SHE SAYS: Refreshing!

As these hot days drag on, may the truth of these verses refresh our souls:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them righteous."

Psalm 19:7-9

 

She Says: Take the Ultimate Taste Test

Most of us take our ability to taste for granted, yet what a wonderful gift the Lord has given us to experience flavors that range from sweet to salty, sour to bitter. 

Around 350 BC, Aristotle postulated that the two most basic tastes were sweet and bitter. Much study has been given to how the tastebuds work and how other senses like smell and touch (texture) impact the perception of taste.  All basic tastes are classified as appetitive or aversive.

People are most sensitive to bitter tastes.  Bitterness is often perceived as unpleasant, disagreeable, or sharp.  The intense reaction of most people to bitterness makes it a great deterrant.  In 1958, researchers discovered that denatonium, a synthetic chemical was the most bitter substance known.  Because of its aversive characteristics, it is commonly added to toxic substances to prevent accidental ingestion.

On the other hand, many people derive a pleasurable sensation when they eat sugars and other substances that are classified as sweet tasting.  Think about some of the best food memories you have, I bet there were some sweet ones! 

In Psalm 34, we are invited to participate in a taste test like no other.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

If you've never experienced the Lord, I challenge you to take this "Ultimate Taste Test".  To get started, I suggest you ask God to remove the blindfold (only He can). Next, open your heart to Him and ask Him to pour Himself into you and show you who He is.  If you have a Bible, begin reading it.  Psalm 119 describes what God's Word is like:

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"   Psalm 119:103

There is a very interesting parable in Isaiah 5:1-7 about God and His Vineyard (House of Israel).  God took every effort to provide His people with all the care, protection and provision that they would ever need (A sweet deal, don't you think?).  However, in verse 4 He ponders: 

“What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it?

Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?

Has God given you care, protection and provision?  I know that He has for me, but what has it produced in us? 

The passage goes on to proclaim how God turns the House of Israel over to their own destruction (a bitter ordeal to say the least) and announces woes on those who reject His goodness, truth, sweetness and wisdom.  Here are some of His reasons for doing so:

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

And yet, in verse 25, His hand is still held out to them.  God does not want any to perish.  He exhibits this again when He pleads with the people through the prophet Ezekiel:

Say to them, ‘ As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ Ezekiel 33:11

These people created their own relative truth, their own understanding, their own standard of goodness, and their own wisdom and the Sovereign Lord deemed them wicked.  There is little difference in 2012, and it is my prayer that God teaches me (and you) His truth, His holiness, and His wisdom.  This same God is still the Master of the Vineyard and in His infinite love and mercy He pleads with us to "Wake Up, Turn Back, Taste and See that I am Good."  Take refuge in the Lord and He promises you Eternal Life.

SHE SAYS: My Heart Leaps for Joy!

When is the last time you felt your heart leap for joy?  I must say that every time I am reminded about what Christ has done for me, I get that feeling!  It happened today.  At church we began singing that familiar hymn Amazing Grace originally written by John Newton that Chris Tomlin rewrote with the chorus “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free…”

Some people apparently don’t like that John Newton considered himself a wretch.  But he was, and I am.  We all are hopeless, blind, and lost without Jesus. And there isn’t a thing we can do about it.  That is why I am so joyful.  “I’ve been found.”  I’ve been released from the chains and set free. And it makes me want to dance and sing praises.

The third verse of this song was most meaningful to me today:

"The Lord has promised good to me

 His word my hope secures

 He will my shield and portion be

 As long as life endures"

I rely on the promise of Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me.”    I know he helps me...and He can help you. 

Doesn’t that promise make your heart leap for joy too?

SHE SAYS: Teacher Appreciation

I suppose that it is fitting to add this piece, since it is "Teacher's Appreciation" Week. I made this mixed media collage for my dear sister-in-law, Donna, who is both a Kindergarten teacher and a student of the King.

In the verse from Psalm 86, the writer is expressing a desire to learn. What teacher doesn't love an eagerly, interested student! And God wants to teach us His way, His truth. In fact, Jesus proclaimed this in John 14:6-7

"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and haveseen him."

So what do I know? I know that it is really easy to begin to think I've got it all figured out, that I can do this thing called life without further instruction. "My way." I also know that more often than not, "my way" leads to mediocre results or messiness and regrets.

I am thankful for the many teachers that have impacted my life for good, and those who are still making an important difference in peoples lives.

However, I stand in awe of and am deeply thankful everyday for a God who patiently instructs, corrects and guides me into a deeper understanding of truth, who imparts wisdom, and loves me even when I don't "make the grade". I guarantee you will never find a more capable and compassionate teacher than our Creator! Not sure? Read Isaiah 40:9-31.

SHE SAYS: Who is He?

"Who is he, this King of Glory, The Lord Almighty - He is the King of Glory." Psalm 24:10

"Who is like you Lord God Almighty?

You LORD are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds you." Psalm 89:8

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

 As I consider God and who He is today, I am in awe. There is no one like Him.

He alone is mighty and He has proven Himself to be faithful.

SHE SAYS: Rag Tag Warriors

In Revelation 19:11-16, John writes about the rider on a white horse, Christ Jesus (i.e. Faithful and True / The Word of God), who is leading Heaven’s army against the armies of the kings of the earth, Satan, the beast and the false prophet.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

What a mighty band of warriors this must be that marches out to confront the enemy. But wait! As they come face to face with them, it is “The Word of God” Christ Jesus, who simply speaks with the sword of his mouth, and victory is accomplished.

This brings me to the thoughts I have been meditating on lately, both in wonder and rejoicing: That God chose me, a prideful, selfish, unloving woman with misplaced priorities. He has shown me my sin and has helped me endure the plowing it has taken to uproot much of it. I am thankful that this process has left me with much less of my “self”.  

Throughout scripture, God selected a bunch of unlikely characters, misfits and broken people who He then redeemed to himself through Christ. I continue to be humbled at the heart of our Savior and Lord. “The One” doesn’t need me or anyone else for that matter to win the ultimate battle, yet He is with me even now in my weakness and low estate.

As Isaiah 57:15 states, “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

He is here. With us. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul who considered himself the foremost of sinners, explains this in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, it is “God’s grace which is sufficient for us, that His power is made perfect in our weakness.”  

He goes on to say in 1 Timothy 1:12-15, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Have you been appointed by the King to become one of His band of Rag Tag Warriors. If not, now is the time and all you have to do is ask.

SHE SAYS: What’s that smell?

Wisdom that encourages a pleasing aroma .

Think about some of the smells that you really enjoy:  fresh baked bread, a freshly sliced watermelon, the smell of hyacinths in the spring. 

As I have considered these verses in 2 Corinthians 2, it has caused me to relive some of those moments as a parent with my children when they were little.  I loved their aroma as I rocked them to sleep, hugged them after a nap, or after I wrapped them in a towel fresh from the tub.  I remember nuzzling my face into their hair and breathing in their sweetness.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

This incredible picture begins in verse 14.  First that we are grateful captives, we who were once enemies of the King, are now joyful.  Why are we joyful?  Because but we are being led by God, our Creator in a victory procession of our King and although we are weak, we are triumphant because of Him.  And our task?  To tell everyone, everywhere, the reason for our abundance of jubilation, the gospel or great news about what Christ the King has done for us and wants to do for all.

This act creates an aroma and faithful Christ-followers are like a walking room freshener or that bathtub fresh child to God.  Our presence in this locker-room of a world brings God much delight. 

But scripture also gives us a very clear warning lest we become complacent:

“It will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good or evil!’  Zephaniah 1:12 (NASB) 

Stagnant in Spirit?  The word stagnant is described in the dictionary as “not moving”, “inactive”, “dull”, “motionless” or “foul”.

Occasionally in the park where I walk in the morning, there are places where the water has been standing for a while and it is quite unpleasant to walk nearby.   In fact, if I have the option, I will walk on a different path to avoid the disgustingly foul smell. 

What a tragedy that we would allow ourselves to become so foul that someone would take a different path to avoid us, or we would be so motionless or dull that those around us would completely miss out on the Great News! 

Lord, help me not be complacent.  Work in me so that I am the child you desire to hold close, the beautiful aroma of Christ to those who are perishing.

SHE SAYS: Gift Giving

I created this piece as a gift for my mom.

Have you ever thought about how you give gifts?  

Here are a couple of the ways I have given gifts:

• Giving a gift that I loved and would have quite liked to have kept for myself.
• Giving a gift that I found or made that perfectly fit the person that I gave it too.

I must also admit that I have given gifts that were less than what I would have liked to give, because the cost to have purchased the ideal gift would have been too great.

But think about this. God has done this for us. He gave us a gift that He would have liked to have kept for Himself, a gift that was perfect for us, and a gift that was so costly. But He spared no expense.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

What is this gift of which Paul speaks? The gift of Jesus Christ crucified and risen. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Why?  So why would God give up his only son unto death when he could have given us anything else? 

In Psalm 50:12, God says “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.” 

This is the wonder and glory of the gift. God could have given us anything, but only Jesus, his son, was the “perfect” gift. His gift required and incredible sacrifice. His sacrifice was unblemished, without sin, and His sacrifice is eternal, once for all. It is truly indescribable, immeasurable, amazing – all because He loved us.

So what should I do with this knowledge? 

I must first accept the Gift, not because I deserve it, but because God loves me (which I admit is sometimes hard to comprehend why). And then comes gratitude. I can assure you that once you have received this Gift that you will be thankful to the Giver continually.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

My heart overflows with thanksgiving and praise! Thank You for the perfect Gift…thanks to my Savior, Lord, and King!

SHE SAYS: "He is Risen!"

 It is because of this that we have much to rejoice and celebrate today and everyday!

“The Lord is risen indeed"  Luke 24:34

*********

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:3-9

SHE SAYS: "It is finished!"

“It is finished.” 

These were the final three words recorded in John's gospel as Jesus died on the cross.  The rest of John 19:30 says that "he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Think of it.  Jesus, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God offered himself up as the sacrifice offering once and for all for our sins.  Amazing. 

So now I must boast.  Just like Paul wrote in Galatians, I feel the need to share this amazing gift that I have been given.  The gift that Jesus bought with his blood - my forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  Galatians 6:14 NIV

 So why was Christ crucified?  Because Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18

So therefore I rejoice and I hope you do too.   "In Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name"  Psalm 32:21

SHE SAYS: "Long Live the King!"

It is fitting to share this piece as today is Maundy Thursday, which marks the eve of the crucifiction of Jesus. (By the way, in case you are curious like me, I have learned that the word “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which translates to “commandment.”)

This is referring to the new commandment is found in John 13:34-35 that was given by Jesus as he was washing his disciples's feet on the evening of the Last Supper.  He says to them:  

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

As the events of that evening continue, Jesus departs with his disciples and goes to pray about the events he knows are imminent.  John 18 begins as he is finishing praying: 

"Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.  So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.  Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?"

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. 

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

I think this is an incredible display of the deity of Jesus.  These armed men of war drew back and fell to the ground when Jesus spoke those three little words.  Three little words that carry the full power and authority of Almighty God, Jehovah, "I AM".

(Exodus 3:14 - this was how God identified himself to Moses in the burning bush). 

The scripture used in mixed media collage above is from John 18:37 and is part of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, the Roman governor, as the Jewish leaders seek to have him executed. 

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came

into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

As you most likely know, events led to Jesus being flogged and crucified, perfectly fulfilling prophesy.  He did it for us, out of love, to free us from our sins by his blood.  And he rose again as declared in a glorious resurrection.  Our Savior lives!

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever."

SHE SAYS: He loves me!

HE LOVES ME

Ok, ladies, admit it...you too spent some youthful moments in the backyard pluckin' the petals off of a daisy or dandelion hoping to learn if the guy you had your latest crush on really liked you or not. Unless you found some creative method to assure better odds, like getting distracted with three petals left and starting up at "he loves me", the odds were only 50/50 that you'd get the answer you hoped for.

This mixed media collage canvas piece that I created recently depicts a powerful promise from our Lord and Savior.

"This is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10

The daisy of God's love is a sure deal - 100% guarantee that HE loves us. And to prove it, he sent Jesus to die on the cross for me and you (a.k.a. sinners).

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:7-9

And as a believer in Christ and in his atoning sacrifice and resurrection, this assurance is priceless and worth reminding myself of often.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

I hope that the next time you see a daisy or a dandelion that you are reminded that the God of the Universe loves "you"...yes even you!