DEE DAH DAY = JOY COMES WITH THE MORNING

While working on a spiritual disciplines research paper on prayer...I reviewed John Ortberg's book "The Life You've Always Wanted".  He quotes a saying by C.S. Lewis "Joy is the serious business of heaven."  He then goes on to describe the practice of celebration in his household as a "DEE DAH DAY"  ....when one is too happy to hold it in any longer; when words are inadequate to give voice to euphoria - you have to do the DEE DAH DAY dance of joy!

            

            But how do you have a DEE DAH DAY when a loved one is suddenly is taken through an accident; or a neighbor family loses the Father in their family; a member of the military is gunned down in Afghanistan or Iraq?  This has been the kind of week it has been for me.  The overwhelming realization that heaven rejoices as it receives a saint, and the overwhelming sadness for those left behind without the physical presence of their loved one on earth any longer.  I feel that many have grieved, and grieved well. And, oh how we anticipate our own personal timing, the grand entrance to heaven to embrace those waiting for us there.

Jane Hansen Hoyt of Aglow International states:  “Christianity begins with closure! When a tragedy occurs you might hear someone say “I need closure in order to move on with my life.” I’ve got good news. Jesus opened up the new way for all to enter into. He paid the ultimate price to “bring closure” to ALL hurt, pain and disappointment.   

My blessing is in knowing that I do not have perfect faith, but that I am being perfected.  And in my process, I watch the process of others.  And this is what I have noticed – even the Father of Faith, Abraham, did not always have perfect faith.  But he just hung on.  He placed himself in God’s hands.  He kept running his race.  And then he, just like you and me, came to understand the reason we can trust God is that He too understands what it is to walk in darkness.  God does not stand apart from our suffering.  He is not unmoved by the creatures He has created and loves.  He embraces our pain and He suffers with us.  As a church body, as neighbors and friends, we too should embrace the pain and the suffering of others.  And, I do know that Jesus will take me through the hurt, the pain and any disappointment.  I watched the dignity and faith and strength and courage of a woman I admire say goodbye to her sweetheart husband of many years - moving through, embracing, but also giving quiet firm faith, to others as together we grieved.  She has modeled for those with eyes to watch; with eyes to see; with hearts to be transformed.

            In the solitude with Father God, my mind stills and is quiet before him.  I receive peace.  I acknowledge that He is ever present – and I ask for Him to teach me joy, patience, greater love, courage, and forgiveness.  I am thankful for God’s mercy and His love – and the refreshing begins to sweep over me.  I remember the sweet conversations with loved ones, with neighbors, those who have left this earth – and I embrace the joy of having known those who have run their race with endurance, love, integrity and with credibility.  It is my blessing.

To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence states Lewis Smedes.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice exhorted Apostle Paul.

The Bible puts joy in the non-optional category...Yikes - Joy is a command!  Joylessness is a serious sin - one that "religious" people are particularly prone to.  However, we heard it loud - we heard it clear during the celebration of life service of a good friend and Christian Brother passing through death to enter heaven…    

Look to the cross!    

Every tick of the clock is a gift from God!

Every day is a DEE DAH Day!  Joy Comes With the Morning!

Weather Face

         

Perhaps you are like me.  I turn on the weather station each morning while getting ready for work to know what the day holds. Then I can better prepare to dress for chilly temperatures, or a warm sunny day.   

Perhaps the forecast predicts it will be overcast, or rain showers will move in during the afternoon. Perhaps you have experienced one of those days that suddenly turned blustery, or unexpected sleet and ice began to fall from the skies. I’ve listened to weather that warned me to pay attention in case of a tornado or hurricane warning that could be posted throughout the day depending on atmospheres or colliding fronts. In fishing communities, those who earn their living on the high seas check to see if there are high wind warnings posted.  These are just some of the weather situations we can experience day today. What do you do to prepare for the weather in your daily routine? 

The question made me ask myself if I was as equally concerned about preparing my face in my daily routine for the weather life or storms of the day?  What was my weather face?  What was my face was reflecting to others on a daily basis; to children, my spouse or co-workers, that particular someone who cuts me off in traffic, or those who are serving me in the retail or restaurant establishments?

 

Although I do not have small children at home now, I am privileged to be around many moms who do an excellent job of wearing a sunny disposition weather face as they encourage, guide, and nurture their children; regardless of the spilt milk, the messy food tray or the gift from a budding artist’s picture on a newly painted wall.  However, it is also fair to ask the question; is there always a storm brewing on your face as you address the challenges of many teachable moments each day to your children?  Does the lack of sleep create a monster storm that shows up on your face with anger and impatience? Or, is your weather face reflecting sunshine and warm breezes that children are one of the greatest joys in life regardless of the gales we moms also endure? 

 

I have a weather face that I carry to work each day. My face is exposed to many people in the community, at church, school or college. I love to visit new restaurants, and I also do my fair share to keep retail stores in business.  But, there are those visits to these establishments where things do not always go as smoothly as one would hope; the food is delivered cold or not cooked properly; my drink needs to be refilled but is ignored.   Perhaps I have tried on dozens of different shoe styles at the mall and have rejected them all.  I finally find the perfect pair of shoes, only to have the sales person report they do not have it in my size!  Hmmm, does my face reflect the blustery clouds of frustration and dissatisfaction or exude the chilly expression of disappointment as I leave in a huff?  Perhaps that sales person needed my weather face to share a moment of warmth as they dealt with losing sales commission that impacted their paycheck.  Checking the conditions, my weather face could restore hope that their day will be one of joy. That one person could experience fair weather actions of kindness, compassion and care for their well-being, all because of a person who intentionally prepared their face for the conditions of the day.

Does our face identify us as a stormy weather person?  I am guilty!  I have caught myself with those harsh frown lines and scowl on my face in my rear view mirror after another driver cuts me off in traffic. Anyone could tell a storm was brewing by the look on my face.

There are days when I am a tornado weather person!  Those days include the need to be focused on a task, but I find myself too overwhelmed by the long, unending “to do” list?  Those are the days my weather face looks strained.  I have pinched lips and appear frazzled. There is persistent pained I dare you - “do not ask me to do one more thing” darkness in my eyes. My tornado weather face reflects that I am too busy!  As a result, I might be pushing people away as a result of the stresses and strains in my personal life that day.  What good can I do if my words are negative to match my foul weather face?

          This morning I looked out my window and saw that is was misting and the temperature was registering about 40 degrees.  I felt myself shiver a little bit with dread as I thought about leaving my warm home to go outside to travel to work in the rain and cold.  Because I was thinking about this topic of my weather face, I considered the fact that I could wear that same dread on my face promoting negativity, gloom and doom, and dread by my face and/or my words.  It provided pause to consider whether the housework, or being a wife, or co-worker, has become a “woe is me” day to day drudgery. Do those responsibilities just depress you or me?  Do other people around us just dread and shiver when we bring our cold weather face self around? Or do express and release God’s joyous plan in the duties we can find as a wife and mother; even when we must let go of our personal plans.  Instead, because of allowing God’s Holy Spirit to guide us, we can chose to turn those foul weather face days into those sunny weather face days as we serve family, our husband and children, or our co-workers. 

My best fair weather face days are the ones I prepare for on a daily basis through morning prayer, reading the Word and spending time in meditation. I am then able to dress appropriately with the armor of God and put on a sunny face and disposition.  In checking the spiritual weather patterns of life, we can receive the peace that surpasses all understanding through Jesus Christ. I hope you catch my weather face reflecting an infilling - tilted toward heaven taking in the “son” while admiring the few wispy clouds; enjoying slight refreshing breezes of the Holy Spirit and the “just right” temperatures of His eternal presence!  What will your weather face be today?

He Never Gives Up on Me!

      

              I have begun the New Year joining many churches and their members on a journey of a 21 day fast.  Today I was considering the question a favorite author/musician asks her listeners in one of her songs, “Have you languished long enough that you have learned the dance of hope?  Have you sat in silence long enough that you can delight in His quiet delay?  And, have you suffered long enough that you have found the riches of His unending mercy?  And, have you waited long enough to discover you have wings to soar?” (Kathi Wilson, 2009, Sweet Surrender) 

 

                As I was listening to the questions of the artist’s song, I began to think about Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (NKJV).  How awesome it is to rest in the palm of the Father’s hands and from that position in the Spirit, discover that He gives us wings to soar and experience the real joy and satisfaction of knowing and trusting Him.  It is crossing over from my darkness and weaknesses into His world of light, freedom, truth and love!

                As with the artist above, I have asked the Lord some hard questions to begin this  new year – and He has asked of me to “settle it” within my own Spirit.  As I have answered questions based on His love of me, I am slowly learning the dance of hope.  I have sat in delay of words spoken over me regarding a call in my life – and yet already through this fast, I have found peace, not quite delight yet, but peace in the silence I experience.  And I have found the riches of His unending mercy wrapping me up in the palm of His hand, regardless of whether I yet have the answer or not.  He has me!

                So today, I bask in knowing that when I was yet unloved, HE loved me.  I John 4:19. 

HE chose me before I chose Him.  Ephesians 1:4

Last night I stood together with others in my own church sanctuary as we sang the words that remain - God’s love never fails, never gives up and never runs on me… It goes on and on and on – overwhelms and satisfies my soul…(Jesus Culture – One Thing Remains).  I was but one who became satisfied in my soul and overwhelmed in the magnitude of His love as I basked in His loving presence that moved into the sanctuary.  How thankful I am on this day # 2 of this fast, to experience that there is a God who is moved when I am moved, who loves when I love, who hears when I call upon His name – there is nothing that will separate my heart from Him and His great love.

I am excited to be reminded that even before earth was created…as the Creator, the Word hovered in darkness and brooded – He was thinking of me – and designed me and made me to do good works in Christ…the works that were prepared before the making of the world (Ephesians 2:10).  It is only day two of the 21 day fast, but I am excited to draw closer to Elohim.  But, this I know today… God made each of us in His good pleasure; He chooses us; God is always with us and never fails; He has named us and calls us by name; He has called you and me; He has saved us! 

From this very source and understanding, I find my center, my joy, my strength in choosing the joy of the Lord – it is my Voice – to share with others.  How awesome is His truth.  How awesome is it to be overwhelmed by the Lover of my Soul.  I look forward to being lit up with the love and hope of Jesus Christ during this 21 day fast as I seek and draw near. I know it will transform me and overflow me, so that others might also benefit from that extravagance.  How about you?  How’s your journey in drawing closer and obtaining a deeper awakening to His great love and being overwhelmed by it?

Lioness Arising - Lisa Bevere

Author Lisa Bevere has written a book that is full of encouragement.  What woman can resist the charge to "Wake Up and Change Your World." 

Excellent Read!  Let me know what you think after you have read the book.

Gift of Healing-Asking Voice

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 14:1

So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church – 1 Corinthians 14:12.

4-11 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. (The Message Bible.)

I love these verses and their promise to create fullness and wholeness in my own life. Just as importantly, I can be used in wholeness by the Triune to function where ever he calls me to “Go. Make disciples. Heal the sick. Cast out demons.”

I have been giving thought to the belief that some hold to that they can only have 1 gift from God to function in. I am not sure that is the truth God would have me believe. For instance, many have said to me, you have a gift of wisdom, or wise counsel. I have an ability at times to make the complex simple and clearer in understanding. As I mentor and coach, many have a found they can give me simple trust as together, they are guided on their personal journeys with Jesus Christ. I have seen and participated in the miraculous acts of people being saved; seen people freed from demonic oppression and have discerned spirits – both good and evil. I have both spoken in tongues, and I have interpreted tongues. I have prayed for healings, both spiritual in nature and physical in nature; and have seen some healed and some that were not healed both spiritually and in the natural. These are all the gifts. Some of these I walk more strongly in, but I have been given the privilege of functioning in all of them at one time or the other.

Over the years, I found that I was very impacted by my youngest brother’s death at the age of 19 in an automobile accident. Of course I prayed that he would come out of the coma he had been in, and not have brain damage due to the severe trauma he had suffered. We saw many young people come to the Lord during the wait in the hospital through prayer. We experienced an outpouring of love through prayers of our church body over the course of 3 days while waiting within the hospital walls. My mother saw an angelic couple that offered her words of strength and courage to sustain her loss of her youngest child as she made the decision to turn off all life support after he was declared brain dead. The greatest impact however of his death, was in the resultant loss of belief and faith in healing, and my decision to withhold the gift of healing by my laying hands on someone and asking for their healing…adding faith together to come into agreement. My smoke screen for this belief? I must not have the “gift” of healing since my brother died.  All the good that was manifested in so many gifts we experienced that few days in the hospital, but I reverted to the negative – God did not answer prayer for healing and restoration of life for my brother – where was He? Why?

Now do not get me wrong – I know it is not ME that heals. It is only by the ONE whose stripes we appropriate to be healed, as a result of the finished work on the Cross, which makes it possible. But, the requirement is that I am invited and am seated in the heavenlies, with ALL authority that has been given to me as a Believer; whose identification is Christ in me; I have the responsibility and privilege to lay hands on the sick – whether physical or spiritual in nature – and ASK for healing – because of HE who is in me. It is the model He gave to me, stating, “AND you will do greater things than these.”

I am supposed to be eager for the spiritual gifts manifesting in my life and eager for gifts that build up the body. So, where do we get mixed up thinking that we can limit what God is doing, when He does it, the way He wants to do it? I want to be very careful not to limit God with His limitless potential in my life. I want all the gifts He wants for me to have. And that “all” may be that in HIS fullness, I walk with more than 1 or 2 or 3 gifts. But I function in them when God activates and provides what is necessary for any situation, circumstance or opportunity I find myself in while ministering.

What I found recently in examining my brother’s death so long ago, was that I had a root of fear that made me question stepping out and praying for healing…because maybe my prayers would not be heard, or the person would not be healed and per chance…I would have egg on my face because “I” failed – and my fallback experience was that my brother died after I and so many others had prayed for him. That one experience was trying to negate the other years of seeing so many others who have had cancer, be healed. Heart problems that were healed and surgeries were not necessary because of prayer. Demonic oppression was healed – because I asked in “HIS NAME.”

My point as I write this blog is this – the enemy has tried to kill, steal and destroy VOICE. This reluctance to speak aloud a prayer of healing for emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental or in the realm of healing sickness – is another way the enemy wants to limit God’s potential – the VOICE He has released and gifted within us. The enemy wants to limit the “when two or more are agreed in His name by VOICING and requesting the will of heaven to be released upon this earth – those possibilities! And He wants us to ask, regardless of what we may believe the outcome. I have come to understand that when requesting healing for a believer – they WILL BE healed, in Jesus name, either on this earthly side of heaven or when they enter the Promised Land to be healed for eternity. Praying for healing is one of the best win-win situations I have ever had the blessing to lend my VOICE to be part of.

Andrew Murray, a great man of God has written for our edification: “The Lord Jesus, who in His love is to unspeakably near us, is the Almighty One with whom nothing is impossible.” God says, “For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NRSV).

Healing is included in that YES. And it is given to me as a gifting. It becomes more precious and priceless as I respond with VOICE to ask for healing in His Name.

Contagious Joy

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. Thank you John Wesley, Theologian. You remind us that God is issuing you and me an invitation to celebrate - whether in the midst of challenges in the valley, or walking up the mountain to see it from His perspective.

Celebrate today's blessings - the ones that are right in front of you....your husband, children, parents, people you work with, those who serve you this time of the year in retail and restaurants who are doing their best while being overwhelmed!

Be contagious in your celebration, in your joy - it is your salvation...and your example could make the joy of salvation someone else's also.

Truly - make it a Merry Christmas through the presence, contentment, gratitude, joy and thankfulness that is within!