Are You in Too Deep?

If I was given the choice, I would probably choose shallow waters rather than deep.

When I'm swimming in a lake, I like to be able to put my feet down and know that I can stand up. I much prefer the warmer temperatures of shallow waters, and I love to paddle and dip my toes just at the edge of the ocean.

But I have to admit, I'm a little envious of those braver folks that go out into the deep. After all, I'll never be able to plunge, if I continually choose to paddle. I'll never have the opportunity to surf a mighty wave if I choose to stay where the teeny ripples are. And there's absolutely no way I will ever catch a salmon in four feet of water.

And I wonder..is that what I'm like in my ministry...afraid to step out and take a risk? Am I paddling around at the edge, where I've always been, afraid to make changes, or try anything different? Because if I am, then I'm missing out on the incredible opportunities that await me if only I could venture out into the deep. 

This is my prayer:
Jesus, hold my hand.
Lead me out into deeper waters.
Help me to plunge instead of paddle.
Let me choose to surf rather than be safe.
And let me be a catcher of big fish...for you. Amen.

Friends..we can paddle all day long when we get to heaven. While we're here on earth, there's no such thing as being in too deep.

Read What Jesus Said About Going Into Deeper Water

Ups and Downs

When our family first visited the United States, a kind church member gave me the option of accompanying him, my husband, and our four sons as they went fishing, or going shopping with his wife. Being a family girl, and never having gone fishing before, I chose the former....but I think it may have been the wrong choice. I had envisioned sunbathing on the deck while the boat drifted lazily on the water...but the experience was not at all what I had anticipated. Eight miles out in the turbulent waters of Lake Michigan, the boat constantly rose and fell with the swell of the waves. I never really got to sit down at all, let alone sunbathe! As my sons caught salmon, I just kept my eyes focused on the horizon... the only constant and steady part of the scenery that was not changing.
Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. The only constant and steady part of our ministry is Jesus Christ. Focus your eyes solely on Him. When everything around us is changing, He alone can bring calm and order to our lives. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8

Looking Up

Click on the photo to see
Xander looking up to Grandad

One of the delights of being grandparents has been to watch our little grandson as he learns to walk. Just over one year old, he bravely totters around, frequently falling, yet always getting back on his feet, ready to try a few more steps. Sometimes, when he gets tired, he will reach out for a supporting hand, looking up every now and then just to see who it is that is helping him out. But the day will come when this little boy will be all grown up. One day, he will not need, or want, to hold my hand. One day, Xander will be walking independently...which is, of course, exactly how it should be.
In my Christian journey though, I never want to walk independently. There will never be a day when I want to let go of God's hand as He leads me, guides me, and helps me up when I fall down. I want to be totally dependent on God, holding on tightly to His hand, and constantly looking up to see who it is that is helping me out. No matter how old I am, I will always be His child, and He will always be my Helper, lifting me back on my feet, and encouraging me to take a few more steps. That is, of course, exactly how it should be.
I will take hold of your hand. Isaiah 42:6

Good News

Good news was waiting for me in the mailbox. 
I peeked inside and saw a shiny, brightly colored envelope peeking back. The words in glittering gold danced across the envelope.....'You have been selected! Your responsibility is about to be rewarded! No annual fee for the first year!' I realized then that despite its shiny, attractive wrappings, this was nothing more than an invitation to debt. I relegated it to the recycling bin where it belonged.
This Friday, I will sit in front of a plain, wooden cross. It will have no shiny wrappings, no letters that glitter in gold, no bright colors that peek at me. Yet in this cross is the most wonderful invitation I could ever receive. And from this cross, Jesus whispers,' You have been selected. Your responsibility will one day be rewarded. And best of all there is no fee- ever... because this debt has already been paid.'
It is Holy Week. Let's elevate the name of Jesus high above everything else, where He belongs. Good news is waiting for us at the cross.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:20-21

The Focused Goose

The Canada goose was totally focused on the task at hand. She took hold of the branch, held it tight in her beak, and tugged and tugged until the end snapped off. Turning around, she placed it carefully on top of the mound of sticks she had already collected. Then she turned back to the branch again. My son and I were captivated by her performance. Obviously preparing to build her nest, the goose refused to be distracted from this important task. Even though we were standing only a few feet away, she ignored us and continued with her purpose. Looking at that pathetic pile of twigs, It was hard for us to believe that this would one day be a beautiful nest from which new life would spring. Yet something deep inside that goose was calling her to prepare it anyway, and nothing could dissuade her from it.
God has placed a deep calling inside each one of us. When it is hard for us to believe that our efforts will ever amount to anything, let's remember that He is taking all that we do, no matter how small, and making it into something beautiful. You are chosen, called, and equipped to fulfill a unique role in ministry. Hold fast to that passion, that desire, to complete the purpose God has for you. Refuse to be distracted. Stay committed. Focus wholeheartedly on your calling and don't let anyone or anything dissuade you from it. Yours are the efforts from which new life will one day spring.
Read what The Message says about focusing on the goal...

Tandem Riding...

Our friend knocked at the door and announced that he had something to lend us. A blue tandem sat on our driveway, beckoning to us. Never having ridden a tandem before, and not even very proficient on a regular bike, I was skeptical. I perched precariously on the back seat and gripped the handle bars, while my husband climbed on the front. After several major wobbles and a few scary moments, this proved to be a great partnership. As long as we stayed in constant communication, we found that our combined efforts really took us places!
You and God are in partnership together, on a great tandem ride. You cannot accomplish anything of value without Him. He cannot fulfill His purpose without you. When you combine efforts, you will really be going places. Just make sure that He's the One in front, stay in constant communication, and hold on tight! You are in for a great ride!
We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
Ephesians 4:15 (The Message)

The Trouble With the Cross...

My friend and I sat at the front of church, craning our necks to see the pastor as he preached. In between us and him stood a huge wooden cross, newly placed on the altar for Lent. 'I can't see the pastor,' grumbled my friend. I nodded in agreement and slid further down the pew so that my view of him would not be obstructed. After the service, an elderly lady whispered 'that cross is in a terrible place, it's right in the way. I couldn't see the choir.' I agreed with her.
This week, when my friend and I sat together at the front of church, the cross had been moved to the back of the altar. It was no longer a distraction. Now I could focus on the pastor. And that elderly lady could focus on the choir. 
But maybe we are meant to be distracted by the cross. Maybe we are meant to let it come between us, and whatever it is that we want to focus on. Isn't that, after all, the true meaning of Lent...that we let the cross become our central focus, even if it gets in the way of the things that we think are important? 
I am half way through the season of Lent. This is my prayer:
God, put that cross in my way
Let it distract me
Let it disturb me
Let it come between me
And everything that would steal my focus
So that when Easter comes,
I'll be ready.


What is your prayer for the rest of Lent?


Lead Me To The Cross