After nestling under my favorite blanket, I turned on a Christian television program  in an effort to relax and unwind.  Right away a particular Pastor said, “Let’s take a few minutes to go deep.”  Instantly my ears perked up.  Hopefully by now it’s evident I enjoy going “deep.”  Not in an intellectual sense,  but in the spiritual sense that God wants all of us to consider the  core condition of our devotion to Him. By God’s grace, that is the intention of this blog; to assist God in helping you consider the core condition of your devotion to Him.

Occasionally, over the years,  a few people have said the messages I’ve delivered have been a bit too intense for their taste.  For sure it’s never comfortable to expose the splintered edges of our flesh to the bright light of God.  But since I believe time is short, (like an old song says) ”I want to be “ready… to walk in Jerusalem just like John.”  And personally,  I can tell I’ve got a long way to go when I look at myself,  in the mirror of Scripture.

This morning as I sat up to pray (since my nose is stopped up), the prayer picture came quickly. Once again, the picture I saw was against the back-drop of a universe filled with stars.  Isn’t it easy to be grateful for the darkness when it causes the stars to sparkle and shine?  (Back to the picture.) This time,  against the immense universe, I saw a  spinning record - yes a black, vinyl record  (I don’t know if it was  a 45 or a 33).  Nonetheless, I could see the record and the spindle that held it.  And at eye level  – in front of the record, I saw the whimsical figure of an oriental person, with a contagious smile.  I’ll readily admit that some of these pictures are as odd to me as they must sound to you.  Regardless, as I pray on in God’s Presence, it rarely takes more than a minute before His Spirit begins to explain the particular Truth He wants me to carry away from the picture.

Although I had a good idea why God used an oriental face to relay His message, I typed the words ”persecuted church” into the search bar on my computer. Instantly my eye was drawn to this headline: “Christians are the most persecuted group in the contemporary world.” Clicking on the sight, an additional report (released by the Vatican on the Persecution of Christians) stated that 75 out of 100, killed due to religious hatred are Christians.  The Missionary Organization, “Open Door,” explained that this is particularly true in North Korea.  That information along with my awareness of the suffering in China, explained why God had shown me a smiling, oriental face in my prayer picture.  People all over the world are suffering for Jesus sake; tremendous persecution is also taking place in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

As I paused to consider what the record represented in this prayer picture, God brought to mind various ways music is created.  He started with the simple music of a ”whistle.” One of my favorite wedding gifts was a copper tea kettle. If I remember correctly, the tea kettle finally met it’s end one night when I feel asleep waiting for a bottle of formula to warm-up.  Yet in it’s hay-day, how I enjoyed hearing the whistle that let me know I was moments away from enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or tea.  Need I say, that to hear that happy whistle, the water had to boil?

Next I thought about the term we use when we download music. We say we “burn” it to a CD.   I thought about stringed instruments – guitars, violins – even harps -that have the ability to translate us to pleasant places in our soul and spirt. They are able to give us pleasure because their strings endure  tension. Further, we only hear their melody as friction and pressure are applied to that tension. Finally I acknowledged that even black vinyl records release their melody because a diamond-sharp needle rests it’s full weight against the body of the record.

As I was considering the ways music is actually created, a memory popped up – a happy one.  All of a sudden I was translated to a pleasant place;  as a little girl, I was back in my grandparents den in Jackson Mississippi.  There my Grandparents sat watching my two younger sisters and me  laugh, and sing as we slid across their linoleum floor in our white socks. And we did these “sock ballets and operas”  to the various 45′s Grandpa played on his portable record  player.  He loved to play, “Mockingbird Hill,”  “The Unicorn” (by the Irish Rovers) and last but not least – even today, “The Chipmunk Song” by Alvin and the Chipmunks.  If you don’t mind indulging me, I’ll go ahead and tell you that I put that 50 year old record on my own player the other day and laughed hysterically while my own Grandchildren ran in circles singing.  There may be nothing new under the sun, but there’s nothing in the world that gives you as much pleasure as watching children play and sing in the safety of your presence.

And isn’t it true that just as music from an instrument makes way for singing at the expense of  tension and friction,  the most beautiful songs sung by human instruments seem to have been refined as a result of hardship? As someone else has said, “You gotta have heart.”

What about you? Do you like to sing?  The songs we choose to sing reveal so much about how we’re feeling.  When we’re happy, we like to sing upbeat songs. Sometimes we whistle.  And when we’re sad, if we sing at all, we want the consolation of a sad song.  As Elton John has put it, “…sad songs say so much.”

Singing reveals what’s in our heart; happiness, hopelessness.  That may be why Scripture strongly suggests we do it. This is the time of year when stores are taking inventory.  As simple an idea as it is, I find that God always uses difficulty in my life to show me the amount of faith resting on the shelves of my heart.  He doesn’t need to send difficulty to find out how much faith I have.  He already knows.  I’m the one who can be clueless - as I face the onset of each new problem. We say we trust God, yet how hard it is to get that faith from our heart to our face. One thing I can tell you for sure: When things are going poorly, it’s hard for me to smile much less sing. Yet it appears it’s not an option for us.  Listen to these verses from Psalm 149 (ESV) :  ”Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! …Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory;let them sing for joy on their beds.”

Hmmmmm…wonder if He might be referring to beds of affliction there at the end?  I don’t know for sure. But I do know this: God sings. Now there’s something to look forward to.  Listen to any large choir, Pavarotti, or Bocelli and then try to imagine the music of Heaven behind the voice of God, our Father. Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

I’ll close by going back quickly to the prayer picture. I know what sweet wine has been pressed from the suffering in my own life. For that reason I’m certain the song of the redeemed – rising from persecuted souls, must be ever ascending in unimaginable cords of beauty. No wonder the face I pictured was smiling. We can be sure persecuted saints around the world see the Lord taking pleasure in His people. Surely they behold His face.

Are you enduring the heat of affliction?  Are you stressed to the breaking point as a result of tension and pressure in every direction you turn?  Sounds like conditions may be exactly right for making some music beautiful music; for singing God a sacrifice of praise.  We overcome the enemy by the word of our testimony – do we not?  Why not sing it?

It’s easy to sing in the sunshine. But how God loves a lullaby; a song of praise sung to Him – however softly – in our night seasons when everything’s dark.  Our choice to sing tells Him we feel safe in the security of His great love.  Our choice to sing proves we trust in the goodness of His purposes. It’s our singing that will draw Him near.  And God is anxious to wrap the arms of His Presence around every child that loves and trusts Him with a lullabye of His own. There in lies the hope of endurance for every saint facing persecution  – God’s Presence. II Chronicles 5:13,  (NKJV),^“ indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, … and when they lifted up their voice with… instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying:  “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,”

You and I may not have voices fit for the opera, but we can make a joyful noise. What do you say we start by ” whistling while we work” in the field of souls He’s called us to.

Add to that fact I’m a Grandmother and you begin to see why time is the commodity I value most.  These days I’m no longer looking for careless ways to spend it or “kill it.”  In grade school, I remember watching the minute hand tick around the big, black clock that hung on my green, grade school wall.  The last fifteen minutes before the bell rang felt like for-ev-er!  Remember those days? How slowly time passes when you’re young. 

But pass it has.  Today I’m no longer waiting for the day when I’ll get my driver’s license, have my very own apartment or spend my very first paycheck  anyway I like.  I’m not anticipating the moment when I’ll meet my special “someone” and set up the perfect home. Doesn’t youth give us a million reasons for living?

Yes, yes, the blossom of my youth has passed.  Consequently my sense of anticipation over good things to come has shifted. Shifted into overdrive.  Overdrive as in “over Jordan.” It may be hard for some people, looking in their own rearview mirrors, to understand but lately I’m feeling as much anticipation as ever.  It’s just that the anticipation isn’t coming from thoughts of beginning something. It’s coming from thoughts of ending something – life here. Nope, these days I’m not carrying a book bag.  I’m carrying a heavy sense of urgency.  I’m getting up in the morning with the anxious desire for God to point out the specific purposes He has for me.  And I’m focused and serious as I ask Him to give me the strength and courage I need each day – to obey what He reveals.

Question?  How much time do you spend (or have you spent) imagining the moment when you’ll actually get to look into Jesus’ eyes and gaze at His beautiful face for the first time?  It’s alarming how fast our “flesh” will diminish the value of a simple exercise as invaluable as that one.  It goes without saying, no one is interested in spending time imagining something they’re not looking forward to.  As I say, in a book I’ve recently finished, you and I will never be able to live for someone or something – that doesn’t seem real to us.

For years Jesus didn’t seem real to me.  He was a subject to be studied – not a person to be known.  Has the wisdom of your years made the difference clear for you?  Gratefully, age has left me with more than gray hair.  And consequently I have no intention of finding even a trace of disappointment on Jesus’ face when it’s my turn to see Him.

I don’t mind telling you I’ve wasted a lot of time accomplishing some good things with the days of my life. I say I’ve wasted time because a wiser me knows good things are not synonymous  with “God willed” things – the accomplishments He’s interested in.  Again, now that I know that difference, I’ve picked up the pace of my race.  Anyone who knows me will tell you,  I’ve never been an athlete. But these days – in the realm that exists beyond the veil – I’m quite the runner.  I’m running hard to accomplish the detailed desires of the God who loves me with the days I have left.  How about you?  Are you living to die and hear, “Well done?”

 My daily work-out for victory in the marathon Paul talks about is beautifully simple.  I first commit my day to God. Next, I ask Him to direct me in detail. Then, as soon as is possible, I drink in the hydration of His revitalizing Word.  Finally, I find a stretching place on the floor to pray. Hence the “prayer pictures” I’ve been sharing on this Blog.

So without further a due,  here are a few snapshots from my most recent prayer time.  If (as Julie Andrews once sang) we’re to start at the very beginning, I have to start by saying that my prayer life was completely transformed several years ago.  And it happened as a result of reading one verse of Scripture:  Hebrews 8:2, where Jesus is described as, “…a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.”

Before I did my own study on the process of prayer, I half heartedly imagined that when we pray, our prayers are simply released into the air and heard by God “where-ever” we are at the time – since God is everywhere.  In part that’s true.  God, in the person of His Holy Spirit,  is everywhere.  But this particular verse reveals that our prayers ascend to an actual throne room in a real temple that exists in Heaven;  in a veiled realm that is far more real than this one we can see. The Bible makes it very clear that God the Father, resides in the True Tabernacle of Heaven. And He sits on The Throne of the Majesty on High above the mercy seat that exists there.  Aren’t we quick to say we believe the Bible is literally true. Yet how easily we dismiss what it literally says with figurative applications. May I ask? When you pray, what do you picture? Do you picture the things you’re praying about or have you always pictured the Truth – that your petitions, as you pray, are ascending to the throne room of God in the true tabernacle that exists in Heaven?

Several years ago, God expanded my vision of that place.  Now understanding that it was a literal Throne Room, I saw that it had doors of entry.  Maybe like me, over your life time, you’ve heard people thank God for “access to His throne,” when they pray out loud.  Yet only in recent years have I stopped to picture that – as God’s child – the doors of access to this real room are always open to me.  I assure you, if you intend to capture the magnitude of this privilege that’s ours, you’ll have to arrest your flesh.  Flesh will fight and kick to convince us that any effort to pray  is sufficient – the shorter, the better.  How it hates the restriction focused prayer requires.  It will endure hours in an uncomfortable position when it comes to watching mindless drivel on television but how it’ll squawk if you ask it to kneel in a few moments of concentrated prayer.  Today, my awareness of the priceless, privileged place where I am invited to stand or kneel, has forever changed my attitude toward prayer. 

The Throne Room that exists in Heaven is the back-drop for today’s prayer picture.  As I knelt to pray, I saw myself kneeling before God there.  Pouring out my heart, I longed to wrap both my arms around His feet and cling to Him. Then in the middle of that desire, clear thoughts began coming to my mind and spirit from God’s Spirit.  He sweetly conveyed that although He understood  His Holiness evoked my worship, at that moment – He  desired my companionship.  Responding at Jesus’ feet, I saw myself stand up and move to His right side to search for His hand. 

To help me grasp His desire, God brought a second picture to mind. Some seventeen years ago now, my husband sprung the happy news on me that we were the proud owners of a Doberman puppy.  Living on a farm, I had welcomed many new puppies into the family.  But I must confess, I wasn’t happy with this most recent glad tiding. As a matter of fact, I was upset. I had heard lots of stories about Dobermans and I was afraid of them.  Finally, after some tall talking on the breeders part,  our family increased by one, over-sized, chocolate, Doberman puppy,  appropriately named, “Boss.”

My husband has a theory that puppies should always be purchased in twos.  Consequently, it wasn’t long before  a second Doberman came to live with us.  We named her, “Lace.”  Her white skin and bright blue eyes were striking.  Doberman’s are known for their intelligence and fierce loyalty. That being said, Lace wasn’t the brightest bulb in the pack.  However, what she lacked in intelligence, she made up for in loyalty.  Perhaps all dogs do this but Lace had the incessant habit of “stalking” still moments.  When anyone of us would stop for even a second, the dog would dash over, find our hand and repeatedly nuzzle it until our palm was affectionately resting on top of her head.  When you walked on – she followed – staying right at your feet.  Tripping was her specialty. 

With this picture in mind,  there in the Throne Room of Heaven,  I thought about God’s desire to “rest His hand ” on us. He’s never bothered by our coming. He waits for us to come. Isaiah 40:28 says,  “ Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary;  his understanding is unsearchable. “

My thoughts raced over the trite expressions people use regarding God’s “hand of blessing.”  I thought about all that’s been written about the importance of parent’s laying hands on children to transfer blessing.  There in those contrite moments I stopped to ask myself how persistent I actually was when it came to locating God’s hand of direction.  Humbly I had to acknowledge  that more times than not, I behave like the child that insists on being too big for a Father’s hand.  I exhibit the “let me walk by myself” attitude – you know – the independent desire flesh has to enjoy as much freedom from God as is safe; not enough distance to jeopardize the security of salvation by any means – just enough to let me express my “self.”  Hmmmm…sad that wisdom waits for gray hair.

Finishing my prayer time, I stood up to wonder what size difference it would make in my life if I pursued the will of God with “Lace’s” unrelenting devotion. And believe me,  Dobermans can be unrelenting.  What if instead of spending my energy on surrendering to my Master – I began working to maintain constant contact with His hand – asking God to hyper sensitize me to the sin that would separate me from Him – asking God to speak more clearly than ever in response to my increased commitment to do exactly and only as His Spirit directed.  The truth is: An unrelenting pursuit requires undivided devotion. 

Which brings me to the subject of Nancy Honeytree, a wonderful Christian artist, still referred to as the first lady of Christian music. “Undivided Devotion” was a song she used to sing. Immerging powerfully from the drug culture into the Jesus movement, her anti-establishment fearlessness of being unashamedly in love with Jesus, intrigued me.  I had the privilege of seeing her in concert in a small church when I was a teenager. 

Back to Dobermans, have you ever watched a dog cock his head from side to side as if trying to understand what he was observing?  At the concert, the rowdy youth group and I sat cross legged on the floor, excited about the new direction Christian music was taking.  But Nancy was not there to entertain people.  At times there was frustration on her face as she tried to draw this crowd of “fun seekers” into worship.  I remember wondering why this young, single girl with a guitar was so disinterested in the world and captivated by Jesus? I was pretty sure, I knew all there was to know about Him. After all, I was a seasoned preacher’s daughter.

Today all I can say is, “God bless Nancy Honeytree’s undivided devotion.”  God used the gifts He gave her to show me what devotion looks like.  People may forget all the things about us we hope they will remember.  But they will never be able to escape the glimpses of the Savior they see in us.  Yes I’m a gray haired Grammie that still plays Honeytree’s cassettes on her tape recorder (Pioneer’s my favorite).  I don’t mind saying I’m an old dog that’s learned some wonderful new tricks for by-passing the power of my flesh. The process of being God’s best friend can be summed up by use of the picture of man’s best friend; a relentless pursuit of the Master’s hand and keen ears that stay attentive to His voice.  There are some challenging days ahead for us if Jesus tarries. What do you say, we keep our heads low – in a posture of prayer – where  we can find God’s right hand of blessing?  Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

That being said, a sparkling snowflake, door decoration caught my eye. It said ”Welcome” (at my Mom’s house – you always are). I put it in my cart and headed for the check-out counter. Just as I got close, I saw another item I couldn’t refuse - at 50% off.  It was a beautiful mantle decoration (made of resin) in antique gold that said “Peace on Earth.”  I could just picture it over Mom’s fireplace. I smiled as I carefully handed it to the young girl “ringing me up.”  I was a little nervous when she dropped it in the thin plastic bag and I determined to be extra careful with it myself. All I had to do was protect it till I got home and then remember where I hid it when the time came to wrap it three  months from now.

Well last night was our big family celebration here at the house. I had successfully finished Mom’s cake, written a poem to commemorate six generations of godly heritage, baked three pans of lasagna, cut up two salads, made an appetizer, wrapped party favors for the guests, (that included hiding  new P.J.’s in the dryer for my seven grandchildren - they “love” to treasure hunt) and was now on a mission to retrieve my gifts for Mom - wrap them and place them on the table I’d set for twenty-four. I was in fairly presentable shape myself since I’d been to church that morning.  All I had to do was wipe some taco sauce off my pants from a quick bite of lunch. I was close to the finish line.

I darted upstairs to grab my gift for Mom – specifically a faux fur vest I’d picked out.  In the process of retrieving the vest, I spotted the bag I’d stashed in the closet  three months earlier; the bag that held the snowflake and my much loved “Peace on Earth” mantle piece. The age related memory loss thing almost got me. I had totally forgotten I’d hid those gifts away.  Knowing I couldn’t afford to waste a moment of time before my guests arrived, I hurried toward the stairs.  My arms were loaded with the seven pairs of P.J.’s, an Annie Oakley movie, the door sign and Peace on Earth.

Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, (where the flooring is half carpet and half wood) my armload shifted. When people say, “life flashes before your eyes,”  before an accident, I know from experience that’s true.  In a moment that seemed to last for hours,  I watched  “Peace on Earth,” as it slipped from the top of my pile and head for the floor.  In that unending moment I wondered how I could ever have let ”haste” create what was going to be such a tragic waste.” And also  in that one moment of time, I choose to cry out to the Lord for mercy – I screamed, “Lord – Nooooooooo!”

I did it because I knew God could.  He had granted me mercy on just such an occasion before. One day when money had been scarce and I’d been sick, I pushed myself to get up and go to the post office.  After I did, I decided to reward myself with a value-sized Coke.  Arriving home I got out of the car with my drink and a huge stack of mail.  Standing in front of the door, I placed the top-heavy Coke on the stack of mail in my arm while simultaneously trying to fish my keys out of my pocket. Once again, in horrified disappointment, I watched as the tall cup dove off the mail. I am telling the absolute truth when I tell you it “did” a triple somersault as it head for the concrete.  Again, I cried out, “Lord – Nooooooo!  No sooner had I said it than my jaw dropped – it landed right side up – straw and all.  For several seconds I stood speechless - staring at my miracle.

Was God going to do it this time?  I knew God could “save” my “Peace on Earth.”  And in an effort to help Him break “Peace’s fall,”  I stuck my foot out to accept a painful thud; a small price to pay should God grant another miracle of mercy.

The moment and the thud passed with a crash.  Unbelievably, I watched as the statue broke into sixteen shattered pieces.  I dropped everything else in my arms and dropped to my knees – trying to absorb what my hurried  – hopeful ambitions had just caused.  Too tired to cry, I sobbed out, “Lord, you know how much I was looking forward to giving this to Mom – Lord – you know!”

I scoured the floor, grabbing the largest and smallest of broken gold pieces as though finding them was going to change what had just happened.  Some were just tiny splinters - hard to pick up.  I grabbed a gift bag and dumpted the pieces of “Peace” in it and stuck them in a closet.  The show had to go on and I had other gifts to give.

Here’s the time to ask the question: What shape is your “Peace” in today?  This time of year is absolutely crazy.  Yet, thankfully – to my delight, I find that the Story Teacher of the Ages - my Jesus, is forever waiting to create a parable with the smallest of life’s circumstances.  As I knelt over the broken pieces of  “Peace on Earth,” I heard my loving Master say, “Let go.”

Ummm – now there’s His key; another priceless key of Divine understanding that is absolutely – wonderfully contrary - to the ones we carry in our pocket – here on Earth. In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

My heart was afraid. I’ve had enough broken pieces in my life to know that pain and disappointment hurt.  As my mind raced to escape the pain I was facing, I considered all of my own brilliant options for erasing my pain:  I could call someone and ask them to forfeit some of their time at the party and find me  another gift. I could delay the party and shop again myself. Then again - I could shut myself away from the party (while guests waited) and try to glue it all together.

Don’t we go to ridiculous lengths – to fix our problems? And we do it all in an attempt to save ourselves from pain – the pain that’s inevitable in this sin sick world where “sorrow” happens no matter what.  If we’re honest, we tend to believe that “Peace” is the result of perfect dreams. When things break – we want to do what “Superman” did when Lois Lane died. We want to race around the world and turn back time. We want a ”do-over.” How I wished I could go back to the top of the steps and come down again. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, our thinking is  like that of spoiled children. We stop our foot in refusal to hurt – demanding that God turn back the clock!  Give us another chance to choose a person, a place or a thing – as we used to say in English.

Now kneeling over my broken hopes for moments of happiness with my Mom – God was calling me to “let go”  and embrace this small but hurtful loss. Shelia Walsh sings a song with that very title: “Let go.”  Now was time; I had to make the choice to do it – so I did. And the moment I did, I was surprised again, at how quickly I bounced back in God’s recovery room. Peace  – a feeling that all was well in the middle of my loss – took over my “feelings” – my heart.

Yep, “letting go” of our hope to live free from pain and disappointment, is God’s key to the door of Peace.  We will hear the “tumblers” of the lock “let go” and feel the door to peace swing wide the moment we choose to fall (in complete trust) into the arms of our wonderful Redeemer.  (Remember playing that “jump to me” game with a big person when you were small?) Peace comes as we entrust our broken dreams to the Work Bench of Jesus’ own Divine ”Toy Shop.”  He alone  is the giver of every good and PERFECT gift.  Need I say, you’re reading this little piece because one of my small hopes was dropped and broken. I don’t know about you – but I’m feel better already.

There’s an old nursery rhyme that says, “Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again. Guess I’m gonna have to beg to differ.  You might say I’m Humpty Dumpty with a skirt   I do believe I’ve  been shattered by life  as much as  a good egg can be. Yet to my amazement, I feel stronger than ever. As I mention often, it’s said that “scar-tissue” is stronger than tissue that’s never been wounded.  And I’m being a hundred percent honest when I say, I’m much happier when I look in the mirror today – with all my repaired pieces – than I was before I had any.

Jesus never promised the world ”Peace.”  Life has none to offer. Circumstances will never line up with our own dreams for the counterfeit peace of perfect happiness.  At best, that idea of peace is fragile and fleeting.  This morning when I got up – I thought of the thousands of things I want to accomplish in these two weeks before Christmas. And to my surprise, God prompted me to first retrieve the gift bag of “broken Peace on Earth” from my closet and start gluing them together.  I obeyed.  Right now they’re drying on my kitchen counter.  The gift will have lots of cracks – even a few missing pieces – but no one will ever notice them from Mom’s mantle.  And you know what?  The gift is far more valuable now – than it was in it’s original condition.  In your hustle and bustle this season, do remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. And above all, remember to run the broken hopes you’re carrying today, to the Master’s hands

As they would say on Jeopardy – I’ll take “do-overs” God’s way for two – please   John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

By the way  – Happy Birthday to the most wonderful Mom on this side of Heaven. I love you Mom!

In one of the last scenes, as most of you movie-watchers know – Catherine Zeta Jones hoists her skirts and runs for the screaming prisoners, helplessly locked behind the barred doors of a burning, mountain stronghold.  After one quick glance, she charges those locked doors with fierce determination.  She doesn’t hesitate in risking her own life – to free the screaming, doomed faces whose flailing hands are reaching desperately for her help.

Today in prayer God showed me a similar scene – faces screaming – reaching desperately for help from their own prisons of darkness and sin – doomed to the fires of eternal separation from the God who loves them. And if you’re watching these faces on current events of television, you know that time is running out for them.  Anyone in the mood to “kick some darkness” and make some eternal history today? As dramatic as it may sound that’s our mission. Instead of running for the border – I’m making the choice to run for the battle; the heroic opportunity you and I have each day to “rescue the perishing” and “set captives free.” How do we do it? –By SURRENDERING our WILL – staying ALERT to the voice of God’s Spirit and MOVING at God’s direction! Prison bars…here I come  

Morning Facebook world:) During my prayer time today God prompted me to share another picture.  Today’s picture was a an old weathered ship fighting the gales of a hurricane. To draw on another movie parallel, the hurricane was as violent as the one in “The Perfect Storm.” In the center of the ship was a giant mast. And lashed to the mast was one single person. He was… fighting to catch His breath, as the crashing waves covered him. His hands were tied behind him around the mast. He seemed completely helpless to save Himself. But facing continually forward - the steadfast gaze in His eyes – made it clear He was undaunted by the terror.  He was determined to ride the storm out. As you have maybe guessed, the single person lashed to the mast was Jesus. God reminded me that His love for US lashed His son to the cross and Jesus’ love for His Father gave Him the determination to stay the course and suffer the storm to its end. Hebrews 2:10 says, “For it was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.”

I don’t know what storm you’re facing today. After receiving reports of terminal cancer in my life time – I got a good report from a threat today. Maybe the storm for you today is cancer. Maybe it’s financial ruin. Maybe the relationship you value most is slipping from you. You may feel as though your hands are tied but may I remind you – because of Jesus – we are far from helpless. God alone has set the course of our life. And if He has allowed the storm, it’s because the reward that lies on the island ahead is WELL worth the fear and pain we’re facing. As the picture reminds us – Jesus, having weathered the greatest storm of all knows exactly how to lead us to that place. Psalm 107:25-30 “He spoke, and the winds rose stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths. The sailors cringed in terror…and were at their wit’s end. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness.” 

Your pain today has purpose. Our winds of adversity are driving us to the heart of God’s glorious plan – the only place of rest and satisfaction that exists on Earth. Let’s enjoy the thrill of the turbulent waves. Surely we have learned by now that God can and will calm them with one Word – in His perfect time. Isaiah 42:10, “Sing all you who sail the seas…”

As I knelt to pray today, I was humbled by kind comments some have expressed in appreciation for these prayer pictures. As I got quiet, God reminded me that I’m simply experiencing the joy that comes from “feeding” with the bread He’s baked in my own heart. Praying on, I saw strong, tender, loving hands – God’s hands, extended toward the Earth. Below, I saw my own hands holding a Bible. And from it - small animated, living cells of nutrition (with legs!) were “jumping off the edge of the pages ” – eager to reach souls that were hungry.                                                             

 That’s our opportunity – to feed the whole starving world with living bread that produces eternal life. In the wonder of that truth, I find I always want to apologize to God for being so fallible. And when I do, He reminds me that He only uses the weak to confound the mighty. More importantly He reminds me it is not and never will be me – but His Spirit in me and in all of us that will accomplish His Glorious will. Therefore He requires we be “happy and fulfilled” by the satisfaction obedience provides – because Jesus deserves all the praise His power performs.                                  

As I pictured the weak vessels God uses, two movies came to mind, “Home Alone” and “Mary Poppins.”  Specifically, I saw the tattered people that sat in lonely places, “feeding the birds.” Beside these characters, in the movie, were busy ones; people who were frustrated – even annoyed by these who would use their money and energy for such a purpose.                           Reached to extend a kind word lately? Passed out a tract? Given any dollars? Fed any birds? Luke 12: 6 – 7, “…not one of them is forgotten before God.. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

God’s care for His creatures has never been dependent on their worthiness. Wearing the righteousness of God, no child of His will ever be forsaken; we will never have to beg for bread. And yes, He’s always looking for humble bread bakers. As I’m writing, I’m hearing the words of an old Hymn, “Break Thou the Bread of Life, Dear Lord to me, as Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea…”   At the Spirit’s request, I’m working to build a hunger in my grandchildren not only for God themselves, but for the work of feeding His flocks huddled in the trees of this world. For fun recently, we had the “world” for supper. We painted tortilla shells like the Earth and stuffed them with taco meat. Remember, you and I will have leftovers to share in proportion to the living Word we’re feeding on ourselves. Matthew 10:8 “Freely you have received, freely give.”

Prayer Picture for today: Spinning tops and Kevin Costner. Good morning friends and family. If that combination doesn’t arouse some curiosity, nothing will:) As I knelt to pray this morning, God brought this picture to mind: a simple wooden top, with painted stripes – spinning against the backdrop of the universe, filled with sparkling stars. The picture took me back to childhood days where an inexpensive top from the “dime-store” (the term for today’s K-mart) gave you hours of pleasure. To delight yourself, you grabbed the “peg” that protruded from the top with your thumb and index finger and gave it a spin on the kitchen table. Then you sat back and smiled as you watched the stripes make different designs – anticipating how long the top would stay upright before you had to spin it again.

On November 9th, the “God Calling” devotional entry (that speaks in the first person of Jesus) said this: “Your service becomes so different when you feel I count on your great friendship to do this or that for Me…Dwell more, dwell much, on this thought of you as My friends, and of the sweetness of My knowing where I can turn for Love, for understanding, for help.”
My awareness of my frail humanness makes it hard for me to believe the great God of Heaven needs me for anything. But in fact – in addition to His desire that I “take the gospel to every creature” – He waits longingly – for me and you to satisfy the emotional desires of His great heart. May I ask? How much of your time is devoted to bringing pleasure to the heart of God? We can only be devoted to His pleasure – above our own – when we love Him with all our heart.
Back to the picture, as I prayed, God simultaneously brought to mind a picture from the movie – Dances With Wolves. Again, as most of you know, this Civil War movie begins with, Kevin Costner’s character – Lt. John Dunbar wanting to die. To that end, impulsively, he jumps on the back of his horse and takes off across an open field, strategically in front of a “firing-squad” of enemy soldiers. Anticipating he will certainly be killed, he stretches his arms out from his side (forming a cross), stands up in his stirrups and leans back to gaze at Heaven as he takes his last breath. To everyone’s surprise, after repeated attempts, every shot misses; he miraculously survives his own destructive plan for relief from his pain. How vividly that scene paints a picture of complete human surrender.

Just like a “wooden top” today, you and I have the opportunity to spread our arms wide and surrender to the loving fingers of God’s control. Yesterday may be full of faults and failures but this is a new day. “His mercies are brand new for the broken and contrite heart.” In other words – God is anxious to “spin us” again. His power alone, can keep us upright. It is the degree of our surrender, in the decisions of each day that will determine the velocity of our effectiveness for His Kingdom. And importantly, it is the degree of our surrender that will determine how many colorful bursts of pleasure we give His heart.

What shall I say to thee? May I take this time to encourage you – to lift your eyes to Heaven. You have gazed at the sun setting. I call you to look to the Sun’s rising – the rising that comes with the morning. That is “hope” for the depressed and weary. Each day’s radiance reminds my world of the power I possess to save. Each day is contained and maintained by my power and the ministry of the unseen spirits guarding and working in the Earth.

Surrender is the work of the Earth. It is the only condition necessary to experience “God power” and redemption for any and all sin. See how you have waited and trusted and find the peace that you now know. The world longs to access Me - so wise a teacher, so constant a friend, so close a lover, so tender an intimate Savior. This is your calling. Show them how to find me through their own tears. Show them how to find me through the rubble of their own broken dreams. Show them where I linger just beyond the veil of their own failures and pain.I will take you down the road of My purposes. Not until one is willing to forsake all, will these doors open.

Had any dreams – large or small - disappear lately?  Maybe you’ve been responsible in your job. You’ve stored away money in a 401K or saved it for a car, home, education or vacation. And now through no fault of your own, the job and or money is gone and all your dreams for fulfillment - for yourself or your family – have instantly disappeared with it.  Worse yet, maybe you’ve sought to love your parents, children or spouse with all your heart – hoping the return on that investment of love would provide relationships that formed the home of your dreams for the future. Yet now as a result of a move,  an accident, sickness or sin – those relationships and the dreams they’ve held have disappeared. Are you kicking your way through the ruins of your dreams today?

I must say, that on the day God rescued me with the “hope” of what He explained, I also saw a picture I’ll never forget. As God spoke, I saw His breath blowing the debris of all my dreams away. Then I saw Him blow again. And when the gray clouds of dust (left from the debris) cleared, all I could see was a clean foundation - one ready for a Master builder. 

Unfortunately, it took a number of years for me to get excited about this new construction. It’s hard to let go of dreams. Don’t misunderstand. Dreaming is not bad. God gives most of us the dreams we carry into adulthood.  The problem with dreams occurs when we  jump in and take control of them – much like Sarah and Abraham did when they became impatient for God to deliver on His promise to give them a son.

Take it from a new spiritual homeowner who’s learned to “wait” on God – if turbulent winds seem to be destroying all you’ve held dear lately - there’s a good chance God has allowed them in answer to your prayers; your prayers to advance His Kingdom through the warrior’s heart you desire for Him to build in you. These “northeasters” are blowing as a result of  God’s mercy. Why remodel when God can make everything brand new?

Growing up in the sixty’s, Bug’s Bunny, was a popular cartoon.  Still today its’ famous characters adorn T-shirts and other random items. One in particular that comes to mind is the Tazmanian Devil. I’m sure you can see - in your own mind’s eye – the dust provoking whirl-wind that accompanied his entrance.  My point? Even if your own “devilish” behavior is to blame for the destruction you’re facing - one short – sincere prayer of repentance can make it “All Good” as they say. God’s sovereign knowledge of our choices never leaves Him in a quandry over how to take our “worst” and use it to accomplish His best.  

Better yet, from the point of our repentance going forward, you and I – as mere mortals have the unspeakable opportunity to contain the forceful wind of God’s power in our own mortal flesh. And just like the prayer picture – God can send us – like a tornado - roaring across the plains of sin to destroy evil strongholds in the lives of others.  How about it? 

Whether God calls you to contain the wind, or experience its’ upheaval,  never fear the winds of change. Weeping may endure for a night (in some cases a long one) but joy is certainly coming in the morning.   If you’ll just kneel in complete surrender, God will get right on the job of taking over as your contractor and make ALL YOUR DREAMS NEW.  Nothing is more fun than to wake up -grab a cup of coffee (or tea)  - and walk around the new construction of Heaven – being built just for you – around you and IN YOU.  At the risk of dating myself again, I still love to listen to the Second Chapter of Acts. The words of one of my favorite songs says:  “I’ve got a mansion builder, who ain’t through with me yet.”  If you’re tired of having it your way, why not walk off the job of serving as your own contractor?

The other night, I turned on the T.V. to view the closing minutes of the movie “Twister.” The last scene of the movies pictures the starring couple running split seconds ahead of the storm. They barely escape death by running into an isolated water shed that houses the plumbing pipes for irrigation on a large farm. In seconds they grab a thick leather belt, hanging on the wall and lash themselves to the main water line coming up out of the ground.  Just as they secure themselves and grab on to the pipe, the category five tornado hits the shed. The roaring force of the wind, sweeps the  couple completely upside down. Clinging to the waterline for their very lives, they are held up by the force of the wind long enough to gaze  into the very eye of the storm. With bated breath you watch, wondering whether or not they will be able to hang on. But the leather anchor holds. Finally, the storm passes over them, and they drop down to the ground.  Huddled together, they smile in an over spray of water as they realize they still have what matters most – their lives and new purpose. Feel upside down in  today?  Don’t let go. Tighten your grip and hang on in  faith. God is simply clearing the land to build your dream home.

 Hebrews 12:27, ” …He will sift out everything without solid foundations, so that only unshakable things will be left. Since we have a Kingdom nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving Him with thankful hearts, and with holy fear and awe…”

After reading this prayer picture post, please feel free to read the corresponding  “Word of Encouragement.”   These are “Words of Wisdom” God has given me over the years, taken from my journals. God Bless your Day for His Great Glory! Marty

God bless you all and I look forward to the future!

-Marty