I arose early in the morning to climb the mountain with Moses. I read. I studied. I saw the glory of the Lord as it rested on Mount Sinai. For days, weeks, and months I studied with my heart wide open. I didn’t just want to study it with my mind; I didn’t want to simply see with the eyes of my imagination; I wanted to bathe my spirit in the light and inhale the fragrance of the incense and taste both the bread and the wine of God’s presence. In this place where the eternal God made His dwelling with man I saw Jesus Christ.
I listened with Moses and inhaled the very breath of God. I saw and received the invitation to the feasts of God. Hour upon hour I poured over the words that I found in Leviticus 23. I saw the appointed times of the Lord. I looked at the celebration that began in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, with the Lord’s Passover. I opened each invitation until I came to the feast of tabernacles. When I came to the last and greatest day of the feast I found myself in Jerusalem. I saw Jesus as He stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” In every feast that I had studied I had seen a picture of Jesus. In response to His invitation I cried out,” Fill my cup Lord!”
Next, my studies took me to the Island of Patmos. I was there with John when he was in the spirit on the Lord’s day and he heard a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet. I listened to the message that was given to the churches. I found myself praying that I would have ears to hear, that my heart would be tender, and that I would repent of the sins that I saw exposed in the churches. I also heard with John the voice that sounded like a trumpet saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” And so, with John, I went all the way to the end of time and heard the Spirit and the bride say, "Come.” I have heard the invitation to the one who is thirsty to come and take and drink the water of life without cost. I heard with John Jesus say, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” And everything within me cried, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Year after year I have studied. I have taught the Word of God. I have looked through the eyes of Moses and listened with his ears to the instruction of the Most High God. I drew the visions that were given to John in Revelation because I wanted to see the visions too. What followed was a simple childlike desire to simply see Jesus. I wanted to encounter Him through the eyes and heart of Peter.
Would you like to come with me and travel in the well-worn sandals of Peter? Would you like to come and have the mystery revealed to you as it was to him? Would you like to see light penetrating the darkness? Do you need hope in the storms of your life? Do you need to hear good news? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then join me as I travel back in time to “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1).
Friday, November 2, 2018
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
”As Thou Goest...”
I woke up this morning remembering the poem she gave me and what she taught me. When I was 18 I was assigned a woman in the nursing home to adopt as a grandmother. I called her Grandma Frizzy. I can’t remember now how many times we actually met but it was at a pivotal point in my life and what she shared with me remains with me to this day.
I have been praying for many people who are facing challenges. I have talked to many young people are fearful of the future. Waking to the poem that Grandma Frizzy shared with me and finding comfort in it made me think that I could do for others what Grandma Frizzy did for me.
“As Thou Goest...”
Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to Me.
Thou canst not see the hidden meaning
Of My command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon my promise leaning,
And AS THOU GOEST, all shall be made plain.
One step thou see—then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty will be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.
Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
for I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.
Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having My promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher’er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.
—- From the notebook of Arthur E. Ritchie
I have been praying for many people who are facing challenges. I have talked to many young people are fearful of the future. Waking to the poem that Grandma Frizzy shared with me and finding comfort in it made me think that I could do for others what Grandma Frizzy did for me.
“As Thou Goest...”
Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to Me.
Thou canst not see the hidden meaning
Of My command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon my promise leaning,
And AS THOU GOEST, all shall be made plain.
One step thou see—then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty will be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.
Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
for I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.
Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having My promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher’er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.
—- From the notebook of Arthur E. Ritchie
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Second Page
An ocean separates me from my son. And sometimes I want to communicate more to him than I can by phone, so I’m writing a letter to my son. I’m filling him in, telling him anecdotes about daily life. But what I really want to share are my thoughts. I want to talk to him about my meditations on the Holy Spirit, the power of God. And so, after completing the first page where I spoke to him of family news and all that I have been doing, I start the second page.
Dear Andrew,
In Genesis I see the first mention of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. The earth at that time was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths. I see this connection with the Spirit of God and water, and my mind is drawn to when Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him” (John 7:37,38). This living water is the Holy Spirit. I believe this is the same living water that we see, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God in the last chapter of the Bible.
I also see a reference to the Holy Spirit in Genesis when we are introduced to the breath of God. After God spoke all things into being the Bible says that "the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection it says that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). I think the Holy Spirit is not only found in the form of breath, but also by the violent rushing wind from heaven on the day of Pentecost.
On the day of Pentecost there was not only wind there was fire. In 2 Samuel 22:9 you find the breath of God is also a consuming fire. Hebrews 12 tells us that the voice of God is able to shake both heaven and earth, and that our God is a consuming fire. It was in the second chapter of Acts that the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues like flames of fire and those on whom these tongues rested were never the same.
You know, Andrew, the picture of Jesus crying out, “If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink,” is very special to me. It’s what I saw when I woke up in recovery after my brain surgery. And then there is the powerful and intimate picture of the Spirit in both Jesus breathing on His disciples and as a violent rushing wind that shakes a building. Finally, I see the Spirit as a consuming fire.
So what does your mother do with these thoughts? I enter into each day fully embraced and fully surrendered to this mystery.
Love,
Mom
Dear Andrew,
In Genesis I see the first mention of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. The earth at that time was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths. I see this connection with the Spirit of God and water, and my mind is drawn to when Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him” (John 7:37,38). This living water is the Holy Spirit. I believe this is the same living water that we see, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God in the last chapter of the Bible.
I also see a reference to the Holy Spirit in Genesis when we are introduced to the breath of God. After God spoke all things into being the Bible says that "the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection it says that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). I think the Holy Spirit is not only found in the form of breath, but also by the violent rushing wind from heaven on the day of Pentecost.
On the day of Pentecost there was not only wind there was fire. In 2 Samuel 22:9 you find the breath of God is also a consuming fire. Hebrews 12 tells us that the voice of God is able to shake both heaven and earth, and that our God is a consuming fire. It was in the second chapter of Acts that the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues like flames of fire and those on whom these tongues rested were never the same.
You know, Andrew, the picture of Jesus crying out, “If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink,” is very special to me. It’s what I saw when I woke up in recovery after my brain surgery. And then there is the powerful and intimate picture of the Spirit in both Jesus breathing on His disciples and as a violent rushing wind that shakes a building. Finally, I see the Spirit as a consuming fire.
So what does your mother do with these thoughts? I enter into each day fully embraced and fully surrendered to this mystery.
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
The Perfect Prayer
The man ran up, and knelt at Jesus feet. What a beautiful picture. Then came his prayer, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus listed six of the ten commands. He responded by saying that he had kept all theses from his youth. After he said this Jesus was looking at him and loved him. Can you just imagine with me for one moment what it would be like to have Jesus looking at you that way? But was this the perfect prayer?
Jesus told the rich man that he lacked just one thing and to go and sell all he had and give to the poor. When he said this I think he was pointing to the first commandment. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” I think that the young man was stunned and went away grieving because Jesus had shown him his heart. I think that he sincerely wanted to be good. Jesus had already told him that no one is good but One—God. Now, Jesus had pointed out that even though he wanted to do something to inherit eternal life he was worshiping at the alter of wealth. I think he was stunned because at the feet of Jesus he saw into his own heart for the first time.
Peter was quick to respond that he and the apostles had left everything to follow Jesus. As they continued on their journey those who had left everything began to discuss what they would gain for their sacrifice. They came to Jesus with a request saying,”Teacher, we want you to do something for us if we ask you.” Jesus responded by saying, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Sometimes when I’m praying I picture myself with Jesus and I think about him asking me, “What do you want me to do for you?” John and James responded by asking to sit at Jesus’ left and right in his glory. Like the rich young ruler they to were thinking about eternal life and their prayer revealed their hearts. Jesus didn’t rebuke them but he did say that they didn’t know what they were asking for. They accepted Jesus’ invitation to ask him for what they wanted him to do for them. But was this the perfect prayer?
Finally, we come to a man lost in the crowd, a blind beggar, sitting by the side of the road. He heard that Jesus was passing by. He couldn’t get to him because of the crowd and because he was blind. He did the only thing he could, he began to cry out to Jesus for mercy. He was getting on people’s nerves so they told him to be quiet! But he just kept on crying out for mercy.
Jesus stopped and called for the bind man. Unlike the rich young ruler who was unable to give up his possessions to follow Jesus the bind beggar threw off his coat when Jesus called him. Jesus asked the blind man the same thing he’d asked James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked for sight.
So what is the perfect prayer? I believe it is the cry for mercy. It’s the prayer of the heart that he will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I believe when he cried out “Rabbouni, I want to see.” That he received more than physical sight.
Jesus told the rich man that he lacked just one thing and to go and sell all he had and give to the poor. When he said this I think he was pointing to the first commandment. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” I think that the young man was stunned and went away grieving because Jesus had shown him his heart. I think that he sincerely wanted to be good. Jesus had already told him that no one is good but One—God. Now, Jesus had pointed out that even though he wanted to do something to inherit eternal life he was worshiping at the alter of wealth. I think he was stunned because at the feet of Jesus he saw into his own heart for the first time.
Peter was quick to respond that he and the apostles had left everything to follow Jesus. As they continued on their journey those who had left everything began to discuss what they would gain for their sacrifice. They came to Jesus with a request saying,”Teacher, we want you to do something for us if we ask you.” Jesus responded by saying, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Sometimes when I’m praying I picture myself with Jesus and I think about him asking me, “What do you want me to do for you?” John and James responded by asking to sit at Jesus’ left and right in his glory. Like the rich young ruler they to were thinking about eternal life and their prayer revealed their hearts. Jesus didn’t rebuke them but he did say that they didn’t know what they were asking for. They accepted Jesus’ invitation to ask him for what they wanted him to do for them. But was this the perfect prayer?
Finally, we come to a man lost in the crowd, a blind beggar, sitting by the side of the road. He heard that Jesus was passing by. He couldn’t get to him because of the crowd and because he was blind. He did the only thing he could, he began to cry out to Jesus for mercy. He was getting on people’s nerves so they told him to be quiet! But he just kept on crying out for mercy.
Jesus stopped and called for the bind man. Unlike the rich young ruler who was unable to give up his possessions to follow Jesus the bind beggar threw off his coat when Jesus called him. Jesus asked the blind man the same thing he’d asked James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked for sight.
So what is the perfect prayer? I believe it is the cry for mercy. It’s the prayer of the heart that he will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I believe when he cried out “Rabbouni, I want to see.” That he received more than physical sight.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Making Memories
When my grandson Jack was a little boy I would spend a day making memories with him. One of the ways I would make a memory was to take him to town, give him a five dollar bill and tell him that he could spend it however he wanted. His eyes would light up and he would take my hand and lead me to his favorite corner downtown. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop was at that corner.
Jack would walk me past the ice cream shop to the man who was sitting on the curb begging. I don’t know how the man had lost his legs or who had brought him to beg on the sidewalk; these were not questions my five year old grandson asked. Jack was eye level with the man he was seeking. He would look at him and talk to him and joyfully give him his five dollar bill. Because of Jack, I too would stop and make eye contact and not just drop a coin in his outstretched hand.
That was ten years ago. Jack is fifteen now, but he is still teaching me what lovingkindness means. Yesterday we had a group of teenage boys come to the farm. They were delightful. They were blind, and had come to simply experience the farm. First, they took a horseback ride. The expression on their faces as the mounted the horse made me smile. But riding the horse was only the beginning.
Jack drove up on the tractor. I watched as he helped each boy climb up. He showed them the clutch, the throttle, and the steering wheel. With Jack by their side, each boy was able to experience what it was like to drive a tractor. Watching him yesterday I was reminded of the days I would take him places to make memories for him. Yesterday I tucked another memory into my heart.
In the book of Acts there is a story of a man who was lame from birth who was carried every day to the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg. I wonder how many people tried not to see him as they passed by? I wonder how many people dropped coins in his outstretched hand without pausing on their way into the temple? But the Bible says Peter and John looked intently at him. They didn’t drop coins into his hand, they took hold of his hand. In this way they introduced him to the healing power of Jesus Christ.
Jack would walk me past the ice cream shop to the man who was sitting on the curb begging. I don’t know how the man had lost his legs or who had brought him to beg on the sidewalk; these were not questions my five year old grandson asked. Jack was eye level with the man he was seeking. He would look at him and talk to him and joyfully give him his five dollar bill. Because of Jack, I too would stop and make eye contact and not just drop a coin in his outstretched hand.
That was ten years ago. Jack is fifteen now, but he is still teaching me what lovingkindness means. Yesterday we had a group of teenage boys come to the farm. They were delightful. They were blind, and had come to simply experience the farm. First, they took a horseback ride. The expression on their faces as the mounted the horse made me smile. But riding the horse was only the beginning.
Jack drove up on the tractor. I watched as he helped each boy climb up. He showed them the clutch, the throttle, and the steering wheel. With Jack by their side, each boy was able to experience what it was like to drive a tractor. Watching him yesterday I was reminded of the days I would take him places to make memories for him. Yesterday I tucked another memory into my heart.
In the book of Acts there is a story of a man who was lame from birth who was carried every day to the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg. I wonder how many people tried not to see him as they passed by? I wonder how many people dropped coins in his outstretched hand without pausing on their way into the temple? But the Bible says Peter and John looked intently at him. They didn’t drop coins into his hand, they took hold of his hand. In this way they introduced him to the healing power of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Learning to Trust Part 2
I was panting by the time I arrived at my destination. I could see the plane sitting there on the runway. What I didn’t see was anyone at the desk. I glanced around frantically until someone came and asked what I needed. I pointed to the plane and told them that I was supposed to be on it! She turned to look at the plane and then immediately got on the phone. Minutes later she looked up and said, “I’m sorry, you’re too late. You will have to reschedule.”
My mind was suddenly flooded with questions. Would I make it to Florida in time for my speaking engagement? What about the man and his wife who were going to pick me up at the airport and drive me to the conference, how would this effect them? I was also supposed to make contact in Florida with an eighty five year old couple at the baggage claim when I got there, what would happen to them? It was then I heard, “The hidden things belong to the Lord our God. But what is revealed belongs to us and our children” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
The hidden things were all the things that I had no control over. But to whom did these things belong? They belonged to the Lord God. But in that moment of panic I had to stop and ask myself, did I really believe that God was the Lord of my circumstances and the altered circumstances I’d created in the lives of others because of my mistakes?
I thought again about the statement that the hidden things belong to the Lord God and realized that it was the “hidden things” that caused me anxiety--all the tomorrows of my life, the what if’s, the what next. I was reminded of a poem I’d learned as a teenager. “Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow, dread not the new demands life makes on thee. Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow. Because what thou knoweth not is known to Me.”
I had time at the airport that day to also think about the second part of Deuteronomy 29:29. What was revealed? In the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy God points out that for the forty years in the wilderness neither their clothes nor their shoes had worn out. I wondered if they noticed? It reminded me of the sermon on the mountain when Jesus encouraged His followers not be afraid of tomorrow but instead consider how God cared for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. As I sat waiting for my rescheduled flight I chose to relinquish the things I had no control over and instead turn my attention to the many blessings God had given me. As I did my breathing slowed and I felt at peace. My plans for that day were altered, but I don’t think I altered God’s plan. I think He wanted to teach me to sink a little bit deeper into what it means to trust Him
My mind was suddenly flooded with questions. Would I make it to Florida in time for my speaking engagement? What about the man and his wife who were going to pick me up at the airport and drive me to the conference, how would this effect them? I was also supposed to make contact in Florida with an eighty five year old couple at the baggage claim when I got there, what would happen to them? It was then I heard, “The hidden things belong to the Lord our God. But what is revealed belongs to us and our children” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
The hidden things were all the things that I had no control over. But to whom did these things belong? They belonged to the Lord God. But in that moment of panic I had to stop and ask myself, did I really believe that God was the Lord of my circumstances and the altered circumstances I’d created in the lives of others because of my mistakes?
I thought again about the statement that the hidden things belong to the Lord God and realized that it was the “hidden things” that caused me anxiety--all the tomorrows of my life, the what if’s, the what next. I was reminded of a poem I’d learned as a teenager. “Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow, dread not the new demands life makes on thee. Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow. Because what thou knoweth not is known to Me.”
I had time at the airport that day to also think about the second part of Deuteronomy 29:29. What was revealed? In the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy God points out that for the forty years in the wilderness neither their clothes nor their shoes had worn out. I wondered if they noticed? It reminded me of the sermon on the mountain when Jesus encouraged His followers not be afraid of tomorrow but instead consider how God cared for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. As I sat waiting for my rescheduled flight I chose to relinquish the things I had no control over and instead turn my attention to the many blessings God had given me. As I did my breathing slowed and I felt at peace. My plans for that day were altered, but I don’t think I altered God’s plan. I think He wanted to teach me to sink a little bit deeper into what it means to trust Him
Monday, May 14, 2018
Learning to Trust Part 1
“I will seek You in morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days”
I sat on the porch in the cool of the morning with Rich Mullin’s song playing in my mind. The words so fully expressed my heart’s desire to seek God in the morning so that I could learn to walk in His ways. That sense of deep security knowing I could have a bold confidence that the God I was seeking would lead me step by step throughout my day.
I opened my devotional and read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Yes, I thought, this is how I want to live. However, what I learned that day while sitting on my front porch and watching the sunrise was that trusting God was a whole lot more than simply reading a Bible verse. Trusting God takes place when you’re put in situations where you are not in control. It is discomfort rather than comfort that teaches me the deep security and bold confidence that God is in control.
Later that same day my husband took me to the Atlanta airport. I was going to be speaking in Florida that evening. I am not a seasoned traveler, and the Atlanta airport scares me to death. All the way there I kept telling my husband how much I appreciated him taking his morning to drive me to the airport and figuring out what time I needed to get there. However, just as I was approaching the door to get out of the car, I realized that we had gotten the time confused. I was walking into the airport at the same time my plane had begun boarding!!
My mouth was filled with the metallic taste of panic. The doors opened to a huge room full of people hurrying in all directions; loud, garbled voices on the intercom and signs pointing in everywhere. I stood there overwhelmed and scared, totally uncertain of what I was supposed to do. That is when I heard again the voice I had heard in the morning. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
My prayer in response was simply, “God! I don’t know how to trust You!” Then I heard Him say, “Trust is something that you learn. You don’t learn how to trust me from places of comfort when you are in control. You learn to trust me when I lead you into circumstances where you are not in control. Don’t be afraid what is hidden from you because it is not hidden from Me. I will teach you to trust Me. I will lead you step by step.”
The beginning...
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days”
I sat on the porch in the cool of the morning with Rich Mullin’s song playing in my mind. The words so fully expressed my heart’s desire to seek God in the morning so that I could learn to walk in His ways. That sense of deep security knowing I could have a bold confidence that the God I was seeking would lead me step by step throughout my day.
I opened my devotional and read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Yes, I thought, this is how I want to live. However, what I learned that day while sitting on my front porch and watching the sunrise was that trusting God was a whole lot more than simply reading a Bible verse. Trusting God takes place when you’re put in situations where you are not in control. It is discomfort rather than comfort that teaches me the deep security and bold confidence that God is in control.
Later that same day my husband took me to the Atlanta airport. I was going to be speaking in Florida that evening. I am not a seasoned traveler, and the Atlanta airport scares me to death. All the way there I kept telling my husband how much I appreciated him taking his morning to drive me to the airport and figuring out what time I needed to get there. However, just as I was approaching the door to get out of the car, I realized that we had gotten the time confused. I was walking into the airport at the same time my plane had begun boarding!!
My mouth was filled with the metallic taste of panic. The doors opened to a huge room full of people hurrying in all directions; loud, garbled voices on the intercom and signs pointing in everywhere. I stood there overwhelmed and scared, totally uncertain of what I was supposed to do. That is when I heard again the voice I had heard in the morning. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
My prayer in response was simply, “God! I don’t know how to trust You!” Then I heard Him say, “Trust is something that you learn. You don’t learn how to trust me from places of comfort when you are in control. You learn to trust me when I lead you into circumstances where you are not in control. Don’t be afraid what is hidden from you because it is not hidden from Me. I will teach you to trust Me. I will lead you step by step.”
The beginning...
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