Sunday, September 15, 2013

MeccaMusing: Tired of Me - Part II - Preparation for The Cruci...

MeccaMusing: Tired of Me - Part II - Preparation for The Cruci...: Have your read Part I? Good Evening - I have had a wonderful weekend with the Lord, Frank, and dear friends.  It is interesting how much k...

Tired of Me - Part II - Preparation for The Crucible!

Have your read Part I?

Good Evening - I have had a wonderful weekend with the Lord, Frank, and dear friends.  It is interesting how much keener my senses are - all of them - when I am sincerely waiting on the Lord, seeking all of Him and none of me.  His presence makes all things new, right?  Every experience, even the smallest, has more meaning.

Over a year ago, I was invited to be part of a group of leaders that would work together for a year, meeting at an initial 2-day retreat under the tutelage of a wonderful Christian/business leader.  I was grateful for the opportunity to work with pastors, principals, coaches, teachers, and business leaders as we grew together, honing our "people" skills and for some of us gaining a deeper understanding of the leadership style of Jesus.  We culminated our year of learning with a Leadership Conference in May of this year that was truly life-changing - or in my case, the beginning of a change.

During this year-long process, our mentor said that some of us would be facing a crucible in our lives as God continued to "perfect that work which He had begun" in us. (Phil 1:6)

Crucible: "A vessel used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures; a severe test, a test of patience or belief, a trial; a place, time or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social economic or political spiritual forces that require a decision."  Spiritual fits the application to my life better than political, so I changed it.  Pardon the poetic license.

He was talking to me.  If it is possible to experience a crucible with elements of all definitions, I have done so.  I have walked through the fire like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (I don't believe the fire is quenched just yet.) and on the days when I did it with the attitude of all of Him and none of me, I experienced what Job did when he said, “Though He may slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).  It really makes the outcome not important, but gives the process of worshipping the Lord through the "high temperatures of refinement" a worthwhile, learning experience.

Notice, I didn't say an enjoyable experience.  I would like to say I enjoy the "crucible" of fire, but I don't.  I glory in what God is doing in my life, but my flesh writhes in pain, and the "me" in me "slings that tail to and fro" a bit all my by myself without any help from the devil. On those days, "ME" cries, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Oh, the arrogance and sacrilege of such a question to the Lord.

I am also in the midst of a trial.  Our pastor spoke this morning on testing and trial and how God uses these in our lives to "perfect that work He has begun in us."  God is good to continue to minister directly to me through people in my life.  He brings spiritual sustenance to me exactly when I need it and in such powerful, direct ways that it's impossible not to recognize that He is the source.

I am also being severely tested in a way that requires a daily decision on my part to specifically honor the Lord by honoring commitments whether or not I like it.  Ooh, ooh, ooh.  That is the worst.  You talk about getting to the nitty gritty of "me."

One morning as I was driving to work, I was pleading with the Lord to help me endure.  My prayer went something like this, "Lord, I've tried everything.  I'm miserable.  I'm at my wit's end.  I don't know if I can do this anymore.  You have to give me the strength and some answers."

Now, THIS, is what I love about my Heavenly Daddy, the Savior of my soul.  It is the way He chooses to deal with me - right where I am, not where I should be, but where I am.  At that moment, He brought to mind a scene in one of my favorite movies, Anna and the King.  That movie is full of powerful life's lessons.  One particular event was especially powerful for me.  God knew it and brought it to my remembrance.

The King of Siam invited an English school teacher to come and teach English and the ways of the world to all of his 67 children (He was a very busy king).  The teacher had a son the same age as the King's eldest son - probably about 10.  During class, they started scuffling over some inappropriate comments the King's son had made about the teacher's son's deceased father.  The English school teacher told the boys to write 1,000 times, "I will respect my classmates."  Her son completed his task.  The king's son stood with arms crossed in defiance at the blackboard late into the evening.  The teacher excused her son when he finished and sat quietly reading and waiting for the King's son to finish his assignment.

Suddenly, servants began arriving with food.  The teacher immediately reacted saying that the King's son had not completed his assignment and....she was interrupted with a message from the King.  "The King thought the school teacher would get hungry waiting for his son to complete his task, so he sent food for one."  The prince's face dropped.  So did the arms of defiance, and he began writing his sentences.  After he completed his task, there is a scene where the teacher is lovingly chatting and sharing her food with the prince.

The prince said, "why does my father put me in a subordinate position to an English teacher?"  To which she replied, "because your father loves you very much, and he believes I am what is best for you right now."

Remember my desperate prayer, "Lord, I've tried everything.  I'm miserable.  I'm at my wit's end.  I don't know if I can do this anymore.  You have to give me the strength and some answers."  To which He said, "I am your Father, and I love you very much.  This is what is best for you right now.  Do you trust me or not?"

I wept at His gentleness, clarity and His deep care for me that He would personalize the answer so perfectly for me.

Through this crucible that still continues in my life, He has sent people I didn't personally know before to uphold me in ways I didn't know I would need.  He also sent a friend to whom I hadn't spoken since May that would call me in the middle of a particularly "hot day in the oven" saying that the Lord had laid me on her heart and given her a verse for encouragement for me.  It would be exactly what I needed. There are too many to recount.

I want to close Part II with some verses that the Lord has brought to life for me through this crucible.

Isaiah 25:1 "Oh Lord, you are my God.  I will praise and exalt your name; for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."  You see, my heavenly Daddy knew He was going to allow this trial and testing, and he began preparing me for it over a year ago through a strong mentor that became an Ezekiel to my life, preparing my heart and mind.  He doesn't want me to fail.

Psalm 139:5-6  "You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it."  The God of the Universe is my shield, my rock, my fortress.  He hasn't put a hedge around me, He IS the hedge.  What can anyone do to me that He doesn't allow and prepare me to endure?  Please read all of Psalm 139.  It will make you shout.

I realize this is lengthy.  I have a Part III to share with you. So, the saga continues.  Stay tuned for Tired of Me - Part III - The Victorious and Continuous work of the Holy Spirit.

I worship as I read the words to this glorious old hymn.  It blesses my soul, brightens my day, and makes the darkness light.  Love you all, Mecca

Jesus I am resting, resting
In the Joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power
Thou hast made me whole.

Friday, September 13, 2013

MeccaMusing: Tired of ME - Part I

MeccaMusing: Tired of ME - Part I: Good Evening - I have been trying to decide how to start my first blog since May.  I was going to say that I was so tired from "preachi...

Tired of ME - Part I

Good Evening - I have been trying to decide how to start my first blog since May.  I was going to say that I was so tired from "preaching" that I needed a sabbatical.  I thought that would be witty.  Then I was going to say that I had taken a long nap, but ole' Rip would be insulted.

I guess the best thing to do is to tell the truth.  God has been doing an extraordinary work in my life - at my request, and I truly have not had the freedom to write until now.

I don't know if any of you have ever reached the point when you are just sick of yourself.  I did.  I was struggling in so many areas of my life, but no one knew.  I was too proud to admit it.  "The pride in my heart had deceived me.  I had lived in the clefts of the rocks and made my home on the heights and asked myself who could bring me down?" Obadiah 1:3  Really, I thought if God be for ME, then just who in the world could be against ME? (said with slight sarcasm and upward tilt of the voice on "ME.")

I was the elder son in the story of the Prodigal Son. I looked right, acted right and said all of the right things (well, at least I "thought" I did); but in reality, my rags were much filthier than I ever imagined.  As I begged God for answers to unanswered questions, in His steadfast lovingkindness to me (whom He calls precious in His sight), He answered, "seek ME and My kingdom first, Mec, and all of these things will be added unto you." Matt. 6:33

The simplicity of that command (promise) and the complexity of being obedient to that command presents the greatest conundrum in the world for me.  Does it for you? Am I the only one?  Do any of you struggle with seeking Him first?  Most often I seek what He can do for me, but not Him.  Do you?  I ask because misery loves company; and I guarantee you, I needed company.

As my Heavenly Daddy's words burned into my heart, I lay face-down on the floor, hands stretched out in front of me.  I realize that sounds dramatic; but the truth is my knees are getting old, and it hurt to kneel.  Whether I knelt or lay prostrate, I was humbling myself in His presence.  

Now, stop with me for a minute and think about that.  As the child of "I Am," I have permission to be in His presence at anytime, and He promises not just joy but "fullness of joy."  I realize I didn't have to assume any particular physical posture to approach my Heavenly Daddy, but it was symbolic of the desire I had for a "humble heart."  

The words I spoke out of my repentant, beleaguered heart, and into the heart of my God, made Satan shutter, hiss, and sling that tail of his to and fro, and  began a series of events that changed life.  Any idea what those words might have been?  There were 17 of them.  

"Lord Jesus, I am asking for all of You, and none of me, no matter the cost."  

Two things happened immediately.  First, there was a powerful sense of peace and release; and second, Satan and all of his minions began slithering and hissing these words to my heart. "What is God going to do to me?" Satan said (I hate him).  "What if He takes everything away from me?" Satan said.  ( I still hate him).  He didn't stop for what seemed like an eternity. To my shame, after lying prostrate on the floor and pouring my heart out to the Savior of my soul, I actually listened to Satan.  The disobedient children of Israel don't have anything on me.  Neither does Peter who denied Him nor Thomas who doubted Him.

In spite of me, My sweet Jesus, in all of His glory, humility, patience and love for me, said in a loving whisper that drowned out the voices of Hell, "Fear not for I am with thee; be not dismayed for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Is 41:10.  "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for good and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.  

After every discouraging, evil thought Satan hissed into my heart, Jesus would pull me closer and whisper another promise.  That's what He does.  He never fails to do it in spite of me.

I have much more to tell you all, but I don't want to make this too long this evening.  Will you read again tomorrow?  I will share with you what the Lord Jesus has shown me, the tenderness with which He has dealt with me, and the extraordinary results of genuinely desiring to follow after the great heart of God.  Makes me think of the words to that old hymn: 

"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.  
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
Oh Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God."

It's nighttime here in Atlanta. I am resting and breathing to the beat of the heart of God. That is the very best way I know to describe "fullness of joy." Sleep sweet.  Love to you all, dear ones.  Mecca

Stay tuned for Part II.

Friday, May 31, 2013

MeccaMusing: I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!

MeccaMusing: I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!: It is a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta, GA.  Frank took my car to church so he could get it washed and filled up for me.  Of course, I ...

Monday, May 27, 2013

MeccaMusing: I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!

MeccaMusing: I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!: It is a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta, GA.  Frank took my car to church so he could get it washed and filled up for me.  Of course, I ...

I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!

It is a beautiful Sunday morning in Atlanta, GA.  Frank took my car to church so he could get it washed and filled up for me.  Of course, I reminded him as he left that I would appreciate more than the $12.99 deal at the car wash, which he tends to do if he is feeling particularly penny pinching.  (No second guessing why I didn't go to church.  Someday I might tell you - or not).

As he left, he kinda shook his head like he was trying to get something out of his ear.   I asked him what was wrong, and he said, "I'm just having trouble with you telling me not to be cheap about something I was trying to do for you as a part of my 'love language.'"

When he came home, my car was the cleanest it had ever been, and he had purchased additional car washes for me, filled up my car and gave me the keys with a smile on his face.

It reminded me of how the Lord listens to me treating him like a "genie in a bottle," telling Him what I need and exactly how I need it, and the Son of the Living God continues to treat me with with respect and unconditional love, always meeting my needs above and beyond anything I could ask or imagine. Long ago, He handed me the keys to life with His death and never complained.

The more I know about Jesus, the more I realize just how well He knows my frailty.  I have always known that with my heart, but why has it taken me so many years just to get the fact that He not only knows my frailty, but He expects it and loves me anyway.  It is unfathomable to me that He does not judge my lack of faith, but He sends me message after message to remind me how to strengthen it and in so doing, see my frailty decrease.

I was thinking this morning (and it would take a lifetime to find all of the references) about all of the verses I have memorized with reinforcement like, "be not afraid, I am Thy God," not I am THE God, which He is, but I am thy God - you are mine and I am yours, Mec." "Trust in me with all of your heart and don't lean on your own understanding,"  "I won't do you harm but good," "cast all of your care upon me," "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," "you can do anything through my strength," "Rejoice in the Lord alway, did you hear me?  Let me say it again," "I don't slumber or sleep," "I will never Leave you or Forsake you" and on and on.

It is only when I clear away the expectations of others and focus on what He expects of me that I get the message.  He wants me to "love Him, my Lord and my God with all of my heart, soul, and mind" and obey out of love, trusting His faithfulness.  I can only do that because He first loved me.  I can only do that as I yield my will, less of me, more of Him - no - not just less, but none of me and all of Him.

Those moments (which can be few and far between because I am so easily full of myself), when I completely surrender are the moments of victory, peace, joy, and utter delight in the person of Jesus Christ.

Notice, there is a moment of surrender.  I have learned over and over ((I'm hard headed) that it is in the deep moments of decision, heartbreak, suffering, and often remorse that I come to the point of complete surrender.  It is also in the moments of overwhelming gratefulness for His goodness that I come to the point of surrender.  It is often His goodness that brings us to repentance, depending on my needs at the moment. (Romans 2:4)

My prayer every day lately is that I will learn to rejoice with as much glee in the valley, as I do on the mountaintop and to be as mindful of His goodness on the mountaintop.  I can forget how I got there sometimes.

After all, He is my joy and my rejoicing, and He never leaves me and never forsakes me. I heard a preacher say that "leave" indicates the physical while "forsake" indicates the emotional.

I am the apple of His eye, He left the Holy Spirit to indwell me, and He sends people across my path on a daily basis to speak encouragement, even loving rebuke into my life, and He left His Word so that I understand as I feed on it that He has left me with the most amazing emotional source of strength - Himself.

He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  Today, right at this moment, I do believe that with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Do you?  It will revolutionize the way we live our Christian lives when we really get a grasp on that truth and never let it go.

Oh, How I love Jesus,
Oh, How I love Jesus,
Oh, How I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me.

And All God's people said, "Amen and Amen."  Always approaching the day with joy.  Mecca




Thursday, May 16, 2013

MeccaMusing: Encouraging Discouragement - I am guilty, are you?...

MeccaMusing: Encouraging Discouragement - I am guilty, are you?...: I had a very challenging day, rough waters, darkness rising over the horizon in several areas of my life.  I allowed discouragement into my ...

Encouraging Discouragement - I am guilty, are you?

I had a very challenging day, rough waters, darkness rising over the horizon in several areas of my life.  I allowed discouragement into my private space and actually walked hand-in-hand with it, thereby inviting and actually encouraging its hold on me.  Quite a paradox, eh?  Encouraging discouragement. 

It was comfortable walking with discouragement.  Oh, how I admired my reason for discouragement, wallowed in it, moaned about it, reacted with "I don't have to do this.  I'm old enough now that I just shouldn't have to put up with this."  Actually gave it my joy to destroy.  No thievery here.  I gave it away.

"Woe is me because of my injury..." Jeremiah 10:19.  Or, "Woe is me for I am undone..." Is. 6:5. I allowed - actually that is too passive - I encouraged discouragement to whisper those things into my heart, because it fed me, puffed me up, made me feel like a victim.  I was vindicated.  Ah! I just knew I would feel better, but I didn't.

Dear Ones, I cannot blame my arch enemy for my discouragement.  Today, I was my own worst enemy.

Discouragement didn't even have to knock on my door.  I heard its footsteps and hurried to greet it with open arms exclaiming, "let's be miserable together." Misery does love good company, and I am really good company.

So, have I sufficiently discouraged you as well?  Don't you dare fall victim to this kind of chicanery (great word) like I did.

Spurgeon said, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and we see what we are made of." Let me just say that I didn't like what I saw today.

Yet, the Lord in His unfailing mercy ministered to my heart all day long - even as I ignored Him, replaced Him without shame, and treated Him as if He had no place in my world.

He whispered, "you asked for my best no matter the cost.  This is good for you.  I will not forsake you, You cannot go away from my presence.  There's no where you can be that I will not be there with you - going before you, watching your back, keeping you from stumbling.  If you take the wings of the morning or make your bed in Sheol, I am there.  I do not forsake my children." Psalm 139.

He gently nudged, "hope in me, and I will renew your strength." Is. 40:31, and "cast your care upon me for I care for you." I Peter 5:7, and "trust in me with all of your heart and don't lean on what you think you know about this situation, because I know what is going on, and I am not surprised.  I will direct your path" Prov. 3:5; and, by the way, "the hearts of those I have placed in leadership over your life are in my hand, and I can change them however I choose.  Do you trust me?" Prov. 21:1

And as the sweet, persistent, gentle voice of the Shepherd of my soul finally penetrated that barrier of discouragement that I had allowed to take His place, He gently took my hand from that of discouragement, immediately dispelling its presence and power and filling me with His joy.

His joy became my strength, and wisdom took hold, and I rejoiced knowing I was sheltered safely in His arms, walking by His side with no fear.

Now, the darkness and rough waters have not gone away.  There might even be a tornado or two brewing.  My pastor says we are either just going into a problem, in the middle of a problem, or are just coming out of a problem.

The difference is "even the darkness seems light to those who walk with the Lord."  Psalm 112:4.  How simple when He reigns in my heart and mind, and how utterly impossible when I take hold of the reins of my heart and mind.

"Lord Jesus, forgive me for encouraging discouragement and help me to sleep sweetly under the shadow of your protective wings, and rise on the wings of the morning, approaching the new day that you give me with the joy of you, Lord."

Do any of you know that great old hymn, "Under His Wings"? My sweet Granny loved that song.  When you read the lyrics, you will understand why.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I'm safe evermore.

Under His wings, Under His wings
Who from His love can sever
Under His wings my soul shall abide, 
Safely abide forever!

My Heavenly Daddy whispered "Mecca, stay close to My heart, and discouragement will flee and tell all of your readers to do the same."   Love to all, Mecca

Sunday, May 12, 2013

MeccaMusing: How Sweet to Walk with the Saviour!

MeccaMusing: How Sweet to Walk with the Saviour!: A Day in the Life ...of walking with Jesus and unceasing prayer.   If prayer is my spiritual oxygen, I have to recognize its power...

How Sweet to Walk with the Saviour!

A Day in the Life
...of walking with Jesus and unceasing prayer.
 
If prayer is my spiritual oxygen, I have to recognize its power and realize how important it is to keep my relationship with the source of my strength from being short circuited by ensuring there is nothing between my soul and the Savior. When that is accomplished, unceasing prayer is very natural.

I thought I would share with you what a day in the life of unceasing prayer has looked like for me when I have been obedient and walked with the Lord without shame or guilt.

5:30 am - "Good Morning Sweet Jesus, thank you for a good night's sleep. My knees hurt a little bit this morning, but I'm thankful it's not worse as much stair climbing as I did yesterday. Thank you for your mercies that are new this morning and your faithfulness; thank you that Mother is feeling good, and she is still with us. Thank you that Papa is feeling good, and Lord help him to realize he is getting older. He doesn't know it yet.

Thank you........ (and so it goes, acknowledging He is sovereign, asking Him to search my heart; asking forgiveness for any transgression He brings to mind; talking to Him as I would in the familiar relationship with my earthly daddy, trusting His love for me; praying for those people and situations He has laid on my heart, asking for strength to accomplish what I believe He has laid before me to accomplish today; and above all asking Him to help me keep my heart stayed on Him so others will see Jesus in me.)

6:30 am - get a text message saying a meeting has been changed to include a couple of people that I really have a difficult time being around. What I think is neat is that the Lord let me know that. "Lord, you are not surprised by this, and you are allowing it. Please set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips. Help my goal not to be right, but to reflect You. Go before me, help me to see these people as you see them. Give me clarity and sense of purpose, and I will trust you with the outcome."

7:30 am - Frank prays for us both before he leaves for work. (I loved his words that morning)."Lord, thank you that you have taken the venom out of the serpent and the teeth out of the lion's mouth for those of us who belong to you..." He went on to ask for all the host of angels available to watch over my car since I was in a hurry and it was one of those days I might "run over fire hydrants and small children" because I was running late. (I think I have talked about that before.)

8:15 am - Drive to work, "Oh, Lord, thank you so much I saw the huge piece of metal in the road - almost tore up my tire. Whew! Glad those angels were posted. That would have certainly changed my day."

9:45 am - walk by the Crispy Creme donuts, fruit, and other assorted breakfast items as I head for "the" meeting. "Lord, now that 'ain't' right for those donuts to be in my pathway." To which He replies, "either get some fruit or look away and keep walking. You can certainly choose to have a donut, but you and I both know you will not be happy and will be asking me later this evening why I didn't help you. Make the right choice now, and we will rejoice together this evening." I keep walking that time. My conversations with the Lord after failure are much different than they are that evening.

10:00 am - Stop at the door of "the" meeting to thank the Lord for already preparing the way and for His faithfulness. Meeting is a little tense, but God is good, and my reactions honor the Lord. That is all that matters. As I walk out, "thank you, Lord. I appreciated your presence and wisdom." I am not stressed, and donuts don't sound good anymore.

Noon - walk by a co worker's office, "Lord, bless ---, I know she is worried about her son. Comfort her heart and provide me the opportunity to be a blessing to her today." The Lord whispers, "she needs to feel appreciated." I stop to say how much I appreciate everything she does and what a blessing she is to me. That draws a huge smile, and a hug. Isn't that neat? The Lord knows I looooooovvvvveeee a good hug. We are both blessed.

3:00 pm - Spill Diet Coke all over the desk (said I wasn't going to drink them anymore anyway) and I'll be a monkey's uncle if I didn't say "Oh, s---," before I could catch myself. I immediately look around to see if anyone hears me, and whisper, "Lord, I'm so sorry. I've said that enough being funny, that now it comes out when I don't want it to." Forgive me.

3:30 pm - receive an annoying email. I get on it immediately and set the sender straight on the facts. I start to hit the send button, when the Lord whispers, "Wait. Save and read in a little while. If it still sounds right, send it."

4:30 pm - read email again as I am checking on the things I need to complete that day, and while everything I said was correct, and I had the right to say it, it could be softened. I soften it, hit 'send,' and thank the Lord for the wisdom and warning.

5:00 pm - Frank calls, and it is irritating to me because he is bugging me to leave when I know I have to finish a few more things. He is trying to get me to be more balanced in my work - an area where I have never had balance in my life. This time, the conversation has a good outcome since the Lord is whispering, "at least he wants you at home to spend time with you. Not everyone has a husband that cares if she is home or not."

There are several more points before I go to bed that I have these ongoing conversations with the Lord. If life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how we respond to it (Chuck Swindoll), think how differently my day could have gone if I had not communicated with the Lord during the day. I would have missed out on blessings, caused issues for myself, and maybe caused a "tiff" between Frank and me.

My spirit is different, the joy of the Lord provides me energy to exercise, I have an "attitude of gratitude," and my sleep is sweet. All of this is because of my spiritual oxygen. Believe me, when my oxygen tube is clipped shut by disobedience, my days are much different.

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, for walking with me through every situation in life, for remaining faithful, loving me unconditionally, and for the promise to uphold and sustain through life's journey and lead me safely home. What a friend I have and you have in Jesus. What a Savior. Approaching each day with joy. Mecca


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

MeccaMusing: Time Well Spent

MeccaMusing: Time Well Spent: Good Evening sweet friends.  It has been an extraordinarily beautiful weekend in my "neck of the woods."  I am blessed beyond my w...

Sunday, April 14, 2013

MeccaMusing: Lord, Give Me Your Best...

MeccaMusing: Lord, Give Me Your Best...: At any cost.  Why does that place such uneasiness in my heart even as I say with all assurance, I love and trust the Lord Jesus? When I wa...

Lord, Give Me Your Best...

At any cost.  Why does that place such uneasiness in my heart even as I say with all assurance, I love and trust the Lord Jesus?

When I was a child, I was a prolific reader.  We belonged to a Christian book club, and I read so many wonderful stories of godly people the Lord had used to make such a difference in the lives of others.

I was always mesmerized by the stories of missionaries and wondered how they ever had enough faith and courage to withstand the fiery darts of the devil and "having done all, to stand." (Loose translation of Ephesians 6:13).

One such couple was John and Betty Stam.  I don't know why the Lord brought them to my mind, since I hadn't thought of them in years. If you have never read the story, it is one that will change your perspective on what it really means to be sold out to the Lord.  They were missionaries in China and were beheaded in their twenties for loving the Lord and living out His Word before the Communist Chinese.  The way the Lord cared for their infant daughter for more than 30 hours following their death increased my faith and shamed me for my lack of it.

In December 1934, on a lonely hill in China, John and Betty Stam, young American missionaries, still only in their late twenties, were led out to die at the hands of Red Soldiers. The reaction to such a tragedy throughout the world was at first one of benumbed shock. Then came the question into the minds of many, “Why such waste?” But as faith triumphed over seeming defeat, into Christian lands everywhere, came an upsurge of missionary zeal. It is probably true that more was accomplished for God in that supreme sacrifice than would have been possible had John and Betty lived to give years to normal missionary effort. Source: Paw Creek Ministries website. 

Even as a young teenager, Betty Stam prayed this prayer:

 "Lord, I give up all of my own plans and purposes, all of my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life.  I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.  Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit.  Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever."

There's that phrase again, "at any cost."

I woke up this morning oppressed in my spirit.  I know why.  I was worrying about the menial things of life that spoil the fruit of the riches of His grace.  As our pastor said this morning, I know what God has done, and what He will do, but I forget to rest in the fact that He is the "I am." He is doing a work right now.  

I can not ever say anything about how the Israelites would go from one day to the next trusting and then distrusting God.  I do the very same thing.  One day I am writing about a life He is still changing, and the next day I wake up oppressed.  

Here's what I know as a fact, "I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."  2 Tim 1:12.  And then I remember all of the instructions Paul gave to Timothy, "guard the good deposit entrusted to you, there's a crown of righteousness waiting, hold fast, don't be ashamed, the truth will be revealed, don't be afraid..."

As I continued to reminisce about the story of the Stams, I looked up more information and found that when their parents heard of the tragic death of their children, one of the parents spoke these words "when you put God second, you get His second best, but when you put Him first, you get His Best."


Their children were in His presence.  What could be better than that?  

My prayer this morning is, "Lord Jesus, I want to put you first, and I want your best...and yes, at any cost."  I want to lay crowns at your feet.  Now comes the peace that passes all understanding that keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7). If I just live out this prayer, I can't even imagine what God has in store.

"Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to Him be glory forever and ever, Amen and Amen." Jude 1:24, 25

Love to all, Mecca


MeccaMusing: Victor or Victim? The Choice is Ours to Make!

MeccaMusing: Victor or Victim? The Choice is Ours to Make!: My father-in-law was a pastor for many years, and one of the best pieces of advice he ever gave me was, "never make your happines...

Friday, April 12, 2013

MeccaMusing: MeccaMusing: A Life He Keeps Changing

MeccaMusing: MeccaMusing: A Life He Keeps Changing: MeccaMusing: A Life He Keeps Changing : Dear Ones - has it really be almost two months since I have blogged?  I want you to know that God ha...

Victor or Victim? The Choice is Ours to Make!


My father-in-law was a pastor for many years, and one of the best pieces of advice he ever gave me was, "never make your happiness dependent on any circumstance or anyone other than Jesus."  He would always tell me that I couldn't make it my goal to make everyone else happy because I was just setting myself up for failure.

I have learned that I can never make anyone happy all of the time. In fact, the most freeing realization is that I can't make anyone happy at all.  That is a personal choice each individual has to make for him/herself.

Here is a greater lesson; if I can't make anyone else happy, I shouldn't expect anyone else to make me happy.  What do you think about that?  Does that include my husband?  Husbands, does that include your wives?

Yes and yes.  I will never forget hearing about a young man who told his future wife when he asked her to marry him that he didn't need her in order for him to be happy.  Hewanted her and loved her but didn't need her for him to be happy.

My first thought when I heard that was, "well, that's not a very good way to begin a lifelong relationship."  I was 100% wrong.  (I know, where is the recorder when you need it?)  I realized what a precious gift he had given her.  He removed the burden for her to make him happy (something impossible to do anyway, right?)  He also removed the opportunity for him to ever blame her for his unhappiness.

Can you imagine what would happen to all of our relationships if they were based on "wanting" to be a friend, companion, husband, wife - instead of establishing those relationships because we need them?

Frank's dad also gave some great marriage counseling from the pulpit.  He would often say, "when you have found someone that you want to "do for" instead of someone you want "to do" for you, you have the best chance for a successful marriage." Wow! What a concept.

I can't tell you how many times in the 31 years I have been married to Frank that he has disappointed me by not meeting my expectations.  You might be wondering how many times I have disappointed him.  Well, we aren't talking about that right now - maybe later.  Right now we are talking about my disappointments.  Pretty selfish, huh?  It also makes me the victim.

I can spiritualize with the best of them. I can even quote Scripture to prove my point. What in the world is the matter with him?  He is supposed to love me as Christ loved the church and lay down his life for me.

How will he ever be able to lay down his life for me if I can't even get him to appreciate what I do for him, especially when I do it without being asked.  That is really big on my part.  If you need further description of how big, just ask me.  I guarantee you I can make it bigger.

I know I am not the only one that has ever thought that way, am I?

So, what is the answer?  The fact is we are incapable of accomplishing anything without God's favor.  We can't even take our next breath without His grace, much less take on the daunting, impossible task of making someone else happy.

Once again, the Word of God has all of the answers.  What a marvelous thing that God's wisdom is available to us 24/7.

My joy is in the Word of God: "Thy Words were found and I did eat (chewed, swallowed, digested, gleaned their goodness, used for health and life) them, and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart for I am called by thy name Oh Lord, God of Hosts." Jeremiah 15:16

My hope is in the Lord Jesus and what He has planned for me on earth and for eternity: "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven..." Colossians 1:5; "'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 - makes my heart happy.

Here are my two choices - My God is not a God of confusion.  He makes things pretty simple for us.

Do I place my hope and expectation in a fallible human being, which increases my potential for developing spiritual heart disease (hope deferred makes the heart sick - Prov. 30) or in the Lord, whose love knows no bounds, and who gave all to give me a hope and a future?

We have all heard the saying, "someone got up on the wrong side of the bed."  Well, that is the victim side where your expectations can't be met.  Crawl back in, roll over to the other side and let your feet hit the floor with such hope in the Risen One, that you are standing on the Solid Rock as the Victor.  So, how about it - Victor or Victim?

Do yourself and others a huge favor and make the right choice.  When I make the right choice, my prayer is, "Lord, change me," instead of  "Lord, change that sorry Frank that I love with all of my heart."  The strangest thing happens when I pray that prayer in all sincerity.  Frank cherishes me more, and I respect him more.  Pretty cool, huh? I'm approaching this and every day with the joy of the Lord. Love to all, Mecca




Saturday, April 6, 2013

MeccaMusing: A Life He Keeps Changing

MeccaMusing: A Life He Keeps Changing: Dear Ones - has it really be almost two months since I have blogged?  I want you to know that God has been doing a work in my life.  I am...

A Life He Keeps Changing


Dear Ones - has it really be almost two months since I have blogged?  I want you to know that God has been doing a work in my life.  I am so grateful for His faithfulness even when I am not faithful.  That is what humbles me most.  

It is not always pleasant, "the work," that is.  But it is fulfillment of His promise that "He which hath begun a good work in [me] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6)  I love that promise, because when He is constantly unsettling me, it is proof positive I belong to Him.  There is great joy and peace in that.  

Seems like a paradox that one can be unsettled and at peace at the same time, doesn't it? To the world it does.  To this believer whose life He keeps changing, it is just part of the wonderful process of preparing me for eternity.

I hope you don't mind if I borrow thoughts from one of my very first blogs because I have truly been focusing once again on "delighting" in the person of Jesus Christ - not in what He can do for me - but in Him.  When I do that, I continue to be a life He keeps changing.  

I always feel like He has to work harder on me than others - you know, like assign extra angels to my car in the morning.  I hit a fire hydrant on the way to work one morning.  It was only 1,000 ft from my front door, but I was movin' around that curb, and that fire hydrant took off the side of my car.  

The fire hydrant was unmoved and undamaged - thank the Lord.  The first thing my insurance agent asked was, "do we need to call the city?"  Nope, no damage to the fire hydrant. 
 
Now, when Frank sees my scurrying around in the morning, forgetting keys, coming back for my phone and lipstick and forgetting those two rollers in the top of head so I will have a little "poof" (Texas girls always like a little "poof,") he will (sometimes) kindly say,  "Baby, be careful today.  This is one of those days when you will run over a fire hydrant, dogs, and small children."  Frank always prays with me in the morning and asks for the Lord's protection over both of us - but mostly me.  


This is life, right?  When I worry that I am not doing my share, and the Lord has to work harder on me, I am reminded of the verse in Proverbs 8:30 that tells me I am daily the Lord's delight.  I am amazed at that.  Are you? 

I looked up the word "delight," and it gave the normal words I would expect, "joy, happy, show of excitement," and then I read about what it meant in Hebrew. No, I don't read Hebrew, but I can google.  "Luxurious, delicate, feminine, to be of dainty habit, to be pampered, happy about" is what I found. 

The picture that instantly popped into my head was one of a child so excited about something that her little face was frozen in a squeal, shoulders up, and maybe even hands to the mouth in disbelief of something so wonderful. I can't imagine the God of the universe (my Heavenly Daddy) loving me and delighting in me as His child in such a powerful, mind-boggling way.  


I say I have "delighted" in Him when I read my chapter in Proverbs, one in the New Testament, a chapter in a devotional, say my prayer - usually asking for strength and faith, praying over my list of specific prayer requests and thanking Him for saving me.  


I need to be careful that I delight myself in Him and not what He does for me.  Then I can say that whether I have or don't have, I am delighted in His presence.

When I am truly delighting in Him, I am delighting in His Word and its convicting power to pierce and heal the wound all at the same time.  Delighting in His Word makes my life one He keeps changing.

As an aside, parents do your children know that you delight in them?  Do you delight in them? "Even as a father-the son in whom He delights - how blessed is the man who finds wisdom."  Theirs is a life you keep changing, and your life will change as well, when you do.


Thank you, Jesus, that you treat me as a rare, delicate, treasured gift, and I am worthy of it only because of the sacrifice of the rarest, most treasured gift in all of eternity.

Thank you, Lord Jesus that you delight in me (Is 62:4), that you rescued me because you delight in me, and in You I find the reason for approaching each day with joy.

Now, that is enough to make my heart burst with squealing delight.  Glad I'm not one of those snake handlers today.  The cages would be wide-open.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

MeccaMusing: A Tsunami of Voices, but Ponder Anew!

MeccaMusing: A Tsunami of Voices, but Ponder Anew!: Dear sweet family and friends - It's been a beautiful day, about 50 for a high and in the 30's for a low, crisp, sunny, and a bit breezy. ...

A Tsunami of Voices, but Ponder Anew!



Dear sweet family and friends - It's been a beautiful day, about 50 for a high and in the 30's for a low, crisp, sunny, and a bit breezy.  I walked in the sunshine, and it was glorious.

It's been awhile since we communicated, and I just need to share some of my recent life's discoveries.  I noticed today that my thumb joint has a bump on it.  Reckon it might have arthritis?  I looked at my wrist, and there was a massive bruise on it, and I have no idea when or where I got it.  That means my skin is getting thinner.

I noticed an age spot on my arm and face (ok several age spots), and I have been making weird noises when I try to get up, bend over, or heaven forbid, come back up after bending over.  The other day I sat down in a chair that was a little too soft, and I had to have help getting out of it.  Now, that made me feel old.  If I hadn't been laughing so hard, it might not have been so hard to get up.

I don't wear a cup size anymore.  It's mostly just 38 Long.  Ok, I know that might be too much information; but hey, I just needed to share because I was wondering if any of you were experiencing some of the same symptoms, or if it were just me?  Let me know.  I need a plan - one for growing more beautiful on the inside, because my outer shell is failing me.  LOL!

Here's the big one.  I hear voices in my head.  I have always heard voices in my head, but in this age of information at warp speed, their magnitude and ferocity are unparalleled in my lifetime.  It is a tsunami of voices telling me how to look, act, feel, live, what car to drive or not to drive, telling me who's hot, what's hot, who's not, why they're not, why I'm not (hey, wait a minute).  Then, I ask myself why any of that matters anyway since none of those messages are from my Creator, my Heavenly Daddy.

Sometimes the voices get downright personal and start talking to me about things that matter deeply, things that are real areas of weakness in my life and telling me I can't be victorious so to just quit worrying about it; that I've been struggling all of my life with a thing, and the Lord hasn't helped me so why bother.

Then through the tsunami of voices - comes the one Voice with messages of hope, telling me I'm important and worthy of the sacrifice of God's Son for my salvation; that I am chosen, redeemed, set apart, loved with an everlasting love, perfect in Christ, that my weaknesses are made perfect in Christ's strength; that He knew me when my members were yet formed (Ps. 139); that He created a plan for me long ago before I was even born (Is 25:1); that I am precious to Him.

But - why is it that the negative and the bad are so much easier to believe?  The key is staying in the Word. His Word.  I do not believe my Heavenly Daddy speaks audibly to me. I believe He speaks through His written Word that comes alive in my heart as I read it, learn it, apply it, and continue to search out its riches, which I don't believe I will exhaust in my lifetime.

The more I know His Word, the more I know Him.  I recognize His voice amidst the clutter of the voices of the world, including those who say they represent Him.  "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  John 10:27

Oh dear one, may there never be a day that we don't recognize His voice amidst the clutter of the voices of the world.  Lord Jesus, let me listen for, hear and recognize your voice always.  Thank you that you know me.  Sweet Shepherd of my soul, I will follow you.

Quoting from the glorious old hymn, "Praise ye the Lord the Almighty ..."

"Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do, when with His love, He befriends me."  I will sleep sweetly tonight while I ponder anew and approach the dawning of a new day with "joy unspeakable and full of glory."  Love to all, Mec



Sunday, February 3, 2013

MeccaMusing: "I Just Wanted to be Sure of You."

MeccaMusing: "I Just Wanted to be Sure of You.": Good Evening sweet friends.  I hope you have had a great day.  Mine started out with a call regarding a situation for which I am responsible...

Friday, February 1, 2013

MeccaMusing: Corners, Crevices, Cracks, and all of 'em Clean

MeccaMusing: Corners, Crevices, Cracks, and all of 'em Clean: Dear Ones:  It has been a busy week.  Do any of us ever have a week anymore that we can say is not busy?  I think there might be something ...

Saturday, January 26, 2013

MeccaMusing: A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there

MeccaMusing: A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there: Good Evening sweet family and friends - I had a restful Saturday.  For the first time in a long time I laid around, watched a couple of movi...

A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there

Good Evening sweet family and friends - I had a restful Saturday.  For the first time in a long time I laid around, watched a couple of movies, and drank ice tea on crushed ice (sweetened with saccharine like my mother and daddy have made for us all of our lives).

I napped a bit, gave myself a manicure, ate a little bit here and there and just rested. Frank needed to go to work for awhile and called when he was about to leave work to ask what I had done today and to see what was going on.

When I told him, he said, "well, do you think you could get around and paint that barn and put on some clothes before I get home?" To which I replied, "No, and you are gonna have to fix your own supper, too."  Of course, he laughed, and when he got home, he fixed his own dadburn supper.

Ladies and Gentlemen, some days just have to be like that.  I thank the Lord for every moment today.  It was great.  The added value is that I don't have to remove my makeup tonight.  I'm still "ready for bed." Yeehaw!!

My last blog was about the wonderful hope I have in the Lord Jesus, and how I don't ever have to be disappointed if my hope and expectations are placed in Him.

He continues to teach me profound lessons about the simplest principles from His Word that I have known all of my life.  The precious thing about belonging to the Lord Jesus is that as His child, I am consistently learning as He provides guidance, wisdom, and clarity when I have a teachable spirit and long to know more.

There has been a great deal of change for me at work.  I am not a fan of change.  Frank and I often joke that if I had had my way, we would still be living in the house on Sinclair in Midland, Texas.

I am a nester and a homebody, and the Lord usually has to pry my hands away a finger at a time from the thing that holds me back when He wants to unsettle and grow me.  Amazingly, He is always patient and never hurts a single finger in the process.  I might be reeling because I wouldn't just let go, but He is always there to steady my walk and point me in the right direction.

He is currently affecting change in my life by pruning me.  I feel the "snipping."  I also feel the loving tenderness of my Gardener.  He is doing it for my good and His glory. While there is discomfort, there is no pain or fear.

"I am the true vine (The Lord Jesus), and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.  While every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be more fruitful." (John 15: 1-2).  What a blessed thought.  One of the ways He confirms that I "am in Him, and He is in me," is that He prunes me.

I googled the reason plants need to be pruned.  I was amazed at what I read and how it paralleled spiritual pruning.  First, pruning must take place for Safety - not for the plant's safety, but for the safety of things around the plant - covered signs, overhanging branches that could cause harm to people, or intrude on another plant's ability to flourish.  Spiritually, I need pruning so I will not be a spiritual hindrance or do spiritual harm to others.

Health - to prevent the spread of disease, improve circulation, and provide more exposure to sunlight. What a beautiful picture of what we need as Christians for spiritual health - freedom from the disease of sin so that the Holy Spirit has free flow, and we can be a light in a dark world because we walk in light.

Production - to encourage more fruit bearing.  Without pruning, most of a plant's energy goes into growth instead of yielding fruit or flowers.  What good is height and depth, if there is no joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control? (Gal. 5:22-23)

Keep trees to a pickable size - I loved this.  Pruning keeps a tree from being so tall that it is really hard to reach the fruit or so short that it is physically hard to pick - having to bend over, etc.

I thought about thinking so little of my position in Christ that my light was dim, and my fruit was too much trouble to pick or not sweet enough to use or eat; or being so "heavenly minded I was no earthly good."  Either one keeps me from exhibiting the fruits of the spirit the way the Lord wants me to.

There are many more, but the one that really caught my attention was: Pruning avoids weak tree whips and dual leaders.  

I am going to actually quote the google source.  "Most fruit trees come with "whips," which are tall and slender. Proper pruning avoids weak whips that split in a storm, and instead limits the tree to a single leader strengthened by a strong root system."

Now, just think about that, pruning ensures that there is only one Leader (The Lord Jesus), that the source of the strength of the tree or plant is provided in the strong root system (rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith - Col. 2:7), so that as I grow, I am not a weak whip that splits in the storms of life, but I am a fruit bearer because I am a branch that remains or abides as an outgrowth of the Leader drawing from His strength.  "If I remain in Him, and He in me, I will bear much fruit; but without the one true Leader, the Vine, I can do nothing." John 15:5

Listen, sweet family and friends, I would welcome more than just a snip snip here and a snip snip there if it would continue to give me the joy, peace, gentleness and forbearance I have experienced in the last week of "pruning."

Now I will have to admit that the self-control fruit or flower in some areas of my life is really struggling to blossom.  Maybe that means that when it finally does, its beauty will be beyond compare as it is with the butterfly.

Lord Jesus, thanks for the strong connection to my Heavenly Daddy, my Gardener.  Thanks for showing your love for me and ownership of my life through pruning.  Thanks for the gentleness of the snip.  Thanks for the beauty this pruning will produce.

Most of all, Lord Jesus, let the fruit produced within me as I grow in You - glorify You and point others to You, so that at the end of this season of pruning, I will have greater treasure to lay at your feet.

Pruning - a marvelous reason I can continue to approach each day with the joy of the Lord.  Love to you all.  Mecca
                              



MeccaMusing: This Princess is Shouting.

MeccaMusing: This Princess is Shouting.: Dear Friends:  I have missed you.  I hope you have missed me.  We have a special connection because we know and love the Lord Jesus and belo...

Sunday, January 20, 2013

MeccaMusing: The Hope of a Peculiar People

MeccaMusing: The Hope of a Peculiar People: Good Evening sweet, dear friends.  Such a busy life I have (all of us have).  I'm sure most of us have heard of the PBS Masterpiece series, ...

The Hope of a Peculiar People

Good Evening sweet, dear friends.  Such a busy life I have (all of us have).  I'm sure most of us have heard of the PBS Masterpiece series, "Downton Abbey," and its inexplicably immense popularity throughout the United States and Europe.  There has been much conversation about why it is so successful.

For me, it is a slower paced, genteel world with defined boundaries that people understand and respect. There is a calmness to the environment created by individuals who exhibit depth of character in their actions and attitudes.

That doesn't really have anything to do with my thoughts this evening, except to explain that we might all crave a little less busyness in our lives. We might also appreciate a slower paced environment with defined boundaries that gives us time to really live and appreciate life and all of its beauty - while being rested enough to handle the "ugly" when it comes along.  Now that is some real wisdom right there.

Having said all of that, I want to share with you what the Lord is teaching me about what it really means to be a "peculiar" (belonging to the Lord, chosen) people.  I Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

When I was growing up, I got the impression that "peculiar" meant different and set apart in the way Christians looked, acted, and the places we went.  I realize there is a modicum of truth in that perception, just enough to create an attitude of legalism and cause me to miss the point of being "holy" and really set apart "because" of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for me and not because of what someone else might think of me.

I wondered why when I went to a Christian University they wouldn't allow us to wear maxi dresses when they were so popular and very modest.  The reason given: "we are a peculiar people, and we don't want to look or act like the 'world'."  The same reason was given when we couldn't go to movies, wear pants, listen to certain music, and on and on.

My rebellious thought was, "Yep, we're peculiar alright, and who would want to be around us and would anyone be drawn to us?"

I thought we wanted others to be drawn to "Christ in us, the hope of glory,"not repelled by us because we were too peculiar and a bit self-righteous because we were just a tad proud of how peculiar we were.  And my self-righteousness for all of its reasons was/is a stench in the nostrils of my Heavenly Daddy.  Yikes.  No self-righteousness, none - not if we want an open, sweet relationship with the only righteous One.

OK - that was just an aside - but an important one for me.

As I have continued to grow and mature in the Lord, I have realized what a shallow and erroneous view that was of being "peculiar."  My position in Christ as "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" begs me to remember I am peculiar because I belong to the Lord Jesus and for no other reason.

However, when I walk with the Lord Jesus, hand in hand, learn His Heart, know His mind, seek to honor Him in all that I do, that will surely make me stand out as "peculiar" in a world filled with stress, chaos, discouragement, loss, disillusionment, and hopelessness. (And by the way, that kind of peculiarity will also take care of the way I act, look and the places I choose to go.)

I have always loved Proverbs 13:12 - "hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life."  Here's why I love this verse.  It represents the opposite of hopelessness to me.  I realize that hope deferred means a delay or even cancellation of something I have passionately desired.

This is how I avoid hopelessness, being heart sick and disappointed; I place my hope and all of my desires in the Lord Jesus (my "tree of life") who never fails or disappoints, who has plans for me, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

All of those promises in God's Word only work when we claim them and act on them.  Now, here is my confession.  I failed this week to place my hope in the Lord. Instead, I tried to handle things and circumstances in the flesh.  Boy, did I ever experience disappointment, disillusionment and a feeling of hopelessness.

That mere description of this past week tells me where my hope was.  I have had to ask for forgiveness, once again.  My prayer included this admission, "Lord, I can't do this."  To which He replied, "now, sweet Mec, my daughter, we start at the beginning because My strength is made perfect in your weakness."  To which I humbly replied, "Thank you, Heavenly Daddy, for meeting me where I am, lifting me with Your strong right hand, restoring my hope and making me acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer," (Romans 12:1, Ps. 19:14).

That doesn't mean the results of my self-righteousness automatically go away.  I have created stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones.  But my God, my Heavenly Daddy, will remind me before I stumble over the very traps I created, when my hope is in Him.

Are you ever disappointed in people and circumstances as I was this week because of misplaced hope?  Or is your hope in the Risen One, Who gives you resurrection power to be peculiar and walk in peace, hope and confidence in a world of chaos and hopelessness?

I choose hope in the Risen One, the reason I can always approach the day with joy. What do you choose?  Love to all, Mecca



PS.  Just found two more feathers today.  They cling to the broom, my hand or just fly away.  Those durn words.  They do come back to haunt me.  







Wednesday, January 2, 2013

MeccaMusing: Read It Again, Please!!

MeccaMusing: Read It Again, Please!!: Well, Good Morning - I've surprised myself writing again so quickly, but it is really "re-gifting the gift."  I wrote this story about the p...

Read It Again, Please!!

Well, Good Morning - I've surprised myself writing again so quickly, but it is really "re-gifting the gift."  I wrote this story about the power of our words and the feather pillow on August 15, 2012.

It is powerful for me, and it has special clarity this morning.  I have been cleaning out my closet, all of the drawers in my bathroom, under the sink in my bathroom and just getting things in order.  Do you know what I keep finding?   Read below and let me know if you figure it out.


August 15, 2012
I have a feather pillow that I love because I do sleep so sweetly when I use it.  It conforms to the shape of my head and shoulders, and that is a good thing.  I do have to double case it because the feathers tend to stick out of the pillow and can prick the skin - not a good thing.

The other day I noticed a slight separation in the seam which means several feathers could escape.  I keep finding them.  Just when I think they are all cleaned up, I find another.  They are elusive little devils.  They are so light and airy that it is impossible to gather all of them up.

It reminded me of a story I heard about a man who had repeated something that had caused great harm to another's reputation.  He desperately wanted to make amends and asked his parish priest what he should do.  

The priest told him to break open a feather pillow and put a feather on the door step of every person that knew what he had told and to come back when he was finished.  Sure enough, the man came back after a couple of days and asked what he should do next.  The priest told him to go gather all of the feathers back up.  

The man couldn't believe what the priest had told him to do.  He retorted, "I can't do that, all of the feathers have blown away."  To which the priest replied, "I know, so have your words.  Once they are spoken, they can never be taken back."

I immediately thought of the old idiom, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me." That is not true, is it?  I have a broken little finger on my left hand that doesn't bother me one bit.  I broke it playing softball at recess in the 5th grade; but I can think of words that were spoken to me by my 5th grade teacher that the devil still uses to try to discourage me.

How many of us have said things we wish we could take back?  We can apologize, ask for forgiveness, and by the miraculous power of the blood of Jesus, forgiveness can be complete; however, words spoken are always available to our arch enemy to use against us.  Never confuse the source of the voice that speaks to you.

In James 3, there is a perfect description of how we know that what we are hearing and experiencing is from the Lord.  He tells us that words spoken to us by the Lord Jesus are "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [that produce] Peacemakers who sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." When our words produce the same results, we know our tongue has been tamed by the Holy Spirit (we certainly can't do it.)

Back to the Present - January 2, 2013

If you guessed that I keep finding those pesky feathers, you are correct.   With each feather, I thought, "I can't believe these things are still swirling around." (I really have cleaned and vacuumed since August). They are nearly impossible to catch.  

After finding several in different places, I remembered the story I told back in August.  Here, 6 months later, I was still trying to retrieve feathers I didn't even realize were there.  

The Lord spoke so sweetly to me again.  "Mec, my Word is as powerful as a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).  

The thought then came to me that God, Himself has placed such ultimate Power in His Word, and because we are made in His image, our words also have great power.  The fallacy for us is that we are fallen, and our words don't always encourage or heal.  They often destroy or discourage.  (I'm sure there is some great theological truth in the correlation between the power of God's Word and power of our words, but I haven't been studying the concordances lately).

I'm just sayin' that those feathers are still wreaking havoc in my cleaning world six months later.  I wonder what encouragement or discouragement (havoc) our words spoken in August are still reaping.

Lord Jesus, "'set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips,' so that not only can I approach this day with joy, but all who come in contact with me today will experience your joy because my words have been encouraging." 

OK, that's all.  Later this week I'm going to share something I learned walking this morning.  Oh, it's good to have the Lord speaking freely to me again.  Love to my dear friends and family.  Mecca