NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL

 Good Morning

We are just ten short days until Christmas -

A time where we recognize the birth of Jesus Christ,

A time where we spend time together as families & friends,

A time where gift giving abounds – much like the precious Gift that was given to all

I love this time of year!

 

We are also nearing the end of Hanukkah –

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival Of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem

The legend of Hanukkah gives an account of oil – enough for one day – burning for eight days

This happening is considered to be a miracle and is commemorated in one of the prayers/blessings of the first night of Hanukkah:

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, she'asa nisim la'avoteinu ba'yamim ha'heim ba'z'man ha'ze  Translated ‘Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time...’

 

As my son looked at the menorah in our home, a dialogue ensued

And the topic of the discussion turned toward the subject of MIRACLES

 

It was interesting in that my son made an observation that ‘there are not true miracles ….’

His statement took me aback somewhat –

Then he went on to state, ‘what we perceive as a miracle is actually God doing what He does … allowing something to happen.’

His comments caused me to reflect on the completely natural reality of the supernatural nature of God

 

You see – we request the supernatural, we look for and celebrate MIRACLES

However – the truth is that what we perceive as miraculous is actually very natural for God

 

When looking at definitions of MIRACLES, some of the most notable were:

 

‘A highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.’

 

‘An effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.’

 

‘An extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.’

 

‘A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws.’

 

But my favorite definition was this:

‘A divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly ...’

 

That my friend is the best definition I can surmise 

What is completely natural to a God ... which we experience .... it termed ‘miraculous’  by us

But it is truly just God allowing us to experience the awe-inspiring, majestic, holy, righteous and omnipotent nature of who He is EVERYDAY

 

What we perceive as extraordinary is standard operation and completely ordinary to the LORD:

 

Our requests do not require any mammoth effort on the part of God – He who spoke the worlds into existence [Psalm 33:9]

 

It was not difficult for Him to make the sun stand still so that His people could emerge victorious from battle [Joshua 10:1-15]

 

He could cause the amount of oil for one day to last eight days

 

He could produce enough oil to eliminate the debt of a poor widow and provide an overflowing reserve for her and her sons to live off of [II Kings 4:1-7]

 

He could – and did –cause a virgin to bear a Child [Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23]

 

He became a man, to save us all, to reconcile us to Himself for all eternity [John 1:14, Mt. 20:28, John 3:16]

 

MIRACULOUS to us … but just God being NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL

May you experience in a very natural way, the supernatural presence, protection, provision and perspective of God in every area of your life – today and everyday

Have a Blessed Day!

‘… with God all things are possible …’ Matthew 19:26 

JOY

Good Morning

It is a beautiful morning -

It is not nearly as cold as it was yesterday morning

Only fifteen days left until Christmas!

I know – it a little early to start counting down

However – I absolutely love this time of year!

 

This is a time of year where my family enjoys simple pleasures – decorating the house, baking cookies, time together, our annual gingerbread competition and, of course the Christmas cake I bake every Christmas Eve

 

When my sons were young, we started the tradition of baking a cake in honor of the birth of Jesus. Christmas day was the only day of the year where they could have cake for breakfast. And, although they are all grown, somehow the tradition has stuck

Little moments of JOY –

 

Joy is an interesting concept

I think it is difficult to truly define what it is

I mean, there are technical definitions of joy:

Joy \ ˈjȯi  \

Definition of joy

1a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT

b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY

2: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS 

3: a source or cause of delight

Yet, I am not certain that I agree with these definitions.

It can certainly include some of the notions and ideas noted above

However, I believe it encompasses so much more – something different than just ‘happiness’

I have heard it said that happiness is based upon ‘happenings’

But joy – true joy – emanates from a somewhere else

True joy can exist in spite of the ‘happenings’, despite whatever may be transpiring in your life at the moment

 

This is my first Christmas without my Mom

It was an extremely sad ‘happening’ which occurred this year

However, when I get too sad in the moments of missing her [and it usually strikes out of nowhere]

I am able to find joy when I remind myself that she is with Jesus

                And that she is certainly having a much better time than I am!

 

You see – I believe joy is linked to perspective and gratitude

I can grieve the challenges and focus on the sadness

Or, I can fix my eyes on the larger perspective and thank God that He is working through it all

 

Scripture tells us that, ‘for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.’ Hebrews 12:2

He fixed His focus on something greater than His circumstances and the pain He had to endure

 

This year – 2020 – has been a challenging time for many

                Not just here in my country but around the globe

And, while nothing can erase the pain which has been inflicted [this is not denialism],

There are opportunities to find places and nuggets of joy – even in the face of great loss

 

My prayer for you this morning is that you will find and occupy the place of JOY

May the LORD comfort, strengthen and renew your heart & hope

May He surround you with His presence and grant you JOY INEXPRESSIBLE and UNENDING

 

I pray you are having a blessed holiday season –

Have a wonderful day and …

God Bless!

‘A joyful heart does good to the body and promotes healing …’ Proverbs 17:22

PEACE

Good Evening

It is the middle of the week -

Although it is nearing the end of the day, it is still Wednesday for many of my friends

The middle is such an interesting place to be …

You are not at the beginning but you are not close to the end either

I guess that is why Wednesdays are viewed as a sort of victory day;

If you can make it through, you are well on your way to the weekend –

                For rest, relaxation and PEACE

 PEACE is an amazing thing

I would take meager living and peace in a home over wealth and chaos any day

PEACE is a sustaining force when you are in the middle of a trial

PEACE is a stabilizing presences when it feels like all is shaking and unstable

PEACE is a guiding path when you are in the middle of a process

                It is a source of direction when you are traveling unfamiliar paths

 

I like the definition found in my concordance:

 

 PEACE, SAFETY, PROSPERITY, WELL-BEING, INTACTNESS, WHOLENESS –

 

That is pretty powerful … and all encompassing!

 

In fact, that word for peace is found in Judges 6:24

It is the basis for one of the names of God – Jehovah Shalom, the LORD our PEACE

The LORD our PEACE

The LORD our SAFETY

The LORD our PROSPERITY – not just the One who prospers us;

                The One who not only causes us to be blessed but Who is our great blessing

The LORD our WELL-BEING

The LORD of INTACTNESS – the state of being unimpaired, flawless, ultra-perfect, without defect

The LORD of WHOLENESS – complete, harmoniously whole, unbroken, undamaged

 

Those are qualities beneficial for the middle of the week or the middle of a trial –

and everywhere else around and in between

He is the LORD who has and does and IS everything we need

 

That must be why He tells us in Psalm 100:2 to lift up songs of joy –

                After all, He does inhabit the praises of His people [Psalm 22:3]

Wherever God is, so too are all of His attributes –

                Peace, Safety, Prosperity, Well-Being, Intactness, Wholeness

 

So – whether you still have a few hours left in the middle of your week;

Or whether you have already begun the trek toward the weekend,

Why not travel that road with the God of PEACE, Jehovah-Shalom

It will certainly make any journey more enjoyable and satisfying

 

I pray you are having a blessed holiday season –

Have a relaxing and PEACE-FILLED evening

  

God Bless!

‘… the LORD provides for those He loves, even while they sleep’ Psalms 127:2

VISION

 Good Morning!

I pray your day and week has been off to a great start

I was so pleased to share some thoughts yesterday on the subject of ‘chosen’

It is such a marvelous thing when we realize that He chose us before we were ever born

Yet – there are times when it is challenging to focus on that beautiful truth

The cracks and fissures and fractures of life make it difficult to see the larger picture

It makes it necessary for us to have a focused VISION

There is a story found In the second book of Kings in the Old Testament –

Elisha and his servant are facing a situation where the issues of life are closing in on them;

Their enemies have encircled them fully

The servant can only see imminent destruction

But Elisha, looking at their situation through eyes of faith, declares,

‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’

‘And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around’ II Kings 6:17

 

What we see is not always all there is –

Perspective is everything

 

In the book of Luke, chapter 4, there is an account given where Jesus enters a synagogue and reads a section of text from the book of Isaiah where it was written of Him,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because He has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”

 

He found in the scrolls, written hundreds of years before His birth, the declaration of Him being the Chosen one. And we know from Scripture that the plan of salvation was in effect long before anything was penned in the book of Isaiah – Jesus being the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13)

 

Yet – there were so many things which took place prior to the fulfillment of the prophecy

There was time – countless time

There were detours – or apparent detours

There were heartaches and seeming delays

There were points of confusion and disappointments

Indeed, anyone looking from the outside in would likely find it difficult to see how all of the happenings were part of a beautiful and glorious plan.

 

Yet and still – all of the cracks and fissures and fractures were forming something beautiful

He was taking all of those seemingly broken things and creating something glorious for humanity

And He is also making something beautiful for you!

 

Today, if all you can see is the brokenness –

I encourage you to take a step back and see how those cracks are forming something beautiful

Grasp the perspective that they are one part of a huge tapestry of your life and God’s plan

I pray that the LORD would open your eyes to see all the ways He is working

I pray that He would give you VISION to see the larger picture

I pray that you would understand and experience the truth of His Word which reminds us:

‘He makes all things beautiful in its time’ Ecclesiastes 3:11

  

Have a Blessed Day…

      & Merry Christmas! 

WSR: BREATHLESS

Greetings …

I pray all is well with you tonight - 

Even as I am full aware and saddened that THINGS ARE NOT WELL

They are not well in our spirits

They are not well in our emotions

They are not well in our nation … the United States

‘United’ … that is strong word

Thus far, 2020 has seen us ‘united’ –

United is witnessing the tremendous loss of life due to COVID-19

United in enduring restrictions due to COVID-19

United is disbelief of a MAN being gunned down by vigilantes

United in shock and horror of the life being squeezed out of a MAN

Yet, despite all of these instances of being united –

There remains such great disunity and division

It leaves me BREATHLESS

My heart aches tonight –

Part of it is because I am still attempting to cope with the loss of my mother two weeks ago. However, part of it is because of the tremendous injustices which take place on a continual basis. It resurfaced intense feelings and opinions regarding injustices in this world – regarding my mom, regarding our communities, regarding our society at large and regarding myself. This has been a hard year and it is only the end of May.

Again, it leaves me BREATHLESS

When I viewed the video of George Floyd –

it filled me with intense and profound sadness.

I was sad for this MAN

I was sad for his family

I was sad for our communities

I was sad for black people – men and women

That could have been one of my sons

That could have been one of my nephews, one of my cousins

That could have been my brother or my Father

That could have been me –

I have had the ‘discussion’ with my sons – in an attempt to try to preserve their lives if ever they have an encounter with the police. And they have had encounters. Thankfully, they have lived through the encounters. But it is a real concern. I am concerned every time they leave the house. This should not be.

I have been profiled by the police – pulled over by two police cruisers for a working ‘non-working’ tail light. One approached on the right, one approached on the left – and I sat terrified, knowing full well that one wrong move by me could mean I would never see my sons again. This should not be.

DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME –

I am not anti-police. My cousin was a police officer, my ex-husband was a police officer and a corrections officer. I have great deal of respect for law enforcement officers and the unique challenges they face on a daily basis. But, like any field of employment, there are good and there are bad. When it is bad … it is very bad, and sadly, often directed at people of color. But that is not the only thing that has me troubled.

I am saddened at the violence being perpetrated by civilians; I am overwhelmed at the destruction taking place in cities throughout our nation.

There are protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate. They are attempting to draw much needed attention to the disparities which exist in our communities. And then there are terrorists who are bent on destruction and dishonest gain. They should be ashamed of themselves and they should be arrested. ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE STREETS FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS – THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.

There are peaceful protesters who should have the right to peacefully demonstrate.

Yet sadly, there are many who will continue to ignore the voice, the cries of the protesters – using as an excuse or justification, the actions of the terrorists. This should not be.

 

UNDERSTAND, THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE EVEN IN HOW MANY POLICE VIEW AND TREAT WHITE AND NON-WHITE PROTESTERS

 

When there were protests to have the country open back up, some of those protesters, white protesters, were screaming right in the face of police officers. Contrast that with a video from New York last evening where a young black man, hands raised and standing in front of an officer, was approached by that officer, had his mask removed by that officer and was pepper-sprayed in the face by that officer. This should not be. I love all people – but I am also not blind to disparities based upon race and socio-economic factors.

I’m saddened and overwhelmed and BREATHLESS.

I do not know what the answer is …

I have been having some hard discussions with the LORD

I do not understand how or why wickedness seems to prevail in so many instances. It has been a triggering situation for me – unearthing painful feelings associated with many of the injustices I have witnessed and endured … both generally and personally.

However, this I do know –

‘I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’  Psalm 27:13

This is what I am clinging to this evening.

 

I pray you have a blessed and safe evening –

I pray you will join me in praying for our world

WSR REPORT: THE LIGHT

Good Morning …

I pray all is well - 

I wanted to share this post with you today

I came across it while I was preparing my message yesterday.

The content was originally posted in 2014 – part of a series called ‘The Light’

However, I believe it holds a special significance in view of the past several weeks and ongoing challenges with COVID-19. Sheltered in place for weeks, there has been ample time to reflect … on everything.

Now, I will not pretend to know why all of what has happened has transpired. However, I believe the LORD has the ability to work through every situation and circumstance we encounter – to develop us, to grow us, to shape our character and to help us prioritize and refocus on what is important and essential. We cannot make Him known without knowing Him. Therefore, it is necessary and critical to undergo inner transformation. 

It all begins at home. I hope you enjoy!

Have a Blessed Day!

______________________________________

-originally posted January 25, 2014

‘… and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ Acts 1:8

Many are well familiar with the commissioning declaration in Acts 1:8. However, in verse four of that same chapter, we find the disciples being commanded to not depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father – The Holy Spirit.

Jesus told them that they would be His witnesses,

And that it would begin right where they were … at home

Yet all too often, it is the home which suffers the most – even among those who have dedicated themselves to being the light in their church, in their workplace and in their communities. Know that you cannot effectively and credibly export what is not first cultivated and established at home.

Noted humanitarian Mother Theresa has been quoted as saying, ‘We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.'

I Timothy 5:8 tells us [when speaking of families caring for widows] that anyone who does not provide for his own household is worse than an infidel.

We must understand – whether physical needs, spiritual needs or emotional needs – the light which emanates from one’s life should first be impacting the ones closest to them. My children would have a tremendously difficult time understanding all the giving that has taken place over the years if I only concentrated my attentions outward. However, my aim has always been to convey – by my words, my actions, my life – that they are my number one priority. So I ask …

• Do our families get the best part of us or what is left over after work and other obligations?
• Do they get quality and quantity time?
• Do they know they are loved?
• Do we speak the truth in love?
• Does our commitment to quality and respectful communication extend to the family – or do we raise our voices and use sarcasm?
• Do we actively strive to block the day’s frustrations from entering our home?
• Is there an overwhelming feeling of peace in the home?
• Is dinner special every night or only when there are guests?
• Are we able to laugh and have fun?
• Do they know they are loved unconditionally?
• Do we pray and demonstrate an unyielding and unwavering commitment to the LORD?
• Do the fruits of the spirit permeate the atmosphere - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
• If our family members were asked to describe us, what words would they use?

Understand, no one will hit the mark every day, in every instance – not at home or anywhere else. However, our heart desire should be to want to give our very best to our loved ones, to be our very best – in Christ – for our loved ones. 

I fail often. Yet I will quickly acknowledge my faults, apologize and work to remedy the situation. It is not a matter of being a perfect, excellent, shining example in every interaction with family. It is, however, a matter of striving for excellence in every interaction.

Ultimately, as we tend to the light in our hearts and in our homes, we will realize that the task of shining a light for others is significantly eased. Rather than searching for opportunities to shine the light of Christ, we will find people curiously drawn to the light of love which floods every area of our lives.

2014: The Light … keep it shining … start at home

May God Bless You Abundantly … Have a Great Week!

WSR REPORT: THE TRUTH

Good Afternoon Friends

I pray all is going well for you this Sunday afternoon

This is a blessed day – but if I am honest – it has been a challenging week.

The week began with a re-visit to urgent care,

And I still do not feel 100% - in the midst of a shingles flare-up

However, that being said, I still recognize how tremendously blessed I am

The truth is that the LORD has blessed me beyond my expectations

                And certainly more than I could ever deserve [if there is such a thing]

THE TRUTH –

This is a subject which has been on my heart and mind for a few days

It started Friday with my reading of the following verse:

‘And, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free’ John 8:32

Today – I will not be focusing on my long-held observation that,

                The truth shall generally make you mad, long before it sets you free

Neither will I focus on the traditional angle from which I have heard that verse preached

                That the truth of the Word of God, the Scriptures, will set you free

No – today I will be focusing on The Truth who is the Word, Jesus

This is truth –

John 1:1-3, 14 tells us, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made ...[and] the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.'

That Word, who was there from the beginning of time,

That Word, who was with God,

That Word, who was God – He is Jesus

However –

It is also a statement of truth that Jesus is The Truth

He, Himself said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ John 14:6

And as I read and studied Friday, this is the thought that occurred to me;

When we know the truth, the truth sets us free

My focus was on Jesus being the Truth in the context of that verse I read,

And it brought me a whole new level of comfort as I wrote in my journal:

 ‘Jesus is The Truth – therefore, no matter how many enemies come against me – no matter how many lies are spoken, no matter the attempts to bend the truth – Truth is my Defender, He is my Refuge, He is my Strength, He sets me free’

THE TRUTH – JESUS 

HE IS SOMEONE ON WHOM WE CAN DEPEND & TRUST WHOLEHEARTEDLY

There are a great many things that we have realized we cannot place our trust in:

Economies, health, traditional supports, employment and relationships,

                They are all subject to change

However there is one thing which never changes TRUTH

The Word which is truth does not change;

The LORD Jesus Who is Truth does not change.

In my book, When Storms Rage, I note that we can trust the LORD:

“Trust and call upon the One who works all things together for the good. He works the good and the bad, the things you get right and the instances where you completely miss the mark. He answers the call – every time. Be assured, He will protect and defend, effectively anchoring you through your situation and ensuring that you are not swept away or overtaken by the challenges that invade your life.”

As we delve into the Word of God –

As we read, study, meditate, memorize and put it into practice,

The truth of the Word truly does set us free.

As we draw near and get to know personally The Word who is The Truth –

As we pray, sing, listen and cry out to Jesus the Living Word, Who is Truth –

He, the Truth, truly does set us free.

He frees us from insecurity, fear, confusion, intimidation, anxiety, loneliness & brokenness

Therefore – I declare

§  No weapon formed against you shall prosper & every tongue which rises against you is already condemned (Isaiah 54:17)

§  The LORD shall cause the ground to rise and meet your feet in every place your enemy has dug a pit (Psalm 26:12, Habakkuk 3:19)

§  The Light of the LORD is exposing every wicked scheme (Luke 8:17)

§  Every mountain that stands is your way is reduced to rubble that you may walk through, unencumbered on smooth ground. (Isaiah 45:2)

§  Every fiery dart is extinguished before it ever comes near you (Psalm 91:5)

§  Every promise the LORD God has made to you & the truth of His Word is fulfilled and is flooding your life – right now. (II Corinthians 1:20)

It is an amazing thing – truth

He is an amazing LORD – Truth  

Take some time to get to know truth and The Truth –

You’ll be surprised the freedom which will impact every area of your life!

Have a Blessed Afternoon!