A Holy Dichotomy

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A Holy Dichotomy

A Holy Dichotomy?

2/14/24 = Ash Wednesday + Valentine’s Day

Juxtaposition or placing our heart in just the right position?

Two apparently different observances falling on the same day, but more apparent is what they both have to say about the only true love we will ever know — the love of God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son.

And oh how this world desperately needs this love…

The holiest of juxtapositions for sure. The Bible is full of seemingly contradictory concepts, and yet, when we take time to “ponder anew what the Almighty can do,” the dichotomies we see just communicate His great love a little more clearly.

God’s GREAT love for us is just that — it is the GREATest of the loves that we will ever know.

It is a love that cannot be fully realized until we truly realize our GREAT need for this GREAT love.

In my opinion, the dichotomy surrounding love and lent is even more beautiful when the two are blended together.

Strength made perfect and weakness.

Fullness felt only after emptiness is indwelt.

The bondage of sin leading to freedom in Him.

Apparently, you can’t spell vaLENTine without LENT.

True love is experienced only in a relationship with Truth and Love Himself.

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬, ‭NLT‬‬)

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (1 John 4:16, NLT)

{And as I just looked up these two verses, the similarities jumped out at me — John and 1 John, 14:6 and 4:16 — transposed numbers highlighting these holy juxtapositions}

Ash Wednesday reminding us as God reminded Adam: “for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬b, ‭ESV‬‬)

We are but dust. Our Creator formed us, and He alone can fill us. And when we go straight to the source to receive love, forgiveness, acceptance, grace, mercy, and truth, those are the things we can then give to others.

Valentine’s Day reminding us that Saint Valentine gave his life trying to keep love alive by marrying soldiers in secret since a Roman decree forbade it.

To love others well, we must dwell in Love.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬, ‭NLT‬‬)

“Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God. For what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help?” (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves)

A Holy Dichotomy for sure.

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Idols Must Fall

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Idols Must Fall

Idols must fall.

Celebrities intrigue us, don’t they? We entertain ourselves by checking in on the latest tea, while checking out from our own reality.

We put people on pedestals, idolizing what they say, what they wear, what they do, and what they share, and yet, while we continually lift them up, they inevitably let us down. It’s a game we play, watching their life, while neglecting our own.

But the idols must fall, before they suck the life out of us all.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬, ‭ESV‬‬)

When our eyes are on others and not on Him, our perspective is skewed, our objective misconstrued, and quite honestly, we get a little confused.

When our gazed is fixed on lesser things that merely entertain us, we miss the greater, life giving things that can actually sustain us.

The enemy deals out distractions by way of idol worship on a daily basis, and instead of having the discernment to overcome it, we find ourselves discontent because fantasy is not reality, and celebrity status doesn’t transfer to eternity.

Yes, the idols must fall, because only God deserves our awe.

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬, NLT‬‬)

So, that thing you’ve given too much space (in your day, in your head, and in your heart), it’s time to put it in its proper place.

Knock it down before it lets you down.

Let it fall and let Christ be your all in all.

Idols must fall.

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Daily Seek His Face for the Grace Needed in this Online Space

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Daily Seek His Face for the Grace Needed in this Online Space

Playing the social media game is not my thing, and yet, ironically, here I am, posting this for you, because maybe you’re feeling the tension, too.

I’m wired for real life, face to face conversations. I want to connect with others heart to heart. I’d rather talk, listen, respond, and react in real time, not in the comments section, not with an emoji, not scripted or edited.

Anyway, that’s been my hesitation in this space these days. I’m a pretty social person, so social media should be pretty easy, right?

Well, not for me. Reels are fun to make and encouragement is easy to give, but real life isn’t always fun and the encouragement I give isn’t always consistent with the life I live.

Somedays I feel like posting. Other days I feel like I should post, but really have nothing to say. And then there are days I just feel done, tapped out, and ready to log off.

But more than posting daily on social media, I want to daily stand at my post and wait on the Lord. I want to hear from Him first so I can interact with others best.

More than engaging with others online behind a screen, I want to engage with the King of kings through the pages of His Word as I approach His throne of grace and glean His perfect wisdom and truth.

Wisdom that will guide, supplement, and grant me daily doses of encouragement that are applicable for real life with real people that will produce real change, growth, and maturity.

Truth that sets me free to daily pursue all that He wants me to do. Truth that compels me to seek and trust the very source of life before going to other resources that often leave me dry.

So, while I’m showing up in this space today, this is your (and my) reminder that as we seek His face, He shows up for us with grace every day — grace greater than all our sin, grace that gives us access to all wisdom and truth made perfect in Him, grace for not only this space, but all the others we’ll face today, and every day forward.

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Hope in the Hard

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Hope in the Hard

There’s hope in the hard

Good things to pursue

So hold on to hope

When the hard has a hold on you

Life has a way

Of being brutally unkind

Stealing your joy

Clouding your mind

But a life in Christ

Can know of the hope He brings

And hold on to that hope

In the midst of all the hard things

So remind yourself today

And in the days ahead

Hope is not lost

Joy and peace are not dead

They are alive and active

Because He is faithful and true

So hold on to hope

When the hard has a hold on you

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬, ESV‬‬)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

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The Come and Go of the Gospel

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The Come and Go of the Gospel

The come and go of the Gospel.

Christmas & Easter.

Two holidays we celebrate to commemorate two holy days of the Christian faith.

The bookends of the Gospel holding together the come and go of the Gospel.

We’re four weeks away from the start of Advent and seven away from Christmas Day.

Seven weeks and two days later, we’ll start Lent on Ash Wednesday, conclude forty days later on Maundy Thursday, and remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus on the three days that follow.

The come and go of the Gospel.

He came to bring life, light, love, and to leave a legacy. He came here to draw us NEAR. The heartbeat of NEAR, a 28-day ADVENTure through the Gospel of Matthew (the first of the the four Gospels).

He went away so we could STAY. When we Seek Him, Turn to Him, Abide in Him and, Yearn for His Return, we learn to STAY NEAR! The heartbeat of STAY, a 40-day excelLENT journey through the Gospel of John (the last of the four Gospels).

The come and go of the Gospel.

Jesus came and He went, so we could come to Him and go tell others about Him and make disciples for Him.

Observing these holy days is NEAR and dear to my heart because I long to STAY faithful until He comes and goes again.

The come and go of the Gospel.

He is coming again. He is going to take us to the place He’s prepared for us.

This world is not our home. Eternity awaits. And the way there was made as Jesus made His way to, through, and out of this world, and will make His way back again.

The come and go of the Gospel.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Advent 2023 starts December 3.

Lent 2024 starts February 14.

NEAR is available now. STAY will be available soon, so stay tuned…

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Hope and Peace

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Hope and Peace

Hope and peace.

Interchangeable in a way.

Interdependent on The Way.

Impossible by my way.

We can try to muster them up, but hope and peace can’t be produced by physical means. We can’t pep talk our way to peace or hold on to hope by our our strength. Peace comes from the presence of God, and hope is found in Christ alone.

We’re reminded in these lyrics from “What a Friend we have in Jesus,”

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer”

We forfeit peace when we forget the source of peace. When we carry the weight of pain and hurt, we have no grip strength left to hold on to hope.

I’m not saying we won’t suffer, but Jesus in the Gospel of John reminds us that even in the midst of hard times in a hurting world, He is our peace. He is our hope.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬, ESV‬‬)

One of my favorite Christmas movies is a great illustration of what happens when we forfeit peace and defer hope.

Home Alone. The McCallisters were gone while Kevin was left home alone. As soon as his mom discovered he was missing, she went into panic mode. She frantically made her way back home to him. She switched flights, she hitchhiked, she was up all night. And the irony is that she made it home at the same time as the rest of the family, who weren’t frenzied and frantic.

I would have likely responded the same way Kevin’s mom did, but the point still remains — the destination was the same, but the journey could have been vastly different had Kevin’s mom been traveling with peace and hope instead of panic and hurry.

Hope and peace are great companions for our journey “home.” This world is not our home. It’s not our final destination. As we travel heavenward, let’s not defer hope or forfeit peace.

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You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone.

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You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone.

Three truths to cling to when you’re not sure who sees, loves, or is with you.

You are seen.

You are loved.

You are not alone.

I know. You’ve heard these before. We all have. But before you quickly dismiss them as cliché or just another popular thing to say, let me ask you this question.

Do you believe them?

A truth is true whether you believe it or not, but these truths are transformational truths that literally have the power to change you.

Because a bonus truth to these three is that the mere fact that God sees, loves, and never leaves you is the very truth that changes you and helps you believe.

We, by nature, are doubters and pouters. We fixate on the negatives, focus on the obstacles, and fail to simply cry out to God just like the desperate father did when he said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭24b,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Maybe you know (in your head) God sees you, loves you, and will never leave you, but are you convinced (in your heart) of these truths? Will you believe they are true so much so that you allow them to change you?

I love these lyrics from the song, Changing Me by Anna Golden:

Waiting on You

Not gonna move 'til You show up

'Cause You always do

Leaning in

Leaning in to hear Your voice

I'm listening

'Cause I know You answer my calls

And I know You're with me through it all

'Cause Your voice is like water running through me

Eyes like fire, all-consuming

You're everything I'm not

You're changing me

I'm open, come and fill me

Your presence is all I'm seeking

You're everything I'm not

You're changing me

Are you waiting on Him?

Are you leaning in and listening?

If you are, He will meet you right where you are. He will answer. He will help you believe.

He sees you.

He loves you.

He will never leave you.

And believing these truths will change you.

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Armored Up. Battle Ready. When Our Head's in the Game, It Changes Everything.

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Armored Up. Battle Ready. When Our Head's in the Game, It Changes Everything.

I met with a dear friend yesterday and she challenged me in such a God ordained way. We quite literally had a conversation that covered the history of humanity, the tenets of Christianity, and why the world we live in daily tests our sanity.

And while evil is running rampant, God is still running the show. He is sovereign over all. He will have the final say. He has made a way, and He will continue to show us the way as we stay in His Word. There, he has laid it all out, from cover to cover. He tells us how to live, how to love, and how to treat one another.

As Rachel and I were journeying from Genesis to Revelation by way of conversation, we discussed hermeneutics, history, and theology. Cover to cover, we see God continually cover His people with His protection and His provision.

God’s expectations of His people, both in Bible times and for those who have been grafted into the vine, have not changed, and are in place to keep us safe.

Speaking of safety, the one thing my friend said to me that I had never really thought about (but now I can’t stop thinking about) is the way we view the Armor of God.

We’re taught that we must put it on everyday, much like a uniform at game time — suit up before we hit the field, or in this case, armor up before we hit the battlefield.

But the words Rachel spoke to me yesterday, made me view God’s safety and protection in a different way. When she hears Christians say “We have to put on the Armor of God every day,” her response is “Why do we ever take it off?”

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Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

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Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

I was reminded today of this hymn of old. It’s one I remember singing in church as a child. I’m sure the lyrics didn’t resonate then quite the way they do now, but for some reason, the Lord has brought it to my mind, perhaps to simply remind me and to remind you too...

When we said yes to Jesus, we said yes to

serving in His army,

fighting His battle,

representing His Kingdom,

yielding to His authority, and

heeding His commands,

alongside one another, brothers and sisters in Christ.

And yet today, I don’t know what it’s like from your point of view, but from mine, it looks like we’re fighting different battles. We are allowing the enemy’s tactics to distract and divide us. We are fighting more with each other than we are fighting together to defeat the one true enemy.

If we are truly His, then He should be leading our efforts. Our marching orders come from Him and Him alone. His Word is our one true source. We are trained by it and should be taking a stand against everything that stands against it.

So, I’d love to charge you and challenge with the lyrics of this old hymn, too. George Duffield may have penned them in 1858, but they’re ringing loud and clear in my heart today — resonating in a much deeper way.

This is a battle cry that should always be our heart’s cry…

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His Grace is Sufficient when our Strength is Deficient

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His Grace is Sufficient when our Strength is Deficient

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Oh, I know the verse. I’m sure you do, too, but it’s not enough to be aware of truth. We have to be fully convinced of it if we are going to truly rest in it, stand up on it, and find our strength in it.

We are not enough, and we never will be. We will be never be smart enough, strong enough, or savvy enough to overcome our weakness.

But in the areas we lack, He promises to pick up the slack.

There’s not a program we can purchase, a supplement we can take, or a list we can make that can provide fool proof results in overcoming weakness.

I’m not saying these things can’t help us, but true strength and power is not found in being helped by the world’s ways, but in being held by His amazing grace.

So, we can stay in the vicious cycle of striving for more, or we can stay in the victorious place of grace, being helped and held by Him, knowing Jesus is all the “more” we will ever need.

His “more than enough” is more than enough to cover our “not enough.”

His all sufficiency and grace give us perfect peace and rest when we are weary in our weakness.

And that, my friends, is all the power we need to live victoriously.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭21,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

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Our Greatest Ability is our Availability

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Our Greatest Ability is our Availability

Our greatest ability is our availability.

Sure we all have unique gifts and abilities, skill sets that showcase our greatest assets, and personalities that highlight our highest potential. And they can be used for the good of others and the glory of God.

But we gotta stop falling prey to the prerequisite of perfection. Accolades and accomplishments fall short without a humble heart and a willing spirit.

So, when considering your unique gifts and abilities remember this:

Your greatest RESPONSIBILITY is your ongoing RESPONSE to your greatest ABILITY — your AVAILABILITY.

Be available when you are able.

Just show up.

No need to show off.

Just be willing.

There’s more to life than just winning.

You can’t outsmart a willing heart.

You can’t outgive one giving it all.

You can’t outdo a humble attitude.

Your greatest ability is your availability.

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Never Forget {9/11/01}

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Never Forget {9/11/01}

I remember exactly where I was twenty-two years ago today on that tragic Tuesday. As those terrorists were boarding planes, I was buckling my four-month-old firstborn into his car seat, venturing out to Bible study. I was a young mom desperate to find connection with God and with others. I had no idea what was about happen, the lives that would be lost and others that would be changed forever.

I remember the outfit Joshua had on that day. I remember the sense of urgency to get home and talk to Steve when they told us what had happened and dismissed Bible study early. I remember being glued to the TV and watching it all in utter disbelief.

Twenty-two years later, I truly believe the world we live in is continually being attacked every single day in a very different way. The terrorist of our souls, the father of lies, the enemy himself has launched a full out attack on all that is good and all that God has established and set into motion. Oh, he’s been at it since the beginning of time, but everyday his tactics manifest in different ways, more manipulative and relentless than the day before.

He will stop at nothing to see to it that we crash and burn.

And now, more than ever, we need to show up to Bible Study — not in a formal way, but in a desperate to know Him way. What does God’s Word say about all that’s going on in the world around us? You may be surprised to know it has quite a bit to say about it!

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Beauty in the “Ber” Months

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Beauty in the “Ber” Months

Beauty in the “Ber” Months

{An ode to the last four months of the year}

Bring on the “ber” months

With their gentle breeze

That beckons all things fall

And welcomes the wonder of winter

Seasonal change

Beginnings that become ends

And ends that bring new beginnings

The “ber” months, by far, my favorite

Cooler temps

And warm beverages to sip

Comfy sweaters

For the colder weather

Colorful leaves

That lead to barren trees

Amid the steady evergreens

Ending with a wintery mix

Of my favorite holidays

My favorite people all in one place

Decorations and celebrations

Goodbye to the old year

Hello to the new

So bring on the “ber” months

September

October

November

December

Time to let go

And time to remember

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Mosaics and Masterpieces

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Mosaics and Masterpieces

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make beautiful masterpieces.

An artist friend recently shared a reel about a mosaic she’d been working on this summer. Like most mosaics, this piece required a lot of work — breaking plates and placing tiles, grouting and scraping — hours upon hours of painstaking precision. Victoria’s words in her reel may resonate with you and where you are and how you feel, too.

An author friend reached out today with a little life update, and what caught my eye and captured my heart, even more than the vulnerable words she wrote, was the beautiful smile she wore in a picture she shared of herself sitting in the center of a mosaic staircase. That picture gave life to these words she shared…

“Sometimes the journey to a sincere smile begins with a thousand sad steps.” — Wendy Speake

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make more beautiful masterpieces.

Like my artist friend and author friend, you, dear friend, are a masterpiece, too — a painstakingly beautiful masterpiece.

I used to be intimidated by the word "painstaking" because I feared the "pain" the word implied and the work it would "take" to get to the other side. After taking a moment to look it up, God used the definition to calm my anxiety about the sound of the word and see the beauty in its meaning. Painstaking, by definition, means "done with or employing great care and thoroughness."

Yes, friend, you are a masterpiece. God's great care and thoroughness is evident in your life. Your brokenness and pain are the bits and pieces that shape your beauty and purpose.

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make the most beautiful masterpieces.

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Prioritize Praise All of Your Days

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Prioritize Praise All of Your Days

Happy Monday!

It’s a new day, a new week, and at the end of this week, we welcome a new month.

As I continue to settle into new rhythms and routines, plans and priorities seem to be a recurring theme.

This week, I am praying this verse over my household and the places that are home to the rest of my fold.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3,‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord.” (Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3,‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” (Psalm‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬, ESV‬‬)

You may be familiar with this verse. I thought I was, too, until I read it this morning in a few different translations. Some focus more on the time of day (the actual rising and setting of the sun), others seem to point more to a geographic location (everywhere — east to west).

My take away, and I hope yours, too:

No matter where we find ourselves (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually), and no matter what time of day, day of the week, or season of life, we are in the perfect place and it is the perfect time to make praising God a priority!

Everywhere you are, and every moment of your day, seek to fill these sacred spaces with praise!

Prioritize praise all of your days. Starting right now. Starting today.

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“To Be” List Before “To Do” List

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“To Be” List Before “To Do” List

If you’re anything like me, usually the first hour of my day involves getting the mental “to do” list out of my head and onto a physical checklist so I can track my progress.

I am a list maker by nature, and the morning brain dump routine helps me prioritize all the things.

But this morning, as I made my “to do” list, I couldn’t help but think of another checklist that really should be priority.

Instead of being controlled by our “to do” list, let’s allow the “to be” list to shape our day. Being breeds a better doing anyway, so if we live by this list, maybe we can more easily accomplish the “to do” list tasks.

☑️Humble

☑️Grateful

☑️Teachable

☑️Available

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All…

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All…

I don’t have

the capacity

or the tenacity

to say it all

or do it all

And that is why

I do what I do

and say what I say

for the One who is

my all in all

He is

my all sufficiency

When I am weak

He is strong

He is

all knowing

when I know nothing

and that is really all

I need to know

He is

my wherewithal

when I feel like

I may lose it all

He cares for me

and carries me

when the weight

of my cares

weighs heavily on me

He holds me fast

I am helped and I am held

by the One who holds it all

He gave it all

to be my all in all

I will give it all to Him

again and again

More of Him

Less of me

Until He has my all

always and only

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Launching Well Requires Letting Go

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Launching Well Requires Letting Go

Launching well requires letting go.

Launching number three of four this year, and one thing I’m learning in the launching is that in order to do it well you must let them go.

Just like an arrow is drawn back in a bow, that arrow will never hit the target unless the archer lets it go.

I know the tendency and the tension of motherhood because I have felt it for 22 years now. The grip is tight and the drawback is precise. We want to launch them well.

We want those arrows to go exactly where God intends, and yet when the moment comes to release the grip and let them go, we want to cling a little tighter and hold on a little longer, but if we do, they will never do all that He has planned.

You may be dropping them off at college today, but you will be lifting them up in prayer always.

Prayer is powerful. Words matter, so wield them well. Pray them. Say them. I promise they will stay with them, and they’ll remember them when they need them most.

More than your two cents, they need your encouragement. You’ve raised them well. You’ve taught them all the things. Now let them go so they can grow.

Loosen that grip of control, and allow God’s grace to take hold — of them, of you, and every new thing you each will pursue.

They love you. They need you. Just not as often or as much. And that’s the way God designed it to be.

We raise them to release them. It’s all a part of the process, and it’s beautiful (but sometimes we don’t see the beauty until after the ugly cry…and that’s ok, too).

I’m praying for you. I covet your prayers for me and my arrows, too.

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Misery loves company, but God’s Word offers victory over these three…

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Misery loves company, but God’s Word offers victory over these three…

Overwhelmed? Complacent? Indifferent?

These three have definitely been taunting me lately.

But recently I remembered three promises from God’s Word that are helping me battle these feelings and tendencies that stem from the lies of the enemy.

If you battle them, too, might I offer these promises to you, so you can replace the lies with what is true.

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Content Creator < being content with your Creator

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Content Creator &lt; being content with your Creator

Being a content creator is less important than being content with your Creator.

I’m not saying creating content or being a social media influencer is wrong, evil, or even unnecessary, but I am saying that there are many online creators and influencers that are more concerned with their following than with their followers. They play the game, put numbers before names, and seek internet fame.

I believe our deepest need is to belong to something, to someone — to have purpose beyond ourselves — to do life with others and for others — to make our lives matter more than merely living out and counting our days, but living them out well and making them count.

Which I know is the impetus behind creating content. I know this very post is proof of that!

So, how do we balance it all?

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