Master Weaver? !!!

This is one of those life stories I’ll share with you not necessarily because I’m proud of some of the choices I’ve made, but because of the amazing grace of God it points up! Now, I know the Bible says that “all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” and I’ve heard God referred to as a “Master Weaver” of sorts, intricately putting all the fragments of our lives together to make a beautiful masterpiece. I know the scripture is true, but the “Master Weaver"-thing? For the longest, I simply was not sure! By the time I reached by mid to late twenties, I'd veered far from my early path of closely following Jesus Christ. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I was going to Church, making a good show of the “religion-thing”, but in my heart I knew I was a lost cause. You see, I had made too many wrong choices, and that little voice deep within kept telling me that God could never use anyone with such a “past”! No matter how many sermons I heard, or books I read, nothing could get past the negative message in my mind. I knew that at my young age, I had messed up and God was finished with me. I was the most hopeless human on the planet. I was weary, restless, and searching, but for what I didn’t know. On a hot, sticky day on the backstreets of Southside Birmingham, Alabama I rode in my beat-up, un-air-conditioned car, searching for something to listen to on the radio. Everything about the day was miserable. The most miserable part of it? Me! At a red light, I relentlessly turned the radio dial back and forth until I hit on a station. From my little in-dash radio now flowed the most beautiful orchestration! Melodies and harmonies such as I had never heard. It was enough to make me stop in my tracks. I ceased searching, dropped my hand from the knob, and stared at at it as though I were staring at the orchestra itself. Even after the stop light turned green, I remained there. Soon, the lyric of the song began, and though I could not know it then, my life would never be the same.

“He’s been faithful to me. Even though I have questioned, even failed to believe, He’s been faithful, faithful to me.”

I could barely fathom that God would remain faithful to me in spite of my questions, my complete failure of Him. Over the next weeks and months, from the tiny seed planted in my heart and mind by the words of that song, I was able to overcome the lies of the voice of negativity that had ruled my mind for so very long. Truth was that God was not finished with me, God is never finished with us! There is nothing we can do to mess up His love for us! I found that in spite of my wrong choices, God was waiting for me with open arms and a loving, forgiving heart, as He is for every one of His children! If I had not heard the orchestration that slowed me down long enough to hear the words of that song, I shudder to think where I would be today. I often wondered about who composed it, about who sang the song, and thanked God continually for them both. I prayed I would one day be able to meet and thank them in person. I got the chance to meet the recording artists almost eleven years later. I attended a Music Conference in Brooklyn, New York sponsored by the choir that originally recorded the song! I was thrilled, overwhelmed, actually, to attend the conference itself and to have the opportunity to express my thanks to choir members in person. However, I must admit, I was NOT quite as overwhelmed by the some of break-out sessions being offered at the conference that year. (Can't have it all, I guess!) So, I decided that as a default, I'd just attend an orchestral session with my husband, John, an excellent musician. If all else failed and the session was of absolutely no interest to me, I could spend the time making “To Do” lists, a favorite activity of mine! As it worked out, that is exactly what I spent the session doing! I found that I was, indeed, about as interested in "all things instrumental and orchestral" as I would have been in "all things hunting, and tree-stand building" (sorry, John!) I was almost finished with my Christmas gift list, when the session speaker, prolific composer and world renowned orchestrator and musician, Lari Goss, was wrapping up the "Question and Answer" period. “Oh Thank God, I thought, almost lunch time! One last question and we’ll be out of here!” The last question was something about inspiration for writing songs. I half listened to the answer as I put my lists away. Mr. Goss spoke about all the different parts of song writing inspiration, but then he began talking about those times when songwriting takes on unique urgency, times when one knows a song is being used of the Holy Spirit in a very special way. He spoke of many times in his own career when those urgings were so strong he would miss sleep, meals, or time with his family to work on music because he knew the importance of a particular song. A change in his voice voice caused me to look up, directly at him. It seemed he was looking directly at me. And at that moment it happened, he mentioned THE SONG as an example of one of those "special songs"...the one I’d heard that day in my car all those years before. Standing before me, not two feet away was the one who composed the orchestration that had caused me to stop long enough to hear a lyric God used to change my life forever. All the wondering about the composer, who he was, how he had come about composing that music, ended right then, right there, that day. I was overwhelmed at the mighty hand of God - how He had so masterfully, intricately, beautifully weaved it all together for me. And while I understand that there is no waste in God’s economy--that song was used to change the lives of many, many people; I also realize that God cared enough for me to impress upon the composer a sense of urgency so that He, God, could keep a life-changing date with me on a hot-sticky summer day in Southside Birmingham, Alabama. Not only did God change my life, in His own beautiful time, He brought me thousands of miles to meet, face to face, not only the people who recorded the song, but the one who orchestrated the music that stopped me in my tracks that day~everything I'd asked Him for so very long ago. God, a Master Weaver? I think so. And maybe we do not always have to wait until the end of our lives to see the finished masterpiece. Perhaps, from time to time He gives us glimpses of the beautiful work He is doing in our lives. I know I’ve had peek and it is magnificent!

Victory at the Europa Cafe!

Sometimes it's all in how you approach the salad line!

All I wanted was a salad, a few toppings, some dressing. Simple enough, right? Well maybe in some places, but not so much at the Europa Café in uptown Manhattan during the lunch rush!

Oh, things started smoothly enough... It was my first trip to New York City. I was there for a conference and during a break, my husband, John, and I slipped out to do some sightseeing around Times Square. At lunch, we decided on a great looking café in the middle of it all where we could grab a bite to eat while still watching the people pass by on the bustling city streets.

This particular café had an interesting little salad bar. Once you selected your bowl of greens, a “salad specialist” would add the toppings of your choice; mix it and “Voila!” a wonderful “New York Salad!” I’d never seen anything like it. It was so hot, and the bowls of crisp salad greens stacked neatly one on top of the other in the cooler looked so refreshing as we walked through the front door. I quickly selected a bowl then took my place in the “salad condiment” line where I stood long enough to review the board of toppings and dressings. By the time I reached the “salad specialist” behind the counter I knew what I wanted, and was ready to go! I was confident I could keep the line moving along at the brisk clip it had been maintaining since we walked in! “I’d like shredded carrots, bean sprouts, tomatoes, a couple of those things (I had to point . . . didn’t know what they were, but they looked good and, hey, “while in Rome” right???). I continued down the line quickly. “And, I’d like the Organic Raspberry Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.” With that, my “Salad Specialist” dropped the tongs, put down my bowl of greens, now so beautifully garnished, and stared at me--in silence. At this point I realized that for the first 8.6 seconds of our relationship, I’d done all the talking. I looked at him then repeated, “the Raspberry Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing?” smiling my best, sweet Southern-belle smile. Not a word. It only took a second or two more until I realized the problem! Obviously from his attire and that great big towel on his head, I surmised he was not originally from the US, and here I was speaking Southern Drawl!! We had a language barrier thing going on! I’ll speak louder! “RAZZ—BEAR—REE; HUNN—KNEE; BALL—SOM—MICK...” I did not have a chance to finish. The deepening scowl on his face told me all I needed to know! The salad line, which had been moving like a well oiled machine when I came in, had now come to a screeching halt! I, the "human monkey wrench" that had shut it all down, began to sweat! I tried gesturing, pointing at the words on the giant chalk board menu behind him. He did not move. However, for the first time in our short relationship, he began to speak! Okay, actually, it was more of a bark! “NO!” What on earth...?? Was my salad not worthy of such a garrulously named dressing? Was it one reserved for only native New Yorkers who could properly pronounce "vinaigrette"? Was I dressed inappropriately? As I nervously glanced back at the salad line, which now stretched to the front door, I relented. “How about ranch dressing?” “No!” “Catalina?” “NO!” Suddenly I realized I was not dealing with a language barrier at all. I was, in fact, standing face-to-face with the first cousin, twice removed, of the world famous “Soup Nazi”! The line, growing by the moment, was soon out the door into the street. Now I was really feeling the pressure. The stares of all the others in line were so intense I thought I was going to hyperventilate, and I was sweating like I’d just run the mile, in world class time, wearing a fur parka and my 3 inch heels!! “Lemon juice, anything, please” I squeaked, barely audibly. He put something on top of the salad and handed it to me. “NEXT!!!”

By the time John paid for our meal, I was a huddled mass of sobbing humanity at a tiny corner table in the back of the restaurant. I did not people-watch as I ate after all, and to this day do not remember what dressed that salad. All I remember is thinking over and over, “I’ll never come back to the Europa Café again!”

But, something nagged at me about the experience after we returned home. Oh, I know it may have seemed on the surface like nothing more than a silly chance encounter with a tong-brandishing-dressing-bandit who was obviously having a bad life. But, as I thought back, I realized there might be more. Perhaps it was another opportunity for me to grow! The entire episode reminded me of the many times I'd started out on some project or program, full of enthusiasm and confidence, only to back down at the first sign of resistance. And the more resistance I met, the more I'd doubt--myself, and my ideas, my ideals! I'd usually end up giving in or giving up altogether! It was one of those pesky personality traits that had troubled me for years. Like a gnat buzzing around my face--highly bothersome, yet almost imperceptible—something I could never quite put my finger on. How funny that, in the end, all it took was a quick trip down a salad line to bring it clearly into focus so I could begin doing something about it!

I worked on strengthening that aspect of my personality, and as I did, I found myself more and more determined to return to the place where I'd first become aware of the problem! But, oh, heaven help whoever might be behind the salad condiment line if ever I DID make it back to the Europa Café!!

I finally did make it back there a little over a year later when we traveled to New York on business once again. You’d better believe I made certain our plans included a stop by the café during lunch one day. As I stood outside what I knew could turn into my own little “Waterloo,” I'll admit that my knees did go weak, and it took a full five minutes for me to gather the courage to go inside. But, by the time I finally walked through the front door, I was full of confidence and the courage of my convictions---I was there for salad, and I would have the dressing of my choice!! I picked up a bowl of greens and marched straight over to the condiment counter! I spoke, courteously, but firmly. "I would like shredded carrots, bean sprouts, tomatoes, a couple of those things," (again I had to point..still did not know what they were, but they still looked good). "And I WILL HAVE the Organic Raspberry Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.” I waited....with bated breath. “Yes, right away.” I was thrilled as I watched him put it together! And let me tell you, no salad has EVER tasted better!

Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away and enjoy to the full what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 AMP

Evening & morning will be a new day!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2 says the earth was without form, an empty waste. Can you imagine? Take a quick look around—take in everything: family, friends, job, pets, calendar, ringing phone (all of them: house phone, cell phone, office phone, fax, SKYPE,…) house, car, computer, TV, to do list, the vast number visual images and sounds that barrage us each day—all the general “busy-ness” of life. Now imagine it GONE! All of it! When God started this thing, none of it existed! Zero! Zilch! NADA!! Utter silence! Darkness everywhere! But, as the earth waited there, “without form and an empty waste” in complete darkness, Genesis 1:2 says: “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the earth.” So, had we been there, it might have appeared to our human eyes that all was dark, that nothing was happening. But God was there, “hovering” “brooding.” He had a plan and all the while, He was actively working out His plan!

Suddenly, in verse 3, His plan began to unfold for all to see!

“God spoke ‘Light!’ and light appeared!” He saw that His creation was good. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
“God spoke ‘Sky!’ And there it was!” He saw that His creation was good. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
“God spoke ‘Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place. Land, appear!’” And there it was…Land! And then..
“God spoke again: ‘Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, every sort of fruit-bearing tree.’” God saw that His creation was good. And the evening and the morning were third day.
“God spoke: ‘Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven’s sky! Mark seasons and days and years, Lights in heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.’” He created the sun and the moon to light up Earth, to oversee and separate day from night. And there they were! God saw that His creation was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
“God spoke: ‘Swarm, ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!’ ‘Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.’” And there it was! God saw that His creation was good. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
“God spoke: 'Let us make human beings in our image.’” He created them male and female. And God blessed them. And, just as he had after every other wonderful thing He made, God paused once again to look at His final creation, and saw that it was good, very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

He made us, and everything we need to exist from absolutely NOTHING in just 6 short days. And the evening and the morning were a new day.

Thousands and thousands of years later, no matter how busy our lives, we can still find ourselves in what may seem spiritual “vast wastelands” sometimes. All there seems dark and quiet. And once inside those borders, there may seem to be no plan, and no way out. If ever you find yourself in that kind of “Spiritual No-Man’s Land” that’s the time to lean, not on feelings, not on what you can see with your human eyes, but on the promises we have been given in the Word of God. Truth is, we cannot always trust what we can see with “human eyes” because they do not always tell the whole story. “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly supernatural sphere.” The activity around us is both seen and unseen!

Are you in a dark place? I understand. Does your life feel a little like a wasteland lately? I understand. Does it seem as if nothing is happening? Boy, do I understand. Good news is, we’re not alone! Down through the ages, countless others have felt just as we do! We can join one such person who felt this way, the Psalmist in Chapter 130 who cried out to the Lord! He wrote: “Out of the depths have I cried to You, O Lord. I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. I am looking and waiting for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning.”

So, we cling to promises from the Word of God as we wait on Him to move on our behalf. A couple of good promises: We can be assured that God is with us, always has been; always will be!! Matthew 28:20 promises that. And He has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 promises that the Lord has plans for good, peace and hope for each of us! So, no matter how dark it may look right now, no matter how quiet, no matter how hopeless we may be tempted to become, we can keep waiting expectantly for the morning like the watchmen in Psalm 130… God will move on our behalf in His perfect time and when He does, like everything He has ever created, what He does will be good…very good!

And the evening and the morning will be a beautiful NEW DAY!

I Am A Promise!

Promise (präm’is) n. [ME promis < L promissum < promittere, to send before or forward < pro-, forth + mittere, to send] M: Indication, as of a successful prospect or future basis of expectation

David had a promise from God. Samuel had actually come right into his house when he was quite young and told him he’d be King one day! But then what happened? No Crown! No Royal Robes! Other things were happening though! He did move into King Saul’s palace; was befriended by Saul’s son, Jonathan; even married Saul’s daughter! Sometimes, though, it just seemed that for every two steps forward David took, he took three steps back! He did live in Saul's palace, yet Saul soon became jealous and tried to kill David (over and over and over…)! His friend, Jonathan, did love him dearly, but being the person of honor he was, he had to remain faithful to his father, King Saul. Even David’s wife turned on him! David ended up running for his life! Just when it looked as if things could not get any darker for David, I Samuel 29-30 tells us that as he returned home to Ziglag from battle, he and his men found that that the enemy had attacked their hometown taking their families, stealing possessions, burning and destroying their homes. David and his men wept until they could no more. Then, David’s men even began talking of killing him! Now at this point, some would have considered giving up. Things looked bleak!

Can you identify? If I’m being totally frank with you, I identify so strongly at this moment, I feel my address could be changed to "S.W. God Help Me Street“ in downtown Ziglag! Death has struck my immediate family not once but twice in less than two weeks. The grief is overwhelming. The floundering economy continues to wreak havoc with our family finances; and old physical challenges have resurfaced and grow alarmingly worse by the day. I see evidence of an all-out enemy attack everywhere I turn. Things look bleak!

So, what did David do in the face of a devastating enemy attack? Instead of giving up, and giving in when things seemed their worst, he looked within. He believed in and held close to his heart the promise Samuel had given him so many years earlier. Through every trial he remembered that God had made him a person of promise! He was not about to give up before that promise was fully realized. 1 Samuel 30:6 says that in the face of overwhelming odds, “David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” Those 10 little words turned David’s life around there in Ziglag (read the rest of the story to see what I mean! The outcome is pretty cool!!!)

He had a choice, and so do I. So do you!! Truth is, everyone who loves the Lord is a “Person of Promise”! And just like in David's life, when God plants a promise in us, who are we to give up before that promise is fully realized? So, no matter my circumstances today, I am going to encourage and strengthen myself in the Lord! Let me urge you to do the same. Read Psalms, sing songs of praise to God; remind yourself of His faithfulness. And as we bring to mind His faithfulness; let’s remember that we are victors because of Him; then stir up the gift that He placed within us! I’m certain that this is the kind of activity God will use to ultimately turn our circumstances around, just as He did for David! PROMISE!!

Rushing Rivers & Big-Time Giants!

The book of Joshua begins at a time of tumultuous changes for Joshua, the assumed author of that book. His long-time friend and mentor, Moses has just died. His people, the Israelites, having traveled the wilderness for 40 years, are now on the "outskirts" of Canaan, just one rushing river and a few battles with some "big-time giants" away from laying claim to the promise God gave their forefathers many years before. And, in the opening verses of the book, God reminds Joshua that HE is the one who is going to lead the people across the Jordan to claim that promise. WHOA! All the hopes and dreams handed down for hundreds of years are now resting on the shoulders of this man! How's he supposed to handle that kind of pressure??? But wait, before we go there...

How are things in your life right now? Are you in the middle of things as usual or have you reached a time of "rushing rivers and big-time giants"? (I know I have!) Well, thankfully, there is great news for all of us who find ourselves in unsettled, tumultuous times! In Joshua 1:6a & 7-9 God speaks not only to Joshua, but to everyone who has ever been overwhelmed by life's circumstances. "Be strong (confident) and of good courage." "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

THERE IT IS! The answer for Joshua, and for all of us facing challenges today!!

(1) Stay strong and courageous (He refers to staying strong and courageous/not afraid four times in that short passage...hmmm...must must be really important, huh?)

(2) Stay in the Word of God. Meditate on it day and night that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it...

(3)Remember God is with you wherever you go!

The keys to victory! They worked for Joshua's "rushing river and big-time giants", and I am confident they will work for all the challenges before us today!

Come on out! Some battles are won step by step!

Honesty is the policy today! I awoke this morning far more ready to pull the covers back over my head and hide than to take time to thank God for the new day. If it could go wrong these past few months, it has gone wrong! So, as I lay there in bed today, I had one critical decision before me: was I going to keep my eyes on my circumstances or was I going to turn them onto my God? In keeping with my "honesty policy", I will not sugarcoat this story. No angels sang, and I did not float on a cloud of glory from the bed to my chair for Bible study time. But, with God's help, I did end up making the quality decision to tear my eyes off my circumstances and I did spend time in the Word of God. Listen to what I found there.

In the book of Exodus, I was reminded that just as God prepared Moses to deliver the Israelites, He sent Jesus to be our deliverer. Just as He led the Israelites with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the Holy Spirit leads us today. The Israelites deliverance was a process, a journey. In most cases, so is ours. God almost always guides us through situations one step at a time, instead of moving us instantly from one situation to the next. That's how we mature--slowly! He used the Israelites' journey to develop the faith, trust and strength they would need in the Promised Land. We, too, grow as we follow God step by step!

Consider one more thing...just as for the Israelites, God drives out our enemies (all the "ites")-- the bad back-ites, the nosey neighbor-ites, the demanding boss-ites, the mounting bill-ites, the business down turn-ites, the children won't do right-ites--little by little until we are strong enough to take possession of what He has for us (adapted from Exodus 23:30)!! So, next time you are tempted to pull the covers over your head as I was this morning, next time you are tempted to let your burdens overwhelm you, DON'T DO IT! Because of God, each of us can throw the covers back each morning and stand firm on the promises that are ours as His children! So step out with me, won't you? Let's stand in confidence and in gratitude each morning! Let's tear our eyes off our circumstances and choose, instead, to look at our God! He's far bigger than any situation in our life ever could be! Let's choose to believe what the Word of God tells us--that He is fighting our battles for us and that something good is coming our way...no matter WHAT our circumstances may look like!!

My Steps & Stops Are Ordered!

The pastor said it yesterday. “My steps and my STOPS are ordered by the Lord!” How very timely! You see, I have just experienced a great big heartbreaking “STOP”!!! It happened last week. Something I wanted so much, something I’d planned for, practiced, worked, prayed, hoped for and dreamed of fell through…AGAIN! I did everything by “THE BOOK!” I sought God before I ever started, and then did everything I could and asked God to do the rest. I prayed God would shower me with His favor. And all of the sudden...STOP!! Things did not go my way. I was so disappointed. Oh let’s just get real, “disappointed” doesn’t begin to touch it…crestfallen, heartbroken, defeated…there, that’s more like it!

But then yesterday, my pastor said that not only are my steps ordered by the Lord, so are my STOPS! He was saying that sometimes there are God ordained delays in my life put there for my benefit! It was a reminder that salved my splintered heart.

Brought to mind one of my favorite Bible stories. Daniel desperately needed an answer to prayer. So he fasted & prayed, and prayed & fasted, and fasted & prayed. On and on and on! Daniel 10:3 says he continued for 21 days! Three whole weeks! And what did he get for all this devotion? ZERO! NADA! Complete Silence! I've got to tell you, that long with no food or drink seems impossible to me. . .but then, I sometimes have trouble focusing during my 15 – 30 minutes with God each morning, let's not even think about throwing fasting into the mix!!

But our man, Daniel persisted! A 21 day “stop” did not bother him one little bit! And here’s the amazing thing! On day 21 an angel appeared to him and said “O Daniel, you greatly beloved man…from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come as a consequence and in response to your words.” (Daniel 10:12) Daniel’s prayer was heard and answered the FIRST MOMENT he uttered it! Through persistence, he received God’s answer and strength to go forward! (If you want to know what held the angel up for three weeks, you can read about it in Daniel 10—it's really cool!!).

So, I guess it comes down to this: do I trust God enough to persist? Do I really believe that He orders my steps, and my stops or don’t I?

Twila Paris wrote a song some time ago I love to sing, the lyric of which is truly apt here.

Sometimes my little heart can’t understand, what’s in Your will? What’s in Your plan? So many times I’m tempted to ask You why. But I can never forget it for long, Lord what You do could not be wrong, So I believe You even when I must cry.

Do I trust You Lord? Does the robin sing? Do I trust You Lord? Does it rain in Spring? You can see my heart, You can read my mind, and You’ve got to know I would rather die than to lose my faith in the One I love, do I trust You Lord?

I know the answers; I’ve given them all, but suddenly now I feel so small--shaken down to the cavity in my soul. I know the doctrine and theology. But right now they don’t mean much to me. This time there’s only one thing I’ve got to know…

Do I trust You Lord? Does the river flow? Do I trust You Lord, does the North wind blow? You can see my heart, You can read my mind, and You’ve got to know I would rather die than to lose my faith in the one I love, do I trust You Lord?

I WILL trust You Lord, when I don’t know why, I WILL trust You Lord ‘til the day I die, I WILL trust You Lord when I’m blind with pain, You were God before and You’ll never change, I WILL trust You, I WILL trust you Lord, I WILL trust You!

It is my choice. Through every step, and every stop, I WILL trust Him!