finding God in vegetables....

This morning, I was driving Isaac to preschool, chatting with him about the Yanni music we were listening to, while mentally planning my day. 

“Let’s see….I’ve got about an hour before I go see my friend Ginny and her new baby…need to make dentist appointments…literature homework…farmer’s market, I need peaches… field peas… corn….”.

I felt the Holy Spirit interrupt my grocery list….
"The corn, April".

“Huh?”

“You are focused on the husk, not the corn.”

“Okay.” Corn.  Husk. Hmmm…a little confused. I pull into the parking lot of Isaac’s preschool.
 “Can we talk about this later?”

I get Isaac settled at school and come back to my car to have a divine conversation with the Holy One about corn. Throughout the morning God continued to speak. He showed me that sometimes the blessings in our lives (the corn) come wrapped up in experiences that really don’t feel like that much of a blessing (the husk).  If God just dropped shucked corn cobs in our lives, it would be wonderful! Joy! Peace! Forgiveness! Prosperity! Faith! But when our harvest is embedded in something else, it can be confusing and complicated to separate the two. It makes sense, though, knowing that God is more interested in our character than he is our comfort. What lesson is learned if we are not required to peel away the husk and pull out the silky hairs?

Understanding that God’s treasures can come through a little darkness, sometimes we encounter two elements, the husk and the corn. The baby and the bathwater. The fish and the bones. The rose and the thorns. We sometimes get overfocused on the husk and underfocused on the corn.

Here’s a personal example. I birthed Isaac naturally after a fourteen hour labor. I endured a lot of pain to reap my seven pound harvest. What if, after that last push, I heard that sweet tender cry and then said, “Get that kid away from me. He caused me a lot of pain. Parenting is for the birds. Enough of this. Take him to the nursery, I just want to lay down and sleep. Ouch, ouch, ouch. ” Of course not! The pain wasn’t his fault, it was just part of the process to get him here. The difficult experience that led me to my permanent blessing was temporary. The whole point of labor and delivery is the baby! The blessing! The corn. “Give my baby to me”, was my reply after that last push, as I reached down and took my beautiful boy from the doctor’s hands. I lifted him up to my chest as Bo touched his head and together we thanked God for bringing him to us.  

Sometimes the husk is a little more challenging though, like when a friend hurts us or when we are disrespected, rejected, or ashamed.  These lessons come with tough husks that can prevent us from even getting to the corn. We can become so distracted by anger, resentment, failure, pride, shame, etc., that we end up serving our wide-eyed family a plate full of husks after chunking the nutritious cobs in the trash. Don’t get it backwards! Give the husk the attention it requires, then throw those temporary coverings away. Or stuff them down the disposal. Or dump them on your mulch pile. But, don’t confuse the husk with your corn!

A dear friend of mine and I recently had a misunderstanding. I was hurt. She was hurt. Communication was strained. It was the kind of conflict that could have destroyed our relationship. My inaccurate perceptions of her behavior catered right to my insecurities, as did hers. But in our love for each other, we refused to sacrifice our seventeen-year-old friendship. We met at a coffee house to hash it out. Words and actions were clarified, forgiveness was asked and extended, hugs and kisses were given. We left the husks with our empty coffee cups and celebrated the corn.

I hope that as you have read this, the Holy Spirit is bringing up some “husky” areas of your own life.  I encourage you my darlings, as I am doing, to ask God to help you clearly recognize what to keep and what to throw away. Let go of any part of a life experience that you know in your spirit is not to hang around. Re-direct your thoughts and your energies. Celebrate with me that God brings bountiful blessings into our lives, and in His wisdom, sometimes wraps them in a temporary covering created to serve its’ purpose before fading away into distant memories. If imbalance tries to creep back in, identify it. “That’s a husk, I will focus on the corn.” Being thankful for the gifts God gives us helps to keep the main thing the main thing. Celebrating pain, anger, and pride saps us of energy that is better spent praising God for his love, mercy, provision, and grace.

I will never look at a cob of corn the same way again.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

sweet surrender

Remember the medievel movies that show valiant knights on regal horses, riding into battle, with one appointed warrior carrying the troop's flag? That flag identified the kingdom. It represented the people, their authority, and their purpose. While we no longer travel on horses, we still carry a banner. If we bear the one God gives us, then we are identified as His, surrendered to His will and purpose for our lives. But, even for those of us who love and serve Him, we can sometimes lay down His flag and wave our own. I see it in my spirit..... We sketch and draw and paint our own designs and colors, personalizing our own flags to represent our own agendas. It's a pride flag, fashioned out of the fears, insecurities, and selfish motives that drive us to want to forge ahead our own way. Because we create them ourselves, these puny little flags do not identify us with the King or His authority and protection. We are a troop of one. 

God has a white flag for us. Waving a white flag in the midst of battle typically means defeat. It symbolizes that the troops are no longer posting their own colors, but a neutral color as a sign of defeat. However, when we wave the white flag in surrender to pain, pride, fear, rejection, and sin, this is a spiritual victory. We win spiritual battles when we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15).  White represents purity. The purity that comes from heaven is peaceful. Who wants to fight when we can enjoy peace and rest? Further, the white flag of victory connects us with a larger body. I wonder how it makes God feel to look upon His creation and instead of a hodge podge of abstract colors and designs, see white flags of beauty and peace gently waving in unity and love.

Usually we know what God wants us to do, we just don't do it. We continue to bear our own flag, while He patiently waits, arm extended, white flag in hand, ready to share victory and peace to our weary hearts and lives. Join me, my darlings, in surrender. In doing so, we exchange one authority for another. Ours for his. Struggle for rest. War for peace. Anger for forgiveness. Hate for love. This kind of surrender is a powerful act of spiritual warfare. It takes courage. It takes trust. It takes strength.

But, enjoying the benefits of peace and fulfillment make it worth it.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure: then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full or mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18

"They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy." Rev. 3:4

"All who are victorious are clothed in white." Rev. 3:5





Hillsong LIVE - Forever Reign

go against the flow

Psychologist David Lieberman says....

"When your mind has nothing to focus on it divides against itself and creates a breeding ground for worries and anxieties.  Yet, once you get a clearly defined outside goal that you are passionate about these divisions cease.  When you have a clear-cut objective, you're in a better mood and your attention is clear and focused.  Suddenly the "little things" don't seem as important to you anymore.  You have perspective on what really matters. A mind with nothing to occupy it will turn against itself.  When we have nothing to focus our attention on our mind creates its own unrest and fears begin to take root."

We can back this teaching up with scripture....

 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:5-6

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8

Is your life full of good, interesting, wholesome, passionate things that attract your time and focus?  Sometimes we get stuck in a cycle of doing the same thing, over and over, day in and day out. With no new outside "threat" to this cycle, our minds are denied the stimulation that expands our thinking and gives us new perspective. If you feel like your life is really small, ask God to open it up with new activities, hobbies, work, projects, relationships, etc., that would keep you positively focused and balanced. Our sin nature will always have a downward pull toward negativity.  Like a salmon fighting the current, we can swim upstream into new, exciting waters.  Don't be afraid to go against the flow.  Step outside of your comfort zone. Try something new. Yes, it may take some effort and courage, but the results are far more beneficial than stifling away in a stagnant pond with smelly dead fish.

seasons

Isaac and I were having a conversation in the car. A school bus passed us and he said he wanted to ride the bus.

Me: "You can ride the school bus when you are a little older.  You have to be five years old to ride the bus.  Right now you are too little."

Isaac: "I want to be five!"

Me: "Baby, you are three. You can't be five yet. You have to turn four first."

Isaac: "I don't want to be four!"

As soon as he said that, something inside me responded. Child, I know how that feels! There have been plenty of times in my life when I was in one season and "done" with it, ready to move on, frustrated, tired, wanting change that the next anticipated season would surely hold. I was three, and wanted to be five, but first had to be four!

God has this thing about growth. He is a Master Gardener, you know. He wants us to grow and learn and blossom and bear fruit in the season He has us in, before we move on to the next level in the garden of our lives. He wants us to hang out in the dirt, soaking up the sun and the rain, while our little leaves start to bud. And He is none too keen on checking with us about timetables either.  I gave Him a watch but He won't wear it :) So, as much as we might like our circumstances to be different, God sees the whole picture of where we are and what needs to happen while we are there. He has things for us to learn and experience in this season that will prepare us for the next.

Learning our ABCs in preschool makes it possible to read and write in kindergarden.  A college education won't fly without the skills acquired in high school. We have to tag 1st, 2nd, and 3rd before it counts when we run home. Nine long months have to pass before we get to see that little one moving and squirming around inside. Bus drivers don't let three year olds on until they've turned four and five.

Are you here? In transition? Tired of being three and ready to jump to five? Not really thrilled about having to be four?  I understand. What I've learned during times like these is that it's helpful to accept it. Stop fighting it.  Don't resist the season you are in. God's goodness is everywhere. Grumbling and complaining can hinder our ability to see that. Finding a way to be content where we are really helps to get through a difficult time and I think maybe even speeds up the process.  Sometimes we resist the very things that will bless us. Be teachable. Flexible. Pliable. Welcome the lessons that come in hard times. You will probably need them! The things of God that David learned in the caves and the wilderness while fleeing Saul prepared Him to reign as king when the seasons in his life shifted. Jacob's stone pillow became a memorial and the hard ground where he slept became Bethel, the "house of God", after God spoke to him there in the dirt (Gen 28). It's those treasures that make dark seasons beautiful and add glorious meaning to tough times in our lives. If you feel like you are "stuck", try asking God to show you what He wants you to learn in the place where you are.  Open your heart to His hand. Ask Him to reveal His purpose for that season in your life, so you can yield and cooperate and let Him do His thing.

I like what Paul has to say....

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Phil 1:6  

I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  Phil 4:12

It's like he's saying...."Chill, baby, it's all good." Before you know it, you will be standing there at the bus stop with your little backpack and an apple for the teacher, in all your five year old glory, done with preschool and ready for kindergarden. Which would not have happened...if you hadn't been four. 

Christ is Risen - Matt Maher

"The glory of God....defeated the night!"

have fun

I love to laugh and joke and cut up and tease people. I appreciate Caleb's sarcasm, miss my dad's dry humor, and think news bloopers are hilarious.  I love people who don't take themselves or life too seriously.  I've been bungee jumping with my friend Laura, parasailing with the hubs, ridden a camel with my pastor, and had the driver intentionally throw me and my girl friends off the banana boat.  And don't get me started about roller coasters.  I love roller coasters.  I once rode one a dozen times in a row. Put me in the front seat and let me scream in terror and delight. My favorites are the wooden ones that go 60 mph and make the creaky, clangy sound that convinces you that the whole thing is about to break apart.

I don't think there is enough fun being had in our modern day stressed-to-the-limit days.  There is plenty of stuff that brings us down.  Are we making room for what lifts us up?

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him,

because the soul of all the people was grieved,

every man for his sons and for his daughters:

but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6

Modern versions say David strengthened himself in the Lord.  This tells me two things.  One, God puts some stuff on us to do.  We have a part to play in getting the encouragement and strength we need.  And two, how do we get strength?

.....the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

How many times has a good laugh brought some relief during a crisis?  The bible says a cheerful heart is good medicine (Ps. 17).  Is your life full of tough things?  Are your days consumed with responsibility? Then make sure you leave room for fun.  It will help.  Joy will strengthen you. Have an arsenal of coping skills that lift you up when you are down. If you take the time to enjoy yourself today, you will be refreshed and stronger for tomorrow.  Do you have a strained relationship? Find a way to create some light-hearted moments together and see if that helps.  Rent a comedy, hang out with friends, play Twister, ride your motorcycle, borrow your brother's convertible and take a ride on a sunny day.  Go camping, swimming, boating, skiing, dancing, hiking.  Ride the roller coaster. Lighten up. Have fun.  Live life!

Here are a few funny videos if you need some laughter right now.  This instant.  I need some joy, April.  Okay my darlings, I got 'cha......



"Tonight" by Rush of Fools

where are you?

Some precious soul is heavy on my heart today. Whoever it is, I have a prophetic word for you......

God wants to meet you, right where you are.

Sometimes, in the midst of sin, anger, disappointment, despair, etc. we find ourselves in a lonely place. We think we cannot get to God. We think the barrier between us and Him is too big. That we've been too bad.  Gone too long. Not spiritual enough. Unreachable.  Unlovable.  Unworthy.  All of that, my darling, is a lie from the slimy snake.  There is nothing you can do that would prevent God from wanting you.  There is nowhere you can go where His love cannot find you.  There is no sin that He is not willing to forgive.  There is no one that can change how God feels about you.

Where are you?  Spiritually?  Physically?  Emotionally?  That is where God wants to meet you.  In the bar. In your frustration of yet another surrender to addiction. Outside some place you shouldn't be.  In the doctor's office.  On an airplane.  Inside the cell. In the throws of depression. On the bathroom floor.  The hospital waiting room.  Funeral home. In the midst of a bad decision. College dorm.  Court room.

You don't have to be inside a church.  You don't have to clean yourself up first (let God do that, He does a better job and it's much much easier).  God loves you.  He is not mad at You.  He is calling somebody.  Answer Him......right where you are.

Never Alone Martin

let God do the math

I get very pensive every January. I have trained my spirit to fast and pray at the beginning of every new year.  The church that groomed me for ministry always provided women's retreats the first week of the new year.  I miss those days.  I found it easy to hear God speak to me when I was sequestered away like that.  While I don't always get a yearly retreat, I still petition the Almighty for fresh wisdom and direction for me and my family as we begin another year.


I don't know if you do this too, but if you don't, let me make a suggestion.  Take a good hard look at your life.  Take inventory.  Perform an evaluation.  Is there anything from 2010 that you don't want to carry into 2011? It could be anything, spiritual or natural. Is something nagging at you, disturbing your peace, weighing you down? Then maybe you need to subtract some stuff.  Lay something down. Let something go. Leave something behind.


Or, is there something new that you feel like God is calling you toward?  Maybe you need to add something to your life this year.  If it's something that you feel completely unfamiliar with, I assure you,  I can relate.  When I was sixteen years old, I knew God was calling me to worship dance ministry. This was back in the 1980s, when dance in the church was not a common form of worship. In fact, I had never heard of it before. Since I'd never seen it before, with my eyes, I could not figure out how in the world this was going to happen. I felt like Noah, building an ark because God said to, but having never seen rain.  However, my spirit could see it happening and I trusted God to do His thing.  I took the first step (pun intended).  I signed up for dance classes.  That was all it took.  God took over from there.  Within four months, I had mastered the basics of ballet.  Within six months, I was dancing in pointe shoes.  Within nine months, I was a student in a bible college that welcomed me into their dance ministry (oh, they do exist!).  Within one year, I was dancing on a team.  After fifteen months of that original calling, I was ministering worship dances and introducing a new form of worship to churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.  After an eight-year hiatus to get married and birth children, I was directing my own dance teams.  Two years after that I was teaching dance conferences.  Another year later, I was teaching Christ-centered ballet classes in the community and holding recitals where people got saved.  All it took was me being willing to say "yes" and let God add something beautiful and powerful to my life.


I hope that encourages somebody.  As you have been reading, has something popped into your mind?  Talk to God about it.  Take the steps to make it happen.  Whether it's overcoming an addiction, mending a relationship, or serving God in a new, unfamiliar way, let me encourage you to go for it!  Do the math.  Finish the equations that God is writing on your heart.  Add or subtract as needed. 


And may the end of your 2011 feel amazing.

new year's blessing

My prayer for you, my blogging darlings, is that the new year will bring you peace, prosperity and good health, but also......

That you will come to trust God in new ways. Find treasures in darkness and riches in secret places. Experience new dimensions of love. Bless everyone around you. Turn things over to God that you cannot change. Find freedom and healing in painful places. Grow stronger in faith as you believe even when you don't see. Let go of the past. See the hand of God make rough places smooth. Have your desires satisfied by Him with good things. Become stronger physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Offer forgiveness when people don't treat you quite right. Enjoy new and exciting experiences. Speak the truth. Refuse to give up.

Happy 2011. I love you.