On a Perfect Day

Yesterday Mom and I attended the National Day of Prayer with some of the ladies in my weekly Bible study. In fact, we did our study in a nearby portion of the park just before the actual convocation began. When we arrived at the park, I carefully got Mom out of the truck, grabbed the bag of supplies we would need for the day, and held her arm as we walked to the table. Once she was situated, I got out her juice and her snack, and joined the discussions whirling about the table. Mom sat quietly, not at all engaged in our study, but she was content.

After our study, it was back to the truck to stow the bag and remove the lawn chairs. From there, I again, took Mom by the arm and walked her to a place in the shade; I set up two chairs for the presentation and prayer. And once again, Mom was not engaged but content. Less than an hour later, it was time to fold the chairs and be on our way. As Mom and I walked slowly back to the parking lot a perfect breeze blew, and I was walking with Jesus, my Lord, my King, my Friend closer than a brother.

A few weeks ago, one of those dear, sweet sisters in my study was speaking of a mutual friend whose time as caregiver for her mother is drawing near a close. "She has never felt as though she is living 'a life on hold,'" she said. And like a punch in the gut, there it was. I have plans. I have things I enjoy doing, things I want to do. Even yesterday's morning in the park was three years in the making -- finally the weather was warm enough for Mom to bear. My life is on hold.

Now, I know I have written about this before. I know I have told of various ways and times in which The Lord has spoken to my heart regarding this ministry to my mother. I know I have even said how those things have changed me. And they have. But, trust me, God is still not finished with me (Praise Him!). By His grace and mercy and love for both Mom and I, He is still speaking, still affecting me. He is looking to complete something in me. I am the one who makes it necessary for Him to repeat Himself. And so, dear reader, I repeat myself to you.

I found His mercy, once again, in His breath moving through the trees on a perfect day.

Dead or Alive

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins," ~ Ephesians 2:1

This past Friday, I took Bishop, our male dog, to the vet. His leg problem required x-rays, but the doc felt pretty confident he could pull it off without having to sedate the dog. Several minutes after he and Bishop disappeared into the back, the vet came bursting through the door of the exam room, collapsed against the wall and gasped, "He turned into a beast!" Sedation would definitely be necessary. Once the doc and I discussed the findings and our course of action, one of the techs offered to bring our Sleeping Beauty to the car. She carried him out, his dry tongue dangling from his mouth, his head and legs limp, his body lifeless. My poor baby! Once at home, he remained stiff and unmoving on his bed for hours. Although Bishop is considered a senior citizen, he has the heart and energy of a pup; he is action! from the time he awakens. Seeing him like that was unnerving; the stark contrast to his nature made him seem all the more corpse-like. Periodically, I'd lean over him and stroke his soft ears, or whisper to him just to make sure he was still alive (he's never been sedated before, and I was concerned for any adverse effects).  I had to get close to verify he was still living; from a distance, all I could see was his inactivity -- the first clue he might be dead.

This past Sunday, our pastor used Ephesians 2:1 in his sermon. He said life is marked by activity. Immediately I thought of Bishop, lying on his bed so stiff and cold; his breathing so shallow. I could not tell, even from two feet away, whether he was alive. And I wondered if I was like that. I don't mean physically dead or alive, but how close would someone have to be to know whether my walk with Christ is vibrant, fruitful?

Do my Facebook friends know I'm praying for them? Do my neighbors know I care about their failures and successes, their needs and their peace? Do the people I work with know how much I love them? Do my friends enjoy my company, see our friendship as a blessing, or receive encouragement when we talk? Does the deep unconditional love I profess for my family coincide with the way I relate to them day after day? Am I keeping my eyes and ears open for ways I can serve others and be Christ to them? Am I constantly praying for opportunities, not only to speak the gospel to others, but to demonstrate it as well? Am I poured out daily in sacrifice to the Living God?

Am I a corpse? Or have I turned into a beast for the sake of Christ?

The Kiss of Death OR One Big Fat Reason Your Church is Dying

Hmmmmm...

• "6 Subtle Signs a Church is on Its Deathbed"
• "10 Signs You Are Part of an Unhealthy Church"
• "17 Signs Your Church is Dying" (emphasis mine) 

My newsfeed is littered with signs of ecclesiastical apocalypse. Article after article tolling the death knell of local fellowships. But not one lists what I believe is a church's -- or even The Church's -- kiss of death: gossip. When was the last time you even heard anyone call it a sin? The only time we hear the word is when someone uses it in some twisted cutesy way followed by giggles that signal "we probably shouldn't be doing this, but..."

Gossip IS NOT cute. Nothing about it is cute. Gossips are poison -- especially in a church. When I think of all the things wrong with churches in America, when I see church after church pandering to those with itchy ears, I am disgusted. When I hear gossip in a church, I get downright ill. People professing to identify with Jesus Christ our Lord, gossiping?! What?!

Look, when I was in my teens, it was smoking, drinking, rock music -- "real Christians" didn't do those things. Today, hot button topics are homosexuality, abortion, and the veracity of the Bible. "Real Christians" aren't homosexuals. "Real Christians" aren't pro-abortion. "Real Christians" believe every word of the Bible is true. But did Jesus say that is how we know a Christian?

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." ~ 1 John 4:7 

Love must be our hallmark, the quality that identifies us to each other, to the world. Real love. The kind of love that Jesus demonstrated:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." ~ John 13:34 

A selfless, putting others first love:

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." ~ Philippians 2:1-8

Gossips think only about themselves. Being the first to get the scoop, and the center of attention when they dish it to waiting ears. Dividing relationships or sullying others' reputations so they gain some sort of control. Poisoning the well so others are as miserable as they are. That is not love. It's no wonder many people see Christians as hypocrites and fakes. How can anyone trust someone who talks about others behind their backs? How can someone believe Christ loves them when we -- His ambassadors -- are so unloving toward one another? How will we improve the world when we can't stop tearing one another down?

If we are taking the pulse of our churches via budgets, evangelism, planning and planting -- all worthwhile endeavors -- but we are not breathing life and hope and encouragement and love into one another, how will anyone know what Christ looks like? How will our fellowships survive?

Thus Far Has the Lord Helped Me

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'” ~ 1 Samuel 7:12

A few years ago, Scott and I headed out on a warm July day, to pick up trash in our neighborhood. Who wouldn't, right? Well, as we reached the halfway point, we saw a terrible accident: motorcycle versus car. Those rarely turn out well, and this one was no exception. The rider had life-threatening injuries; I wasn't certain he would make it until the ambulance arrived. Traffic was still trying to get around us and all the debris, people were frantically calling for the ambulance, folks were trying to make sure the driver at fault did not leave the scene, the motorcycle had to be very carefully but immediately moved, the victim's injuries were causing him to be combative. So much was going on, everything seemed critical. Everything required the power and presence of Jesus. So, that's how I began to pray. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," over and over. As I prayed, I just imagined Him covering the situation with His precious, loving care. I imagined Him standing above it all, calming things down, bringing peace and clarity to us all. I imagined Jesus touching the man's body and healing his injuries.

That moment is my Ebeneezer. You see, 1 Samuel 7:7-12, records a time when massive, deadly Philistine forces declared war on Israel. God's people were terrified, and begged Samuel, God's prophet, to entreat God for help on their behalf. As Samuel was before the Lord, the Philistine war machine approached. But God "thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines," and they were overcome -- they ran like frightened children with the men of Israel hot on their heels! Samuel then took a stone, setting it up as a monument to what God will do for His people. He called it Ebeneezer, "stone of help".

When I am confronted with grief, or pain, or I come before the Lord with the needs of others, I remember that day. I remember the name of Jesus spoken over a chaotic situation, and bringing peace; the name of Jesus spoken over some bystanders, bringing level-headed thinking -- and an off duty EMT (!); the name of Jesus spoken over a critically injured man, bringing healing and health. Jesus is my help, and that warm July day marks what He will do for His people.