From Heaven to Earth

A song, by Rick Founds, that was a favorite of our middle school group and me =} because it has hand motions, came to mind during my walk a couple of days ago, with some corresponding thoughts. So, I am going to share them with you. Here are the words to the chorus:

You Came From Heaven to Earth, To Show The Way.
From The Cross to the Grave, My Debt to Pay.
From The Grave to The Sky, Lord I Lift Your Name on High.

You Came From Heaven to Earth, To Show The Way. Would you leave a place of NO pain, ONLY Joy, No needs, ONLY Glory, a place where relationships began and the only place they will continue for eternity; I would only do it if I was thrown out! Imagine going from 100D color to what might as well be black and white in comparison. Imagine going from the ability to create, to being a created being inside your mother’s womb. To go from endless possibility to limited probability…actually a short life with the gory, painful, outcome already known by you. What a choice, I know if I’m honest I couldn’t have made that choice, not on my own even as much as I want to love others.  Then the kicker is He came to show The Way…humans of course understood immediately and jump right on the band wagon, NOT!! So, here He is having given up Heaven (for a time) and trying to show the way, to these leaders who act like their stuff don’t stink...seriously!?!  Me, I’m thinking, Lightning Bolts! But, Christ is thinking “Father, Forgive them!” How angry, discouraged, disgusted did He have a right to be…But, He wasn’t He Loved. You see that’s The WAY he came to show us. Once we believe He is THE WAY, and that we aren’t perfect, all knowing, or better than anyone else…We just have HIM to follow in LOVE and Through LOVE.

From The Cross to the Grave, My Debt to Pay. To endure such pain, humiliation, disgrace; when you ARE GRACE? My finite mind just can’t take in the enormity of all He gave up and all He endured. Then, to be sealed in a tomb, I know He was dead…but still, makes me shudder. I do wonder what really happened during the time He was “sealed” in the tomb... I know some say He went down into hell to overcome…I’m pretty sure He had already overcome. I am not trying to start a debate, it’s definitely a mystery! I just wonder…He paid my debt, He paid your debt. Who does that?!?! The depth of that love! I am so thankful, but I am also shallow and petty. How in the world do I think that I have the right to decide what is forgiven and what is not? As Christians, still created beings, many people and churches pass judgment on other people or on themselves. His blood covers ALL, not as a license to sin but as a way to be loved by our Heavenly Father. Lord, help me to Love, not judge.

From The Grave to The Sky, Lord I Lift Your Name on High. Oh the Joy…to go back home! Can you even begin to imagine that Joy? The Trinity whole again, the pain endured, the separation over, the plan completed! The rejoicing…the party continues even nowJ. I can’t wait to experience the full measure of Joy and Peace; to laugh and dance, to be included more fully in the only relationship that is truly complete. FOR-EV-ER!!!

Lord, help me to see through the circumstances in my life, to the story you are writing; to be able to see your touch and to have faith even when I am unable to see. Allow me to use my inadequacies to point to your Holy power, and please use your Holy power to reveal the Holy Spirit to each person I come in contact with. 

Swing-sets are important too!

My friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Wil, has just finished assembling a swing-set/fort for his kids. It reminds me of a conversation between 2 of my Grandkids that happened about a month ago.

We were driving home from Awana Cubbies on a Sunday night, it was dark and they were in their car-seats in the backseat. Ky (3 and a half year old) started a conversation with her brother Bug (his nickname and at a year older he is the wiser one!). This is how the conversation went:

"Bug, lets talk about my swing-set," Ky said with excitement! "Okay" Bug replied, with less excitement. Ky started rattling on about how the big truck was going to deliver her swing-set (just to clarify...their swing-set!) and then since she was talking to her brother I must admit I kind of zoned out of the conversation. But suddenly I hear, "bug, Bug, BUG!?" from Ky. "I'm listening, just TALK Ky," replied Bug. She was checking to make sure he was still paying attention! He better be this is important stuff she is talking about. ;)

It hit me, I am Ky, we are Ky, the three year old prattling on to God...stridently calling to make sure He is being attentive. While He, like Bug, the ever patient (for this instant) 4 year old, quietly listens. He was, is and always will be listening, whether we are talking or not, whether what we say is actually important or not. HE LOVES us so much that if it is important to us it is worth listening too.

Can you imagine? The Creator of the Universe, thinks I am worth listening too.

Can you believe? HE LOVES us so much that each of us are worth His time, His investment, even Christ's Life!

Can you rest in that fact? I propose that we try to do all three, even when we are calling out, "god, God, GOD!?"...because it doesn't "feel" like He is listening...we must remember our senses are dim, inadequate for Heaven.

God, my bear and I, part 3...The grand finale!!

Two mornings later, the morning before our last day, I was awake and writing, early…5:30 a.m., I was ready with a pen and paper as I knew I had to write 2 letters for my small group team mates and God loves to wake me up in the middle of the night to write things down for later. I had asked Him while hiking the afternoon before why He talks to me at these middle of the night or early morning times…”That’s the only time you listen” was the reply! My answer was “Ughhh, Seriously?!?!” How could I argue with that! ;( (quite possibly something to work on!). 

So, after writing notes for about an hour, I got up, got dressed and went downstairs. A few days before I had started a morning routine of walking through our meeting room and praying over each chair, for each glorious person who sat in those chairs, (Hmmm, did this act of service create the perfect timing for the next events) after this time, it’s out the door for my morning walk. As I walk down the back trail towards the main valley floor, this puts me looking out towards the sunrise at the mouth of our canyon from a decent elevation. I notice movement, a little farther out the valley entrance and a bit higher…there! I notice a bird, playing, floating, and SOARING on the air drafts there, an EAGLE! I hear a noise from movement in the brushes to my right; I tell whatever is rustling that it will have to take care of itself and if it wants to eat me it can… Because, I’m busy with my eagle!

Wait! There is more motion, a little lower and to the right… another Eagle! They are both lazily circling in the pink morning light. They are riding the air waves; I hear a call, then another, they are chatting!! They are a message for me, they are the possibility of a promise from God in my future!

They are resting on the air, allowing the air to do the work, content in where they are and who they are with. To rest like that, to play like that, to be at peace and content like that. Oh, to be an eagle! But, that would mean giving up my ability to love and reflect my Savior. That I cannot do. Even to soar like an eagle.

The overwhelming love that flooded my soul as I saw “My” eagles…took my breath away, filled my with His Joy and I knew without a doubt, that CHRIST IS ENOUGH! He is the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except though me. (John 14:6). He is my way to soar. The truth is He is my ticket to the Dance, I love to dance, I don’t want to miss the best, and everlasting, Dance. To Dance with the Trinity will be Joy beyond my imagination. I know it will make EVERY discomfort, discouragement, heartbreak, and human pity party worth it. It will also cause EVERY success, reward, achievement, even happiness, to be revealed for what it is the palest of shadows reflecting our True Home. Oh to be Truly Home, Heaven is where the deepest part of each of His beings, created in His image long to be. Because He is the life eternal.

God, my bear & I, part 2

Two evenings later (from part 1), Mike in my small group told me he had seen “my” eagle! I responded with enthusiasm for his wonderful siting…..NOT! I was jealous and a bit upset (read mad as a wet hen!). Well, at around 4 or 5 the next morning, I was woken up…convicted of my selfishness… I went back to Mike when I saw him after breakfast and apologized for my inability to be happy for him and told him I was glad he saw my eagle! I really was :)

So, during that mornings sunrise walk; I was looking up to the cliffs which were beautifully pink in the changing morning light. Searching for my eagle...yep contentment is my middle name ;(. I looked down, staring at the ground, with my hands in my pockets and my warm hood up (it was freezing that morning), and walked a bit farther. Then images of the pink cliff tops,the ground and the bear, flashed in my head, up, down, forward. In that flash, the truth was revealed: 

I heard, “when you search the cliff tops you are trying to see and figure out the future…you don’t need to, I’ve got that under control, My Plans are in place.”

Then I heard, “When you look at the ground you are trying to look into the past trying to figure out what went wrong or what you can fix, well I’ve got that too…you don’t need to fix that or figure it out, let it be.” 

“But, when you see the bear, that’s when you are in the present. That’s where I have called you to be! STAY THERE, enjoy it, rest in it, play in it, love with my love in it, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal me through you. Can you do that for me? Will you do that for me?”

Can I? The jury’s still out.

Can You? Ditto!

Will I Try? You bet your bottom dollar!! (What a stupid phrase! But it gets my point across!).

Will You Try? I Double Dog Dare YOU!!!!

May you keep His Peace in your Heart and See His Joy in your Small Moments!

God, my bear & I

On the website of the place I was staying at in Colorado (mentioned in my last blog, The Beginning), it talks about the wildlife you can see all around, and the animals, well birds ;), that interested me the most were the Eagles, they have a couple of huge nests about halfway up the cliff face (see pic. above) and I REALLY wanted to see one while I was there. 

About 7:00 a.m. on day two, I went out in search of a place to enjoy the sunrise, listen to nature, the beautiful scenery and talk with my Father.  I was seeking some clarification of my memories from some questions we were working on the day before, as my answers didn't feel complete to me.

As I was sitting on a bench and waiting, God brought to mind the churches He had placed me in for my growth and learning. Some great, the closest thing to spiritual community I have encountered before now; some not so great, run by “the old guard” doing things “the same way we have always done them”. But through these remembrances He showed me that the story I always considered “our family” story was at times really more specifically “my story”.  This was a sweet revelation to me, of my worth to Him. As I basked in His love and our time was ending I looked up and there was a bear. I very quietly (screaming in my head) said, “That’s a bear! A wild bear! That BEAR COULD EAT ME!!!” It was a black bear, thankfully not a baby (I wouldn’t want to me its momma) but it was an adult black bear! As I tried to turn on the camera, quietly so as not to bother it, it calmly kept walking and ambled on across the grass, away from me! My first response was cool Lord, could I see an eagle this week too!!!! 

I walked back to my room eager to share my bear story, with my roomie Jodi, (a great lady, who we prayed for extensively before I went, Thank You God J) was suitably impressed! She went on to breakfast and I got into the shower before heading over too. While I was in the shower, I heard, “You broke my heart”. I froze as God revealed how I was so eager and excited to tell of the bear but I didn’t think to run back to share my time with Him, how he had spoken to me and what He had revealed, and the weeping began… Soooo, yep I saw a bear and broke God’s heart all before breakfast :/ 

The Beginning

This summer as I went out running...yes in Texas, in June, humidity 99%, smarts 1%...I wrote journal entries; the real reason for my time in the back woods! About a week into my running this is what the spirit was whispering or smacking me upside the head with! 

This morning is beautiful, not as cool as yesterday but not nasty humid yet ;). As I walk by the first pond, I am hit by a revelation. The pond has a nasty green scum across its surface; this has been getting worse for the past few weeks. It started when my son-in –law put his fishing boat in and did donuts to test the motor and trim he had just repaired. This pond is normally for fishing, paddle boats and ducks…not a power boat.

So, when the propeller went through the water it stirred up and cut loose what was settled and growing deep under the water. The motorized boat was a catalyst. What is the catalyst to getting the nasty green scum cut loose from my deeper waters? How about yours? I am pretty sure we all have some scum somewhere underneathL.  The pond needs our normal Texas torrential rains to fill it up and clear up the water… where will my cleansing rain come from? The Holy Spirit? A person God has put in my life? Or His Word the love letter written to all of us? Open my eyes to see, my heart to care and my mind to allow ALL cleansing revelations to “break free” and come to the surface.

 Then, if that’s not enough thinking for one day! Walking back I notice the ducks, they are not making a fuss or swimming towards me, they have become used to me walking back and forth at this time of day and the fact that no food for them will be involved. This goes along with the pond scum idea for me. If the status quo is not being disturbed, if we are not stirring up the living water, if we, as Christians, have become complacent…then satan does not care. He lets us go to and fro without sounding an alarm, without attacking as we are not a threat to those he still has in his clutches. What a sad state of affairs if as we go about our “church” business we are NOT alarming satan. Because the flip side of that is we probably are NOT pleasing God, and we are definitely NOT sharing His love with those who need to see it, hear it and feel it.

Since that morning in June, I have had my Spiritual waters stirred. Well, actually; churned, shaken, broken, and tossed...and I could not be HAPPIER!! This process did start in June while reading Soul Talk, written by Dr. Larry Crabb, then God Provided the way for me to attend the New Way Ministries week long retreat/school which deepens, defines and allows practice of the "rhythm of the dance". Which is ALL GOOD and useful, but not the only reason God called me there. You see, He met me there... EVERY morning before breakfast...I would be: convicted, amazed, blessed and loved!! Then, the classes would start...they were icing on my cake!!

Blessings For Joy: A Journey to exchange my boots for dancing shoes!!

I was created to either run barefoot or wear boots, I don’t care which kind; cowboy, hiking, tall dressy boots with lots of buckles!! I am not a fancy dress shoe kinda girl! But there are occasions which call for dressy, the black tie¸ wear your best, kind of occasions. You would think that dancing at a party in the presence of the King would call for that… I wonder? I think He loves my bare feet as long as they are dancing in Joy before HIM and with HIM.

As a Christian, especially an "American Christian", what does our walk look like? What should it look like? Are we really applying WWJD? Is the church acting like Jesus? Is everyone welcomed? The dirty homeless? The prostitutes? The Liars and thieves? What about the people who choose or are trapped in an addiction to some sort of self-medication? What about the hypocrites? The proud? The arrogant? The rich? The poor? Which of these would you shake hands with? Hug without reservation? Greet with a kiss, invite to sit in the front row? Ask to speak? Invite to dinner? Invite to stay in your church? Invite to stay in your home? Give up your bed for? Give your last meal too? Give your money too? Who is accepted and loved? Who is not? How do we love with the abandoned love of the Trinity? Why should we love in that way?

Please don’t point out your church program that feeds people once a year, once a month, once a week; Unless you can honestly say that if that same homeless person showed up Sunday morning stinky from no access to a shower, with bleeding cracked lips from the cold, clothes filthy from being lived in 24/7…would your church welcome them, as they are, let them sit up front with the choir, sing off key and be happy they are there? Because they are a glorious creation of God, made in His image every bit as much as you or I; you can be sure that the Trinity would be dancing in joy, filled with abandoned overflowing love that the least of these would be accepted, loved and included.

That is the church I will be a part of because the Trinity is throwing a party and inviting us to dance in that church…

I want to be (I hope I am) willing to give up all my “blessings” as described by others in order to be filled with His Joy. Joy can be hard, joy can be giggly, joy can be weeping, joy is brokenness, joy is transparency, joy is a choice, joy can mean waiting, joy may be a desert, and joy is definitely dessert ;), joy is laughing at yourself, joy is knowing you are inadequate, JOY IS KNOWING CHRIST IS ENOUGH!!!

Blessings are icing not necessary to enjoy the cake but can definitely be enjoyed. They are NOT what should be sought. They are secondary things, how do we shift our focus from them?