25October2015 By Sea

On a recent flight (A trip out of this country is mandatory due to visa restrictions.) we flew over the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Through the Airbus' oval-shaped window, jade and azure waves reflected the clouds above it.  In spite of the beauty I couldnt help but think about the multitudes of refugees who have made the perilous journey from Syria to Greece and into Europe in those very waters. Thousands arrive in Greece each day and the UN expects 1.4 million to attempt it next year.  Who knows how many have perished along the way.  Some estimate more than 5000.  One is too many.  

Its difficult to imagine the agony a parent experiences as they help their children into a rubber dinghy.  Or the questions a child asks his mama on the 10 to 20 day journey.  What about the fear or the hunger or the dread?  May God have mercy on those making these choices.  And may He forgive us for our apathy and inaction. 

25October2015 Quickshot: Rainclouds

This afternoon dark, foreboding clouds gave way to showers and the land, and its inhabitants, received the blessing of an early, Fall rain. It reminded me of the verse below.  If you're in a dark place, whether it's due to sin or a broken relationship or loneliness or disappointment or illness, remember, JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!
 
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me. 

 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.

 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”

By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
    I was dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

“What profit is there in my death,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
    O Lord, be my helper!”

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,

That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Psalm 30

19October2015 Arba’a (Four)

Today marks the second half of our birthday double header.  We're praising God L. as she turns four   Her verse comes from Psalm 4.  "Know that the Lord has set apart His faithful servant for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him."  May you know that you are set apart, may you offer "sacrifices of the righteous" and "trust in the Lord" all the days of your life.  We love you L.  Happy B-day!

18October2015 Tis'ah (Nine)

Happy Birthday to this wonderful, beautiful, joyful 9 year-old (today).  How fitting that your verse from Psalm 9 is about one of your favorite things, worship. 

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. 

Psalm 9:1-2

We love you M!  May your day be filled with happiness and may you walk closely with the Lord your God all the days of your life.

10October2014 Quickshot: Planes, Trains and Automobiles....and Buses

Periodically we have to travel out of the country to maintain our temporary residency.  This weekend is one of those times. We'd appreciate your prayers for travel mercies.  Be sure to check Instagram for photo updates. 

7October2015 Quickshot: Glory!

GLORY! There is some declaring going on over here! #CreativeCreator

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 19:1-6

6October2015 The Three RE's: REclaim REcycle REstore

It was tense to be sure.  We sat in a semi-circle.  The chairs were comfortable, the atmosphere was not.  I had apparently offended my friends and this was the opportunity to get it straightened out.  We talked and fidgeted and listened and apologized.  There may or may not have been a few tears shed.  Gradually the tension faded, like an air conditioner cooling down a heated room, and the conflict was resolved, the friendship restored.

It would have been easy to leave that meeting wounded or bitter.  No one wants their intent to be misunderstood, to be questioned or to be falsely accused.  But as I sat in that meeting, wrestling with all these emotions, it dawned on me.  These friends were investing in me.  Though a misunderstanding, we could easily have walked away from one another.  But they didn’t.  Instead we faced the uncomfortable to reclaim the valuable.  Relationships are so worth it.

It seems friendships have little value these days.  Like five-year old computers and second-hand furniture, we live in a disposable society.  Unfortunately this includes relationships.  Why spend time, effort or emotion on something that can easily be discarded in favor of the new? 

I’m reminded of a geranium that’s sitting on our bedroom window sill.  Last year I bought the plant for D., along with several others.  We left on an extended trip and upon our return home, we noticed that all the plants had died.  All of them except one little geranium, which was barely clinging to life.  Actually it was more dead than alive but D. didn’t toss it.  Instead she watered it and cared for it and eventually it recovered.  We were recently rewarded with a lovely flower for her efforts.   I love that!

Jesus is into reclamation too.  Want a good example?  How about the woman caught in adultery.  You know the story from John 8.  Some religious men, dragged a women caught in adultery to the temple and pulled her right in front of the crowd.  Imagine the embarrassment and shame she felt?  Imagine the fear coursing through her veins.  Surely she was aware of the impending punishment for adultery. But the Messiah didn’t stamp his approval on her stoning.  Rather He made a simple statement yet profound statement.  “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” You can nearly hear the stones hit the ground as her accusers dropped their ammunition and retreated like cockroaches scurrying into the darkness.  Jesus didn’t judge her.  Rather He released her from her yoke with these words, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”  What a Savior!

How easy is it to write someone off!  They mess up and BOOM! we judge them and convict them all the while assuming a role we were never intended to fill.  Haven't we been forgiven?  Arent we called to forgive?  The world is in desperate need of someone to model reclamation, recycling and restoration of relationships.  Shouldn’t it be us?