To Be Well Seasoned

Seasons in life are natural markings in our journey of where we are in our spiritual transformation. They are nature’s calendar which reminds us that nothing lasts forever. For as sure as the sun and moon both day and night cross the sky, the cycle we instinctively know, bids us to heed the changes coming. The question we must ask ourselves is; are we spiritually strong enough to weather the seasons of life?

Fortunately, we have a God of order at the helm of time. The clouds disperse and the sun fades at his command. When spring’s spurt has been slowed through summer’s play, we are beckoned to the plow and hearth. Time for contemplation and thanks before winter’s flurries still us: peace our blanket of comfort. Praise the Lord the seasons are set and his children are secure: none are too short or too long.

The faithful follower knows she will experience every spiritual season. Winter’s bitterness of test and trial, surrender and sacrifice are blanketed with hope. Spring brings rebirth and fertility. Our tender shoots break through winter’s barrier and drink its thaw until our arms stretch in praise. In thankfulness we accept the kisses of summer until our fruit is sweet on the vine. Fall beckons us to let go our concerns and enjoy the harvest of God’s blessings before gray days come again.

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them,” (Isaiah 40:7NIV)

By this verse children of God are cautioned to hold loosely to things of this life—like trees to their amber leaves--for nothing lasts but the Word of God, (“Isaiah 40:8).

Do we? Chambers states: "Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God's perspective." In other words, they desire perpetual spring and summer.

How spoiled are we in California. Here summer seems to last forever. Bright skies and puffy clouds are our canopy. We boast of our coastal paradise, blind to our vulnerability as the seasons come and go scarcely noticed. A harsh season bends our stem or wilts our leaves and we faint. Shamefully we cling to our petals and covet the beds of our neighbors. Are roots run shallow here for we drink dew. Yet, our soil is very rich. Travel in any direction and find a different people: those who know the patterns of the sun and see more than characters in the clouds. Forgive me…but Lord help us!

We are instructed to be aware of the signs of the seasons. Why? So we are not caught off guard by sudden storms: showers of rain, scorching heat, whipping winds, frost or snow. Knowing the season’s characteristics help us prepare for what lies ahead. Each season has its own set of chores and joys.

Still, no matter how in tune we are with the seasons of faith, one can never truly grow spiritually unless they endure the shears of God. Like well rooted perennials in our comfortable beds, we may produce a few buds each spring. However, without proper pruning we will never grow as intended. We were created with seasons in mind and shears in the plan.

Yet God does not maliciously cut at our lives. With a carefully focused eye and steady hand he shapes us: with each snip strengthening our core and producing new growth. We are conditioned by and through the seasons so in time we are able to handle harsher ones. Longer droughts, heartier winds and colder temperatures lead to a climax of praise when spring’s first bud appears: a victory to celebrate for life has endured.

The season cycle--like a divine color wheel—forever turns. We are wise to journey through them with our eyes on the sky and our toes on the train of God’s robe. In this way, no matter what conditions we face, Jesus is our support stake, sun screen, wind barrier and mulch.

Our days of summer play are being swept away with the winds of fall, marking a season of change and transformation. Some of us will lose leaves, while those of others will change color. Many will be harvested and some will be transplanted. Whatever stage we are in, fall changes us. The forest is our cue to the hand of God reaching for his shears and turning up the purification fire. Amber leaves will turn to brown as the blade cuts: winter is held back for no one.

I pray we respond to God’s shears with submission and hope. Oh, that we would willingly drop the things that weigh heavy on our limbs and hinder our spiritual growth. Then, may we sit still through winter’s cocoon of healing—heeding the word of the Lord-- until spring comes and we bloom again.

Seismic Activity

This walk towards righteousness with Christ is one of absolute dependency. Yesterday I rose with great hope of meeting a mark, standing strong and sharing all that I could with others. Last night I clutched my pillow with a downcast spirit feeling dissatisfied with my meager accomplishments. The measuring stick I beat myself with(fodder for another blog),didn’t register any earth moving activity in my day, Shocking because that afternoon, the earth literally shook beneath my feet and I was too caught up in selecting groceries to feel it.

Have you ever missed something big...like a five point something earthquake and wondered how it was possible? It’s like being in the middle of a party and missing out on the fun because you’re lost in an internal battle: someone hurt your feelings or you feel unimportant, outside the “ in crowd”. Maybe it was your wedding day and you were so caught up in the details of putting on the best affair that you were absent walking down the aisle. For some the beach, the vacation…even the golf course is merely landscape because your mind is back at the office. Tragically, this is often the case with our children. “Mom… mom…MOM!” my son at times has to say in order to snap me back into the present.

This sort of thing happens with many of us. While we yearn to be present and to live in the now, we simply fail. Why? Some of us are anchored to the past by wounds and transgressions and others are cast into the future through dissatisfaction. Living in the now takes courage and strength, purpose and peace. Oswald Chambers addresses the need for determination to live in the moment;

“Your choice must be a deliberate determination—it is not something into which you will automatically drift.”

The apostle Paul speaks my language in his confession of fleshy failure, (Romans 7). I too long to be righteous like Christ moment by moment, only to find I am bound in a prison of flesh. Christ however, has overcome the flesh and therefore, when I am engaged with Jesus, I too can live…powerfully live… in the now. The key is managing not the flesh as much as my will.

“A person’s will is embodied in the actions of the whole person. I cannot give up my will—I must exercise it, putting it into action. I must will to obey, ” (Chambers).

My daughter-in-law Tammy is a fitness instructor. She is often referred to as a real life Barbie. While some might judge her (and others in shape) as exceptions to the fat rule, the truth is she works hard to take care of her body. Exercise is part of her life--not because she can’t wait to get to the gym and work herself into a pool of sweat-- but because Tammy chooses to “exercise” her will to do what she knows is good for her body. The blessing is a fit form and freedom to enjoy one of her amazing desserts! Tammy inspires me in this area of my life. In fact my aching muscles attest to this…my legs are burning from taking her step class!

Righteousness is something we do not posses without Christ. The bible tells us there is not one who is righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:20). However, when we have Jesus’ Holy Spirit within us, we gain the inspiration and strength to live righteously and here we find a call to living in the now. Through righteous faith, we forgive others—for we also are sinners-- which frees us from anchors of bitterness and anger. Righteous attitudes will be thankful and content allowing us to remain present and not always fishing for the future.

Righteous living to me is like exercise is to Tammy. I don’t always want to do the right thing, take the high ground or forgive others. Yet, I want to look like Jesus. So I choose to exercise my will and do what the Lord wants me to, rather than what this sinful flesh wants to.

The results of exercising our will will vary in our lives. However the truth remains; righteous actions will produce measurable movement of God in our life and we will find less of what truly matters escaping our notice.

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective,” (James 5:16NIV).

The Art of Becoming

I am a vision. So are you. From the beginning of time, God took great care in imaging each of us and carefully stored his vision of us away until the moment we would become the block of clay on his wheel. Because of our Creator God, we need not be concerned with our form, for it was designed to fit the Father’s will for this life. Yet, sinful, self-focused creatures that we are, we constantly slap at the Master’s hands as they try to form us. Likewise, we try to leave God’s pottery wheel believing we can shape ourselves better. The result of our disobedience and pride will be no less than flaws: both in our spiritual and physical bodies.

When I was a little girl my Dad was part of a small group of artisans who opened up a gallery in uptown Whittier, California. Each had their own unique craft and station in the store. It was an exciting place to be as a child. There was a jewelry artist, potter, sculptor, painter, macramé weaver and welder. I used to sit and watch the hands of each artist as they fashioned beautiful things out of wood, stone, beads, yarn and clay. My Dad was very gifted and tried his hand in most mediums. His wood carving, painting and welded sculptures were stunning and soon dressed up our modest home. Once he created an eagle with a six foot wing span. I used to imagine the beast scooping up my big sister with its terrifying talons when she was being exceptionally bossy.

The vision I have of my Dad and the other artists hard at work is burned in my mind and serves as a wonderful example of the hands of God at work fashioning me. I imagine the Lord bending near to execute the tiny details in my life and spirit, his eyes fixed and focused, his brow furrowed with concentration and his jaw set. The world is shut out for the moment as the Artist tends to his creation, mind, body and soul.

On the median directly outside their shop, the artists would sell their work. Couples strolling through the grass pausing to appreciate the color, scale and form of their pieces would often offer praise. Interestingly, I noticed the casual laid back style of each artist would change when their work was admired. They straightened, smiled and their disposition brightened. Life was good because someone saw the beauty in their creation…someone noticed the labor involved in the details. The artist was recognized in the art.

I am always amazed how a simple memory can be used by God to communicate an intimate truth. Nothing is outside the use of God. Oswald Chambers devotional is titled “Visions Becoming Reality.” The concept that I am a vision carefully created by God moment by moment is comforting. I am not a result of random circumstances. I am purposefully made experience by experience, not magically whole with the wave of a wand. Imagine the loss with the absence of the journey of our creation. No thank you! I prefer the road trip and every turn which helps to create in me the unique and one of a kind vision which is God’s.

I am by nature a creative person. Visions are for me an intimate part of my life. Whether I am studying God’s word, writing, directing or decorating a picture always forms in my mind and gives me something to work towards. Over time, the visions which I believe are placed by God come to fruition at an earthly standard. Though the vision of my whole self is not revealed to me, the faithfulness of my Creator will surely prevail if I remain pliable. I can be the heavenly vision the Lord desires me to become.

Chambers states “God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God given vision will become real if we will only have patience.”

I pray we will trust the hands of our Creator and bring glory to His name when others pause to appreciate the work He has done in our lives and notice the Artist in the art.

Humble Thyself

Oswald Chambers asks in today’s devotional; “How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves?” While we may not want to answer this question, the reality is we answer through our attitudes and actions every day.

According to pastor Jim LeShana, taking a look at our agenda and checkbook is a good indicator of who and what we are catering to. For some it will be a life of fun. Others are committed to reaching career or financial goals. Many strive to turn their homes into a haven on earth. Regardless what dreams of the good life might look like, usually the driving force behind our efforts are self-centered wants and desires: not God inspired callings on our life. We want to enjoy life, acquire power or security or wealth. Many want to live pampered with every modern comfort. While none of these desires are necessarily bad, the self focus it takes to achieve these wants renders us in many ways unavailable to the Lord. Simply stated, we often allow self interest to dominate our thoughts and time, leaving little or nothing to offer Christ.

According to Chambers, one can even focus too much energy on how they can be used for the kingdom. “The continual inner searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God.” Basically, God does not demand that we become uninterested in our own deep understanding of who we are and what we mean to the kingdom. No. God will allow us to remain in our personal pools of self study and wonder.

However, as Oswald states; “We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves, until there is no surprise at anything God might tell us about ourselves,” before others may become our primary focus: recipients of the goodness God desires to share through us. Yet, the Lords will is that we find at the end of our self absorption freedom to minister to others and develop powerful intercessory prayer lives.

This of course is difficult to develop because we live in a world which boasts the importance of our personal rights, satisfaction and importance. Therefore, our days can easily be filled with events and pleasures we have come to believe we deserve, have a right to or can’t live without. The truth is we deserve death, we have a right to nothing (for everything belongs to God), and we can live on almost zero. We are a generation who has been fed a pile of lies and are weakened for feasting upon them. I have to constantly remind myself there is hope of escape from a stagnant self-centered life. The key...find someone who doesn’t balk at being pushed to the back of the line, is completely content, and who joyfully considers others more important than themselves and you will find a humble soul. (You may have to look for a while.)

Humility is truly the spring board for a soaring intercessory prayer life. For when we see ourselves as God sees us, we are less concerned with recognition or temporal desires and circumstances. Our value is found in Christ and not others. Our minds will be clear of worldly cobwebs and our hearts become ready to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit: to pray for the things important to the Lord. Thus, the more content we become the more available we are for kingdom matters. And those who are eager to serve others will definitely be utilized by God.

Until we understand who we are in Christ, we will struggle with humility. For it is not something we can manufacture on our own. A humble heart is not part of our natural make-up but is produced through the revelation of how great and magnificent our God is: glorious and holy. When one grasps man’s truly desperate state and inability to be righteous, they gain insight to the Lord’s humbling mercy and grace. Not a single human soul is righteous. This truth levels the playing field between men and allows room for compassion and acceptance. For each is provided an equal chance at eternal victory. What remains is a choice.

We can choose to accept our humble state before God and surrender our will to serve the Father’s or we can reject the Solid Rock of Christ and strive to build temporal lives which will crumble like castles made of sand. Regardless of who we choose to serve, humility is something every soul will encounter: some through repentance and others through humble pie.

“choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,” (Joshua 24:15NIV).

Get Ready, Get Set, Go!

Oswald Chambers encourages us to “Move!” in today’s devotional. I laughed to myself when I read the title, “Get Moving!” Having spent so much time lately writing, my poor body is feeling the toll of sitting for long hours on end. Writing for eight to ten hours a day can surely put a kink in your neck…and back… and your shoulders. I actually have tired fingers and forearms. Plain and simple my body is crying out “MOVE!” Stretch, get up…do something physical…anything physical!

The concept of action applies to more than our physical body, we must also exercise our spiritual body. Chambers states; “God will not make me think like Jesus—I have to do it myself.” In other words, I can pray and pray and pray for the Lord to help me achieve some goal, but if I never lift a finger to succeed I am going to fail. Sanctification is not for the lazy. Transformation takes hard work and dedication. Therefore, we must realize unless we diligently labor on our minds and fleshy desires, we will be spiritually weak and out of shape. I will not reach my goal of being conformed into the image of Christ if I am spiritually undisciplined.

Over the week-end I was in a group of ladies who were talking about the struggle to stay fit. Many shared their personal challenge with hope of someday getting a handle on their weight—and I’m not talking love handles! Interestingly, this conversation was happening around a table of appetizers and desserts. The conversation continued around the circle much in the same tune until one woman in the group spoke up like a clash of symbols and said, “It’s called self control!”

Her words felt like ice-water in the face and instantly stopped the conversation. Nobody said a word in response and no heads nodded in agreement as before. Instead, one woman put down her fork, a few sipped their drinks and others took the opportunity to suddenly relieve the men watching the kids swimming. The silence was so loud it hurt. While I didn’t like hearing her words any more than the rest, I absolutely knew she spoke truth. After a few long seconds I looked her in the eyes and said, “You are exactly right!” and emptied my hand of the M&M’s I had been carelessly making a meal of.

Self control is a fruit of the spirit and one I personally find missing from my diet. Feeling a failure in this area in my life, I have often said, “I have no self-control”. This of course is not true. I am able to exercise great self-control in many other areas of my walk. This realization hit me as I was battling a craving this afternoon. Yet, today I gained a new understanding about my self-control in this area; more than anything I was weak in my beliefs about who I am in Christ. Romans 8:6 states; “The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…” Therefore, I must take action and embrace the truth in God’s word and dismiss the lies of the enemy who would have me believe I am helpless and forever defeated in this area. Oswald Chambers reminds us we are to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5).



I am guilty of allowing negative thoughts and self doubt to control some of my actions. Thoughts like, “you’ll never reach your goal” prompt poor behavior because they are allowed to hang around until I give in…again. The reality is, I make a choice to listen to the lie and take action... only I am moving in the wrong direction. According to the apostle Paul, I must first be strong in my mind so I can stand against the lie and then, having stood my ground, push forward in victory, (1 Corinthians). Onward Christian soldier!

Chambers challenges children of God to “get moving” when it comes to abiding in Christ. This is not something that Jesus will do for us. We must actively pursue a relationship with Him in order to remain in Him. In the same manner, we fool ourselves if we believe we can grow in understanding or memorize more scriptures by merely praying, and spending no time (focused time) in God’s Word. Therefore, we need to purpose to act spiritually in our lives on a daily basis. Now is the time to act…not later.

Naturally, implementing a new habit in the faith takes determination and great effort in the beginning. Yet, as Chambers points out, in time, efforts put forth will move from drudgery to a second nature and satisfying joy. Therefore, let us be encouraged and determined to…

Get meek! Get motivated! Get moving!

I Am A Secret Admirer

Oswald Chambers today highlights the opportunity we have with God to know hidden things; in that when we are intimate with God he will tell us His secrets. Chambers is not suggesting our Maker like man has buried sins, but rather veiled truths which He delights in sharing with us. These secrets which are pertinent to His creation and often our personal make-up He desires to share. Still, God does not casually cast these wonders out for all to behold. No. The Lord saves them for His closest friends and gives them as gifts along their journey: an insight here, a new perspective there, or perhaps a peek at tomorrow.

When I think of intimacy with God I think of Daniel. Nothing he faced could separate Daniel form his time with the Lord. In exile he held to his times of intimacy in prayer. Under threat of persecution and death, Daniel suffered no loss of communion with God. This servant’s heart valued intimacy with God more than life. Because of this I believe the Maker of heaven and earth revealed secrets of the future to Daniel. Great and mighty truths to behold were entrusted to him because of his faithfulness to God.

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

While the daily demands on our time and energy are great, we must not allow the pressures of life to become an excuse for lack of fellowship with God. It takes focus and determination to guard your time with Jesus. Still, I have found no day is without opportunity if I truly desire to sit with the Lord. Consequently, the days which begin in communion are often my most productive.

“But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33NIV).

In my early walk as a believer I waddled like a toddler, my steps were not sure on the path of faith. In those days I learned through trial and error because I had not developed an intimacy with my Savior. His ways were not clear to me and my ear struggled to discern His voice. Through the years God continued to direct my walk through the desert. His faithfulness never failed to provide daily manna, or a guide through the Holy Spirit.

However, it wasn’t until the posture of my heart changed from grumbling at the bottom of the hill to passionately climbing after Him, that our relationship changed. A hunger to know God drove me to read and study His Word like my life depended on it. Through this process of immersion I shed old baggage and found myself seeking higher spiritual ground. What I found at the top of my spiritual Sinai was a God who was waiting and eager to share His heart with me and a few secrets. Today, while I still stumble at times, I am more conscious of God’s presence in all of my life. While I steal away whenever I can--to have a spiritual “face to face” on the mountain top--I experience His Spirit more and more as a constant companion.

So what have I gained? The difference in my intimacy with God has not only changed my spirit and perspective, it has also granted me treasured secrets. While the tug on my heart to climb the summit daily competes continuously with my pursuit of intimacy with my family and friends, I encourage myself to remember Daniel and God’s call to seek Him first. In so doing I remain a faithful servant who will be blessed by God and my other relationships are the richer for it.

Therefore, I encourage you to also lock your door, ignore the phone and curl up somewhere quiet anticipating a memorable visit and perhaps a shared secret or two with Almighty God! For His treasures are gifts for the asking and his happiness is shared with joy.

You, Oh Lord, are my very great reward! (Genesis 15:1)

A Little Bit(e) Of Knowledge

We love having information. The opportunity to access immediate data through Internet resources has opened doors to a whole new addiction for many “gotta’ know” individuals. However, wanting details or the inside scoop is as old as dirt…well at least as old as the Garden. Eve desired the knowledge of good and evil to the point of sacrificing paradise. Her lust for the power of knowledge pumps through the veins of her offspring’s blood as an earthly toxin. The serpent suggests knowledge is the path to godhood and she takes a big bite.

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like god, knowing good and evil,” (Genesis 3:4-5 NIV).

Is it any wonder that the pursuit of knowledge has become highly regarded in this world? Can you hear the snake’s hiss through the world’s claim that knowledge is worthy of great praise…reverence and adoration. The Internet is our pop-culture Tree of Good and Evil. For through our fingertips we take hold of both good and evil in the pursuit of knowledge online…and it all began with an Apple. Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidences. Interestingly, Apple’s logo has a bite taken out of it…a haunting symbol of the fall of man in pursuit of becoming like God. I dare say many have come to worship knowledge. Oh yes, I can hear the hiss of the cunning serpent as he draws men and woman to the keyboard for their instant gratification in sights and sounds. Child beware!

Computers or the Internet are not evil or bad anymore than the forbidden fruit. However, the enemy of our souls knows how to take the gifts of God and transform them into the most ungodly things.

Pondering Eve’s encounter with the father of lies so many lessons come into view. Still the issue of trust is what ties into Oswald Chambers’ devotional, “Unquestioned Revelation,” from My Utmost For His Highest. Chamber’s states: “In that day” you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, “In that day you will ask Me nothing,” (John 16:23). Jesus was speaking to his disciples in regards to things they did not know and were eager to understand. Two thousand years ago, the followers of Christ had questions like we do. Questions, they hoped had answers that would calm their fears or anxieties. Perhaps some just craved understanding. Regardless, they hungered for a bit…or rather a bite of information.

While the bible gives us insight to many things—the best of these being God’s love and redemption plan for man--it does not provide answers to all questions. This is what Jesus is trying to convey to His disciples as He mentions His departure to come. Jesus was calling them to rest in their knowledge of Him: how would Jesus see, hear, talk, or react to certain things? Their experience of His faith in the Father, His love, power, wisdom, righteousness, goodness, kindness, compassion, generosity, etc. was able to provide reason for their complete trust in Him. Their faith would be tested. Trust would be their comfort and peace in life…not information. The same is true for followers today.

When we are one with Jesus in spirit--as He prayed we would be--answers are not important or sought. Trust in Jesus is the balm for every wound, the answer to every question and the peace in any situation.

Knowledge absolutely has its place in our lives however, all things are to remain under Christ. It is through trust in Jesus that we can come into oneness with our Savior. For when we trust Him we will obey without question and we will praise without doubt. The result is a life of freedom…sweet freedom. And this I am certain tastes better than any bite of apple!