Beloved

Dear Songbirds,

     I have missed our time together! I would like to start today's post with a Scripture; "As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything". Ecclesiastes 11:5 NKJV As this Scripture states, there are things that are allowed to happen that just cannot be explained. Only God has all the answers...sometimes He reveals those answers, sometimes He doesn't.
      So much has taken place since our last visit. Just a matter of hours after I posted my last entry on Songbird, the tragedy in West, Texas took place. I was up half the night watching the coverage in disbelief. It seems as if, almost daily,  there has been one tragedy after another.     
     From bombings, to West, Texas, to tornadoes...it can be overwhelming just trying to process it all. The constant barrage of tragedies that have taken place recently remind me of someone in the Bible. His name was Job. I am also reminded of his response and his commitment and love toward his God no matter the circumstance, no matter the tragedy, or I should say the multiple tragedies that he faced.
     Tragedies are nothing new, in fact, in  Mark 13 NKJV  Jesus warned  His disciples (thus all believers) of what is to come in the end times. We should not be caught off guard when tragedies abound...they are inevitable.
     In other parts of the world outside of the United States, many people have suffered many things that we, as U.S. citizens may never have to face in our lifetimes. We are the freest nation on earth, yet we seem isolated at the same time. As devastating as events have taken place in the U.S. lately, many countries around the world live with devastating events as well, sometimes on a daily basis. If nothing else, recent tragedies here at home should give us more urgency to care for others worldwide, whether spiritually or otherwise.
     I say all that, not to negate the effects of  recent events, but to attempt to put into perspective that there is still so very much to be grateful for. There is a bigger picture than the one right in front of us. God has a plan and it includes "the" world not just "our" world.
     There should be comfort in knowing that NOTHING catches our great God off guard. As our Pastor has said in the past, "He's got this"! Remember, the enemy had to get God's permission and was limited by God on his actions toward Job Job 1:12 NKJV...I believe that applies to every child of God.
     I am speaking to fellow believers when I say that I believe there is a danger that if we are not careful in such times that we can lose our perspective and start identifying ourselves as victims. I reject the idea that any child of God could ever be categorized as a victim. God's Word says 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
     To clarify, we have all at one point or another been a victim in the sense that an event has taken place in our lives that has caused great distress or pain, maybe even on a recurring basis. Yet, in my opinion, the word victim defines a temporary event, not a permanent identity. In other words, it describes what happens to us vs. who we are. I know from my own experience that once a person is able to distinguish between the two and accept them as truth that it can be both liberating and life changing. I John 5:1-5 NKJV
     I know many of you are aware of the crisis my husband and I went through in our marriage. It was during that great trial that God revealed this truth to me. It may be hard to believe (understandably so) that there are so many reasons I am grateful to God that our marriage went through the trial that it did, and this is only one example of why. The fact that I know that I know that I know that my identity  is not based on the events of my life, but the event that took place on the cross through Christ Jesus is a "game changer" for me.
     How about you? Are you able to distinguish between the events of your life and the identity you have as a Christ follower? Or, maybe you have never experienced the "game changing" transformation that takes place once you surrender your life to Christ...it's not too late! Maybe you've been searching for a "way out" of the bondage that may seem to be engulfing your life right now. You may feel that victim is the exact term you would use to define your identity and existence.
     Freedom from your bondage is just one heartbeat away...just one decision away! It comes in the form of a Savior who chose to take the shame, the guilt, the torment and everything they represent on your behalf so that you no longer need to view your identity as being a victim. Instead your identity becomes that of a victor! I John 5:1-5 NKJV
     Victor and victim are terms that indicate a struggle or battle. They remind me of an analogy regarding battle God brought to my mind in 2004 while writing my devotional titled "Standing Still". It is this: Can you imagine a war where the rank and file decides not to listen to or even seek the commands and leadership of their superior officer? Do you see the chaos and defeat that would take place if that happened? Is it really any different in the battles of our lives when we choose to act on anything less than that of our Superior Officer? This is a paradox of Christianity, that we must submit in order to conquer. It is as easy and as hard as that.
     We tend to think submission equals weakness, when in truth, it unleashes God's great power and allows Him to fight our battles for us! II Chronicles 20:17 NKJV AMAZING! I believe that Job understood this and it is why the enemy was defeated in Job's life.VICTOR.
     The enemy will NEVER be able to have the intimate love relationship with the Father that He has granted to His children. I am only thinking out loud right now, but I wonder since the enemy does not have that relationship with the Father, if he truly could (can) grasp the bond and the power that it holds, therefore underestimated (underestimates) that power.
     Or maybe he does grasp it and is so very envious and jealous that he feels the need to destroy it at all cost, because he knows he will NEVER be able to experience it himself. Worse still, the enemy may realize that we may also underestimate that power, therefore he can score an easy victory (temporary though it may be) over us. That would indeed be a tragedy.
     Regardless, he lives a defeated life and would love nothing better than for God's children to live the same way. Sadly, the defeated life that he has is of his own choosing. I would think that regret plays a role in Hell's experience...just my opinion.
     The choice is up to us, Songbirds. Always has been. My prayer and my song is that if we are Christ followers that we act in obedience and love toward God, just as Job did, no matter the tragedy and no matter the circumstance. And if by some chance you are reading this and have not ever made the decision to follow Christ, I pray that you make that decision today....He loves you (us) with an everlasting love and that love has the power to set you (us) free...Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV.

     Our song for the day is by Jason Gray titled  Remind Me...   Beloved.

Amen, 

Songbird

Even though...

Dear Songbirds,

     Here we are again...mourning a national tragedy. Many are still reeling from the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting that took place just 4 months ago. Now we have the Boston Marathon Bombings. As God leads, I will write more on the latest tragedy we, as a nation face. I feel that I still need time to process it all.
     In the meantime, I would like to share Psalm 20 NKJV as a prayer to all who are hurting right now:

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
² May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
³ May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

⁴ May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
⁵ We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

⁹ Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.

     It is my belief that He does answer us when we call, as His Word tells us in Psalm 17:6-9 NKJV. My song and my prayer for today is titled Psalm 23 sung so beautifully by Kathy Troccoli.
 

        ...You are there. Amen.

Blessings,

Songbird

Game Changer

Greetings, Songbirds!

     Today's post is inspired by some of the lyrics in the song I shared with you last time. The song is titled, Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns. The lyrics come at the end of the song and they are "You are good, you are good, and your love endures forever."  They may not seem significant unless we really stop and think about what that really means for God's creation.
     God has so many attributes, and we will never be able to truly comprehend all that He really is, but until I really focused on the fact that God is GOOD, I feel I was missing out on a very important aspect of His character.
     My husband and I facilitated a marriage reconciliation group for several years and one time we asked the group to name some characteristics of God...not ONE of them mentioned the fact that God is good. To tell you the truth, I kind of expected that.
     It seems that this characteristic of God gets passed over, as if, yes He is good...BUT. BUT, what?!?! To me, the fact that He is good is a game changer, so to speak. So much so that when we decorated our front hallway in our home, we displayed generational pictures of both sides of mine and my husbands' families and stenciled Psalm 100:5  right in the middle of them, here is a photo of the Scripture:

     This Scripture serves as a reminder to me and to everyone else who may enter our home, that we serve a GOOD God. It may be because of what I have shared with you in the past about my perception of how I viewed God and how I perceived He viewed me that this characteristic of God made such an impact on me. That is why, in my life, it became a game changer...I'll tell you why:
     If God is good, then He means me no harm...Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV. If God is good, it means that His love never fails toward me...I Corinthians 13:8-10 NKJV. If God is good, it means that His mercy is new every morning for me ...Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV. If God is good, it means that He is my refuge, my fortress, my deliverer when I trust in Him...Psalm 91 NKJV.
     My God means me no harm, His love never fails, His mercy is new every morning, He is my refuge, my fortress, my deliverer...and so much more! That is something to shout about! What is even better, He isn't just my God, but to all who believe, He is their God too! Those promises are for us all!
   That, Songbirds, is something to sing about! Our God makes it easy to love Him even in the worst of times when we see Him for who He really is...GOOD! Because we know He is on our side. Do you know what that means?!? It means Romans 8 NKJV can be our anthem...(v 31) can be the only question we need to ask when faced with trials, which says; What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can be against us, indeed!?! We have been made conquerors through Him and His great love for us...(vs. 37-39).  
     Game changer!!  It doesn't matter where we've come from, doesn't matter where we've been, doesn't matter what we've done, doesn't matter what's been done to us, doesn't matter, doesn't matter, doesn't matter!! Game changer!!!
     All that matters is that God sent us His game changer in the form of a Savior...His Son...His name...Jesus Christ. When we accept Him as our Savior, game changer!! Because of Him, our lives are changed forever!! In Him we see the goodness of God incarnate!!
     My prayer and my song for all of us today is that we seek out the goodness of God and share it with those around us. The song titled This Man by Jeremy Camp illustrates His goodness and love for us through His Son beautifully.

...Would you take the place of this man? Would you take the nails from His hands?

Game changer!

Amen,

Songbird

On the Side of Grace

Greetings, Songbirds!

     I thought I would start off today's post with a question. What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "church"? 
     I will share with you my own experience and it may be quite different from yours, or you may be able to say "me too".  As a child I know my family attended church when I was younger, but after about the age of five years old or so, we stopped attending...if I recall correctly, at least on a regular basis. My family was of the Presbyterian religion at that time. Frankly, growing up, I couldn't tell you what that meant and have come to look more at the Word of God and what He says than a label on a religion (so to speak) when discerning such matters.
     Fast forward to the time I was saved, which was at the age of 21. I may have shared this with you before, but I was saved as a result of reading a book titled Confessions of a Happy Christian by Zig Ziglar. The back of the book laid out the plan of salvation. I had never heard it before, or if I did it did not "click" with me. Well, that time I "got it" and I accepted Christ as my Savior. So I figured the first thing I needed to do was find a church and in a short time I did find one.
     There was so much about church and naturally God's Word and what being a Christian really means that I had no clue about. But, I figured if you're a Christian you go to church and you get baptized and give your tithes and you do everything else you're told to do, because after all, you have to act and be and say and do all the right things...otherwise you (I) would be a bad Christian. Or maybe a bad girl, same difference I guess. It was and sometimes still is very hard to accept the law of grace which has been bestowed on such a wretch like me (as the song goes).
     Since I came to accept Christ at the age of 21 and was not in church a good part of my life, I did not face some of the challenges that someone growing up in the church may have to face. That is a good thing, because I have been good at creating enough of them on my own!
     I believe, this all has to do more with our perception of God than with our perception of the church. I believe my thought processes at the time of my salvation reveal my thought processes concerning God at that time. I had this perception that I brought into my relationship with God that I still had to prove myself to gain His acceptance. I knew full well in my head that the price had already been paid for my past, present and future sins. But, it did not resonate with me because I had this subconscious perception that God was angry at me. Angry at what, I don't know. All I know is I dealt with it through my actions.
     So, what is the solution? How does someone go from feeling as if they can never gain acceptance from an angry God to running into His arms in times of great joy and in times of great distress? Come to find out, it has been way less about me and way more about Him...go figure! He pursues us as His Word says in John 6:44 NKJV, not the other way around! Blows my mind to think about it! He loves us so much that He made a way of escape for all who believe by this love 1 John 4:10 NKJV, AMAZING!
     I think His love for us is the key to our acceptance of who He is. When we are able to start accepting His love, our whole perception changes. It did for me, anyway. To realize He isn't who I thought He was, first off, what a RELIEF! But then to realize He is so much more and still loves us, WHOA! We who are believers have been reconciled with God. Not because of anything else but the willing, loving sacrifice Jesus Christ gave on our behalf!
     You might think that God has taken a big risk on bestowing His love upon a creation that turned their back on Him. In fact a creation that is at enmity with Him. You would think. I have thought that myself in the past, but I have come to believe that there is absolutely no risk involved when it comes to God loving His creation. I am speaking from His stand point. He is God...what is He risking?...His reputation? I've learned the hard way that God can take care of Himself and His reputation without my interference...in other words, if I act on faith and trust He will do what His Word tells me in a given situation, then He is plenty capable of taking it from there! He has proven Himself time and time again to me...when I let Him...OUCH.
     On the other hand, us humans (at least me) have been guilty and still am guilty at times of making a choice away from love, just because I think the risk is too high. It might be the price of the investment it takes (time or resources), or of rejection, of being hurt...again, being judged by others, etc., etc.
     We do not have to be afraid to love others! 1 John 4:17-19 NKJV says this:  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
     You may know the testimony of my marriage being reconciled, if not, my post dated Sept. 5, 2012 titled "Voice of Truth" shares a portion of it. If so, then you may recall that the above scripture was given to me by God almost immediately when our marriage was in crisis. God was (is) teaching me to love as He loves me. He chose my marriage relationship in 1992 to be a lesson of His love in a way I had never experienced.
     At a time when others would have said the risk was too great, my God told me there was no risk involved when I placed my trust in Him...He was right by the way! An amazing thing happened when I made the choice to love back in 1992...my perception started changing in every relationship I had.
     I view the "church" differently since then as well. God's Word tells us in Ephesians 5 NKJV that Christ is the bridegroom and we, His church are the bride...not only that, because He loved the church so much, He laid down His life for her. The church, therefore, in my eyes is sacred and cherished and loved by God. If that be so, I have an obligation to treat her as such.
     How do we live that out? My hubby and I have a saying we try to live by, which is that we would rather "err on the side of grace" than choose not to bestow kindness and love toward someone who may not seem to be "deserving" of that love. Risky? I don't think so.

     I learned that marriage is a picture of Christ and His church and if I want to convince anyone that I am a true follower of Christ, what would I be saying about Christ and His church if I walked away from my marriage without an attempt to love the way I was so graciously shown love when I did not "deserve" it? Or for that matter, when anyone crosses my path that does not seem to "deserve" it? As the video titled Behind the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns  explains.

     I want the song titled Jesus, Friend of Sinners  to be my prayer for us all today, dear Songbirds. May we choose to make a conscious choice to "err on the side of grace" keeping in mind that only by His grace are we in His presence for eternity. He risked nothing and neither do we when we choose to love as we are loved. Amen.

 

 "Nobody knows what we're for, only what we're against when we judge the wounded".

 ..."and blessed is he who is not offended because of Me"...Jesus  Matthew 11:6  NKJV\


 Songbird

BUT GOD...

     Greetings, Songbirds! It has been way too long since we met! Unfortunately winter is hard on me and I just have not been up to writing until now. I do hope you forgive me for my long absence!..."nuff about me! I'll get started on what has been on my heart as of late.

     Last time we were together the phrase "Where're you gonna' go?" was used in the lyrics of the song I shared with you, titled Dare You to Move by  Switchfoot. This phrase got me to thinking, so I thought we might explore it together. 

     I'm sure you know already the answer I will give...we can say it together...God! This sounds good when you read it, just go to God when you're in pain. Just go to God when you've been devastated by betrayal. Just go to God when you're so grief stricken, you can't even think straight, let alone function normally. Just go to God. 

     It sounds so easy. I know from experience,that, at times it is very difficult, even for a believer. I believe what may make it difficult is OUR view of GOD, but also how we think GOD views US. We may say we love Him. We may say we trust Him. We may say, not unlike Peter, that we would never deny Him...yet when a crisis arises, how do we respond?

     Until we seek Him and truly start to get a greater understanding of His character, I don't think we can possibly have a clear view of WHO GOD is and HOW HE views US.

     For many years, I had this view toward God that He was mad at me, or even worse yet...just not interested. I was a believer, I tried to do "everything right" yet, I still felt as if I was failing Him. It's that picture in your mind of Him just waiting to level the gavel against you, or the hammer, etc. I think you know what I mean! It was either that, or Him being so disinterested, that what I did or did not do did not matter one way or another to Him.

     BUT GOD, in His graciousness, has revealed to me over the years...especially during times of crisis, that He has already passed sentence on me, not based on my behavior, but on what Jesus accomplished at the cross. I have been found not guilty because of the blood of Jesus, and for no other reason. Grace over law (legalism). I knew that in my head for many years, but did not start to grasp it until He tested me to prove it...that's how gracious He is.

     How did He prove it to me? I'll tell ya'...He answered me through my questioning, not unlike with John the Baptist. John the Baptist asked, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3 NKJV My question was similar, mine was, "'Are You truly who You say You are?' because if not, I'm not going to make it." I can tell you, He proved Himself in spades!

     I only had to abide by the same thing John the Baptist and every other believer must abide by in order to grow in an intimate relationship with God. It is found in Jesus' reply to John which was this: "Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”  Matthew 11:4-6 NKJV

     Oh, man! Accepting that Jesus made the blind see, the lame walk; the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear; even the dead raised up and the poor having the gospel preached to them, you might expect that from the Messiah, but then we come to verse 6..."And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” OUCH. "Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." With that small verse, the LORD challenges US to let HIM show US how HE views US.

     In John the Baptists' case, I believe Jesus was telling John that he could trust Jesus was truly the Messiah, even though Jesus chose not to save him from such a senseless cruel death. I believe that is what He is conveying to each of us when faced with a crisis. It did not make sense humanly speaking, in John's day, BUT GOD was in control THEN and HE is in control NOW. You may be questioning that last statement. I understand. I have been there. Many times. I will share with you a few examples in my own life:

     BUT GOD was in control when my mother (who was 39 years old at the time) was just one month pregnant with me when my oldest sister was killed in a car accident. She was 18 years old and had just graduated High School. "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 

     BUT GOD was in control when I was born eight months later into a still grieving family only to be attending my first funeral when I was 6 weeks old because my father's mother had died unexpectedly. "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

     BUT GOD was in control when my parents separated when I was three years old and subsequently divorced when I was five years old. The next eight years, myself and two of my siblings were raised in a single parent home."And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

     BUT GOD was in control when my father suffered from mental illness and had bouts of angry outbursts and had extended absences away from the family. Throughout my whole life, contact with my father was infrequent. "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 

     BUT GOD was in control, even though my mother suffered many things in her life. Her behavior could be erratic and unstable at times. "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”     

     In essence, BUT GOD was in control when I was brought into this world with chaos swirling all around my family. I could go on, but I'll stop at my childhood..."And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

     Can we trust a God that will allow much pain and suffering in our lives? There are so many unspeakable horrors that go on in our world every day, yet God allows it. WHY?  

     I have shared with you before that I do not have all the answers. My goal is to lead you to the One who does. I only know what I have experienced and believe, and what I believe is this;  God is good, God is in control at all times, God loves us, God is faithful, God hates sin and it's consequences, God is not helpless or caught off guard by ANYTHING, God does not know hard, God is our defender, protector, refuge, God is ALL we need. He is the Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega...I could go on! 

     I truly believe that the only reason I hold to these biblical truths so strongly, is that God has on numerous occasions brought me to a place that I call a "crisis of belief" and I had to choose whether or not to be offended because of Him, or obey and follow Him, trusting that everything He does is for our good and for His glory. The result has been indeed blessing upon blessing, upon blessing. 

     For further reading on John the Baptist and this subject, I highly recommend a book titled The Prisoner in the Third Cell by Gene Edwards.  

     My song and my prayer for us all today, is that we choose not to be offended because of Him...(He is not our enemy), but be held by Him instead. The song by Natalie Grant titled Held  expresses this very poignantly.

      

This is what it means to be held

How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it means to be loved

And to know that the promise was

When everything fell we'd be held... Psalm 91 NKJV

 "Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?" Selah.

Blessings,

Songbird

    

What Happens Next?

    Greetings, Songbirds! I have missed you! Writing requires my full attention and I have not been able to provide that as of late. This post has been in progress for weeks, and I am hoping you will forgive my delay.
     I would like to start with a quote from a twelve year old boy named Justin Kievit:  "Sometimes winning isn't always the right thing & isn't the most important thing." Justin Kievit spoke these words in an   interview that aired on Good Morning America in December of 2012.
     Justin was referring to a wrestling match at his middle school in Tennessee in which he was asked to wrestle on the mat with Jared Stevens. Jared is also twelve years old, but Jared has severe cerebral palsy. Justin allowed Jared to pin him to the mat, allowing Jared to win the match.
     As one commentator reported, it was a story of courage and character on both of the boys' part. Jared wanted so badly to know what it felt like just to be able to be on the mat like the other boys. Justin was wise beyond his years and had such compassion for his opponent, that he chose to impart to Jared something even greater than Jared's expectations.
     Justin's response was not a surprise to those who know him. His coach specifically chose Justin because Jared's coach asked him to be placed with a boy with a big heart...Justin immediately came to his coach's mind. That decision set the wheels in motion for what took place between the boys.
     I share this story to illustrate the fact that our capacity to show compassion and dignity to others is a reflection of who we are as human beings.When I began writing this post, the events that took place in Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary had not yet occurred. Afterward, there seemed such a contrast in behavior that I felt led to explore it.
     These two stories carry such stark contrasts in behavior that they elicit more questions than answers, or so it seems.  Such as, what state of mind would a person have to be in to commit such horrific acts that took place on December 14, 2012 inside Sandy Hook Elementary? How can a person be so detached from any feeling at all toward another human being, much less the most vulnerable and innocent of all? These are the questions that haunt me.
     Man's inhumanity toward man is nothing new. The danger is, and in my opinion, has always been, when society ceases to have empathy toward one another. Justin Kievit had compassion toward Jared Stevens because he was able to empathize with Jared's struggle of living with the disease of cerebral palsy. In the absence of empathy comes the absence of compassion.
     Justin and Jared's story highlights all that can be good in man. The assailant in the Sandy Hook massacre highlights the worst. The actions taken on December 14 were devoid of  humanity. Where does that leave us? What is the difference between these young men? I am not smart enough to have the answers to all of these questions. My goal in writing you today is not to give you answers. My goal is to lead you to the One who does.
     Only God knows how men can view other men as less than human. In my opinion, that is the only way these events could take place. I discussed in my post "Louder Than Words" the impact touring the Auschwitz concentration camps had on me. It became very clear during that experience that evil was allowed to take place because the absence of humanity had taken place. That absence of humanity was a result of the absence of empathy.
     The captors in the concentration camps viewed their captives as animals, as less than human. My question is; HOW? I do not have an answer for me or for you. I wish I did. I hesitate to show you these pictures. Yet I feel led to at the same time because they are a graphic example of the inhumanity I am grappling to understand. They were taken as a remembrance of those who suffered such evil:

Broken baby doll and baby clothing.

Children's shoes.

Brick and hay cubicle beds (?) meant for multiples of  8 to sleep in.

Eyeglasses.

Prosthetics...
This display spoke volumes to me, as I have multiple health issues.
I would have not been allowed to survive for very long because
I would have been "defective" in the eyes of the Hitler regime.

Human hair.

Blankets woven from the human hair that was confiscated...void of humanity.

Gas canisters used in the gas chambers.

      Once again...void of humanity. Evil personified.

      These are but a few of the images we captured while touring Auschwitz. Such devastation. So many indignities to so many. All because of man's inhumanity to man. What more proof do we need of our desperate need for a Savior?  No more proof is needed.  All one has to do is observe man's behavior toward one another. I believe the only thing holding back complete evil in this world is God Himself and that day will end when no man knows Mark 13:32-37 NKJV. 

     In my post titled "Better than a Hallelujah" dated December 19, I said that our nation had just "had the wind knocked out of us" and we were all just trying to remember to breathe. This was in response to the events that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary five days prior to that post. 

     Our nation is still grieving and will continue to do so, yet in the midst of our grief there comes a point that we must decide to move forward because in the meantime, we have work to do! We must not grow weary of doing good!  Galatians 6:6-10 NKJV

     We can move forward because we serve a High Priest who has great empathy and compassion for us   He set the example to show us the way to love others even in the midst of devastation and indignities. Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV.    

     My song and my prayer for us today is in the form of a challenge for us all, in fact it's a dare. Like the song titled  Dare You to Move by the band Switchfoot. Please take a listen to it when you are able.   
   What happens next? What happens next?...I dare us to move, I dare us to move, I dare us to lift ourselves up off the floor!...maybe redemption has stories to tell, maybe forgiveness is right where we fell...we have work to do! Romans 12 NKJV "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". (vs 21)

Blessings,

Songbird

The Rest of the Story

     Happy New Year, Songbirds! I pray God's richest blessings for you and your families in the upcoming year ahead. With January comes New Years resolutions for many. My hubby (Captain Awesome) ; ) has the same one every year, which is "To be the man my dog thinks I am" end quote...gotta love a guy like that!
     I know it's a funny way to put it, but I know what he's saying. He wants to strive to be a better man. In essence that is my resolution too, although I would not have thought to put it so cleverly as he did.
     One of my biggest fears in life is that decisions I make today will result in regrets in the future that will impact those around me. I think that fear may stem from a lifelong realization that we are not promised tomorrow.
     Growing up I had a reoccurring dream of  sitting in a doctor's office and being told that I did not have long to live. It affected me in the sense that I have always been aware of  my mortality. Instead of thinking like a lot of us when we were younger, "that won't happen to me" my thinking was "I am the one that will happen to" and I believe those dreams played a part in shaping that thought process. 
     I can tell you this, I have done plenty of foolish, sinful, reckless things in my life, but not nearly as much as I might have had I not been keenly aware of the fact that I was not exempt from bad consequences that would not only affect me, but affect others in my life as well.
     I say all of that to say this...I want my life to have purpose and meaning, always keeping in mind my relationship with God and how that relationship is affected by my life choices. That did not even start taking place in my life until I accepted Christ when I was 21 years old. Until that point I was floundering. I was searching for I did not even know what and never finding it.
     I cannot speak for others, I can only testify of my own experience. Idols satisfy for a time, but they do not endure. They do not endure because they are not what we need. Which leads me to the rest of the story.
     There was a radio program named The Rest of the Story broadcast by Paul Harvey . It aired as a tag to the end of his programs starting during WWII and then in 1976 became a series he broadcast until 2009. It interested me because it was based on little known facts in regard to well known people.
     Jesus is rather well known, regardless if a person is a believer. Here is the rest of the story regarding Jesus...He was born into the world, lived a sinless life, He was crucified and paid the penalty for our sins and He rose again (which makes Him alive)!  Romans 1:1-7 NKJV. And as if all of this were not enough...He is coming back one day! Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV. These are "close fisted" facts (as my pastor would say) in regard to Jesus. In other words, not negotiable because they are doctrinal truths based on the Word of God.
      You may say that these are not little known facts about a well known person named Jesus Christ. That may be true FOR BELIEVERS. What about about everyone else? I was an adult before I became a Christian. I was not raised in the church. It was when I was made aware of these facts (for me it was through reading a book which laid out the gospel) that God was able to speak to my heart and at that point, I accepted Christ as my Savior.
     It seems hard to believe that a person can grow up and become an adult and not ever really hear the plan of salvation, yet it happens everyday. Which leads me to challenge not only myself, but all of us to remember that many, many people have not heard. And many, many people have not even had the chance to accept or reject the gospel because of this!
     How very sad. Yet, God draws us to Himself  John 6:44 NKJV. It is only sad if there is no one willing to share these truths with others. What if He is wanting to use us to accomplish that? He could use any means He wants to draw us to Himself, but what if He wants to use us and we are not listening and obeying His call?
     My prayer and my song is that we do not allow opportunities in our every day life slip by us to share the rest of the story of Jesus Christ to those around us. No regrets...just spreading the rest of the story about our Lord and Savior!
      Our youngest daughter and her husband served in Krakow, Poland for three years with the International Mission Board several years ago. As they were about to embark on reaching souls for Christ in Eastern Europe, our son-in-law put this video together. Yet the need is just as urgent in our own backyard, where ever that may be in this world. This song, titled Tears of the Saints by Leeland shares the urgency that exists for spreading the hope and good news of the gospel to all:

Father, we will lead them home...Amen.

Blessings,

Songbird

     
    

Ordinary People, Extraordinary God

     Hello, Songbirds! I hope you enjoyed reading my husband's (a.k.a...Captain Awesome's) post this week! He may "chime" in on occasion to share what's on his mind and heart. It will be a sure treat for all of us!
     Today I would like to share this thought with you:  What if living an ordinary life is exactly what God has intended for you? This question keeps going over in my mind since it was posed by my pastor recently one Sunday morning. He was speaking in regard to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in preparation for Christmas day. When I heard it, I thought...why didn't I think of that before now?
     I have heard countless times that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and I think I've always thought that's great and all, but it leaves something out...it was because of my perspective on being ordinary. I want to be extraordinary. OUCH. Ordinary just doesn't seem good enough! At least it hasn't until pastor Matt posed that question!
     I believe God was telling me that that is me. I am one of the many ordinary people on this planet that will always be ordinary, and that is finally okay with me. In fact, it's a relief! I was finally ready to receive it that Sunday morning and it has been freeing.  John 8:32 NKJV
     I am reminded of good ole George Bailey, the character in the Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. There is a particular scene (there are many) that have always been one of my favorites. It's the scene when George's father has just passed away and Mr. Potter is seeking to close down the Building & Loan. This is what George says in this scene:
 

  

     I consider myself part of the "rabble" being talked about in the clip, that's about as ordinary as you can get! When you think about it though, at least in today's world, George Bailey and his dad both would be considered ordinary folk too.Yet, as the movie progresses we see the difference these ordinary lives did make after all.

     There were two other ordinary people God used in a mighty way. In fact we are still feeling the impact of their obedience to the Father. Mary and Joseph. She was just a teen aged girl, Joseph a carpenter. Look what God did through them! As a result we have just celebrated the birth of their Son, our Savior. Amazing. 

     Could God have accomplished His will another way? I'm sure. Why did He choose this way? One day we will get to ask Him face to face, if we are one of His children. Yet, I have a feeling when that day comes, it may not seem important. Just a thought. 

     Until then, this Scripture may explain somewhat the mind of God in this matter: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NKJV.  We have been given a Savior who was born to die. Born to die on our behalf. Willingly. Why? I believe it was all because of love. He loves us so much He would have rather died than live without us.

     For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”  I Corinthians 1:26-31 NKJV.  

     All for His glory! Only He is truly extraordinary. That is why I am at peace to be one of the foolish, one of the weak, one of the base, in other words, one of the ordinary...all for Him and His glory. 

     The song titled "Born to Die" by Bebo Norman is my prayer and my song for us as we celebrate and reflect on the meaning of the birth of Christ this season.

Blessings,


Songbird

Do We Really Need a Bigger Barn?

Greetings Songbirds,
  My wife has graciously allowed me to be a guest blogger this Christmas week as I have a few thoughts I'd like to share with you. So here goes nothing.
   As the Christmas holiday is upon us, I once again have found my thought process challenged as it was recently in our church's building campaign. Anytime the subject of money is raised, whether it be for the purchase of gifts at Christmas time or the giving of funds towards a campaign; there is an instinctive tendency to be afraid to spend anything and instead set it aside for a rainy day. What if I'm sacrificing my future? What if I'm giving away our security? What if retirement has to be delayed? Unfounded fear can make you ask some pretty silly questions. The truth is that to most people these questions don't sound so silly, but to the believer they are just that. Our security and our future aren't dependent on the size of our bank accounts, no instead the Lord is the provider and sustainer of all that we have and we are truly blessed to be His caretakers.  Luke 12:24 NKJV   
  So why are we tempted to be fearful? Prosperity, perhaps has blinded our eyes to the needs around us. Now don't get me wrong, we are like most folks living week to week and thankful to be employed and insured, but even with a modest salary, this time of year challenges me to look outward at the needs of others. I believe that the reason God created money and enabled us to earn it is so we could show by the way we use it that money is not our treasure, Christ is.
  In Proverbs 6:6-8 NKJV God commends the ant's diligence, not his pursuit of security from accumulation. Contrast that in Luke 12:13-21 NKJV, it isn't the rich man's diligence God rebukes, it's his foolish self-sufficiency, seeking security in what he can store up on earth. But Jesus goes beyond telling us not to build up treasures here on earth, He says "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy". Luke 12:33 NKJV  Don't just refrain from building bigger barns, give it way (at least some of it).
     Contrary to what our little world's might have us believe, bigger barns do not equal more security. Choosing to live a life as a raven Luke 12:24 NKJV, trusting God for our provisions requires a willingness on our parts to give away what this world encourages us to seek. It sounds crazy and even making such a statement causes me unease, but trusting God in all areas of our lives, including our finances, shows that He is more than sufficient. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (vs 34)
     So here's the question I have for you Songbirds, where are your hearts? Are they  linked to your bank accounts, your homes, your jobs or perhaps something else? Christ wants our hearts to be linked with God, not with what's inside our barns. The problem with having bigger barns here on earth is that there is a huge temptation to trust in barns and not in God.
  Our compassion need not be expensive, but if it's real it will challenge us to choose a path other than our usual, predictable and comfortable way of life. I want desperately to seek first His kingdom and to trust that our Heavenly Father will continue to provide everything I need when I need it. I pray that when I'm tempted to put in my barn, my treasures that God would remind me that the day to day encounters I have with others are perhaps divine appointments rather than disruptions to my self sufficient way of life. What a wonderful blessing it is when God marries our acts of obedience with the earnest prayers of those in need.
     My prayer is that we all venture outside our own little worlds as depicted in the song  titled "My Own Little World" sung by Matthew West.


Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year!
Ron

 

Better than a Hallelujah

     I apologize for taking so long in writing this post, Songbirds. I have drafts of two separate topics I was working on when the events of last Friday took place. It seems as if our country has had the "wind" knocked out of it and we are all still just trying to remember to breathe.
     There are times when words are not sufficient, or maybe not even appropriate. This seems to be one of those times. The sorrow is so deep and the pain is so raw that it will take time to process what took place, if that is even possible. The song by Amy Grant titled Better than a Hallelujah explains it beautifully.

     We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody...If that be true, Songbirds then when we call out to our Heavenly Father in our time of sorrow and grieving, we become His song...what an awesome thought...what an awesome God.

     If the Lord leads, I will share more of what is on my heart regarding the events that took place in Connecticut last Friday, December 14th in a future post. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV Amen and Selah.

Blessings,

Songbird

The Greatest Gift

     It's been a while since we've spoken, Songbirds! 'Tis the season! I know everyone is busier these days and  I do appreciate more than I can say your taking time out of your busy schedules to peek in on me and my "rantings"!   ; )

     I have truly missed writing to you since we last spoke. I am constantly thinking of you and how I can best make sense of what I feel God may be putting on my heart to share with you. It can be overwhelming at times because it is a difficult thing for me to express my thoughts and feelings toward the Lord. He has done such great things and He continues to do so. 

     I am reminded of  the disciple, John when he wrote: "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen."  John 21:25 NKJV  
     He turned water into wine, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead back to life, set the captive free...and so much more!  These things were only made possible because of Jesus' obedience to the Father in coming to earth in the form of mankind.  
     He had to lay in a manger before He could lay down His life on a cross, as my pastor pointed out this past Sunday. He experienced first hand what His creation experiences, therefore providing "me too" experiences with Him and His creation.
     Jesus experienced abandonment, He experienced rejection, He experienced abuse, He experienced poverty, He experienced homelessness, He experienced being wrongly accused, He experienced being misunderstood...etc, etc. Sound familiar? Ever experience these things in your life? Maybe even right now? So did He!
     What does all of this mean for us? Our God has compassion on His people..."Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but as in all  points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV.
     That baby who lay in a manger would later willingly lay His life down on a cross and become

the propitiation for our sins...and so much more! WHY? His Love For us. Through it all, He still loves us. He loved us before He was born into mankind and He always will Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV. What a gift Jesus (who knew no sin) has given to us! Romans 5:15-18 NKJV....AMAZING.  

      My prayer for us this Christmas season is that we remember that our greatest need (therefore, the greatest gift we could receive) is a Savior! And on that first Christmas day that need was met, as illustrated through the song titled The Night Before Christmas  by  Brandon Heath.

Empty manger...perfect stranger...about to be born...

Blessings,

Songbird

How Could I Ask For More?

Happy Thanksgiving, Songbirds! 

     May God richly bless you and yours this holiday season! I am so grateful that you have chosen to read my posts! I hope and pray that in some small way it ministers to your hearts.
     The song  How Could I Ask for More? by Cindy Morgan is one of my all time favorites and well worth the listen!

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Blessings,

Songbird

His Eyes

     You may recall in my last post titled "He Ran" that I mentioned that God graciously allowed me to experience what it would be like to sit before the first judge in my disability case so He could whittle away that same judgmental attitude I am prone to have toward others; not unlike big brother did toward the prodigal. The following incident is how He accomplished that:
     It was fall of 2008 and I had just finished shopping at Sam's Club and had begun to put my items in the trunk of my car. I noticed what I thought was a man and wife across the parking lot at their car as I was unloading items. I didn't really pay attention to them. The next thing I knew was that as I was getting ready to open my car door the woman approached me. She may have been slightly younger than me, dressed in pants and sweater...nicely groomed. She started talking to me and telling me she had had marriage problems...and that was as far as she got before I stopped her.
     I wish I could continue on and tell you that I listened to the rest of what she had to say, especially since my husband and I have such a strong passion for marriages, but that is not what happened. I remember thinking that she didn't look like the "typical" (?) person who panhandled (if she even was a panhandler). I'll never know because I didn't give her a chance to tell me what she wanted.
     I then realized that she must not have been with the man across the parking lot, but that she must have approached him the same way. So, I immediately stopped her and told her "Sorry, I can't help you." I opened my car door and she was gone. When I got in my car I turned the key and the radio came on and it was playing the Christian station that I listen to. BAM! Conviction, BIG time!
     I envisioned the day I was seated before the first judge in my disability case January of 2007. I believe God put that image in my mind so that I would make the connection between my behavior and the judge's behavior. If you know me, you know that I don't "look sick." I believe that was part of the bias the judge had toward me. The woman did not "look" the part, so my prejudice shined through, big time.
     Well, the Holy Spirit had convicted me to the point that I felt I had to find her, but to no avail. I drove that parking lot up and down and I could not find her anywhere. It was as if she had vanished into thin air!
     Then it hit me, maybe she was an angel. I know it may sound a bit strange and I guess it doesn't matter if she was one or not, because God got my attention regardless, but she seemed to have appeared and disappeared so suddenly.
     I never did find her (regrettably), but it had affected me. It made me realize that I have such a long way to go toward showing compassion to others. When I write in regard to showing compassion, I am talking to myself as much as to anyone else. I believe God used what took place to reveal Himself as very much involved in my life and in complete control of the battle I was facing in regard to my disability case.
     Skip to the next time I was at the Sam's Club, which was a week or two after the "angel" had approached me, I was heading out of the store when I got a call from my lawyer. He told me that the first judges' decision had been overturned based on the conclusion that he independently made his decision to deny my benefits by disregarding the evidence before him. BAM! Redemption, BIG time!
     My attorney also told me that I may not have to face another judge before my case would be settled, most likely in my favor. Coincidence? I don't think so. This phone call, coincidentally at the same location, proved in my mind that God was in control of my circumstances that day in the parking lot. He knew what it would take for me to repent and realize that my husband and I had been so graciously taken care of by Him, disability benefits or not, and I had no right to judge the "angel" in the parking lot the way that I did.
     He brought me to my knees, which is where I need to stay! The thought that I behaved like the first judge hit me personally because I knew the condemnation I experienced when I faced that first judge and I had made her feel that same way. It breaks my heart to this day.
     These incidents took place in September of 2008. As it turned out, in January of 2009 I did face another judge. This time I was granted my full benefits in March of 2009 which was just four months after God revealed to me once again His graciousness and His willingness to continue to battle on my behalf, independent of my sinful nature.
     Only one Righteous Judge turned my way, the God of the Universe and He declared me (all believers) not guilty. Not because of my ability to pay my sin debt, but ONLY because of the price Jesus paid on my behalf...AMAZING. 
     Luke 7:36-48 NKJV are some of my favorite verses in the bible. There were two debtors, one Creditor. The two debtors had nothing in which to repay the Creditor. The Creditor forgave them both freely. The question is asked...Which one will love Him (the Creditor) more? The answer:  The one to whom the Creditor forgave more. Verse 43 NKJV.
     Jesus concludes by saying "Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Luke 7:47 NKJV. I refer to this verse as the 747 Jumbo Jet verse because it is so powerful! Because it cuts right to the heart condition of sinful man (a hard heart) and addresses Jesus' solution...heart surgery. The scalpel? Forgiveness.
     The realization that we, as sinful man need it and then the realization that only He can provide it. Once received, love is conceived, along with our desire to seek to see others through His eyes! The surgery is complete and the healing begins.Collateral healing.
     The song, titled Give Me Your Eyes by  Brandon Heath  is my prayer and my song for us all today...

Amen, 

Songbird