Hosting Hurting

As believers we are bestowed many gifts.


These are not the gifts as we in the western world may think. Our minds have been warped with making lists for Santa and our working Grandma's never ending question of what we would like for our birthday.


No these gifts come from the Throne of grace to our inmost parts and it is our job to find them within and act them out.


I have been thinking a bit about the gifts. We as believers like to put a lot of emphasis on the certain things of the Spirit. We like topical approaches to gifts. I wonder if we make the the focus too much. The Bible says that we are filled with the Holy spirit to accomplish every good work that he has prepared for us to walk in. It also says that unto some there are certain gifts and unto others there are others and it is our job to act in those gifts. Also, because of the Holy Spirit in us, we can be whatever the person in front of us needs us to be. This is the truest gifts of the Spirit I believe. The ability that the faith filled believer has to rise to any occasion that is presented! What joy and freedom to love and serve in any capacity or challenge!


It also says of some gifts that we should all be acting in them. 


Hospitality.
This one is different. I believe we as a church say we are doing this one well. Let me encourage us friend. Who are we hosting? To be like Christ the scripture reveals that we host those who can't return the favor.


A single mom burned out, no family to rely on, and children to tend to.
This is who Christ would invite.
An old man walking around town to earn extra cash for the cable bill and another pack of smokes.
This is who Christ would invite.
An untrusting, disconnected child on the t-ball field who squirms out of a loving embrace
This is who Christ would serve.


Help me Lord to not take the easy way. Many are needing Your loving care. Help me not to continue to look to the comfortable who will entertain me in return for my own fun. Give me eyes to see those around me who need the invitation, connection, and fellowship that my home can provide.

True Worship

Worship.

We worship in Spirit.
The Great Comforter filling of hearts and minds with the ability to give glory to the One who preceded all things, created all things, and will finish the work that He began.

We worship in Truth.
Truth of who He is. The truth of Who we are. The truth of our circumstance, the truth of our obedience, the Truth in the one's  in relationship with us, and the truth of our honesty toward them. That is a lot of truth.

These are the things that worship is made of.

We give a cup of water to a child.
Worship.
We give an old man a raking job for too much money.
Worship.
We have a couple of tired moms with a bunch of kids over knowing the house will be destroyed.
Worship.
We let go of the things we value most for the sake of others.
Worship.
We lay down our biggest dreams.
Worship.

I notice something here. There has to be one thing that I lay down to bring the truest worship. ME. My pride, my expectations, and my desires. I lay it all down.

There is One who laid it down before us. For the sake of our eternity and salvation, He laid every single bit of himself down. Knowing full well is would cost him. I am seeing what it is going to cost. Everything.

Have no fear child, He will never leave you or forsake you. He who is in you is much much much greater than he who is in the world. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you.

Covering Shame

He who has been forgiven much loves much.

Luke 7:46-48
You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

I can't wait to meet this woman. I love her already. Sometimes I see sense people get a little uncomfortable with this idea. I mean can you imagine? Having dinner at the neighbors, and sharing conversation with people that people know and all of a sudden...that woman...you know that one? She is on the floor. This beautiful aroma goes up all about you and you look into every eye around you searching for what is going on here! 

True worship. That is what went on there. Forgiveness covering shame. That is what went on there.

So we go back to the one who has been forgiven much loves much.

The one who has not been heard and hurts hears better?

The one who has been looked over and over sees more?

The one who has been abandoned has the potential to become the greatest companion?

I wonder.

The way of the Christ love in the world is not what comes natural to us. 

The LORD works in mysterious ways His wonders to preform.

No one can predict the ways of God in the life of his child. 

We let go and let God.

We trust and we hold fast.

We praise him now.

We will praise him tomorrow.

His will be done.

Throwing Towels

Throw in the towel.

Although this saying originated in boxing, it rings loud and clear for many a circumstance. After watching their star player being beaten by the opponent, the teams mates could throw in the white towel of surrender as a last effort to keep their opponent from knock out or possible death. Back in 1913, when this saying became popular, there wasn't the hype of rules and fairness in the sport that we have now. There was respect in spite of that, at least enough to give way to the white towel being tossed into the ring.

I hear of many people these days wanting to throw in the towel. I believe that all of us come to a place sometime, somewhere where the surrender alarm goes off.  In our hearts realize we cannot keep these heavy gloves, the facets of life, in the air any longer. Some of us have more of these days than others.

Why?

Partly because of the choices we have made, partly because of the choices others have made, and I believe partly because that is where God needs us to be to get our attention. And truly, it is most likely all of those things combined. Then why is it, that out of all the issues we face, knowing that Jesus made a way for us to access heaven, and we have everything we need, do we  struggle with this plight?

The temptation to throw in the towel.

I like to think of Jesus as my hero on a white horse. The rainbow mane flowing as his hooves clomp steadily as he approaches my in my mess. He is here. To my rescue!

But that is not how the war is, down in this world. That is the scene of heaven. His example for us here is truth, suffering, boldness of obedience, and rejection. A poor dressed man on a donkey. These are the things we follow after him in. In giving up our rights to greatness. We too, lay it down.

We don't throw in the towel for the sake of given up. We place our surrender towel in the hands of the referee, knowing that he knows best the match and skill of the fighters. He sees how much we can handle. The whole duration that we are living in the ring of days here, he never leaves us alone. He is there to call a time out, telling when to let the play continue, or to call the match to an end.

The winner has been declared.

And it is not me. I must understand this to my soul. My part of any plunder is decided by the winner alone. Jesus Christ. The only One who holds the title belt to Heaven and Hades.

I may seem defeated, but when I come to the end of myself? That is where the release comes. The invasion of the kingdom of heaven into my life.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Well Water

In my keeps rolling around and around.

"He drew the well to the woman before He drew the woman to the well. "

-Ann Vanskomp

I think of Hagar in her loneliness crying out in the dessert. Listening and seeing her child crying out in hunger and loneliness. Her son's emotions untethered and her resolve failing. 

Blessed are the brokenhearted for their's is the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom of miracles and complete restoration. 

I think of the woman at the well. The woman who had five husbands and was living with the one who was not her husband. 

The woman who received complete love and a kind rebuke that set her free.

And both received a well. Both were given living water. What was it that God responded to so amazingly?

Was it desperation? Was it loneliness? Was it a cry that they gave in the night for help from the Living God?

I think maybe there is something on the brink here to be discovered. The secret of drawing living water from the well. The moment by moment meeting in the place where thirsty soul meets love poured out. The drink that refreshes mind, body, and soul so that responses are full of grace and other's are loved as oneself.

Hmm...The Living Well.