I was watching a sermon from Pastor Shawn Johnson of Red Rocks Church that is located in Colorado. Like his other messages, this one was another good one, but it moved me to write. He gave many examples of what faith could be, and what many don’t experience. For him, one instance sent him on a downward spiral to deep depression.

He spoke of being on the floor, so deep into despair that he could not get up. His wife Jill persevered with him, even if that meant being on the floor with him. This season kept him from being pastor at Red Rocks, as he needed to work on himself. After he got better, he went to visit his spiritual father, who gave him a simple bit of advice. He asked Shawn if he spent time with God, not because he was searching for the next sermon, or he needed a scripture to base the sermon on, but if he listened to worship music and spent time with God.

Shawn had to regrettably admit that he had not. What did he have to do, and how can this be applied to the faith walk of the believer?

In his sermon series 167: Stay Home Faith, the main theme is this:

• there are 168 hours in a week
• of those hours, many go to church, say, for an hour, so that hour is dedicated to God
• after attending church service, there are no more hours during the remainder of the week spent with God or others of the faith
• What happens to the other 167?

Therein is the difference between experiential faith and knowledgeable faith. Being knowledgeable in something does not necessarily mean one has experienced it. So for example, if wedding vows said at the wedding ceremony are full of beautiful prose from each soon-to-be spouse to each other that makes the audience swoon and get teary-eyed, Shawn suggests in a funny way that that not be done. Instead he offers they not say vows like that, but wait at least a couple of years, and see if they can still say such lovely words to each other. By that time there married life has been  experienced, and maybe the words will have changed.

Or how about this one? Reading children books on how to be a parent is way different than taking the baby home and starting the years of experience of actually being a parent. The nights of staying up with the baby, not having a clue of how to stop the crying, then fast forward to experiencing how to deal with that child when he or she becomes a teenager.

But once one experiences what it is like in each of these instances, living life is so much different. Now the knowledge has linked up with the experiential, and life is now rooted and grounded, becoming richer because of the experience.

During the sermon, a picture was posted on the screen, giving an aerial view of a neighborhood that had been devastated after hurricane Harvey. The majority of the homes were flattened… except for two.  These two houses may have been damaged, but both were not flattened, they still stood after withstanding the forces of the storm. Here are the pictures:

The white house was closest to the beach. When interviewed, those that built the home stated that the foundation was built way down beneath the surface in preparation for any storms that may come. The other house seemed to be protected by the white house during the storm.

Jesus taught on this wise:

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-28

One hour of going to church is not enough. Spending time obtaining knowledge to complete a sermon is not enough. Reading about being a parent is not the same as actually being one, and saying vows at a wedding ceremony need to be coupled with the experience of married life. The experience of reading God’s Word, having it implanted in your heart is how foundation is established. Learning how to pray is one thing; actually doing it is quite another, as praying causes the relationship between you and God to flourish and deepen. Asking God for help brings him into the situation, causing the foundation of faith to become take root, giving the believer not only a knowledge of knowing what could happen, but experiencing what has taken place. This type of faith, when molded with the experiential, offers a foundational faith that can withstand the storms of life, allowing the believer to stand.

So what can you do with the remaining 167? I hope you will apply a chunk of it to foundation-building…be strengthenized.

There is a Volvo commercial that I love, not because of the product being presented, but because of the song entitled Lean On.  One line sticks with me throughout the day:

“ All we need is somebody to lean on…”

I found the original version of the song, and it sounds nothing like what is in the commercial. It is more fast-paced, a song you would hear in a club perhaps. The version in the commercial is just the opposite: slowed down, and has the tone of comfort to the one listening to it. 

More than ever, this line is what many of us need. Millions worldwide are looking for answers to lean on, conclusions that would help them come to terms with their fear and concerns over the virus pandemic.

If only we could find that someone to lean on.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary includes in its definitions of the word lean to mean

to cast one’s weight to one side for support

to rely for support or inspiration

to incline, defined further as to lean, bend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct

A verse comes to mind: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7

A fisherman with a fishing rod casts the line forward, to get it in the water and lure a catch of fish. On the end of the line may be a worm that will lure the fish to come and take a bite. What do you want to cast out into the deep? Is it the fear you have been experiencing from news of the virus spreading worldwide? Is it the concern you have over bills piling up because you have been laid off? Is it not knowing if your business will permanently close or remain open?

As you cast (representative of leaning) your finances out into the deep, reel in God’s provision. As you cast fear out into the deep, reel in God’s peace.  Cast out whenever something nags at you that would cause you to experience the negativity of your situation and concern of you and your family. Believe that God will make a way; only believe He can do so. You may have to wait for it, but keep asking and keep believing.  That is the essence of leaning in and having Someone to Lean On…

Given the time we are currently living in, I went to the store to get some groceries. As you probably know, water is hard to come by, and items that once were in large quantities are quite nil. I find myself trying to guess the day of the week and the time to go to the grocery store in hopes of finding that the delivery has been made and the food is somewhat plentiful. Sometimes that works, and other times it does not.

Shopping malls are closed, so I can’t get my shopping fix on. Amazon and DSW online had become my coping mechanisms, until I realized that needed to stop. I began to think of what I really needed to buy that would assist me in living life, not just buying stuff that I really didn’t need, if I am honest with myself.

Then I as led to Isaiah 55. It was a passage I needed to read. This passage presented an invitation to anyone who is thirsty and has no money coming to a place to buy, but money would not be needed, and you could buy what you wanted, “without money and without price.” The second verse really got me thinking. Reworded, the verse asks a question I had to consider. Why spend money for things that don’t satisfy, and why waste some much of your time on things that don’t satisfy you?

The next part of this chapter offers a solution. Incline, or listen to me, God says, as an everlasting covenant will be made, making the one who inclines a witness to people, who don’t know you and you don’t know them. But because of your witness to them they will run to the Lord. And here is the verse that is popular with many: God’s ways and thoughts are higher than what we possess. Later in the chapter it speaks of God’s Word, once declared and spoken out into the atmosphere, will not return void, as one goes out with joy, being led by peace.

In times such as these, what should we do? Buy things we don’t need and stay to ourselves, or get the Word out, being an encourager to as many as we can about the Lord? If we buy the right things to satisfy our inner thirst, that satisfaction will enable us to proclaim to the world.

If you purchase the right things to quench your spiritual thirst, joy and peace will come your way. The writer challenges us to seek the Lord while he can be found, and call on Him while He is near. With all this time on our hands, what better time to seek God.

Buy freely, and seek intently…

I am presently experiencing many states in life:

• learning to be a first-time grandmother to twin boys
• the realm of being retired (don’t hate; you time will soon come)
• learning to declutter stuff I haven’t used in years; disposing what I haven’t used

Recently I visited my grandsons Josiah and Elijah, spending time feeding and caring for them. Being a few weeks old, I was fearful I would harm them (not picking them up properly for example). But eventually I got more comfortable with them, and feeding them became natural. They live with their parents in another city, and when I am home I miss them terribly. But I hope I will continue to learn my role as their Mimi grandmom, and I find myself looking at other toddlers, being excited to see the boys reach that age. The state of a new role is quite interesting.

The following month I retired from my job after over 30 years of service. Once the paperwork was submitted months ago, it seemed like time sped up, and before I knew it, I was having lunch with friends one last time before I carried my box of stuff from clearing my office space, driving away with a big smile on my face. The state of happiness was being experienced.

Once home, I began making a list of projects I now had the time to complete. Rearranging furniture in the living room and getting rid of two old bookcases, purchasing a new one and putting books I had for years in boxes for donation. Next was the kitchen, clearing out cabinet space which meant throwing out old plastic containers. These containers I have wanted to dispose of for months, because they were so old they were turning yellow! I have these containers for decades, and knew I needed to throw them out and get new ones. What a sense of accomplishment I felt when I started taking out bags of plastic clutter! What a lovely state I found myself in.

State comes from the Middle English stat , the Anglo-French estat, and the Lating word status.  This is further explained as a way of living or existing; the things that affect the way you think or feel. Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of Philippians that having gone through different situations in his life, he had learned to be content. Life is full of whatever states; it is up to us to accept or reject.

If we reject, chances are life will seem to be a not so pleasant experience. It may be full of angst and frustration, trying to make things work, and the more you try to figure it out and solve it, the worse it gets. Your status of life, the way you think and feel will put the prefix  dis  in front of content; life will be experienced as one of discontentment, full of negativity.  But this is what Paul experienced. He wrote that whatever is happening in his life, he learned to be content, and Paul’s life was full of great times (preaching the gospel), and hard, challenging times (being shipwrecked, thrown in prison, badly beaten and left for dead, to name a few). It was in all of these instances that Paul could surmise in the fourth chapter of Philippians that he learned how to be content in what I call state whatevers.

So for me, I am still a process in the making, so I continue to live life learning how to live the contented life, regardless of what happens: whether my finances are strong or need some tightening up, learning to be a grandmother, discovering the joy of being free from daily working, and enjoying what it is like to have time to explore and learn more about life.

So whatever your state may be, learn from it and be content while in it.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”  Philippians 4:11

Be strenthenized…

For years I participated in music ministry, singing, directing choirs, teaching music and the like. After many years, I was worn out while at the same time, I needed something new. I felt there had to be something more to life than what I was then doing.

So I left music. Fast forward about ten years, where I was at a new church (literally, it was a church plant), and the desire, which if I am honest never left, came alive again. I wanted to be a part. But that was full of frustration. Going for auditions and not sounding great at all. I am grateful for volunteering at a church for their Sunday evening service and I will be so thankful that they welcomed me in. I became interested in music again. Tony their music director became like my  big brother, another person I am blessed to have met.

But back to the new church. I auditioned and was finally accepted to the music group. I actually thought I could pick up where I left off years ago. When the time came for me to lead a song, well, let’s say what I thought would happen…didn’t in my opinion. I just fell flat, full of nerves, and I didn’t fare well. I had asked about leading (after all, if you don’t ask how will they know?), thinking if I let them know I wanted to do it, it would happen. It did, but I think the timing was a bit off; I wasn’t ready to take on such a task. I felt really bad about it and just went to God in prayer and apologized for being so bad. The I realized something: it had been a while since I had done that, and why did I think all would be well? I had not prepared for it, hadn’t been getting my voice ready for example. I needed to wait for God’s timing for before that happened again.

And so I was actually content with staying in the background, a place that had previously frustrated me in the past. And then something occurred this past Sunday that I had never anticipated would happen: I surprisingly got a chance to do it again.

As is usually the case, rehearsal occurred, and everything seemed to be going well with the music, I knew what I needed to sing, and then one of group who usually sings leads to the songs couldn’t sing. I think he got overwhelmed with the words to the song (which is a beautiful song called Build My Life.  Though he tried, he couldn’t begin. Miraculously, I began to sing the song. This time there were no nerves, there was no hesitation, it just kind of happened.  I even signaled the musicians as to where the song was going next. Eventually the leader got back into singing the rest of the song, the whole while I was thinking, God, I wasn’t expecting that to happen. 

But given time, and the right moment, it did. Lots to learn here.

Patience is key.  Trying to make it happen at times works. Oftentimes it doesn’t, and the outcome one hopes to achieve, doesn’t quite work out as mentally planned.

Give your cares to the Lord, and leave it there. God encourages us to give burdens to him, casting our cares upon him, because he cares for us.

It may take some time, but wait for God’s timing, and expect great things from him, particularly the unexpected ones.  It is in those times when much is learned in the wait, as hope for God’s timing is anticipated.

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,”  1 Peter 5:6

Be strengthenized…

It was past time to leave work and go home, and I heard rain coming down fiercely. I quickly got my things and left the office. Once in my car, I heard thunder and saw lightning, and the rain was a downpour, mixed with hail! I as well as the other drivers were cautious in driving, and I had to gas up my vehicle before continuing. Once there, I noticed a calm come over me, and then I realized the rain had stopped. I thought that then was the time to get to the bridge and make my way home, hoping I would get away from the storm.

I was right. I made it through the storm. Once to the bridge, the sky was blue, not much by way of clouds, and the sun was shining; even the roads were dry. I felt as if God was sending me a message that all was well. I made it home and went to my mailbox to retrieve the mail.

I opened the nursing home bill for my mother expecting to see the usual numbers. I was surprised to see there was an $1100 monthly increase. Focusing on the amount, I panicked, wondering how that could be, and knowing neither she nor I could foot the increase.

As is usually the case, I tried to ‘fix it’, thinking of ways to obtain funds to pay this.   I went in prayer, and asked others to do the same. I realized I couldn’t  resolve this, but this was a situation only God could fix. I remembered the message of the previous day by Pastor Marcus England who spoke at my church (if you want to hear it go to westparkchurch.cc Drop the Mic series) regarding us asking ourselves that there must be more to living life, not settling and being passive, but being active by getting up, picking up and walking. All that stems from wanting more, not only surviving, but thriving. And getting the more involves us trusting God more. That message made me think of doing something Jesus is recorded as saying to many. Whether in the form of a question (“Do you believe I can do this?”), to a very succinct statement: “Just believe”, or as recorded in Mark 9:23: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

I watched the message of Pastor Michael Todd of Transformation Church talk about having baby faith, and if one has the faith of a grain of a small mustard seed, one can command any mountain to be moved, and it will.

The next day presented itself, and my plan was to take my mother’s bill and go to the nursing home and talk to someone in the business office. But an idea came to my brain to call the main office in Texas first. As I was talking to that person it was as if God dropped something in me: gross.  I pulled the annual statement that showed the amount my mother received for the year, divided it by 12, and that is how the larger figure was computed, the gross pension amount. When I told the person that, I asked her if the medical insurance that is deducted from her pension was considered. When she reviewed her files, she stated it wasn’t, and it needed to be. That was the difference. I had my answer to bring to the attention of the business office at the nursing home. So off I went.

Once there, I did not get a chance to bring up the issue of the health insurance, as they noticed the error. They went into their files, found the information I had given them months earlier, made the correction and the discrepancy was resolved. While the monthly bill increased, my mother’s monthly check covered the fee. All was well.

Actually all was well before I received the bill. I just experienced going through a storm, but coming out on the other side free of rain and having dry roads and sunshine. God was giving me signals not to be concerned, He had it under control.

Now if I can only apply this to other areas of my life, I can continue to experience the  grandeur of faith, no matter how small my faith seems to be…be strengthenized.

I was determined to go to my Tuesday evening zumba class, knowing I would get not only a sweating workout, but have fun in the process. My plan was to leave work on time for a change, quickly change into my workout gear, cook a meal that would put fuel in my tank, and make it to the gym. This worked out perfectly.

Though I thought about taking the next class, I was pleased that I endured a good sweaty workout, and decided to go home. Since the body got exercise, the spirit must get the same, I thought. So for the remainder of the evening I thought to read some scripture and do some writing before going to bed.

As I got in my car to head home, my mind seemed to immediately gravitate to thinking about food, and started to give me some ideas of what to eat, and dare I say they were not healthy food choices. Fried chicken (or anything fried for that matter) was the suggestion, and my mind continued to wander into the world of getting something to eat. The good side of me mentally gave all of me a resounding NO!  to the request, and  I made it home without going somewhere to get s tasty snack full of unwanted calories. Why waste all that movement I did in class to consume something I didn’t need?

After parking my car once I got home, I thought about what had just happened.  I could have followed my mind as I have done numerous times, (the reason for my overabundance of fat I carry in my body), but this time I decided to do as scripture says:

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 (NIV)

“Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
― Samuel Smiles, Happy Homes and the Hearts That Make Them

I entered my cluttered home: everywhere I looked there were piles of stuff.

• my desk was cluttered to the point I couldn’t see the keyboard, let alone the computer
• the dining room table had stuff on it, things that needed to be put away
• piles of shoes on the floor that needed to be in a space I created just for shoes
• the bedroom chair I couldn’t sit in because it possessed a pile of clothes
• I don’t even want to describe the kitchen or the bathroom

The more piles of clutter I saw, the more discontent I became. Why do I stare at this stuff day after day, I asked myself. Why can’t I just have a goal in mind of doing the cleaning, even if I break it down that goal and do it a step at a time?

As I thought on this, it was as if God pulled back the curtains of reality and invited me into the spiritual realm to tell me something:

“Perhaps the reason for the clutter is the unwillingness to go through the process of getting clean.” 

Really? Must we go there? Apparently, God thought the need to bring this to my attention, so let’s take this a step further.

The mind, they say, is a terrible thing to waste. That waste can be in the form of allowing things to clutter it. Like the piles of stuff around my home that need to be dealt with, we allow our minds to be consumed with piles of worry, piles of ‘what ifs’ that may never come into fruition, all the while recognizing the overwhelming need to go through the process of de-cluttering. Imagine entering into a space where things are in order, what needs to be in a drawer and not on the floor, what needs to be on a hanger and not in a chair, what needs to be wiped down and smelling fresh and clean.

Imagine not taking worries to bed with you, not dreaming about problems, not waking up during the night, but rather awakening in the morning refreshed and ready to take on the day. How can all this take place?

The process of being clean enables peace to enter in. If allowed, peace can do a mental cleansing of the mind, ridding it of the cares of this world. If we go to God, in faith believing that He will take care of the ‘piles’ that clutter our lives, He will ensure that He will care for the stuff that leave us stymied, enabling us to go forward in an uncluttered way. That is when the process is needed.

• the process of letting go of what so easily entangles and besets us
• the process of being patient when we want things to happen immediately
• the process of being still and letting God handle the stuff of life

So one evening I came home and went to my bedroom and tackled the chair pile, and I was sure the chair was happy when it was empty. Next, I uncovered my dresser, putting  clothes to their proper drawers and being able to see all had been cleared away. More to do, but happy the process started.

Just my thought, but I think when your home is cluttered, perhaps it may represent what is mentally happening. And the problems that develops into piles in your mind transfers to piles of stuff you see in your home, so perhaps when this happens it is a signal that you need to mentally check yourself, and consider what it would be like to be clutter-less. When your mind is devoid of problems, you are willing to keep your living environment de-cluttered of stuff.

Could this be you? If so, consider being clutter-less, and be strengthenized.

Let the process begin…

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6,7

Work – an activity involving mental and/or physical effort done in order to achieve a result; task(s) to be undertaken; the result of an action

Faith – complete trust in something or someone; a strongly held belief

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2: 17,18

What happens when you believe you have all the faith in the world about a dream, that it will happen, but don’t do anything regarding it? It is almost like daydreaming, you know? What happens when you daydream? It is a lovely feeling in the mind, thinking of how that dream would work for you, but at the same time sitting in your comfy chair or lying in bed, not jotting it down, not looking into it further about how it can move from the realms of the mind to the openness of reality, where it blossoms through the work. When this occurs, it is there where one has made the decision to move at the realization of faith.

For many (me included), this can be challenging to say the least. Moving past the fear, the atmosphere of the unknown, and just venturing out can seem like a difficult task. Faith is needed, this is true. But if that is all you have, your faith is dead, as said in the second chapter of James. It is like faith in and of itself is feeling lonely, needing a partner to blossom into an atmosphere of optimum speed to become exceptionally magnificent.

• The book of Nehemiah tells of how one man led a group of people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He came up with a plan of what he needed, talked to the king about it who gave him what was needed in letters and supplies to get the task done and let many to get the task completed: faith paired with works.
• In the ninth chapter of Matthew faith enabled the woman with the issue of blood to imagine the possibility of being healed; that, coupled with her movement to get to Jesus at all costs to touch the hem of his garment and immediately be made whole. Faith and works came together and the outcome was magnificent.
• Faith enabled a desperate father to bring his son to Jesus in the ninth chapter of Mark; the movement was he not only considered it, but got his son to Jesus (works). The outcome was total healing, and the father’s faith was increased.

Have you coupled your faith with works? Are the two working together, or separate, with your dream not becoming reality? Have you ventured out by researching and finding out how your dream can become reality, having faith that God will bring it to pass while at the same time being willing to do what it takes to actually realize what you know God has input in you to do?

It is great you have the faith: now work it, and be strengthenized through the process.

Earlier in the day I read a post from another friend:

“Sometimes it can be EXTREMELY overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin with all the Lord has put in you, in addition to dealing with all that life brings you!”

I responded with many comments:

“and trying to discover the balance between the two! Just know you are not alone in this battle! Many (including me) are going through this…Then you get all these great ideas, and you think now how am I going to do THAT! Then comes the thought, God must be giving me these ideas because He believes I can do it. My question is HOW? I haven’t finished the other ideas given me! So I truly understand.”

I had been asking God for His direction on a myriad of issues, from health concerns to starting a business, to writing (which by the way had come to a screeching halt on my part). I knew this weekend would be full of attending two friends’ events: one yesterday, and one today. I didn’t feel my best yesterday, but knew I wanted to attend both events. Saturday evening’s event was inspirational on many fronts. I got to hear many points from three presenters that really got my attention:

• one spoke of leaving Chicago, moving to LA with not much financially, and though it took a few months, he realized his musical dreams, which included starting a business, and working in the entertainment field with top talents and realizing another dream of traveling the world while on tour. He encouraged all who attended to not only believe the dream can be done, but to invest in yourself, even if that means leaving the familiar and venturing out into the unknown.
• the next person was also in the musical field, but left her good paying job in one field moved to another city for an intern job (no money), and discovering yet another field of helping others increase their finances through investments. She had no idea where her journey would take her, but was willing to get out of the familiar and realize her dream of no longer being broke while helping others in the process. Now her clients are nationwide and beyond.
• the host, a talented singer/musician, discovered her dream of creating this event of giving to others, and said “don’t bring your million dollar vision to penny minded people.” Therefore, one has to chose to be surrounded by those who are encouraging (rightful connections), not by ones who are not motivating. Dreams need to be written down (as recorded in Habakkuk 2:2), keep watch over what you say in the atmosphere, and the most important one I think: just do it.

As I sat in the back listening (sitting in the back was on purpose: I was the oldest one there), I thought of how often I have come up with ideas – and by the way, God keeps giving me even more – and I am not doing the equivalent of the Nike commercial: Just Do It. Awe, but there’s more.

This afternoon I attended another friend’s event that launched her latest book entitled Pursuing Purpose: 5 Keys to Fulfilling Your God-Given Purpose. This book is right on point, meeting me where I presently am. It was a joyous occasion, and one I hope to experience of my own by the end of this year hopefully. This same person has also launched her own business of being a publisher; just what I need – a right connection.

Everything I saw and heard was very informative this weekend. I got to see two women forging ahead, trusting God by coupling their faith with their works of realizing their goals.

This morning I sent my friend (the one I first mentioned) another message:

“I went to an event last night of a friend. I wish you were there. If you only knew what she talked about! It was on the … comments of yesterday. I am so encouraged. I started not to go. Just be encouraged that God will see to it that he will tell you he is for you, and will send a word to you through others to tell you to follow what he has deposited in you. Be encouraged to strive and continue….”

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  Habakkuk 2: 2,3

This weekend which was full of confirmation of what I already know, and has shown me I need to be the next spokesperson for the Nike commercial…stay tuned while being strenthenized.