In Plain Sight

We hid many of Nick's Christmas presents in plain sight this year. Every day for two weeks he walked by a scantily clad marshmallow shooter sitting on a shelf in the garage. His ukelele, head up and hushed, hid among tennis rackets. His new workout equipment lay in a bin by the door. Gifts exposed, but undetected.

A friend shared how the power outages from a recent ice storm here in Arkansas drove her three-year-old television-deprived child into her lap for a long conversation in front of the fire.  They quietly conversed and he fell asleep in her arms.  Mother and child, sharing the space of a house, yet driven close to be blessed by the chill. 

Romans 1 declares God "hides" in plain sight, yet people refuse to see Him, acknowledge Him, crawl into His lap, or even thank Him.

"The truth about God is plain to them.

God has made it plain.

Ever since the world was created

it has been possible to see the qualities of God that are not seen.

I’m talking about His eternal power and about the fact that He is God.

Those things can be seen in what He has made.

So people have no excuse for what they do.

They knew God. But they didn’t honor Him as God.

They didn’t thank Him. Their thinking became worthless.

Their foolish hearts became dark.

They claimed to be wise. But they made fools of themselves.

Romans 1:19-22



God, Immanuel, plainly present with us, should inspire our worship and gratitude. Sadly, we prefer to stay busily distracted. Our foolish hearts darken with overdoses of gadgets and lesser goals. Outside, stars wink God's love to us but instead of winking back, we move indoors to listen to the puny opinions of people who don't acknowledge Him or know Him. Trees raise their branches in praise to their Creator, yet we fail to thank Him for life. While Love waits to wrap us and rock us, we love what doesn't love back. 

Lord, don't let us miss what's in plain sight or waste another opportunity to see You, to praise You, to worship You, to thank You.  We lift our hands and hearts to say "Glory to the God of all that is - Who created gift after gift placed in plain sight."  Thank You for families, jobs, shelter, love, hugs, kisses, closeness, friends, working bodies, functioning brains, changes in weather, books, pets, covers, heat, windows, wood, taste buds, water, and babies. Just counting the blessings in plain sight lightens loads and opens eyes to see more of You. 

In the Name of Jesus, Immanuel!

Christmassing Well While There's Still Time

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be honored among the nations.

I will be honored in the earth.'”

Psalm 46:10

It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it's slipping by quickly. How do we slow it down to savor the moments and truly celebrate Christmas in 2012?

I've found I can't manufacture that wonderful feeling, I can only allow it and it usually takes me by surprise.  You and I have lived through enough Christmasses to know which parts invite hushed worship, holy thoughts, shimmering light and the joyful peace of goodwill toward all people. 

Be still and know that I am God.

Magnify God with other believers:  Mary, alone and pregnant, accepted Elizabeth's words and expressions of encouragement and the women magnified God together. Two women, - one too young and virginal to be expecting and the other too old and past her time for conceiving - both willing, both giving God His due. Find a friend and forget Frosty.  Magnify the Lord.

Be  still and know that I am God.

Step outside tonight, look up, feel small and be awed that the Great Creator of the Universe came as a baby to save you and yours and all the rest of us bumbling innkeepers who say there's no room.  Last night I stepped outside to see the meteor shower but saw something even more amazing: the clear night sky with Orion's belt and one bright star we could see every night, if we don't fail to notice.

Be still and know that I am God.

Prepare your favorite warm drink, light a candle, sit in a cozy place and let the warmth seep through you, pondering that Jesus came as Immanuel (God with us) and ascended so the Holy Spirit could live and breathe in us.  Actively remember we are one with this great God Who seeps through us, longing for relationship with us.

Be still and know that I am God.

Honor God by giving generously: food to the poor, gifts to orphans, clothing to the naked, teaching to those who don't know Him, listening ears to children, attention to the unloveable, patience to the irritating, carols to neighbors, big tips to servers, room for the drivers or shoppers in a hurry, prayers for prisoners, hospitality to the lonely and alone, gratitude to God for everything always.

“Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. ‘Lord,’ they will ask, ‘when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:37-40

I Think That I Shall Never See . . .

     Driving to work this morning I watched the morning sun illuminate leaves and thought, "God could've made only one type of tree, but He didn't."  His creative glory led to seasonal changes embedded in perenniel stability, balls of flame seated among the cool of evergreens. (And thank you to whoever came up with the name "evergreen:" it's a lovely consolation for serving as a backdrop for fall flare.)

     Some of us are evergreens: constant, stable, dependable - and, maybe even a little unexciting to the young and the restless. Others of us are project-oriented, and like hardwoods unfurling the intensity of spring green, we deepen our colors and sprint toward autumn fireworks before hibernating for the winter, or until a new project, job, mission, or calling presents itself.  True, the evergreens among us may be a little envious of the seasonals in the spring and fall, but certainly not in the winter, when we shine and keep the rest of the scenery from fading into a dull and colorless existence. B

     Each needed, each contributing to the landscape, the environment, shouting the glory of God across acres and acres for the world to see as a reminder of the Creator. The trees don't fight for centerstage but stand quietly blazing in their turn, serving as a backdrop then stepping up to fulfill their roles. Why should we do any less than the trees?

"Let the fields and everything in them be glad.

Then all of the trees in the forest will sing with joy."

Psalm 96:12

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:

the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:12

Monday, August 29, 2011 - Many Crosses, One Purpose

"Then He said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23
    What does it mean to shoulder our crosses daily to follow Jesus? Jokingly we refer to the inconveniences and frustrations in our lives as crosses to bear, but Christ spoke of a real cross in Luke 9:23 (see above) after describing what He Himself would suffer, sacrifice and save because "God so loved the world."  Carrying our cross, according to Max Lucado, has everything to do with loving others: "To take up the cross, then, is to take up Christ's burden for the people of the world." (Every Day Deserves A Chance, Max Lucado)
     Let's look at the crosses God has given us to carry. They should be heavy to show we can't do enough to show people God's Love, but after that, each of cross is unique.  What does yours look like?
Does it look like hospitality and an open door so your neighbors who don't have a clue God loves them and wants a personal relationship with them may see and know? 
Does your cross resemble a spiritual greenhouse where you plant and water seeds with your gift of teaching, shepherding and nurturing?  
Is your cross a half-way house where you exercise mercy and encourage prodigals to keep moving back home and into the Father's Arms?  
How about a business office where your gift of administration demonstrates Truth, integrity, leadership, fairness, and service so co-workers see what you believe? 
A hospital for hurting ministers? 
A kitchen filled with comfort food for weary warriors or isolated servants? 
A public school filled with so many needs you wouldn't step foot inside without prayer and the Power of the Holy Spirit?  
A disaster relief team? 
A choir loft, orchestra pit, or praise band where you join others to glorify God and encourage His people? 
A food pantry or clothes closet for the poor and needy? 
An altar where you send prayers heavenward for every need people bring to you because you've been blessed with the gift of faith?


Is there any way to escape the truth that God has gifted each of us to carry a cross and sacrifice so others may know Him? . . . because He loved the world, so should we. 
"And I am sure that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." Philippians 1:6


"So, my brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1 Corinthians 15:58


"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus -- the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love." Acts 20:24


Lord forgive us for getting caught up in our frustrations when You've called us to carry out specific callings to bring others to Your throne.  Help us carry our crosses with Your Love, Your Power, Your Peace, and Your Purpose.  What beautiful, significant lives You've planned for us if we'll simply do what You call us to do with the gift and Power You supply.
In the Name of Jesus Who carried the cross and suffered for each of us to know You
Inspired by Live Loved, by Max Lucado