it's personal ...

Good Morning Friends

Happy Sunday!

Week two of no gathered services for church –

However, how many of you know we are the church;

                And church is wherever we are

I fully appreciate these intimate personal times with the LORD

It’s personal … it is a personal preference for each individual

Even so – I still miss gathering together as a corporate body of believers

But this too shall pass …

I heard an interesting news notification yesterday –

The actual instance occurred a couple of days ago;

In light of the numerous restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the Pope issued this statement:

‘If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth. ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your hear, with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘Afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately.’

Now – for the record, let me state that I am not Catholic

Therefore – I do not have a personal understanding of some of the traditions and practices

The best that I can ascertain is that the practice of going to a priest would be an attempt to replicate Old Testament practices [where a priest had to represent the people] or an action to honor the New Testament directive to, ‘confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed’ (James 5:16)

HOWEVER – Let us make no mistake

It is essential for us to understand that Jesus is our High Priest

CHRIST is our priest forever – without beginning or end [Hebrews 5:5-6]

We may approach our LORD and GOD, our FATHER and FRIEND directly

Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,

We are able to go directly to God – at any time

                It’s personal ….

It is about a personal relationship – something He desires to have with each of us

At the death of Jesus, the veil was torn –

It was torn, indicating the introduction of personal relationship with the LORD

When that veil was torn it removed the separation which existed between God and man

The tearing of that veil from top to bottom –

It was indicative of a work which could only be performed … by the LORD Himself

TO BE CLEAR –

These are unprecedented times …

In our nation and around the world, this health crisis is removing standard protocols

Churches are having to resort to online services

Individuals are coming face-to-face with the realities of their faith

A  few days ago, I wrote about my grandmother, my Nana

                And I acknowledged the tremendous impact that she had on my faith

She had an impact on my faith – but she was not and is not the source of my faith

You see, relationship with the LORD … it’s personal

It must be received – and then cultivated and developed through personal interaction

                Through personal times of prayer, study, reflections, worship and transparency

In these challenging times, go to the LORD

At all times, go the LORD God Almighty – seek His heart

It’s personal … it’s personal to Him

                He desires a personal relationship at all times

And I believe, just as the verse notes above, many who have died [in our case spiritually],

They are being raised to life.

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe

portrait of love ...

Hello Friends–

I pray all is well and that your week is off to a great start

We are almost to the end of February –

                Amazing!

I have to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed our talks on LOVE

And as we near the end of what I like term ‘the month of love’,

What better verse to look at than I Corinthian 13:4-8

‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.’

‘Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.  It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].  Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]’ I Corinthians 13:48 AMP

‘Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.  Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.’ I Corinthian 13:4-8 TPT

I love this verse [in all its translations] because it not only defines love in practical terms,

It paints a perfect picture of LOVE

It is so beautiful and can serve as both road map and guardrail –

for how we should love one another

However, this past Sunday at church, I got another picture of love –

                A living portrait of love!

To me, there is nothing more amazing than seeing someone,

operating with their God-given ability & fulfilling their God-given purpose

And, there are those unique times when the anointing of the LORD is so strong –

that you just sit in awe…

I had one of those moments at church Sunday.

My senior pastors, in a rare occurrence, delivered a message together.

The topic? Meant to Be: Questions – Developing Boundaries

It was the final sermon in a series that started the Sunday before Valentine’s Day.

It was a powerful talk on establishing healthy boundaries in your life.

And at the end of that sermon - recognizing that many have failed in the area of boundary establishment (and are now living with consequences and/or regrets – my pastor’s wife sang a song.

It had such an anointing on it and she sings like an absolute angel.

The song? It was simply titled, ‘Clean’ [a song by Natalie Grant]

But it was the look on my pastor’s face that caught my attention.

I had seen that look on her face –

when she would sit on the front row, listening to him teach and preach.

But I think this is the first time I observed that look on his face –

while she spoke and when she sang

IT WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!

They are each other’s greatest cheerleaders - I love it!

It was like a portrait of love ... in living color, live action

Simply Amazing!

If I have said it once, I have probably said it a dozen times,

‘I am a hopeless romantic!’ 

And it doesn’t have to be my story - 

My heart leaps with excitement and joy for any couple,

any couple that has been able to find and hold onto that amazing thing we call love.

My pastors will be celebrating 25 years of marriage this year.

They have been my pastors for 20 years.... 

Yet, I never exhaust the levels of gratitude I have for each of them individually and collectively as a couple. Their life has been such an example and a blessing to me. They are people of integrity. They love with the love of Jesus and they are genuine. And their love is evident to anyone who has been blessed with the privilege of being in their company for any length of time.

In fact – 

I was about to type, ‘if you can find a love like that, hold onto it with all you’ve got.’ 

However, a love like that is not found … it is built

It is firmly established through years of commitment, through good times and bad, with hours of listening, a keen ability to knowing when to keep silent, an unwavering resolve that if anything is going to come against us - it’s going to have to come prepared to fight two because you’ve got each other’s back. It is simply amazing … warms my heart and makes me smile!

That is some kind of special love.

And while we know there is no perfect thing – save our LORD,

I pray your love would be [as much as humanly possible] picture perfect,

a stunning reflection and portrayal of love

I’ve included a link to that sermon in the comments section below,

                Along with a link to Natalie Grant’s song ‘Clean’

Have a Blessed Evening!

THANKS GIVING 2019: TIME

Good Evening Friends!

I pray your day went well

 Mine?

It was busy – but productive – so I’ll take it!

Some days it feels like there is simply not enough TIME

Not enough hours in the day  … but that was not the case today

I am actually reclined in my bed writing this post.

The older I get – the more I am learning

To appreciate quiet moments of solitude like this moment right here.

Time is a precious commodity.

It is one of the few things you can NEVER get back once it is used 

I guess that is why I have always been so thankful –

for family, friends and mentors who have made time for me

They have given the most precious gift one human being can grant to another

Therefore, I always do my level best to ensure it is an investment of time and not just an expenditure 

I also make it a point - within my power and as often as possible - to PAY IT FORWARD 

This is easy to do with people you absolutely adore. However, it requires a bit more effort to extend the same courtesy to those who may not be at the top of your ‘My Favorite People’ list. It is harder still for those who do not appreciate your time or who take it for granted.

HOWEVER –

I cannot recall a single time I have regretted [truly regretted] being kind to someone 

I will not say it does not cost you anything 

IT DOES COST A GREAT DEAL

But it is usually worth it.

You never know the difference you make in another person’s life - with just the simplest gesture 

I thank God for the time He grants me daily - to keep positively impacting my tiny little sphere of influence 

IT IS SUCH A BLESSING!

Praying that you will make the most of the time you have ... and,

Praying that you will have a truly blessed evening!

God Bless!

PRIORITIES & OPTIONS

Hi Friends!

I pray your week is off to a great start … almost to the mid-point already!

The heavens just opened up here in Virginia Beach and it is POURING!

Today was absolutely lovely with temperatures in the eighties

And now – it is 65-degrees … a 17-degree drop in half an hour

Tonight’s post is something that has been pressing on my heart for a couple of weeks now.

Yet I have wrestled with writing this …

In part, because I am fighting [and sometimes failing] to do it successfully.

You see – there is a saying which has been gaining popularity lately

I have seen pastors post it, I’ve seen it on social sites, and I have heard it in discussions

The saying?

‘Never make someone a priority in your life while you are still an option in theirs’

It sounds good when it is put out there into the atmosphere;

And please do not misunderstand me – I know the intention behind some people saying it

They are pressing the point that you should not become a doormat … for anyone;

And you absolutely should not!

However, especially when I hear this exact saying [or something similar] voiced in Christian circles

I have to ask myself, ‘Is this seeming good saying, this ‘good thing’ a God thing’?

For the answer, I can only look to my Savior for guidance

And, when I do this, 

I cannot cosign to this emerging view of PRIORITIES and OPTIONS

You see –

If I look to my Savior, my LORD and King, Jesus Christ –

I see One who made me a PRIORITY in His life while He was still an OPTION in mine.

‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’ Romans 5:8

‘Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our transgressions’ Ephesians 2:4

Now – I am not saying there are not times when my flesh rises up;

There are times when I want to treat people exactly the way they treat me [and have]

However – I am finding more and more lately that there is an inner press

His Holy Spirit keeps telling me to release everything that is not like Him

Not that I have attained this goal … far from it!

However, I will continue to press toward this goal; to avoid doing things out of selfish ambition; to be humble and esteem others more highly than myself [Phil. 2:3}; to continue to make every effort to love others … the way Christ has loved me.

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening

‘But to you who are listening I say:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’

Luke 6:27-28

LOVE: LOVE & INTIMACY PT II

Good Evening Friends!

We are almost at the end of this week.

The time is going quickly. LORD I thank You for it; help me to make it all count.

TO THAT END – I am thankful for the opportunity to spend a few moments with you as we continue our discussion on LOVE

Today’s topic: LOVE & INTIMACY – Relational, Physical & Sexual

YESTERDAY – we talked about some of the things that impact spiritual intimacy with GOD

TODAY – I would like to discuss intimacy in natural relationships

YOU WILL RECALL – it has been some time since I have been in a relationship. However, there are a great many things I have learned from past relationships and that I have gleaned through study and observance.

THAT BEING SAID – 

I BELIEVE IT IS FIRST IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE DEFINITION OF INTIMACY

FIRST – we have the definition of intimacy which focuses on the relational aspect

THEN – we have the definition of intimacy which focuses on the physical aspect

AND – the differences are important because so often physical & sexual intimacy can become too much of a focus; while relational intimacy can be downplayed or minimized in significance.

§  You can have physical intimacy without having sex;

§  You can have sex – for a while – without relational intimacy;

§  You can have intense relational intimacy without engaging in physical or sexual intimacy

When you consider all three in the context of relationships, the lines can blend and blur

Therefore, I would like to take a look at all three

SEXUAL & PHYSICAL INTIMACY

Sexual & Physical Intimacy – these are not the same thing

Physical intimacy is a type of intimacy –

It can manifest in the manner of a hug, a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold [and might not be sexual at all]. Many people have their own ideas about what Jesus meant when He said, ‘The Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’ Luke 9:58 However, I believe it also is applicable when discussing physical intimacy. Where do you lay your head when you are exhausted? Who is that person whose arms feel like home? When I talked about my top five romantic gestures, having a place to lay my head was on the list – a place to rest my weary mind. And it was not sexual at all … but it was physically intimate. I’m not sure I am explaining this the way I would like but I hope you are understanding my point.

Now, when it comes to sexual intimacy –

I tend to view it as more of an expression of intimacy

Again you can have sex and not have intimacy. There are times, in a marriage, where a couple might still engage in the act of sexual intimacy even though the relational intimacy died some time ago. In these instances – I believe – the  sexual aspect of intimacy will eventually fade as well. This happens [again, my belief and not a rule] since it is difficult to truly and meaningfully be engaged in sexual intimacy without the relational intimacy. You cannot know how to please someone else if you do not know them intricately and trust & honor them unequivocally. Now, if you are in it just for what you can get out of it, you might be able to do that for quite some time without any relational intimacy – but that is a discussion for another day.

RELATIONAL INTIMACY

This is where I like to focus since it is – in my estimation – at the core of all intimacy between two people

INTIMACY IS KNOWLEDGE – PURE AND SIMPLE

It is pure and simple while at the same time powerful and significant

INTIMACY IN MARRIAGE

We will start with some of the pitfalls since many a married person has gotten into a world of trouble sharing relational intimacy with the wrong person. Understand that, when you start sharing hopes and dreams, insecurities and frustrations with someone other than your spouse; you have trekked onto dangerous ground. Some would think it harmless because nothing physical is taking place yet. However, it must be understood that, relational intimacy [especially in-depth & intense relational intimacy] will very often lead to physical and/or sexual intimacy. Remember, sexual intimacy is an expression of relational intimacy [not the only expression, but an expression nonetheless]. You can share information with anyone. However, if you want to protect the total intimacy of your marriage, you must ask yourself whether it is the wise thing to do. ‘Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.’

Now, when intimacy is working within a married relationship, it is a powerful thing. Have you ever observed relational intimacy in action? I have and it is a marvelous and awe-inspiring thing to behold. It causes individuals to transcend beyond the adoration of someone just being their spouse to a tangible and intense partnership where it is visible the value which the two individuals hold for each other in relation to their God-purpose and potential. It is full of encouragement and spurring one another on toward good works. It is a process where – through knowing one another intimately – two people are able to work collaboratively, to be candid with one another, to motivate and inspire each other to be their best selves.

INTIMACY IN COURTING

Now, my single friends are not getting off the hook so easy. Because, while it is easy to identify some of the intimacy pitfalls within a marriage, there are just as many opportunities for missteps outside of [or leading up to] a marriage relationship. Indeed, many a single person has wasted precious time investing in a relationship which lacked relational intimacy. Word of Caution: If you have to beg someone to share information about themselves, they are not interested in a meaningful relationship with you. Relational intimacy involves a desire and intention to know someone and to be known by them. It mirrors the intimate relationship we have with the LORD. And, engaged in thoughtfully and carefully, relational intimacy can go a long way in establishing lasting bonds between two people.

I think we may need to spend one more day on intimacy – but that is all for now.

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening

Wishing You Much Love …

LOVE: LOVE & INTIMACY PT I

Good Evening Friends!

We are past the midpoint of the week!

I pray you had an absolutely wonderful day

It is rainy here in Virginia Beach but I am still full of energy.

I have this wonderful sense that God is in the midst of doing something – PHENOMENAL!

I am also excited to continue our discussion on LOVE

Today’s topic: LOVE & INTIMACY PT I

NOW – I will ask you to bear with me today since I will be tackling this subject from a somewhat different angle than I might ordinarily. I would like to talk about some of the things that contribute to a loss of intimacy with God.

FOR ME – the most recent & applicable example that comes to mind would be my own life

AND – contrary to what it might appear on this blog, I am actually a very private person

SO – this will be a bit of a stretch for me

It all started the beginning of last year –

Ok, it actually began well before that, but last year is when it all began to really unravel. However, I should have known it was going to be an eventful year. Four days in – January 2018 – we had some of the worst snow our region has had in some time. And, unable to get to my mom’s by car, my son and I walked about five miles in twelve inches of snow in subfreezing temps. We both had hypothermia by the time we reached her place at midnight.

But that was just the beginning –

That wonderful experience was followed by an unexpected and substantial financial reversal; then my mom was removed from her home by family and thrown into a horrendous nursing home [a stay which started with individuals telling me that if I did not meet their demands, I would never see her again and ending with her being abused while she was in said facility]. This was followed by the death of my seventeen year old Min-Pin, more financial setbacks, a hospitalization for my mom [with a notice that we needed to look into hospice care] and then her being forced into another less than satisfactory facility.

The LORD finally enabled me to get her somewhere safer in December. But, the challenges throughout the year were somewhat surreal. I even went to counseling at one point – figuring that it would be a bit hypocritical of me if I did not at least give it a try [being that I am studying Psychology with a focus on Christian Counseling]. Well, two sessions in – with my counselor on the couch with tears in her eyes and me sitting in the chair giving her feedback on her business – I thought to myself, ‘Something is wrong with this picture; something really is not right here!’

I had to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. But truthfully, it was no laughing matter. Depression had taken a devastating and crippling grip on me. I recall my sister [who was accustomed to me being the encouraging faith-filled one] telling me at one point, ‘You are starting to scare me.’ My response – ‘I am starting to scare myself!’

I say all that to say – Life can hit you hard sometimes.

And if you are not careful, it can destroy your intimacy with God.

There is a saying –

Never get too tired, too hungry or too thirsty

I would probably add to that ‘too lonely, too frustrated and too isolated’ as well

I shared yesterday that we run the risk [and actually face the high probability] of losing intimacy with God when we lose focus, get distracted, stop listening and stop communicating

When there are multiple distractions crashing around you, it is easy to lose focus.

Sometimes, you can scarcely catch your breath before another wave of challenge hits

However, it is in those moments that we must be intentional about fixing our eyes on Jesus.

This is done through spending time with Him.

I know this is not an easy task –

As far as communication goes, there were days when I could only whisper, ‘Jesus, help me please’

There are days when all I could do is weep

Yet any way that you can find to stay connected to Him is worth the effort.

One of the worst effects of losing intimacy is when you start trying to find other things to fill the void; a God-sized hole that only the LORD Himself can fill. And the vain attempts to fill it with anything [or anyone] else can – in a bad situation – lead to the development of sinful habits; and – in a worse situation – can lead to despondency and a feeling of utter hopelessness and numbness. It can become a vicious cycle – like a whirlpool spinning you around, tossing you to and fro, all the while pulling you deeper and deeper into a dark spiritual abyss.

THANKFULLY THERE IS NO HOLE TOO DEEP,

WHERE THE LOVE OF GOD CANNOT REACH … AND RESCUE

No physical, spiritual or emotional pit is too great for the LORD

That is what He did for me

It would take several posts to explain it in detail;

But, the important think for you to know is this:

When you have reached a point that you feel you cannot hold onto faith,

     That is when faith holds on to you

You see – this relationship with the LORD, this intimacy; It is not one-sided.

He longs for that closeness and connection every bit as much as we do

And He is willing to fight for it … He loves you that much

§  ‘The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you … [He] will rejoice over you with singing.’ Zephaniah 3:17

§  While we were yet sinners [lost, trapped and without hope], Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

§  He rescues from the miry pit. Psalm 40:2

§  ‘To all who mourn …He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.’ Isaiah 61:3

BUT EVERY RELATIONSHIP IS TWO-SIDED

AND YOU MUST DO YOUR PART TO MAINTAIN INTIMACY

§  Talk to Him – speak, write, sing, pray, cry … scream if you must [He can handle it]

§  Be Real – even if some of the frustration you feel is toward Him [trust me, He already knows]

§  Keep Seeking Him – even if you can only read one sentence

§  In my book, When Storms Rage, I note: When you cannot see God or hear God or feel God – you should read God. You will find His voice and you will find His character and nature there

Do whatever you must but never stop pursuing intimacy with God ..

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening

Wishing You Much Love …

LOVE: WHEN I'M WITH YOU

Good Evening Friends!

I hope you all had a fabulous day …

We are almost to the midpoint of the week

AND I AM FEELING … THANKFUL!

We are still on our topic of LOVE. And today’s focus is due, in part, to some of the things that are going on in my life. Right now, it feels like there are a hundred gears all turning at the same time. And – if I am honest – there have been a few moments where I’ve felt like I was being squeezed in between all those moving parts.

But then –  He floods my heart with His love and my world with His peace.

There is nothing like the love of God!

And I find myself focusing more and more on what an awesome privilege it is to be in relationship with Him. There has been such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.

NOW –

I would like to say I am one of those people whose relationship with the LORD has been steady 100% of the time and that I have never faltered.

HOWEVER –

I have to be honest and say …

There are times – just like a natural relationship – where there are lulls

The relationship challenges, of course, are never on His part

It happens when I lose focus, get distracted, stop listening, stop communicating

AND WE END UP LOSING INTIMACY … something so important to an effective relationship

LOVE & INTIMACY: IT IS WHAT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE NEXT TWO DAYS

1.       First I’d like to explore intimacy with God

2.       Then I would like to tackle some intimacy issues in natural relationships

Now, I understand that the second point might be a stretch [being that I’ve been out of the game for some time]. However, I believe it is going be good to look at why intimacy is important & what happens when it fails

With the first area we will tackle – intimacy with God – I’d like to get personal, really personal. And, in doing so, I’ll be sharing what can happen when that intimacy with God starts to wane

Last week – during my one-day road trip – I was searching through radio stations

And I came across a song that has had me thinking about my relationship with the LORD

It is not a new song by any means – and it is not my usual genre of Christian music.

But, there something about it that grabbed me … perhaps because I was praying all day long

And the hook that caught my attention?

‘I like me better when I’m with you …’

It is a song by an artist name Lauv. And, my thoughts immediately went to the LORD; to the resurgence in communication and intimacy. Every time I think about where I’ve been and how far He has brought me, I find myself humming, ‘I like me better when I’m with You …’

I really do... 

I can’t wait for our chat tomorrow!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening

     & an Awesome Day Tomorrow

    

Wishing You Much Love …

‘My soul thirsts for God, the living God’ Psalm 42:2