Thankful for Reunions!

I love reunions! I love reconnecting.  I love sharing stories that make me laugh and cry!

I'm thankful for our Costa Rica Reunion tonight as we were reminded that we are all "sent"  and we have to ask to where and whom.  I'm so thankful for the Windhorst Family and the many other families & students who have ventured with us to Costa Rica.

Tonight we laughed as we shared stories and the reasons why we journey back to Costa Rica.  One of the many reasons I love journeying to Costa Rica is that I learn to read the Bible with a new perspective.

Here's a paraphrase of Colossians 1 from The Message

I, Tomara, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan. Together with my family (Wally, Elliott & Max) and friends/students (Windhorsts, Boswells, Baughmans, Powells, Halls, Curnuttes & Meghan, Sheridan & many more), I greet the Christians (Lalo, Pastor Angel, Ernesto, Glenn Roddy,...) and stalwart followers of Christ who live in San Jose - particularly La Carpio and Los Pinos. May everything good from God our Father be yours! Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings.  We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!  We keep getting reports of your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.  The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept by hope.  The Message is true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time. It's the same all over the world.  The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, you've been hungry for more.

Prayer:  May we all be hungry of more of what only God can do!

Additional Reasons why we return to Costa Rica: 

1.  Serve out of obedience and expect nothing in return

2. Learn about Sacrifice and not just Generosity.  Generosity gives out of abundance but Sacrifice costs us something.

3.  Learn about those who are "rich in faith."  Build reciprocal kingdom building relationships across cultures.  We need to learn to give and receive.  Our materialism and our achievement orientation influences us into thinking that we (the rich) go to help you (the poor) or that we (the educated) go to help you the illiterate.  We think the word resource means money.  Reciprocity teaches us that our brothers and sisters are rich in many other ways. 
4.  Continue to bring Good News of Great Joy to All People

The Gift of the Spirit

The Gift of the Spirit - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (excerpt from Be the Message: The Gift of the Spirit)

Life in the Spirit is not only the key to understanding the Christian life but also understanding the Christian Church.  If you think that our life as a church lies in the abilities of our staff or the strength of our programs or the gifts of our people - you have not yet understood what a Christian Church is.  The life of the church comes from the Gift of the Spirit (Holy Spirit).  We hang on and live by the life of the Holy Spirit.  Without the breathing of the Spirit into everything that we do, we will be ineffective.

You prepare a Sunday School class; you organize a small group; you rehearse a song; you run a kids/youth camp; you organize another mission trip; you write another sermon - and in all these things we are like Elijah arranging wood on the altar (1 Kings 18).  It is God who sends the fire and without the fire (without the Holy Spirit)- it is only another class, it is only another group,it is only another song, it is only another camp, it is only another mission trip, it is only another sermon.  But when God's fire (His Holy Spirit) comes, lives are transformed to truly BE THE MESSAGE.

I wonder - Do you ever feel your need for the Holy Spirit?  Do you ever feel our need for the Holy Spirit?  Have you ever come to a place in your life where you are tired of all that you can do and HUNGRY for more of what only God can do?  I want us to be a church that is HUNGRY for more of what only God can do!

In order for us to really Live Life in the Spirit - we must rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances!  We are able to do this because of our position IN CHRIST JESUS!

Regarding Prayer:  What do you want to see happen when you pray?  I want people to know that they are saved from their sin, their rebellion & their self. You see, it takes the same power to bring spiritual life to a polite rural religious girl like me as it takes to bring spiritual life to a drug pusher or gang member.  That's why we need to pray for our children.  Because without the movement of the Spirit of God, our kids will end up being nice, self-centered, money driven, convenience seeking people with a religious faith but that is not New Testament Christianity.

Prayerful Intimacy: The Essence of Closeness to God

When the word "intimacy" is used, people normally think of something sexual.  Why?  Because media sells "sex." As Christ followers, we must begin to think of "intimacy" in spiritual terms and not in sexual terms.

A former colleague & mentor of mine writes this inspiring note about prayerful intimacy:

My desire for intimacy with God is a common desire. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until we find rest in thee” (Confessions 1.1). We hunger to live intimately with God. Prayer enables us to know more of God and to know that we are known by God. Prayer enables us to walk with, talk to, and listen to God. With revolutionary equality, prayer is available to everyone, everywhere, any time because God loves us equally and desires for each of us to know his love.

Since we are a diverse people with sixteen personality types who live in diverse circumstances, we need various ways to commune with God. Consequently there are more than a hundred ways to pray. We can pray with or without words, early in the morning or late at night, and whether we are happy or sad, glad or mad, tired or rested. We can pray with eyes open or closed, kneeling or standing, with hands folded or lifted high. We can pray when confused or clear, with prepared words or spontaneous expression. We just need to pray humbly and through the Spirit of Christ.

J. Lee Grady says, "Spiritual Intimacy with God will inspire you and prod you to leave the realm of spiritual mediocrity so that you can experience a dynamic, face-to-face relationship with Jesus, who truly is the Lover of our souls."

Generosity Is A Paradox

I am absolutely thrilled and grateful that Middletown Christian Church has given over $40,000 to help complete phase 2 of El Camino Bi-lingual School- a ministry of the mission hospital Loma de Luz. www.crstone.org  I have witnessed firsthand that many at Middletown are embracing a lifestyle of generosity!


Generosity is a paradox, in that we gain by giving! But paradox is a common feature of our faith:  Jesus gave his life that we might gain life forever; a person who saves his life will lose it, while someone who loses his life for Christ's sake will find it; and the first will be last, but the last will be first.  So it's no surprise that the paradox holds for Middletown's spirit of generosity.

I believe that Christ followers who are pursuing generous lives (with time and money) provide the clearest picture of God to others.  The church is God's plan to carry forward the gospel until Christ returns and makes all things new.

Whether it is giving sacrificially to fund a Christian Bi-lingual school in one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere or making a huge pot of Chili to hand out to the homeless in downtown Louisville, we must seize the opportunity to share our faith & resources with others.

The book Contagious Generosity reminds us that our willingness to share our resources with others without restraint speaks volumes about the extent to which we've been embraced and been changed by the gospel.

Good Night, Mom. I Love You.

What has happened to my teenager?  Almost every night since he has begun high school, he walks into our bedroom and says "Good Night, Mom.  Good Night, Dad.  Love you!"  We tell Elliott that we love him too. Then, we look at each other with surprise.  Is this our child? What happened to him?

Philippians 1:6 - God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion....

Now that Elliott is in high school, he is often up later doing homework or watching TV.  Usually Wally and I are hanging out in our sitting room talking about our day.  It's 11 or 11:30 p.m.  We've said our prayers with Max (our youngest son), we've eaten dinner and we've usually played either soccer or ping pong with the boys.  And then, Elliott will barge in our room and just hang out with us. We enjoy the moment.  Then, we look at each other with surprise.  Is this our child?  What happened to him?

Philippians 1:6 - God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion....

Each morning I get up at 5:30 a.m.  I make Elliott's lunch, read a little and then I cook his breakfast.  I sit his breakfast on the kitchen table and I walk up stairs to let him know it is on the table and ESPN is on the TV!  I either work out at that point or I get in the shower.  Then, I wake my younger son up and I make his lunch and cook him breakfast.  This morning I made waffles and bacon for the boys.  As I walked down to the kitchen for the second time to make Max's lunch and breakfast, I couldn't believe my eyes.  Was this really happening?  I looked at the kitchen table and there was nothing on it.  There was not a glass, or plate or silverware or napkins.  Did the dog eat all of it?  Then I noticed that all of the dishes were in the sink.  They weren't just in the sink but they were rinsed.  Yes, rinsed.  No sticky syrup.  My son had actually put his dishes in the sink as I ask him to do every morning. However, this was the first morning that I can remember that he actually did it. So, yes I praised him.  I told him as he left for school "I really appreciate you cleaning up after yourself.  He smiled.  And I said my usual - make great choices today."

And then God brought the verse to my mind...Philippians 1:6 - God who began a good work in the heart of Elliott as a 9 year old will bring that work to completion....

Amen with JOY!

Effective Love

LET EVERY DEED WE DO TODAY : 
RISE UP AS A PRAYER OF LOVE

Vincent de Paul said, "We must love God, but let it be in the work of our bodies, in the sweat of our brows. For very often many acts of love for God, of kindness, of good will, and other similar inclinations and interior practices of a tender heart, although good and very desirable, are yet very suspect when they do not lead to the practice of effective love."

What makes our love effective?

John 13:35 - "Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other."

Our love is ultimately effective when people know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ because of the radical love we have shown. The word "disciple" comes from the Latin "Discipulus"  meaning "pupil."  A disciple of Jesus is a student who learns how to live his/her life according to the way of Jesus.  And, we find that way as we study the life of Jesus in scripture.

Is your love being effective today?

Prayer:  Lord God, you have shown us what love looks like through sending your son Jesus to this world.  He was the word made flesh and he dwelt among us.  May Jesus continue to dwell among us through our love that we show to others.  Help us through acts of forgiveness and reconciliation to so love one another that our neighbors know we are your disciples and know that to be good news! Amen!

A New Question...

In reading through the book of 2 Timothy, I keep coming back to the verse found in chapter 1 - verse 9.

"...who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus..."

In thinking about salvation we must not only think about what Christ has saved us from but what Christ has saved us to.  We must be holy, because this is the goal of our salvation - our redemption. While it is good to celebrate that Christ has saved us from selfishness, from godless chatter; from addictions, from idolatry - we must celebrate what Christ has saved us to.  This is the new question to ask ourselves.  What has Christ saved me to?  He has saved me to do good works (Ephesians 2:10); He has saved me to preach Good News to the poor (Luke 4:18); He has saved me to do justice & show compassion (Zechariah 7:9); He has saved me to love my neighbor (Mark 12:31); He has saved me to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19); He has saved me to love God with all of my heart (Luke 10:27)!

Begin celebrating what Christ has saved you to. Holiness cannot be reduced to a little ethical refurbishment. The Holy life requires sacrifice.  It requires generosity. It requires that we live like Jesus.  Holiness is not just mere rule keeping; it is not just middle class family values; it is not generic spirituality.

Read God's word and ask yourself a new question:  What has Christ saved me to?

Your Prayers Have Saved Us

La Carpio is a dear place to my heart.  It was the first place I visited when I began my journey to Costa Rica in 2007.  I have watched many of the kids grow and develop into young men and women. I can't express my sincere gratitude to Missionary Steve Edwards who makes our time in La Carpio possible.

This was an amazing year. We had the blessing of working in the community with the children and with the new Skate Church in La Carpio.  Even though La Carpio is considered one of the most dangerous barrios in Costa Rica, I have seen transformation. The community is beginning to come alive through a local non-profit who is offering educational experiences as well as hosting a music school on Saturday mornings.

In addition to this local non-profit, Lalo has begun Skate Church Costa Rica in La Carpio.  Over 30 teenagers gathered for the first time while we were there to skate and hear a message from God's word. We had the privilege of handing out Skate Church t-shirts and sharing God's love and encouragement with them.

I'm still gathering all of my thoughts and feelings but there is one statement I can't get out of my mind. As we were leaving La Carpio, one of the teenagers told our group - "Your prayers have saved us."  He was referring to the many times he had been saved from gunfire. Just after he told us that our prayers had saved him, another youth said "I can't pray with your group because God can't save me from this place."   May we continue to sacrificially serve so that this young man's desperation can be turned into hope.

Each time we go to La Carpio, we bring the hope of Christ - we bring encouragement to stay in school - we bring encouragement to stay away from drugs - we bring the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

May our prayers continue to save those in La Carpio!  This is Lapiz - "Your prayers have saved us!"

Please Don't Forget Us

The VBS Carnival had just ended.  Kids were smiling and laughing. The children had made necklaces and "masks." Boys had played soccer. Moms and grandparents had played Bingo.  Children had discussed how Jesus Christ helps them be a "survivor."  The Pinatas had fallen and children had bags of candy.  New friendships rooted in Christ had been born. Before you knew it, it was time to go. Goodbyes are hard.  It took me 30 minutes to get us all in the van but once we were in - we began waving bye.  Victoria, Argentina, Yoanci, Ernesto (to name just a few) stood at the doors of Iglesia Cristiana waving at us with big tears in their eyes.  As we drove away with tears in our eyes - Argentina's words kept ringing in my ears..."Tomara, please don't forget us."  I can barely type now without shedding tears.

This was my 8th journey to Costa Rica.  It never gets old and God always speaks in fresh ways.  The words that are now ringing in my ear is "compassion permanence."  Compassion permanence is the ability to stay focused on the specific needs of others to work until we make a difference.  Compassion permanence can involve acts of mercy, verbal outreach to people suffering from hopelessness, financial response to crises or diligent prayer.  It means long term relationships and cooperative efforts toward long term solutions. Compassion permanence is love demonstrated over the long term to our global family of faith.

Please, don't forget us!

May God continue to give me big dreams for Costa Rica!

For those of you that prayed for us while we were on this trip - thank you! For those of you who handed me a check before we left to bless those in Costa Rica - thank you!

This is Ernesto...our brother in Christ...works hard for his family and loves Jesus!  He stood in the kitchen outside of the church and told our team that he loved us and was so thankful that we returned each year.

Gracias a Dios!

My prayer this morning...

Creator God, we have glimpsed your beauty in the setting sun, in the mountain tops, in the faces of children, in the embrace of the poor, in the faith of missionaries, in the smiles of new friends and in the clouds that bring rain for refreshment.

Gracias a Dios!

Almighty Creator, we have sensed your power in the voices of those who advocate for the vulnerable.  We have seen your strength in one another and in young boys and girls who are called upon to care for their families.

Gracias a Dios!

Jesus, we see your love stretched out among nations.  We stand in awe of your sacrifice so that we can have eternal life and participate in your work around the world.

Gracias a Dios!

Holy Spirit, we have seen your power in lives transformed and hearts on fire.  We will continue to listen for your still, small voice - comforting, guiding and calling.

Gracias a Dios!

Don't have faith in your prayers, have faith in God

It was just last week that I entered the surgery center at Baptist East to pray with a dear church member who was about to have a procedure done to relieve her back pain.  As I entered the room, the nurse was  explaining that the surgery could not take place that day because her sodium levels were too low.  I could sense frustration and sadness filling the room.  "I just want to be relieved of pain. Isn't there anything you can do?" she asked.  The nurse replied that she would consult with the doctor but she was pretty confident that the surgery would not be able to take place that day. Laying there in the hospital bed, Ms Debbie (let's call her Ms Debbie) looked at me and explained with sadness how difficult it had been for her to even get there that morning and she shared that she was pretty hungry too.  I listened a little more and then I offered a prayer.  I prayed for a miracle and that her sodium levels would rise and that she would be able to have the surgery.  I left after offering a prayer and walked back to my car.  Within minutes I had received a text message from her daughter that said "Your prayer worked. The sodium levels are up enough for surgery, and they just took her back. Thanks for being here."

I sat in my car before driving away and I looked up to heaven and asked God, "Did my prayer really work?"  God spoke back to me with a verse of scripture from James 5:16 - the earnest prayer of a righteous person has power and produces wonderful results.  "Wait, God. I don't consider myself righteous.  I try my best to obey you but I definitely fall short."

I've struggled with this verse.  Me, righteous?  I grew up with an understanding that praying was for making a difference in me.  But something clicked that day for me.  The truth is - our prayers do produce wonderful results.  This scripture says that our prayers are powerful and effective when we are "right" with God.  To come to God in effective prayer, you must first come to Jesus by faith.  You must continually confess your sins and receive the righteousness of Christ that we have by faith.  1 John 3:22 says "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

I hesitated to write this blog because this verse can be intimidating.  Many times when we pray, we have faith in our prayers instead of having faith in an almighty God.  I realize that this still doesn't address the age old question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people.  I don't understand that but trust that God knows best.  In the meantime, however, my not understanding will not prevent me from fervently praying for the needs of my family and those around me.  I must trust this promise and know that if I strive to live a life of obedience, God does transform my prayers into wonderful results.

Make "it" happen

I am just loving the World Cup this year.  My youngest has developed a passion for playing soccer and we've tried to tune into almost every game thus far in the World Cup. Let's Go USA!  & Vamos Costa Rica! The World Cup reminds me that athletes understand the power of making it happen! 

Don't you want to be a capable leader that makes "it" happen?  What is your "it?"  My "it" is change - joining in the movement of God so that lives are transformed.  I want to care about the "its" that God cares about. Whether it concerns challenges with racism, education, heroine addiction or Louisville's homeless teenage population , I want to make "change" happen.

Our college connection ministry continues to be challenged in the ways we exhibit leadership and how we make a difference in our world! We as Christ followers should constantly be reminded of Luke 16:10 - those who are faithful with a little should also faithful with much!  

Those who are faithful with much rank high on my list of people I want to imitate! Yes, ultimately I want my life to imitate Christ but I also need leaders in my life who are constantly challenging me and raising the bar!

I'm thankful that I do have those leaders in my life! I also want to be a leader that constantly challenges others to raise the bar - to be faithful with little and to be faithful with much!

How have you been faithful with your little and your much?

Let Colossians 3:23 encourage you....Whatever you do - work at it with all of your heart! Be excellent in all that you do! Make "it" happen - whatever "it" is - make "it" happen!

Our College Connection will be talking about what it means to be a Capable Leader next week! The Catalyst Leader reveals 10 essentials for being a Capable Leader...

1.  Capable Leaders constantly push forward...

2.  Capable Leaders are team players...

3.  Capable Leaders own their mistakes...

4.  Capable Leaders take risks...

5.  Capable Leaders are constant learners...

6. Capable Leaders aren't entitled

7.  Capable Leaders are anticipators...

8.  Capable Leaders are persistent...

9.  Capable Leaders are trustworthy...

10.  Capable Leaders deliver

So....make "it" happen!

Commit to the Lord

Last night, I had the privilege of hosting a great group of college kids from Middletown Christian Church. We ate pizza, laughed, played volleyball and began our Tuesday summer discussions on what it means to be a Catalyst Leader in the world.

As we sat closely in our living room, I asked each person to write down 3 issues on a notecard that they would like to see changed in our society.  Then one student asked "do you mean our pet peeves?"  And I said, "no."  I further explained that I wanted them to think about society - to think about our world - to think about how people live and interact and to write 3 things down that have the potential to keep them up at night.  So, they started writing and so did I.  Then we gathered in small groups to discuss what was on our lists.  Here are a few that made the top of the lists:
1.  Education locally and globally
2. Environmental Issues
3.  Racism
4.  Criminal Justice System - Those falsely accused
5.  Food prices/Gas prices
6.  Child Abuse
7.  Treatment of Special Needs Children
8.  War/Veterans
9.  Affordable Housing
10.  Poverty
11. Homelessness/Hunger
12. Politics - Why can't the republicans and democrats come together?
13. Discrimination
14. Suicide
15. The Negative Impact of Social Media
16.  Distribution of Resources

Wow.  I was so impressed that our young college students care so deeply about people, society and the world.  I'm convinced that my group could have talked about education the entire night.

You see, we can't just keep talking about the things that bother us - we must begin to be the solution to some of these issues.  I know they are big issues but we must begin somewhere.  So, over the summer - we'll be looking deep into our hearts to discuss how we can become the catalyst leaders God desires for us to be in the world.  I closed the night with Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do and all of your plans with succeed.

Commit to studying hard in college.  If you want to be a teacher, be the best teacher you can be.

Commit to meeting with God daily. Seek your happiness in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desire. Psalm 37:4

Commit to making a difference in the area that will keep you up at night. Ask God to give you a vision of how you can begin to be a "change" maker!

I look forward to our summer together!

Hear Our Prayer, O Lord

These are some of my favorite prayers from The Book of Common Prayer:

Our Father, grow us slowly, persistently, and deeply, Lord, to be people who watch without distraction,   listen without interruption and stay put without inclination to flee. Amen

Lord, teach us to dwell in the corners and crevices, to find an abundance of your love in those pockets of our lives where the poverty of our abilities crowds out our pride and ego. Amen

Guide us, Lord, through the dark places of our day that we might trust you when shadows overcome the light. Remind us that darkness is as light to you. Amen

Lord, send us forth into the day to rejoice in all things, to trust you in all circumstances, and to proclaim your coming kingdom to all people. Amen

Lord God, grant us grace to be faithful witnesses to those we encounter today. May we share your love in a way that sparks others to catch your fire. Amen

Lord God, our hands are open to you. Our ears are listening to you. Our eyes are watching you. Our hearts are trying to beat with yours. Live in us and love others through us today. Amen

Almighty God, thank you for the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. Surround us with living saints who remind us of the sort of people we are trying to become. When we fall short of who we want to be, catch us in the arms of your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

I'll Be Praying For You

Has anyone ever told you - "I'll be praying for you!"  How did that make you feel?  Encouraged?  Or did you think that it was just another line to make you feel better?  Is this a phrase you say often?  If so, why?

Recently I read an article from relevantmagazine.com that revealed 5 things Christians should stop saying - one of which was "I'll be praying for you."  This caught me off guard at first because there is no way that I will stop saying this to my friends, family and congregation at Middletown Christian Church.  Prayer is the greatest gift I can give someone because God is bigger than me and still works miracles.  The writer in this article says " Perhaps instead of just letting someone know we'll pray for them, we should offer up other practical ways to serve them in love. Are they sick?  Maybe we need a warm meal. Just got laid off? Maybe they can use extra cash to pay some bills.... It can become almost routine to throw out the prayer line whenever someone shares a concern.  Sometimes we follow through on it, often we don't."

While I agree that in addition to prayer we should offer ways to practically meet the needs of others - we cannot throw prayer out the window.  When I tell someone that I am going to pray for them - I mean it. I believe intercessory prayer (prayer for others) is a gift. This is why I pray with Max every night. I want him to see that prayer is a gift we give others in their time of need. James tells us to pray for each other so that we may be healed. The healing may not come as we hope but I believe healing will be found. The most powerful resource we have as Christ followers is communion with God through prayer.  It is not a last resort.

Evelyn Underhill wrote:  "Adoration, as it more deeply possesses us, inevitably leads on to self-offering. Charity is the live wire along which the power of God, indwelling our finite spirits, can and does act on other souls and other things, rescuing, healing, giving support and light. Such secret intercessory prayer (prayer for others) ought to penetrate and accompany all our active work.  It is the supreme expression of the spiritual life on earth. It moves from God to others through us, because we have ceased to be self-centered units, but are woven into the great fabric of praying souls, the 'mystical body' through which the work of Christ on earth goes on being done."

Imperfect Progress

For those of you who know me really well - you know that I hate tax season.  From Feb 15 through April 15, you may find me on any given day standing at my kitchen counter trying to decide if I am going to extend grace & laugh or come completely unglued.  It was just last year that I told myself that this year's tax season would not be as bad because I had learned by now (16 years) to manage work, kids, housecleaning, yard work, sport's schedules, band schedules, school schedules, meetings at work, cooking, making lunches, volunteering, laundry, folding clothes, grocery shopping, saying prayers with my kids every night, exercising, did I mention laundry?  - all the while being a great mom and a great wife.  But once again, I learned I couldn't manage it all and it's ok.  Yes. I am a CPA's wife. I like to think of myself as strong but I am not. I like to think of myself as having it all together but I don't.  I like to think of myself as never getting discouraged but I do. I like to think of myself as someone who never freaks out but that's not going to happen. However, this year I did make progress although it was imperfect - it was still progress. 

You see - I learned that when discouragement looms close, God's power moves closer. Despite the demands of an overwhelming schedule, God will step in.  Where I fall short, God's power fills the gap. 

I hope today that you can experience a fresh working of God's power in your life!  And the best way to tap into that power is gratitude.  Gratitude diffuses attitude.  May you see God in a new way today.

Can Skeletons Dance?

A response to Questions of the Soul - How Can These Bones Live?

Can Skeletons Dance?

Gosh!  I loved church camp as a kid!  I still find myself singing those church camp songs like "De toe bone connected to the foot bone. De foot bone connected to the ankle bone.  De ankle bone connected to the shin bone...." As we sang about "Dem Bones" we would be shaking and wiggling our whole bodies. That is about as wild as it got at the Baptist church camp - especially since dancing was forbidden.

Do you know about the story behind "Dem Bones?"  Maybe you don't.  It was a low point in Israel's history.  Their nation had become like a desert floor covered with dead skeletons.  And the skeletons were certainly not dancing.  The Babylonians had wiped out the total Israelite army and their bodies were not buried but just laid there to rot in the sun. The temple and the capital city were destroyed. The people were in total poverty.  Everyone was hungry or on the edge of starvation. I hate to even share this but Lamentations informs us that the people were so hungry that mothers boiled their own children for food.  And the Israelites who were alive were taken prisoners and dragged back to Babylonia with chains around their necks. The Jews began lamenting to themselves, "God can't help us! God won't help us!  There is no God! We are here to rot and die in the desert. We have become like dry bones." 

Then there was Ezekiel.  Today's scripture tells us that that Lord took Ezekiel out into the valley and the Lord looked around and asked Ezekiel "Can these bones live?"  And Ezekiel wisely replied, "you alone know."  Then the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, to start preaching to the bones. God even gave Ezekiel the sermon he was to preach. 

So, here's Ezekiel, standing in the middle of this great valley filled with dead, dry, scattered bones.  Maybe he's thinking, '"I've preached to some pretty dead congregations before, but this takes the cake."  What does he say? "Good morning, uh bones, it's good to see so many of you gathered here today."  No, he tells the dead, dry scattered bones the message God gave him:  "Don't give up hope, dry bones! God is going to cause you to LIVE again. God will breathe life into you. You will enjoy life again.  You will know that God is God."

And the rest of the story - "the foot bones were connected to the ankle bones..." As Ezekiel preached, the bones were resurrected into a mighty army. 

A most important question for you to answer today is "Can God make the skeleton of your life dance?" Is your marriage ready to dance again?  Is your family ready to dance again?  The very essence of God is to take that which is dead and make it alive again.  Maybe things are good in your life and you need to open your eyes to the dead around you and ask "How can I help these skeletons dance?"  Maybe you can help someone dance again by providing food, by providing affordable housing, by providing mentorship.  The opportunities to let God breathe life through you are endless, really.

The God whose word and breath revived Israel's dry bones, the God whose living Word called forth Lazarus from the grave, the God who raised Jesus from the grave, is the same God whose living Spirit empowers and sustains us and gives us hope even now.  And He is the same God who will one day call all of us by name and give us life beyond life, life that will never, ever know death again. 

"If it dies, it produces many seeds."

An excerpt from Pursuing Justice by Ken Wytsma

"We did a sermon series at Antioch a number of years ago about what it looks like to give your life away.  The short answer is that it looks different for every man, woman and child.  When it comes to how God wants us to give our lives away, there is no formula.

To discern the path God would have you walk, begin with repentance.  Lament the problem of pain and the ache of injustice in the world. Ask God to lead you, and listen long and intently for His answer.  Be willing to obey unreservedly, no matter how big or small, no matter how heroic or mundane the task God sets before you or the path God calls you to walk."

John 12:24 - "Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies - it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

Can you imagine Jesus tossing the seed into the field and locking eyes with the disciples one by one before driving home the point that when we give our lives away new life appears?

Giving your life away may mean that you die to your selfish desires and give life to a family member who is dying. Giving your life away may call you to die to your shopping habits in order to bring life by being generous with your skills and resources.  Giving your life away may mean that you die to the luxury of a big house so that your family can move to another part of the United States or another country to serve as missionaries.  Giving your life away may mean that you die to a dream-career to take care of your family.

Giving life away is a paradox. It's losing so we can win.  It's giving so we can receive. It's faith.  It beckons us to gamble all, to trust radically, to come and die so that we might live - to give our lives away.

The Invisible God Made Visible

Questions of the Soul:  "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him....?" Psalm 8:3-4a

Last November I had the privilege to go with a team from our church on a mission trip to Honduras where we worked alongside missionaries who served with Loma de Luz - a mission hospital on the northern coast of Honduras.  It's simply God's country.  The oceans and the mountains are breathtaking.   One night a few of us walked up a steep hill behind the staff housing (where we were staying) to look at the stars.  It was a gorgeous night.  We found the perfect spot and some of us sat down and some of us laid flat on our backs.  We put our phones away. Some of us had to let go of the fear that a snake or tarantula would crawl out of the grass and eat us alive.

Not a word was said for several minutes.  We felt the mystery of God as we looked up in awe into the star-spangled heavens.  The beauty of the night sky was a silent witness to the wisdom of God.  I was simply astonished at the greatness of a God who could create such amazing galaxies.  I'm sure David felt the same way as he was writing this Psalm.  I'm sure he had experienced the greatness of God under the stars at night as he was watching his sheep. 

As I continue to contemplate the greatness of my all-powerful Creator, I face the question - "What is man in the sight of a God who could make a universe like this?"  This question definitely cries for an answer today.  What are humans anyway?  Where did they come from? Why do they exist?  How could God be concerned for people who constantly disappoint Him? 

The psalmist goes on to help me understand these questions.  Here's how I see it. We as humans have a unique relationship with God.  He made us a little lower than the heavenly beings.  You see, God made you and me to be the expression of God's life.  We have the blessing of being the instrument by which God would do His work in the world. We are the means by which the invisible God would be made visible to his creation.  This is a great responsibility.

Prayer:  "I recognize your majesty, O God.  The next time I question my worth as a person, help me remember that you think I'm remarkable.  God, help me see my role on this earth.  Open my eyes so that I can see your majesty everyday."

God's Question is God's Grace

Questions of the Soul:  What are you doing here?

Scripture:  1 Kings 19:1-13

Sometimes life is just hard.  Things do not go as planned.  Illness, disease, divorce, job termination and death come with no warning. Nations go to war and children die every day from hunger and malnutrition.  And, sometimes we just want to run away from it all.

Elijah, a prophet of God for the northern Kingdom of Israel, was at a difficult place in his life. During this time, King Ahab was in charge.  When King Ahab married Jezebel, there was a rise in Baal worship in Israel.  Elijah defeated 450 prophets of Baal in the verses leading up to our scripture passage today.  And now Jezebel, who was not to happy with Elijah, wanted to kill him.  Elijah was overwhelmed with failure, fear and despair and decided to run away from it all.  He ran away from the people and place to which God had called him.  He ran to the wilderness - to a cave where he was instructed by God to go out and stand on the mountain.  There on Mount Horeb, also know as Mount Sinai where Moses received the 10 commandments, Elijah hears the still small voice of God calling a second time from sheer silence - "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah's life was changed when he finally stopped and listened to God's still small voice - "What are you doing here?"  It was if God's question was a whisper of God's grace.  God was with him and sends him back out with renewed strength and confidence.

God doesn't just reveal himself only in powerful miraculous ways.  To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss him because he is often found gently whispering in the quietness of our hearts - even when we are running away.

Are you listening for God?  Stop your running and step back from the noise and activity of your busy life. Listen for God's gentle whisper.

Question of the Soul:

What is in your hand? - (What are you doing with what God gave you?) 

Lay it down and surrender it to God and He will make it alive! Exodus 4:1-5

During Lent - Sharpen our Focus, O God

As a youngster in the church, I never celebrated Ash Wednesday. Actually, I had never heard of Ash Wednesday until I joined the staff at Broadway Baptist in Louisville, KY in 2001. Over the last few years, I have come to appreciate the meaning of Ash Wednesday for it forces me to break my normal routine and sharpen my focus on a holy God.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent - the 40 day period (exclusive of Easter Sunday) leading up to Resurrection Sunday. For me, Lent is a season of preparation and repentance. It is a call to prayer; a call to self-examination, a call to self-denial and a call to giving.

Call to Prayer: For whom and what do I need to intentionally pray?

Call to self-examination: Where is there sadness and darkness in my life? Where do I need forgiveness? Help me God to repent and return to you (Joel 2:1-2, 12-13). Help me to recognize my need for a Savior.

Call to self-denial: What can I give up in order to experience "sacrifice?" What can I do without so I can focus on the things that you care about deeply, God?

Call to giving: Where can I serve in your church, your community and your world? Help me think of my needs less and focus on the needs of others. God, I know that it is in others that I often see you and find you.

As you begin this journey of Lent, you must start with rending your heart - tearing it from self-absorption and binding yourself to Jesus. Regardless of your current state or your proneness to wander, "return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." (Joel 2:13)

After all, Lent is not about your faithfulness, but rather about the faithfulness of Jesus on your behalf. He is the faithful One!

Spiritual Friendship

In response to David Emery's message this week on Accountable Relationships:

None of us on the Christian path travels alone; we always journey with others at our side, before us, and sometimes trailing behind us.  A great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1), a communion of saints both living and departed surrounds us.  There is no such thing as a solitary Christian, which is a great grace.  To be a Christian means we are part of the body of Christ. The communities in which we live and journey give faces and names to our true companions.  And, I am thankful that my companions surround the globe - from Western Kentucky to San Jose, Costa Rica.

For me, Christianity is an intensely personal matter - for the living Christ invades me at the core of my being. But, it is never just a private matter between me and God. The broader Christian community provides means of support to stay on the road and not travel down the path of self-obsession.  My spiritual friends are the people who pull me toward God.  My spiritual friends keep me accountable by God's grace to be the best wife, mother and friend I can be.

Who is in your closest circle of friends?  Do you have accountable friendships?  Do you have companions for your journey?  What person(s) would you like to add to your circle? 

John 15:15 -  "I do not call you servants any longer....but I have called you friends."  Ultimately, I believe the true goal of spiritual friendship is to be known and counted as a lover of God, a friend of God.

Will you invite Spiritual Friendship into your life?

Shine your Light

Elliott, my oldest son, recently wrote an essay for school where he shared how hard it is to be a servant in a self-centered world.  His essay reminded me of Dave Stone's book "how to raise selfless kids in a self-centered world."  So, I went to my bookshelf and pulled off Dave's book and read it again. I was reminded that Jesus was the footwasher, the servant, the example. (John 13)  Service is simply shining the light instead of seeking the spotlight.  In its purest form service looks an awful lot like Jesus - and not only when he offered himself on the cross, but throughout his entire ministry.  The last shall be first; the first shall be last.  The least is the greatest, and the greatest is the servant of all.

Dave reminds us that it is important to ask our children, "Where did your light shine today?"  This question helps our children see that picking up a classmates' trash or playing with someone on the playground who is by herself or choosing to help someone understand their homework or being respectful of teachers is being a servant. 

I remember on many youth trips I would tell youth - "Your mommy ain't here to pick up after you so pick up your trash and keep your area clean."  Let's say that most of the youth did that but inevitably I would find anything from random smelly socks to empty plates laying around.  Then I would obnoxiously pick it up and ask whose it was before moving on to the next scheduled event.  However, there also were youth on every youth trip I led that were truly servants - those youth who would help adults clean up without being asked - those youth who would clean toilets or take out the trash or say "thank you" to the adults for leading the trip or carry all the heavy stuff we had with us.  Those are the youth who I remember being true servants.  And  I wanted to snatch them up and take them on every trip with me. 

Encourage your child to be a servant.  Shine your light so that your children can see servanthood at work.  It starts at home and it is contagious!  And remember that service is simply shining the light instead of seeking the spotlight.

Let Your Requests Be Made Known Unto God - Philippians 4:6

I had the privilege today to attend the Elder's retreat at our church where the focus of the day was prayer.  During the course of the day, we watched two videos from Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels.  Of all the foundational insights shared in the videos, the one that keeps coming back to my mind is "LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD."  Sure, I love and consider it a privilege to pray for other people but today I heard God say "Tomara, let YOUR requests be made known unto me."

Sometimes I hesitate to make ALL of my requests known to God because I feel I'm making it all about me.  Or, I feel like I should not have to make them known because God already knows everything, right?  However, the making of my requests is for my benefit. God promises to hear my prayers and if some of my prayers are selfish, God will let me know because the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf.

I have renewed requests that I am praying tonight for me, my husband and my boys. Some of those requests remain unspoken but others are simple things - like being blessed with great friends who accept us for who we are yet hold us accountable to follow God's path.  I pray that we will have hearts that hunger and thirst for righteousness and that we will acknowledge God in all our ways.  I pray we will always choose compassion over judgment.

And today I was reminded that simple is good.  Each night Max and I thank God for our house, our food, our car and we pray for our family, Shukuru (our Compassion Child) and our missionary friends in Costa Rica and Honduras. We also ask for God to forgive us of our sins.  Usually at the end of every prayer, Max prays "and we love you God."  When was the last time you just told God that you loved Him?

If you are looking for a model to follow in your prayer life - see the one below.  And, remember that you only learn how to pray by praying.

A = Adoration:  Tell God why you love and adore Him.
C = Confession:  Confess your sins to God. Tell God you are sorry for your attitude, your prejudice, your selfishness, the way you spend your money....
T = Thanksgiving:  Tell God what you are thankful for each day!
S = Supplication:  Specific prayers for you & others (All of your requests..)

How much should I keep?

This weekend, members/attendees from Middletown Christian Church will be challenged to make a covenant with God as to their financial commitment to the mission of Middletown Christian Church.  

As I have grown in my Christian pilgrimage, I have been challenged with how much to give financially.The question I must continually ask myself is not, “How much can I give and feel good about myself?”, but rather, “How much is pleasing to God?"  Tithing/Giving in the Old Testament teaches that, as followers of God, we are to give 10 percent of what we have to God. However, the New Testament presents an approach that is much more radical than percentages. Luke 3:11 – “He who has two coats let him share with him who has none. And he who has food let him do likewise.” That’s 50% not 10%. Zacchaeus stood and said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.” Again, that’s 50%. Jesus said to the rich young man, “If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.” Matthew 19:21 – That’s 100%. “All who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44f. These are just a few verses among many.

I have a growing conviction that God took the focus off giving a tithe in the early church because he wants believers to ask themselves a new question. The question I feel Jesus wants us to ask is not “How much do I give?” but rather “How much do I keep?” One of the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the Great Commission which is found in Matthew 28:19-20.The responsibility given to the church through the Great Commission requires such an incredible investment of commitment and money that the thought of settling the issue of what we give by a fixed percentage is simply out of the question. In a world where 10,000 people a day starve to death, the question is not “How much do I give?” but rather “How much do I keep?”

My prayer is that you as a Christ follower will take a look at where your treasure is. If you aren’t giving a regular amount then start giving a regular amount each week with the goal to give 10 percent and above. If you are giving 10 percent then pray about what you can give above 10 percent that would be an investment and a sacrifice. Because we own nothing in this life, it is best to wisely invest the resources we manage for the One who is the true owner of all things. 

Some of my Favorite Proverbs

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:9 - We make our plans but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 19:2 - It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Proverbs 21:3 - To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train children to live the right way and when they are old - they will not depart from it. 
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:19 - As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:17 - She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (Referring to the Wife of Noble character)
Proverbs 31:20 - she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (Referring to the wife of noble character)
Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

MORE OR LESS

Today our Senior Minister David Emery challenged our congregation at Middletown Christian Church to LIVE SIMPLY during 2014.  His message reminded me of a book I read this summer entitled More or Less.


In More or Less, Jeff Shinabarger calls readers to create their own social experiments to answer the question, “What is enough?”  It all started with one idea: What would happen if his church created a culture in which they gave away whatever was more than enough for them? How would their habits change if they shed the excess of money, clutter, and food in their lives? 

Today I have been challenged to LIVE OUT THIS AMAZING LOVE OF CHRIST by asking "What is enough?"  If you look up enough in the dictionary, you will find a subjective definition:  "Adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire."  The definition of enough cannot be defined by or for others.  It would be much easier if someone gave each of us a definition to live by, but it isn't that easy.  Enough isn't a percentage of your income.  There is no simple formula.  You must determine for yourself what is enough.  (p. 38)

So...
What is enough food?  What would happen if your family chose to eat everything in the pantry before going to the grocery store again?  How much money could you save and give away?

What is enough clothing?  What would happen if your family chose to buy zero clothes/shoes/purses for 2014?  How much money could you save and give away?

I hope you will challenge yourself as I've challenged myself to do an experiment on what is enough?  Maybe you will choose to only eat out once a week or maybe you will choose to not buy any clothing for 2014 or maybe you will choose to not buy $4 drinks at Starbucks.  Pray about what experiment God may be challenging you to do.  I look forward to hearing about how living on less will create the potential to do much more for others.  Your excess can address the needs of others.  Don't wait.  Live out the Love of Christ!  Make a positive difference for the purposes of Jesus Christ!

LIVE IT OUT!

Do you want a new ending?

"No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Maria Robinson

As you begin a new year, how about instead of thinking of 2014 as "starting over" - think of 2014 as "making a new ending?"

In order to make a new ending, you'll need to choose to sacrifice something.  Sacrifice (in a Christian sense) is surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure or simply giving up something that you want to keep.  (Dictionary.com)

-Do you need to say goodbye to a bad habit that is hurting your health and your family?
-Do you need to say goodbye to someone that you have been in a relationship with for several months or even years?
-Do you need to quit avoiding the farewells so you can embrace the very best parts of what is to come?
-Do you need to say goodbye to facebook and social media because it has become a time-waster?
-Do you need to spend less in order to give more away?
-Do you need to focus less on self and more on others?

In order to make new ending, you must begin again right where you are.  God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your life. 

Are you ready for a new ending?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart & lean not on your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight! (NIV)