’s prompting, Othniel was able to defeat Mesopotamia. It doesn’t matter how it was done. What matters is that the enemy King was delivered into Othniel’s hand.

Good Benefits – The Israelites had 40 years of rest because of Othniel’s leadership. After this victory, the people rested. When you act in accordance with God’s will, not only do you benefit but others around you benefit also. Many times, after I’d spoken up in a business meeting – any of the following happened: an executive thanked me; others were grateful that I spoke up because they had the same concern; a situation was addressed and changed. On my own, I never thought any of these actions were possible; but with God they were.

Everyone does not come from a good family, however, you can be the start of a good family by choosing to trust God for everything. Where you come from is only the beginning; it can set you on the right track. In addition, a willingness to be used by God starts by believing in God; then a greater willingness to be used by God in conjunction with knowing and trusting that He will work it all out for good as He did with Othniel – an ordinary man used to judge, lead and rescue Israel.

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen Ephesians 3:20-21

We can all be used by God. Are you willing?

Notes from My Daughter - Amens

Occasional notes from my 22-year-old daughter. I never know what to expect when she writes but it's usually a pleasant surprise. Read on!

Lately, I started becoming more aware of how I "end" my prayers with God. I came to a realization that I struggle not with idea of grace itself, but with continued grace. With the fact that God is omnipresent and aware of all things that have, are, and will occur over the course of my life and if He is indeed omnipresent, how do I a finite human being with a limited understanding of time and presence actually communicate with Him? What's the point of consciously communicating with someone who knows your conscious and subconscious simply because they exist in all space and time?

Belief is a powerful thing because it's absolute for the human; there is no alternative from your vantage point. What you believe is what is, therefore what is creates a pattern for the things you habitually do.

I started noticing my beliefs in my "Amen's" and took the time out to really analyze them. For example:

"Amen: please don't say anything back, I don't know how to be accountable. I just wanted to vent to you. Cool? Bye."

Or

"Amen: This is all I have to say and obviously since I said it, I tried, so I'm done. I fulfilled my role and am still an active partner in this relationship. Take it or leave it" kind of ultimatum.

Or even the ever so lovely

"Amen: I have nothing to say to you tonight so, I love you and goodnight." This one seems pleasant on the surface but has ended a conversation that never really began by acknowledging an intention of not hurting God's feelings, but also not desiring to pay the cost of vulnerability and openness. It's a pause, initiated on my behalf, which shows the conditions of my beliefs. 

In all of these amens I was both trying to get away from, and trying to appease God in some way.

Talking to God continuously is not a burden nor is it a lack of completion. Waiting on an answer from Him continuously is not a burden. Reveling in his presence repetitively is not a burden. God is not a burden. Delighting in God means not really wanting it to end. Not for the distractions of this world, your former life or anything.

It took some time and prayer but eventually God brought me to the understanding that continuity and completion are one in the same for Him. While Jesus said, "It is finished", God the Father was also introducing a new beginning by means of the Holy Spirit. Our triune God partakes in a continual work that consistently removes the burden we feel due to sin. It is not in God's heart to burden his children or to see them quit. .

" The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."- 2 Peter 3:9

By continuing to be with us, God is completing the work he started in us. But if we lose patience and give up in the midst of the process we are believing it is better to be incomplete and within our own understanding than it is to be challenged by God's continuing and creative work in our lives. 

I recommitted my life to God about 6 years ago now and I used to take pleasure in every new lesson, but once they stopped seeming new and I couldn't actually understand what the heck God was doing at all, drifting seem like a good option. I spat out one quick prayer when this started happening which was "God don't let me go," but I also found it difficult to change my present beliefs, trust God, and act in impulsive obedience like I did in my former years. That prayer was kind of like my last breath before I anticipated the guaranteed drowning into a boring "Christian" life. I was turning into a mundane Christian who only endured (but did not enjoy) Christian culture because of my proclamation, and that there was no alternative to this traditional mindset. My prayers were dismissive and doubtful but overtime the Holy Spirit showed me that God is with you when you lack faith, but he also challenges you to grow the little faith you do presently have. God is with you when you don't understand. God is with you when you don't have know how to structure your own life in a way that promotes continuity.

The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 highlights the components of prayer and provides a template for when you don't know what to say, which also served as a reminder of all that is constantly true about God in the human life. Originally it does not include the term amen at all. So for a while, I stopped practicing saying "Amen" and just took time out to listen and respond to God instead. I took the time to continue in what He already promised to bring to completion. It changed the dynamic of how I viewed God, what my fears/beliefs were, and how I understood the purpose of relationship.

Analyze how you treat God, even in the small things so that you are motivated to continue the work He is completing in you. Call on God about your own habits. Practice being present so that you may continue in His purpose without entertaining the idea of giving up.

Amen.

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Book Review - Climbing With Abraham

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Sharing your thoughts with others can have wonderful results - but you've got to share first. As a result of my writing in this sphere, David Ramos approached me to review his Climbing With Abraham on Abraham.

In his initial email, he said, "My name is David Ramos. I am searching for reviewers who might be interested in reading a Christian devotional based on the life of Abraham and came across your blog because you have a similar approach to studying Scripture."

Flattered was an understatement. He read my blog, liked my style and saw that I wrote about things similar to what he captured in his book. So I eagerly embarked on this journey.

Since Climbing with Abraham is a 30-day devotional - I read and meditated on it during the month of December. As a reader and a writer, his writing styled resonated with me - it was simple, yet profound. More importantly, I got a new appreciation for the life of Abraham.

Some of my most compelling takeaways from this book were:

Abraham had a beginning - at the beginning of the story of Abraham, the Bible lists his descendants. Before we were, we came from somewhere. Our beginnings impact who we can become and our story begins long before we do. Our story is part of something infinitely larger.

Abraham made mistakes - God's patience and sovereignty are more powerful than our stumbles.

Abraham chose to believe - Therefore his faith impacted the faith of others he interacted with. The consequences of our faith do not just fall on us, but also onto our mates, our children, or our employees. Abraham, throughout his story, acted on what he believed.

Abraham's wife, Sarah was his constant companion - by our accounts, it would not appear that it was a perfect marriage; twice Abraham was willing to give Sarah away, and Sarah let her maid sleep with Abraham. As a couple they made mistakes but they were faithful to God and faithful to each other. Their blessings superseded their mistakes. In her death, he honored her for being there with him through thick and thin.

God's timing can baffle us - the story of Abraham reminds us that God’s plans are always incomprehensibly larger than our own. Abraham was frustrated along the way but held out hope on what was promised to him. Humans get frustrated because we don't understand God's ways.

Physical reminders - It’s okay to ask God, How can I know? Faith doesn’t always have to be
invisible.

Nothing is too difficult for God - In Abraham's life, Sarah gave birth to Isaac at 90. In my life, I've seen it and some of it I've shared here on this blog, my late in life child (she was an answer to pray of one of her siblings), and my lost and found stories - to name a few.

Finally, an excerpt from the author: "Sometimes following God’s will looks exactly like normal life. Making choices without knowing which one is correct, dealing with personalities and circumstances to find a suitable outcome, and just trying and praying and letting things fall where they will.
The Christian life is, for the most part, not supernatural. What Christ and the Holy Spirit did and do is certainly beyond this world. But on our part, most of what we do will be classified as normal. Normal prayers, normal errands, normal difficulties and frustrations, and normal successes. It’s God who takes the normal and turns it into supernatural."

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son. Genesis 18:14 [NLT]

As you start another year, take some time to meditate on Who controls your life. If you don't know, a devotional like this may be a good place to start. If you've become stagnant in your Christian walk, re-read the story of Abraham, a mere man who chose to believe the promises of God. Perhaps his life will help you to change your perspective also.

Depression is Real

Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash

I'm a Christian; I came to this realization very early in life and have lived a life aligned with the Christian faith. Within Christianity, there are common thoughts that persist even though they are untrue. One of those thoughts is that Christians don't get depressed, or depression is not real.

In reading the book of Job in the Bible, Job acknowledges that he was depressed. His troubles were weighing him down and he didn't understand why so he suffered bouts of depression during his trials.

In Job 30:11,18-23  Job feels cut off and far away from God.
In Job 20:1-14  Job acknowledges that he's faded from prominence.
In Job 30:15-17; 24-31 Job mentions living in terror; he's poor depressed and sick.

Job had all of the conditions that were ripe for (situational) depression, and he expressed it to his friends and to God.

In addition to Job there are many other Biblical figures that dealt with depression:

David - Psalms 37-40 David reflecting on instances when he was wronged. How often the psalms comfort us when we are down.
Jonah - Jonah 4 Jonah felt sorry for himself because of what God decided.
Elijah - 1 Kings 19 Elijah experienced an emotional letdown after defeating false gods.
King Saul - 1 Samuel 16:14-23 - Saul was tormented in his spirit.

So it is foolhardy of Christians to act as if depression does not exist or to simply make light of our emotional state. Job was ill, lost his possessions and his children.  He reasoned with God, questioned God and yet he was still depressed and his situation remained the same. But Job had something many depressed people may not have - he had hope. He did not go into a state of permanent despair, a place where many seem to be and can't seem to escape it. He knew God had the final answer and he would continue to trust God in spite of his circumstances and no matter how he felt.

Depression is an all-encompassing word for when we're feeling down; however, there are degrees of depression (Source):

• Situational depression is, as the name implies, brought on by adverse situations.
• Clinical depression is an ongoing condition that lasts every day for most of the day and for longer than two weeks.
• Chronic depression is less intense than clinical depression but can last much longer—two years at least. It's characterized by fatigue, sadness, and general malaise, and it can be punctuated by bouts of clinical depression.

In your depression, you may be prone to losing hope. Even as a believer you may feel the debilitating consequences of depression; the sadness that overwhelms and makes you feel like you can't go on; the fatigue that drains and immobilizes; the fuzzy feeling that clouds your thinking; the inability to express emotions properly. When we are overtired, stressed, or anxious for long periods of time this may lead to depression. Or sometimes there can be a hormonal imbalance as is the case after giving birth.
The point of this post is that depression exists but it doesn't have to be permanent. You don't need to remain depressed forever. I have been depressed at various points in life. Once I recognized it, I did everything I could to get past it. I researched remedies, went to my doctor, took more time for me, prayed more, and read my Bible more which led to amazing revelations for me that ultimately removed the depression. Like Job, even when I was depressed I never gave up hope. I chose to believe the truths of God's word vs. the lies of the devil. I shared with those closest to me and they were able to help, hold my hand and encourage me.
I've noticed that in marriage when one is up the other is down and vice versa - and it's good because we can be what the other needs at that point in time. In the rare or occasional moments when we're both down we talk it out, laugh it out or hug it out because sometimes nothing can be said. Job had his wife, who is often misunderstood and his friends who at some point became miserable comforters. But in all of this when humans failed Him, he held on to the faithfulness of God. He never gave up on God.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalms 42:11 [NLT]

If you're depressed don't give up hope; seek help and trust God that this too will pass, if not in this life, in the next.

War Room and Marriage

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Today my husband and I saw War Room - the movie that brings a Christian spiritual perspective to the masses. Before I saw this movie marriage was on my mind:

It's a good thing - it has the ability to bring out the best in you through much trial and error. Just like in raising children, there's no definitive formula for having a successful marriage but there are traits that improve the situation.  Living and loving closely isn't always smooth sailing, but the importance of a solid foundation becomes prominent as you navigate the ups and downs of life.

Iron sharpens iron - the best in you sharpens the best in him and vice versa.

Don't neglect yourself for the sake of your marriage - this is often overlooked. Nowadays it sounds like taking "me" time with a focus on physical renewal. However if you had a solid walk, and a strong pray life, prior to marriage then this is something that you need to continue. This practice produces the best you. When two become one, it's two solid people that do so. To neglect this individual aspect of your union does not a strong union make.  It seems counter intuitive - but when two people have strong walks and come together and continue their individual spiritual practices while at the same time adding  to it, the union becomes stronger. The spiritual aspect affects the rest of you. Your pray time and time with God, literally provides practical application for day to day living. It is one of the most effective ways to affect change in your relationship.

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One of the comments from the movie was, "It's hard being a woman." When I would say this, my husband would say, "It's hard being a man." I would have to agree with both statements. Some of the hardness has to do with cultural expectations combined with personality and general expectations. Being in relationship with others brings out the best and the worst in us, because though married we are still human with all of our flaws in addition to everything else.

I like that War Room shows a version of marriage most people don't see, in a demographic that is often overlooked. We've heard people talk and heard the Christian cliches, but the movie provides a visual representation of:

Praying for each other instead of trying to change each other - Elizabeth's prayer life has lapsed due to the busyness of life. But she knows and loves the Lord. Her husband, Tony seems to be even more cursory in his walk and his faith doesn't appear to have an impact on his daily life. This shows up in his actions at work, and how he treats his family. Elizabeth is burdened by the state of her marriage and wants it to change, but she seems to be at her wits end. Enter Ms. Clara who has seen how prayer changes things. There comes a point in the story where Elizabeth is forced to pray and she takes Ms. Clara's lessons to heart and establishes a War Room in her house - a place that is quiet and private where she can spend uninterrupted time with the Lord - and begins to pray earnestly for her marriage, her husband, her family, her house, and herself.

Christians can make dumb mistakes - Tony has made some poor choices and ultimately loses his job. Elizabeth knows her husband's flaws, but because she is no longer focusing on him and what he's not doing she can respond in a way that astounds him and forces him to search his heart and ultimately confess, repent to his wife and God, and change his ways.

Spiritual warfare - As Elizabeth prays for her family, she recognizes that she is fighting a battle in prayer. Sometimes when we have minor arguments that erupt in to big things I wonder how we got here. At these times, it is distinctly impressed on my heart that the devil does not like thriving Christian families and creates distractions that take our eyes off of our purpose. As Elizabeth prayed she recognized that something was trying to tear her family apart, but no more. In the mighty name of Jesus, it had to flee. When you recognize the enemy you are dealing with, you can pray smartly so that he is defeated.

Mentoring - Ms. Clara wasn't always a prayer warrior; she didn't always know how to pray and didn't always read the Bible. But now that she is, and she has seen visible proof in the transformation of Elizabeth, she charges Elizabeth to do the same for another person. She shares with Elizabeth how seeing her grow has strengthened her faith as well.

I have found that praying and spending time with the Lord, provides wisdom that you just do not have unless you do so. It gives you the courage to act and speak wisely. You have a confidence that belies your current situation. Now, I don't have a physical war room in my house and I don't typically write my prayers down. I have a prayer time daily in the quiet of the day where I read and pray. I know the importance of pray and set aside time to do so daily.

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Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 [NLT]

Do you pray for your marriage? Do you pray for your spouse? Will you see this movie?

Victorious Living & Maturity

Initially, these two things seem totally unrelated - they can be but often times they overlap. As a believer in Christ you are required to grow - it is only then you will continue to reap the fruits of salvation. Think about it - as a baby you are cute and provided for; all your needs are met. But as you physically grow, you mentally grow also. You begin to realize that you can think; that thoughts lead to actions; actions have consequences; and your beliefs determine your actions. You wouldn't get here if you didn't grow. We must grow.

We can live a victorious life, but only with Christ. Many have tried without Christ, but they come out empty. O they have wealth, fame, investments – but they still feel that something is missing. That something is Someone. That Someone is God, Christ, The Holy Spirit – 3 entities in one that are available to you just for asking, believing and living in a way that He wants you to live. The only way to know how to live is to read his word the Bible. Too many say I’m a follower of Christ, yet their life choices do not bear this out.

Just because some people are old, does not mean they mature.
Maturity allows you to see things with a broader perspective, accept things for what they are; know when to hold them and when to fold them; love more, enjoy more.
Bitterness can rob you of maturity; envy can rob you of it; so can hate, jealousy, and cowardice.

Grow in Christ, that you may have all things (that God has for you) and in all things abound!

See they do go together!