Stirring

2 Timothy 1:6: "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you..."

Where does a year and a half of our lives go? Snap your fingers and it's gone just like that... and yet... and yet... there is so much to do for His Kingdom and for His Glory.

When I started this blog in 2009, I did so because I felt a stirring in my soul to minister to individuals who I knew, as well as those who only God knew, and also myself. Afterall, what better way can one get to know the Lord in a more intimate manner than opening His Word, studying it and allowing Him to work through you to communicate what He has laid on your heart?

Humans being falliable, however, I slowly allowed my own intimacy with God to be put on the backburner of job responsibilities, family life, social activities and - yes, it's true - episodes of "Modern Family" as well as the odd reality TV show, political blog or whatever other time waster I could find. A day stretched in to two, then to a week... before I knew it it was 2011 and I hadn't even bothered to crack open my Bible in prayerful consideration except for the odd time... I kept praying mind you, but on my terms -- not His.

And then, like 2009, I felt a stirring. Maybe it was the activities in the Middle East or perhaps the earthquakes, tornadoes, monsoons and other phenomena plaguing every part of the world but I could feel that knudging... that prodding... that insistent whisper that I get back to His Word, His Blog (because that is what THIS is afterall) and do the work He has called me to do. I don't know when He will return, but I do know that when He gives us a gift - and I am honoured that He has given me a spirit of discernment and communication - we have a responsibility to use it to further His Kingdom.

Let me take the idea of "stirring" and give you a visual -- imagine you're making banana bread. You assemble all your ingredients, pile them in to your bowl and then allow them to sit there. You don't touch them or move to lift a spoon but instead you will them to form into a loaf. What happens? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Without the action of stirring the ingredients, you have no way of forming them in to a product worthy of baking let alone eating. Essentially your failure to follow the recipes call to stir, whip or mix the ingredients will lead to a pretty sorry loaf of banana bread (or lack thereof).

But what happens when you lift the spoon or turn on the beaters? The ingredients - which while untouched are both lifeless and unappetizing - turn in to a smooth batter that you then put in to a pan and bake in the oven. The product emerges and, if you've followed the recipe, it is worth eating and sharing with others.

So too is the stirring that God uses to prompt us in to action. You are free to ignore it and allow your gifts to languish in an unappetizing heap that does nothing for your own growth or for God's Kingdom. Or you can heed the stirring and allow yourself to be mixed into a product that is beneficial to others, to the Lord and to yourself. Ultimately it is your decision, but if God stirs and you don't respond you're about as useful as that lump of ingredients that you hoped would form itself.

That's the crux of it, isn't it? We can allow ourselves to be distracted by the ups and downs of daily life -- the things that seem to matter now but will matter little in eternity -- or you allow God to continue to stir you, in soul, mind and body, to do something great with the gifts/ingredients He has given you. The choice is yours -- but be forewarned, you can't "bake" yourself.

It's with that in mind that I return to this blog with a heart open to His teaching and pray that He will communicate through me to all of you.

Don't ignore the stirring in Your Heart -- it's there for a reason and one which He wants you to explore for His Kingdom.

God's OCD

2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

The last few weeks have been some of the best ones I have enjoyed since January 2009.

My thoughts -- which can get caught, like an old record, on bad and scary things -- have for the most part been quiet. I've enjoyed nearly a month of peace -- peace that is not coming because of medication (I'm on such a minimal dosage of it, it is almost negligible) but I believe, because God has given me rest. And my gosh, it is a treat.

The last week though has been tough... thoughts and fears are back, anxiety is up and brought with her that ugly sister of hers known as depression... it's like a bad movie. Only difference is in the last few weeks when things have been going so well, I've actually forgotten what it was like to have to contend with episodes of intense OCD.

But that's the thing, isn't it -- regardless of where we are at in life, we don't have to "contend", instead we have to trust, rely and have faith in God. It's difficult - some days, it feels darn near impossible - but it is what we must do in order to get through whatever ordeal we may be facing.

My ordeal is OCD. Perhaps yours is a broken marriage, an empty bank account, a sick child or an abusive spouse. Whatever the case may be, we need to trust on the One who delivers for His children better than anybody else, to rely not on our own strength, but on the strength of the One who asks not that we wallow and worry about our problems but instead find refuge from the storm in His open arms:

Matthew 11:29-30: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Can I suggest something a little nutty -- all of you out there, develop a case of OCD... no no, not the type of OCD I have, but the One that can give you a comfort in the midst of your storm when you think you have to do it all on your own...

God's OCD is explained this way:

O - Only

C - Christ

D - Delivers

Only Christ Delivers. Not you, not me, not your parents or spouse, friend or boss.

Christ.

His strength. His purpose. His love. His deliverance.

Christ.

When we choose to have that type of OCD, it can make every storm feel like little more than a drop.

However difficult the problem you face, choose to embrace God's OCD. It's both a hope and a promise, one that will never let you down.

Take that example of Christ on the boat in the midst of the storm mentioned in Mark 4:37-39.

Disciples screaming. Wind howling. The boat listing. Water crashing overboard. The sound of straining boards threatening to come apart with every lurch.

Where was Christ?

Sleeping. Calm in the midst of a storm.

And He rose at the disciples cries and said to the storm: "Quiet! Be still".

And it was.

Only Christ Delivers.

Then, like now. In the midst of their storm, and in the midst of yours.

Take up your shield!

Ephesians 6:16: "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one".

"Incoming!"

A distant cry rises up from the battlefield  -- you raise a weary eye towards the heavens in time to see a flaming arrow coming your way... it's bee-lining straight for you... for your heart... for your mind... for your soul... you cower in fear... hands raised towards the sky in the hopes -- however in vain they may be -- that you can stop this one from making contact... 

You've seen this arrow before haven't you?

- Flaming arrows of depression, a broken marriage, alcohol, lust or greed?

- Rocks of insults, shame, slander and anger?

- A sharp stick of inequities, surrounded by catcalls of indignities and reminders that "you're not good enough"

- A spear of hurt, past regrets, broken hearts, poverty, a failed job, a bad investment...

You cower at the thought of the arrow -- and yet, over and over again, you've allowed it to make contact, to push into you, opening up an old wound or, worse yet, breaking open another new one when you have yet to heal any of the other open sores you carry on your soul.

Let me ask you something: Aren't you tired of trying to fend these weapons off on your own? Isn’t it time you stepped behind something better than the feebleness of your own hands? Are you tired of letting the enemy get the upper hand with the same old tricks?

If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then my friend, you're ready to take up one of the most important weapons in the Armor of God:  The Shield of Faith!

Can't you see it there... gleaming white gold, bejeweled in splendor, with a crown -- His Crown -- of majesty in the centre.  It carries with it not only your protection, but the promise of better days.  It's a shield that is glorious enough to light up our every celebration and strong enough that we can lean against it in every moment of angst or uncertainty.

That, in a nutshell, is what it means to have FAITH in Christ... and to use that Faith as our protection or guiding principle in every situation we face.

Oh but you worry -- what if He doesn't come through? How will I know that He is there? How can an unseen God possibly understand what I'm going through right now?

Friends, your faith tells you that that "unseen God" not only knows -- but feels -- for every moment that you are going through.  He understands it better than you do, and His promise of comfort and protection is greater than you could ever comprehend.

How do I know this?

Because He's been there -- He's stood on that battlefield, He's weathered the arrows, the hurts -- and He's emerged VICTORIOUS:

Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15: "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."

A general never rises to the top of the military if he has never experienced the fight.  Point being, that God is the ultimate general -- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords -- He's fought every battle, He's beaten the scourge of death and it is faith in this God that you have the choice to hide behind when your times are toughest.

But it is -- ultimately -- your choice.  You can choose to pick up the shield when you're face-to-face with your personal nightmare... you can choose to feel the weight lifted off your shoulders and onto God's when you lift that shield... Or, you can choose to leave the shield leaning against the wall and try to swat your way through life with your wits and your weak hands.

If you choose the latter, you may succeed in knocking a few arrows down, but you'll experience a lot more pain... and eventually you will lose.

Faith in God promises NOT that what we are going through will not hurt or be tough.  Rather, God's Shield of Faith simply promises that it will "... extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one".  Take it at face-value: a shield that will be impermeable to the enemy and to whatever other junk comes your way... or a shield of your own making, fleshly, worldly, temporal....

If you choose to get behind the Shield of Faith that God provides, you're choosing to get behind a God that will cloak you under the shadow of his wings to help you weather the storm.  You're choosing to worry NOT about the next incoming arrow because you're opting to be safe behind an eternal shield that will see you through to victory.  And with every successful "thunk", "thud", "bam" and "ping" of the Shield of Faith deflecting arrows from you in the midst of battle, your faith grows... allowing you to trust more, to fear less and to experience a rejoicing at every victory you experience with God, be it small or large.

Faith is about standing strong regardless of the battlefield, regardless of the challenge. Seizing opportunity by confidently pushing ahead knowing that God has both your back and your front. (Psalm 91:11-12). 

But you have to want that victory -- you have to want to pick up that Shield not only when you are in battle, but each and every day... because you never know when an arrow may land.

I understand how tough it can be to just trust... to wait upon the Lord to lead you to victory... but true faith demands that we do just that... that when God hears the cry of our heart, He will answer... and we just have to have confidence that He will come through.

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".

I encourage you to take some time and read through Hebrews 11 and to see for yourself the examples of faith  of others who have stood in battle before you.  See for yourself how the might of God can deliver you through whatever trial you are facing.  He will.  He has.  He always does.

Do yourself a favor -- quit swatting at arrows.  They sting.  They hurt. Your efforts will prove useless.

Instead, pick up the Shield of Faith that God is offering you -- it will get you through better than you can ever imagine and will leave a lot less scars.

Diagnosis

Last Wednesday I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a condition that manifests itself in various ways, including through the sufferer engaging in repetitious acts or routines, as well as in -- some cases -- the person suffering from intrusive thoughts that they can not get out of their head. From what I have been reading -- and I am still in the very early days of understanding this -- people with OCD often compare what is going on in their mind to being similar to a record that hits a scratch and keeps repeating itself... over... and over... and over. The difference being is that the routines or the intrusive thoughts cause a great deal of anxiety to the individual suffering.

I was not sure if I should post this but I decided that I should post something about this because I do not want to wallow in shame about this condition. I don't think anybody, including myself, is served by hiding the fact that I suffer from this illness. And yes, it is an illness.

However, my desire to share this with all of you is based on the following 4 reasons:

1. Ephesians 5:13-14 calls on us to bring things out in the open so that the light of Christ might shine brightly on them: "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, or it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." I could, because I do feel ashamed, hide that this is happening. But I choose to share this with all of you so that you know what is going on -- and so that you can stand with me in prayer. I would rather that the Light of Christ is focused brightly on this part of my life so that people know what is going on, how they can pray and support me and my family, and because we are commanded to bring it to the open by God. Hiding things is not only disobedient, but adds to the discomfort and fear I feel going through this. I am not alone. God is on my side, my family and friends are on my side, and a great body of believers is standing with me as well.
   
   
2. By sharing this suffering, I am not only being comforted but setting myself up to be able to assist others who may be going through something similar. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort". I would rather use this situation to glorify God and His plan, as opposed to wallowing in self-pity about my lot in life. I was wallowing pretty deep this morning, feeling sorry for myself, going through an episode, asking "why me" and "where is God". But God is there and uses everything we go through -- every joy, every trial -- "... for the good of those who love the Lord". If you are suffering through this, then let's stand together. In fact, if you are suffering through anything, let's stand together in unity and understanding, knowing that God brings peace, healing and comfort to ALL who ask for it. But sometimes we need to reach out to grab hold of it.
   
   
3. It gives me a better understanding of "The Shield of Faith" -- which I will blog about later this week as part of our ongoing series on the Armor of God. What better shield to stand behind during my moments of weakness but the shield that is God -- the one that will protect me, will comfort me and will guard me against any arrows that come my way. It doesn't mean that some arrows will not be a bit bigger than others, but it does mean that when I am behind the shield, they won't hurt nearly as much as if I had no protection at all.
   
   
4. Because, ultimately, sharing what I am going through helps me not to be afraid... and writing this blog, digging into the Word helps me to ground myself in the realization that I do not stand alone. For example, had I not felt the need to blog today, I would never have found this wonderful verse from Isaiah 41:13: "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you". Fear can, and does, cripple you. If you let it. And sometimes, it seems easier to let it cripple you then to face it head on. But if a gangly kid named David can face a hulking mammoth named Goliath and swallow his fear by relying on the Great I Am, then surely I can do the same. I may not have a slingshot the way David did, but we both have the same rock: God.
   

Whether the illness or adversity you are facing is depression, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung ailments or even just a simple bad mood, remember you never walk alone... and what you are going through will not be anything more than you can bear, nor will God ever leave you.

This week, my friends, I ask you to remember myself and my family in prayer -- and to continue to pray that God will pour His strength, His blessings and His comfort on us. I also ask you to join me in praying for those around us who suffer -- publicly or in silence -- and who desperately need the comfort of God.

I've quoted this verse before, but I will quote it again: 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind".

We do have a choice to face our battles with fear -- an emotion not of God... or we can face it not only with our Armor, but with the power, the love and the soundness of mind that comes with it.

God walks with us -- maybe we should hold His hand a bit tighter to remind ourselves.

A Timeless Lesson

Today an individual who I once considered a friend posted something on her blog about both my wife and I -- it was very hurtful, nasty and meanspirited.

My first instinct was to pound out a letter being equally as hurtful -- but I stopped myself before pressing send... even though every element of my being wanted to deliver some hurt through email.

My wife laughed it off and encouraged me to pray for this person. I fumed.

And while I fumed, washing my cup in the office kitchen, I was reminded of this:

They spat at Him. They beat Him. They crucified Him.

And He loved them still:

Luke 23:34: "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"

It's a hard example to follow -- but one that I will.

I guess it's no longer a mystery to me why, last night, after I had prayed I felt the need to read 1 Thessalonians 5:15: "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else".

It's a verse I had read years ago and nodded to every so often... but last night I felt the need to turn to it... little did I know why... until a couple hours ago... until I nearly pressed send.

So I turn the other cheek -- not because it is easy, but because it is right.

Because His example is worth following more than my own pride.

He set the standard for us all.

Wearing our shoes of peace

Ephesians 6:15 "... and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace"

It's almost been a month since my last entry on this series and as I thought over the course of the last week about coming back to write something, I always found myself getting distracted, finding something else to do or, as we can all attest to at some points in our lives, putting it off and resolving to "get to it tomorrow".

Aha.

Today as I was giving thought to what it was that I would write about feet fitted in readiness, a question kept coming to my mind in light of my absence from blogging:

Where are your feet taking you? 

Are your feet taking you towards God in times of challenges and opportunities, or are they taking you through the meaningless drift of everyday life... washing the car, a busy work schedule and social life, money issues, going to the gym... in other words, are your feet running you into the ground so to speak with the worries of the world versus the promise of the Kingdom?

The reality is that too often we face life's most challenging battles with feet suited up with the world's sneakers as opposed to God's own Nikes.  The world's sneakers don't fit half as well, they provide no real stability and, frankly, after you wear them a few times your feet get sore and it drags you down.

By contrast, God's Nikes -- built by the Gospel of Peace -- ground the wearer in wisdom, in confidence, in strength and in comfort.  Everyone wants that in a shoe... especially when they are facing a battle.  Paul himself talked about the need to press on (Philippians 3:14) in the face of every difficulty because the prize (eternal life with our loving Father) is so worth it.  But, he says, you ultimately need to stand (Philippians 4:1).  With His peace.

I love the imagery of kicking off those old worldly sneakers in that ante-room off the Throne Room of Heaven... Angel Gabriel jumps out of the way as your old sneakers get booted across the gleaming marble, and you push your feet into a new pair -- a lasting, eternal pair -- of knowledge, of abiding love, of salvation.  

Can't you see yourself -- you have to face another day of monotony or hardship... your feet, your very soul (no pun intended) are weary, you don't think you can face or literally stand, another minute... and then God pulls out a pair of shoes... HIS PEACE... that give you a new lease on life, on energy and on strength.  It's what good shoes do. It's what God DOES. All. The. Time.

But there's more... with the privilege of wearing those shoes, that critical piece of the Armor of God, comes the realization that with the "readiness" (read: stability, strength, certitude) of the gospel of peace comes the need to not only stand your ground but to ensure you are moving His will forward with every step you take.  Because, yes, shoes help you stand strong and to be grounded... but shoes help you to move too... and that's what God wants -- commands -- you do ... to move His Word among the family you love, the friends you hang out with, the colleagues you share 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week with... He wants you to use His shoes of the gospel of peace not only to ground yourself but to spread yourself so as to ensure that the knowledge and hope you have from knowing Him is shared with as wide a circle as possible.

And what exactly are these shoes -- or rather, how does one define a term like "the gospel of peace"? Simple: Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14-18: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit".

We have confidence in the gospel of peace because we have accepted Christ as our Savior... it means every battle has been won, including the ultimate one which is the one where Christ defeated death, sin and destruction so that we might enjoy the eternal gift of life with Him.  As you wear these shoes, don't you feel the need to spread the peace that you know? People are hurting all around you .  We must exercise our responsibility to share that peace God has given us -- it's one of the requirements of our salvation primarily, but also something we recommit ourselves to whenever we dress in God's Armour.  

Each day is a battle, my friends... one side seeks nothing less than the destruction of man (John 10:10), while the other seeks more and more children to bring home to eternity with Him (Luke 19:10)... if we're wearing the Armour the way we should be, we need to point our shoes in the direction of sharing the truth and move that way for God.

Which gets me back to the beginning... 4 weeks without blogging... without sharing what God places on my heart is not what I am called to do.  Wearing those shoes of the gospel of peace have grounded me, and ground me daily, but I have a higher responsibility beyond just focusing on what it has done for ME... I have to use that peace that grounds me and share it around me, through all the talents and means God has blessed me with.

At the end of the day, when you're wearing the shoes of God, you are never too busy to go in the direction He points us.  When He wants us to stand, we stand.  But we always have to be looking for the next path on which we can walk with our special special shoes.

Pray for Noah

Dear Friends,

I was referred to this website by a friend's profile on Facebook.

This is truly a heartbreaking story about a baby boy - Noah (pictured above) - who is laying in a coma after having been shaken by his daycare provider.

The website has been put together - and is being updated - by his Mom and Dad.

They need our prayers and we know God hears and answers prayers. We also know how much God loves to heal and how He loves the little children.

Please pray that Noah will feel the healing touch of the Great Physician and that those big, beautiful blue eyes will open again. God reveals himself in many ways, including in situations of unspeakable hardship and hurt.

Please pray for Noah and his parents, Mike and Erin.

For more information about Noah and his family: http://www.noahsroad.com/.

Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble".