My husband and I were married in Maryland on a Saturday, by the next weekend, we had moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina so that my hubby could start seminary.
It happened like that (insert a snap of the fingers). There I was. Newly married. Very young. New in town.
I had never been to the town of Wake Forest before, much less the large city of Raleigh that it neighbors. And I had never held a full-time job. Gulp. That was my first task in this brand-new place: find a job.
Advice from a new friend sent me in the direction of a temporary service. I called, set up a typing test appointment, and made my way over to the temp agency office. I was hired. Now what?
I discovered that sometimes temp agencies have long-term assignments for you (I got one not too long after being hired...what a blessing). But in those first few weeks of temping, I was sent one day here, the next day there in this brand-new city. It became apparent that I needed to learn how to get around Raleigh. I needed to know what streets cross where, what exits take me where I need to go, and what roads to take if plan A was backed up with traffic. I sat one afternoon on the floor of our tiny duplex’s living room with the map of Raleigh and learned how to get around.
God brought the remembrance of me sitting on that floor memorizing the map to my mind this past week. What do you and I do when we need to navigate a new adventure in life? When we have really big questions that need really clear answers, who do we turn to first? People? Or God?
It’s really great to seek the advice of the trusted, loving people that God has surrounded us with. What would we do without them? But when it comes down to it, we need to study the map...God’s Word...first. The Bible is filled with words that guide, that illuminate, that pave roads. Memorize the Map. And when those confusing or unclear times come, you and I can be sure that the Map Maker will bring His Word to mind. His Word is firm and true and will help us navigate all of life’s adventures.
Blessings for your week, Deni
God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left. Lamentations 3:22-24
Good morning friends!
Welcome to Tuesday! I hope that this morning is going well for you. You made it through Monday…it's all downhill from here, right? :-)
It's funny, but sometimes…on some mornings...it can be hard to remember that God is there with us. Among us. Even as we stumble to the coffee pot (stubbing our toe on the way), He's there. When things are dark or tough or bumpy, He is there. The Bible reminds us that God's mercies are new every morning. His mercies aren't new some mornings, they're new EVERY morning. Even on those bad hair days and mornings after you've stayed up way too late. He's there and He's got something brand-spanking new for you.
His faithfulness is great. Massive. All-consuming. His loyal and merciful love is endless and flowing. His mercies are new today. For you.
Stop and savor that this morning. Stand firm on the Word of God.
Many blessings,
Deni
Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. ~Psalms 37:34a
Waiting passionately is an active, living, breathing waiting. Not the impatient, huffy-puffy waiting that you and I might experience in the grocery store checkout line. It's a waiting where we, through all the fog of obstacles and over the roar of the crowd that surrounds us, keep our eyes focused intently on Christ. Even though things swirl around us, we are to wait with great heart-in-our-throats passion on the One who holds us steady and knows what tomorrow and next month and next year holds. One two three...eyes on Me.
My favorite character in the movie Finding Nemo is Peach. Peach is a starfish with a dry wit and a matter-of-fact attitude. I admire that. At one point in the movie, a child with blatant disregard for the well-being of fish proceeds to tap repeatedly on the fish tank that Peach and her friends are in (everyone knows that fish don’t like it when you tap on their tanks, right?). Peach begins to recite a mantra that has become one of my favorites as well: “Find a happy place...find a happy place...”.
I have a few happy places. They are special spots where I feel connected and rooted and grounded in a different, almost elevated way. They are more than mere happy places though. They are holy places. They are places and spaces where God has moved in my life in a profound way. They are sanctuaries of sorts, and they are set apart. They are the places where God has shown me a piece of Himself...His nature, His goodness, His character. They are places that I have found that all I want to do is take the shoes off of my feet because I’m standing on holy ground. The moments I have in these holy places are ones that I don’t ever want to forget.
As I write this, I am sitting in pavilion B at High Point Farm in Clarksburg. This is one of the holy places in my walk with God. High Point Farm is where we have held several Easter Egg Hunts, Family Fun Festivals, a couple of Vacation Bible Schools, and Lord willing, this is where the Hunt will take place on March 31st. I have stood here amazed at God’s provision and overwhelming grace so many times as I watched cars pull onto the Farm for the Hunt. I have watched God move so mightily as Hunt Team members connect the families in our community with Jesus’ love. This is a holy place.
If you have joined the 2012 Hunt Team or have signed up to attend this Friday night’s Stuffing Party or have donated candy for the Hunt, thank you. If you have invited a friend or two to this year’s Hunt, wonderful! I can’t wait to hear how God moves in your friend’s life because of your invite and His faithfulness. I covet your prayers for the Hunt. Please blanket it in prayer. May this event... this space...be a holy place again this year.
Taking my shoes off, Deni
During my sabbatical, God brought to mind a portion of Scripture that I had memorized during a vacation in the Fall of 1997. It is Proverbs 3:3-4:
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
It’s a section of Scripture that has been near and dear to my heart ever since...however, it hasn’t been at the forefront recently.
Mercy and truth are funny things that, in my opinion, we as human beings just can’t fully wrap our brains around. Mercy? Mercy? Mercy like Jesus has shown me mercy? I’m to live my life with mercy bound around my neck and written on my heart. As visible as my favorite necklace and as important to life as the beating of my heart. When I think about this, I am less than enthused. I am not always the most merciful person. I have my moments of mercy-filled living; but the number of them isn’t as great as I’d like them to be (and not as great as I believe God would like them to be). Sometimes I have more mercy for other people’s kids than I do mine. Ouch.
The idea of truth being such an integral part of my life is painful when compared to the amount of times I’ve felt the need to “put on a brave face”. We’re taught that, aren’t we? We suck it up with our stiff upper lips until we can repress no more and then WHAM! We blow up and send the ones we love the most reeling. What if you and I lived in truth (the good, the bad, and the ugly) everyday? What if we were truthful when we felt this way or that way or didn’t like this or that? What if we just said it? How good would that feel? How freeing? How revolutionary.
God knows. He wants us to live like that. I’m not advocating the notion that God just wants us to blurt out every little thing that crosses our minds without regard to those who have to hear it. But I am saying that perhaps God advises us to live in mercy and truth because it’s the best way to live and breath and face moments that are happy or sad or difficult. The best way for us to live no matter what we are facing. Mercy and truth.
I have a dear friend who, as I’ve observed her daily comings and goings, has taught me about centeredness. She is a centered person. To best understand the idea of centeredness, think of a child’s spinning top toy. Remember playing with one of those? Spin it just right and it spins on its’ point for what seems like endless moments. We hover over it, watching it spin with joy and wonder. How exactly does it do that? But start it off spinning just slightly leaning and the top can start to wobble and then spin in a wonky fashion until it starts to skip and stutter and it finally lands with a thud in the corner. It’s not as much fun to watch a top when it’s not centered. It’s not much fun being a human being who is not centered, either.
Ever felt like a top that’s been started off incorrectly? All wobbly and wonky and careening into objects and people that you never meant to hurt in the first place? Yep, me too. I think we all have...even my very centered dear friend. She would be the first to tell you that she is human and she has been there. It seems to me that Proverbs 3:3-4 is the perfect prescription for the balanced life. If we embrace mercy and truth...and allow God to weave it into the very core of who we are... we’re bound to live a centered, balanced, gracious life. If we have equal heaping helpings of mercy and truth, we will surely look and sound and behave and interact with others the way God wants us to. If we embrace truth without mercy (which really isn’t living truthfully, is it?), our lives will be out of balance. If we try to be merciful people without living and loving authentically, then we are at risk of merely putting on a show for others. That looks really good from the outside, but it it’s really hard to maintain and keep everything straight when you’re not living out of truth. And that’s no way to live, is it?
Mercy and truth...from the very core of who we are. The centered life God planned for us.
“Savor” is one of my favorite words. Of ALL time. It speaks to me in colors and pictures and feelings. During my sabbatical, God spoke to me about my favorite words. About writing about them. The list begins with a handful of words that, regardless of time of year and circumstance, I love. The word “savor” is at the top of the list.
“Savor” reminds me to stop. It’s hard to really savor something if you’re in a hurry. Savor is a word naturally related to eating and food...two of my favorite things. One does not savor something quickly...savoring at its very core must be done rather slowly. It is an event. A happening.
The choice to savor something has to be a conscious one. Even if you didn’t know ahead of time that the moment to savor something was approaching, you acknowledge it when it arrives and decide to ingest whatever it is slowly. It could be a favorite song or a special scent. It could be a moment of quiet or a moment of sheer “dance like no one’s watching” joy. Whatever it is, to truly savor it, you must stop the other things you are currently doing or carrying or busying yourself with, and give in to the savoring.
When was the last time you gave in to a moment? When was the last time that the schedule or the ever-present “to-do” list gave way to a special happening that needed to be savored? This is especially hard to do this time of year. You would hope that it wouldn’t be it (it being Christmas and all), but it is. There are parties and gatherings to be attended or prepared for. There are bathrooms to be cleaned, shopping to be done. There are parking spots to be fought for, and sales to be be taken advantage of. I believe God’s advice to us in this moment- and all of them really- is to savor the stuff that really counts. Our kids (no matter their age or current attitude) need to be savored. The minutes of peace and quiet that God gives us need to be savored. The sound of kids in the neighborhood. The smell of cookies or Christmas trees or those crazy cinnamon scented pinecones in Michael’s Arts and Crafts (I have some of those crazy pinecones currently in my house). They all need to be savored. The prayers of friends. The chance to intervene in prayer on the behalf of someone in need. Jesus coming to earth to rescue us. The Father’s heart that He loves us that much. All of these and so many more need to be savored.
What will you and I do today to make sure that we don’t miss a moment that God wants us to savor?
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Talk about it...
Read Luke chapter 2. Talk with family and friends about any “a-ha” moments that you had while reading chapter 2. God always has new things to teach us when we read His Word (it’s a living and breathing thing remember).
Take a really close look at verse 19. What do you find Mary doing in this verse? Yep, she’s savoring the moment that God has placed her in. Amazing, isn’t it? She’s got a million things going on at the moment (recovering from childbirth, a long journey, neighborhood shepherds stopping by), but she stops. She looks around and takes in the scene. The Baby’s teeny fingers, the look of awe on Joseph’s face, the silence of the night. She savors the moment. Isn’t that amazing?
*What moments have you had today that you have truly savored?
*Who has God placed in your life that you can savor a moment with today?
Don’t forget to take time in prayer to savor Jesus’ presence. He is Emmanuel. God with us. Messy us. Busy us. Distracted us. He came with grace, mercy, and peace for us. Let’s savor that today.
The merriest Christmas to you and your family.
Two Sundays ago was our last evening of the fall session of I’m a Christian Now! class. It’s during this last class time that we learn about a daily quiet time with God. I was in the middle of explaining to the kids that my daily quiet time with God involves Jesus, my office at home, and coffee in my favorite Minnie Mouse mug that one of the kids stopped me and asked who Minnie Mouse is. Internally, I gasped. A child who doesn't know who Minnie Mouse is? I refrained from grabbing an easel, chart pad, and markers and going through Disney 101 with the whole group. I instead answered simply, “She’s Mickey’s girlfriend.” ‘Nuff said.
Last week, the Lord reminded me of my young friend’s question and I stopped to think about who Minnie Mouse is and why perhaps the child know about her but did know about her boyfriend Mickey. God made it clear to me and then He
whispered a lesson in my ear. Mickey is in the spotlight. He’s the big cheese (okay… pun intended). Walt Disney himself said, “I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse”. That mouse wasn’t Minnie… it was Mickey. God got me to thinking that maybe she’s not as well known because she is somewhat in the background.
What “background” things do you do for God? Maybe being on stage isn’t your thing. Maybe you think you could never teach a class or lead a Life Group or sing as a member of the Praise Team. But what about...donating food or gifts for the
Holiday Giving Project or sending a gift to a child faraway through Operation Christmas Child? What about having conversations with the men and women who are attending the School for the Nations English classes? Could you do something like that?
Christian hip hop artist Lecrae has a song entitled “Background” on his latest album. It is a song that God has placed on my heart recently, and I’d like to share a few of the lyrics with you: “I’m in control of nothing, follow you at any cost/ Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss/ Man, I’m so at ease, I’m so content/ I’ll play the background, like it’s an instrument...So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?/ And I could play the background, background/ And You could take the lead.”
Do you have a spot for God that’s “out front”? What background things are you doing for God in addition to what He’s called you to do already? I encourage you to pray through the opportunities God has in store for you to play the background for Him.
–Deni
“You are Christ’s body– that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything” . 1 Corinthians 12:27 The Message
My mom and dad gave me a gift of a plane ticket and a three night hotel stay at the end of August. No, they weren't shipping me off to parts unknown (although some days I bet they'd like to). My cousin Jay was getting married in Denver, and they wanted me to go. So, with a little fear and trepidation, I agreed to go. I was intrigued at the idea of seeing Colorado (my only frame of reference for Colorado was the shots of Boulder from "Mork and Mindy"), and I really wanted to see my extended family. So off I went with my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law and my niece and nephew. The few days away would be nice. Little did I know that God had a greater gift in mind for me that weekend.
I love being "Mom." Love it. I've been a mom for more than fifteen years. I've been "Wife" for more than seventeen, and it's a great thing. Those titles are wonderful gifts in and of themselves. What I wasn't prepared for during the last weekend of August was how much I'd love being "Aunt Deni." I've been an aunt for over six years, but I am usually aunt and mom at the same time... this time, my kiddos were at home, and I was simply Aunt Deni. That's all I needed to be for the whole weekend. I could laugh, chat, and stroll around holding my nephew's hand and give high-fives and hugs to my niece until the cows cam home. That was my only responsiblity. And it was magical. Very few things sound sweeter to my ears than my six year old nephew James saying he wants to hold my hand. God gave me the gift of being somebody else for a weekend. I got the chance to focus solely on being an aunt for four whole days.
Has God ever given you the gift of being somebody else? Has He given you the chance to hang up your everyday titles for just a little bit in order to pursue another role? How about the title of Life Group leader or Prayer Team member or Children's Ministry Team member? What about the role of homeless-shelter-food-preparer or missions-partner-needs-provider? What about...?
I am so thankful for the trip to Denver. It's one of those memories that I will savor for years to come. I am so thankful to my parents for the chance to go and to God who surprised me once again with His plan. What about you? Embrace the chance to be somebody else for a little while... and watch God's magic unfold.
~Deni
Okay, that might be a little harsh. Perhaps "strongly dislike" would be better. Hmm. Umm, nope. Perhaps not. Don't get me wrong, there are many things that I love about this time of year. The sunny days are gorgeous, I love the smell of freshly cut grass, and the sound of cicadas is music to my ears. What I don't like however, is the time that is coming all too soon when I must say good-bye to the Children's Ministry 5th Graders. That's what I hate about this time of year.
I have written in the past about the fact that I am not good at good-byes. It should come with no surprise that I kick and scream my way through this time of year. It starts with the last night of Centri-Kid. I started a tradition in 2007 that the 5th Graders get to take our group's missions offering down to the stage. My thinking in starting this was that it's their last year at camp, and it's a special way to honor them for who they are. Little did I know what was going to happen that Thursday night in 2007. I called the 5th Graders into a huddle, told them how proud of them I was, and told them that they would be the ones to take the offering to the stage. I then sat down in my seat next to my husband Brian and promptly started to cry as I watched the 5th Graders walk toward the stage. I didn't cry a simple, quiet, dignified tear or two. Nope, I cried the "ugly cry." You know it... uncontrolled snot and tears where you just can't catch your breath and of course no tissue is in sight. Augh. My sweet husband just patted my back. There was nothing else he could do.
Words cannot adequately describe how very proud of the 5th Graders I am. They are an amazing bunch of young women and men of God. They could teach Sunday School on a moment's notice on any given Sunday. They know who they are in Christ, and they love Him. They are constantly striving to walk more closely to Jesus, and they are leaders. They are not content with simply letting life happen... they are LEADERS. This is their church, and they serve God with pride. If you have impacted the life of a 5th Grader at Greenridge, well done. You have helped shape the lives of these brilliant children in Jesus' name.
I cannot wait to watch them continue to grow in Christ in the years to come. Only He knows how He will use them to reach into this world on His behalf. Many blessings to the 5th Graders. We are all so proud of you.
~Deni
If I think back to my childhood summers, it's easy to assess what my priorities were. I wanted to know if my best friend Alia could play, if the tires on my bike had enough air in them, and if I had enough change in my pocket for the ice cream man. Those summer days were filled with adventure. Jumping on the sprinkler-soaked trampoline with my sister. Riding my bike with friends on the dirt track that the older kids made in the woods. Running as fast as my feet would carry me when that beloved white truck of happiness parked at the corner. Life was simple, and each day was filled with new adventures.
When was the last time you had a new adventure with Jesus? I know, life is jam-packed already, isn't it? But wouldn't it be amazing to try something new in your walk with Him? To join a ministry team that you've never joined before. To spend time talking to Jesus while gazing at the colors He has surrounded you with. To embrace a moment He has given you and drop everything to run like mad with your kids when you hear the familiar siren song of the ice cream truck. Ice cream for dinner? I'm pretty sure that Jesus would be all over that!
Could this summer be a time of new adventures for you and your family and friends? Yes, it could. With Jesus, all things are possible.
~Deni
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