The Change

(it.wikipedia .org)

The Change – that took place that day.

Over the Easter holiday season, we watched a few movies about the resurrection of Christ. Fortunately, movies of this nature are improving greatly in quality. In one depiction of the days leading up to the crucifixion of our Lord, we saw people buying lambs to sacrifice at the Passover Feast the Jews celebrated at that time every year. The dots that history connects to bring us the story of our redemption are profound.

When the people purchased their “spotless lambs” for sacrifice, the prices were apparently hiked up, just as we would expect to pay more for food or extras at any festival. While we can eat or spend our money before or after attending festivals, they were commanded by Old Testament law to bring a spotless lamb to sacrifice. Rather than bringing a lamb with them over however many miles they had to travel to get to the Feast festival, it was more convenient for many to purchase one there. Those selling the lambs knew that the needs of the people would yield them a hefty profit. They could demand pretty much any price they chose.

Sometimes I “put myself in their shoes” and imagine what it might be like to walk a mile in those Jewish sandals.

I’d want to speak up and complain about the high prices being charged. But to be a Jewish woman then meant what I had to say carried little meaning. My husband would just pay the price being asked. Suffice it to say that I would have a hard time hiding my anger and frustration at being ripped off for what was a religious obligation.

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While singing during praise and worship a few weeks ago, this scene came to mind, where in the movie the Jews were paying for their commanded sacrifices. Almost as if I was really watching the people in front of me purchasing their lambs, someone in the distance caught my attention. A friendly looking young man waved in my direction. What could he want? Was he looking at me or someone else nearby? My face conveyed my question, and the man waved all the more ferociously. He was definitely wanting my attention. I smiled back at him and he motioned for me to come to him. Well, that’s silly – I’d lose my place in line. He shouted something I couldn’t make out and kept motioning for me to head his way. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled louder. Curious and amused, yet happy that we would be next to buy our lamb, I stood still. He began to jump up and down. I focused on him intently and I could hear him screaming with joy, “Helen, I paid for your lamb! I bought your sacrifice for you. Come get it!”

Back in 2025 I gasped and began to cry happy tears, shockingly wet, thankful tears.

Yes, that’s just what He did! As Jesus called out to me, I realized in a whole new way, He paid the price for me; that profoundly high price that was demanded for my atonement – my peace with God. Jesus paid it for me. My sacrifice was paid for! Jesus IS my sacrificial Lamb! The mighty change that took place that day, He took my place. He died for me so that I can live with Him.

Selah.

(worshiphousemedia .com)

“The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 NKJV

Watering.....

 

Mother’s Day brought flowers, I’ve planted new plants in my yard. They look beautiful, yes, thank you for asking. I make sure to water them regularly because they’re just getting rooted in fresh soil. They’ll take hold and perhaps next year, they won’t need quite as much extra water, though I do pamper the ones I planted last year with some extra water too.

What would become of them if I’d carefully dropped them into the soil of my yard and turned to walk away, never going back to tend them again? Out here in the dry Colorado dirt, they’d quickly wither up and die without some love, attention – and water.

Making this a point to ponder, we can see how watering is important and necessary for spiritual growth. Whether we’re talking about a brand-new Christian who’s just been introduced to the new soil of Christianity or a seasoned Christian whose faith has already been tried, we all need the watering of encouragement.

Evangelists sometimes get a lot of attention; they often make a big splash exposing our need for a Savior. Many of them are louder than the average bear and might pack a bit more energy into their presentations. But we daily share Jesus with the people around us, sometimes quietly and without words. Evangelists might be considered the ‘seed planters’ – and might also be seen as the harvesters. To the lost soul coming to Christ, it may feel like they’re hearing these truths, these ‘seeds of faith’ for the first time. But God has always been sending people along the path of their lives, planting seeds they may not have been aware of, preparing them for the harvester who will come along and lead them straight to the Throne of Glory to receive the salvation they’ve been needing, that maybe they didn’t realize they were looking for.

But what happens in between and after? While some have been planting seeds from the Word of God into the fertile heart of one searching for answers, others come along side them and water those seeds, showering them with encouragement and stories of God’s faithfulness in their own lives.

Without water, seeds quickly die off, even after they’ve sprouted up out of the ground. We may stumble across seeds of Truth, not realizing that God was at work behind the scenes preparing them for us, unnoticed there in the background of our lives. Jesus didn’t die in vain, He’s at work with His Father and His precious Holy Spirit wooing us, revealing Himself to us, softening our hearts and opening our eyes and ears to see spiritual things - and by His kindness, drawing us to repentance.

Without the waterers, what would become of us?

Even those of us who are firmly established in our faith need God’s living water poured generously over us from time to time. God won’t deny us that. He has plenty of waterers around us. No doubt, you’re one of them!

How do we water the people around us? Well, how do you find yourself watered – or refreshed and encouraged? That’s what the people around you need, too.

God’s Word is called Living Water, among other things. The River of Life that flows out of us is the Spirit of God that moves through us to the people around us when we encourage them. When we need encouraging, God sends someone across our path with a fresh bucket of Living Water for us.

If we’re not refreshed or nourished by the Living Water of God, perhaps it’s because we didn’t like the looks of the bucket (pride). How long will we go thirsty?

Much of my poetry refers to gardens and flowers because that’s one wonderful way God relates to me, He fills me with joy and stirs His Spirit within me when I’m outside amidst the beauty of nature, or when I’m breathing in the fragrance of the pretty bouquet my husband nourished me with. (He’s my favorite waterer!)

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for God.” (Psalm 42:1)

And sometimes - it's just rains......

You, my friend, are an incredible waterer. Keep up the good work. You’re VERY important! I thank God for you.

 

Interrupted

 

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When our hearing gets interrupted… by the voice of the holy God.

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m often listening to what’s going on in my own head more than to what’s going on around me.

I hear the voice of God when He speaks to me.

Sometimes.

The voice of God, as well as the voices of the people around me often fades away as I contemplate my own thoughts. I’m guessing that might be true for a lot of us. Talk to me while I’m reading a book? Don’t expect me to respond. I can get lost in what I’m reading. Sometimes I’m focusing hard to understand what I’m reading, sometimes I’m imagining the scenes unfolding around me as I delve into a story.

There are many times I don’t seem focused at all; times I seem to tune out and disconnect from the world around me. That might be normal too, in a world where there are so many distractions thrown at us from every direction. Maybe that’s why I love hiking through the mountains, it’s easier to disconnect from the world out there. Do I bring my phone? Of course! I have to take pictures of the beauty that surrounds me! Or do I? Sometimes God interrupts my glee with a whisper suggesting that maybe I don’t take a picture of that flower or mountain view or creek bed – that He made it just for me to enjoy, not to share. Sometimes I think He creates certain flowers just for me. I can almost feel His hug as I bask in His beauty, like it’s just the two of us and the rest of the world spins on without us.

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I believe God is always communicating with us, whether through nature, His written Word, a voice we “feel” or even in an audible voice. He speaks to us through the people around us, He speaks to us through circumstances, He talks to us through the stories we find in history. He speaks through science. He shouts through the arts. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything He can’t use to speak through. As He relates to us, He’s always seeking to draw us closer to Himself, where He can protect us and keep us safe and love on us more intimately.

Sometimes, whether we’re listening or not, He interrupts us.

Have you ever been working diligently at something, then absent-mindedly looked up from what you were focused on to gasp in wonder at the sight of something (or someone) beautiful?

Have you ever been worried or concerned about a situation, only to discover the solution was within you the whole time?

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Have you ever been so staunchly convinced that your viewpoint was correct, then suddenly realized that you were looking at it wrong, that your perspective was off, all without anyone needing to persuade you?

Have you ever been sincerely praying for someone from the depths of your heart, then furrowed your brows, almost in confusion as you began to pray in a different direction?

God’s interruptions can be gentle or abrupt. He will surprise us, maybe taking us in a new direction, and He will confirm things for us – sometimes all in the same breath.

The only lenses we can see through are the ones we’ve seen through in the past, until we’re interrupted with a new lens.

This is one of the many exciting benefits of having the God of the Universe living within us!

And yes, He interrupts those who don’t know Him yet, too. His interruptions will captivate our hearts and on some (maybe unknown) level, we’ll feel His love quieting our hearts and healing our wounds and guiding and directing us through His perfect peace.

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“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.” 

– Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

His thoughts are not ours – but He’ll share them with us! Hallelujah!

Tell me about some of your divine interruptions. Where has God turned you around – or simply surprised you?

Other People's Prayers

 

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Some of us explain everything in detail to God about a situation, as if we're explaining everything FOR God. This reminds me of a method of writing a report that needed to be a certain number of pages long, where we might include abstract points just to take up space on the pages.

Some of us are a bit flowery with our prayers, as if the beautiful, flowing words of our prayer will impact their power. 

Some of us insert a phrase or title for God multiple times in each breath of a prayer. 

Some of us equate the length of our prayer to how well it will be received, trying to impress God with the effort we've put into it. 

Some of us interrupt ourselves while we pray, perhaps to talk to someone else in the room or to mentally make note about things we need to do later in the day or week...

Some of us are pithy or pray bullet points, giving just the facts to God, as we see them. 

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Some of us pause often, perhaps listening for what God is saying in response, or maybe we've lost our own thought. 

Some of us cry while we pray, maybe we feel our prayers are more earnest when accompanied with tears, perhaps because what we're praying about truly moves our heart and we expect that it will move God's heart, as well.

Sometimes our prayers may come out sounding vain and repetitive. Only we know if they're coming from the heart or are merely a grouping of words we've memorized. 

Sometimes our prayers sound desperate - sometimes we ARE desperate. 

Sometimes we can't find the words to pray. 

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Some of our prayers may sound trite and unimportant to anyone but us.

Some of us may even think our prayers are unimportant to God, Himself. 

Some of us may feel unworthy to pray, bringing our prayers and needs before the perfect God of all. 

Some of us pray very loud, perhaps thinking the louder our voice, the better God will hear us. 

Some of us refuse to pray out loud or in front of others. 

Some of us fall asleep while praying. 

Some of us repeat ourselves when we pray, perhaps we've forgotten we just mentioned it to God or we're making sure He takes special note of this particular request. And then, we repeat it again. And again. 

Some of us kneel when we pray. 

Some of us stand or walk around or sit or lie down when we pray. 

Some of us write out our prayers.

Some of us close our eyes when we pray, some of us keep them wide open. 

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Some of us are embarrassed to pray. 

Some of us are very proud to pray. 

Some of us pray bossy prayers. 

Some of us pray as if we have no clue what to say. 

Some of us pray as a tradition or habit (over our meals, for example) without giving thought to what we've prayed.

Some of us pray spontaneously. 

Some of us fold our hands when we pray. 

Some lift our hands toward heaven. 

Some of us pray, not believing God hears us. 

Some of us ask God for things like we're reading off a Christmas wish list. 

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Some of us judge the way others pray. 

 

Some of us pray..... 

 

Other people's prayers are theirs to pray. 

Our prayers are ours to give up to God. 

God desires our company, our attention, our time and our love. He'll direct our prayers if we'll allow Him into our prayer time. He wants to hear our hearts, yielded to Him. Honestly, humbly and boldly. 

We're not being graded on the quality or style of our prayers. We're making way for and creating a time of communion with God; unity between Creator and creation. We're surrendering our heart.

(picture from kingdombuilders .com)

 "Pray without ceasing."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Philippians 4:6 NIV

 

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Matthew 21:22 KJV

 

"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

Mark 11:23 KJV

 

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession."

James 1:2-18 NLT

 

(picture from biblestudytools .com)

....so we can love

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 I was pondering the part of the Bible, made famous because it’s often read at weddings. Commonly called the Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, tells us that:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails….” (NIV)

Maybe it was read at your wedding, suggesting of course, that this is how you and your spouse will love each other.

There is so much there it would take a lengthy book to explore, and even then, we could miss some of the most important points.

This kind of love is Agape Love; the kind of love that comes only from our heavenly Father. Once we allow His love into our hearts, we get to love with it too.

I want to ponder one short portion today. “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”

Think about that; chew on it.

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God keeps no record of wrongs! God’s love isn’t something He has or does, God IS love. He is perfect love. And of the many attributes there are to His love and Who He is – one declares that He keeps no record of wrongs.

Remember, this is how the world knows we’re His children, by our love. This crazy, limitless, outrageous love that God has for us, that now lives inside of us – this phenomenal, powerful, forgiving love is the love we’re supposed to be sharing with everyone around us. (Yes, even those we perceive to be our enemies. In Matthew 25:43-44 Jesus tells us, “You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….” Okay, go ahead, swallow hard, but keep reading.)

So, if the love we’re sharing with each other is the same love God loves us with, that means we keep no record of wrongs.

I’ll admit that caught in my throat for a few minutes as I realized there were people I had ledgers for in my heart, and yes, that’s where I kept their record of wrongs. As I pictured those studious hardback notebooks, I didn’t even open them. They felt heavy in my mind’s eye, as I momentarily held them. Knowing that God’s love doesn’t keep or approve of books like this, I quickly handed them over to Him to do with as He would.

If we are keeping a record of wrongs, we haven’t forgiven. And we’re certainly not loving these people with the love of God.

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Let me say that again.

If we are keeping a record of wrongs, we haven’t forgiven. And we’re certainly not loving these people with the love of God.

The only reason to keep a record of how we’ve been wronged is so that we can justify our hatred and unforgiveness. Neither is acceptable to God our Father. Jesus didn’t die and rise from the dead to empower us to hate and resent or avenge ourselves. Everything He does is so that we can love.

“Forgive me, Father. Here are those records of wrong. You’re the only just judge. I trust You. Amen.”

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What's in Your Closet?

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“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him….” – Revelation 3:20 KJV 

John Pantry is a singer we met in England who recorded some phenomenally incredible music. One song used this scripture as it’s premise and the chorus cheerfully beckons, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock and if any man hears my voice, I will enter in and take away his sin and together we will rejoice.” To hear the song, click here: Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock 

Pondering this verse led me to the thought that every verse we read in scripture means more to us each time we read it. God reveals new truth to us every time we read His Word, as we’re ready for it. “Behold”, He says, “I stand at the door and knock….” What door is He knocking on? The common answer is the door to your heart, because that’s where He longs to reside. 

But after letting Him into your heart, what if there are more doors for Him to knock on? What about all those closet doors you like to keep closed? Some of us will protest that there is no unopened door in their heart. Well, good for them. But some of us are an ongoing work in progress. 

We’re Christians, but we need healing in many areas of our lives. Our healing has already been provided, Jesus already took care of that. But sometimes we yield our wounds over to Him one by one, and little by little. 

You may just have a few closet doors in your heart, and they may not even be locked shut. Or – you may have many closet doors in there and you think you’ve got them all locked up tightly, secured against infiltration. No one needs to know what’s in them. In fact, you may have forgotten what you locked away in some of them. It's the silliest notion to think we can hide things from God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we have hidden away in dark corners, and He knows what we’ll be doing at precisely 4:03pm next Thursday. He knows everything we know, and everything we don’t know. He knew where Adam and Eve were trying to hide even as He called out to them. He knew what they’d done – and yes, He still loved them. 

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No matter what’s buried in our closets, it’s okay, God isn’t mad at you. He loves you more than you can imagine, despite what you think. But He won’t go nosing around in our closets until we open the doors for Him. 

Once you work up whatever courage you think it takes to face what’s behind those doors, He’s ready and willing to go in with you and get them cleaned up and organized and ready to show off to anyone who passes by. 

He’s ready to give you that certificate of forgiveness or healing or deliverance or whatever the closet calls for. 

Television commercials ask, What’s in YOUR wallet? 

 Let me ask, rhetorically, What’s in YOUR closet? 

He’s knocking…….

What Are You Questioning?

 

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Seldom, but sometimes I sit down at my keyboard and ponder what to write. Usually, something is already itching at my fingertips and words come out without effort. Today, I pondered.

I consider myself a follower. Yes, I follow Jesus – and I love that I love my Leader!

But I’m a follower with leadership skills and abilities, so sometimes, when I’m following, I want to tell my leader(s) “better ways” to get the tasks done. Some call it being bossy.

Being a follower, one who can follow instructions – I crave instructions for the most complicated things in life. Don’t tell me how to better make a pan of lasagna, though I’m open to suggestions. But those complex things, like how does a person resolve anger issues or put their past to bed – those need step by step directions! Maybe implausible, because we’ll heal somewhat differently, even if there are basic principles that would help us all.

(clipartlibrary)

Sometimes I get frustrated with self-help books and want to scream at the author, “Just tell me what to do!”

Life doesn’t always work that way.

Even here with my blog posts, some readers may want answers to life’s great questions. I can share with you the answers I’ve personally discovered, but they may not be YOUR answers. The only One with all the answers is the One I hope to point you to with every post I share.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.”

-         Proverbs 25:2 KJV

And in case you didn’t know, you ARE a king.

Revelation 1:5-6 tell us that Jesus “loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

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God wants you to have all the answers, and He uses us to help each other. But the most important thing He wants from you is your heart and He longs to give you His. He wants to talk WITH you, He wants to do life with you. He wants to give you the best life possible, He wants to heal all your hurts. He wants to set you free. He wants to live in you – and He wants you to live in Him. He wants you to put Him first because He put YOU first. Yep – there’s that intimacy thing again.

I can point you to Him all I want.

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But till you sit down with Him and have those conversations you’ve been avoiding, you’ll still ache. You’re not hiding. Not really.

Is it time yet? Are you TIRED ENOUGH YET of carrying the weight of your troubles?

God isn’t mad at you. Not at all. Run to Him. Be healed. Get alone with Him.

Psalm 139 describes the God’s perfect knowledge of everything about you. Read it here:  Psalm 139