What is your yoke?

Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)

Among many things, dictionary.com describes a 'yoke' as:

1) an agency of oppression, subjection, servitude, etc.
2) an emblem or symbol of subjection, servitude, slavery, etc., as an archway under which prisoners of war were compelled to pass by the ancient Romans and others.
3) something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie.

So what is your yoke? What oppresses you? What do you serve? What, or whom, are you subject to? What are you bound to?

Ideally, we'd all be able to say Christ, and Christ alone. But would this be a true statement? Maybe sometimes, but probably not all the time. If I'm honest with myself I have to admit that I allow myself to be yoked to things other than Christ. That's right, I allow myself. Sometimes it may be my job, a relationship, some desire of the flesh, pride, laziness, disobedience.

When my God, and His love undeniable reveals this to me (and He always does), I picture myself standing on a road yoked with whatever it may have been that I allowed to replace Christ. What a horrible picture. Thankfully God's grace is good and never ending and His forgiveness is plentiful; only by asking for this forgiveness am I once again able to fully yoke myself with Christ.

Whatever it may be that you find yourself yoked to, I encourage you to lay it at the foot of the Cross. As we approach the end of 2008, may we be diligent in choosing the yoke of Christ over anything else, any other distraction in our life. Christ said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)

In a time when so many of us are tired and weary, the yoke of Christ promises rest. May God's undeniable love continue to grant you the peace, mercy, and courage to choose Him over anything else in this fallen world. Peace be with you.

Celebrate the Season

So on a whim I bought a magnet from Books A Million that has this saying.....'Celebrate the Season'. The letters s-o-n in Season are capitalized, so it's SeaSON. I thought this was a great way to remind folks, including myself, of why we truly celebrate Christmas. I think we've come to a point where it's time we take back Christmas for what it truly is meant to be: A celebration of Christ's birth, as well as his life, death, and resurrection. Not a celebration of gifts, money, or material wealth. So this Christmas Season may we remember, may we remind others, and may we never forget, the true reason we celebrate Christmas: the birth of a Son who would demonstrate His undeniable love in amazing ways and who continues to do so today. This Christmas, may we each shine a little brighter and be a little bolder and share His love with those around us. Merry Christmas!

The King and I

My sister gently reminded me that I had not posted in over a month. Ironically, my last post had been about spreading the light. I'd like to say I've been too busy doing so to keep my blog up to date, but that would be untrue. I have however, continued to experience His love undeniable in new and amazing ways. I hope that in some small ways, I have shared this love with those around me.

Life has certainly been a roller coaster lately although in many ways, uneventful and empty of the things 'that really count'. But then again, when I really stop and look around me, I know this to be untrue. The are hundreds of things that 'really count' all around me. He is all around me. He blesses me with a beautiful sunset, an encouraging sunrise, a moon that lets me know all is well; my God is with me and He is in control.

Church today was about Christ being the King of Kings, Lord of all. Is He truly my King? Is He truly my Lord? Or do I try to take on that responsibility? The Pastor shared a quote "If God has called you to be a missionary, don't stop to be a king." God has called each one of us to be missionaries. Each one of us to share His love undeniable. May we strive to acheive this goal every day in every circumstance. He is the King, our job is to serve. Trust me, it's better that way.

Light Maintenance

As I mentioned in my previous post, I believe we are called to be a light to this lost and hurting world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our light WILL drive out darkness. But just as light bulbs must be replaced we too must be maintained.....

I would guess that almost all Christians who truly live for God, who truly desire to be His vessel have experienced burnout. Just like a light bulb. Why does this happen? I think the reasons are many so I'll share just a few of my own:

1) Balance unmet - A tell-tale sign that my life is out of balance is when my house is a wreck. That means I'm not spending enough time at home or when I am there I'm too exhausted to do any 'wreck remediation'. But, when my life is balanced, when work, study, sleep, eating, physical excerise, and play are in sync...my house is in order because my life is in order. And through this, my light shines.

2) Time unspent - When I don't spend regular, DAILY, time with my Heavenly Father, my light is dim, if on at all. But when I meet with Him early in the morning, at lunch, in the evening His love undeniable fills me up. His grace and mercy pour over me. I am so submersed in who He is that I have no option but to shine with His love, to shine in the darkness. And through this, my light shines.

3) Heart Unbroken - While it may sound odd that I desire for my Jesus to break my heart, I do. I desire it to be broken of the love of things of this world, the desires of my flesh, the wants of things that are not in line with His awesome plan for my life. I desire God to break my heart and because I'm stubborn, He must do this often. But,during these heartbreak moments I learn. His grace and mercy are patient to teach me. My heart begins to yearn for what His heart yearns for and begins to break at what His heart breaks. And through this, my light shines.

4) Eyes Unopened - When my eyes are closed to the world around me, I live in my own bubble. I serve my own needs. I look out for myself. But when I seek God and ask Him to open my eyes I can see. I see the hurting of those around me. I see the meaning of the look. I see the needs and ways to help them. When I ask, I see the way my Father sees. And through this, my light shines.

So my prayer for us all is that our lights will shine and through that we will reflect our Father's love undeniable.

Light v. Darkness

So here's a simple experiment. Turn on a light in a dark room. What happens? The darkness leaves. Now turn off the light. What happens? The darkness returns.

Results: Darkness leaves when light is on, darkness does not return until light is turned off.

Application: We are the light. We as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ are lights, for He is a light and He is within us.

So if we are the lights then we have the power, the Holy Spirit, within us to spread into darkness. And more importantly, we not only have the power to spread into darkness but we have the power to OVERTAKE darkness.

Do we realize this power? Do we recognize it? Do we trust it? Do we walk in it? Do we accept that it's a responsibility not just an option?

Our Father has given us so much. His love undeniable is evident in what Jesus did on the cross. But do we make that love clear to those around us? Do we show them His love in simple ways?

In these turmultuous times, people say that darkness is spreading. As proven in the experiment, darkness only spreads when lights are turned off. We as a people, as followers of Jesus, as a CHURCH must turn our lights on, high and mighty, and spread Christ's love to those around us. Only then will darkness subside and light prevail.

Election Day!

As I gathered at my polling place this morning, just minutes after the doors opened, I was amazed at the number of people already there. As I listened to news reports throughout the day I was amazed at how long people waited. People who honk when you pause one second too long to go on green. People who bounce from line to line in hopes of moving through quickest. People who can't survive without instant gratification, instant communication, and instant results. But there they were....waiting. Waiting to cast their vote, waiting to contribute, waiting to impact history.

To me, that's a seed of hope, a hope that people do care. Yes their cares may be different than they were in the past, but they still care. I pray that our God, with His love undeniable, hears those cares. I pray that we as His people seek Him and that our cares will align with His.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive thier sin and will heal their land." 2nd Chronicles 7:14

Faces

As I drove to work today, I saw many familiar faces. The barista at the coffee shop. The man crossing the road to the University. The driver in the car next to me. The middle school crossing guard. I realized then that it is these faces that make my community. These and so many more. Not the town, not my job, not the organizations I'm involved in but the faces of those I know, those I surround myself with, those I love.

I experience God's undeniable love everyday through the people He has surrounded me with. People who laugh with me and cry with me. People who encourage me and support me, who challenge me to keep going when all I want is to run away. I realized this morning, along my all too familiar drive to work, that these faces are my community. And the greatest thing I can do for each of them is to share His undeniable love, His grace, His mercy. To forgive as He forgave and to give as He gave.

A Doorknob, a Road Reflector, a Lego

At Toastmasters today, the Tabletopics were focused on what your life would be like if you were one of three inanimate objects: a doorknob, a road reflector, or a Lego. As each presenter described their life as this odd object, a began to think how each of those could symbolize my life as the daughter of a king; the precious child of an all-knowing, all-powerful, gracious, caring, and merciful father.

A Doorknob:
The presenter described a doorknob as a facilitator. Just as a doorknob facilitates the opening of a new opportunity, the love of Christ opens hundreds of doors and new opportunities. We, as believers, are able to facilitate spreading this love and help those around us experience these new opportunities, this new found love.

A Road Reflector:
Just as the road reflector reflects the lights of a car, we are called to reflect the light of Christ - We are called to reflect His love upon each person we come in contact with.

A Lego:
Christ is the foundation, the Church is the Body of Christ, so we too are part of that foundation. We are made for relationships, for connection. Just as the Lego is designed to connect to other Legos, we are designed to connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we can build something great.

It's truly amazing how we can find God in everything if only we look. No matter where we go, He is there. His love undeniable remains.

Dear most gracious and wonderful Father, thank you for the reminders throughout the day that you are real, that you are here, and that you love us. May we continue to see examples of your greatness each day, may our eyes be opened to your wonderful works. Amen.

Laborers in His Harvest

This time of year, as we approach Thanksgiving, draws pictures of fields ready to be harvested. May we use this time to remember, that each one of us are also called to be laborers, laborers in HIS harvest.

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38)

This harvest is all around us, no matter our circumstances nor our location. So often I find myself looking for a different harvest, I find myself trying to manipulate my circumstances into what I want them to be. I say, "Lord, I don't want to harvest this crop in this field, I want to harvest that crop in that field." I do this because I'm overwhelmed, or bored, or because the other 'harvest' looks more exciting, more rewarding, or easier.

And my Lord is good, He allows me to try. And He is just, He allows me to fail. And He is merciful, He allows me to come back to Him, committed once again to do things His way, the best way, the only way. God has created us as laborers for such a time as this, for such a harvest as this. May we seek His face, His glory, and His honor in all that we do as we continuously submit to His ways and His beautiful plan for our lives.

I love my Father, for His grace, His mercy, His joy, His beauty, and His love undeniable.

My Tongue is Killing My Witness

My actions affect my witness. My words affect my witness.

One shot. Sometimes that's all you get with someone. Just one chance to show them the love of Christ.

One shot. Sometimes that's all it takes to blow my witness. One word, one comment, one criticism and it's gone. My opportunity to share Christ's love, and goodness, and faithfulness is gone.

How often does this happen? For me quite often. Why does this happen. One word - my tongue. I am so quick to say things, so slow to think.

May God continue to grant me grace, may the Holy Spirit grant me strength, and may Jesus Christ grant me wisdom. May my witness never be tainted because of my tongue. I cannot in any way do this in my own strength; so I rely on Him, His strength, His patience, and His love undeniable.


"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

My Roller Coaster

I often compare my life to a roller coaster. The kind where you're nervous, but excited, to get on....but then halfway through you want to get off, and you want to get off RIGHT NOW! But then, after a few small hills and dips that make your stomach do crazy flips, you find you're actually enjoying it. Until it starts again. This time you're serious - GET ME OFF!

But unlike real roller coasters, mine never stops. It just constantly ebbs and flows, up and down, over and under.

I've realized that I have a tendency to flee from things. I am a hard worker. I enjoy hard work. I actually get bored when things are easy. But, when things get really hard....I want to get away. Take work for example, since this consumes the majority of my life. For the most part, I truly enjoy my job. I see the benefit to my community. I believe I'm fairly good at my job.....but, over time, my job becomes hard. Really hard. Hard because I can't please everyone. Hard because there's not enough time. Hard because I want to be a better coach, a better mentor, a better boss. Hard because I want to do more but what I haven't done piles up. Hard because I'm stretching in to new territory and when I look around for a guide, there is often no one there.

So what do I do? I try to get away. I search the want ads. I day dream. I night dream. I plan. And eventually, I get away. Not permanently, just for a while. I've found that this is the best solution. Get off the roller coaster for a bit. Let my world stop spinning. Clear my head and look up. And what do I see? A beautiful roller coaster, my life, beckoning me aboard. And why do I see this? Because His love abounds. Because I trust that He has an amazing, wonderful plan for me. Because serving Him isn't always easy and doesn't always mean I'm going to be doing it where I want or how I want. In fact, it seldom means this. BUT - His love is still faithful, still undeniable. HE is my source, my strength, my stronghold.

So, when I momentarily step down from that roller coaster, it is Him that is my foundation. He is my rock, my love undeniable.

Judgment

I had a great conversation with a friend of mine tonight in the Longhorn's parking lot. It was about judgment. I was honest, I told the truth. Yes, I judge people...most often based on ridiculous things and for ridiculous reasons. Do I like this about myself? No way. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it. A lot of times it will just happen and then once again I'm beating myself up for being just as ridiculous as my judgments. Why do I do this? Competition? Self Esteem? Pride? Because the World tells me to?

Judgment is a sin. A sin is anything that separates me from God...anything, big or small. I believe the consequences here on Earth may vary depending on the sin but I believe the ultimate, eternal consequence - separation from God- is the same no matter. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24) Praise be to God that we have redeeming grace through His Son, Jesus Christ!

My constant prayer is that the Holy Spirit will transform me, make me more like Christ. I know as long as I live on this fallen Earth I will never truly be like Him, but what better goal to have. My prayer is that I will spend more time pulling the plank out of my eye than poking the speck in my neighbor's. (Matthew 7:3-6)

"Dear God, thank you for being faithful to forgive when we fall short. Thank you for reminding us that we can be better and do better by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love undeniable."

The Place of Humiliation by Oswald Chambers

"After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God - that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6, 14-23)


It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus - will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?

The Journey Begun

I've finally entered the blogging world. I know I'm late. After an hour of setting it up, I'm ready to go. Sad though - I really don't have much to say. My hopes for this blog are somewhat selfish...I wanted a place where I could join the dialogue, where I could partake in the discussion....where I could share my thoughts, for what they are worth.

So, here I go, on this journey. I want to use this space to share what I've learned about a love undeniable. So over the coming months I'll post my thoughts, my favorite books, favorite words, and whatever else I believe describes the amazing, undeniable, love of Christ.