that's a wrap!

We've all heard it, usually in the movies, or in the making of them, "That's a wrap!" Even after dozens of re-takes, at some point, the director decides that he's ready to move on. That's a wrap.

As far as I'm concerned, that phrase did not originate in Hollywood. I think Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer may, without realizing it, have been influenced from heaven itself.  That's most likely where the idea emerged.

Just for a few moments, let's think outside-the-box.  Perhaps one day, we'll understand it better, but for the time being, this is my story and I'm sticking to it!

Picture this: God has created the universe, and in it He has placed one magnificent show-piece, earth. The gem of all creation? Maybe...

He creates all manner of animal and plant life, and indeed, He is pleased, and even though His creation adores Him, He still yearns for something more---someone to talk to, someone to actually enjoy all that He has made.  In a stroke of creative genius, He makes one more thing, a man.  This man, Adam, was a wonderful companion, but God loved Him so much that He understood that the man needed additional companionship on his earth. (Can you imagine?! More companionship than with God Himself?!) He even said, "it's not good for man to be alone," so He created woman, man's companion.  But, He also added a final act of love...free-will. They would be able to decide for themselves whether or not they would honor and return God's great love.  Sadly, we know the rest of the story...our original ancestors failed miserably in making good choices, and for thousands of years, God tried to remember free-will.  But, He never stopped yearning for man to embrace Him completely, surrendering everything back to Him, as the ultimate act of love. (as parents, though on a very limited level, we actually understand "letting go")  At some point, He knew it was as good as it was going to be...so He called it, "that's a wrap."

Then, He sent the law to guide and govern our choices. Mankind became expert at picking and choosing which laws to obey, and which to ignore as mere suggestions.  Enough of this...that's a wrap!

Then, He sent the prophets. Maybe they'll listen to another human, He thought.  But, we were fairly well acquainted with rebellion by then, so we didn't pay any attention to them either.  That's a wrap!

In one final attempt to recapture our hearts and lives, He came Himself.  He came the same way that we come into the world...a baby.  He grew up the same way we do, one year at a time.  He honored His parents and did all He was expected to do.  He must have been thinking, "What's so hard about this?"  "Why can't they just love and obey me?"  Historically, by this time, the poor tired world was so friendly with sin that there simply was no sacrifice that could appease a  righteous God.  So, God himself, Who had become "flesh and dwelt among us," offered up Himself as the supreme sacrifice.  That's a wrap! 

I know I'm "preaching to the choir," as they say, but I wonder if you realize the weight of that magnificent act of love.  Did you know, that at the end of each long day, you can call it...you're the director...that's a wrap.  We will not go over that scene again...that's a wrap.  Take everything as it comes, the good and the bad, and determine quickly what needs to be reworked.  That includes the good things as they come along---don't try to ride on just one, create new opportunities every day.  Get to the end of the scene, no matter what it is, and call it done...that's a wrap!

Let your faith soar to heaven's gates a hundred times a day...see the Father's smiling face...feel His warm embrace...talk with Him, walk with Him...that's all He ever really wanted.  That's a wrap!

nowhere man

For the past several days, a song performed by the Beatles has been stuck in my head.  When I go to sleep, I hear it; and when I wake up in the morning, I hear it.  I hear it in the middle of the day, and all day long.

"Nowhere man, please listen...you don't know what you're missing..."

Over and over and over it plays.  I finally stopped and listened to the words with my heart instead of my head. Oh yes, God can even use a song by a rock group to get your attention.  He surely can!

I began to make a list...I asked the Holy Spirit to help me, and He did just that.  I wanted to know if there was anyone in my life, no matter what the relationship, who was headed nowhere...people who were flat-out missing the blessings of the Lord in their lives.  Name after name, He dropped them in my spirit, and without knowing what they needed, I just prayed.  I didn't want any of them to be stuck in a "nowhere land" with little hope left to hang on to.  Everyone's going through something, but sometimes we "forget to remember" that we're not here alone.  We get so wrapped up in our own little world---one teacher coined it the "us-four-and-no-more" mentality---but, whatever it is, it must be identified by each of us, individually, and stopped.

There is a rustle in the Spirit realm these days...a relentless and urgent clamor for attention.  A restless yearning for souls to be reunited with the Father is stirring.  We have to see the world again, the poor tired masses, like Jesus did.  We have to feel the compassion that moved Him to action.  While it's true that no one can do everything, it's equally true that everyone can do something!

Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.  I have come to realize that maybe, just maybe, that's the best time that the Father can get my attention.  We have wonderful "quiet times" in the morning, but then, too often, the cares of the world start taking their toll.  And I can barely hear His voice by noon.

So, for the time being, I am paying attention to "Nowhere Man." Every time it pops into my head, I stop and ask, "Who, Lord? Who is desperate for You and doesn't even know it himself?"  We need to ready ourselves to be part of the solution.  As the prophet said, "Here am I Lord, send me."

If you don't have a burden for a nowhere man, maybe now's the time to get one.  After all, when you have a burden, Jesus promises to carry it for you, so there's really no cost to you!  Just something to think about...

expected?

I have discovered that, for the most part, there are two types of visitors or guests: expected and unexpected. I suppose that you could expand that to include 'unwanted,' as well...however, that's really a sub-category that could be contained in either one of them. Interestingly enough, the unexpected visitor might be as welcome as the one who has an 'appointment'. The difference lies in the effort of what I like to call "anticipation-preparation."

For example, when I am expecting a visit from a dear friend, I want everything to be as special as possible. It's not so I can put on airs; it's because their time is limited and precious...I just want them to have a very pleasant interlude in an often tedious life. I want them to be glad that they made the effort to come by; I want them to feel refreshed and renewed when they leave.

Similarly, when I am expecting a visit from one of the adult children in my life, I want everything to be warm and cozy for them. That doesn't include wasting hours cleaning and scrubbing the house to a spit-shine finish either. I believe that I keep a reasonably tidy house, so instead, I am going to spend my anticipation-preparation time gathering up fresh supplies for their favorite meals, making sure a well-loved movie is on hand, penciling in additional time for a quiet cup of coffee and some "us" time. With great anticipation, I prepare for this often long-awaited visit. At times, I am giddy with delight as I imagine their arrival: the warm smiles and tender embraces, the laughter and joyful tears...it's all good!

I mention these things today only because I have learned a powerful lesson about anticipation-preparation. And I am eager to share it. I believe that our great Father God is the same way. I believe that every day of our lives He is expecting a visit from us. Imagine this:

There's an air of excitement that cannot be dismissed. All the servants (angels in heaven) are rushing in and out, chattering happily about the visitor they are expecting. In anticipation of the visit, the Father is checking on everything, making certain that all the preparations are being made-to-order.
He gently reminds them, "now today, she will learn about her friend's illness...make sure there is an extra helping of healing on the table. And don't forget that financial crisis that is looming...prepare an unexpected blessing and two servings of peace. Freshen all the bouquets with lavish amounts of mercy and grace, that's always a beautiful centerpiece."  Oh! the joyful preparations that are occurring this very moment. Now, imagine His genuine sadness when you call to cancel, or worse yet...you don't even call!

It's true. Each new day, He spreads a table for us in anticipation of our visit. There is never an hour when the fruit bar (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control) is not inspected and refreshed. Everything is always ready, and at the perfect temperature...all that is missing is the visitor. Trust me. His door is always open, even in the darkest night, (He'll leave the light on) you are always the expected visitor. Come early, stay late.