It was BEAUTIFUL outside yesterday!  The sun was shining, there was no breeze, and the temperature rose to a downright balmy 65!!   While we haven’t had much snow this winter, our temperatures have been dipping well below normal.  Arctic blasts keep coming in waves and we have been in the midst of the dreaded “polar vortex” sweeping down from the Arctic Circle.  To sum it up: it’s been miserable.  So when the sun peeked out to warm our little stretch of the Earth yesterday, we embraced it wholeheartedly.

 My youngest decided it was shorts and t-shirt weather, and while I didn’t completely agree, who was I to argue with the glory of the sunshine?  His one acquiescence to mama saying, “It’s not THAT warm outside!” was to leave on his snow boots.  And so, we trooped outside, each to our own happy golden pursuits.  My husband painted shelves in the garage.  My oldest walked around imagining some great adventure.  My youngest and I rode bikes and played Frisbee.

Resting on the swing set midway through the afternoon, I turned my face up to bask in the warmth the sun’s rays were radiating down.  This, I thought, is a promise.  Winter is going to end and light and warmth and life outside will resume once more.

In reflecting on this promise which Nature brings, I couldn’t help but think about God’s great promise of love.  “For lo, I am with you always,” Jesus said, “even to the very ends of the Earth.” 

“The mountains may shift, and the hills may be shaken, but my faithful love won’t shift from you, and my covenant of peace won’t be shaken”, says the Lord.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you see God’s amazing promise of love for us?  God tells us over and over again in Scripture that He is here, that He will stay by our side, no matter what season of life we may find ourselves in.  So when the winter of life seems dark and unending–when one problem after another rises–when it feels like it would be easier to just give up, let go, lay it all down–remember God’s promise of Spring.  Remember God’s promise of life.  Remember God.

The Arctic winds howled through the night last night, bringing the frigid temperatures back once more.  Shorts and t-shirts were traded for sweats and coats and hats and gloves.  But it was easier, somehow, to go out in the bitter cold this morning because I carried with me that beautiful promise of Spring.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
    proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
    or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
    of wrongs that others do.
 Love rejoices in the truth,
    but not in evil.
 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
    and trusting.
 Love never fails! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

My husband and I went to a Gary Chapman marriage seminar last weekend.  That, in and of itself, can be a risky endeavor!  My husband and I are human beings, so our marriage will never be perfect.  But, overall, I think we have a really good thing going.   We communicate well and trust one another and try to resolve conflict in a non-hostile manner.  We work together as partners and hold one another accountable.  So, the thought of delving deep into our relationship and potentially pulling out something we’d rather leave buried kind of worried me!!

However, the conference ended up being a really good marriage 101 refresher and we took home some information that will be useful in ministry, as well as about 5 books!

The idea that has stuck with me this past week is the risk involved in loving another person, whether it be a spouse, family member, friend, co-worker or maybe, even a stranger.  You see love, in the Christian definition, is about so much more than just a feeling.

When we love, I mean really love as outlined by Paul in 1st Corinthians 13 and demonstrated by Christ in his very life, we are putting our entire self out there to be rejected in a myriad of painful ways.

When we allow ourselves to love another person, and to show that love to another person, we are putting them first.  We are thinking about what they need, what they desire, how they communicate and respond and feel, how they need us to respond to them.  Then, we act on that, despite or in spite of what we would prefer.  And we act on that not so the other person will reciprocate and do the same for us.  No, we serve the other person because it is how we are called to love and to show God’s love.

What that means is that no matter how negative or confrontational your co-worker, sibling, spouse, child can be, you always strive to treat them with kindness and compassion.  You work to hear what they are trying to say, even if they’re saying it in a way that makes you want to grab a frying pan!

Practically speaking, the risk of loving another person involves keeping your mouth shut when you want to speak.  It involves not bringing up all of the past hurts you have endured because of their words or rejection.    It involves listening, even when you’re tired of hearing the same things over and over and over again.

The risk of loving another person also involves being willing to speak the truth in a loving manner.  Please note the loving manner.  If you find yourself attempting to hold someone you love accountable by starting with a “You always….” statement, it’s probably best to stop and reconsider.  Nothing sets people off like a great big “YOU…”! 🙂

My husband is actually really great at loving accountability.  It’s one of the things I love most about him.  When I’m reaching for the cookies/ candy bucket/ brownies/ cake icing, etc… he simply asks, “How does that fit in with your health plan?”  Or, simply states, “That’s not worth it.”  There’s no judgement or condemnation.  He’s truly trying to support me and hold me accountable for my healthy living goals.  And although I might cringe a little bit, I recognize the truth of his question or statement and understand that he’s really just trying to take care of me.  It comes from a place of love, and (let’s be honest) depending on my mood could be a bit of a risk for him to mention!!

Look again at Paul’s “Love is…” statements in 1st Corinthians 13.  They are beautiful and wise and selfless and good and so hard to live into every day!!  But what a different world we would live in if we could try to live into just a little of them!

So, will you risk rejection with me this week in offering love to those around you?  Even if they’re not supportive?  Even if they judge?  Even if they do not change?  Will you love them anyway?

The caveat to all of this, of course, is for those who are in abusive relationships.  I very firmly believe that if you are being abused in anyway, shape or form–physically, sexually, emotionally or verbally, you need to leave the relationship immediately.  There is a difference between someone being difficult to live with/work with/be in relationship with and someone who is an abuser.  If you know of someone who is in an abusive relationship, encourage them to reach out to those professionals within their community to get out of the abusive environment and started down a road of recovery.  

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17

I am linking up today with other women taking the “Risk Rejection” challenge over at Amy’s Place.  I would love for you to come along and share in some other stories of wonderful and inspirational God driven risk-taking!

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

I have to confess, I’m kind of an expert at rejection.  Growing up as a nerdy girl in a small school, you got used to being picked last in every sport in gym class.  I got called “three eyes” instead of four during my lazy eye corrective patch stage.  Most school dances I went with friends rather than dates.  And, so on and so forth.  Professionally, I’ve had every type of rejection letter/email/phone call you could get.  The worst is the professional “it’s not you, it’s me” speech.  Whatever…I just always assume God has something different and better in store.  And usually, He does.

It’s ironic then, given my vast experience with rejection, that I am really not much of a risk taker.  Sure, there have been moments when God has blown the doors of my life wide open and forced me to free fall into a risky endeavor.  That’s how I ended up at seminary twelve years ago–giving up stable, full-time employment to move to a city where I didn’t know anyone and start a Master’s degree program I wasn’t sure would get me anywhere.  And low and behold, it forever changed my life, although not in the ways I anticipated.  However, I’m digressing….

The point is that when Amy Sullivan invited me to participate in this little “risky business” trial, I wasn’t sure I qualified.  In fact, my initial response was, “I don’t want to take a risk.” And that, I think, is precisely why I need this.  Over the past year or so, I’ve kind of been stuck in a rut professionally.  I know (kind of) where I want to be.  But, I’ve done very little to get there.  And part of doing very little to get there is because the thought of risking everything I’ve dreamed of and hoped for is terrifying. Thinking about it and doing nothing is much safer than putting it all out there and risking falling flat on your face.

What if the dream I’ve aspired most to never materializes?  What if I’m not good enough?  What if I have to throw my dream away?  What if I was wrong about everything I thought God was calling me to do?

Those are some scary thoughts.  Just typing them makes me want to shut the computer and drown myself in a Hallmark Channel movie.

However, the reality is that I will never achieve anything if I don’t take a risk.  So right now, I am baby-stepping into risk-taking.

I’ve recently signed a freelancing contract to write an entire unit of curriculum for an online based educational publisher.  I just received my “author packet” and I was tempted to immediately email the project manager and tell her she needed to find someone else.  “I can’t do it!!!!  I’m not smart enough or experienced enough or talented enough!  I can’t do this and work full-time, too!  It’s going to be awful and I’ll never get another writing contract again!!”  And while all of those things might, indeed, be true–I need to take this risk.  I need to push myself in the direction that I feel (that I have always felt) God leading me to go.

Therefore, I’m taking a deep breath and wading in.  I don’t know where it will all lead or if it will be successful or if it will take me a step farther toward my dream of being a professional writer.  I do know, however, that I will grow and be a wiser woman for having taken it.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

Link up with me at Amy Sullivan’s place and share the ways you are engaging in some risky business!!

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and His Glory appears over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.  Lift up your eyes and look about you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.  Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy….. Isaiah 60:1-5

Over the past several weeks, we have looked at the salvation story of God through the words of Isaiah the prophet.  In the story of the people of Israel, we find the whole story of God’s love and plan for His people.  God created and established a kingdom, but His people rebelled against Him.  That rebellion distanced them from God, and darkness covered the land.  And yet, God in His infinite incomprehensible Love set out to rescue His broken and exiled children.  He redeemed them from their captivity and brought them back to His holy dwelling–to the center of His heart.  But God wasn’t (and isn’t) finished yet.  There is one final promise He has made to those who call on His name–the promise of restoration.

The root of the word “restoration” is, of course, to restore.  When we think of restoration, we think of fixing up old houses or bringing back endangered habitats or feeling better after a sickness.  Our current operating thought about restoration is (generally) to bring something back to its original state.  However, when you look at restoration from a Biblical perspective, to “restore” isn’t just to bring something back to what it once was; to “restore” really means to make something into what it was originally designed and created to be. 

God didn’t rescue and redeem the people of Israel so that they could go back to the way they were before.  “Before” didn’t work out so well in the long run.  “Before” led to rebellion, which led to destruction and exile and isolation from God.  “Before” created a cycle of events which has been playing out through the course of millenia, from the Garden of Eden to the Desert Wanderings through Exile and thousands of years of Occupation.  For while the people were redeemed, they were not yet restored.

In looking back at the creation process in the book of Genesis, we see God’s ultimate design for His creation.  God created all things, and God breathed His holy Spirit into His creation.  God created human beings in His very own image and made His dwelling among them.  There was no hunger, no sickness, no death, no fear and no shame.  Everything was in perfect order, and God was at the center.

So when I think about the “restoration” God has/is/will bring, it is this that I tend to dwell on: God’s desire is to bring about His original design and plan for creation.  And His original design and plan for creation was that we would dwell with Him within it and that He would be the center of all His created order.

When we celebrate the birth of Christ, it is just the beginning of the story.  God came into this world to rescue, to redeem and to restore.  There is a past, present and future promise to behold!  “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ WILL COME again!!”  Christ rescued us from the trappings of our sinful rebellion.  He redeemed us with his blood.  He restored us to right relationship with God and conquered death once and for all so that nothing can separate us from the Love of God.  

And yet, there is more to come!  God’s process of restoration is still going on!  And this process of restoration isn’t some sort of spiritual, mythical, ethereal process going on in heavenly realms.  God’s restoration is here and now; a real and tangible process happening on this earth and in our own lives.

While I believe in the second coming of Christ, and I believe that God will ultimately restore his creation and bring about His promise of a new heaven and new earth, I also believe that God is working His restoration process in our lives right here and right now.  God is restoring His people–bringing them back to Himself.  His Spirit lives and moves and breathes within us, bringing about wonderful new things in this present moment.

And so, this New Year, I want to focus on God’s restoration.  Over the course of this year, I would invite you to pray about ways that God may bring His restoration to your life.  I will be sharing stories of restoration with you, both from my own life and from the lives of others.  I want you to share your stories, too.  Whether it be a healed relationship, new health, a new career, overcoming great obstacles, overcoming addiction, recovery from grief, loss, etc….I want to see God’s restorative hand at work.  

Restoration 2014–let’s see the amazing work God will bring!

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

This song almost brought me to tears the first time I heard it.  It is a beautiful and powerful testimony of the redemptive power of God’s love.  Many blessings and much peace this weekend!

Sara

What a beautiful sight!
On the mountains a messenger
    announces to Jerusalem,
“Good news! You’re saved.
There will be peace.
    Your God is now King.”
 Everyone on guard duty,
    sing and celebrate!
Look! You can see the Lord
    returning to Zion.
 Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!
    Join in the singing.
The Lord has given comfort
to his people;
    he comes to your rescue.
 The Lord has shown all nations
    his mighty strength;
now everyone will see
    the saving power of our God.  Isaiah 52:7-10

Depending on which theologian you study, the book of Isaiah is traditionally broken into 2-3 books.  Regardless of whether it is 2 or 3, a good two-thirds of Isaiah consists of dire warnings given to the nations of Israel, Judah and all of their neighbors.  Yet, interestingly enough, the title “Isaiah” translates to the Lord saves.  Looking at the prophecies of Isaiah from this perspective, it would appear that Isaiah is a salvation story rather than a cautionary tale.

The Lord saves….this is the message passed down throughout Scripture.  The Lord saves….from Genesis through Revelation.  The Lord saves….regardless of our rebellion.  The Lord saves….in spite of our hardened hearts.  The Lord saves….even if we choose to abandon His ways.  The Lord saves…..

And this is the true message of Christmas, isn’t it?  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, A SAVIOR….”

The Lord saves….but this time, God didn’t come as a mighty warrior leading His people forth in power and might.  But rather, God came down in the dark of night, as a vulnerable baby, cold, crying, hungry, surrounded by barnyard animals.  God came down to a people who were oppressed, impoverished, beaten-down and yearning for release.

The Lord saves….

The Lord saves….

The Lord SAVES….

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

I realize that I have gotten behind in my original 24 day plan.  So, I thought we’d play “catch-up” today with some scripture passages from Isaiah to ponder.  God promised to rescue His people, even in the midst of His anger at their rebellion.  Time and time again we see that God cannot abandon His people.  God will not abandon us, no matter how dark the road we walk may seem.  God is there in the midst of the darkness.  But sometimes, like the ancient Israelites, we are blind and deaf to Him.

Today, read through these verses proclaiming God’s rescue and salvation.  Pray that you will see the Light of God today.  Pray that you can BE the Light of God for someone today.

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

There is good news
    for the city of Zion.
Shout it as loud as you can
    from the highest mountain.
Don’t be afraid to shout
to the towns of Judah,
    “Your God is here!”

 Look! The powerful Lord God
is coming
to rule
    with his mighty arm.
He brings with him
what he has taken in war,
    and he rewards his people.
 The Lord cares for his nation,
just as shepherds care
    for their flocks.
He carries the lambs
    in his arms,
while gently leading
    the mother sheep.  Isaiah 40: 9-11

When the poor and needy
are dying of thirst
    and cannot find water,
I, the Lord God of Israel,
will come to their rescue.
    I won’t forget them.

 I will make rivers flow
    on mountain peaks.
I will send streams
    to fill the valleys.
Dry and barren land
will flow with springs
    and become a lake.
 I will fill the desert
    with all kinds of trees—
cedars, acacias, and myrtles;
olive and cypress trees;
    fir trees and pines.

 Everyone will see this
    and know that I,
the holy Lord God of Israel,
    created it all.  Isaiah 41: 17-20

Before we go forward, I feel the need to go back a bit and establish a little of the historical context of the fall into exile for the people of Israel and Judah. The nation of Israel had been divided into two kingdoms; the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  The holy city of Jerusalem was part of the Southern Kingdom, and the Southern Kingdom proved to be more militarily powerful than their neighbors to the north.

Isaiah began his ministry around the year 740 B.C.  His prophecies encompassed both those living in the Northern and Southern kingdoms, as well as the neighboring/invading nations.  Isaiah lived through the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria around the year 722 B.C.  By the time Israel fell, the people had undergone over 10 years of horrifically brutal physical and psychological warfare.  Those who survived the final Assyrian onslaught were exiled to places far away, and Samaria was resettled by the Assyrians.

Witnessing the destruction of the Northern Kingdom, Isaiah turned his prophecies to the south, warning Judah of the same fate which awaited them if they did not change their ways.  Although Isaiah wouldn’t live to see it, the Southern Kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonian Empire around 586 B.C.–almost 200 years after Isaiah’s prophecies!  The people of Judah lived in exile for about 50 years, until the fall of Babylon to Persia.  At this time, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland.  However, they were still occupied by a foreign power and would remain an occupied nation for another thousand plus years.

I find it remarkable to read the ancient prophecies of Isaiah with the knowledge that the people and events Isaiah foretold did not come about for another 200 years.  And yet, God had those plans set into place.  He called king Cyrus by name, proclaiming him to be His “servant” long before there ever was a king Cyrus in the first place!  (Biblical and historical scholars might disagree with me.  I suppose this is the time when you read the fine print telling you that I have a MA in Christian Education, not Ancient Biblical History!)

Here’s the theological message I take from all of this.  1) God has a plan.  2) God has a very specific, detailed and organized plan.  3) God will follow through with His plan.  4) God will follow through with His plan in His time–not mine.  5) God will keep His promises.

Even though God’s anger burned against His people, His heart never truly left them.  The book of Isaiah is filled with God’s promises of salvation and restoration.  God knew His people would be sent away.  But He also knew that He would bring them home once more.  And if God had such a far-sighted and far-reaching plan of salvation so long ago, how can we not believe that He still has far-sighted and far-reaching plans of salvation today?

Surely, the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear… “This is my covenant,” says the LORD.  “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever.  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”  Isaiah 59:1, 21; 60:1

Take some time in the next few days to think about where you are in your life.  What are your hopes?  Your dreams?  Where are you waiting/wanting to see the saving hand of the Lord?

Blessings and Peace,

Sara

And it will be said:

   So justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
 Like the blind we grope along the wall,
    feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
    among the strong, we are like the dead.
 We all growl like bears;
    we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
    for deliverance, but it is far away.  Isaiah 59:9-11

 

One of my favorite Advent hymns is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  It captures so much of the darkness and despair of a people living in exile.  But it also captures the hope-the faith-of a people who refuse to let go of their belief.  In spite of everything–the loss of their homeland, the destruction of the Temple, the enslavement of their children, the total loss of a generation–the people of Israel set their hope for a future on their Deliverer.  Isaiah spoke words of comfort to his people, words which came directly from the mouth of God: