Between Two Advents

In the past week, I attended two different Celebrations of Life for two friends via Zoom.

Both were lovely, God-honoring ceremonies. 

Both women had committed their lives to serving their Lord in another country - one in Costa Rica (age 40), the other in Zimbabwe (age 84). 

Both will be remembered for the joy that overflowed in their lives. 

I was reminded at both celebrations of a quote attributed to St. Augustine:

"We are Easter people and halleluia is our song."

Easter People.

What a thought!

We aren't just Christmas folk; we're more - way more! 

We live in light of a resurrection that sealed the Lord's promise to return again.

What hope!

What joy!

What a difference it should make as we live life between two Advents - 

How should Easter People live? 

It's odd, but the little story that came to mind is found in the gospel of Luke, chapter 1.

After Mary's conversation with the Angel, she traveled to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, in the hill country of Judah. 

She arrives, enters the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and greets them.

Immediately, Luke records the rest of this story in verses 41-44. Here's how they read:

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!"

In this whole story, "joy" is a major theme. Elizabeth was filled with joy, and Mary's magnificat that follows is a song of joyful praise, but the one that stands out to me is the joy of the unborn child, John. 

Even before Advent, John rejoiced in Jesus...and, continued to do so throughout his ministry. 

It speaks to our life between two Advents - joyously celebrating the coming (first and second).

Death can't quench it...we're in His Presence with fulness of joy.

Life should amplify it...

Here's the rest of the Augustine of Hippo's quote:

"We are an Easter people and halleluia is our song. Let us sing here and now in this life, even though we are oppressed by various worries and uncertain times, so that we may sing it one day in the world to come, when we are set free from any anxiety that plague us."

We are an Easter people!

Let us leap for joy!

Jesus fulfilled the first Advent.

He will also complete the second.

Bank on it.

Like John, even before He arrives on the scene - get a little leapy in your joy!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

I'll join you again in January.

Living in the Waiting

Over last summer, we lost a friend who'd been battling a terminal illness for over four years. 

In spite of the illness, our friend never lost his sense of humor, his "knack" for interminable teasing, and spunk.

I was honored to be asked to give a eulogy at his celebration of life service. 

As Bay and I reminisced together different stories from our shared past, one word kept rising to the surface as we laughed and discussed all the memories. 

From that one word, I wrote the eulogy, describing Dave's life...

Here's the word:

FEISTY

What a fantastic descriptor of someone's character.

That one word actually has three parts to its definition.

The first part had me laughing. It comes from an Old English word coined back in the 1500's, meaning "fire blower." A fairly descriptive word for someone who can express their opinion rapidly, "breathing out fire," and then move on. Fire blowers tend to be quick to speak, often regretting they didn't do a better job of counting to 10 first. And, yet, you always know where this person stands. You never have to wonder what they might be thinking. I find most fire blowers are quick to want to put out the fire and make things right, as well. 

Meaning number two tells us that the "feisty" lean towards courage and fortitude in the face of difficulty. These folks have pluck and determination. Definitely, a skill I covet...

Last, but certainly not least, in the pile-up of definitions is the one that told me "feisty" marches in with a spunky attitude and enthusiasm. 

Put those three definitions together and you have a picture of our friend, Dave. 

However, I had just put the last period on my eulogy notes, as I was also beginning to study the life of John the Baptist. 

It certainly didn't get past me that John might easily be described by his close friends the same way. 

As a preacher, John most definitely fit the "fire blower" piece of the feisty puzzle.

Crowds knew where John stood on religion and politics of the day; and, he spoke with fortitude and determination (it didn't seem to bother him in the least if he might offend someone), which also fits the spunky attitude (definitely, John). 

Yes, feisty fits John, just as it does his predecessor, Elijah, before him, 

Frequently described as a "fiery" prophet, John walked in similar sandals. 

As we look toward the end of 2024, and step into a new year, it might behoove us all to examine our lives and add just a little bit more feisty to them. 

Quick to speak Jesus and what we believe about His gospel.

Showing up with fortitude in spite of our difficult circumstances.

And, living with a little more heart, a little more spunk in our attitudes.  

As we wait for our Savior's second Advent, John the Baptist, once again, gives us a clue how to walk along on the way as we are in the waiting: 

FEISTY

Stay Covered in the Dust of Your Rabbi

In this Advent season, I've been digging a little more deeply into the life of John the Baptist, because no-one, and nothing, is more symbolic of the Advent of Jesus than John. 

I want to know from his life how we might live as we Pre-Advent Jesus' second arrival. 

I loved this message from our former pastor, which he posted recently on Facebook - a much needed reminder that Jesus is, indeed, coming again:

"Advent. Jesus came the first time to bear the cross and He will come a second time to wear the crown. Because we had a First Coming, we are guaranteed a Second Coming. Jesus will come again to finally and forever put an end to all that is contrary to the will of God. This is the certain hope of every follower of Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus (Jeff Daley)."

One of the things that impresses me most about John is his unique demeanor (camel's skin clothing and locust-eating aside).

Raised by a righteous priest, who walked blamelessly before the Lord (Luke 1:6), John stepped into the role of rabbi at a very young age. 

He seemed to quickly gain a following of disciples - men who wanted to adopt his message and way of life; men who walked the same road he walked; lived life alongside him; and, leaned into his teachings and belief system (certainly not easy-believism-stuff). 

We don't know how many disciples with whom John journeyed, but we do know that one of them was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother (John 1:35-42). 

And, we do know that several of John's disciples soon began to follow the new rabbi gaining notoriety around the area (Jesus). They left John's dust, for Jesus'. 

YET, we never see competition between John and Jesus.

One of the most notable Jewish blessings of the day was this one: 

"May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi." 

Meaning, may you walk so closely behind your rabbi, as you learn from him, that you are always covered in his dust. 

Acceptance by a rabbi in those days was akin to being accepted into an Ivy League doctoral program. It was a big deal...so, to leave following one rabbi for another just didn't happen...

Yet, John's disciples exchanged the source of their dust...as Jesus came on the scene inviting ALL who would,"Come, follow me (Matthew 4:19)."

...and, John happily (or so it seems) celebrated the new rabbi his disciples followed: Jesus, the Lamb of God. 

John's whole demeanor declares loudly the essence of humility. 

He believed, and lived it out, that he held no special significance, or importance, that put him above any other.

He lived totally against typical human behavior - his attitude opposite the norm. 

Gotta tell ya, if I were John, I'd battle jealousy (especially if they were "my" disciples...), and, sadly, jealousy smacks of pride.

But, this was not John's way, and it fits how he always lifted up Christ, saying, "He must increase, but I must decrease...He who comes from heaven is above all (John 3:30-31)..."

John's life gives us a clear picture of how we, too, are to live during the wait for our Second Advent: humbly exalting Jesus, giving Him first place, seeing Him honored above all, excited when others are drawn to Him, willing to take a back seat, so that His name is proclaimed, exchanging our agenda for His...

...and, above all, showing others how to walk in the footprints He left behind, covered in His metaphorical dust, traveling with Him through the teaching of His Words, as we wait for His return. 

In other words, live as a passionate, sold out, disciple of Jesus.

PS. Great read: "Practicing the Way," by John Mark Comer. Available on Amazon here.

What's In Your Name?

 

Shakespeare is known for a lot of well-crafted prose, but this line is probably the most familiar to us all. 

He simply meant that any old label will do to distinguish one thing from another. 

Lovely as it sounds, tis just not true.

Names significantly meant something in the Scripture: a name spoke of character; it spoke of whom one belonged; and, it often spoke of the god/God that one served. 

Even today, new parents look closely at the meaning of a name before assigning it to their child. 

Names impact our identity, how we view ourselves, and can, even, influence how we are treated by others.

So, it was unusual that the child born to Zechariah and Elizabeth not at least be called by a family name. 

Yet, the angel that visited Zechariah (Gabriel - the chief of God's messengers) insisted that the name of the one who would one day be referred to as the "baptizer" be called JOHN.

John. Yohanan (Hebrew), meaning "Jehovah has graced;" or, "Jehovah brings grace."

Think about it.

Every time John walked into a room, or stood before a crowd, or rebuked King Herod - his name declared the grace of our loving God.

John's name, alone, was an invitation to step into that very same grace God offers to bring all men...

He really didn't have to open his mouth except to give his name.

On top of that, it's exactly how John lived his life by introducing the One who would reveal to us all Saving Grace. 

A lot of us can't really do much about the name we were given at birth, nor would we want to do so; but, it's made me wonder, when I step into a room, does the way I live point to my Savior?

When folks hear my name, what character quality do they think of? Or to whom would they say I belong? Or better yet, what do they think of the Lord when they think about me? 

Why is this important?

Because the Lord makes it clear that He created us to reflect His glory.

What does that mean? Very simply put, we reflect the glory of God when we give someone else a correct opinion of Him, a true understanding of His character, a taste of His splendor and awe.

John's name reminds us all: 

"What's in a name"really does matter, because by that name the Lord is distinguished. 

What do people think about the Lord when they hear your name? 

It matters. 

P.S. There will be no new blog next week - enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration.

 

A Miracle of Mercy

"Thus the Lord has done for me and looked upon me to take my reproach among the people (Luke 1:25)," Elizabeth - mother of John the Baptist.

Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for children, longed for them, probably begged God to open Elizabeth's womb and bless them with fruit from their union.

They walked a hard road.

I've journeyed with friends and loved ones along that same road, felt the depth of the sorrow with empathy, and experienced a sense of guilt, when the Lord granted us the precious gift of babies. 

They, like others who've taken that journey, no doubt wondered at why God's hand seemed turned against them - after all, He is the very God who declared:

Children are a gift, a reward. 

So to not have a child is a punishment? A sign of displeasure? God's discontentment?

Yet, we know that can't be true.

The words the Lord wrote about Zechariah and Elizabeth (through the pen of Luke, the doctor) show us how pleased and beloved this couple were in God's eyes:

"They were BOTH righteous before the Lord, walking blamelessly in all His commandments...(Luke 1:6)"

However, to this aged couple, this wasn't their perspective, because the community around them made them feel shamed, rejected, and disgraced. 

I can hear the whispers, see the side-looks, the roll of the eyes that left Elizabeth feeling like she was NOT ENOUGH. 

Ah.... "But God!"

As with most of our suffering, we can't even begin to imagine what His thoughts and motives are... 

There's always a plan.

There's always a there and then, when all will make sense.

AND SO IT DID (even though, at first, Zechariah had a difficult time believing the words the angel spoke).

The "fulness of time had come."

The darkness and the silence of 400 years were about to be lifted.

Light would dawn.

The Lord needed a servant, a child raised by parents like Elizabeth and Zechariah, who would pour the TRUTH OF THE WORD into him.

A servant to walk the path in the same power of Elijah, to live out life as a Nazarite (and, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth), obediently willing to prepare the way for the Light to come. 

This boy would be raised to know from the earliest of days that he was a miracle of mercy, sent by God to bless his parents, and to smooth out the rough places for the Savior-to-come. 

This story is a challenge to us all. First:

Every child is a miracle of mercy.

John knew this truth before he learned to talk. 

This truth regarding his identity formed the path he walked.

This truth, alone, determined his outlook, his perspective on all things, and gave him meaningful purpose and validation. 

Aren't we all searching for meaningful purpose?

Every child is a miracle of mercy.

Every child is created in the image of God.

Every child should grow up knowing he/she has a God-ordained-purpose to fulfill. 

It won't look like John the Baptist's destiny.

It will be a uniquely-made-fit just for them; but, it will direct their paths, giving great fulfillment!

It's never too late to live in this identity truth.

You are created with purpose to fulfill! It goes without question...

...and, knowing it has certainly changed my trajectory (I couldn't be more content).

You, too, are a miracle of mercy - 

Let's walk together in that truth, and allow it to shape and mold our future.

Lessons Learned and Stories from the Journey

I interrupt my current blog series (pulling from the life of John the Baptist) to share a bit of an update on my last "journey with Jesus." 

I made it home from Cyprus last night, after about an almost 40-hour trip door to door. 

To say "I'm whooped" is not an exaggeration.

Yet, as I say those words, joy bubbles up and over.

My Lord met me on two different islands where the Apostle Paul set his feet, so many years ago. 

Nearly 20 days ago, I stepped onto a plane in Durango and flew to Malta, ten days later I stepped off another flight in Cyprus. 

There I spent my days with two incredible groups of volunteers, each of whom raised financial support to journey so far from home simply love on global workers and "bring them Jesus." 

Keep in mind, when we pay for these trips, we are also raising enough money to help scholarship one woman serving in a country that is not their passport country. 

Our days start with breakfast and typically put us in bed no sooner than 10 PM. We don't stop in between...not very often. 

While our locations are peaceful, beautiful, and, hand-picked to bring soul-rest, we don't go to "see the sites."

We simply go to give of ourselves however the Lord chooses to use us.

He never fails to show up! 

I tell you this, not because I'm trying to gain a pat-on-the-back, but because I find no greater joy than living out what I've been called to do. 

Although, as I told the women one morning as I stood to speak, overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean, "I guess there could be worse places to speak..."  🤣

In a minute, I'll share a couple of stories that will, hopefully, help you see what I return tired, but trumpeting the praises of my Lord, who still works miracles and showed me a little "taste of heaven." 

First, the Lord specifically gave me two personal purposes for being gone this long. Both of them came from Paul's visits to these islands.

Because I arrived in Malta first...I'd invite you to read the account of his story in Acts 27 -28. Paul's influence on this island still lives. There are vibrant examples of his ministry every where you travel. He brought the Word of the Lord, amidst a tragedy at sea and a near-death-experience from the bite of a poisonous viper. As a result, the lives of the Maltese people would never be the same. 

It wasn't the story that caught my attention as I read this history lesson in these chapters. 

It was the etymology of the word: Malta.

From the Greek, Melite - literally, the name means "honey."

As the Lord stirred my heart, I knew my first purpose in saying 'yes' to this trip was simple: to fulfill the true meaning of the word by bringing the Word-of-the-Lord (just as Paul did).

Of course, this Scripture popped into my head:

The Cyprus story is found in Acts 13. There, Paul and Barnabas have a run-in with a false-prophet named Bar-Jesus. As Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit rebukes this fellow, he says these words, "...will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord (verse 10)?" Actually, his brutal honesty is pretty reminiscent of John-the-Baptist, right? 

Purpose #2 - Keep preparing the way of our coming King with straight paths...an unquestioning road directly that leads directly to His heart.

If you're still with me....these aren't just lessons for me.

They simply aren't meant for women who came to Malta and Cyprus to retreat, regroup, and return to their areas of service renewed. 

These words are meant for us all. 

Prepare straight paths to the coming King (who is the Word - Logos) using the sweet honey of Truth from the Word (the Logos). 

XXXXXXXXXX

If you want to keep reading, here are a couple stories that stand out to me.

In Malta, a woman came from Eastern Europe (undisclosed location). She arrived battle-weary, - emotionally, spiritually, physically, literally exhausted. She did not really want to be with us, but her sending organization felt she needed this retreat. From the get-go she let us know this in no uncertain terms. We asked her to "just try." Come to one of the sessions and see what happens. She did. She kept coming back. I also had the privilege to be her counselor and we spent an hour together, as she unloaded, sifted through the scattered pieces of her story, and tried to put the picture back together to make some semblance of sense. She got her hair cut, enjoyed a pedicure, and spent another hour just praying with another volunteer. On the last morning, I joined her for breakfast. I asked her what she would take away with her from the retreat. She responded, "I've never been to a retreat like this. It's the best I've ever participated in. You care for the whole person, give and love and sacrifice, and I received more than I could have ever known possible." I have to say, over the days we met, her entire demeanor changed. The Lord truly gave her a reset.

In Cyprus, we had women who joined us from Ukraine, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan...I think you are getting the picture. The last night is always a night of worship, followed by communion. The women from Israel, held hands with the women from Lebanon, walked together to the communion table to gather the elements, then stood in a circle of unity and shared in the Lord's Supper together. Later they told us, one of them laughed as she teasingly asked, "Should we even be doing this?" Laughter to tears. Yes! Yes! Here was a little picture of heaven. Oh, how, I sensed the Lord smiling. More tears. How good is our God?

Besides speaking and counseling, I co-facilitated a small group of 6 women. One of the gals, who came with a friend, evacuated Ukraine at the beginning of the war to Poland. She speaks Ukrainian, Polish and Russian. Not much English. The first night, I must be honest, I wondered, "Lord, how will this even work? You somehow need to be a translator..." Google Translate became my best friend, as she turned on the microphone during the speaking sessions and translated my messages, as we discussed together in the small group. Then one of our Israel gals (who grew up in Germany) discovered they could communicate in Russian...and, this was God's best for sharing heart to heart. However, EVEN IF, we had not been able to work through the communication barriers, all the gifts we bring to surprise the ladies with daily spoke to this sweet young woman. She was so moved by the presents. Daily she came to tears as she received one-more-gift-of-love. She told us, "Never have I received so many gifts. That you came all this way to bring me this, to love me, to go the extra mile to communicate with me, and to pray over me every day, says more to me about the love of God than I have ever understood." 

This is why I go...

God shows up, works miracles, transforms lives, and unveils a little picture of heaven. 

Finding Our Purpose in Insecurity

True confession.

It is my natural tendency to live and battle insecurity.

I can do fake-confidence fairly well, but inside is another story. 

The good news is that when we recognize something that is a weakness, we can deal with it.

As I've mentioned before in other blogs, I have a process I walk through with the Lord and it truly helps me to step into a true-confidence that is based not on comparison or contrast with others; not on what I think about me when I step in front of a mirror; and, definitely not on validation, or no validation (as the case may be), from others.

My journey always takes a walk with a stop at several junctures:

First, a deep look into the heart of my God and my Savior. His character matters. He can't ever be untrue to His character. I remind myself who it is that created me, saved me, and called me. This Lord is the one who also equips. 

..."He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13b)"

Next, I remember what the Lord says about me and to me (in reality, at the bottom line, this matters far more than what anyone else thinks). He says to me over and over:

"I am His beloved daughter."
"He finds great joy in me."
"He is with me...always...wherever I go and His presence brings me joy I can step into."
"His love is enduring."
"He sees me."
"He provides everything I need."
"He will empower me and give me His Words."

That is only a partial list and I could go on at length. Please add your own to it.

I spend time just worshipping a God who is all this and says all this TO ME! How can I not.

I simply allow Him to fill me up by way of these reminders; and, as I receive HIS TRUTH, I sense the GOD-confidence level rising.

I know whose I am and who I am in Him; and, I trust Him.

This is my prelude to introduce another aspect of John the Baptist's character that is endearing.

This unique and mysterious prophet knew without a shadow of a doubt TO WHOM HE BELONGED and WHO HE WAS.

This is important...

Our purpose on this earthly planet is birthed out of whose we are.

Our calling births our mission, while we're here.

And, finally, out of the mission comes our message.

All of this is true of John...and, what is true for him, we can certainly apply to ourselves.

John's miraculous birth was no accident.

Every birth boasts a miracle (especially in this day and age with abortion statistics skyrocketing).

But, what if?

What if?

What if, John's birth and his story is an invitation for you and I to also step into our purpose, our specific mission, and our message?

I believe it is...

Over the next few weeks, let's take a look at what the Lord says about John (there's a few surprise identity truths in there for us to claim, as well)...and, let's walk in John the Baptist's sandals to learn how to serve our Lord, who is to come again, confidently...within the context of our unique purpose, mission and with our very own message...