Category Archives: Seeking Truth

A letter to my sister on her wedding day…

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flowers

Dear Brooklyn:

As your older sister, I have spent your entire life trying to guide and protect you and possibly boss you around a bit along the way. So, today, on your wedding day, I will not stray from this self-appointed role. After twelve years of marriage, I want to share my best advice for you and your new husband. Scott and I are finally beginning to understand these truths in our lives. I can’t fit this on a Jenga block with the other advice and well wishes given, so here you go, sis.

As I anticipate the celebration today, my mind envisions a wedding of long ago. Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. When the hosts ran out of wine, someone who understood Jesus’ power, his mother, asked him to come to the rescue.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.'” – John 2:5-10

Beyond the miracle of turning water into wine, Jesus makes the “choice” wine. His wine is aged to perfection and it is abundant. As your sister, I cannot put into words how grateful I am that you and Derrick have “invited Jesus” to your wedding today also. Your faith in Him is a defining characteristic of your relationship. We know that the wine will be good!

My prayer for you and your new husband is that you invite Jesus into your marriage also, so that His miracles continue in your lives and in your new life together. He is a courteous guest and must be invited. I pray you invite Him into all aspects of your new union and He alone will make it into something exceptional.

Invite Him into your day early in the morning. Remember our grandfather in the 5:00 hour, with his Bible open and heart listening to God speaking. It’s no coincidence that whatever God sent him that day, he was faced to prepare it. Prepare yourselves also with the power of His Word.

Invite Him into your finances and you will always have enough money for the life He calls you to. He will provide in miraculous ways and help you to bless others abundantly.

Invite Him into your thoughts and your temptations to stray will be more easily averted. You will miraculously avoid the deceiver who wants to destroy what God is creating in your relationship. He can give you the best wine in intimacy with your husband.

Invite Him into your home and your attitude and actions will be more Christ-like. You will see the best in your husband, rather than the faults that naturally magnify over time. You will miraculously overlook the clothes on the floor and see the precious soul of your husband.

Invite Him into your heart and you will not live for yourself, but for Christ, who gave himself up for his bride, the Church. You will not make an idol of your husband and will not expect him to save you in any way. You will not become disillusioned when you realize your husband is not perfect, does not understand you or hurts you deeply. You will invite Him in and He will miraculously breathe life back into your marriage when the world around you would give up.

You see, He alone has power over the darkness that will try to invade your lives and your commitment today. Remember to invite Him in each day, for this darkness does not come swiftly and announce its presence, but ever so slowly, hoping to go unnoticed, working dellicately to gain a permanent residence in your home and your heart. Invite Him in so that there is no room for the deceiver to stay.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10

Today is a wonderful day, full of absolute celebration. We rejoice in the amazing man God has given you. We thank God and pray you enjoy a fantastic life together. The world will tell you to expect this bliss to remain; however, on this earth, expect trouble to find you. When these days come and sorrow seeks to consume you, you will have Him with you to hold you up. The Comforter will give you inexplainable peace amidst any trial and suffering. His power will be your strength and shield.

I love you so much and I am so thankful to have you to remind me of just how good God is.

Beth

Christmas Lament

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baby Jesus

I am not ready for it. I am not excited. I cannot fake it. I really could skip Christmas this year. As soon as I heard the songs on the radio and saw the pictures of trees lit up beautifully, I wanted to hit a fast forward button and get to January already. Enough. It’s not even the busyness, somehow I have avoided that pitfall (or so I tell myself). The truth is, I simply cannot allow myself to indulge in a blissful picturesque notion of this season. I cannot. I think too much.

I think about my friend who is a new widow and trying to decide when to go back to work, while she navigates her children’s emotions at every turn. I think about my friend who is in a hospital bed in her home, immobile for weeks due to a severe injury. I think about another friend who is driving back and forth to Houston for her husband’s cancer treatments, in hopes that he may have a few more months with them. The list goes on and on…we all have these lists and some would argue that the lists are the reasons to celebrate in the times we are able to. Perhaps, but I am just not there.

I find myself at the pinnacle of disdain for tinsel and reindeer and a song comes on the radio:  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Emmanuel. He is Coming. We anticipate Him. We celebrate his Incarnation, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He came and He is coming again. Rejoice! Rejoice!

In Him, my heart can be real.

He sees all suffering. He experienced all suffering. He is the Answer.

He is Emmanuel, God with us.

As I lift up my precious ones in prayer, I will lean in to who He is and pray that the Prince of Peace comes to us.

Jesus loved them

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Image“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” – Mark 10:13-16

 

This passage brings to mind politicians being photographed with babies at fundraisers and public events.  They are heartwarming, but the question of an ulterior motive is always at hand.  In contrast, Jesus disregarded others’ approval and welcomed the children who were considered by their society to be insignificant.

Tomorrow morning, my commission is to teach three and four year old children that Jesus wants to bless them, that he loves them and that he values them.  With Valentine’s Day approaching, the concept of love is in construction paper hearts everywhere.  Love is fun this time of year.  Jesus did indeed love and bless the children when he walked on earth and I believe he is present with each child today.

As I plan an hour with these three and four year old hearts, I ponder the humanity and deity of our Lord Jesus who loves them.  How can I possibly convey the depth of such love?

– a love that made them in his image

– a love that was prophesied from the beginning of time

– a love that left the throne of God to be born amidst severe Roman oppression

– a love that endured forty days and nights of temptation and hunger, that he may know every temptation their heart will one day face and be their Helper

– a love that notices them and seeks them out when the world will betray and forget them

– a love that suffered and endured a brutal Roman crucifixion so that they may be reconciled to God

– a love that will dwell within them

– a love that is unending and never fails

– a love that will convict them to take up their cross and follow him

My heart can hardly comprehend the depth of this love.  For tomorrow, the focus may bend toward construction paper hearts, but I pray that a seed is planted in their souls of our Redeemer’s great love for them.

The well-meaning disciples wanted to overlook the children of their day.  I must ask myself:

Who am I keeping away from my Messiah? 

Who do I hinder? 

Who do I consider to be insignificant?

The Bright Morning Star – part one

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– the first of a three-part segment reflecting on the visit of the Magi

In reading Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus, we are told about the Magi, who came “from the east” to Jerusalem. The Magi were likely astronomers from Persia and they are often referred to as wise men who spent their lives learning. They were not Jews, yet they sought out him born king of the Jews. Somehow, God had revealed a piece of his divine plan to them. I often wonder at the “somehow”. The star. For astronomers, a star was meaningful. God revealed himself in a language that spoke to them. I glean much hope from this piece of history. God reveals himself in personal ways and once He does, ideas, beliefs, goals, dreams, thoughts…they all change.

One of my favorite modern-day thinkers is Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health and the individual who led the Human Genome Project. In his book, The Language of God, he describes his transformation from atheism to belief. No soul in the scientific community would question his commitment to discover the limits of science and nature. He is as zealous as a scientist as Paul was a Pharisee. Once he realized that Spiritual Truth may exist and he had not explored it, he investigated. The Methodist minister he sought out gave him the classic work of C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. A giant among thinkers, C.S. Lewis appealed to Collins based on a originally similar atheistic viewpoint. God revealed himself to Collins through someone significant to him. Collins found evidence of God everywhere once he ventured into a true pursuit of Him.

Over two thousand years ago, God chose to reveal himself to the thinkers of the day, the esteemed Magi. What a revelation it must have been for them to travel and visit an infamously heinous Herod, the so-called king of the Jews, and ask about the birth of a new king. That is confidence in God, my friends! God continues to seek out each one of us in unique ways. God called Abram out of comfortable paganism to become the father of his people and dwell in a tent. The patriarch of our faith was called out from a land of moon-worshipers. When God reveals himself, life indeed changes. God has revealed Himself to my searching heart in personal ways as well. He is so patient and gracious with every kernel of unbelief. As I seek His Truth, more is revealed. Perhaps that is the sureness of the Magi, as they traveled closer and closer toward the Promised King, directly through the evil of the day, following the star given to them.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

The unspoken rule

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In times of deep snowfall, contemplations of life are ever-present.  Time seems to stand still amidst the beauty of the day.  In about six weeks, OB offices will be getting lots of phone calls.  Beware!!  In times like these, some conceive children, and I have conceived a new blog.  I have been writing about things dear to me over the past few months, mostly about my humble journey with the Lord.  I have considered these writings to be like a journal, private and personal.  However, I have become aware that while I live in the “Land of the Free”, I certainly do not act like I am free.  There is an unspoken rule that says we don’t bring up religion and we DO NOT say the word Jesus, as that is clearly narrow-minded.  I am routinely an active participant in such philosophies.  Routinely.  Well, friends, by buying into this cultural norm, I am indeed not free.  A gentle whisper is pushing me to break my routine and share my thoughts.  How could I not exercise this luxurious freedom when young women are horrifically abused around the world in efforts to be free?

I have dear friends whom I deeply respect that do not share my same worldview.  That is okay.  I am extremely grateful for this!  God is so amazingly multi-faceted that I cannot comprehend the depth of Him who is not limited by time or by my mind.  This blog is not a writing against my dear friends or colleagues in any way.  We have a mutual respect and admiration that goes beyond cyberspace and I pray that this in no way changes that truth.  I am simply writing about my own worldview.  That is all.  I am not a theologian, nor a writer, just a blonde, so proceed at your own risk.