Jennifer's Story; My Story; God's Story

It was Saturday morning just 7 days before our Sabbath-Living Retreat. As I sat with my friends (those making up the retreat committee) in our living room, I shared Ephesians 2:10 …

 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

I desired to affirm them. God created each with gifts and abilities that they were living out as together we brought this retreat to reality. The retreat that was God's idea. And our pace was walking as each did their part.

Then I skipped to Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Dana

Amy S.

  

So many importants in those few words, let peace rule … one body … be thankful.

Committee and community both originate from the same Latin word, communis. Some definitions include a social unit that share common values and are assembled for a specific purpose. That’s who we were—one body, a small community who came together for a specific time with a specific purpose. Over the course of 8 months this committee became a community of friends.

What did that look like for me?

1. Ministry is prayer; ministry is partnership; ministry is stewardship.

2. Affirming my friends with their contributions.

3. Trusting them with their responsibilities.

                                                                          

Denise

  

Jennifer shared this story with me:

Jennifer

Several years ago she headed up a committee to work on a similar women’s event. As with our Sabbath-Living retreat there were lots of details that needed to be attended to. Jennifer cast the vision and the committee went to work. The day of the event, one of the committee members came up to her and said, “Jennifer, step back and watch God work.” As she let go and watched the event unfold more beautifully than she could imagine, tears formed in her eyes and excitement in her heart as she observed God’s blessing.

Karma

Jennifer’s story foreshadowed my story. I am so thankful for each

Lynn

of these dear friends; and I stand amazed at the goodness of God smiling on the retreat.

But there were others too, faithful ladies who prayed. Thank you so much to Janine, Susan, Mary, Mary, Joyce, Lynea, Jenny, Trisha, Jean, and Barb.

Deb and Kathleen, along with Dana shared their passions in afternoon workshops complimenting the theme of the retreat.

Nan, Lisa, Joyce, and Rachel all shared personal words of testimony about

Ruth

their learning Sabbath-living.

Sally

Amy K. and her friends who led each session with their worshipful music.

Pam and Shelia and others who generously donated gifts for the women attending.

And Sally Breedlove, our speaker who made the Word come alive to all of us. Her depth in the scriptures and her down-to-earth stories were the perfect introduction to our personal reflection times. 

Like Jennifer, I was stunned by how God orchestrated the entire weekend.

“that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”                                                                                                                                           Romans 15:6

Mulled Cider or Coffee with a Friend

The simmering of favorite spices with a piece or two of orange peel and a bit of honey turns apple juice into a warm, delectable winter treat. Its welcoming aroma invites me and our friends to enjoy. I love both the fragrance and the taste of mulled cider… especially around the holidays. Its tradition spans many Christmases in our home. 

Simmering transforms the ordinary apple juice with the other ingredients into a special drink. For me it is a synonym and a great picture of meditating. Allowing the Word of God to simmer in my heart and mind while pondering its personal implications transforms me. 

Re-reading my journal recently three themes surfaced over and over in different contexts: my child of God identity, my purpose, and my humanity. I guess I need frequent reminders of all these truths. 

New Year’s Resolution #1: Continue to mull over the scriptures that speak of these truths. God probably has more to say. A few of my favorite verses on these topics are…

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.” I John 3:1, MSG

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10, ESV

“We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives.”           II Corinthians 4:7, MSG

As yummy as mulled cider is, there are other beverages to savor. And sharing them with a friend at a

local coffee shop is even better.

Sitting with another with steamy mugs between us pictures for me reading my Bible. I hear God's voice as he narrates the action. The big story comes alive. Earlier this fall I ventured out into a new-to-me reading program. I'm walking slowly through it. I want to hear the voice of God not just read all the words. It won’t be finished in a year.

New Year’s Resolution #2: Continue to progress in my Bible reading journey using Professor Grant Horner’s Bible-Reading System. I highly recommend it.

Mulling and savoring—I hope both will characterize my spiritual journey in 2014. Will you join me? Do you have favorite scriptures you want to mull over? Do you have a plan for continuing to move ahead in getting to know the big story? I’d love to walk with you. Friendship encourages!

“God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special…       Something happened in you… Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word.”                                     From I Thessalonians 1, MSG (another favorite)

BLESSINGS TO YOU IN 2014!

Go - Be - Do

School year - summer.
School year - summer.
School year - summer.

Growing up school started the Wednesday after Labor Day.
College commenced each September too.
Teaching third grade (my domain before "I do") began in September.
Campus ministry--our vocation, our joy, our love--ditto.
Then our sons arrived; the cycle repeated.

Ingrained--September is the new year, more so than January.

So many opportunities, so many choices, The Rubber-band Ball bounces enticingly.

Joshua is also on the cusp of new; his daunting task of following in Moses' footsteps is reality. The beginning of his venture is recorded in Joshua 1:1-9.

My kitchen calendar turned again; September is now. I too am on the cusp of new. Th
e ancient words God saved in Joshua 1 instruct once more.

Go, be, do. Three little words communicating BIG direction appear 14 times in 9 verses.

Go (verses 2, 7, and 9) "into the land that I am giving..." "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you," (verse 3) God went before; God prepared; God planned; the new for Joshua is not new to God. I am reminded of Ephesians 2:10 ... " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them." (Italics mine)

God, please cause me to go to only those places where you have gone before and prepared for me. Amen.

Be (verses 6, 7, and 9) "strong and courageous" "strong and very courageous" "being careful to do"--a great segue. Joshua needed to be strong as he led the people in their inheritance of the land God promised; and he needed to do it according to all the law.

Father, in whatever you have for me this fall, may it help me, like Joshua, to be strong and courageous. Amen.

Do (verses 7, 8, and 9) Joshua 1:8 (memorized years ago) gives a framework for the doing. "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Each time do is commanded, it is connected to be.

Dear Jesus, as I consider your plans for me this fall, help me to bathe those plans (do-ings) in your word. Amen.

God reiterates his instruction to Joshua in two short sentences reinforcing be, do, go. The same commission in a new order.

Be something--be strong. God then emphasizes it from the opposite.
Do not be something--frightened or dismayed. God promises his presence.
Go--the Lord is with you ... and has gone before.

An outline worthy of my ponderings this September.

"but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night."

Psalm 1:2 

Known

The wooden silk-screened plaque anchors the picture grouping of our four GRAND-children on the wall of our bedroom. When I first saw the plaque the words immediately resonated. I bought two of them. My friend bought one too.

Jesus knows me, this I love.

No, it’s not a typo (a rearrangement of the beloved children’s song, Jesus Loves Me). I love that Jesus knows me.

A few weeks ago I was reminded again of that truth and I smiled. Jesus knows me. He communicated it to me by the joy I felt in using our home to bless my friends.

It was almost five years ago; I was driving down the interstate and the hymn, I am Thine, O Lord came to mind—one I hadn’t sung in years. The next day I gathered my Bible, journal, and our hymn book and headed outside for some time of pondering with God. When I opened the hymn book to I am Thine, O Lord, several words from the second stanza ministered to me deeply. Funny, I didn’t remember the second stanza, but when I read the words—“consecrate”, “steadfast hope”, “my will be lost in thine”—I dissolved in tears. They were the affirmation I needed that day.

Jesus knows me.

More recently, my friend exhorted me (or was it a rebuke?) through an email, her words were like an arrow to my heart—exactly what I needed to hear.

Jesus knows me.

Almost three years ago, a new friend—only an acquaintance at the time—and I were taking a walk in a beautiful, deserted canyon. I don’t remember how the conversation started, but I do remember looking at her in amazement as we discovered our shared passion for spiritual formation. Our friendship took a quantum leap forward that morning and her friendship has been a salve to me ever since.

Jesus knows me.

Occasionally I hear someone say, “I wish I had known (or learned) that—whatever “that” is—twenty years ago.” I understand; I’ve been there.

A true desire, yet a desire that falls short of believing the truth that Jesus knows me. Jesus knows when I am receptive to Him. He knows when I need to hear those words; experience that joy; be humbled by His love; be awed by His attentiveness,

Jesus knows me.

When I consider God’s omniscience (His all-knowingness), Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Memorized years ago, the truth of these words has always been encouraging and truth worth ingesting. The following verse reminds me of why it is so wonderful that Jesus knows me, Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12. I am invited to call on Him, come to Him, and pray with the assurance of His listening heart—the heart of one who knows me.

 Memorized scriptures

+ life experiences

+ pondering God’s engagement in my life

= transformation—heart knowledge that Jesus knows me.

This transformation, the realization that Jesus knows me, is life-giving, smile-creating, trust-building. It changes everything.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10