Joy in the Journey

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 While in prayer this morning I was reminded of one of the students at our school. Allie is an observer. You could read that as a polite way to say tattletale and not be wrong but she is also an encourager. Allie, calls it like she sees it. One of her favorite expressions is, “he's (or she's) on fire.” Now Allie is a Southern child so hear that in your mind as “far” and hear it incredibly drawn out, “he's on faaarrr.” It's adorable. It is also her highest compliment. It means that the person in question is doing their best work, a quality that Allie admires. This morning as I was praying to be more connected to the Holy Spirit, mo...

  Moses said to the Lord, “O, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10 Last week I went with my class to see our school play. It was very well done. In fact I often had to remind myself that these “actors” were really elementary school children. Several caught my eye. I was so pleased to see that a friend's child had some real stage presence. He had a smaller speaking part but even when he wasn't speaking, he was acting, not just standing there. There were others as well that seemed to be in their element. One child, however stood out from the crowd. As I thought about him, about my friend Martha who'd had the good sense to cast him in the role, one of the main roles, I was reminded of Moses. When God called Moses, Moses hesitated, claiming that his speech impediment would hold him back. God disagreed, eventually giving Moses the grace to have his brot...

  You want something but you don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 Just a few days ago I was asked to pray for someone very dear to me. This man is in desparate need of God's healing mercies. As soon as I received the request I went to my knees. I prayed fervently for the disease to be removed from his body. That's what I would want him to pray for me, so that is what I prayed for him. The day after receiving the news I was speaking with a mutual acquaintance about the man's illness. She told me that she was praying for him to get through what is in front of him in faith and with peace. What? Keep in mind, in the group of people we have in common this woman is seen as a paragon of faith, a woman of great wisdom and I, well, let's be tactful and just say they don't see me as much of anything. Here she was, this person all these other people look...

  The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe. Proverbs 18:10 For the past several weeks there has been a campaign by the enemy to steal my joy. This happens every now and then in my life. I'm not shocked when it does, Jesus warned us that it would, repeatedly but most obviously in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” So when I find myself in these seasons where the thief is trying to steal my joy I run to the name of the Lord. Sounds simple enough, right? Run and be safe. It is simple on some level, I'm sure but these past few weeks it has been anything but that. The thing is when the “thief” sees our reaction, running to Jesus, clinging to Him, that just makes him mad and he tries harder. Remember when you were a kid and had a teacher who didn't like you? You wanted to tell your mom and have her make you feel better but you hes...

  Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:2, 10 Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If so, were you surprised at the results? Most people have something of an idea going into the test. There are people who are great at leading groups, giving, praying or teaching and they take the test fully expecting those results. Several years ago I was one of those people. I've spent most of my life in some form of teaching. While still in high school I taught guitar lessons. In college I got a job at a private school in the pre-school department, eventually teaching pre-K there and to this day my day job is in a classroom. When my assessment results included teacher I was not at all surprised. When they include exhortation I was a little taken back. It literally means “ a communication emphat...

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 Within twenty-four hours of each other, two young women, both very dear to me, have achieved great goals. One, Jessica, has graduated with a Bachelor's degree in a field she was born to bless with her presence, surely tending to what the world sees as the “least of these.”(Matthew 25:40) The other, Magdaline is graduating today, with a Master's that will take her places where her spirit will surely shine. I have no doubt that Magdaline will leave a huge mark on the world. That's nice isn't it? Two young woman who have accomplished their goals? Let me tell you that simple fact is not the whole story. Neither of them are the straight out of high school, four or six years in and out degree in hand, done. Both have had obstacles to overcome, delays, setbacks, temptations to pack it all in and take a lesser road but neither one quit. Both ...

  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. (emphasis mine) Isaiah 53:5 A few weeks ago I ended up with deep scratches on the edge of my hand and wrist. I have no idea how they got there and that detail is completely unimportant anyway. What is important is that the wounds are, for the most part, healed. If you looked at my hand today you wouldn't see anything there but if you touched my hand or wrist you'd feel them. I feel them several times a day when I wash my hands or put on lotion. I can't see them but I know they're there. When I first noticed this, that I could feel what I could not see, I thought of other wounds, things I carry but don't mention. I know that I am not alone in this. Everyone has wounds and my bet is that everyone has wounds that no one sees, scars that are known only to the wounded one and maybe one ...