The Wedding March

My most vivid memory of my mother was watching her graceful hands on the organ keyboard. As the church organist she often practiced music for weddings. Soloist, too, would practice the popular ceremonial 1950 songs of Because and The Lord’s Prayer. To me—it was music to a young ‘wishful’ little girl’s ears that still rings today.

Nearly every Saturday evening I accompanied the accompanist to weddings. The flowers, the solos, the candles, the bridesmaids were nice, but the thrill only came when I could spot the shadow of the bride behind the sanctuary glass doors.

Mom would pause; lay her hands in her lap while silence filled the room. My heart raced with excitement because I knew what was next as she gently reached up to manually pull the stop on the pipe organ that transformed the sound to that of trumpets. I can still see my mother’s confidence to announce the coming of the bride with her dramatic pounding on the keys. I still get Goosebumps just writing about the traditional wedding march.

As time also marches on, and just 4 days short of her 81^st birthday, I believe Mom heard the sound of Heavenly trumpets as the doors flung wide to enter Heaven. Adorned in pure white, ushered by the nail-scared hand of her Jesus—she took her first step into the Throne Room of God.

As I look back on her life I see trials, challenges she overcame, and much suffering however; God used them all to make the march sweeter because I can't remember a time when she ever took her eyes off the groom. I’m sure it was a graceful walk towards Him for her life demonstrated true intimacy with Christ. I desire is to leave the same legacy.

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8

Will our transformation end one day? You bet it will!

When? Only when we hear the signal for the march; not a second too early or too late.

I’m ready when He is. How about you?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Transformation is hard work if you truly make the decision to give all of your heart to Jesus. It cost. Pieces don’t cut it.

Childlike faith is the key ingredient, which melts wisdom and intimacy into a sweet relationship with Jesus. The luster of your faith of trust and dependence will bring about the brilliance of Peace and Joy.

A wonderful friend recently gave me a copy of one of the most transforming books I’ve ever read entitled, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Sarah shares her key to intimacy with Christ occured when she began to experience God’s presence continuously in her day. Time alone with God, in uninterrupted communion, taught her the ability to listen rather than talk. Her prayer journals have evolved from a monologue to dialogue.

Sarah now sits before God and waits for Him to tell her what to write as He directs her how to apply His Word to her life. She now rests in His presence as He relaxes her, helps her to let go, and tenderizes her heart to cease striving. Fear, anxiety, distrust have now turned to fullness of joy with a peace that surpasses all understanding because Jesus, Emmanuel, IS God with us.

Here is the May 19^th devotion from Sarah’s book as Jesus talks to her through Scripture.

I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity.

Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Do you feel Him near you today? He’s with you whether you feel Him or not.

This Too Shall Pass

Has your mother ever said those four words? Mine would as she consoled me with reminders of inevitable change. The absolute was fine in an undesirable situation but heartbreaking when not.

But one day the rollercoaster will end. All accounts will be settled. Nothing will need to change. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you will be complete; transformed into the full likeness of Him. We, too, will be at the right hand of God. Every earthly situation, good and challenging, will be laid at the Throne of Grace…all for the glory of God.

Why accept Jesus? Because it was He who defeated death once and for all. Only He is worthy to break through the barrier of sin in order to give us access to God. Without accepting Jesus you will experience the ‘second’ death. It is never God’s desire for anyone to spend eternity in hell, but He is a gentleman who has given us the choice to choose life or death. What will you choose today?

“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” 1 Peter 1:3-7 The Message

If you have chosen life then realize it doesn’t start when we go to Heaven…it starts now! You have everything to live for now!. Rejoice in all things for there will be a Day when we will celebrate our genuine faith. Keep on keeping on because this too shall pass.

Action Packed

In my opinion—if you’ve seen one action packed movie…you’ve seen them all. My husband has agreed to disagree with me for they are his favorite. “Oh, gee, wonder how many things will be blown up in this movie?” For which he replies, “Better than watching a movie with a bunch of kissing.” Oh, really! He talks like a Husband 101 dropout.

Watching soldiers scatter on the screen makes it difficult for me to separate the good from the bad guy. My face stares at the screen with total confusion but hubby knows exactly who everybody is, what maneuvers they use, and can even predict their next move.

This could explain why I’ve never been attracted to the study of the Old Testament. After the story of the Garden of Eden story it’s all downhill from there. Eve sins, Adam sins, then their sweet little children fight until one is dead. Who wants to read about bloodshed everyday in their Bible reading? Where’s the love story? Battle after battle as God’s chosen are faithful to obey one minute then run after idols the next. I mean really…where’s the love?

No doubt something big had to take place to stop the madness. And, it did when you start to read the New Testament when God became a tiny baby. Physical battles of human and animal bloodshed were not enough to bring a permanent end for individual freedom. God loved humanity so much that He gave His beloved Son to shield us from a gruesome and violent eternity.

Yes, one day the transformation process will end. Boot camp for eternity will be complete for there will be a day when He either whispers our name to come home or we’ll see Him appear in the clouds. One day the violence will end, pain will cease, and tears will not be necessary.

For those who declare they have tasted a taste of Heaven with near death experiences share it was the great love they felt the moment they sensed the presence of God and Heaven’s  residents. Love so overwhelming; human words are not appropriate. Now that’s a love story with a happy ending.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Thank Him that one day the madness will end and there will be eternal peace.

PS…Today is the National Day of Prayer and Happy Mother’s Day this weekend!

A New Do

As we conclude this week with part 4 of our 5 part series on transformation entitled, “Will Be a Process,” it is easy to agree with a resounding yes. This life is not only a test but an opportunity to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

For the past 3 years I feel like I’ve been on a growth-spurt that I actually solicited with a simple prayer, “Father, make me like your Son.” Little did I realize the cost, but little did I realize the blessing.

Please forgive me for skipping last week’s post. It has been a challenge with a right broken shoulder to do any task. I’ve discovered the weakness of my left hand as I’ve been determined use another weak part of my body—my right brain—to teach myself how to do chores with having my right arm in a sling. My poor little left thumb is swollen because it’s never worked so hard to grab things in the past.

The doctor has confirmed it is a miracle that I do not need the extensive surgery he first suggested. Because of your prayers God has enabled my body to produce the needed compound to patch up and heal the shattered pieces of my shoulder. Thank you for your prayers. Yes, God still heals!

God’s choice to heal my arm has not stopped at the shoulder but has moved on to my heart. Here are just a few lessons He’s taught me in my request to grow into the likeness of His Son; how present the Lord is in my day; prayers are always heard; patience is a must; pain hurts; family and friends love me no matter what; the world often rushes by without seeing affliction; how amazing the body is to repair itself; how others have suffered and have learned to adapt to their injury; how sweet it is when someone holds the door open; how much a left hand can do; and most of all…how it’s okay to have others blow dry your hair. I have a new slogan this week that reads, “Transforming a Broken Wing into Hairstyles of Humility.” Lately, my hairstyle has looked exactly like my husband’s. Little wonder why.

Praise God for opportunities to transform as we thank Him for experiences that teach us how others feel. As we pray for Jesus’ 5 senses to become our senses too, we can count on an eventful life; never a dull moment with Christ.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5

How is He guiding and teaching you today?

Next week we will begin the last part of our series on “Will It Ever End”.

Twist and Shout

Not startled by the sound of the 5:00am alarm on a Monday morning proved that retiring for bed early the night before paid off. My husband and I leaped out of bed to get a head start on our coffee drinking. He had packed the night before so as not to be pushed for his early morning flight to Los Angles.  

“Where are you going?” he asked as I sprinted out the bedroom door. “Thought I’d grab my laptop and check on my task list to see what I have going on today. I’ll be right back. Be thinking of what you’d like for breakfast.” Today we would, both, accomplish much.

My memory served me right as there sat old faithful on the kitchen desk in the brightness of a streetlight. No reason to turn on a light for this was going to be a quick and deliberate trip. But then…the dance began as my foot stepped down on the lid of my grandson’s sandbox in the foyer, which was not his fault. (Further explanations will be another blog one day.) I began to twist in the air like a goofy ballerina on the lid of a Little Tikes turtle shell made of plastic. I landed on the tile floor with great force and…you guessed it…I shouted.

I knew immediately this was another bad fall. Five falls within four years is not an impressive record. I lay on the cold tile, in the dark, unable to move. The pain shot up my neck and down to my fingertips as I listened to the sounds of my husband starting the process of getting ready in the back bathroom.

“I think you need to take me to the emergency room,” I greeted him with my return. “What?!” In a split second our day had changed. My X-Ray proved a fractured shoulder in several broken pieces. My split second decision to save my laptop left the bone in my right arm in pieces. Did I really think my laptop was more precious to save than my own personal injury? Hindsight tells me I should have let go of the computer and hung on to the counter top.

What would you have done? I can clearly hear your reply, “I would have turned the light on!”

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

I’m praising God today for not only putting the pieces of my heart back together but His ability to do the same for my shoulder. He can heal anything! Do you believe that too?

Outsourcing

“What is it, again, that we do?” I repeated to my husband when we first started working together. He patiently answered, “We deliver body parts.” Body parts? (Try explaining that to your closet friends.) Then, he would smile and remind me, “That’s automotive body parts. We are a logistics company for dealerships. They outsource their deliveries to us.” I’d slowly shake my head in my blonde kind of way.

It was a process for me to understand the industry of transportation but one day I slapped my desk and shouted, “Oh, I get it! We pick up and drop off. Companies sell their goods and we deliver them.” As simple as this may sound—it took awhile to understand the total operation from start to finish.

Over the years of working beside my husband I have had many opportunities to ease drop on this fascinating industry. We are all turning into a global society that wants our items delivered…fast! Other methods can take too much of our precious time. Threshold services have enabled the world to receive items we were not able to receive at one time. As I have now experienced the Lord opening doors of opportunity for much more than automotive parts.

A couple of decades ago few were familiar with the buzzword outsourcing. At first, companies were skeptical to trust a portion of their business to another. However, with time, it has proven to bring about benefits such as: saving cost, focusing on their core business, improve quality, reduce time-consuming methods, and getting rid of the delivery headaches. It has been a win-win for all.

God is calling us to outsource to Him too. He yearns for us to do what we were originally created and designed to do while He does what He does best…take care of our headaches. He truly wants our core assignment to be Jesus to others by learning to live with the qualities of, loving others, being at peace, and living in abundant joy. Why is that we want to hang on to worry, fear, anxiety, and stress? Not sure, because we don’t have to. God says to outsource our worries to Him so He can bring about victories from even the worse of circumstances. Trust He will deliver you in perfect time.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

Would you trust the Most High Deliverer? It’s His specialty.