dark shadows

You probably thought this was going to be a review for the movie, well...no.  I wasn't trying to trick you, there just wasn't any other way to say it!  So, go ahead, now that you're here...read on.

Any student of art or science is exposed to the effects of 'light,' during some point in their studies.  And one of the most profound effects, as far as I'm concerned, is the presence of shadow.  Consider this: there can be no shadow without light.  Period.  It simply isn't possible.

And, that got me to thinking...

Shadows produced by light interference can be positive or negative.  Either way, we can learn some valuable lessons from the experience. To illustrate, I'll simply use myself as the example.  Suppose that I am feeling anxious or depressed or moody. At times such as these, I always look around to see where the Lord is.  Since He IS the Light, then I can safely assume that when I am experiencing shadow in my life, it isn't because He has turned...it's because something has come between me and Him...my source of Light!  I need to check myself for anything that is opposite of His fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control).  Maybe I am withholding forgiveness. As soon as I deal with that matter sincerely, the shadow will withdraw and the Light will become bright again. What if upon self-examination, I discover a root of bitterness that was never plucked up? It will thrive and grow, creating an enormous shadow between me and the Light.  I must chop it down, pull up the roots and never allow even a sliver to survive. What if I have simply missed an opportunity to have a Servant's heart and bless someone else...Then, my own self-worth grows bigger and bigger creating self-inflicted shadows over my life!

The Light is always there, but shadows exist whenever something comes between Him and me.  It's up to me to keep everything in proper balance.  Those are examples of negative shadows.

What about positive shadows?  I think they occur at those special times in our lives when He is holding us so tightly that we are completely covered "under the shadow of His wings." And let me tell you, friend, I've been there.  I've been in the depth of heartache and despair that is so deep that I'm not sure I'll survive, but that's when He holds me...real close...so close that I can feel His heartbeat, and it makes me calm in the midst of devastating troubles.  Yes, there are positive and negative shadows. Rest in the one and learn from the other.

traveling light

Have you ever planned a trip and packed up more than you really needed? Most of us have. We haul our baggage out to the car, haul it into the terminal, and lug it around some more while waiting to board. It's a common sight. We usually have too much baggage to handle comfortably.

In an attempt to make things easier for us, we are allowed to 'check' some of our baggage. But, like everything else on the planet, that privilege comes with a price-tag. Not only do you pay an extra monetary fee, there is the slight chance that any baggage that leaves your own watchful eye could actually go astray and become 'lost.'

The very idea sends signals for an anxiety attack for many, and so we stuff everything we can into the largest carry-on allowed, and stow it in the overhead. Then we watch the baggage cart and make sure that we see our checked bags loaded onto the plane. Now we can relax. All our of stuff is only inches away!

One of my favorite musical groups, back in the day, was Herman's Hermits. I still smile when I hear any of their tunes on the radio. But recently, for no apparent reason, a particular song popped into my head and took up residence for a few days...this is me: smiling, as I hum the lyrics...

"Got no bags and baggage to slow me down,
 I'm a-travelin' so fast my feet ain't touchin' the ground...
 Travelin' light...travelin' light,
 And I just can't wait to be with my baby tonight."

And...you guessed it...that got me to thinking...

For their purposes, the travel industry (particularly, the airlines) defines 'checked' as "being consigned to a common carrier." Imagine that! Our bags are actually intended to be loaded on the same plane that we are on, going to and arriving at the same destination. Ah, yes...in a perfect world. Perhaps the solution is as simple as the song suggests: just travel light, take only what you really need.

Compare the way we live with taking a trip, going on a journey. We often pack up more than we really need and just haul it around. We collect extra baggage made up of doubt, worries and fears, unresolved bitterness, jealousy and strife...the list goes on and on. If we insist on dragging all this stuff around with us everywhere, eventually, the inevitable happens: we can no longer board with all of it...it must be checked and stowed below. In reality, that's not such a bad idea...'check' the extra baggage...consign it to the Father (who loves you!) and allow Him to take possession of it.

Or, better yet...stop taking any extra baggage that might need to be checked, and practice traveling light. You'll find that everything you really need will be there when you arrive at your final destination. Replace worry with a lighter load...faith. Replace that unforgiving thought with something that takes up less space...mercy and grace. Pack love and generosity and take it everywhere instead of all the extra baggage that accumulates when we are self-centered and unforgiving. As you journey through this life...my prayer is that you will always travel light!

Just relax...and enjoy the journey!

take it back, or I'll...

When we were kids, if someone said something that even mildly offended us, we would shout, "Take it back, or I'll ____________ !" (you fill in the blank) That's right, Sista! You better take it back. Usually, the offender would respond quickly, thank goodness, and unnecessary bloodshed was temporarily avoided.

I think even countries behave the same way at times: "You better take that back or we'll blow you off the planet!"

Yes sir, where I come from, those are fighting words.

In 2006, John Mayer released the first single from a studio album. "Waiting on the World to Change" was an instant success. It had everything a great song could need, right? Catchy music AND a message!

"We keep on waiting on the world to change..." Well, while we were waiting, it changed, and not really for the better. People seem more agitated and at unrest with themselves these days. We snap at each other as though we descended from biting turtles. You don't have to look very far to find an incredibly rude person, it seems.
Yep, while we were waiting, things changed.

It's time to stand up in the face of the enemy and shout, "You better take that back!!!"  When the enemy of our peace comes charging in with insults and accusations, it's time to roar with the Lion of Judah, "Take it back, right now, or I'm gonna slam you with the Word. Oops, too late...'No weapon formed against me will EVER prosper. Go on back to the pit of Hell where you came from!'"

Don't give the enemy even one inch, chase him out of your mind, your home, your life! Then laugh and sing for joy because the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Oh! On a side note, don't ever confuse people with the enemy of your soul. God's love extends from the uttermost to the guttermost! The same enemy that torments us today, was there to torment our Savior while He walked among us. Don't go after the person, go after the real enemy. He HAS to flee in the name of Jesus.

Now, get out there and make it a good day...it's your choice!

tormenta

"Tormenta," the Spanish word for 'storm,' describes the event beautifully. Storms torment us and often take us unaware. Sometimes they are predictable; other times they come on suddenly and without warning. Either way, they come.

All day yesterday and through the night, violent storms raced through the region. With dozens of tornadoes reported, baseball-sized hail, inches of cold, driving rain, and winds exceeding seventy miles per hour at times, it was enough to set your nerves on edge! On nights like that, it can be difficult to get to sleep and actually rest...it seems as though half of your mind and body stay alert...subconsciously listening for the warning sirens to sound again. After a night like that, you can wake up exhausted.

Nevertheless, I woke up early today. After putting the coffee on, I slipped outside to "survey the damage." The sky was still heavy with clouds, the trees dripping with rain drops. But, the wind was calm. I made my way to our little secret garden, to see how things looked there. Even in the dim light of early morning, everything was beautiful. I removed the drenched tablecloth from the table that Jerry had so lovingly built for this special space and hurried back to the house for towels to dry the chairs. Even without wind, the air was chilly, but not uncomfortable. I grabbed my robe, and checked on the coffee. The magnificent aroma wafting through the kitchen told me that it was ready. Filling my cup and a thermos, I headed to the garden.

I had barely gotten situated when I realized that the entire yard was filled with singing, happy birds. In every treetop, they sang out. What a beautiful chorus it was! Since I had already put fresh seed out for them, I knew they weren't just looking for breakfast, and that got me to thinking...

Where were they when the storms battered the area? And then it was all so clear: they were hunkered down in their nests, waiting for the storm to end...because they knew it would! And now was the time of rejoicing.

What a wonderful life-lesson! Yes, the storms will come, and some will be furious and tormenting, but there's no need to fear. All is well. Just hunker down and wait for the storm to pass. And even if the sun has not quite driven the cloudy curtain back...SING ANYWAY!!! 

The sun will come shining through those clouds of doubt and fear, and your world will be right again. It surely will. You have a heavenly Father who knows your name, and His love is unfailing, His mercy and grace beyond calculation...and even the birds know that!

"Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, or the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"  ~Jesus in Matthew 6 : 25,26, RSV

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.