THE SEED

 “The Lord said to the serpent:…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”      Genesis 3:15

Over salad and sweet conversation last weekend, my friend spoke passionately about the above pivotal verse in Genesis 3 and its importance to the subject of our “seedless-ness” trend.  I would be remiss if I did not take us back there today, dear readers, for it truly is God’s confrontation with the evil personified and portrayed.

We know that this prophesy is fulfilled in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Mark begins by speaking directly to its unfolding:

…John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins…In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven, You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.”           Mark 1: 1-11  

(As I’m typing this powerful Word, which Father God repeats two more times, I’m also noticing the descriptive phrase:  “…heavens being torn open …”  My thoughts leap to: “And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last.  And the curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom.”  Mark 15:37-38   This might be a stretch but the visuals are vividly similar.)

The Spirit immediately drove Him out into the wilderness.  And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan…”  Mark 1:12-13

As Jesus begins His public ministry entering the wilderness, He is back in a space of confronting Satan.  Sitting with that reality I wonder….could it actually be the same piece of real estate where the previous confrontation took place – only then it was a garden?  God alone knows that.  The important things are how Jesus handled those confrontations and of course, the outcomes. 

Dear readers, be encouraged as we fast forward to today. This is a bare minimum view of a vast theological truth.  Know that the most important thing of all is your answer to Jesus’ question:  “But you, ‘Who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.’”  Matthew 16:15-16

Oh yes, and do enjoy those wonderful seed-filled grapes, watermelons….and tomatoes!  The next blog will be much lighter.  I promise.          

Carolyn

 

 

SEEDLESS-ING?

 

“And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’  And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:11-12

It’s mid August as I write this, and we are at the height of a particularly hot, lush growing  season in NE Ohio.  Personal gardens, rural farm stands and urban grocery chains are overflowing with sprouting vegetation and fruit of all kinds and colors.  We are blessed beyond measure with God’s overflowing provision and I’m so grateful.

I’ve noticed though as I walk through my grocery store each week, that more and more bins are filled with seedless varieties of this bounty.  I find myself gazing upon these plants that are now…seed-less ?…according to its kind; and the fruit…no longer bearing seed …according to its kind!  My Lord, what is happening here?

I confess…. I do enjoy having more pulp in my watermelon and less mess in dealing with the seeds.  And….yes…how nice it is to just pop each grape in my mouth and not worry about those seeds either.  I certainly appreciate how much easier it must be for all my grand kiddos, managing their littles with messy melons at table.  But…in the big scheme of things… Lord….what is happening here?

Good ole Google to the rescue has informed me that this “seedless-ing” is most commonly  accomplished by human manual methods of cloning and grafting or genetic manipulation using hormones and chemicals.   Hmmm!   Do they think our bodies won't recognize the difference?   I wonder what our Creator God thinks about all these “improvements”?   

“God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit.  You shall have them for food.  Genesis 1:29

Sigh!...But then I got to thinking:  yes….this is a big deal.  But honestly, besides putting it to prayer, I can’t do much about it. 

However,… I definitely can do something about any spiritual counterparts in my life that may reflect this same paradigm!   Is there still fruit bearing more fruit in my thought life, my choices, my work, my friendships, my time management?  Or…are there areas where this might be diminishing?  Where have I already begun to allow stealthy switch-overs? Where am I noticing some sterility or a strange barrenness?   Where are there leafy branches...but no fruit?  When opening all this to God, will it still be:  “God saw that it was Good?”   Oh Lord, please let that be the case.

What about you dear reader?   Any seedless-ing creeping in?

Carolyn

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

Spring this year of 2025 has been late and very slow in coming.  Perhaps that’s why the process has felt so long and arduous.  Perhaps that’s also why the present breaking forth of glorious color and fragrance feels so profound. 

Almost overnight my city has witnessed tall woodland trees sprouting tiny green leaves; smaller decorative fruit trees lining property and streets, breaking forth with gorgeous blossoms; and carpets of bright yellow crocuses and daffs popping up everywhere.  This past weekend while driving, I actually reacted with audible gasps a couple times as I rounded a bend and beheld vistas of God’s creation beauty.

In a small way this sudden appearing of indescribable beauty has personified Resurrection Day for me, and what it must have been like for Jesus’ disciples.  After experiencing the horrors of His suffering and death followed by what might have felt like the longest of all sabbaths, I find myself wondering how the spiritual landscape changed for each one of those individuals?  What impact did remembering His words have as they tried to connect the dots with this new reality.  He was risen!!!!     He was alive!!!!!!  HE.IS.ALIVE!!!         

I’ve begun sitting in my morning devotions with each of the glorious “appearings” we’ve been given  in Scripture.  I’m sitting with the women startled by the angelic presence in the tomb and then running to tell the disciples; with Mary Magdalene grieving in the garden and then approaching the Gardener; the couple on the road to Emmaus as they walked and talked with the Stranger and then sat down to eat with Jesus Himself.  Speaking of eating, we know Jesus suddenly appeared to the ten on that first day, and then to the eleven and others with them a week later.  Oh and yes, we know He went before them to Galilee, cooking fish for them on the beach and then commissioning Peter for the work ahead. 

He was with them for forty days interacting; breaking bread; allowing…yes, even encouraging them to touch Him; and at one point, He even breathed on them. It appears He came and went suddenly.  Were the disciples hoping “things” would go back to the way they had been during those three years they walked together?  Or…perhaps had they begun anticipating that this would be a new normal? 

What are you experiencing now with this type of prayer?  What questions are in your heart?

Perhaps you could take some time with the Holy Spirit this Easter season to ponder these thoughts.  Just as on the Emmaus road, may He:

• Open the Scriptures to you concerning Jesus in a new way (Luke 24:27)
• Open your eyes daily to be more aware of His near Presence (Luke 24:31)
• Open your mind to appreciate and experience the Scriptures in a deeper way (Luke 24:45)

Jesus is risen!   He is alive!  The vista is beautiful. 

REMEMBER … THAT IT MAY BE CARRIED FORWARD!

Hello Dear Readers!

January is almost over!  Sitting here this Sunday evening, the urgency of time so quickly passing lays heavy on me.  It has been a month since the Lord and I spent New Years weekend looking back on 2023 and remembering the journey, the treasures, the sorrows and the highlights in His Word and in life. 

It was an exceptionally rich and pivotal year filled with canine adventure, travel, the announcements of more great-grandbabies on the way, painful losses and wonderful joys.  It was a year filled with learning and stretching and growing…yes even at this time in my life!  But the burden that must be shared is the major paradigm shift I learned and then experienced in His Word.   

I’m sure everyone reading this understands that we “Westerners” are often puzzled by or fail to grasp many nuances in Scripture – a “Book” – written by the Holy Spirit using Middle Eastern writers and embedded in a Middle Eastern culture.   That being said…we…reading with Western minds miss many Middle Eastern norms, idioms and nuances.  One of the major consequences is we read the Word through the lens of seeking what the Lord is saying to us, about us.  Our Western way of thinking is pretty self-centered unfortunately.  *However, the Scriptures are meant to be read through the Middle Eastern lens of what they are saying about God!   

So this New Years Eve as I remembered 2023, my focus dramatically shifted to:

·        Lord, what were the important things in 2023 You showed me about YOU? 

·        And…what trajectory / adjustments must I make that will posture me in 2024 to receive more revelations from You, about YOU? 

·        Then, what are Your purposes for them in 2024?  How can I bring them forward into this new year?  

Scripture itself bears witness to God’s perspective on remembering in order to bring it forward:

“…remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.”  Exodus 13:3

“Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy…”  Exodus 20:8

“Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.  Deuteronomy 8:2

“Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’”  Joshua 1:13

Luke 17:32  “Remember Lot’s  wife.”

As you looked back on 2023…

·        What important things did the Lord show you about Himself?

·        Pondering these, what adjustments will posture you better in 2024 to receive more revelations about Him?

·        What might God’s purposes be as you bring those remembrances forward into 2024? 

 Why don’t you take some time and ask Him.  It is still only January.

Carolyn

*McLelland, Kristi, “Rediscovering Israel: A fresh Look at God’s Story In Its Historical and Cultural Context”, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2023

How Are You Walking?

Greetings Again Readers!

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time for the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:15-16

Another surprise of this “Pax season” came with the simple trimming up of my daily rhythms to accommodate all the walks.  That included a closer look at the overall scheduling, plus the re-ordering of priorities and details.  I love order anyway, but this new discipline brought an unexpected new freedom…and joy!  I’m smiling as I write this because one of my neighbors asked if I had ever been in the military.  She marveled at being able to almost set her own clock as she observed Pax and I maintaining our new schedule. 

However, the greatest delight came with new opportunities for sim lev and halakh. You see, with my Western mindset I often found myself reading Scripture as an intellectual, almost academic pursuit.  But the Eastern way: “…is to sim lev, to set Scripture upon your heart, over and over again, so much so that it can’t help but seep into your heart—to consume the Scripture so much that it becomes who you are.”*  Then teaching would illustrate how the Scripture would be walked out halakh.  Jesus often did this using parables.  And Jesus and His disciples walked everywhere!  (You might want to pause here and glance at a blog posted below on Monday, June 8, 2020.)

That, was the ultimate gift the Lord deposited into this season.  He used Pax to carve out precious, sacred space and time for me to walk in His sim lev Presence.  My morning devotions stuck with me in a new way because I was revisiting them over and over again during each walk - halakh.  It was a discipline that allowed God’s Word to seep down into the concrete particulars of my life…to become who I am.  Truly it was the best use of my time and it actually was God’s gift to me using Miss Pax.

Dear friends, how are you approaching Scripture…intellectually or with sim lev?  And…how are you ordering your time?  Have you done a mini-inventory lately?  Linked to this blog (and in the side bar) are two helps to get you started:  “Seize the Time” and “Ten Keys to Peace.”

"Seize the Time"

"Ten Keys to Peace"

Blessed halakh!

Carolyn 

*McLelland, Kristi, “Jesus & Women: In The First Century and Now”, Lifeway Press, Tennessee, 2022.

Walking in Love

Hello again family and friends! 

It has been a long while since I’ve last shared and I’ve missed you all.  But here we are … a new blogspot, a new season, and a fresh assignment.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us…”  Ephesians 5:1-2

I’ve always known I love to walk. 

However, I discovered many new spiritual dimensions of life this past year as I accompanied a pup named Pax on her daily walks.  She and I would forge out multiple times each twenty-four-hour period to expend her energy, engage her attentiveness, and continue her obedience training.  You see, I thought it was all about her…but it wasn’t.  God had more in mind…and it turned out to be all about Him.

Pax progressed beautifully, blessing both her owner and her trainer, but spiritual growth also increased exponentially in me as part of the process. With expectations high and her energy level even higher, there could be no languishing because of the weather. Consequently, remaining active and in tune with Him through a wet and messy winter were the outcomes. Because our neighborhood was filled with lively squirrels intent on intercepting her concentration, out of necessity I was the one who learned to anticipate…and then stay ahead of the distractions. The life lessons in those moves became pretty self-evident…and the fruit from them continues to bring Him glory.

She had a ball, but I learned to engage with the beauty … yes winter beauty…of God’s creation as never before.  As the awareness of His active Presence increased, so did the opportunities to simply sing…just sing in worship.  We did…a lot. 

As a winter season approaches again, I’d love to share more of these insights with you.  My prayer would be that you will catch new glimpses of our God…and His participation in our mundane daily rituals. 

In order to do this, may I first introduce to you, Miss Pax…a beautiful white golden retriever pup.  She was a vested service dog, who lived in my guardian home for several months, between her seasons of “designated purpose.”  It was an incredible adventure on multiple levels as I hope you will see.  

Do stay tuned for more life lessons on literally, walking with Him in love -

“…from strength to strength.”

It’s so good to be back!

Carolyn

From Strength to Strength...Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

Dear Friends,

As the world…and these United States…begin to open up from Covid 19, it becomes more and more apparent that “…(we’ve) not passed this way before.”  (Joshua 3:4)

Experts are at odds regarding the order of lifting restrictions, the speed with which to proceed…even the paths to be taken.  Not only are leaders and caretakers exhausted from overwork and decision making, but now they are overwhelmed facing a very unknown and uncertain future.  If this is you please take a moment to be reminded of a truth:

“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness.”  Psalm 112:4

​Pictured here are a pair of well-worn sandals, replicates of those that could have been worn by Jesus during His sojourn on earth.  The Scriptures reveal that He and His followers walked literally thousands of miles during those three (or so) years: from Nazareth to the wilderness of Judea; from Jerusalem to Tyre and Sidon; from upper Galilee and possibly even Hermon (the Transfiguration) to Bethany…and back again to Jerusalem – multiple times.  Even as an Infant His earthly father would have taken the little family pretty much on foot from Bethlehem to Egypt and then returned with them to Nazareth.

Putting all this in perspective is mind boggling …and sitting with it brings other Scriptures more into focus.  What is seldom thought of in this centering process is the importance foot coverings would have had.  And…what is pretty much overlooked is their “evolution” according to need.  Did you know that ancient sandals (more like moccasins) dating backward from David to Moses to Abraham and beyond, incorporated a small spout type of receptacle in the toe area to hold oil and a small wick?  They not only provided protection but also provision to see the next step.  Literally, only the next step on the path was lighted. 

Friends, be assured that our Father has given a lamp to light our next steps just as He ordered the footsteps of Jesus.  Walk circumspectly with His Word and the Holy Spirit during these dark times as you seek the truth and make decisions…for yourselves, those you love, and those you are caring for.
 And remember knowing only the next step may be all you need. 
​
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105

From Strength to Strength...Lights in the Windows

Good morning fellow traveler, 

Have you ever been starting out on a journey when the darkness seemed particularly intense or having to push through on a really dark stretch of road? 

What was your response to seeing a warm and inviting light ahead?... approaching a house with lights on…bright and welcoming?... better yet, lights in the windows inviting you to warmth and safety?

Years ago, while having to attend some 8:00am seminary classes, a very early start to the hefty drive was required.   I remember my need of strong resolution as I set out, especially during those icy winter months.  There was a particular house on that journey that always flooded me with sense of safety and encouragement.  I would round the bend and there it was: bright, warm, and beckoning with candle lights in the windows.  I remember my tension always releasing with a sigh and my breathing relaxing with consolation and confidence.  My sense would be:

• There’s my safe place in case I need help!
• Yes, those people are awake!  They would welcome me.
• Daylight will soon be coming.  All will be well.

I have always placed candles in my windows for that reason.  That is the image, the message I desire to emanate because it’s Him, the Jesus I represent. 

How about you fellow traveler?  What has been your experience traveling this world’s dark roads?  How are you placing lights in your windows to welcome the lonely, the least, the lost?

We’re on one of the world’s darkest roads now ….Covid-19.  Recently a pic was posted on Facebook of a similar window with a similar candle …a  reminder of an ancient practice of Christians signaling and welcoming fellow Christians to a safe shelter. 

Put a light in your windows Christ follower…both actually and spiritually.  Reach out in your neighborhood, grocery store, workplace -even digitally.  Be that Christ light of peace, assurance, and safety to those who are frightened and lost.  Be Christ as only you uniquely can.  Be light and life to those around you, where He has uniquely placed you.

“Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.  That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.”  John 1:4-5
​
Your light will not be overcome. 

On the journey with you,

From Strength to Strength...My Times are in Your Hands

 “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God.  My times are in Your Hand…”  Psalm 31: 14-1

​Greetings Dear Readers,

The grandfather clock that has graced our family for decades is ticking again, filling this new home with its comforting and familiar presence.  It had lost its delicate balance in a move that recently took place in my life.  What a joy to hear its beautiful chimes after several weeks of an odd empty silence.  It’s amazing how loud silence can seem…forcing attention…inviting a pause…suggesting a sabbath to adjust.
 
Major change does require adjustment. 

I’ve been pondering what that must have meant for Jesus’ loved ones and followers.  Those three days and nights while He was in the tomb surely were the loudest yet most silent of times…the longest of Sabbaths.  These weeks, my devotions have been focused on what it must have been like for them after Resurrection morning.  I’ve lingered over those encounters…each filled with joy, bewilderment, wonderment, incredulousness, hope…yes…and adjustment. 

Jesus was different as He spoke with Mary Magdalene in the garden, as He spent time with those on the Emmaus walk and meal, with those who touched Him and broke bread with Him in the upper room appearances, and with the disciples having breakfast with Him on the Galilee beach.   I’ve been wondering what that must have been like for them.

I’ve also been wondering if Jesus sought out His mom.  The Scriptures are silent but oh my…!   If He did, what was that like for her?
 
And perhaps my favorite meditation has been His appearance to broken, weeping Simon who had betrayed Him.  We know it happened for the Gospel attests to it:

“…The Lord has risen indeed, and appeared to Simon!” ( Luke 24:34)

Pondering how incredible that restoration must have been, I remembered times when I had experienced the Lord’s amazing love and forgiveness, and thankfulness flooded my soul.

As I’m writing this I can hear my grandfather clock ticking.  An exciting new season has begun in my life.  Balance has been restored and new rhythms are in place.  Things seem back to normal…yet everything is different. 

For the disciples, Jesus had risen from the dead just as He promised.  But life certainly wasn’t back to “normal” after the silence of the grave.

How about you?  Are you adjusting to any new normals or are you in a season of silence? 

Where is Jesus in your life?  How are you encountering Him?  Remember, you may not recognize Him until He opens your eyes.  Enter into His stillness and wait upon Him.  Balance will be restored.  The clock will start ticking again.  He will lead the way. 

It’s so good to be back!  I’ve missed you all! 

From Strength to Strength...Thinking Proleptically...What's that all About?

 Greetings!

Speed and the expectation of instant results have become so normal in our culture, we think nothing of it any more.  In fact, we can often be found rushing ahead of even our own selves.  Let me ask you a question.  How many times today…just today…have you rushed to complete a task or a project only to have to wait, because the process couldn’t keep up with you?  I thought about that as I stood impatiently next to my little home printer… WAITING for it to process the “print” command I had just given.  Yes, I did burst out laughing. 

Seriously though, there’s another whole dimension to this.  When I hit the print key on my laptop while sitting in the living-room, there was no doubt in my mind that the document would print in the office.  I only had to walk the few steps necessary in order to retrieve it.  I was acting on a reality that was not yet actual.  There’s a word for that and an illustration of it in Luke 17:11-16.  The word is prolepses, and in that passage Jesus commanded ten men to act proleptically.

“On the way to Jerusalem, He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’  When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’  And as they went, they were cleansed.” 

In response to their cries for mercy, Jesus told them to do something outlandish.  He told them to go and present themselves to the priests in order to be declared clean (Leviticus 14:2-4)…even though they must certainly have still born witness to the raw soars on their bodies.

What would I have done in that circumstance, in that time, in that culture?  What would you have done?

The ten lepers were healed as they went.  What was that like?  Did they notice any change before they got to the priests?  Then, how did they react?  What would I have done?  What would you have done?

“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.” 

Dear readers, is anything happening in your spiritual life right now in which the Lord is asking you to act proleptically?  Are you being asked to act on a reality that is not yet actual?  Or…have you ever been the recipient of such a gift from God?  If so were you the one who turned back, praising Him, and falling at His feet? 

Lots to think about the next time you hit the “print” button on your computer. 
​
God bless you,

From Strength to Strength...Seize the Time

Hi Friends,

 

It’s hard to believe that the first week of August is over and we have rounded the bend heading into the Fall season.  Even as I write this I am sensing the change in the atmosphere as advertisers and merchants ramp up for the school days ahead.  I’m actually feeling pressured in an abstract sort of way.  Are you? 

Awhile back we offered a wonderful incentive for new website viewers entitled "Seize the Time."  Because this resource may be a help in staying peaceful and unhurried in the days ahead, we are now making it available to anyone who would like to check it out.  Just hit the tab below and remember the beautiful words of encouragement in Psalm 31: 14-15:

But I trust in You, O Lord;  I say, You are my God.  My times are in Your hand …”   

Also, the book “Traveling Through Menopause:  What’s God Got To Do With It” is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites.   If you, or someone you know is starting on this journey it may be a great way to fill some of that time you’ll be seizing.  Oh, and if you found it helpful, please write a comment for others to be encouraged.

Do enjoy the rest of your summer and God bless you!

From Strength to Strength...Fresh Iced Tea in the Welcome

Hi dear friends!

It has been awhile since we’ve talked and I’ve missed you all.  I just made a fresh jug of iced tea and placed it in the refrigerator.  Would you like some?

Keeping iced tea on hand has long been a labor of love for me and has always served well in making friends and guests feel welcomed in our home.  I’m smiling as I remember times when those dropping by would not even wait for the offer, but would simply ask, “Any iced tea made?”  This was especially true during the warm spring and summer months.  So fun!

Our version of that hospitality has always been unsweetened decaff tea and fresh lemon.  Very simple!  However, the vital secret of that flavor being released is in the boiling water.  It must be poured directly over the black leaves and sliced lemon…and left to steep.
  
Our lives are “kinda” like that, you know.  So much of what we’re struggling with seems complex and difficult, but the answers are often simple.  They’re found in the release of God’s work in our hearts.  Yet, often this can only take place when some of His “heat” is poured over our lives and our response is simply to wait. 
 
I’ve told a story of a personal life-season like that in my new book: Traveling Through Menopause:  What’s God Got To Do With It?   If you’re a woman in your mid-thirties or older and noticing some changes in your thinking or body that you don’t understand, you may find answers in this read.  Did you know that peri-menopause actually begins in a woman’s life around age thirty-five?
 
The book is very conversational and for sure, informational and encouraging.  Do check it out on the above tab…or go directly to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
 
Meanwhile, is there a pitcher of iced tea in your refrigerator? 

“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
I wait for You all the day long.”  Psalm 25:5

From Strength to Strength...Spring Up O Well

Dear Readers, 

Lately the chorus of a wonderful little hymn has been resounding in my spirit:

Spring up, O well, within my soul.

Spring up, O well, and make me whole.

Spring up, O well, and give to me

That life abundantly.

A few blogs ago we talked about Gerar and the unstopping of the well of “open spaces.”  I hope that had meaning for you.  In my life it has meant the release of joy…with fresh energizing from God’s Word.  This has been especially true in my morning devotions and the significant time I generally spend in the Psalms.

​

Often my “routine” has taken me to a familiar and reverent read of the “five Psalms of the day”… by date.  (For example: on June 1 I’ll be reading Psalm 1, Psalm 31, Psalm 61, Psalm 91, and Psalm 121; …on June 5 it will be Palm 5, Psalm 35, Psalm 65, Psalm 95 and Psalm 125,….. etc).

More often, I may begin there, but sense an invitation from the Lord to camp out in one particular Psalm.

Most often,…. I’ll find myself landing in favorite Psalms, and spending time digging deeper.

Lately, I’ve been drawn to Psalm 119,….with its beautiful acrostic verses filled with wisdom and high worship.  This is a song almost certainly composed by David.  The 176 verses are divided into 8-verse sections, arranged according to the order of the Hebrew alphabet.  Consequently there are twenty-two, 8-verse stanzas, each beginning with the corresponding twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

 

Further…nearly every verse contains one of eight words for God’s revelation: 

• Instruction
• Decree
• Precept
• Statute
• Command
• Judgement
• Promise
• Word

For those of us who rejoice in God’s high order of creation and revelation, this Psalm provides incredible depths for mining and heights of pure worship.

Writing now, I have been paused on verse 18: “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from your instruction” (HCSB).

Having dinner with the disciples after His Resurrection, Jesus said to them: “…These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.’”  Luke 24:44-45 HCSB

This Pentecost, may your eyes and your mind be opened to be made whole.  May your response be a geyser of abundant joy.

​
 Spring up O well…

From Strength to Strength...The Days of the Years

Hi Friends, 

In our last two blogs we’ve focused on the life of Isaac…his days, his decisions, his destiny.  Each of these unfolded one day at a time as is clearly spoken of his father, Abraham:

“And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived,…”  Genesis 25:7 KJV

What about you?  Likewise, your decisions…your destiny will unfold affecting the generations coming after you.  In our breakneck culture, how are you spending the days of your years?  Are you keeping pace with the busyness or are you slipping into the chaos of frenzy and hurriedness?  There are distinct differences.

Busyness                                                                     Hurriedness
Outward condition of life                                               Inner condition of the soul
Physically demanding                                                   Spiritually draining          
Reminds me I need God                                               Causes me to be unavailable to God
 

Jesus was always busy but never hurried:  “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place and there prayed.”  Mark 1:35 KJV

Start there.  Don’t let the busyness of your life migrate to hurriedness by squeezing God out.   Click here to take a look at our new incentive for greater wholeness and deeper peace. Begin by seizing your time! 

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Remember Isaac.

From Strength to Strength...Isaac...from Clarity to Blindness

 From a place of open spaces and clear sight…..to bitterness and the inability to see…

What happened?

Dear Reader,

In last month’s blog we observed Isaac, son of Abraham, settling in Gerar…sowing seed, cultivating land and living “life” around the well of “open spaces.”  We took note of his slow and steady activity, reaping a hundred-fold in one year.  We pondered what that could mean for us and our year ahead.
Now in this blog we will see Isaac migrating approximately twenty-five miles south to a place called Beersheba:

“And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father.  Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.  So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there.  And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”  Genesis 26:23-25

We don’t know how much time had passed, but it appears in Beersheba worship was still a priority for him.  We also see with the pitching of his tent, that he had decided to settle there.  For Isaac, the spaces don’t seem to be quite so open however.  Verses 26-31 reveal negotiations with warring tribes in that area and ultimately, the signing of a covenant of peace…politically and militarily.
 
“In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths.  And Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace.”  Genesis 26:31

So time was passing.  The days seem to have been full.  God had told him not to fear.  God had promised to bless him and multiply his offspring.
      
Yet, incredibly, only three verses later the Scripture reveals that his one son’s intermarriage with a woman from one of these tribes…“made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.”
  
What happened?
 
What happened to the man who, as a lad had demonstrated clear vision and a priority of seeking God’s choice for his life? 

”And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.  And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel…” Genesis 24:63-65

Yet…“When Isaac was old…his eyes were dim so that he could not see…”  Genesis 27:1

How did he become a man of years experiencing bitterness and loss of vision?      

How did this happen?  When did it happen?

Dear Readers, as you spend more time immersed in this character study, perhaps you could consider:

Where are you in your life right now? 

Where are you digging your wells?  Where are you pitching your tents?  What are your priorities?

When are you taking time to walk in the field, to meditate, to seek His choices?

How are you spending God’s “hundred-fold” resources?

How are you spending God’s time?

And what about the year still ahead?  Are you still in Gerar, or are you heading toward Beersheba?
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Which is better?  Which is best? 

Dear Reader,
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2018 is still young.  Take time to listen and hear what Jesus says.  Follow Him. 

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.  If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

From Strength to Strength...Where Are Your Open Spaces?

 “I will walk freely in an open place because I seek your precepts.”  Psalm 119:45

Greetings Dear Readers!
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It’s hard to believe we’re almost midway through February, 2018.  For me, January of this year has seemed oddly set apart with wide expanses of precious time spent with the Lord.  Some were ministry related, which included helping to facilitate a “Come to the Quiet Retreat” and a second Spiritual Direction weekend.  Some others were weather related, caused by harsh winter cancellations and delays.  In an odd way, the first weeks of 2018 have “presented” as a type of wide threshold…into the open space of the year ahead.
   
In light of all this, I’ve spent much time pondering a passage in Genesis 26 that had also impacted one of my daughters.  It’s all about Abraham’s son, Isaac and a very significant time of his life.   For the purposes of this blog, however, I’d like to focus, and point you in the direction of verses 12-33.  In particular:

“So Isaac left there, camped in the Valley of Gerar, and lived there.  Isaac reopened the water wells that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham and that the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died.”  Genesis 26:17-18

Because of God’s tremendous blessing it had been necessary for Isaac to move his whole entourage to this area called Gerar, and dig for water to sustain his camps.   Each of those wells has a story and several have names that reveal the story lines. Take some time, dear readers, to also camp out in Gerar for your devotions. Perhaps the Lord will speak to you as He has to me.

Notice though – and here’s the important part – all of this takes place while: “Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in that year he reaped a hundred times what was sown.  The Lord blessed him…”  (verse 12)
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Sowing seed and digging wells represent slow, but steady activity.  In the weeks ahead we’re going to be talking more about what that means in your spiritual life.  Meanwhile, spend some time at Gerar.  We really still are at the threshold of 2018.  Truly in this year, you could reap a hundred times what you are sowing. 

“He moved from there and dug another, and they did not quarrel over it.  He named it Open Spaces and said, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.’”  
Genesis 26:22.

From Strength to Strength...Opening the Most Precious Christmas Letters

Dear Friends, 

I still enjoy opening Christmas cards from dear friends, and reading their “enclosures”… those special updates on the past year’s highlights and happenings.  They often bring a smile… sometimes a tinge of sadness…always a flood of warmth to my heart. 

 

Pondering this I realized…I look forward to reading other precious letters at this time of year also. 

Those letters are the thoughts, prayers, and heart cries, that have filled my spiritual journals most of the past 365 days; and often, the faithful responses from Him, the Lover of my soul. 

Reopening those journals has become a yearly ritual for me. 

• What treasures are re-discovered as I walk through the past twelve months with Him again!  
• What fresh insights are gained from the vantage point of significant time having passed!   
• What opportunities are presented to discern His perspective!
• What treasures can be gleaned through those windows of remembrance!
• And perhaps best of all, what nuggets of fresh awareness can be carried into the new year!
• Take some special moments with Him, dear friends, even if you’re not a “journal-er.” 

You won’t regret it.

See you in 2018. 

“I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower.  I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.”  Habakkuk 2:1

From Strength to Strength...Migdal Eder

 Periodically the Lord brings a powerful insight from His Word that remains etched…chiseled as it were…in my heart forever.  Such was the case with Migdal Eder, “the tower of the flock” and the podcast my daughter and I listened to last Christmas while I was in Kentucky. 

 
The site, Migdal Eder, is first encountered in Scripture as the place near Rachel’s death after she gave birth to Benjamin: 

“So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).  And Jacob set a pillar on her grave which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.  Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.”   Genesis 35:19-21.   

Hebrew tradition also speaks of this site:
“There was a place just outside of Bethlehem city, but still within the region commonly known as Bethlehem, where Passover lambs (as well as those born at other times), were kept by specially trained and purified shepherds. The lambs were born in this ‘tower of the flock’ known as Migdal Eder under the watchful eye of the shepherds who would then lay them in the manger for inspection.  Either they would certify them for use as sacrifices in the temple or designate them to be released for common use. The newly chosen lambs would, according to some sources, even be wrapped in special swaddling clothes, as the shepherd would direct:  “wrap this one up.”

Then, somewhere around 4 BC:
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  Luke 2:4-8

Was Migdal Eder the actual location of Jesus’ birth?  Was this the ceremonially clean manger where Jesus was laid, wrapped in swaddling clothes? Were these specially purified shepherds the ones who received the angelic host that night?  Only God knows for sure, but isn’t it wonderful to ponder as we approach this holy day again?

“…So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on even forever.  And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”  Micah 4:7-8

God bless you all!

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To fully embrace and appreciate Migdal Eder, click to be directed to Christy Nockel’s website, “The Glorious In The Mundane”, podcast # 18.  Enjoy!

From Strength to Strength...What's in Your Closet

Well, there’s no denying it now!  The seasons have changed, daylight savings time has kicked in, and… the shortened daylight hours are a reality. 

While most of us will probably admit to a vague internal battle with sadness, it is kind of nice having this pause between lawn mowing and snow shoveling.   It also is nice to have long cozy evenings to perhaps enjoy fireplaces or wood-burners…and having that “extra” time to dig into a good book.

Ahhh and isn’t it neat to replace the wafting grill aromas with soups and chili and perhaps homemade bread or rolls (at least on the weekends)?   I think it’s safe to say that most of us are ready to pull out our fleeces and sweaters as well. 

However, this all means one thing.  It’s that time again.  It’s time to tackle that dastardly deed…changing out the closets and drawers!   For moms of larger households, it is a daunting task that pretty much requires setting aside a whole morning or afternoon.  I smile as I think about years gone by. 

For me now, life is much simpler.  As I finally faced the job last week, my mind really wasn’t on the clothing.  It was focused instead on the choices.  Do I need this?  Could someone else benefit from this “still really nice, only gently worn” jacket?  In my new season of life is this suit, or dressy banquet dress or long velvet skirt still relevant?  And speaking of relevance, what joy that jeans are in!  Aside from a pair of basic black slacks, all I now need are clean, well-kept jeans that can be beautifully dressed up or down.  I’m free!!  I am free!!!

In the last blog I challenged you to stop and ask yourself some questions…..and then decide, what is the greater good?

  

Thinking about your responses, this week’s question is: what are you wearing in the midst of what you are doing?

Scripture has much to say about this.  Here are only a few verses: 

“The Lord reigns.  He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength…”  Psalm 93:1.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,…”  Isaiah 61:10.

“Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” Colossians 3:12-13.

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“The royal daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is woven with gold.  She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;..” Psalm 45:13-14. 

 

As you think about what’s in your closet, ask yourself:  What choices am I making?  What is my soul wearing today?