Maundy Thursday Rememberance

Church tradition celebrates the Thursday before Easter as Maundy Thursday.  What is so special about this day?

For the Jewish calendar, this date was also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread- the day of the Passover Meal.  The Passover meal was to be celebrated to remember how God delivered the people of Israel from slavery, out of the hands of Pharaoh (Exodus 12). If you recall the night of the first Passover, the people of Israel had to find an unblemished, year-old, male lamb. They were to sacrifice the lamb and then wipe the blood of the lamb above their doorpost. The angel of death visited on that night and killed every first born- except for the people who were living under the blood of the lamb.

It is on this Passover night that Jesus shared the very first, 'Lord's Supper' (Communion, Eucharist) with His Disciples.  

Keeping the perspective of the dual-celebration going on here (Passover Meal and Lord's Supper), of which the Disciple's couldn't see the correlation, we can see the importance and prophetic message of the cross of Jesus Christ shine through with the connection to the spotless (sinless) lamb as the sacrifice. It is as if Jesus is standing at the crux of time affirming the sacrifices of the Old Testament and Tradition and then instating Himself as our the new sacrifice- our ultimate sacrifice.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'" (Mt. 26:26)

"Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Mt. 26:27)

Then one of my favorite parts, "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." (Mt. 26:30)

From the meal together, the Disciples headed to the Mount of Olives (Garden of Gethsemane).

Here, in the garden, Jesus prayed.  If ever you questioned if Jesus was fully human, while simultaneously being full-God, read the prayers of Jesus at this critical time in His ministry.  You can hear Jesus wrestling with his humanity and His Father's will.  

Here are some of my favorite lines from Jesus' prayers at Gethsemane:

• "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death."
• "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
• "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." 
• "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

He was then betrayed by one of His disciples with a kiss (Judas) and then arrested.  Jesus' journey through government leaders and false accusations goes on through the dark hours of night - each step closer to the cross...

.

Thank You, John Paul Jackson

John Paul Jackson

I love Jesus. His friendship, faithfulness and redeeming love has been my ever-present comfort and strength since I was just a little girl.

I've always had this connection with God that is revealed in nature and other “unique” ways- colors, seasons, smells, images, textures.  I thought of myself like a bit of an oddball since I felt I communicated/connected with God in these sensory venues and everyday stories.

Where most people thought I was crazy, I was introduced to a Godly man who founded my “craziness” and gave words and understanding to the spiritual world around me that I found myself.

His name was John Paul Jackson and today he passed away.

When I first learned the news of his passing, I was filled with grief. As the day trudged forward, the weightiness of the news became heavier on me. 

As I think back on my teenage and early adult years, John Paul Jackson is one of the people who had a tremendous influence on my life – though I never met him personally. While I was so very young, I remember watching (and hearing about) the interaction between John Paul Jackson and John Wimber (a Vineyard Pastor). I appreciated the way John Paul would work in conjunction with the local church and respect the Pastoral leadership of the Church community.

John Paul taught me that character supersedes gifting. 

I took weekend classes out-of-town called, “The Art of Hearing God.” In his classes I learned how to quietly listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.  He taught us, through various other teachers, how to play games and do some activities to isolate His “voice” and learn how to adjust our lives to listen to Him.  He taught about the three pitfalls of ministry to watch out for (Gold, Girls/Guys, Glory).  I discovered through multiple classes that my odd connection to God in nature and life activities was actually a gift and ability to see supernatural lessons and concepts in my physical world around me.

As I look through my old class material, I recognize so much of my formation as a leader arose out of John Paul Jackson’s classes.  His leadership training was unique in its approach of Spirit sensitivity, while being explained and supported by Biblical stories and verses.

John Paul’s classes were heavy in service-leadership language.  The goal of cooperating with the Spirit was never to be ‘weird,’ but to support and serve the Pastors and church leaders and to operate within the spiritual covering and authority God has given.

In my 20’s, I attended John Paul Jackson’s Dream Interpretation classes.  My ability to see ‘supernatural’ lessons in our physical world expanded as I learned how to listen to dreams and guide people to God through their dreams.  I learned that, indeed, God is speaking to everyone and drawing people to himself- even in the venues of dreams. 

John Paul Jackson’s legacy and influence on my life will continue forever- and I'm just one minor person. As today is Ash Wednesday, the scripture that came to my mind when I learned of the passing of John Paul Jackson is John 12:24 – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” My prayer is that John Paul’s years of ministry and planting seeds will continue to produce much more fruit.

Thank you, John Paul, for your encouragement and teaching to seek God's face, learn to listen to His voice and follow my Savior's lead.  You will be missed greatly, my spirit aches at the hole you leave behind, but I have no doubt I will see you again.

The Power of God vs. Faith

I'm preaching this Sunday on, "The Power of God."

When I used to teach teachers how to teach Sunday School I would warn them that during the week leading up to their message, God desired to interact in their daily lives with the lessons they were preparing for the children for Sunday.  It was a warning because some days teachers were teaching difficult lessons like, "Peter in Prison Praising God" or "God Loved a Man Named Job" or "Be Joyful in all Situations."  Teachers picked up packets knowing that God was going to give them lots of "material" during the week to bring the lesson to life and show that the Bible is not only applicable- but it (and God!) is active and alive.

When I first read the title Pastor Joe gave me, "The Power of God," I thought, "well that can't be too bad."

All day today I have sat at my desk reading through fantastic stories of God's power in the Old Testament and then that same power demonstrated through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Yet, while I type, I am simultaneously watching my phone for incoming messages from my sister-in-law on my nephew who is in the hospital.

I have to remind myself that faith is not necessarily answers or understanding, but standing in the tension of what I know to be true about God and what I'm actually experiencing.

Biblical faith is not determined by the "amount" of faith I personally have, but instead by what (or who) my faith is in. Which is why my measly mustard seed of faith, put at the foot of the cross, can cause the miraculous to come to pass.

Years ago I heard a sermon on Galatians 2:20 that has forever stuck with me. It wasn't until I picked up an NT Wright book that it all came together in my head and is making some sense.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

The sermon went something like this: see that small prepositional word "in?" Correctly translated, a better word for the context of the sentence is the article "of" which shows to whom the faith belongs. "I live by faith of the Son of God." It's not my faith- but His faith.

“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:20

I am hidden in Christ and can trust in Him. Even when I feel most vulnerable, or most uncertain, my faith does not rest in my personal situation or measly human capabilities- but in (of) the Son of God.  

"Faith by itself is no good - especially if it is faith in a god who is as powerless as a block of wood! What matters is the Creator God, who is the object of faith."  - N.T. Wright, Small Faith Great God

Despite my sometimes faltering personal faith, I serve a great, powerful and constant God and He is the basis of my faith.

God, reveal your power to my nephew!

Love and prayers to you, Matthew!

Join with me.

As I hear more and more reports of the devastation going on in Iraq, I pace the floor of my comfortable Clovis home and wonder what can I do?

When I first began hearing about the atrocities of the ISIS, I admit that my initial reaction was, "Can that really be happening?"

I don't consider myself a history buff, but I do know that phrase, "Can that really be happening?" is not new to our history.  That very phrase was uttered by thousands in the early 1930's as reports seeped in about the Nazi concentration camps.  Living in the San Joaquin I am keenly aware of the Armenian Genocide that also coined phrases like, "Did that really happen?"

"All it takes for evil to succeed is for a good man to do nothing."  ~ Edmund Burke

The atrocities of mankind can be so extreme, if it is not directly affecting us, we would prefer to simply turn our heads and ignore the human injustice that is plaguing an entire generation of people.

That's just the problem, even if it is not directly affecting us- it could be us any day. As a fellow human-being, it should deeply bother us to see reports coming out of Iraq!  Regardless if the refugees are Christian or Muslim, Jewish or Buddhist, these are souls who are being knocked-off and disregarded.  If you, as a Christian, believe that classic, "Jesus Love the Little Children" song, then we should be responding to the cry of tens of thousands of people being driven from their homes to die of dehydration!

The most recent report I heard said that the Yazidis refugees have two days before they will all be dead.  Two days!  My "donation check" will not even clear in two days!  

I haven't even mentioned the over 100,000 Christians who have fled from their homes in fear of the ISIS.

This is real.

So what do we do?  We certainly do not avoid the uncomfortable reality going on around the other side of the globe.  That's what we did before World War II and look how well that turned out for countless Jews.  

Two weeks ago for Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birthday I read this quote:  

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to act.  Not to act is to act.”  ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

One of the many lessons Bonhoeffer taught me as I read through his biography is that people matter.  Part of my role as a Christian is to stand up for people, especially those without a voice.  We have the privilege and responsibility to engage in the public square.  I sat and debated with myself for two days as if I should post or respond to the happenings in Iraq or just keep to myself.  After all, it is not okay to mix Politics and Religion!  But then again...

"Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference." ~ Edmund Burke

As I scored through numerous agencies, I have narrowed down my search to the following three.  These Christian-based relief organizations are in Syria (35 miles from where the Yazidis refugees are dying) or other nearby countries offering aid and dropping relief to the thousands of people dying of dehydration.  Some are on the front-lines flying in helicopters filled with food and water into ISIS fire.  Others have set up refugee camps welcoming the weary.  These three organizations also offer prayer and the compassion of a loving God. 

I encourage you to follow one of the links below, see what the organization is doing and send a monetary donation to aid the thousands of people being affected.

CRI: Crisis Response International

Christian Aid

Open Doors

Once you make a donation, follow the link below to see other ways you can be a voice and make a stand against human suffering.  

Crisis in Iraq - five things to do

This is not political.  This is what Christ Jesus would do.

"When we stand for social justice, we testify to the presence of the Kingdom."  ~ John Wimber 

Let's bring about the Kingdom of God and represent Christ in the middle of hell on earth.

What happened to Chivalry?

I was walking into Starbucks recently and had the sad realization that chivalry is dying- if not dead.

As I was walking toward the door, I noticed I was in-pace with an elderly gentleman (a Police Volunteer in uniform to top it!).  I had to make a quick decision to either speed up so I'd beat him to the door and avoid that awkward moment trying to decide who would open it or slow my pace down and let him arrive first.

I voted on slowing my pace- I was not in a hurry.

As he got to the door, I began thinking about how, after he opened the door, I was going to be sure he could still get in line before me.  My processing was stopped short when the door quickly closed in my face as he proceeded in.

I could, perhaps, argue that he didn't see me, which would be impossible since we were practically side-by-side approaching the door from the same direction.

Of course it wasn't personal, but somehow the encounter made me sad.  I, unfortunately, would expect the same kind of situation to happen with younger men, but I was saddened at the action of a man- probably in his 70's.  Stereotyping, I know- but sad nonetheless.

I stood in line and reflected.

I have an 11-year-old son.  I will stand at doors and wait for him to open them.  He helps me unload groceries out of the car.  He will (without me asking) bring me a cup of water when I'm out in the garden.  Yes, lots of shout-out's to Micah, but it is also a lot of teaching and modeling by Bret.

My 16-year-old daughter helps tear-down our church every Sunday in some capacity.  I am constantly on her case because when she is hauling tables or crates around, every so often (not as often as it should) a young man will offer to help her.  She has been trained by society to say, "I am woman. Hear me roar!"  Well, she doesn't say it quite like that.  But a part of her independence as a female feels threatened at an offer of help, so she refuses it.

After many talks, she has learned to put down the table- or whatever else she's carrying- and let the man help.

My husband puts gasoline in my car every week.  

He does that not because I am inept at filling up my car.  He does it to show me that he loves me.

My husband takes out the trash each week.

Not because I can't take out the trash, but to show me that he loves me.

My husband opens my car door for me to step-in.

Not because my nails are wet, or my hands are full, but to show me that he loves me.

Of course this kind of love is beyond the kindness of a stranger opening a door for a woman.  But I, honestly, feel bad the men.  Men can seemingly do nothing right.  If they open a door, they'll get some crazed woman telling him she can do it- which is quite an insult to his offer of being kind.  If they don't open the door, women are offended by their rudeness.  So instead, our men are slowly, one-by-one, opting for the safer method of just walking through the door.  

Now, years later, men have learned to stop opening doors, offering help and being kind- they don't even see the need when it arises.  And to make it worse, women (like me) say, "What happened to chivalry?" 

The answer: Women killed it.

What to do?

Fathers & Mothers: Teach your sons to be gentlemen and teach your daughters to receive their kindness and offer of help.

Men: Better to error on the side of a gentlemen than a jerk- please open the door.

Women: Be kind and say, "Thank You" to men who offer help or open up a simple door.

Golden Cross Necklace

I don’t consider myself a woman of much bling.  I have no interest in fancy purses, designer jeans or beautiful jewelry.  I find I am more a collector of stories.

I’ve been a Christian since I was seven and I have always wanted, but never bought, a golden cross necklace.  No matter how much I have “wanted” a golden cross necklace, I didn't want to purchase one myself.  Just as my salvation is a free gift from God, for some strange reason (I know I'm weird!) I wanted to receive this special gift the same way.  

Nearly ten years ago, I mentioned in a conversation with my Nana that I’d always wanted a golden cross necklace.  I wasn’t intentionally dropping a hint, but she picked up on it anyways.  A few months later, for my birthday, my Nana and Papa gave me a wooden, blue cross on a golden chain.  The note in the box said that this wooden one will have to do until they find the perfect cross for me.

Five years ago, my Nana’s life was cut short and many of her plans were left incomplete.  I never received my golden cross, though now I deeply cherish my wooden, blue cross.

……………………………………….

Getting into my car after work at Weldon yesterday I checked my phone to discover I had a message from my mom.  She and my aunt wanted to get together and talk.  My thoughts went a million directions wondering why and what they were going to tell me.  Is someone sick?  Has cancer struck again?  Is there a problem with someone?

After we were all settled with our coffees, my aunt began.

She took my hands, looked into my eyes and said, “I am very proud of you.  You are impacting lives at your church and impacting lives at school.  Nana too would be very proud of you.”

I had no idea this is where the conversation was going.  Then she continued...

“I know Nana never got a chance to buy you your golden cross.  I’ve been looking and I have a few crosses I thought you might like that I would like to give you.”

My Aunt Connie opened up four boxes, each containing a golden cross, and asked which one I would like.

My “stay in control” personality could contain my emotions no longer as eyes filled with tears and I began to cry. 

My Aunt Connie has been watching the journey I’ve been on, and also knows the special relationship I had with my Nana that is missing.  She brought completion - wholeness - to my life in her simple act of buying a golden cross necklace.   

My new golden cross necklace is not a piece of jewelry I will haphazardly put on in the morning.  While the cross itself symbolizes my expression of faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, it also expresses a validation from my Nana, through my Aunt, of the message of the gospel that I am in chains to deliver.  I don’t throw the message of the cross around arbitrarily.  I wear it with purpose, conviction and passion.

Thank you to my Aunt Connie who not only completed my necklace journey, but now shares in part of my story.

Daily Advent ~ Dec. 20th

Advent 2013

Friday, December 20th

Old Testament: "In that day you will say, 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song.'" Isaiah 12:1-2

New Testament: "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.'" Luke 2:16-20

Sure enough, the shepherds found the baby and his parents just like the angel had told them. Mary and Joseph were staying in a cave (experts believe) apart from their family- even though they were from the line of King David. The shepherds are the first visitors to greet baby Jesus and the first to spread the news about his birth. They amazed person after person with their account of the angels and then their finding of Jesus in a manger.

I love the line: "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Life is full of ups and downs. I have learned to hold onto anchor points. Anchor points are moments in life when perhaps an event has happened, a discovery has been made or a decision has occurred that make a permanent impact on your journey of life. I can look back on my life and see those moments or events that have shaped me into the person I am today. When storms of life hit and I feel tossed around, I know I will not stray any farther than my most recent anchor point. Mary keeps the events of Jesus' birth close to her heart. What she will watch her son endure in 30 more years is so painful that she will need to remind herself of all the promises of God. The greater the revelation, the more difficult the journey.