For the Adults in a Child's World

I did not have the privilege of having my own children, but I have had the privilege of working with children for the past 30 years in early education settings, church music programs, and with children and grandchildren of family and friends. I have famously (or perhaps, infamously) said that I don’t like all the children I meet. It’s true. That statement usually evokes a gasp of some sort from the audience, but children are just little people. Not one of us instinctively likes every person we meet. Then I go on to explain that unlikeable children are the ones who need us to love them the most, and loving them is a choice we can and must make.

I am by no means the early childhood education (ECE) expert, but I have worked with and learned from the very best ECE experts the field has to offer. In a nutshell, I have learned that in the first five years of children’s lives, they learn to trust or distrust the world. If they learn to trust because of the ways adults in their lives have treated them, then I believe they learn the very beginnings of how to hope for the best. They can learn self-control without losing self-esteem if they have the right role models. They can learn to trust their instincts and to have the grit or the will not only to survive but also to thrive in this world. There are expert resources bemoaning the lack of grit in our young people, and at the same time indicating grit is the deciding factor in predicting success.

With the right examples and appropriate doses of love, affection, and, yes, correction, children learn to take risks, to be good followers, to lead, and to develop and recognize purpose in their lives. It is almostunbelievable that in the first five years of a child’s life, this kind of foundation can be laid. And it should be laid. It will be laid if we realize our responsibility as adults in their world. This subject is a deep, deep one for the experts, but I am a layman in the ECE world, and I am speaking in layman’s terms.

Dr. Tim Elmore, President of the nonprofit Growing Leaders, tells us that children born since 2000 do not need adults for information. They can find out anything they need to know on the Internet. In fact, the danger of technology is that while children are growing up in the digital age with access to the whole world, they do not learn social-emotional skills in the digital world.

So, why do children need us? It is our responsibility to teach them how to live and create meaningful relationships, to be productive citizens, to engage with others as compassionate friends, to be able to devote themselves to a task and finish it, and to be teachable, life-long learners. That list could beextended exponentially, but that’s enough to get the point across that we are important in the lives of children.
The question is whether we realize, by the way we live in front of them and by the way we treat them and others in their presence, that we are teaching them how to treat us as they grow older. I have heard it said that if your fifteen-year-old is consistently disgruntled, disrespectful, yells back, and even sometimes shoots the finger to the authority figure in his or her life, the parents in the scenario might want to check back to see how they treated that fifteen-year-old when he or she was five and younger.

They are watching us, listening to us, and reading us. They are born with the ability to imitate us very early in life. Do we want them to be like we are? It is far more important who we are than what we know in every situation of life—for our own benefit first and then for the benefit of others.

Here’s a great place to start: parents, leave the cell phones put away when your family goes out to eat, when your children are in the car, when you are dropping off at an early childhood facility, and whenyou are picking up at the end of the day. The children won’t see you or haven’t seen you all day. Theydeserve your undivided attention. Have meaningful conversations when you have them with you. Remember, we are teaching children how to treat us and others by the way we treat them. Giving one

another our undivided attention tells our loved ones, “You is smart; you is kind; you is important.” Let’sbegin changing their world and ours right now. Our future depends on it.

MeccaMusing: I looked in the mirror and...

MeccaMusing: I looked in the mirror and...: Had the most wonderful conversation with my Heavenly Daddy.   Dear Ones - He spoke truth in love to me. It was 3 am in Seattle.  I could...

MeccaMusing: The Intimacy of God's Silence

MeccaMusing: The Intimacy of God's Silence: Dear Ones - I hope you understand that I share my vulnerabilities out of a real desire to help others.  I know if I am experiencing these th...

MeccaMusing: The Intimacy of God's Silence

MeccaMusing: The Intimacy of God's Silence: Dear Ones - I hope you understand that I share my vulnerabilities out of a real desire to help others.  I know if I am experiencing these th...

The Intimacy of God's Silence

Dear Ones - I hope you understand that I share my vulnerabilities out of a real desire to help others.  I know if I am experiencing these things, others are as well.  I just can't be so special that I am the only one, right?

Sometimes, we are just too proud to admit we struggle.  My hope and prayer is that you will be blessed with the faithfulness of God in your life even in the smallest of details - the ones that often spoil the big picture when we let them.

I have struggled lately with feeling "anxious," about a particular situation. My human nature wants everything to be alright, roots secure.  My spiritual nature tells me when I am trusting the Lord, the roots can be shaken free from this earthly soil, and it doesn't matter what is going on, it is "alright,"  because I am rooted and grounded in Him.

The Lord brings verses to mind that remind me of His constant oversight and "working behind the scenes" on my behalf 24/7.  That He does not sleep for watching over me. That I shouldn't be anxious for anything, but trust Him for everything because no one loves with a more unconditional, perfect love; and that perfect love casts out all fear (feeling unsettled or anxious).  Phil 4:6

In fact, the website www.soulshepherding.com indicates that our Heavenly Daddy, Gardener tell us at least 365 times (enough for a new reminder every day of every year) to "fear not, or be anxious for nothing."  He does know us so well.  He could be aggravated that He has never failed and yet we continue to fret; but because of his long-suffering towards us, He repeats and reminds without condemnation.  Oh, to love others like that.

He made me is such a way that I need to communicate with people around me.  I need others to communicate with me.  I have a collaborative nature and don't appreciate being isolated or not being able to express my thoughts and opinions when in a group trying to accomplish a common goal.

Yet, knowing my human needs, He is allowing me to experience isolation. I tend to ask, "Lord, you know this is difficult for me - why would you allow this to happen?" All I hear is silence.  No answer. Not only is He allowing me to feel isolation in my situation, but I think I feel it from Him as well.

Then, I am reminded I don't grow as much spiritually and emotionally when everything is great.  I mature in Him when I depend on Him and Him alone for collaboration and affirming feedback or peace in the lack of collaboration knowing that He is always at work for my good.

So, in the midst of these thoughts, the good "suster" called me and shared a verse the Lord had brought to her mind about a situation she is experiencing.  John 5:17.  "My Father is working, and I am working [on your behalf and the Holy Spirit is comforting your soul with that knowledge - when you will listen].  She had no idea what I was writing.  God is indeed always working.

While I was thanking the Lord for His unconditional love, He led me to this marvelous devotional on God's silence and what intimacy it brings to the relationship because it indicates such trust.  I can't say it nearly as well or profoundly.  Please enjoy, "My Utmost for His Highest."


Has God trusted you with His silence— a silence that has great meaning? God’s silences are actually His answers. Just think of those days of absolute silence in the home at Bethany waiting on Him to come heal Lazarus! Is there anything comparable to those days in your life? Can God trust you like that, or are you still asking Him for a visible answer? God will give you the very blessings you ask if you refuse to go any further without them, but His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into an even more wonderful understanding of Himself. Are you mourning before God because you have not had an audible response? When you cannot hear God, you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible— with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation. If God has given you a silence, then praise Him— He is bringing you into the mainstream of His purposes. The actual evidence of the answer in time is simply a matter of God’s sovereignty. Time is nothing to God. For a while you may have said, “I asked God to give me bread, but He gave me a stone instead” (see Matthew 7:9). He did not give you a stone, and today you find that He gave you the “bread of life” (John 6:35).

A wonderful thing about God’s silence is that His stillness is contagious— it gets into you, causing you to become perfectly confident so that you can honestly say, “I know that God has heard me.” His silence is the very proof that He has. As long as you have the idea that God will always bless you in answer to prayer, He will do it, but He will never give you the grace of His silence. If Jesus Christ is bringing you into the understanding that prayer is for the glorifying of His Father, then He will give you the first sign of His intimacy— silence.

Sweet friends in Christ - My constant prayer is that my heart will be in tune with the heart of God, that He is akin to an earthly soul mate but so much more.  I trust His heart so much that whether I wait in silence or in full collaboration in communication, the situation does not change.  There is no fear, no worry, so aggravation, just pure peace - the kind that passes all understanding; and the intimacy in my relationship with God is strengthened through all of the circumstance of life when my eyes are on Jesus.  After all, It is God my Heavenly Daddy who guarantees outcomes to glorify Himself.  I can indeed trust His heart and therefore, His intent in my life.  

I love you all more today than I did yesterday, because the love of the heart of my God is more real today than it was yesterday.  And all of God's people said, "Amen and "Amen.  Joyfully, Mecca

MeccaMusing: The Work of my Heavenly Gardener

MeccaMusing: The Work of my Heavenly Gardener: Dear Ones - as we approach this new year, I want to say with absolute assurance that I believe God is in the miracle working business.  He s...

The Work of my Heavenly Gardener

Dear Ones - as we approach this new year, I want to say with absolute assurance that I believe God is in the miracle working business.  He still affects dramatic changes in the lives of those who approach Him with the attitude of "change me to be more like Jesus no matter what it takes."

"No matter what it takes."  Does that scare you?  Be honest.  It does scare me.  Why?  Because my flesh is afraid of what that might mean.  But that's the problem.  It's the flesh that is afraid.  So, I pray again, "Lord, all of you  and none of me."  

Then comes the peace that allows me to invite the Holy Spirit into every nook and cranny of my life, hiding nothing and ask Him to snip away at anything that would hinder a sweet relationship with the Lord Jesus.  

The precious thing about having a relationship with 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. 

That requires constant attention to His Word and prayer, which is my spiritual breath.  While the Lord Jesus is making me like Himself, He has to affect change in my life on a daily basis.  How dramatic it is depends on how involved the "I" gets.  If it's all of Him and none of me, it's a simple process.

Here is my main problem.  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 (6 houses, 2 states and many years ago).

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 continually affects change in my life through pruning.  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 (as long as "I" stays out of the way.)

"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 here and a snip there if it would continue to give me the joy, peace, gentleness and forbearance I have experienced during seasons of spiritual pruning.

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 grow as I grow in You - glorify You and point others to You, so that at the end of every 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.  Happy New Year.  Keep looking up.  Mecca

(Some of these thoughts have been used before, but they are still true at this very moment in my life.  Are they in yours?)

                              

MeccaMusing: What a Baby, What a Savior, What a King

MeccaMusing: What a Baby, What a Savior, What a King: Dear Ones - I have been wrapped in the love of Jesus this beautiful Christmas Day, 2014.  Something that has been running through my mind is...

What a Baby, What a Savior, What a King

Dear Ones - I have been wrapped in the love of Jesus this beautiful Christmas Day, 2014.  Something that has been running through my mind is the "magnificent personification." This what Dr. David Jeremiah calls our Heavenly Daddy and almighty God personified in a helpless babe.

I recently did a thorough study of the concept of leadership.  There are so many books, seminars, training sessions, articles and yes, even sermons on the subject.  There's no way I could read them all, but what I did read left me with two main characteristics of a true leader - authenticity and vulnerability.

We are instinctively drawn to people who are real and not afraid to be vulnerable, to admit they don't know everything and are still willing to learn.

Those characteristics are exactly what Jesus personified when He came as a helpless baby.  The birth of a baby is something that still mystifies humanity, creates wonder sometimes where there is no hope, gives people a reason to live, to do better, to commit, to step up, to grow up.  A baby captures our hearts and draws people together. It is something that cannot be ignored. The birth of a baby is transformational.

At birth we are the most vulnerable. As babies, we are totally dependent on others for everything, including our most basic needs.  When we are babies, we are also the most authentic.  We have the nature that will allow us to learn the concept of guile and deceit, but as babies we are pretty real about what we need and want and not shy at all about letting someone know by any means necessary.

I know there are many theological reasons that Jesus came as a baby, but I am speaking from my heart today.  I am reminded that He came when the Jewish people were in bondage - not in the height of their glory.  He was born in a manger, laid down to sleep in a feeding trough.

I read that there was a "touch of glory" in His birth with the bright star and angels declaring his birth, but even they appeared outside the city to the most humble of men - shepherds.  He was born in humiliating circumstances, to a virgin whose husband-to-be had to believe this unbelievable story that she had not been with another man.

I will never forget hearing Mark Lowry say that if he had been Mary, he would have asked the angel that declared the news to her to please go tell her mother and daddy, too, because they were never going to believe her. That should illicit a chuckle.

Think about what it took for Joseph to believe her and stand with her. At first he didn't but loved her enough that he was not going disgrace her.  I'm sure they were both very grateful for the angel's message to Joseph so he would understand the truth. But the angels didn't tell the neighbors.  What do you think they thought?

He grew up in the "backwoods"  of Galilee - not known as "the" place to live in those days.  His life was characterized by humility and a sense of peace (except when He whipped those boys out of the temple).

He was the perfect example of obedience in all circumstances - even to the death of the cross as my sinless Savior (Phil 2:8). He went through all of the stages of human growth and daily circumstances so that we could see He was not a high priest that didn't know what we were going through, but He was tempted just like we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).  He showed wisdom in all circumstances; after all, He created wisdom before he created anything else and walked hand-in-hand with her to create all things (Prov. 8).

What pride and arrogance I can sometimes exhibit.  I have so much.  I don't need anything, and yet sometimes, I moan and complain about my circumstances.  I want to be like Jesus, who was born in humility, lived in humility with the Power of his Father at His beck and call, yet chose to joyfully relinquish it all on my behalf.

Oh the preciousness and power of the "Magnificent Personification."  Lord Jesus, I yearn for your peace, your humility, your grace, your meekness.  I choose to step aside and beg for all of you and none of me - not just because I'm tired of me, but for the pure, unadulterated joy of knowing you fully and representing you by your grace and mercy in this world.

Don't let us lose the wonder of the blessed night when you first came as a baby, your death, burial and resurrection as our beloved Savior, and your promise of returning as our glorious King to gather us to yourself that where you are, there we will always be (John 14:3).

I will be happy in swaddling clothes, lying in a feeding trough, vulnerable at your feet.  What a place of safety - the cleft of the rock.  Looking forward with great anticipation to 2015.  Maybe this will be the year He comes as my King.  Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Oh, how I love that name.  I love you all.  Mecca

MeccaMusing: When My God's Nostrils Flare...

MeccaMusing: When My God's Nostrils Flare...: Dear Ones - in worshipping this morning with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, there was a powerful emphasis on God as our Warrior.  I d...

MeccaMusing: When My God's Nostrils Flare...

MeccaMusing: When My God's Nostrils Flair...: Dear Ones - in worshipping this morning with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, there was a powerful emphasis on God as our Warrior.  I d...

When My God's Nostrils Flare...

Dear Ones - in worshipping this morning with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, there was a powerful emphasis on God as our Warrior.  I dwell on the love of God, the heart of God and the way He runs to me and longs to fellowship with me as His child, but do I remember that when His nostrils flare on my behalf, the seas part and He makes a way?

Even when I pray with all of my heart, "Lord, my God, my Heavenly Daddy, none of me, all of you," I don't know that I really remember that the God of the universe who knows me by name is also a Warrior on my behalf in all warfare, in any conflict that concerns me as His child.

Standing with hands raised, on my knees with heart bowed low in reverence, lying prostrate, or sitting in a meeting at work with my heart in any of those positions - I can sing the song of Moses.  In Exodus 15,  Moses led the people is this song, "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.  The Lord is a man of war. The Lord is His name...thy right hand O, Lord, is become glorious in power...with the blast of thy nostrils, the waters were gathered together...The Lord shall reign for ever and ever."

I face battles everyday.  Only when I am walking in His spirit do I even recognize them as assaults. My arch enemy and my own flesh have one single mission - to destroy the testimony of Jesus in my life.  When I try to do it in my own strength, I succumb to defeat; for how can my own flesh fight against itself or its father?  Talk about a conflict of interest.

Dear Ones, we are Jesus to someone in this world every day.  Join with me in realizing we must feed on His Word, restore our spirits through our spiritual breath in prayer and become the arrow of our God who is our Warrior instead of the target of our enemy.  When He fights on our behalf, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light, and we have the strength to continue to serve because He goes before us.

Thank you sweet Jesus, precious Holy Spirit, and glorious God for your constant promise, presence and peace through the strength of God, my Warrior every moment of every day.  I love you three in One.

And I love you, too, my sweet family in Christ.  Make this a blessed week of victory, resting in Him.

And all God's people said, "Amen and Amen."  Joyfully, Mecca

MeccaMusing: MeccaMusing: A Daily Orientation to the Heart of G...

MeccaMusing: MeccaMusing: A Daily Orientation to the Heart of G...: MeccaMusing: A Daily Orientation to the Heart of God : Dear Ones - I don't usually write this time of the day, but my heart is so full a...

MeccaMusing: A Daily Orientation to the Heart of God

MeccaMusing: A Daily Orientation to the Heart of God: Dear Ones - I don't usually write this time of the day, but my heart is so full and so appreciative of what my Heavenly Daddy does for m...

A Daily Orientation to the Heart of God

Dear Ones - I don't usually write this time of the day, but my heart is so full and so appreciative of what my Heavenly Daddy does for me nonstop - even when I don't know or deserve it - that I needed to stop and share.  I am thrilled to the depths of my soul that He neither slumbers nor sleeps and that He knows all about me, my deepest longings and greatest needs.  The most exhilarating thing is that He knows them before I do.

Even after I spent time this morning orienting myself to the heart of God, I got to work feeling undervalued, unappreciated, and just having a tiny bit of a pity party.  Isn't that just like me?  I had just spent the last 45 minutes listening to my Heavenly Daddy speak truth into my life through the Daily Audio Bible.  One verse that particularly caught my attention and wooed my heart was Romans 11:36 "For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." 

I had heard that verse many times in my life, but this morning, the sweet Lord Jesus loved me to Himself with those words.  "Mecca, you are here from Me - my creation, and through Me, and for Me; and your life should always reflect my glory. Without Me, you don't exist."

So dear ones, how is it that after that kind of experience, I could enter the workplace and have such feelings?  I will tell you why.

I took my eyes off of Jesus and in less than 5 minutes, I forgot the daily manna from Heaven I had just received - that my life was about His glory.

All of a sudden, I was Elijah - fearful and placing my value in something or someone other than the "Lover of my Soul."  I walked in full of Him, allowing none of me.  And in the blink of an eye, it was all about me and none of Him.  In that instant, I understood exactly how Peter felt.  The very moment I took my focus off of what was real and true, I began to sink. I believed the lie my enemy whispered to me.

My heart cried out, "Dear Lord Jesus, "how do you stand me?"

I condemned myself and before I could even grovel and wax repentant, I received an email from someone attending training in one of our schools sharing the following message with me:

"Mecca, I just thought you would want to know that the trainer today said that next to the founders, and our CEO and President, you had had the greatest influence in her life with company."

That, dear ones, is mercy in all of its glory.  I deserved rebuke, but instead, my Heavenly Daddy sent affirmation in the sweetest, most humbling way.  While I was literally thinking, "how do you stand me," He was already diffusing those negative thoughts with a message that whispered, "stand you? - I
love you, laid down my life for you and wait with exceeding joy to fellowship with  you."

That was a message directly from the heart of the God of the Universe who knows me by name and calls me His own.  It humbled me, blessed me and filled me to my core. It wasn't that someone said that - (I even hesitated to share the particular comment) but that God sent me a message of affirmation when He had the right to rebuke; and He did it in a timely manner and in the words that would mean something to me at that moment and in the context of my self-pity.

That's what my  Heavenly Daddy means when He says, "It is the goodness of God that brings us to repentance."

John 8:10-11 “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I.’”

Romans 8:11 "For there is therefore now no condemnation to those who walk in Christ Jesus."

I was ashamed, but not condemned, because He doesn't condemn me.  I repented - not out of guilt but because of His great love and precious tenderness.

Thank you for letting me share my heart - even when it is flagrantly self-centered. I vow in your presence and as my witnesses that I continually desire to orient myself to the great heart of God through His Word and in conversation with Him in prayer.  

My challenge today and the one I leave with you is the challenge my Heavenly Daddy left with me:

• to do what is just by being fair and honest;
• to love mercy by showing forgiveness to someone you have the right and authority to rebuke or discipline; and
• to "walk humbly with your God" by recognizing, reverencing and being obedient to that still small voice.  (Micah 6:8). 

Reminds me of this sweet old hymn. Today, I am going to bask in the joy of Jesus, swim in His endless mercy, and deep-dive in the love of the great heart of my God.   Will you?  Joyfully - Mecca

Take the world, but give me Jesus,

Sweetest comfort of my soul;

With my Savior watching o’er me,

I can sing though billows roll.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

.

I

MeccaMusing: Elijah, Why are you here?

MeccaMusing: Elijah, Why are you here?: Dear Ones - I have been to Arkansas, Tyler, Dallas, and Houston, Texas as well as Oklahoma since the last time we shared thoughts from God&#...

Elijah, Why are you here?

Dear Ones - I have been to Arkansas, Tyler, Dallas, and Houston, Texas as well as Oklahoma since the last time we shared thoughts from God's Word.  Frank was with me most of the time.  I have been blest to be with family and friends that I love very much and who love me back.  (They do whether or not some of them will admit it.)  God has been faithful to protect, sustain, teach, guide, show grace and mercy, meet physical, spiritual and emotional needs. It has been tiring and exhilarating at the same time.

As a matter of fact,  in my whole life, God's faithfulness has never waivered.  He has proven Himself over and over.

Yet, this past week I have struggled with melancholy, uncertainty, and yes, a little bit of fear.  I believe God is unsettling me, maybe about to replant my feet.  This girl doesn't like change and will only do it with much internal kicking and screaming, even though I say I trust my Heavenly Daddy explicitly and believe He will not do me harm, but only good.  (Jeremiah 29:11).

I had the privilege of being with my sweet friend, LaRue Skaggs, during my travels, and she shared with me a story of adoption where the little girl was crying and kicking, and actually scared to go with her new adoptive mother because she didn't know her and didn't know what to expect. She was afraid. LaRue made the comment, "if that little girl only knew the love and joy that was waiting for her......" I actually said right then, LaRue, "that is a blog story."

How often do we resist the plans God has for us? And, the "kicker" - (no pun intended) is, we do know Him, say we trust Him, say we worship Him for who He is and have practical understanding of the joy and love we have inherited right here on earth.  I cannot fathom with my finite mind what is in store for me in eternity.  (I Cor. 2:9)

Yet, we (I know I'm not alone in this), are fearful, uncertain and fail to enjoy all of God's greatness in our lives.  I Peter 2:7 refers to the preciousness of believing.  I love that word, "precious."  To me it is something dear, valuable, irreplaceable, a thing to be reverenced for itself.   It reminds me of a line in a chorus we sing, "to you who believe He is precious, Whom having not seen we love...."

I have a 45 minute - 1 hour drive every morning and every afternoon.  I have been listening to the Daily Audio Bible.  What a blessing - talk about putting the workplace in perspective.

The Lord spoke to me very specifically in our study of I Kings 18 and 19.  The story of all that God did through the prophet, Elijah, is thrilling.  God showed Himself powerful and faithful through the drought, protection of over 150 of God's prophets, destruction of Baal's prophets, victory at Mt. Carmel and warp speed energy He gave Elijah to outrun Ahab's chariots to Jezreel.

Elijah expected Jezebel to surrender.  When she did not, but instead sent word that everything God had done to her prophets, she would do to Elijah within 24 hours, he ran out of mortal fear.  He stops in Beersheba - exhausted and broken.  God comes to Him there, and says,"Elijah, why are you here?"

Little miss judgmental said the same thing.  "Yeah, Elijah - unbelievable.  God just did miraculous things, I mean physical things you could see and witness and at first sign of something not going how you expected, you ran."  To which, my Heavenly Daddy whispered, "don't judge Elijah and tell Me what you are doing here?"   Here - in my state of melancholy, uncertainty and yes, a little bit of fear."  That immediately got my attention.  I heard Elijah's answer, (paraphrased) - "Lord, I have been loyal to you, done everything you asked me to do, and now Jezebel wants to kill me, and I'm just going to lie down here and die."  Sounds like a pity party to me.  Hmm,  wonder why I recognize that?

As I listened to the rest of the story, I realized how God in His wisdom knew Elijah could not take correction and rebuke in his present state, so he fed him and sustained him through a 40 day/night journey to Horeb.  The Lord asked him again, "Elijah, why are you here?"  Believe it or not, Elijah gave Him the same answer.

In a precursor to another communication between God and Elijah, rocks crumbled, a mighty wind came, the earth shook,  and then there was fire.  All of these were powerful signs, but God's voice was not in them.

Then a gentle breeze came, and Elijah rose and wrapped his face in a garment and stood in the entrance to the cave where he was resting.  God said a third time, "Elijah, why are you here?" What did Elijah say?  He gave the very same answer.  Isn't it a good thing God is patient with us?

God in His mercy, told Elijah to get up.  I take that as "enough of this."  He gave him the authority to anoint a few kings and promised to save the lives of the 7,000 in Israel that had not bowed the knee to Baal.  Then, He gave Elisha to Elijah to minister to him for the remainder of his journey.

What I learned from this story is that:

• God is faithful
• He understands our frailty
• He is patient with our unbelief no matter how many times we fail
• He does allow us to go through suffering of consequences (Elijah's cave dwelling and 40 day/night journeys were no picnic)
• He is a jealous God and does not tolerate our worship of anything or anyone other than Himself.
• He never leaves us - no matter where we are - we are the ones that run.  
• He allows "wallowing" for just so long
• He expects us to put our expectations and hope in Him (not assuming Jezebel will surrender) 
• As long as we recognize and reverence His voice, He still has work for us to do.  

So, I said to myself, "Mecca, why are you here?"  No more kicking and screaming like you don't believe in the goodness and greatness of God and your personal relationship with His dear Son.  Don't judge others and work on continual communication with your Heavenly Daddy so that you never miss His voice.  For right now, may I challenge you to substitute your name for "Elijah?"  "_______, why are you here?" Do you recognize the voice of your Heavenly Daddy?

Reminds me of another song:  (sung with a bit of a beat so stand up and dance with joy.  Make up your own tune if you don't know it.)  I love you all.  Mecca

O, I love to hear His voice,Saying, "You belong to Me,You are not your own, with a price you're bought,And you're Mine, eternally;"And I love to hear Him say,"I have saved you by My grace."And when I get to glory, it will then be grander still,For I shall see His face.

"Let Go" - So Easy to Say, so Hard to Do.

Dear Ones - I have had so much on my heart and so little time to share.  Starting to blog again for me is always like starting to write a new term paper or article.  I love the process of doing it, but I often avoid "getting started."  So, now you know one of my greatest weaknesses. 

For whatever reason, we have raised a generation of "perfectionists."  I believe there have always been perfectionists or controllers, but it seems the epidemic is spreading.  I have always loved the quote, "Perfectionism is the single most inspiration crushing behavior we can impose on ourselves or others."  I don't know who originated it, but it is powerfully true.  In my vocation, we use it to illustrate the damage it does to children for adults to pressure them to do things "right" before they are capable of doing it at all. 

As a controlling person, what I have found in my own life is that I'm controlling and a perfectionist in public and far less disciplined in private.  The more controlling I am with others, the less disciplined I am with myself.  I guess it's some sort of compensation for what I lack that no one knows about. 

Here is the conundrum for me as a Christian.  My God is perfect.  His Son is perfect and was the perfect sacrifice to die for my imperfection.  (Hebrews 12:2) As a believer in and an acceptor of that full-blood sacrifice, I acknowledge that the only good thing in or about me is His perfection, illustrated daily by His mercy, grace, longsuffering and unfailing forgiveness for all of my imperfections.  (Is 64:6) That is a polite word for my utterly decadent nature and complete lack of any thing good except for what Jesus graciously gives me.  Oh how joyful I am today that He uses "broken things" for His glory by making all things new. 

We are not perfect, and no one ever will be.  To try to portray that to the world is my "Pride."  I don't want anyone to know I make mistakes.  Well, my Heavenly Daddy said to me, "Dear sweet Mecca 'He always calls me sweet even in rebuke and exhortation,' everyone knows you are not perfect, and when you act as if you are (being controlling and wanting it my way), I diminish, you increase, and you know what a mess that makes."  "Yes, Sir," I say, and whisper, "all of you, Lord, none of me."  (John 3:30) What I know to be true is that the Lord Jesus magnifies his goodness with His power.  The more I step back and LET GO, yield to His all sufficiency in every circumstance, the greater my influence for His glory in every circumstance.  I think that is what Dr Bob Jones, Sr. meant when he said "for the believer, there is no difference in the secular and sacred."  Everything I do must be glorifying to my Heavenly Daddy and therefore, sacred in His sight.  When I am walking in that light as His is in that light, I not only am not controlling or trying to be "perfect,"  I actually have no desire to act with either of those behaviors.  Now, isn't that something?  He is all sufficient.  He is all I need.  He is all in all. 

Because of what God is teaching me, I was able to write this following note to someone in my office for whom I pray, I am responsible for mentoring, and I work to be an example.  I was able to write with clarity about "letting go."  This, dear ones, is how God gives us confidence and influence.  I would not have been able to do this but for His all sufficient mercy and grace. In fact, I did nothing.  He did it all.  That keeps me from boasting about anything.

(Name changed to protect the perfectionist in all of us).

My sweet Suzy – First of all, thank you for what you do, for your dedication and your clarity of thought.  That attribute was so important today to our success, and you and Olivia did get a lot done. 

I know you are concerned about the decision I made earlier today.  I want to share something I am still learning about leadership and “letting go.”  Whether or not you agree with it, and whether or not it was the right decision, it was mine to make. 

When I made that decision, it released you from the responsibility of it and placed any repercussions on me. You expressed your concern, your disagreement and your reason why.  I listened, thought about it, and made a decision.  If  you can learn to let go of what you cannot control, and to enjoy the freedom of that, it will change you.  You will be able to think with even greater clarity, make better decisions, grow wiser and gain greater credibility with each triumph. 

 Suzy, before this year, I did not have the credibility to say that to you or anyone else.  I have learned (and am still learning, thank God) the importance of letting go of what I cannot control.  It is vital to my professional and personal growth.  It is to yours as well.  Be joyful, my Suzy.  Let go of the thing you wanted to happen and embrace what did happen.  In the whole scheme of things, it is not that important.

From someone who cares more than you know – Joyfully, MJ

Dear Ones - I am learning to speak to others the way the sweet Lord Jesus speaks to me.  He is absolutely kind, does not hedge the issue, speaks truth into my life.  When I receive it, it changes me.  When I don't, well..... some of you have been the recipient of "my own goodness."  It's very scary and never glorifies the perfect One who sacrificed all so I could be "perfect in Him." 

My continuous challenge is to begin each day with a beginner's mind, a heart for the truth of God's Word, and the wisdom to treat others the way my Jesus treats me.  May I challenge you to do the same.  It will revolutionize your life.  It produces "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

I love you all very much.  

"He is all I need, He is all I need

All, all I need.

He was crucified and for me He died,

Jesus is all I need."

MeccaMusing: A Lamp, A Light and at all times a Delight!

MeccaMusing: A Lamp, A Light and at all times a Delight!: Good Afternoon dear ones - I woke up very early this Saturday morning.  I felt a bit oppressed yesterday and went to bed with one of thos...

A Lamp, A Light and at all times a Delight!

Good Afternoon dear ones - I woke up very early this Saturday morning.  I felt a bit oppressed yesterday and went to bed with one of those "nagging" feelings, like something might be wrong, kinda' thought I knew what it was, but then, decided maybe not.  

Everyone of us have had that same feeling.  If you haven't, I would like to meet you.  I do remember whispering to the Lord as I closed my eyes, "All of you, Lord, none of me. Rest my heart, soul and body. Rest Frank tonight.  Let us wake in your likeness. Good night sweet Jesus.  Tell my sweet Daddy hello.  Thank you that you neither slumber nor sleep." 

I don't recall anything else until 5:30am when I woke up rested - but ole' negative Nellie was a bit irritated she hadn't been able to sleep a little bit longer on Saturday.  I got over it pretty quickly though.

As I thought about a good night's rest, the powerful presence of my Savior and His mercy towards me, this verse came to mind, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Ps. 105:119. You might think that doesn't particularly fit; but in that moment I realized that in this busy week of travel, deadlines and expectations from everyone and everything in my life, I had neglected His Word.  I rue the day I forget to spend time with the One I say I love above all and not even realize the absence of that lamp, that light, that delight!  Its absence in the lives of believers should cause all of us to have a "nagging" or "tugging" at our hearts.  Nothing should seem right in our world without the lamp, the light, and the delight and protection it brings.

I read where someone had commented that while we might never uncover all of the mystery and depth of His Word until we are made perfect and have all understanding, His Word is really meant to provide practical everyday guidance as much if not more than it is meant to amaze and challenge.  My thought is when I can be amazed and challenged and the Holy Spirit makes it practical for me, (because there's nothing in His way) I am really "walking in the light as He is in the light and have fellowship with others of like mind." I John 1:7

Speaking of practical guidance, I have gotten to the place in my life where my mind just cannot keep up with everything I am trying to accomplish.  I don't know if it's age or having too many things going on at the same time.  In the past two weeks I have forgotten to take my luggage with me to the airport, gotten cash for a trip and then left it in the car along with my debit card, forgot where I put my credit card, etc.  I have walked out of a room, forgotten where I was going or why, retraced my steps, had my "aha" moment, turned around and forgotten again. I saw a greeting card the other day that said, "remember when we used to laugh at old people - what was so d--n funny?"  I say, "Exactly!" 

These are the times that Frank says I will run over animals, fire hydrants and small children if I'm not more careful.  

He has started leaving me little notes all over the house.  On the dishwasher - "Do not open," so I won't open it during the drying cycle.  A message on the floor in front of the door to the garage, "Heat,"  because I can't remember to adjust the thermostat, a sticky note in my purse, "have you got your phone," or "I really do love Mecca - Bubba."

Isn't that what the Lord Jesus does for us through His Word and through other believers who know and love His Word speaking truth into our lives?  He leaves me reminders through His Word of the snares and traps the devil has set for me each day or the ditches and potholes I must avoid on a regular basis. Some of the snares and traps I've never experienced and wouldn't know to look for them without His prompting.  

What I believe is that the Word of God amazes, confounds, illuminates, pierces, discerns, calls out, rebukes, comforts, convicts, wraps me in love, covers me in full armor, gives me wisdom, common sense, faith, perspective, quenches my thirst, feeds my soul, frees me from worry, is forever settled in Heaven, points out the ditches, potholes and traps of life and so much more.  Trying to describe alI that God's Word does and means to the very air that I breath is like trying to "fill the ocean with ink or using the sky as parchment."  Its benefits and wisdom are eternal and "past finding out."   The more I understand the depth of God's Word, the more time I spend with its Illuminator, Author, Finisher of my faith, "light of the world" and the reason we will need no sun or moon in Heaven, the less "nagging" I will feel; and the fewer pot holes or ditches I will experience - and all of the pain as a result of those experiences.  

Who can be silent about the infinite power of God's Word?  My Heavenly Daddy says if I keep silent, the rocks will cry out.  Who can forget it?  The sad truth is, I can.  

Not Christ in me, but "I" can, save for the constant, precious reminders from His heart to mine.  May I never venture so far from the "light" that I don't even recognize it has grown dim and faded.   My constant prayer is that I would be saturated in His Word, be filled with Him and void of me so that His light shines brightly - that He can use this broken, empty vessel to fill and use for His honor and glory.

I hope anyone reading this will begin saying on a daily basis, "Lord, none of me, all of you." In every situation, I have never found that prayer to fail.  The only way that has happened in my heart is by yielding to His Word, in obedience to His commands with a sincere desire to know the heart of God through His Word.

Now, it you were raised a good Baptist, that sounded just like an invitation.  We might be on the 14th verse of Just As I am, and somebody better respond so we can all go home for pot roast, potatoes, onions and carrots or maybe just a hot dog.

And for those of us who grew up in Sunday School, we all learned the simple yet powerful song, "The B-i-b-l-e, yes that's the book for me; I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-i-b-l-e."  

Are you humming it now?  Shout it, stand on it, believe it, and live it.  Glorious, precious peace is waiting for those who do.  

It is truly a lamp, a light, and at all times a delight (even as a wielding sword)!  

Love to you all.   Joyfully, Mecca