Jesus is for Losers

Do you ever find yourself caught in this internal conflict of the haves and have nots of life. Come on, don't you ever sit in this pitty party of how "poor" you are compared this person or that person - thinking of all things you don't have, or could have or should have or "deserve"? I do. I think it's only natural human nature. Do you ever do things just because it's the right thing to do, but with anger or bad motives in your heart or to gain the respect of someone that you consider "important"? Be honest. I know that I have and sometimes still do. And so, in our attempts to "gain" respect, wealth, fame, appreciation or simply feel validated, we become something that ends up not looking very much like Christ at all. We spend so much time doing and getting that we forget to stop and ask the most important questions. Stop and ask yourself why you are doing the things you do.
The fact is that compared to most of the world, we are "rich". The fact is we are proud. The fact is we relish in this seeming control that we have over our lives. We are fascinated with Hollywood, with the rich, the famous and we forget our place. The fact is that we are all wretched, saved by the grace of an infinitely loving and merciful God. We get so caught up in the rat race of life (and even of ministry) that we forget where we came from and forget what it truly means to be Christian. He calls us to come just as we are.
I'm not asking you to sell all you have and give the money to the poor, although that's not a bad idea and Jesus did ask that of someone once. What I am asking you to do is stop wallowing. Be thankful for what you do have, which is more than most. I am asking you to reconsider what is a need and what is a want. I am asking you to find a person in need. I am asking to you to stop and ask yourself why you are doing the things that you do. Are you doing them to get rich or get a title or get some kind of acclaim? And I'm asking this of you, because I'm asking myself. And, I'm asking myself because I think scripture is clear that God asks it of all of us.
In Luke 4:14-21, Jesus begins His public ministry. He said, 18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." He is quoting Isaiah and talking about being the fulfillment of these words, and He has anointed us to do the same. In Psalms and Proverbs alone there are well over 250 verses talking about His justice and provision for the poor, the needy, the oppressed (if you want an exhaustive list, I'll give it to you).
So, stop and think. What is it time for you to give up? Do your motives need an overhaul? I know mine do all the time. I've read a lot of scripture this week. And, it has really challenged me and reminded me of where I came from and how very much I do have. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
It's simple. Jesus is for losers.

The News of My Impending Death

This is shout out to the women who sacrifice so much to make the lives of others so rich!

The news of my impending death came at a really bad time for me (thanks Steve for letting me borrow this great line!). I have a great husband and children who are practically perfect in every way. I have a church, which I love, and friends whom I adore. And, in some way, all of these people or things depend on me for something. So, you can see why this news might distress me. (Now before you start spreading rumors and calling the church to find out exactly what is wrong, please keep reading. I promise I'll give you all the details!)

What is the first thing you do when you realize you're dying (as if you haven't heard the song)? You think of all things you want to do. You want to reclaim the Joie de Vivre (Joys of Life). You reevaluate what is most important. You get ready to meet your maker.

For those of you who don't know, I am currently in Cleveland, TN. I am away from my home, my husband and my children. For the first time in over 3 years, I am spending some serious alone time. And, unlike my husband who has come to dislike his alone time, I am LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT! In the past three+ years of my life, I have not spent more than 6 to 8 alone. As women, this is not an uncommon thing. We have priorities, responsibilities. But, we also have a responsibility to ourselves. This, you see, is why the news of my impending death was so unnerving.

We all need time to be alone, to reflect, to recharge, to think, to play, to laugh, to listen to the music we like, to watch the tv shows we want to watch, to jump on the bed, to sing into your hairbrush while watching yourself in the mirror {not that I'm doing these things...I'm just giving examples ;)}, to BREATHE, to reconnect with old friends, to make new friends, to find new definition for our lives.

IT IS SINFUL to neglect ourselves, our own mental and spiritual well-being the way that we do - or at least the way that I do. And, the fact is that we do it with such great intentions and because there is such great need. But, we do it to our own detriment and to the detriment of those around us.

I know, I know...the death thing. That is why I'm in Cleveland. Both Brian and I realized that I was dying inside. I was losing the essential elements that made me the woman I am today. I needed to find them and me. And, you need to take time to do the same. If you neglect yourself, you will find that you are in the same position. The honest truth is that just like me, you will start not to like yourself, and when this happens, you will wonder how others can like you. When you come to the realization, you will be mad at yourself for losing those precious parts of you that made you unique and lovable. Then, you will be angry at others for not calling you on it and challenging you to come out of it. Then you just end up bitter, depressed and lonely and that sucks. Who wants to live that way? I certainly don't! So, I guess that's my job today - to challenge you to move. I'm not saying that you have to go 7 hours away and spend 5 days by yourself. But, you should probably take a day or two, or even a weekend and get away by yourself or with your girlfriends and reflect on who you were, who you are and who you want to be and are called to be.

I am not hard wired to be confined within the four walls of my house. Nor am I hard wired to only talk about the "wifely" and "motherly" duties I perform. And, the fact is, I don't think that most of you are either. I want to go and do and learn and laugh and love and find beauty, joy and ordinary things to be thankful for everyday. LISTEN TO WHAT I AM SAYING. God has called me and God has called you and He has called us to perform acts of service in His kingdom. And, we as women must take time alone for ourselves to find out exactly what that is! Don't get lost out there. Don't lose yourself. Ask for help. I did.

It's like I was a person who was living but without enough oxygen. For me, this trip is like being hooked up to oxygen tank. I feel rejuvenated, full of life, even giddy. I was talking to Brian today and kept asking me, "Are you giggling? Why are you giggling?". I just kept saying, "I don't know. I guess I just thought it was funny." Proverbs 17:22 says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."



Lord, I'm thirsty - we're thirsty. Take me (us) to the waterfall. Ask the Lord to give you a holy vision of your mission that plays like a DVD in your head over and over. I am. I am reclaiming who I am. Find out who you are again.

I'd hate to hear of the news of your impending death...