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
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.
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.)
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
Monday, December 31, 2012
MeccaMusing: Gentleness instead of a "Whuppin'."
MeccaMusing: Gentleness instead of a "Whuppin'.": Good Evening Dear Ones - Happy New Year! What a wonderful holiday season. Frank and I spent Thanksgiving with "my people," and Christmas...
Gentleness instead of a "Whuppin'."
Good Evening Dear Ones - Happy New Year! What a wonderful holiday season. Frank and I spent Thanksgiving with "my people," and Christmas with "his people," (Frank's terminology). For New Year's Eve and Day, we are at home with each other - right where we want to be.
Frank and I are so blessed, and there is not one blessing in our lives about which we can boast. We have done nothing to merit God's grace and goodness, but we are oh so grateful and humbled at His great love for us.
I have started about five different blogs over the past two weeks. I have had many thoughts about the Lord and His word, and yet, I have had the most difficult time getting my thoughts together. I just couldn't seem to get clarity on anything to say.
Now, for those of you who know me well, you realize there is definitely something "turble" ("terrible" for those who need translation), at work for me to have trouble finding something to say.
I began praying, asking specifically why I was struggling, finding no clarity, and why my thoughts seemed forced. I asked if there was anything in my heart I didn't know about - or knew about and hadn't taken seriously.
I began praying, asking specifically why I was struggling, finding no clarity, and why my thoughts seemed forced. I asked if there was anything in my heart I didn't know about - or knew about and hadn't taken seriously.
BINGO! That last question was the winning ticket.
I had something in my heart that my Heavenly Daddy had been speaking to me about for a few weeks. I realized what it was the minute I asked Him to search my heart and point it out to me so there was no way I could miss it.
Have you ever experienced someone saying something to you, and you hear it; but it doesn't register with you for a few seconds. I hope I am not the only one to whom that has happened; but I have literally taken a few steps, maybe gone around a corner and stopped, realizing someone had spoken to me, and I hadn't responded. I "heard," but I didn't "listen" until later.
That's what I had been doing - hearing, but not listening as the Lord gently prodded me about what I was harboring in my heart.
Do you know what struck me as amazing about the Lord showing me my sin? It was the way He did it. When I finally "listened," I remembered His sweet nudge, gentle reminder, patient repeating of the nudge, firm but kind rebuke, His patient endurance at my ignoring Him.
Think of that. The God of the universe is speaking through the Holy Spirit to my heart, and I'm ignoring Him. Though He is all powerful and had the right to do so, He didn't condemn or demand. He persisted in His pursuit of this disobedient child with patience and gentleness.
That's what rings true to my heart - gentleness - being considerate, kind, tender, and compassionate. I am in awe of the character of Jesus and so convicted at my lack of gentleness at times when I probably need it the most.
His gentleness and goodness brought me to repentance (Romans 2:4). In I Cor. 4:21, He even asks the question, "Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?"
I read a sermon by Paul Fritz on gentleness that left me with two challenges:
Gentleness doesn't mean weakness. You can release someone from a job, initiate difficult conversations, or speak a truth that is difficult to hear and do it all with gentleness.
My prayer is that I will demonstrate the wonderful fruit of the spirit, "gentleness," in every relationship I have - including the one I have with myself.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to me in a spirit of gentleness, instead of a rod of correction. We called that a "whuppin'" when I was growing up; and believe me, I remember it.
Still approaching every day with joy...and approaching the Throne of Grace with humility and gratitude, asking for gentleness so that I can demonstrate the sweet spirit of Jesus.
P.S. Listen - Do you hear it? The trumpet sound? Be listening, don't miss it. How glorious it would be to see Jesus face-to-face this year. I would touch that sweet face. OK - I have to stop. I will write about that another day. Love you all so much. Mecca
I had something in my heart that my Heavenly Daddy had been speaking to me about for a few weeks. I realized what it was the minute I asked Him to search my heart and point it out to me so there was no way I could miss it.
Have you ever experienced someone saying something to you, and you hear it; but it doesn't register with you for a few seconds. I hope I am not the only one to whom that has happened; but I have literally taken a few steps, maybe gone around a corner and stopped, realizing someone had spoken to me, and I hadn't responded. I "heard," but I didn't "listen" until later.
That's what I had been doing - hearing, but not listening as the Lord gently prodded me about what I was harboring in my heart.
Do you know what struck me as amazing about the Lord showing me my sin? It was the way He did it. When I finally "listened," I remembered His sweet nudge, gentle reminder, patient repeating of the nudge, firm but kind rebuke, His patient endurance at my ignoring Him.
Think of that. The God of the universe is speaking through the Holy Spirit to my heart, and I'm ignoring Him. Though He is all powerful and had the right to do so, He didn't condemn or demand. He persisted in His pursuit of this disobedient child with patience and gentleness.
That's what rings true to my heart - gentleness - being considerate, kind, tender, and compassionate. I am in awe of the character of Jesus and so convicted at my lack of gentleness at times when I probably need it the most.
His gentleness and goodness brought me to repentance (Romans 2:4). In I Cor. 4:21, He even asks the question, "Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?"
I read a sermon by Paul Fritz on gentleness that left me with two challenges:
- to ask the Lord to help me exhibit greater trust and obedience to the Lord with the same spirit of Godly gentleness that He bestowed upon me;
- and to ask the Lord Jesus to help me respond with the utmost courtesy and respect to others since He has given me the privilege of representing Him with His truth.
Parents, are you gentle in your pursuit and correction of your children? Husbands and wives, do we treat each other with gentleness? Those of us in leadership - are we gentle with those who look to us for guidance, support, instruction? Do we remain gentle, giving the truth without condescension (Gal. 6:1)
My prayer is that I will demonstrate the wonderful fruit of the spirit, "gentleness," in every relationship I have - including the one I have with myself.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to me in a spirit of gentleness, instead of a rod of correction. We called that a "whuppin'" when I was growing up; and believe me, I remember it.
Still approaching every day with joy...and approaching the Throne of Grace with humility and gratitude, asking for gentleness so that I can demonstrate the sweet spirit of Jesus.
P.S. Listen - Do you hear it? The trumpet sound? Be listening, don't miss it. How glorious it would be to see Jesus face-to-face this year. I would touch that sweet face. OK - I have to stop. I will write about that another day. Love you all so much. Mecca
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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...
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