Too Good to be True?

I'd seen the commercials and heard the hoopla, but you can't always believe what you hear. So, when this bottle of bathroom cleaner promised I wouldn't have to work as hard, I was hopeful but skeptical. For one thing, scrubbing like crazy is not a good idea right now. For another, who has a half hour to devote to one portion of a five piece bathroom? (stall shower, soaking tub, toilet, two sinks, and that's just the fixtures, let alone the mirror and floors)

So, I read the directions, flicked on the fan for ventilation, aimed the trigger, and sprayed. (oops, I just typed "prayed," well, maybe a little) The directions promised only a two-minute wait to see if the stuff worked. Then, I had the option of rinsing or wiping the surface clean. I don't think it was quite two minutes before I was wiping the shower door to see if the foam worked. My old cleaning solution required scrubbing. Not so with this one. I swiped and wow, the results. Hmmm... what about the tough stuff? First, I rinsed and some fell away. Good. Good. We're getting there. Then, I swiped and even the sludge in the corners gave way, easily. Oh, yay! The stuff worked. I found a new favorite cleaning solution!

As I sorted laundry this morning (yes, it's cleaning day around here), I pondered the lessons God's been teaching me lately about His love. I'd been feeling unlovable about something, but God reminded me He loves me the same. Sure, there are things to work on, but so what? I tell my cell group members this all the time: God is not offended (or frustrated, for that matter), with our humanness (imperfections). We humans were His idea. He knows growth is a process. And only in our human estimation do we so easily tie behavior or merit to love, as if love is automatically something we have to earn....

Sometimes God's love seems too good to be true. But He's showing me lately He's sooo good, and He is truth. So, I can rest in Him. The more I reach toward Him, the more He shows up, and automatically I get a glimpse, a taste, of His goodness.

Worship Music

So, Kari Jobe's CD arrived in the mail yesterday and wow! Even at the first listen (and you music lovers'll know what I'm talking about--how often do you love a song @ first listen??) this CD is amazing! Right from the beginning. The first track "I'm Singing" is soooo good! This is sweet, fresh worship music. Love her voice! My preschooler and I were singing along at the top of our lungs today. Fun! And "Singing Over Me"? Very timely. If you haven't heard her music, you should check it out. www.karijobe.com

And, just for fun, I have to say the newest (2008) JesusCulture worship CD is fantastic!! It's called "Your Love Never Fails." Kim Walker, Melissa How and Chris Quilala are fantastic leaders and this CD/DVD combo will take you into the presence of God with fire and passion. Here's the website for more information: www.jesusculture.org.

Our worship team loves Kari songs, as well as the powerful Kim Walker & crew worship songs. Check them out.

Not Alone

Isn’t it nice to know you’re not alone?

As I’m writing that I’m thinking someone is reading this who has no family around them. They’re thinking, “That’s fine for them; I am alone.” Or someone will read this and think “I’m surrounded by family and I wish I was alone. I’d rather be alone.” I hear you.

But, God never intended for us to go it alone. He never meant for people to live independent of fellowship, excluded from loving relationships. God Himself, as the Trinity, exists in a loving relationship. He means for us to have that with Him and with others.

And even if you are by yourself, you’re never truly alone. God is present everywhere, and He promised His people, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The original intent there is very strong: “I will never ever leave you. I will never ever forsake you. Never.” Amen.

You are not alone.

Banquet

Banquet. What a great word. Say it out loud. Hmmm... lovely. When I was a child, my family's church offered annual events called "Mother/Daughter" banquets or "Father/Son" banquets. Dressing up, delicious food, special time with Mom.

The American Christian Fiction Writers hosts an annual awards banquet during their conference. I love this special time of dressing up, enjoying fellowship, a fantastic meal and applauding the successes of my peers.

When was the last time you attended a banquet?

Jesus promises us a banquet with Him.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. (Rev 3:20, MKJV)

It's an invitation to come know Him, to feast on His goodness. It's an invitation to a banquet with the King of kings.

Here's one more:

He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. (Song 2:4 MKJV)

Do you ever feel lonely, unloved or unlovable? Jesus offers you a feast in His presence. His banner is already love over you. But we won't experience that if don't open ourselves. How? Just say to Him, "Jesus, I want to experience Your love in deeper ways. I want to be free in You and I want to enjoy Your presence. Take me to the banqueting house, sing over me. Show me your love again and again."

Amen.

I'm Ready For Spring

Between the last time I posted and today we've enjoyed some days with 60-degree temps up here in the Northwest. Right now, though, it's 33 and snowing again.

I am ready for spring!! Who's with me? ;-)

Those early-in-the-year spring-like days can stir up so much longing--to garden or take long walks in the sunshine, to visit the lake. And then, bam! It starts snowing again. And that's unusual for us here in the NW. The snowplow went by about 45 minutes ago and immediately the road was nearly covered in new flakes.

Reminds me of seasons in God. Have you ever been in a wilderness? Difficult times when God may seem far away, when your soul feels cold and your visibility is bleak. When all you can do is hope for brighter, warmer days filled with new life and joy. That's why I love Easter or Resurrection Day. It's a time to celebrate Jesus' ultimate victory over sin and darkness. He didn't just come to cover the works of darkness. He came to destroy them! He came to give life and life more abundantly.

Spring will come again. That's a promise from God. And while the snow keeps falling all around me, I choose to believe it. Though visibility is 1/4 mile right now, the sun will shine again and those gorgeous, snowy mountains will stand up against a crystalline sky while birds chirp and spring flowers bloom. The wildernesses of our lives will not last forever.

If you're in a tough season, remember, spring is on the way! Take delight in the little things--blooming crocus or daffodils. And cooperate with whatever God is doing, asking for discernment. Sometimes we put up with the enemy because we think it's the Lord. Other times we rebuke the enemy when God is at work. Only God can help us discern which one is which. But, like Moses, we can have intimacy with God in the wilderness if we fear the Lord rightly. Or we can wander around like the Israelites for 40 years and be distant because we don't cooperate with God and draw near.