Mourning into Dancing

Yesterday we were able to take two of our grandchildren to parks after spending some difficult but productive time with our friend Jim. There is a time to mourn and a time to dance. The joy of the Lord is our strength. He gives us each day what we need to persevere, not only just survive, but shout His praises in all circumstances. He leads us beside still waters and restores our souls.

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Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.
Psalm 30:11-12

What are you Banking on?

I found some SIMPLIFIED, and simultaneously AMPLIFIED, scripture in The Message translation of Luke 12:32-34:

Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

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Pretty interesting words considering the recent years of bank insecurity, recession, and worries about how and where to keep money and treasures. Our security is best not put in banks at times. People and institutions can rob you of your money. What else do you 'bank' on?

A key to great advice appears earlier in this translation. It advises us to relax and respond to God's giving. Know him, and don't worry. Steep ourselves in God's reality, power, and provision. Believe that God knows our concerns. Then don't get self-centered. Generosity, loving others as ourselves, loving God...these give us our real treasure. Our treasure is relationship with each other based on our inner life that knows to whom we belong, and being secure in the love and care of our Father in heaven.

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One of things I treasure so much as I travel with my camera is being on the bank of a lake strewn with wildflowers or a hillside of bluebonnets crowded around an old farm machinery. Such visions remind me that my needs, my food and clothes, all my concerns are being met.

I don't know if you have ever 'steeped' tea. The longer you let the tea stay in the warm water the more flavor and color is infused into the liquid. I love that THE MESSAGE used the word, 'steep' for what we should do with God. We steep ourselves with his nature and love by studying his word, spending time with him, and counting him as our dearest treasure. For, the place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Walk into the fields...

I just read some of my favorite scripture in THE MESSAGE translation. Instead of the 'consider the lilies' in most translations, this translation uses 'wildflowers!' What a gift! It made the message I was trying to send out today even more intimate and personal to me.

From Luke 12:

Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance~~but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with GETTING so you can respond to God's GIVING.

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As two friends and I traveled some country roads this morning we were wondering if many of the passers-by were even aware of the beautiful wildflowers scattered along the roadsides. Nothing like walking into the fields of wildflowers to get me joyful and amazed at the artistry, attention, and love of the Father!

Swinging

This evening we took a ride on some lake country roads near us. It has been a stressful time helping a friend who is very ill, and it was necessary to take a break to gather ourselves again for service. We saw some wildflowers, but these huge tree limbs really ministered to me. There is something about a huge, sturdy tree limb that just calls for a simple plank or tire swing. A living foundation from which to be rocked back and forth.

I vaguely remember my grandmother rocking and comforting me. Of course, my husband has often, through the years, held me in his arms as I grieved over some losses. There is something comforting about that rocking. I use it often as a massage therapist to ease tension and relax a person.

Jesus told his disciples that he was leaving them his peace, and to not let their hearts be troubled. We are invited by the Holy Spirit to take comfort; to crawl up in the lap of the one who laid down his life for us, and let him collect our tears. I love my children to the degree that I am capable, but how much more can Jesus love and comfort us.

All rocking is not about being comforted, however. Some swinging is about simple joy. It is about feeling the wind in your face; giving it everything you have got with complete abandon, knowing you are more than okay because that swing is held by a sturdy limb. It is about trusting and leaning into the momentum. It is about being hyper vigilant of the life force that pumps through your veins and heart, about gratitude for life. It is about living fully, with the foundation of peace that Christ offers us.

Where all Roads Lead

We had such a wonderful Easter celebration this last couple of days. Our children and grandchildren spent most of the day with us on Friday. Today we went to a sunrise service at 6:30 and then another at 10:30. The two congregations are joining together. I have experienced so much love in our own family and widening church family this weekend. After all, LOVE is the distinguishing mark of Christ's followers.

We spent time after church with more extended family and returned home about an hour before sunset. I felt compelled to drive out to some of my favorite country roads and spend some more time in prayer with and awe of my awesome Savior. I kept being drawn to vistas of roads. I thought about the fact that no matter what our individual paths or roads are in life, they all eventually lead to death.

I was remembering our pastor's words about the percentage of people who escape death. That would be zero! I believe the quote was credited to Billy Graham that one out of one of us will die. The good news, as Jesus took our place on the cross, is that there is life after that death. He tells his believers that he has gone to prepare a place for us and will come back to take us to be with him where he is.

The bookends of this day have been incredible...
Amazing Love, How can it be? BUT IT IS! Thank you Lord Jesus for what you have done for us. Your love is AMAZING!