Anyway, I have a hard time really capturing in words where I find myself as of late…it’s not a “bad” place, per se. It just seems so…repetitive. And sometimes I find myself really wondering, “Lord, am I doing anything of any real, lasting value?” I love adventure, I love living on the edge of faith, I love seeing God do what only He can do. I know, I know…raising children and being “busy at home” is indeed of lasting value, and I certainly don’t mean to suggest that any one calling is more or less significant than another. Remember, I’m just trying to describe where I am, not necessarily make any judgments on it. To say it as simply and plainly as I can, God has placed some dreams in our hearts, and I just don’t see how or when they are ever going to come to pass. And I’m just a bit weary of the waiting and wondering.

 As I was talking with Him, I made the remark that I don’t expect nor do I want to necessarily be on the mountain top all the time. Immediately, I pictured in my mind some recent hikes I had taken with my family, up the sides of mountains and back down to the valleys. And I thought of how difficult it was, at times, to get to the top. I remembered the incredible views, but also the reality that I couldn’t stay there – that it was good and necessary to go back to the valley. And I remembered how beautiful it ALL was. I remembered the drives to the different places we had gone – and the beautiful flat places of abundance, where farmers awaited their harvests or the small, quaint communities of people – people just like me.

 And I just felt in that deep place – that place that only God can somehow mysteriously reach – that He was showing me in my mind’s eye that ALL places are good. They are all so very different. There is different vegetation in each place; each has different perspectives, different things that can be done. And no one place is to be exalted above another. Every single one is critical to the whole.

And so it is with our lives. We are on journeys, and our journeys are going to take us to mountain tops sometimes – sometimes through valleys. We will have to endure through the long, flat places – sometimes full of fruit, sometimes hot and dry and seemingly barren. But all are good. All are to be embraced. And through all those places, no matter how long we may find ourselves camped out in one or the other, our God is present with us and He is faithful! He is working out His purposes, and we are called to trust in Him and to follow Him, full of faith and expectancy.

 So, here I am. I’m doing today pretty much what I do every day. And I’m still waiting on God to show us what is next and when. But, I will wait with assurance and trust – and, by His grace, I will consider it all a joy.

But God brought the hammer down on me a few years ago. I was reading a set of books…one called Why I am Not a Calvinist and its counter, Why I am Not an Arminian. He simply said to me: “You have lost sight of Jesus and have made an idol out of theology.” It was one of the clearest things He has ever said to me…I’ll never forget where I was sitting and how I responded: I fell to my knees, repented and begged His forgiveness. And I haven’t touched the books since.

Until yesterday. A dear friend of mine has found herself right smack dab in the middle of one of, if not, THE most controversial theological debate: the doctrine of election (predestination). She is wrestling through some seemingly conflicting passages of Scripture and finding herself more confused than ever. (I underlined “seemingly” because nothing in Scripture contradicts anything else in Scripture. It was all perfectly inspired by the Holy Spirit! See 2 Timothy 3:16)

Ever been there? It’s a tough place to be. If you’re at all like my friend and me, we don’t quickly settle for easy answers or unclear conclusions. But as I sat outside reading those books that have been collecting dust on my shelf for the past 4 years, I realized that God has done a life-changing work in me. No longer do I lose sleep over subjects like the doctrine of election (I used to!). No longer do I long to go to seminary (NOT that going to seminary is a bad thing!) No longer do I feel this insatiable need to debate “my side” of Biblical interpretation. No longer do I take pride if I’m right…nor am I afraid of being wrong. No longer do I look at those who disagree with me as the “other” ones. I marveled at and thanked God for His sanctifying work in me!

And then I cried. I’m convinced that a significant chunk of the Church has made an idol out of theology. We’ve allowed division to rule, rather than our unity in Christ and Christ alone. Right theology isn’t going to save one single soul. Christ and Christ crucified is to be our banner. Our foundation. Our hope. Our joy. Our treasure. It is because of Jesus’ righteousness alone that I can look forward to an eternity with Him. There are going to be Arminians in heaven! Halleluiah! There are going to be Calvinists in heaven!! Praise the Lord!! There are going to be Pentecostals, Methodists, Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians…Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, male, female…(gasp)…there are going be to sinners there! Sinners, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And do you know what we’ll all have in common (besides the fact that we put our faith in Christ for salvation)? We’ll all realize that NONE of us had a corner-market on theology! “Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Ps.92:5/Rms.11:33).

Now THAT is Good News!!! Amen?!

So, I still read commentaries. And I can still have worship experiences while doing so. But I rest in the unchanging love and grace of my Savior, Jesus Christ. And I just don’t feel the need to debate subjects that I’m convinced we’ll never all agree on. If the Church put all the energy it’s spent debating theology into simply, but radically loving people in Jesus’ Name, this world would be a different place.

Theology can’t save OR love me…only Jesus can!!

         “Peter followed at a safe distance…”

           Just let that sink in for a moment.

 I don’t know what kinds of feelings or thoughts those words stir in you, but for me, I am incredibly convicted and challenged by them. How many times have I wanted to play it safe when it comes to following Christ? How many times have I been too bound up by my own pride or fear or insecurities to boldly walk in to the darkness and proclaim light and life in Jesus’ Name? How many times have I been tempted to “hedge my bets” just in case things didn’t quite work out the way I hoped/believed they would? How many times have I ignored those inner promptings from the Holy Spirit, because they required risk and sacrifice on my part? How many times have I kept my mouth shut, because I didn’t want to rock the boat or possibly offend someone? How many times have I tried to follow Christ “at a safe distance?”

 DOES ANYONE ELSE EVER WANT TO SCREAM BECAUSE THEIR LIVES ARE SO “SAFE?!” After the rooster crowed twice, Peterson simply wrote that Peter “collapsed in tears.” I have to confess that I did the same thing as I allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal to me just how often I have done exactly as Peter did.

 O, God, forgive me!! I don’t want to be safe, Lord! NOT if it means that I let You down when it matters most! O, God, please give me courage. Please increase my faith. Please take every fiber of my being to make it surrendered and obedient to You, no matter what, no matter where, no matter how. I want to be right on Your heels, Jesus! That is the safest place for me to be.

 How about you? Where or how in your life are you “following Jesus at a safe distance?” We will never live the abundant lives Christ died to bring us if we only ever play it safe.

 Although it’s looking at “safe” from a slightly different angle, I can’t help but remember Mr. Beaver’s description of Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 Hmm…so, maybe following on Christ’s heels won’t be “safe” but it will be good!!

 “Johoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried…”    2 Chronicles 21:20

 Did you catch that? It broke my heart. Can you imagine living life in such a way that when you died, no one cared? “He passed away, to no one’s regret.” When we lived up in Pennsylvania, the pastor of the church we attended was constantly asking us this question: “If Four Mile (the name of the church) ceased to exist, would anyone notice? Even more importantly, would anyone care?” In other words, he was forcing us to consider: are we making an impact in our families, in the community, and around the world in the Name of and for the glory of Christ? Are people’s lives changing, is the Kingdom of God expanding because we exist?

I can’t tell you how deeply convicting those questions are for me. It’s not about people just missing me because I was a “nice” person who did lots of “good” things. Is my life making such an eternal impact that it will be truly regrettable when I am no longer here? Is The Summit making such an eternal impact that it will be regrettable if we no longer existed?

Is any question more important?

As I mentioned this morning, we are encouraging all who are sensing that Holy Spirit “tug” to fast on Tuesday, either from food or all forms of media (TV, cell phones, ipods, newspapers, etc.) It is critical, however, that you seek the Lord for what He would have for you to do…this is NOT about doing what our spouse is doing or our best friend or the person in the row behind us. A fast begins, endures and ends in relationship with Jesus. Let us each keep our eyes fixed on HIM and not on those around us. He knows you better than you know yourself and He will direct you in to the kind of fast that will be best for you and will bring Him the greatest glory.

A couple practical thoughts – while there is a neat corporate dynamic in fasting together as a church, please don’t feel like it has to be Tuesday. Again, it’s not about the specific day or even the kind of fast you do. Most important is your heart’s posture as you enter in to the fast. Also, if you have serious health concerns (pregnant, nursing, diabetic), a food fast is probably not the wisest choice for you. To be sure, under normal circumstances and when done carefully, fasting is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. However, for some, a food fast may not be an option. (When I have fasted from food, I have still allowed myself to drink 100% pure fruit juice [1 to 3 glasses/day]. This is especially helpful if you may be hypoglycemic. And, of course, drinks lots and lots of water!)

Depending on what kind of fast you are doing, it is important to do all you can to spend the time you would normally spend eating (or on the phone or reading the newspaper) in prayer and reading God’s word. Or perhaps you simply go for a walk and spend time praising and thanking God for as many things you can think of. If not fasting from media, put on some praise music and worship Him through song. The whole point is to redirect your time, your thoughts, your heart, your body towards God. Every one of us will still have to be about the business of our day, but during our fast, we are placing our complete trust in Christ, in a new way, that His strength and grace are sufficient for us.

If you happen to be thinking right now: “There is no way I can do this” then you are absolutely right! You can’t. But let me SHOUT as loudly as I can while typing that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil 4:13). I used to think I knew and believed that Scripture…and then I fasted. Now I know that I know that I know that I truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! He is an amazing, wonderful, powerful, faithful, strong, awesome, incredible God!! And He wants to pour Himself in to you…if you will empty yourself for Him.

Just a couple closing thoughts…if you are a reader, I cannot recommend strongly enough A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer by John Piper. It is simply outstanding. It wrecks me every time I read it – and I long for God anew all over again. (And there are lots of other great books on fasting I can recommend, as well, if anyone is interested.)

I would really, really love to hear from you – please, if you have any questions, any thoughts – if you’d like to share your experiences or perhaps any great books you’ve read – dialogue here on the blog. Email me. Call me. Catch me at church. Jody, too!! Let’s allow this time to be a time of learning and encouragement. There is absolutely a time to fast “in secret” as best we can, but fasting to be seen and to be seen fasting are two very different things. As always, it comes back to the motivation of our hearts.

Above all, seek Christ. Trust Christ. Pursue Christ. It may just be one small step at a time…but as you learn to trust Him, you’ll find yourself jumping with abandon! He is so worthy!! Be glorified in us, Lord!! This much, we hunger for You!!

Jody and I will be fasting with and praying for you!

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 There is a difference between doing all the things a “good” Christian does – and truly abiding in Christ.

 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

 If I am truly abiding in Christ, then I am having genuine communion and fellowship with Him. I will hear His voice – and I will know what He has for me to do. I want to do all the “good works” that God has prepared in advance for me to do! Because I know that when I am doing what HE has designed me to do, then I will be doing it under His power and anointing. If I’m doing more…if I’m doing things that are good ideas to me, even with good intentions…but they are not the things He has prepared for me to do, then I’ll be doing them in my own strength and power. IF there’s any fruit at all, we can be sure that it will be fruit that won’t last. I don’t want to spend my time toiling for fruit that won’t last! I don’t want to expend all my energies doing things that He never intended for me to do – even “good” things! Nor do I want to miss the things He has for me to do – I want to bear fruit! I want the blessings that come from following after Him in obedience and faith.

If I’m not abiding in Christ, then there’s no way for me to know. Christ is everything! Everything always, ALWAYS comes back to my relationship with Him. By not abiding in Christ, I’m missing out on all I was created to be…I’m forfeiting blessing…I’m probably draining myself of precious time, energy, and joy…I’m probably not bearing the “much fruit” that He prepared in advance for me to bear (as I do the good works He prepared in advance for me to do).

 Are you abiding in Christ? Do you know what it means to abide in Christ? If not, please don’t be afraid to ask! Please don’t be afraid to do whatever it takes to get to that place. There’s no greater place to be; no other way to bear fruit in His name and for His glory.

On the heels of Mark’s sermon this past Sunday about being joy-filled in these anxious times, I was struck as I read this verse this morning. Daniel had many dreams and visions while in exile in Babylon. After one particularly disturbing one, the Bible said he was “exhausted and lay ill for several days.” It even says that he was “appalled by the vision,” because “it was beyond understanding.”

It sounds like maybe…even if not for very long…he was a little anxious, a little stressed out by what the Lord was revealing to him. Now, please don’t get me wrong; I certainly don’t want to add anything that the Scriptures don’t specifically say. But, I’ve got to believe, that, despite the fact that Daniel was a man of great faith and wisdom, he was…human. And, so, I’m thinking that just like you and me, there were times that he really had to get his thoughts and emotions under control. It seems like this was one of those times. He was so overwhelmed by what the future held that he got physically ill – exhausted. Sick and tired! That’s definitely what a lot of stress can do to a person.

But, then the Word says that he “got up and went about the king’s business.” Sometimes, when I hear about all that’s going on in the world and in our own country; when I listen to what people are predicting as they look at economic trends; when I consider that at any moment, I could get a phone call that will turn my life upside-down, I could very easily be sucked in to a pit of despair, fear, and anxiety. And I think to myself: “What’s happening? What’s in store for my kids? What on earth can I do? What difference can I even make? Should I prepare? How?! What if…what if…what if…” And on and on my thoughts could go. How easy it is to spiral out of control.

But you know what? That’s just what the Enemy is hoping for. He’s doing all he can to “kill, steal, and destroy” our faith and hope and effectiveness. If he can take us out of the game by convincing us that we might as well give up and run for cover, he’s already won. 

We can’t stop living! We can’t stop celebrating and rejoicing in all that God has done and in all that He is doing and in all that He will do! We can’t stop living lives of faith and trust and hope and love! We’ve got to get up and be about the King’s business! Maybe I can’t and won’t impact nations, but I can bless my neighbor. Maybe there are times of loss and sorrow and persecution ahead, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t stop and plant flowers today – or bake a batch of cookies – or take a walk. And yes, I do believe that those are all things that the Lord wants us to do and enjoy! He came to give us LIFE and life abundant! (John 10:10) We cannot miss out on the life we have to live today, because we are so full of worry and anxiety about tomorrow.

My kids are hardly ever stressed out or worried. I love that. I love that they are able to trust and rest – I love that they are able to fully embrace each day without thought of tomorrow. They look to their Dad and I with complete faith that if we say so, everything will be alright. Jesus said I am to be like a little child, and He promises that with Him, everything will be alright. So, no worries! We can “get up and be about the King’s business!”

          Fasting is such a simple, yet incredibly profound way to draw nearer to the Lord. It has become a “lost discipline” in the church today. In the early church, and for hundreds of years following, fasting was a normal part of a Christian’s life. It does not seem to be so today, primarily, I believe, because people just don’t understand it, and are therefore full of fear concerning it. Through fasting, the Lord has transformed me (and Jody, and some very dear friends) in ways that I’m not sure I could even capture in words. I could probably spend the next 6 months blogging about all the things God has taught me while I have fasted. I probably won’t, but this is at least one truth that has changed the way I pray for people…

          While primarily a “spiritual” journey, fasting also – obviously – has many physical ramifications. (It is, by the way, one of THE healthiest things you can do for your body!) Your body goes through quite an interesting process – not always terribly pleasant – a white tongue, bad breath (both signs of detoxification), weakness, fatigue, body aches, headaches…hunger! However, in an extended fast (longer than 7 days), believe it or not, your body actually gets to the place where it no longer “feels” hungry and you actually feel GREAT! That is no lie!!  We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139)! (During one extended fast, I hiked White Oak Canyon on Day 19!)

          In fasts that last 21 days or more, hunger pangs usually return, because you’ve entered “true” hunger. I’ve experienced that, but I’ve also experienced otherwise – when I didn’t feel hunger at all. In fact, I didn’t want my fast to end. So, while my body was literally wasting away, I felt fine. I wasn’t even hungry! So, here’s what the Lord showed me…

          How many people are walking around – seemingly living very productive, active lives – who are starving to eternal death, and they don’t even know it?! They don’t even feel hungry! They don’t even know that they’re dying? We, as Christ followers, are to be the “aroma of Christ” to all those around us (2 Cor. 2:14,15). So, here’s my thinking…you would think that for someone who hasn’t eaten in several weeks, the smell of a 4 course meal would be overwhelmingly tantalizing! But I wasn’t hungry! I didn’t want to eat!! You would think that someone living far from Christ, when they encountered (smelled!) someone who was truly living a sold-out life for Christ would be irresistibly drawn to the person, and, by default, Christ Himself. But they’re not hungry. They’ve filled themselves so full of other things – “junk food” – that they don’t even know they’re starving to death. Is that not incredibly alarming to you?! It has been for me!

And so, I’ve changed the way I pray for most everyone I know – including those who have already placed their trust in Christ. I pray all the time for God to MAKE ME MORE AND MORE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR HIM – for God to make my husband and children hungry and thirsty for HIM – for God to make those in my church family hungry and thirsty for HIM – for God to make those in my sphere of influence who are not Christ-followers hungry and thirsty for HIM…

“O, Lord, may I never hunger or thirst for anything more than I hunger and thirst for You! You are supremely satisfying, so fulfilling – you are the Bread of Life and the Living Water! I have tasted and seen that You are good!! Thank You, Lord, for filling me up with You!”

Are you hungry today?

I love the book of Joshua! By the time we get to the end of the book, Israel has endured through seven years of battle, and they’ve gained control of Canaan – the Promised Land – which was then divided and allotted to each of the tribes. Joshua dismissed the army, because now it was each tribe’s responsibility to clear out the remaining enemies from their own areas.

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had asked before the conquest had even begun that they be given land on the east side of the Jordan River. The Lord, through Moses, granted their request, on the condition that the fighting men help the rest of their brothers (tribes) subdue the land on the west side. Having fulfilled their obligations, these 2 ½ tribes were released to return to the women and children on their allotment east of the Jordan.

When they got there, they built “an imposing altar there by the Jordan” (22.10). When the rest of the Isrealites found out, they were beside themselves and gathered to go to war against them! They couldn’t believe how quickly and willingly their own brothers would go in to rebellion against the Lord. As it turns out, it was all a misunderstanding. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar “not for burnt offerings or sacrifices…(but) to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord’” (22:26,27). They built it, not in rebellion, but to serve as a witness for all the tribes, no matter what side of the Jordan they were on, that they were united in the Lord!

So what is my point?! I love how incredibly bold and tenacious the remaining 9 ½ tribes were at holding their brothers and sisters accountable!! Granted, they jumped to some wrong conclusions at first, but, nonetheless, they were rightfully concerned! And they wanted to make sure that their brothers were not falling in to sin.

This is another one of those topics that we could spend lots of blogs on. Bottom line – biblically, we are called and have a responsibility to hold accountable our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to do it in love, always with their best and God’s glory in mind. We’ve got to be willing to do and say hard things to one another, out of love for one another and a desire to see each person grow in maturity and Christ-likeness. Do you have someone in your life that cares enough about you to confront you with your sin, in order to help you live your life in complete surrender and obedience to the Lord? Do you love your brothers and sisters enough to do that for them?

          “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” I learned that sheep will not lie down unless four requirements are met:

1. They must be free from all fear.
2. They must be free from “social tension” within their own flock.
3. They must be free from all pests, flies, or parasites in order to relax, and therefore, lie down.
4. They must be free from hunger.

          I won’t necessarily go in to all the supporting details that he shared in the book, but it’s very much worth reading, so I suggest getting it! I was just so blessed that – coincidentally – (God has just done this far too often for me to not give Him all glory and thanks when it happens!), I happened to be reading in Jeremiah, a book I’ve read many times before . . . but right in the middle of the chapter in the book on the 23^rd Psalm on how the Lord, our Good Shepherd, makes His sheep (us) to lie down in green pastures, I read this in Jeremiah 50:7b (here, the Lord is actually speaking of Israel and He says that when their enemies came against them, their enemies said they were not guilty, because Israel had sinned against…) “the Lord, their true pasture.”

          As Gentile believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been grafted in and are now, spiritually, Abraham’s descendents. The Lord is our true pasture! When we are truly resting/abiding in Jesus, aren’t we, indeed, free from all fear, free from all efforts to fight against those around us for a better position (social tension), free from the unrest and anxiety that comes from all the “pests, flies, and parasites” that strive to keep us in oppression, and completely free from hunger, because He is the “bread of life” and the “living water?!”

          “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” He leads me to Himself!!! He is my place of perfect peace and rest; my safety; my perfect fulfillment; my greatest Reward. The Lord is my Shepherd…and my true pasture!