Won't You Accept This Cup?

                                        

                                              

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The difficulties of life are challenging. Each of us experiences our own unique challenges each day. The choice of how we respond is our own, and only ours to make each moment of each day. Will we receive what has been given us (even if it is not what we would have chosen for ourselves)? Or will we reject it, and go about our day working and striving to “receive” a better cup, one of our own making?






Life is to be celebrated and not conquered and fixed. It is in the “accepting” that we can come to that place of celebration, celebrating it all, the good with the bad, understanding that ALL is a gift. Never in striving or rejecting are we capable of accepting or giving thanks. A heart that is made hard cannot fully embrace and celebrate all of life, especially the challenges.






Not long ago a friend of mine asked me about a cup she could not find. She was staying with us and it had turned up missing. I told her I had not seen it but would keep my eyes open for it. Not once but twice again she inquired about the cup. I promised I would ask my family if they had perhaps seen it. They had not. It was a small clear plastic cup that you frequently see at various stores, nothing fancy or expensive. However, it had become clear to me that it was important to her. I felt bad that it had turned up missing and wondered if perhaps one of us had misplaced it after all? So I decided to get her a new cup.






Unfortunately the store I went to did not have the exact cup so I chose another one to give her; one that was larger and more brilliant in color, but I did not pay much for the gift.






When I approached her with it I could see that she felt bad that I had bought her a new cup. I could see the guilt in her eyes as she said it was not necessary and that she had not asked about it for that reason. She refused to take the cup. I explained it was a gift and she need not feel bad because it was not expensive. I told her it would bless me to bless her. I insisted she take it and handed it to her little son.






Not long afterward I received a text from her saying she would not accept it and I needed to take it back. I was angry and hurt. I ranted to my husband who couldn’t understand why I was so upset over an inexpensive cup. “It’s just a cup,” he said. But it was so much more than that. It was the refusal of a peace offering, a gift from the heart.






A few days later as I sat alone I began to complain to the Lord. I went on and on about one thing or another, clearly recognizing my grumbling quota for that day had been more than met. Still I continued on. In between breaths, I could almost hear him say, “Why do you refuse my cup?”






A pang hit my stomach. Just as my friend had refused my cup, I also had refused his cup. How many cups has the Lord given me each day that I refuse to take or acknowledge? When life did not line up with my perfect plan, how many cups have I tossed back at him with one excuse or another?






When Jesus was getting ready to be crucified he called out to God, the Father, and in his own humanity he asked if the cup of suffering which he was about to receive could be taken from him. But he quickly added to that, “Not my will, but yours Father.” It was because of the cup that Jesus embraced that we can fully live, truly celebrate life. Unlike my inexpensive cup, his cost him everything.






He received all and he gave all. Who am I to not receive the cup set before me?






Each moment is be received, embraced; the good and the bad. When we can come to that place of gratitude then we truly live.






Life is to be celebrated not conquered and fixed. Gratitude and acceptance is the path to the Father’s hand.









Won’t you accept this cup?

The Circus is coming to town

                                             

                                                                  

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When I was a little girl, my mother and I took a trip to see the Three Stooges in a circus event in St. Louis. Once at the Arena we stood in an ocean of people waiting in line for tickets. My mother insisted I hold her hand. I was not one to hold still and stood in awe at the colorful clowns who paraded throughout the crowd. Still I held my mother’s hand. Anticipation and excitement rose as I spied all the decorations and the smiles of all the children. I never have figured out when but somewhere along the line I let go of my mother’s hand. With my back to her I stood staring at the high ornate ceilings surrounded by windows; the sounds and colors almost too much to take in. A little boy next to me began to chat and we laughed and jumped up and down at the idea of finally getting to see the circus and the Three Stooges.


As I continued to talk to my new friend, the line began to move forward and like a good little girl I reached for my mother’s hand, my back still to her. I’m not sure how much time passed before I heard my mother’s voice call to me. I turned and to my horror I wasn't holding my mother’s hand but that of a stranger; a lady with a kind face. Thankfully Mom wasn't very far ahead of us in line and she turned and saw the expression on my face. The lady whose hand I held looked down at me, only then realizing I was not her daughter (who had also become distracted by the clown’s antics). She and my mother exchanged smiles and my mother took my hand. I remember my mother gently scolding me to pay attention or I could get lost in the crowd.


Isn't it strange how a memory will suddenly creep up on us at the craziest of times? I was flooded by this particular memory yesterday as I drove about town. I could not have been more than 4 or 5 years old at the time. Strangely, I can’t recall the circus at all. As I pondered on what had occurred I was thankful of the outcome that day. There is a spiritual lesson here as well.


Just as children we can be distracted by the things of this world. Our eyes divert from the safety of our Heavenly Father's hand and onto the things that dance about for our attention. Often times it is things that appear to be good and innocent that draws us away from the hand of our Father. And before we know it, we’re in the hand of the enemy. Thankfully our Father, just like my mother did, seeks us. He is faithful to seek his lost ones. How different the outcome could have been for me that day.


And so let us fix our eyes on our Father and abide in his safe embrace. When we lose sight of our Heavenly Father and his loving hand, danger lurks ready and willing to take our hand and lead us elsewhere.


1 John 2:15-17


New King James Version (NKJV)


Do Not Love the World





15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.




2 Corinthians 4:18


New International Version (NIV)


18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


Psalm 63:8


I cling to you; your right hand upholds me

The Golden Thread

                                            

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She sat with the Lord one morning and stared at the shadows casting at her feet. No words came at first; they seemed stuck in the pit of her pain. Looking up with defeated eyes the words began to slowly spill along with her tears. To her amazement his unexpected reply gave great healing and peace. All that she had expected and all that she had experienced up to this point in her life did not prepare her for this sweet moment; honey to her mouth, a balm to a broken and defeated spirit, a refreshing of the driest of bones.


The words she poured forth were mere questions. Questions given throughout all generations, yet hers were personal and she hoped it would mean something to his listening ear. Her “whys” and “hows” had reached him times far too numerous to count. Yet in his unconditional love and mercy he was faithful to hear.


“Why have I been so defeated over and over again? No matter how hard I try, it seems that this same sadness and frustration has followed me since early childhood. You of all know even in my crib there was a great sadness. I cannot rid myself of it. I’ve tried, Lord, you know I have tried!” Boldness found its way into her heart as she continued her plea.


“I have worked hard, I have strived, I have even surrendered; and yet the victory never seems to stay. Pockets of time there was joy, but like a whisper it eventually fades. As I look back through my life, I see it is as this choking rope running through each phase of my life, choking the life right out of that chapter. I have fought and fought, but there is no more fight left, I am tired. I am defeated now Lord, I am overwhelmed; I cannot go on like this any longer. Some days are filled with such joy and hope and others this great sorrow creeps upon me and sucks the strength from me. Surely you can take this common thread and remove it from me?”


She could almost hear the sound of a tear running down his cheek. A breeze flowed over her and there was a smile in the sound of his reply. “Child, this thread has been a gift to you. What you see as suffering, I see as grace. What you see as defeat I see as a final victory. This thread is not just any thread but a Golden thread. I am purifying you to become more like me. It is a beautiful thing, not to be gotten rid of, but to be embraced. You see the now, but I see the results. You see the pain, and I see the final healing. You see the defeat, but I know the Victor. What you want to rid yourself of is the very thing that I will use in your life to bring beauty into the lives of others. So stop striving, and simply believe.”


Instinctively and unavailable to words, she understood. What she had prayed to be taken from her was the very thing that would become the story of her life, a beautiful tale. Though she had not recognized it, in her suffering and pain was great beauty, a golden thread; part of a greater story, a greater purpose. It was through His grace that she was always able to continue. No longer would she ask for it to be removed, instead only to be found faithful. Through it all, she recognized that in the pain and the joy she always ended up pointing to him. And in a new strange and miraculous way, that was enough.

Flight Instructions

                                           

                                                   

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Yesterday my son, Noah, was at his girlfriend’s house when he heard a thud on the window. When he went outside to investigate he saw a small bird sitting on the ground under the window. It was stunned when he tried to scoot it away. It gave him a puzzled look, spread its little wings and gave him its best effort to fly, only to run straight into a metal fence. Noah was baffled until he saw a momma robin swoop down and land next to the little one. It became apparent that 'little bird' was learning to fly and when he first jumped from the nest he hit the window. Momma bird chirped and danced around him as if to say, “I’m right here with you, try again. I know it’s hard but don’t give up. Look at me, I’ll show you how to do it.”






I began to wonder how birds communicate flight instructions; do they have a language that lays out a "step by step" procedure for their young? Are there flying drills before the little ones leave the nest? Or do they learn to fly through the process itself? Of course I've watched enough birds to come to the conclusion they don't get much, if any, instructions before its time to leave the nest. I bet that baby bird wished it had some better instructions beforehand; perhaps he would not have hit the window. Learning to fly can be dangerous. Yet, I must admit that I don’t see many birds that would rather walk than fly. Many even soar.






It made me think back to when I was on an airplane early one morning making my last trip to see my sister, Susan. For weeks I had struggled with the idea of having to say goodbye. I sat praying, feeling very emotional. Tears trickled down my face as I hoped other passengers would not notice. Along with the sadness there was great fear of the unknown. During that time of prayer as I looked out at the billowy clouds the sun began to rise. I could sense the Lord’s presence. It was tangible. My prayer seemed more like a two way conversation as I could hear him whispering clearer than ever before. I even asked him why I was able to hear him so clearly. He responded, “You are in my presence, far above the clouds of your uncertainty.” He went on to say, “You are going on a very difficult journey, but do not be afraid. Do not fear for I am with you.” I knew instantly he was not talking simply about the trip to see my sister, yet I was uncertain what he was referring to exactly.






Recently, I have had some challenges and wished I had some clearer instructions on what to do about them. I will admit that often I feel like that baby bird trying to learn to fly. I can only imagine what he must have felt like when his momma told him it was time to leave the nest. I’ve not been down this particular road before, and often wish that I knew where I was going long before I take my next step. I want flight instructions.






Yet God calls us to live by faith and not by sight. He tells us his grace (unmerited favor and power) is enough for us. He says that his presence is truly all we need. He wants us to learn from him, to know we can trust him. Just as the little bird learned to fly by watching its mother, God calls us to keep our eyes on him and him alone. He holds the flight instructions for our every need. And unlike that momma, the Lord promises to never leave us nor forsake us. “Don’t be afraid, I am with you always."


This spring when we see a momma bird, I hope we will be reminded to keep our eyes on the Lord because it’s in his presence that we learn how to soar.

What's In A Rose?

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My child, it is time to walk into your new identity. Your identity is no longer established in this world and all that it offers. The world offers you distinctiveness found through youth, fame, success, wealth, possessions, titles, power and beauty. The world claims your identity is found through them. My child, this system of idols is not my way. My system is a Kingdom set apart by me and for me. I offer you so much more than this world can. I want to change the way you see yourself so that my love will live to the fullest in you. It is not to be stored. No, I want you to blossom to your fullest potential so that you may love as I love. It is through the aroma of my love that others will come to know me and my great love for them. What a sweet scent my love leaves.


You understand partly now but one day you will understand fully. Your focus will be made complete and your comprehension of who you truly are and who I truly am will become fully known. Until that time, I am working to renew your thoughts so that they will align with mine. When you look into a mirror, it is without thought that your eyes go straight to the place of your weakness. You see your flaws and imperfection but I see something completely different. You see your lack but I see my perfection. And when you gaze into the law of my first covenant, once again you see only your imperfection. This places focus on your sin rather than my LOVE and forgiveness found through the covenant of the cross. My LOVE covers a multitude of sin. My child, you have been made new In Christ, because you have turned back to me and accepted the gift of my son, Jesus. I have given you your true identity. You are a new creation placed directly in the center of my son, Jesus. In the past your focus has been skewed, but now it is time to live up to that which I say you are.



I see you as a reflection of my son, Jesus. When I look at you, I see his perfection. When you look at him, see yourself also. For the great riches of my love for him has also been lavished onto you. Go ahead my child, feel free to partake of all your inheritance. You are free to be loved and free to give love. Change your focus to line up to all I say you are.



If you want to know your true identity, don't look at all the world claims you are, look to Jesus. Come to know his character and you will come to know yourself because his character is also available to you. His patience, kindness, and peace I give to you. What a sweet aroma you are to me, my child. What a lovely fragrance.



Take a look at the rose; it is one of my most cherished creations and a wonderful representation of your identity in me. You see, my child, the fragrance of a rose is its crowning glory. How I enjoyed the scent of the roses in the garden when I walked with woman and man. Such joy and pleasure it brought to me, but now it is you that is my source of joy. You are my Beloved.


Notice there is no other scent produced by the rose, except that which I have given. A rose cannot produce the scent of lavender or of musty earth after a fresh rain. The coffee bean or an ocean breeze cannot compare. No, a rose has a scent all its own. Beloved, the rose is most fragrant when it has been crushed and its oil is poured out.


My son, Jesus, became crushed and he was poured out in order that you would be made fragrant. Fragrant so others would come to know the beauty of my great love. Your fragrance is my delight. I delight in you!


Beloved, next time you are tempted to look dimly into the reflection of this world, remember that I am renewing you day by day. My claim is that you are precious and lovely. Live believing that. Focus on my goodness and not the negativity of this world. Place your focus on Jesus and you will begin to walk in light of your true identity.


You are the fragrant sweet aroma, the crowning of our great love. Breathe in all which that encompasses and you will become like the rose in full bloom; most exquisite and fragrant.



Beloved, how exquisite you are!



2 Corinthians 2:14-16


14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmZ2v0niCI

Safe in His Arms

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For the Marble chaser freedom uncovers itself one pearl at a time. 

Today's marble is unbelief.

Marble chasers aims high but their focus is always low. Their goal is perfection and their desire for it stems from their need to be accepted; to avoid the pain of rejection, shame and fear. To be able to attain perfection is merely an illusion. Still, they chase after it. All the while it can never be completely grasped; it's always just a step away.  

To come face to face with the fears of a Marble chaser leaves them feeling vulnerable. But it is through facing the fears that they are able to let go of the next marble. They may have an open wound for a moment but in the end they are left with healed new skin. 

I read once that scars are stronger than healthy unwounded skin. I know this is true; for it is in the scars of our Savior that we have opportunity for true wholeness, healing and our true identity exposed. He exchanges marbles for his beautiful pearls.  

LOVE, himself calls to this marble chaser. Over time he has revealed how futile all her marble chasing has been. Yet, learning new habits takes time and patience. Something she hopes to learn quicker than later.  She calls back to LOVE and asks about her agenda, her lists, and her responsibilities? And while all of those things wear the mask of importance, in her heart she desires for a greater purpose, “What is important, what truly matters when it’s all said and done?  Are clean dishes and tidy drawers to be the goal of this life? Can there be satisfaction found in such lifeless goals?”

Life seems to always produce lists, even for the non-marble chaser. Yet it seems over time marble chasers find themselves getting less  and less accomplished with each passing day; much like a dog chasing his tail.  And with it the emotions intensify and the fear of failure rises up. Rejection’s breath blows hot. 

Ah, but to find peace in the midst of the emotion, could this be the goal required of the marble chaser? Could the journey of learning a new way of thinking, of seeing, and believing truly be the destination; the place where contentment is found? Could it be that the journey, this life, is truly the destination? LOVE smiles and opens His arms wide.

He answers, “I am your peace. Come beyond the veil child. Come into my presence, for I AM Peace. Be still, listen and I will lead you. Your purpose is not found in your accomplishments but in your surrendering. To become you must first end.  It is not even found in loving extravagantly, as you once thought. No, Seek ME FIRST, come into MY presence, and receive from me. Let my peace wash over you, fill you to a fullness you've never known. Then you can allow me to pour out my love to others. This is where I want your focus, the rest will be worked out in good timing. BELIEVE in my goodness and my grace. Trust in me. Trust that in me you are always safe.”

A memory washes over me. Pages from long ago flood my mind. There in black and white the words ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ stain  the face of a six year old little girl. The day she learned experienced disbelief.

She stood on the edge of the public pool looking down into the face of her step father, whom she called “Daddy.”   He stood in the water, arms open wide, a smile planted on his face, beckoning her to jump. The concrete, extraordinarily hot sent her toes into a tippy toe dance. The splashes, laughter and screams of excited children filled the pool. And for the little one who could not swim it sent waves of exhilaration throughout her little frame. Moms and Dads lined the fence sunbathing and chatting.  Desperate to enter into the fun she giggled with anticipation. 

“Jump, I’m right here, I’ll catch you,” her Daddy said firmly.

Then she felt it. Her eyes grew quiet as fear overcame her excitement.

“I can’t.  I’m scared. What if you drop me and I drown?”

 “Jump ! I won’t drop you,” his face became solemn.

Her little lips stammered, calculating the outcome, her toes still dancing as the heat rose to her face. She wanted to join in, but her fear caused her to doubt her own safety.

His face shifted, and she saw impatience in the furrow of his brow.

“Look, at that little girl.” He pointed. “She’s smaller than you and she’s not afraid.” An initiation of sorts; a myriad of emotion bundled into that one moment; a moment that would follow her the rest of her life.

A memory flashed through her six year old mind; Her mother's face and the pain in it caused by the very hands of her daddy. In her little mind, though she tried to make sense of the good and the evil he was capable of she could not. And in that moment trusting him seemed to wash away with each splash, with each stare.  The painful glances of the boys and girls next to her jabbed at her and with it a new wave of emotion. Her feet became painfully hot and she was desperate for relief but in that moment even the pain felt more comfortable than the fear that grasped her.

Her head dropped as she gave a nervous smile their way. Even her tippy toeing stopped as she stared at the water's depth. It was clearly over her head. What if he dropped her? Wasn't he a teaser, a prankster, what if he was teasing now?  This man she called Daddy for a short while could not understand her fear. He was overcome by his own sadness and embarrassment at her lack of trust in him. And soon his sadness turned to anger. Instead of calming the tiny one's fears, his voice grew firmer. 

There is no recollection of her jumping, or landing safely in her Daddy's arms. Instead the memory fast forwards to her daddy getting out of the water, his anger obvious to all. Her mother tried to calm him, but it only caused more upset. The little one was left feeling both ashamed and fearful; and with it sadness that she would not experience the joy of splashing in the water.

And so a new question arises, is God angry with us when we doubt; when we don’t believe he will catch us; when we don’t feel safe? Does he bail on us when we stammer? 

There’s a quiet nudging:

“Trust me; in my arms you are always safe. I do not shame you nor am I quick to anger. I lovingly teach you. I know your limitations. But you must know that it is your unbelief that will keep you from walking on water, from living the full life; from splashing joyfully.”

Calmness rains over me; and along with it a quiet voice calls.

"There are only a few things I require of you: 

#1 Run to the other side of the veil, to my LOVE where grace is the foundation for all things I have for you.

#2 Seek to hear my voice, to be in my presence, to love me as extravagantly as I love you. In that you will find true contentment.

#3 Remember I am writing the Great story, focus on what matters eternally,  all the rest will eventually fade away.

#4 Be Still and know I AM GOD.  Stay focused on my arms, not the waves."

Yes, we are safe to jump into the deep waters.  God holds us in his  arms. We can believe that He can be trusted, he will catch us each time.  He has a pearl waiting, we simply must Believe.

IMAGINE

This is dedicated to my sister, Susan, who passed away in December. Her nickname was "Hippie Chick." Susan was a child of the 60's and 70's and spent much time "Imagining." She longed for peace and love and spent her life chasing after them. It wasn't until the last part of her life that she found what she had searched for all along. But she was not able to find it through all the things of this world. Instead she found it by way of a torn veil and LOVE's rescuing hand. Imagine that!

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Imagine, All-encompassing LOVE walking intimately with us. LOVE; ever powerful, NEVER changing, and Unconditional-pouring himself out for his creation. Loving is not a part of who he is- LOVE IS. It is his complete essence. LOVE embodied, full of brilliance and light. Yes, LOVE walked and lived among his beloved. The purity of their fellowship was revealed throughout all creation, the warmth of his presence gave joy to even the tiniest of creatures.

But there was a squander-er, one who chose no longer to fellowship with LOVE. He was full of HATE and anger. He hated LOVE’s intimacy with woman and man. He was pure DARKNESS. LOVE warned woman and man to avoid the things of darkness. But when they heard the dark voice calling to them, it was smooth and attractive, and they did not recognize it as darkness. They ignored LOVE’S precious warning, choosing to go their own way and joined into fellowship with the dark one. Darkness filled the land.

LOVE did not change; LOVE cannot change- for HE IS LOVE. LOVE’S heart broke as he saw the change in woman and man. A veil had been placed between LOVE and his beloved. The squander-er had gained power over the land, and even over man and woman. Sadness had filled the heart of LOVE. LOVE NEVER CHANGED and he longed for intimacy once again with woman and man. Years were only moments, for LOVE is eternal and eternal is not bound by time. And while man and woman, woman and man, lived and died, LOVE was working out his rescue mission.

As a LOVING RESCUER, LOVE broke through the veil and entered into the darkness. The Creator, LOVE, now became the created. He walked among woman and man as both a man and LOVE. His mission was clear, his purpose was pure and his motive was the personification of all he is- PURE LOVE.

He gave himself fully, holding nothing back. LOVE gives all. LOVE took darkness upon himself. The battle hung heavy. Darkness was broken and the veil was torn. LOVE won. LOVE made a way for man and woman to once again fellowship with Him. Yet darkness still walks the land blinding the eyes and hearts of LOVE’s creation. A blinding veil he places before their eyes. Many cannot see the torn veil which leads to LOVE, nor his hand reaching into the darkness. LOVE offers LIFE. LOVE offers SIGHT.


LOVE NEVER CHANGES. LOVE is Eternal. LOVE is Hope. LOVE is freedom. LOVE is Joy. LOVE is Peace. He gives all to all who will receive. Yet as before, he gives man and woman choice. LOVE forces no one, but chooses all.

For the man or woman who wills to receive the gift of the rescuer, LOVE removes the blinding veil. Darkness turns to light. LOVE NEVER CHANGES. He is not contingent on us. In our hands we choose which side of the veil we will walk; whom we will fellowship with. For the LIFE which LOVE offers is given freely, yet we must freely receive.



Lift up your hands to LOVE and receive what he has been waiting to give. Turn toward the open veil and the one, LOVE, who is calling your name.



Yes Imagine, Believe and receive.

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