Speak Volumes Not Pages

I read a passage the other day that I'm sure I've read before, but it just didn't pop out like it did this time.

"Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."  John 21:25

The Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) document much of Jesus' ministry.  His teachings, movements, miracles, arrest, conviction, death and resurrection are all told within these books.  The Gospels are full of so many stories that help lay the foundation of our Christian faith.  I never truly considered the fact that there was much more to tell.  Well, sure, I realize that because there isn't a day-to-day diary of everything Jesus did, there was more to His life than what's documented in the Gospels.  But, I never really considered how MUCH more!  Then, I read the John 21:25 "the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

Jesus was only 33 when he was crucified.  Thirty-three years on this earth, and much of that He spent preparing for His ministry before He ever assembled His disciples.  His life was short, yet He did so much.

The question I had to ask myself is - What have I done lately?  When it's all said and done, how much of an impact will I have on the Kingdom?  How many pages will it take to document what I've accomplished? 

Let me be clear, I'm in no way comparing myself to Jesus -  He was God in human form.  But if I believe the Scriptures, I have God in me and He wants to do immeasurably more than I could ever ask, think or imagine.

What have I done for the Kingdom?  Will what God does through me fill only one page, or will it fill volumes?  Or will it even be worth writing down? 

This passage of Scripture is inspiring "Jesus did other things as well...the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."  What have I done that is worth documenting? And what will I do in the future?

What have YOU done for the Kingdom?  How many volumes will it take to document your Kingdom works?

Reflection

Ever have one of those moments (or series of moments) where you just get so irritated and let everyone around you know?  Yeah, me neither.  Okay - I actually have those moments entirely too frequently!  Yesterday was a good example.  Someone "pushed my buttons" in a way that just sent irritation and frustration through every cell in my body.  Let me rephrase - I allowed someone to irritate and frustrate me, and I shared it with everyone within ear shot.

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." Proverbs 27:19

As I was reading this morning, God slapped me with this Proverb.  One of my numerous flaws is that I wear my heart on my sleeve. No matter what emotion I may be dealing with at any given time, it is evident to anyone who I come in contact with. Whether I'm sad, irritated, angry, or happy, it's apparent.

I admire those people who always seem like nothing bothers them - they appear to be like ducks with the water of emotions skimming off of their backs. They truly have their hearts in the right place - mine...sometimes I wonder if God put my heart somewhere down in my toes.

I recognize my reaction to life is the only thing I can control.  I can't control anyone around me - I can only be responsible for how I handle it.  And I have to start with my heart condition.  I've known this for a long time, and I've made great strides in transforming my emotions...but I still have a long way to go. 

I want more than anything for my life to reflect a pure, loving, caring, merciful, and passionate heart.  I'm getting there - and with God's grace and direction, am praying that, someday, I'll be able to look back at a life that truly reflects God's heart. 

What about you?  What does your life reflect?

Super Bowl!

If you are my friend, you know I'm not a big sports fan.  It's not that I don't like sports - because I do - I've just found that there are dozens of other things that I could be doing other than watching every football, baseball, basketball and/or hockey game on television.  But - I've always liked the Super Bowl!

A few days ago, my son told me we should have a Super Bowl party.  I walked over to our 27" television, pointed and the two of us began to laugh - yeah, who would want to watch the Super Bowl at our house when everyone we know has a TV the size of the football stadium itself.  Well - that's about to change!

I received a telephone call yesterday from a good friend - they just replaced their "old" television with a flat screen and wanted to bless us by giving us their old TV.  He told me before I say yes to come over and take a look at the TV.  So, I zipped over there last night - walked into the garage, and there it was - glowing in the dark like some kind of beacon, beckoning me to "step into the light."  My friend's garage was immediately transformed into an animated forest complete with Shrek romping around larger than life...on a 50" television with surround sound speakers! Oh my...I'm speechless - all I can get out of my mouth is Thank You!

I have been richly blessed throughout the years, and I am so thankful.  God has surrounded me with some of the most incredibly generous, loving and genuine people!  And it's not just material giving - my friends give their hearts by being selfless with their time and their love for one another.  I only hope I can give back even a portion of what I've received!

...I think I'll start with the Super Bowl - who wants to come to my house?  Here's your invite!

Dog Days

A song lyric keeps running through my mind this morning - "the dog days are over."  I am absolutely clueless why, but I can't stop singing it.  I keep trying to correlate this lyric to my reading, to draw out some kind of higher meaning - a message from God.  But...nothing. 

The dog days are over.  Well, duh!  It's winter!  And it's cold outside.  Maybe God's trying to tell me to dress appropriately?

But - just as I almost give up trying to find some deep spiritual significance of this song, I read through John 17 and come across this:

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."  John 17:15-16

I don't remember all of the lyrics of the song in my head, but because it is a secular song, I doubt that they're entirely wholesome and ready to be turned into a hymn.  But as it continues to bounce around in my little pea brain, I am reminded that I am not OF the world, even though I am IN the world.  Because I am in this world, I am surrounded by music, movies, television shows and other influences that are OF this world. 


Jesus cared enough to pray for me before he was crucified - he knew that there would be influences in the 21st century that didn't exist in his time.  He knew how twisted and corrupt the world was and how much worst it would get - and he prayed for me.
 
Jesus taught his disciples and prayed to the Father...

"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." John 17:18

 
God sent Jesus to earth, Jesus trained his disciples and sent them out into the world, and they taught others who finally reached me.  Just like Jesus' disciples, I am influenced in this world because I am IN it.  But because of Jesus, I am not OF it.  What I do IN this world is what matters.
 
The dog days are over - it's just a song that I heard on the radio and it is still bouncing around in my head.  But it has meaning - meaning in this world.
 
I get the message loud and clear - and thank you God, I will dress appropriately.

It's Over

Well - the 21 day fast has officially ended - and what do I want for breakfast?  A banana and peanut butter.  Seems crazy, I know, but I think it's an indication of how I feel about this fast and its impact on me spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Truth is - I'm a bit sad that it's over (noticed I said "a bit").

My mind is racing with a million things I want to write today comparing this fast to different experiences, but I think I'll leave it at this:

Today, my mind is clearer, my body is healthier, and my heart is fuller.  I see myself more clearly as a child of God and a woman of significance for Him.  I am closer to God than I have been in a long time, and He is revealing to me, brick by brick, the path that He has for me. 

And...I am afraid.  I don't ever want to step back to where I was a month ago.  I want to be in His courts, in His presence, in His will, the rest of the days of my life.  God has revealed some big things and He has put people in my path to keep me accountable and to guide and direct me.  He is creating new relationships and strengthening old ones that He will use to keep me on His path.

Today, I no longer have the "crutch" of a corporate fast.  But, today, I have my Father...and it is Good!

Hearing vs Listening

First off - wow, something really didn't want me to blog today.  I've been "messing" with my computer for nearly 30 minutes - first the computer froze, then the wireless router, then blogspot service.  But I press on...here 'goes.

What does the saying "I heard from God" mean to you?  What does it really mean when someone says "God spoke to me?"  Well, there are numerous examples throughout the Bible.  In Genesis, God actually took Abram outside of his tent to show him the stars in the sky.  In Exodus, God appeared to Moses through the flames of a bush that miraculously caught on fire all by itself.  In the New Testament, God chose to speak to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  At Pentacost, God sent His Holy Spirit to intercede for us and become our own personal counselor for God.  God has spoken in many different ways throughout time, and continues to do so today.

A friend of mine said to me just this morning that he longs for the days when God was more tangible - he doesn't feel like he's been "hearing" from God like he has in the past.  Do you ever feel that way?  Do you feel like you've never heard from God, or that he's giving you the silent treatment lately?

I'm wondering - is it because He's not speaking that we don't "hear" Him, or is it actually because we aren't listening?

Not too long ago I went through a period of time where I just didn't seem to hear from God - I felt like I was truly in a dessert, all alone, asking - no begging to be lead out of the dessert and back to the promised land, but nothing.  Life continued to happen around me and I continued to participate, but I felt like God wasn't listening because he wasn't speaking back. 

As I look back at that not-to-terribly distant past, I realize God was speaking, I just wasn't listening.  Wandering around in the dessert, He continued to send me "manna from heaven" - He continued to feed me, provide for me and protect me.  He continued to remind me that He will never leave me nor forsake me.  But I was so focused on some ground-breaking, burning-bush message that I didn't listen to what He was truly trying to tell me. 

Here's the message...are you ready?

"Be patient.  Seek.  Listen.  I am tangible.  My message is valuable.  Listen and you will hear it.  And when the time comes, I will move in a way that is unmistakeably me."

When we think God isn't speaking, maybe we should focus more on listening.  Pay attention to everything going on around us.  Watch for the little things.  And as we ask for the bigger things - continue to do so in boldness that He will deliver - but be patient...and listen.

Facts and Fire

I am really enjoying the 21 Day Fast reading plan (there are numerous Bible reading plans available online).  Something almost always stands out - something that God wants me to ponder.  Today's was in the Additional Content:  "What facts are you facing today that defy God's truth?  Take the facts to God...and believe with boldness that your God will be with you in the fire." 

The scripture in today's reading was Daniel 3 was about Shadrach, et al's stint in the blazing furnace.  They faced the fact that they were to seek their God and no other gods, no matter what the consequences - even if it meant being thrown into a fiery furnace.  The story is pretty remarkable - the fire was so hot that it killed guards that were standing outside the furnace!  But yet, Shadrach and his two buddies (I'm being lazy here - I don't want to misspell their names, but I'm too lazy to look them up - forgive me) came out of the furnace not even smelling like smoke!  WOW!

Fast forward to January 19, 2011 and Robyn Brinkley - there are several "facts" that I am facing today.  Thankfully, no fiery furnace (especially since fire is my biggest phobia).  But facts keep popping up that defy some things that God has called me to do.  In the past, I have allowed these "facts" to derail my commitment.  I have caved and lost confidence in my calling.  But God is calling me to believe with absolute boldness - the boldness of Shadrach - that my God will be with me in the fire, and in the end, I will step out and not even smell like smoke!

The kindling has been lit, the fire has been stoked, I'm in the furnace, and standing right next to me...Jesus himself!  Come on in and join me - It's warm in here!