The Strangest Places...

A common phrase in our family is, "Heredity shows up in the strangest places."   Usually, it's because one of the kids has an off-the-wall characteristic of a parent or grandparent.   For example, my niece, my husband, my sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law all have this love of butter.  I, on the other hand, do not understand it at all, but I'm pretty sure that at least one of my children will develop a taste for it.  

It's interesting to note that in some churches you hear a lot about "Generational curses", based on the verses in the Bible that talk about the sins of the fathers being passed on to their children's children, but there is not much talk about generational blessing.  While my family has it's share of skeletons, there are also some pretty amazing and fun things that I believe are blessings.   These include a love for the Lord and ministry, creativity in writing and in song, love of travel and a call to the nations, just to name a few.  

It's so true that much of our behavior is learned from our families and those around us.   Characteristics are passed down from generation to generation, often without us even knowing that it's happening.   We pick up our parents' habits, and pass them down to our children, and they to their children.   And then, before you know it, you're muttering, "heredity shows up in the strangest places."  

I believe this is also true in our spiritual walk.   As I grow up, I'm starting to recognize that I have the some of the same characteristics as my Daddy, and sometimes heredity shows up in the strangest places.    For example, Daddy is a Creative.   In fact, our first glimpse of Him in the Bible is as a Creator.   He spoke into the chaos, and a beautiful world was formed.   I, too, tend to be pretty creative.   I love thinking outside of the box, coloring outside the lines, dreaming bigger than reality, and wouldn't you know, it can show up in the darndest places.  

Last weekend, Paul and I were hanging out with some of our friends, and we were playing Dominoes.    In this particular game, the goal is to connect all of your dominoes until you run out, hopefully being the first to go out.     As we got into the second or third of thirteen rounds, I took this picture:

I'll bet that you can't tell which side I'm playing on!    But, as the night progressed, I noticed something strange.   My creativity started to leak!   And soon, another player was thinking outside the box.

And, without encouragement, without direction, by the last hand, look what had happened:

Suddenly, there were no straight lines, only creative chaos.   And it struck me that maybe that life with Christ is really about living to the fullest measure of who He's created us to be, and allowing Him to leak all over other people.   The overflow of our lives can change others, even without words.   And, it wasn't about getting the others to "do" it just like me, but as I was free in my creativity it released freedom in them to be creative in their own way.  

We are each fearfully and wonderfully made, in the image of a God who is so multi-faceted that we will never know every part of Him in this life.  He is beyond anything we could even imagine, full of life, radiant in love, bursting with colors that we could never even dream of.  And in the fullness of who He is, He has chosen to reflect Himself through us. 

So, be the you that He has designed you to be.  Enjoy the fullness of who you are in and because of who He is.   And release the life that He planted in you.   And watch how He changes your families, your friends, and even complete strangers as you walk in your heredity as a child of God.   But, be prepared.  Heredity shows up in the strangest places!

The Jap Log

When I was in grade school, I was involved in a program similar to the Girl Scouts through my church.   In "Missionettes" we studied various topics and earned badges for accomplishments in homemaking, cooking, camping, patriotism, etc.   In addition to these life skills, we studied the Bible, and frequent memorization of long passages of Scripture.   When I was in the 4th grade, I was struggling to remember the order of the "things" words in Philippians 4:8, which I was memorizing in the King James.   For those who might not know the verse (or know it in this version), it reads, "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things."  

I tried and I tried to memorize this verse, but I kept jumbling the words up, and I was getting so frustrated that I was ready to throw my Bible (which is pretty close to blasphemy when you grow up in a pastor's home).   My mom, however, came to the rescue, and came up with a mnemonic (for a definition of my fancy word, see here) for me which went something like this:

"The Jap log is very priceless I think."

How does this work?  Let me try to demonstrate...

"THe"       =  True  Honest

"JaP"        =  Just   Pure

"LOG"      =  Lovely  Of  Good report

"Very"       =  Virtue

"Priceless" =  Praise

"Think"      =  Think on these things

And there you have it.  More than 20 years later, whenever anyone mentions Phil 4:8, I remember, "The Jap log is very priceless I think."   And sometimes, like today, God whispers this line back to me whenever I get particularly whiny.  

This morning on my way to work, I was complaining at God about some things that aren't going the way I think they should be going, and I simply heard, "The Jap log".    It stopped me for a minute, and I've been mulling it over all day.   If I'm supposed to think about what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy, wouldn't it serve me to find out what these things are?   I don't have an exact answer for that quite yet (guess what I get to study!), but one thing I do know for sure...my amazing, loving, heavenly Father is all of those things.   This means that when I am having a week or two like I have been having, and I can't seem to put my finger on what is true, honest, etc, I can lift up my eyes to heaven, and "think" on him.   And you know what's really cool?   He's thinking about us too!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  ~Jer. 29:11

Substitution

When I was in high school, I played on the volleyball team my freshman and sophomore year (the benefits of going to a tiny school include making a team as a non-athlete!).   For those who have played the sport, you may be familiar with the "substitution" calls.   In my experience, it went something like this:

      "Christi, you're tall, so you're going to play only in the front row.   When you rotate to the back 

       row, you will come out, and let someone else come in to play the back row, then you will go 

       back in as they get to the front row."

This was always a bummer, because I liked to serve, but I understood that my height served better purpose in the front row where I could both block and spike the ball.   It was better for the team for me to be there, rather than in the back row, because I was not as agile and quick as some of the others, skills that are most definitely required for back row success. 

Now, while there are probably a lot of other examples for "substitution", this was one came to mind as I thought about the word, "Substitute".   You see, I was at church last week for a class being taught by Dudley Hall called, "Christian Living vs. Gospel Living", an amazing study on the book of Galatians and what it means for us.   So far the Introduction (Session 1) and Week 1 (Sessions 2 & 3) are online here, and the others will be posted shortly after each Wednesday class for tonight and the next 2 Wednesday nights.  I highly encourage you to check it out, but I digress.

Last week as Dudley Hall was explaining "The Story", or the "Gospel", he was talking about how God created us to enjoy Him as He completely enjoys Himself.   There is no disappointment or anger or negativity within the Godhead, but only complete joy, and He is inviting us to enjoy Him in the same way. (Dudley really explains it much better!).   Why?   "When you fully enjoy God as He enjoys Himself, you will quit looking for substitutes."

That statement nearly dropped me right there in the back of the church.   It was as if a giant spotlight turned to the volleyball court of my life, and revealed the times where I was substituting God right out of my game, thinking that other things/people would yield "better" results.   And these "substitutions" occur on a regular basis in the form of television, friends, husband, Pinterest, "good" books, music, movies....need I go on?  And then I wonder why there isn't a fountain of His joy overflowing in my life.   Can we say, "Duh!"? 

The beautiful thing about all of this, is that there is no condemnation, but rather an invitation.   It's an invitation to the greatest place of joy - a joy that strengthens, comforts, encourages, overflows, and it comes from recognizing that it's in our DNA.  We are created to enjoy all of who He is, and that's a lot!   He's so amazingly wonderful, beautiful, multifaceted, vibrant, brilliant, radiant, and He's in a good mood!

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." 
~ Jesus  (In John 15:11)

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~Ps. 16:11

"Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy." 
~Is 61:7

And lastly, my prayer for you (and me):

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." ~Rom 15:13

"Me Fuhst"

There was once a little sister who would frequently say "Me fuhst" whenever something good was coming for her and her sister.   When playing on the swing, "me fuhst"; when having cookies, "me fuhst"; when opening Christmas presents "me fuhst", and so on.    Then one day, the girls got in trouble and they were going to be disciplined.   When daddy came, this little sister looked at him with all sincerity and said, "her fuhst".

This is one of my favorite stories, and perhaps one of the most telling of the human condition.   I've been thinking a lot about this lately, especially as I'm confronted with the "me fuhst" syndrome every day.   I don't know about your area, but in Dallas there is this crazy driving condition in which a vehicle will see a sign that their lane is ending, but instead of merging they will speed up and then cut off the vehicle in the front of the line.   This is not only a dangerous habit, but it causes delay for everyone else as they are forced to brake to allow these lane-crashers.   It even gets worse!   It is not unusual to see someone stopped in the lane pull out and rush up just to get 3 or 4 cars ahead.   To what end?   Maybe saves about 5 minutes?

Confession:  This drives me absolutely nuts!   And...I've been a lane-crasher myself.

The crazy thing is that this doesn't show up just in kids or traffic.   It shows up at work, when I want my boss to recognize me above my peers.  It shows up at home, when I think that Paul should do something instead of me.   Of course, when it's time for correction, I'm the first one to say "her fuhst".   It's so easy to think that sermon is for someone else, rather than accepting the truth about myself.    Of course, I'm probably the only one that ever does that.

What if we started spotting the "me fuhst" and quickly changing it to a "her fuhst" in all things good?  What if we stayed in our lane, and let others arrive at their destination first?   Would it be the end of the world?  

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 
^{Phil 2:3-4}

Dear Thunderfoot

If you have ever had the joy of living in a first floor apartment, it is likely that you have met Thunderfoot.   It's the mysterious beast that comes out to stomp and run and vacuum and bang walls just as you are trying to fall asleep....every night.    Since moving back into an apartment, we have our very own pet Thunderfoot.  She never sleeps, she's always loud, and she somehow finds a way to walk every inch of her 800 square foot apartment multiple times each day.  

Confession:  I strongly dislike our pet Thunderfoot, and I wish I could turn her in to a local shelter.

As true as that may be, I've learned a couple life lessons from good ole Thunderfoot.

1.  Walk softly - You never know who you're walking over.
This can have many applications, depending on where you are.  I think about my role as a manager in corporate America.  Some of the soundest advice I have given (and take to heart) is to treat everyone with respect, because you never know who will be your boss one day.    This has become especially important recently, with several re-organizations, and managers and supervisors being forced to step down a level.   The author of Hebrews provided similar counsel when he said, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Heb 13:2).

2.  Sometimes my "rights" can negatively impact someone's life.
In all honesty, Thunderfoot has every "right" to walk around her apartment whenever she wants to.   It is her home, just as my apartment is my home.  She has every "right" to vacuum her apartment when it fits into her schedule, even if it is at 11pm.   She has every "right" to hang pictures on her walls at 1am, after all, creativity often comes in the wee hours of the morning.    But she has failed to realize that her "rights" often wreak havoc in my home.    My husband and I both have to get up early for work every morning.   Our dog thinks that the roof is going to cave in, and gets a little riled.   My "right" to peace is then shattered by her "right" to riverdance above our heads.    Of course, I never let my "rights" impede someone else's life, right?  WRONG!   Maybe this is why the "golden rule" is so golden.  It's hard to come by, hard to live, and hard to have grace for.  

3.  Cursing and complaining about it don't actually resolve the problem...or make me feel any better.
Confession part B:  I have cursed Thunderfoot more times that I would like to own up to.   When it's midnight, and I have to be awake at 5:30, and I am laying in bed on pins and needles, waiting to be the next headline on the news ("Apartment caves in when 2nd floor tenant does one to many jumping-jacks"), I shake my fist in the air.    When I'm trying to watch a movie with my husband, and she's louder than our surround sound, I make a snide comment.   When I see her car pull up into the driveway, I brace myself for the pounding, cursing her under my breath.   None of these things have actually caused her to walk softer, and watch her time.   Nor has complaining to the office about it.    And really, what can they do?  Tell her not to walk in her own home?   (Ok, maybe they could address the vacuuming at 11pm issue, but we haven't told them about that yet).   What I have found, instead, is that cursing and complaining only make me angrier, which then makes me grumpier.    And while I would like to argue that grumpiness is the unmentioned fruit of the Spirit, I'm pretty sure no one would believe me.   James 3:10 says, "Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so."  Don't think I need to expound on that one.


In all of this, I am reminded that we CHOSE to live in an apartment, knowing full well that we would have neighbors that are close.    We CHOSE the first floor, understanding that we would be risking adoption of a pet Thunderfoot.   And overall, the blessings and the benefits have far outweighed the annoyances of this particular neighbor.    And maybe, we were sent here to bring LIFE to her?  

Dear Thunderfoot,
You may not ever meet me, but I am praying for you every day.   I see you walk into your apartment alone, looking a little sad.  I hear you moving around all hours of the day and night, like maybe you can't sleep.   You never look happy.    So I pray that you will find love and joy and peace like you've never known in the only ONE who can be all those things for you.   I pray that you will find yourself so loved that you can rest in knowing that you are accepted and adored by the Father.   I pray that the joy of His presence will so overwhelm you, that your cheeks will hurt from smiling and your belly from laughing.   I pray that you will never feel lonely, but will know Him as your best Friend and confidant.   I bless you with healing for your body, your emotions and your spirit.   I bless you with renewed sense of identity and purpose and a revelation of how valuable you are.
In Christ, your downstairs neighbor......

Epiphaneia

"If we do not progress into a place of astonishment and awe and reverence of God, we are going to be intimidated by life around us. We’re going to be intimidated by what the enemy is doing. Your intimacy with God should be the most intimidating thing about you!"  ~Graham Cooke

 
Today is January 6, the traditional celebration of "Epiphany".    According to Wikipedia, Epiphany (which means "manifestation" or "striking appearance") is also known as Theophany, which means "vision of God", and is a holiday which celebrates the revelation of God becoming man.    I first heard of Epiphany when I was in Europe in January 2010, so the day has been in my head every year.   

I love the word "Epiphany".   Merriam-Webster offers these definitions: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure; a revealing scene or moment.

The most common usage in our society usually comes in the form of an "Aha moment", a life-changing revelation of something wrong and how to fix it.   This year, I'm asking for more than just "Aha moments", but for a lifestyle of epiphanies - for revelation of God in everyday life.   He is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere all the time, but I will be the first to admit that I don't pay enough attention to that.   I am often quick to jump out and ask God, "Where were you?", though.   

I read an article on CNN.com today about Jesus being a "dirty God".   It is a fascinating perspective of a God who became a man, and lived as a man.   To read the article, click here.   It's good to remember that Jesus was God, but he chose to live as a man, getting dirt under his fingernails, and having to deal with the gross things in life.   Hebrews 4:15 tells us, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."  

There are a lot of crazy things going on in the world today.   There are a lot of crazy things going on in my life as I write this.   Things that are hard.   Sometimes, I wonder if God really "gets it", how hard it is to live on earth.   It has become glaringly obvious in this season, that I need more than just one "aha moment", I need a life full of epiphanies.    So, that is my prayer for this year, not just for me, but for all of you as well.   May you see Him in the every day moments, and know Him more deeply than you've ever thought possible.  May your heart be so startled by the love and joy of God, and may His peace be your sanctuary.