Waves That Rock Us

My dad died a little over a week ago. I was celebrating my 30^th wedding anniversary on a Christian Alaskan Cruise when I got word of his death. You can imagine the mix of emotions in that situation.  What makes my dad’s passing hardest is that he refused the existence of God and refused Jesus even in his last days.  He would use the name of Jesus, but only in vain in the form of a curse word.

        

As a daughter, how do I deal with all of this? The same way we deal with all of life’s challenges. We press hard into the one relationship we know that is rock solid – the relationship that we have with our heavenly Father. The day before I got news of his death, I took notes from Dr. Charles Stanley, who was the keynote speaker on our cruise. He shared that God has given us a lot of promises in the Bible and we need to live our lives relying on those promises. Then Dr. Stanley taught that with all those promises, the one thing that God did not promise was “understanding.”  That really struck me. The way to handle life’s challenges is not to try to “understand” them, but instead we need to rest in the promises that we do know. 

These are the promises in which I am resting from Matthew 11:28-29:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

God in His grace allowed me to be on this cruise full of Christian teaching and music as I received word of my dad’s death. After I received the news in the afternoon, I attended a concert that night where a saxophonist played, “It is Well with My Soul.” It was like God was playing that just for me. I had related the story behind that song to my Bible study class several years ago. The writer of the hymn (Horatio Spafford), had lost his son, his business, and most recently, his four daughters had tragically died at sea. I can’t imagine the pain from so much loss. As Spafford later sailed over the location where they believed his daughters were drowned at sea, he went down to the bottom of the ship to get as close to them as he could and he penned, “When sorrow like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul.” I, too, was at sea with the ship rolling in the sea billows, and the words went straight to my heart. I did not find understanding, but what I found was so much better. My burdened soul found rest and I could truly say, “It is well with my soul”. The ship gently rocked me to sleep that night, and I slept like a rock as God my forever Father was and is faithful to his promises.

Preparing for Christmas

Each year, I read through the biblical account of the first Christmas asking God to reveal a fresh application. There is so much to learn from Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, the one who was to prepare the way for Jesus. How are we preparing?

Below are verses from Luke 1 with my comments in parenthesis:

6-7: Zechariah and Elizabeth “…were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Zechariah was missing only one thing in life – a child. That was his prayer.)

11:“And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord … And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. “ (Are you in a situation where you are troubled and fearful? God is at work.)

12- 13: “But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (What an incredible answer to prayer, as God not only gave him a child, but a child who would prepare the way for the Messiah. He had been praying for many decades for a child. God could not answer his prayer any sooner, because John’s birth had to line up with Jesus coming. Have you been praying for something for a long time? Perhaps the delay is more about how the situation relates to something Jesus has yet to do – a greater plan.)

18: “And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." (Zechariah was reminding God of how old he and his wife were just in case God forgot that detail. How many times have I reminded God of my limitations when He has asked me to do something? Too many for me to count. Thankfully, God enjoys plowing through our human limitations.)

19: “And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you…” (God had been quiet for 400 years between the Old and New Testament and he broke the silence with an angel’s voice. Needless to say, Zechariah had a question.)

20: ”And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, …" (Mary also asked God, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The difference was that Mary asked the “How” while believing God would do it and Zechariah asked the “How” while not believing.)

22: “And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.” (On the surface this seems like a harsh punishment, but God has a purpose.)

58: Elizabeth bore a son with great rejoicing by “neighbors and relatives.” (Remember this point for the closing comment.)

62-64, “And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (After great silence, the first words on his lips were praises to God).

I once had a circumstance in my life where I had to be mute for two weeks. This allowed me to gain a tiny bit of insight into Zechariah’s circumstances. I had a nodule on my vocal cords and the doctor told me I had two options. I could either have surgery, or I could be silent for two weeks and the nodule would dry up and fall off. The doctor told me most women cannot remain silent for that long. I took that as a personal challenge and was also willing to try anything to avoid surgery. To communicate, I walked around with a dry erase board (my version of Zechariah’s writing tablet).

During those 2 weeks, I had no one to really talk to except God. He was the only one that heard me. I prayed more in that 2 weeks than I had in the previous year. I spent intimate time with my God and was closer to experiencing “continuous prayer” than at any point in my life. I can only imagine what it would have been like to do that for 9 months. Zechariah spent so much time with God while silent, that he busted out of his muteness with praises to his God and great revelation of what God would do through baby Jesus and John. In that silence, God had prepared Zechariah, so that his son, John, could prepare the world for the Messiah.

How are we preparing for Christmas? Do we need to be silent as we pray and read God’s word a fresh insight? Are you in a situation that you did not expect to be in? God is always at work, and he allows situations that cause us to draw close to him. God wants to bring praises to our lips and rejoicing with our neighbors and relatives! “Rejoicing with our relatives”… Now for many, that is a Christmas miracle!

In our Christmas preparation, let’s find the blessing of a real “Silent” Night.

Merry Christmas

Give Thanks

Psalm 28:7 says:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."

I am truly living out this scripture. Yesterday I got the results of my lastest echo and I am so thankful as the Lord has been my help and I exult His name. For the first time in almost two years, my heart is showing signs of improvement. The output of my heart has improved from operating at about 1/2 capacity to 2/3 capacity. That is a huge jump. That explains why I have been able to drill the tennis ball during the last month. My heart is also showing the first signs of shrinking from its enlarged state. Everyone in the medical field kept asking if my medicines have changed. No, they have not. My body could only tolerate the same small dosage that I have been on for the last year and a half. So there is only one person to give the thanks to - it is God alone!

I am realistic that the battle for my heart is still there and some values need fixing, but this is a huge step in the healing process. My main prayer is that I can learn and grow in the Lord as much on the way up (healing) as I have done on the way down (sickness). God has taught me so much about structuring wise use of my time and total dependence on Him. I would not trade those experiences for anything. Living out the following scripture is what we are all called to do: 1 Thes 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I am extremely grateful for each one of you that have walked and continue to walk this journey alongside of me. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for your every word of every prayer that you have said on my behalf. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life.

If you peak in my window today, you may see me dancing with a song in my heart. Rejoicing!

Heart Check-up

My cardiologist knows my heart.

He has measured every chamber.

He knows the capabilities of each valve.

Thick files report specifics details of my heart.

There may never be another who knows my heart as well as he does.

But, he will never be the passion of my heart.

Dan, my husband, is my passion.

My heart was given to him 25 years ago.

I am his.

He is mine.

We are one.

No other person holds my heart like he does.

However, Jesus knows my heart better than anyone.

He has complete knowledge of every physical attribute of my heart.

After all, He made it and He gives me every heartbeat.

He is the passion for which I live.

He is my Lord.

I am His.

He is mine.

And I am forever in Him.

His Words delight me and reveal to me His heart.

What is the condition of your heart?

What kind of relationship with Christ does your heart have?

Is it like the cardiologist? All knowledge?

Have you gone from knowledge to a relationship?

I first knew Dan, and then I later gave him my heart.

He is the most important person in the world to me.

I first knew of Jesus, and then he became the passion of my heart.

I learned that knowledge was not a relationship.

Knowledge is only in the mind - not in the heart.

Do you base your relationship with Jesus on your knowledge?

Do you base your relationship with Jesus on the passion for which you live?

“He (Jesus) said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts…” Luke 16:5

Jesus knows your heart and he desires your passion.

For more on how to move from knowledge to relationship go to:

http://www.gotquestions.org/get-right-with-God.html

Secret Church

On Good Friday I had the privilege of attending the Secret Church Simulcast of David Platt, author of Radical. It was a six hour intensive Bible study on the crucifixion, salvation and the glory of God. Starting at 7 pm and going to 1:00 am, I wasn’t sure what I was in for or even how long I would last considering my heart condition. In fact, nearly all my friends drove separately so we could each leave when we were tired. Yet we all left at 1:30 am with more spiritual nourishment than we have received in years. My mind was swirling with thoughts of my Lord and how to get more of His Word into my life.

Truly, some of the most worthwhile time I have ever spent.

David Platt has traveled the world speaking at real Secret Church meetings - where Christians are forced to gather in secret for church at the risk of their lives. He has taught them for 12 hours at a time and still they are hungry for more of the Word of God. Much of the world’s Christians meet like this for church – in homes and at great sacrifice and risk while, I wake up on Sunday morning and wonder who will decide to spend two hours at church that day.

The Secret Church meetings in America were begun as a way to remember the 70% of Christians worldwide who risk persecution as a way of life. They also are a way to gather for intense Bible teaching – something that has been lost in our entertainment driven society.

As I sat in church that Good Friday evening, I couldn’t help but notice most of the seats were empty. If believers from restricted countries were allowed to attend, it would have been standing room only. People would have left any obligation (work, family), sacrificed anything (income, sleep, their life) to hear the Word of God.

With the threat of persecution, one is forced to evaluate the eternal. While we in prosperity, tend to choose what is most convenient and entertaining. Yet, whenever I choose easy and pleasurable over eternal, the fulfillment seems even more temporary. That night at Secret Church will stay with me forever.

One day I will stand before the throne and my persecuted brothers and sisters will be next to me. I am beginning to believe I will be envious of their choices made in life as they cast their crowns before Jesus.

As an American, I have been given so much. I have ten Bibles, commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, a Christian bookstore in town, Christian radio, podcasts and endless tools available at my fingertips. The Bible says, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (Luke 12:48)

What is God requiring of me?

To access study guides and video of Secret Church go to www.DiscipleMakingIntl.org

Retreat Reflections

We are all called to share the great things God has done. We especially need to thank Him when we know it was the prayers of many that laid the foundation for all that happened. As Leslie and I return from another retreat, we always say that we can really tell when a retreat has been heavily prayed over. The support of the church prayer team and a group from the East Coast faithfully lifted this weekend to the Lord, and He supplied “above and beyond what we could ask or imagine.” (Eph 3:20)

There were so many “God appointments” that He had lined up for us as we earnestly prayed for every person and conversation that He would bring across our paths. I think you will enjoy the amazement of how our God worked while leaving out the names and details to honor confidentiality.

It started early as we met in the California church parking lot with 4 others to drive the 2½ hours to the retreat center. One of the girls who I had never met or heard of hugged me and said, “I read your blog.” It is amazing how our God works across 3,000 miles. She later shared some life threatening health issues that she had and she wondered how God was going to use her. She said that reading about my heart issues gave her the courage to take one day at a time. I later shared with her that God gives us grace for the moment and not for the imagination. She was one of those girls that you just instantly loved. That was enough to rejoice in how the prayers of many were being answered. But God was just warming up.

Leslie and I gave our first Mentoring workshop just after lunch on Saturday and from that moment on we both had one God-appointment after another. Many of the details are too private to share, but some general comments can be made to display how awesome our God is.

- Met a girl who lived in the same neighborhood that Leslie lives in and where I used to live. We prayed together for something that had been on her heart for five years and it was answered by that evening.

-Bonded with the head of their mentoring program and got to walk on the beach with her. Was able to pass along scripture sheets to use for counseling in their mentoring program. They are adding elements to enhance their program from the workshop.

- Leslie and I shared how very different our personalities are, and how God uses that in ministry to work more like the body of Christ. Several ladies said that they need to reconcile relationships with those that they had personality clashes with. Many were encouraged to see how we were free to be how God designed them. They saw how very different people can work together in the body of Christ and be great friends.

- I will be in follow up contact with ladies that have asked for support in areas were I have had personal painful experiences. God created circumstances that had me “bump” into them during the normal activities of the retreat. God never wastes our pain. “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Cor 1:4

-One lady asked if I would be available for further contact with a counseling fee? I had to laugh out loud at that thought and my children would laugh even louder. Why is it that teenage children do not want our “free counsel”? Sorry for the diversion, and now back to the retreat. This lady has an evangelism gift and she sees how her circumstances are allowing that gift to be used.

- Bible study recommendations for the summer were asked for as women are thirsty for the Word. Many saw the need to be in God’s Word on a consistent basis.

- Many marriage covenants were strengthened by the power of the scriptures.

- At the end of the retreat, there was one person left in the dining hall that I had not run across yet. It was just the two of us. She ended up having a son that lived in Jacksonville where I lived and wanted to know of a good church to send him to. I keep pinching myself, saying, “I am in CA and this is happening!” She had no idea that I was from Jacksonville.

-Most importantly, we had new sisters in Christ and those that turned their lives over to following Jesus with ALL their heart. WOW!

The most amazing things that God did are not written in this blog. Instead there are written in the private parts of the heart that only God sees as they spend intimate time with their Lord.

Many of you prayed for my strength and wisdom. I was never tired and felt stronger than before I had any heart issues. At one point I had five straight hours of non-stop one-on-one conversations, and I clearly know that God supplied me with thoughts of HIS wisdom as it could have only come from Him.

Thank you to all the 132 ladies of First Baptist Church of Elk Grove and especially to the prayer warriors for the absolute joy of experiencing God at work.

Leslie, I love you and it is an honor to walk this journey alongside of you. You will be happy to know I have tears in my eyes as I wrote this last paragraph since you taught my heart how to cry with joy.

To read the CA retreat director's reaction go to michelleernster.blogspot.com. You will be blessed.

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day may remind us of the most romantic day of our lives – our wedding day. Isn’t it interesting Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding? A wedding of all things was used to kick off His ministry. I wonder why? Let’s review the Scripture for clues.

John 2: 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

There are many clues here. Surely, the scripture tells of Jesus’ compassion and ability to meet our needs – no matter how small. But is there more? Is there a deeper spiritual meaning encompassed in Jesus’ first miracle?

We can trust God to be intentional in everything He reveals to us through His Word. I find it fascinating that in this brief description of the miracle John tells us how the water jars were used: “For the Jewish rites of purification.” Jesus chose water jars linked the requirement to fulfill the law when He could have used the empty wine jars.

Jesus did not come to provide a better method to uphold the law; He came to replace it with grace. Just as He replaced the water with wine. The water could only cleanse the outside of the body. Jesus came to cleanse our hearts through His blood.
Blood was represented by wine at the last supper and is connected to this first miracle. There was a new covenant, a new way to access the Father.

Not only was a wedding covenant taking place on that day in Cana, but a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant of the law. Let your heart rejoice this Valentine’s Day that it has been touched by the grace of Christ’s first miracle.

No Matter What

Can you believe it is February already? Valentine’s are everywhere. I love seeing hearts and will probably never look at one the same again.

Over the past year, you have heard much about my physical heart and my journey thus far. Many of you have ridden this roller coaster with me (I guess that is why they place them in amusement parks.) Next week I will have a heart recorder surgically implanted to record my heartbeat. Though my physical heartbeat fluctuates my heartbeat for the Lord has remained the same.

I want to share a song with you to convey my heartbeat for HIM. Enjoy!>

Rescued from Open Heart Surgery: Prayer, Preparation and Provision

written by Linda Reppert and Mindy Lenahan

Moving from the gray hallway into the tiny gray office to sit in gray chairs to meet with a cardiologist surgeon, my spirit was anything but dreary. Despite the reality of the hospital smell and the certainty of my open heart surgery the next morning, I chose trust over worry. It had been a long three days for my husband and me at the Cleveland Clinic, though all had gone exceptionally well thus far. Relying on God for strength to get through each moment enabled me to remain peaceful as I waited to meet the man ordered to put a knife through my chest. I knew so many were praying God’s perfect will for my life. As we waited, I retraced my climb up the mountain of God’s faithfulness step by step.

Flying up to Cleveland, I determined to not focus on the reason for the trip but rather take in each day as it came. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34). I treasured the flight time with my husband and was excited to see a new city. God wonderfully provided that day.

On Monday my tests began on the first floor of the Clinic. I was prepared for a full day of testing and fasting. People were praying and looking back I could see how God provided. I woke up early and arrived at the clinic second in line. From there I zipped through appointment after appointment all before noon. Through the testing I learned my heart condition was unchanged, I released any thoughts of tomorrow into the capable hands of my Father. After a nice lunch, my husband and I took a beautiful long walk touring the city.

Walking back to the hotel from dinner that night, doubt started to creep into my mind. Recognizing it for what it was, I took the thought captive and said to myself, “I either trust God or I don’t trust Him.” I chose to trust Him, giving Him my complete heart to do with as He saw fit. As a result, His peace reigned over me. Again, God wonderfully provided that day.

Early Tuesday morning, on the second floor of the Clinic, I had the privilege of meeting with a cardiologist specialist – one of the best doctors in America. He said I was an unusual case since there are several things going on in my heart and yet I am still very active. He believed they would be able to do a valve repair instead of a valve replacement. This was good news as it greatly reduced the chance of infection and malfunction.

After being told it was beneficial to have the surgery while still strong physically, I went to a pre-surgery physical where they cleared me to have a heart catheterization. From that procedure I received the report that I had 0% blockage in my arteries. More good news followed as this meant I would be a candidate for a minimum invasive surgery of three to four inches verses a six to eight inch incision. God wonderfully provided that day.

Wednesday morning we were back at the Clinic but this time on the third floor. This would be the final prep day before my surgery the next morning on the fourth floor. As we went through the pre-surgery training I readied my mind to take in the information so that I would be prepared. We watched a video of open heart surgery and they told what to expect afterward. Blurry vision, tubes in your throat and chest, difficult breathing and suicidal thoughts were a few things on the list. I prayed for my husband as he lovingly walked the remainder of this journey with me. By God’s grace I was learning the difference between preparing and worrying. God was teaching me the blessing of turning each day over to Him and not allowing worry to block the way of God’s provision.

The last thing to do was meet the cardiologist surgeon. As we waited in that gray office, I did not know the Lord was about to deliver me from the knife. What happened next, I never saw coming.

The surgeon walked in looking every bit as confident and educated as a surgeon should look. He sat down and started to talk. His eyes softened as he spoke.

“I had three cardiologists review your records and two believe that you are doing so well, you will not be any better off after the surgery. And I agree with the two.”

My thoughts had not yet caught up with my mouth, so he continued, “There is a 1 in 20 chance that something major could happen – heart attack, infection, etc. You are doing far too well to take the risk. Within the next 5 years some non-surgical methods will be out that are not yet FDA approved. Those risks are 1 in a 1000 and you may be a candidate for those. You should be monitored every 6 months and it is possible you may continue as you are for the next 20-30 years.”

I looked at my astonished husband and then back at the doctor, still in disbelief.

With a smile he added, “Instead of surgery tomorrow, why don’t you go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

The news began to sink in and I knew exactly what I would do tomorrow. I was going to fly home so I could walk into Bible study and celebrate with the many who were praying so faithfully. Not only was this a victory of deliverance it was testimony to God providing all I needed one day at a time. Because I processed this journey one day at a time, I never emotionally handled day four of surgery. What a huge benefit to Matthew 6:34.

As I processed the miracle even further the story of Abraham and Isaac flooded over me. Just as God tested Abraham, I believe He also tested me. In completely different context and for much different reasons, God asked Abraham for his only son and He asked me for my only heart. Abraham saddled his donkey and I made preparations for two months of caretakers, medical appointments, meals, hotels and flights. On the third day of climbing the mountain Abraham could see the alter but before the knife was inserted God stopped him saying, “…now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Genesis 22:12) After the three days of climbing the floors at the Clinic, God also stopped my knife. My heart was His. “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide…” (Genesis 22:14) God greatly provided that day.

I know I only made it that far because of the prayers of many and God’s grace. No way do I have the faith of Abraham, but through this small sampling of a minor test, I have experienced in a major way, the Lord who provides.

Preparing My Heart

In less than two days I will be on my way to the Cleveland Clinic to have open heart surgery. As the awaited time draws closer, I can feel the Lord preparing my heart for the road ahead. Because He is always faithful to equip us for the road He has called us to, He gave me a very specific and practical way to focus on Him. It not only helps calm my heart now as I ready for surgery, but I also plan to use it to occupy my mind as I recover.

Early in this journey the Lord gave me Isaiah 26:3: “He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.” This truth has been the key in walking down this path. It would be so easy to focus on my circumstances, but instead have chosen to focus on the Lord’s attributes allows peace to reign in my heart.

Previously I have used the alphabet to study God’s attributes. One day I would name all the qualities He is that begin with A (Alpha, Awesome, Anchor, Armor, Atonement, Authority, etc.) the next day the letter B and so forth. After trial runs with other surgeries, I became aware that as I pull out of anesthesia and pain medicine, I can only handle focusing on something very simple. So I narrowed my list to one thing for each letter and have spent time storing these traits of God (A-Z) in my heart in preparation of that time:

Almighty

Beautiful

Comforter

Deliverer

Everlasting

Faithful

Giver of Grace

Healer

Indescribable

Just

King of Kings

Lord of Lords

Majestic

Noble

Omega

Provider

Quiets the Storm

Redeemer

Savior

Truth

Unfathomable

Victorious

Worthy

X-ray vision

Yahweh

Zealous for my soul

I have a new season ahead of me – one of pain, recovery and rest. Being one who enjoys so much activity – mentoring, leading Bible study, blogging, tennis, walking and more, I am aware of how difficult this could be. But I walk ahead completely confident of the One who has so faithfully led me this far. He is already teaching me the joy found in the stillness of His presence.

Through these next few months, I will have many doctors, family and friends come and go, but there will be One who will never leave my side. Looking up at the list of all that He is, my heart leaps for joy to be able to share this intimate time with Him alone. I have an awesome Lord to occupy me through this trial. He is the Giver of every breath and the Sustainer of every heart beat.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

Personifying Palm Trees

Shall we continue our journey through the land of Israel? Will you brave some wilderness terrain and deep valleys with me through these next couple of posts? As always, God will be faithful to uncover riches when we dig for His treasures. Let’s take His hand and journey into the depths of the desert known throughout the Middle East.

We will walk through miles and miles of wilderness. Our throats will grow dry longing for water and if we don’t stop daily to collect our manna, we will die in this place. Signs of life are few and far between. And just when we think we cannot go a step further, God will lead us right up to seventy palm trees. How much more beautiful is such a sight in the middle of plains of desert sand rather than an island in Hawaii. This is precisely where the Lord led the Israelites.

“Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” Exodus 15:27

Let’s also camp here. I believe God has much to teach us about these palm trees. Have you ever noticed how much He appears to love them? Take a look at how He decorated His temple…

“On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.” 1 Kings 6:29

“And on the two olive wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with beaten gold.” 1 Kings 6:32

“He engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and on the panels, in every available space, with wreaths all around.” 1 Kings 7:36

“He paneled the main hall with pine and covered it with fine gold and decorated it with palm trees and chain designs.” 2 Chronicles 3:5

(If that isn’t enough, you can read Ezekiel 40 and 41 for even more ways palm trees were used as decoration.)

God says, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…” (Psalm 92:12). Can you believe God symbolically represents our righteousness with a palm tree? Our righteousness comes from Christ alone. Philippians 3:9 says, “…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” It is a righteousness that can withstand the fierce elements of the wilderness. When rooted in Him, we too can flourish through high winds and dry seasons.

Interesting enough, one of Israel’s largest exports is the date palm tree. Being a fruit bearing palm tree it reminds me of Philippians 1:11 which says, “…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Producing a sweet fruit, they begin life in Israel before being exported out to the world.

Jesus began His life in Israel, but God loved the world and could not keep Him there. The sweet message of His gospel is being exported to every tribe and nation.

Whether you are wandering through the desert or in an oasis, the next time you see a palm tree remember the righteousness you have been given through Christ. Jesus spoke in John 15:16 saying, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last…” Like all good things, fruit is enjoyed most when shared with another. Let’s go from this place and share the sweetness we have found from our righteousness in Christ.

Wood You Be In Awe?

by Mindy Lenahan on behalf of Linda Reppert

Ever read details in scripture and wonder why God focuses on such specifics? I have found when I take the time to ask Him, even the tiniest insight He may give leaves me in awe.

God described his temple in great detail: “Then he measured the length of the building facing the courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The outer sanctuary, the inner sanctuary and the portico facing the court, as well as the thresholds and the narrow windows and galleries around the three of them – everything beyond and including the threshold was covered with wood. The floor, the wall up to the windows, and the windows were covered.” Ezekiel 41: 15-16

Wood is hard to find in Israel. There are plenty of rocks, loads of sand and rubble, but not much wood. Due to the limited supply, it holds great value.

Yet the Lord chose wood to fill His temple. Is it insignificant that the only way to enter the inner room – where God’s manifest presence resided – was through wood paneling? To go from common to holy, one had to pass by wood.

Jesus, our pathway to God, worked as a carpenter. Sweaty, dusty and callused, He spent His days dealing with this precious commodity. Though carpentry was considered a lowly profession, He sawed, nailed and hammered on wood daily. A common trade, but an uncommon material…

As a small town Jewish carpenter, He carried the wood into His father’s workshop knowing one day this costly object would be placed on His back. Wood was more than His livelihood; wood was an instrument of His death.

Jesus carried a treasure as He hauled the cross beam up to Golgotha. Along with the inconceivable weight of our sin, He felt the familiar slivering of wood as it etched into His skin.

With the scarcity of wood, the cross beams were recycled. He carried only half His cross up the rugged mountain. The vertical stake was in the ground waiting for Him. Our sin heavy on Him, He still waited to experience the culmination of God’s wrath as He was forsaken.

Hung on a wooden cross, Jesus the carpenter carved our way into Heaven with His own blood, sweat and tears. “It is finished!”

The sky darkened as the earth shook. The veil tore in two and the wood paneling on each side bore the weight of a Savior cutting through. Those wooden walls in the temple would no longer separate the holy from the common. The Master Carpenter created a beautiful masterpiece. We call it the gospel.

Every aspect of Jesus is held to the cross, tied into the gospel – even Him being a carpenter. Truly, He carved the way with nails through His hands and a precious wooden beam on His back.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

Lord, the more I know of You, the more I realize I have yet to learn. Every detail holds truth. Jesus, Carpenter of my heart, I stand in awe.

Real Fireworks

By Mindy Lenahan on behalf of Linda Reppert

God knew where He wanted me on July 4, 2010. I was unsure if I should travel, but I went with a friend to Fort Lauderdale with plans of watching fireworks on the beautiful ocean. But God had greater beauty in mind.

An all day rain drove us miles from the beach to an arena parking lot instead. As the fireworks began an Indian family came and stood in front of the six of us. We had two blankets and two chairs. They had nothing. For an unknown reason, my friends and family chose to sit on the blankets laid over the hard pavement leaving me in a chair with an empty chair next to me. I offered it to the little grandmother type in the Indian family. She gratefully accepted, telling of her double knee replacements. Our conversation began.

“Where are you from?” I asked her.

“India, but living in Florida now.”

“I have a friend who has traveled to India as a Christian missionary.”

“What does a Christian missionary do?”

My heart smiled. I took a deep breath and prayed, “Here we go, Lord.”

In that moment I realized He brought me here for a greater beauty and purpose than 4^th of July fireworks.

When asked about religion, the little grandmother responded in heavy accent, “I believe all religions are good because they all make you do good things, and God wants us to do good things, don’t you agree with me?”

Desiring to build a bridge, I replied, “Yes God does delight when we choose to do good things, but I still have bad things – selfishness, bad thoughts, etc.”

We talked about Mother Theresa. She knew she was a very good woman who would go to Heaven. Then I asked about Hitler. She agreed he was a very bad man who would end up in hell. I said, “We are somewhere in the middle. If truly God evaluates us the way you suggest, where would He draw the line on how many good things get us into Heaven or how many bad things send us to hell? She said nothing.

I shared my bad things (sin) needed to be cleansed. If God accepted me into Heaven the way I am, Heaven would no longer be a perfect place because I would bring dirt with me. I explained God had sent Jesus, for that very reason – to take my sin upon Him, to die and experience the wrath of God – all to cleanse me so I could spend eternity with Him. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. He conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave. I am allowed entrance into Heaven based on my faith in Jesus taking away my sin.

She finally spoke and said, “It is good to hear about this Jesus”, but followed that statement with Jesus being one of many ways to get to Heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 came out my mouth: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

I continued, “If good things could get you to Heaven, why did Jesus have to die on the cross? If there was another way, why did He suffer for our sin?”

The Holy Spirit was at work. She asks, “So you are saying Jesus is the only way to Heaven?”

“Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Instead of resisting Jesus being mentioned she seemed more intrigued. The fireworks nearly over, she remained thoroughly engrossed in our conversation.

“Fireworks represent our freedom in America, but what I am sharing with you is how you can have freedom from your sin. God knew that tonight you would be sitting in that chair and I would be sitting in this chair and He wants me to tell you about Jesus.”

My Christian friend from South Africa was praying while I, a broken American shared the gospel with a woman from India. While we were celebrating America’s freedom, God was using people from all over the world to share real freedom. Truly, He had bought His world together for this moment. At one point my friend prayed a scripture and later told me that was the very next verse I mentioned to the lady. I was not alone on this mission.

The Indian woman wanted to go to the library to read more about Jesus. She gave me her phone number just as the fireworks ended. Her family came over and said, “This chair has been a blessing to us.”

They had no idea the blessing was eternal.

As we neared the car I asked my friends and family, “So how were the fireworks?”

They responded, “You were where the real fireworks were happening!”

I realized I was just given the privilege of watching the fiery light of His gospel shinning bright against the darkness of the world.

When I returned home, I called my new grandmother friend several times and sent her a large print Bible, which she is reading. In God’s perfect timing He will finish the work He has began.

As I contemplate how God used my 4^th of July vacation, I am reminded of a lesson God revealed to me in Israel. It is a lesson about God coming to get us in the midst of everyday tasks and using us for His eternal purpose.

Consider Mary who was living a poor woman’s life in Nazareth when God came after her.

Ruth was picking up leftover grain in a field when God sent Boaz to her rescue.

Peter, James and John were fishermen – doing just that – fishing, when Jesus called them.

Matthew was collecting taxes when God changed his accounting career.

Each of these had a heart ready to be used while in the middle of the ordinary. Fully surrendered to the call of Jesus, they were open to do anything He asked. We need to ask ourselves, “Is my heart ready to follow when the Lord calls?” If so, God knows where to get us when He is ready to use us.

Please be encouraged in your everyday tasks. You never know when God will show up and allow you the privilege of sharing in His eternal work. An everyday errand may suddenly include taking the time to share Jesus with someone who has never heard. A boring rainy day may unexpectedly become exciting at the opportunity to rescue someone for eternity. You never know when God will see fit to change your every day job to include a story worthy of the mission field. Your mission field is wherever you are currently. God never overlooks a willing heart. Be ready. Stay faithful. He will show up and light up your sky with some real fireworks – the kind that last forever.