Longsuffering

As a normal human, I avoid even the slightest amount of pain whenever possible, but there are times you just have to bear it.

Considering Jesus in my discomfort this afternoon, it hit me that He is the most longsuffering person is the history of ever. Duh, I know. But get this- He never had to put up with suffering for His own mistakes. Ever. Not even once. He suffered for mine. For yours. For us. That's amazing.

A quick word search and I found that He really is the only one who has this longsuffering thing down, anyway:

Exodus 34:6
"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"

Psalm 86:15
"But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..."

2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:15a
"And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation..."

I am so grateful my Lord is willing to suffer long!

 

A Shadow of God's Holiness

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬

God designed mankind to be an image, like a "shadow" or "picture" - a visual representation of who He is on earth. 

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:4-5‬

Satan tempted Eve with the rebellious idea that we could be the ones to decide what that "picture" should look like- we should decide who god is, by being a god to ourselves.

But God, in His mercy, saves those who follow Him to true freedom.

“For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭11:45‬

He created and saves us to be like Him- holy as He is holy! A shadow of His magnificent holiness.

Warm Hearts

This year, since my pastor's wife was great with child (and is now an amazing and even more busy Mommy!) she asked me if I would be willing to give a devotional at our Ladies' Christmas Brunch. So here are the thoughts on the topic of "warmth" that I shared...

“Cold hands, warm heart”, “That just warms my heart”

I greatly dislike being cold. How much worse is it to have a cold heart!

With so many needs, and so much to do, how do we keep from having cold hearts toward the Lord and those He has placed around us?

We keep our bodies warm by being near a heat source, like fire, and putting on clothing, and covering up with a comfortable blanket. I believe God made the physical world to reflect spiritual realities.

So how can we keep our hearts from being cold? By being near the “fire” of God, by putting on the humble mind of Christ, and being “wrapped” in the true Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:16 “ John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Hebrews 12:19 “For our God is a consuming fire.”

The Bible uses fire to describe God's character. In His holiness, he consumes our sinfulness, refining us, and changing our hearts to reflect His image as we draw near to Him.

This inward change is reflected in outward actions. As James 2:14-18 says “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Another way we keep warm, is by putting on clothing. As girls, we especially like to think about what we will wear, and how it will look to those around us. I Peter 5:5 and Romans 13:14 tell us what we should be wearing all the time:

1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble”



Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

We are to be “clothed in humility” and to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”

Philippians 2:5-8 tells us just how humble the mind of Christ is, that He would give up His rights, and be obedient to the point of dying on the cross:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 6:31-34 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Don't worry about what to wear this winter – seek His kingdom and His righteousness.

The last we will look at way to keep a warm heart is by being surrounded by the Comforter.

John 14:15-27 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (the Comforter), that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Some of Jesus' last words to His disciples telling them if they love Him, they will obey Him. Knowing how easy it is for us humans to forget things, He made a wonderful promise to send the Comforter to remind us all things that He has taught us. There have been many times in my life I have been thankful for God reminding me to do something or correct my attitude towards serving, giving, or speaking a soft answer.

So as we move into this chilly season, let's don't let our hearts grow cold. Instead, let us draw near to the fire, letting our sinful desires be consumed by His love. Let us be clothed with the humble mind of Christ, and let us give thanks for the Comforter who guides our hearts, words and actions.

“O tidings of COMFORT and joy!”

Musings for Christians who Make Movies

I'm in a quandary. Feeling like I'm in the crossfire of a battle between to camps. Each side determined to be the one doing things "right." The problem is - they are both kind of right.

I'm speaking about Christians who make art - particularly music and movies. 

The one side says "There is no point of making art if there is no clear gospel message in it" - That presenting the gospel is the only purpose of art. 

The other says "If you don't make excellent art that appeals to everyone, it's no good for anyone." - That art is just an expression of self, and therefore will have moral values if you happen to be Christian.


And here I am in the middle saying "We are on the same team, guys!!!"

Truth is we need both kinds of media. We need films with the clear gospel message AND the parables with a moral message. Jesus taught both, why wouldn't we? Interestingly, He never said it would be the gospel message or the excellent quality of our art that would show we are His disciples.

Jesus told His disciples "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." Romans 12:9-11

We are called to build one another up! (1 Thess. 5:11) To be one in Christ! (Rom. 12:5; Gal. 3:28) We are his body - why are we fighting ourselves? Aren't we here to serve the Lord the way HE calls us to serve Him?

"...there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." - 1 Corinthians 12:5-7

We have different purposes- and it's OKAY! God wants us to serve Him in different ways! And just because you personally may not be benefited by a particular service or ministry, does not mean some one else is not.

Example: I'm not crazy about the color green, but I love red! I have friends who love the color green. Do we argue about it? In jest, yes, but it's okay that we like different colors! The same applies to art styles. I like the sound of CMM. Others do not. So find another style to make music for the glory of God! 

It's not that complicated. It's just harder to create new art than to complain about poor art. But we need to. ("We" includes me)

Let's stop tearing each other down about the method, please! This life is not about us, dear friends - it is about our Lord Jesus! Let's love and serve Him by making art to encourage one another.

 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

2014 Snapshots

I'm enjoying a quiet moment to reflect on the blessings and adventures I've had this year.

Here are a few of the highlights for me:

Helping with after school Bible clubs was a blessing again this year. I am always challenged and encouraged as I teach about how wonderful and gracious the Lord Jesus is! Truths I need to be reminded of daily.

This year I finished the quilt I've been working on for two years, finally- yay! It was a fun project, but I don't plan on making another one anytime soon.

My family made a trip down to Texas for the CWFF this year. Great to reconnect with filmmaker friends. It was fun to have Jamie and Arielle as travel buddies for that trip!

I had some great opportunities to use my photography skills this year. The JAF Family Retreat camp needed a few camp photographers to fill in this year, so I got the pleasure of capturing the smiles of happy campers with this cool chick. (And I may or may not have had a camp crush on the 70-200mm lens we got to use for the job...)

A few other events I was privileged to take photos of were Ryan and Beka Chartier's wedding as well as Elijah and Claire Maddux's wedding. Each such sweet unions in Christ.

There was so much great rain for gardening this year! I am grateful I took advantage of the weather and planted when I did. Tomatoes, onions, carrots, corn, and green beans were thriving in my garden this year.

An awesome opportunity I had this summer was working with international children at an American Orientation training working with 7 and 8 year old age group. Which resulted in a few babysitting jobs I have been enjoying. :)

I'm sporting a Canadian flag pin one of the kids gave me in this pic:

In August, my Mom and I took a short trip to WI for Kathrine & JD King's wedding. Such a joy to be part of the celebration!

Wesley and Amaris made time to visit KC this summer and we had a grand time together. Looking forward to working on So Broken Up with them next year!

Concerts I got to see this year included WinterJam, Switchfoot, Ed Sheeran (thanks, Cory!) and LifeLight SD. Good friends and good music are always a winning combination.

And can I just say - GO Royals!!!

A blessing and answer to prayer for me this year was getting a part time job working at Queen's Pantry in town. I am loving it! Working while drinking tea all day is definitely my cup of tea. I am currently saving to go on a trip to visit missionary friends in Indonesia the beginning of 2015.

I've been able to help with a few short film projects this year, as well as fill in for wardrobe one day for a feature film Trust Fund - which you will want to see!

So many great moments in 2014! Coffee with friends, sailing with my brothers, dinner with my folks, each day with it's own reason to smile. Of course there were hard moments, sad good byes, and unpleasant pains, but the blessings far outshine the not-so-nice.

And here I'll leave you with the best of 2014 ~

Here's to a fantastic 2015! Happy New Year, folks!!!

Immanuel - God With Us

Isaiah 7:14 ~Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

I have been dwelling on this promise this week. God came to earth. To become a man. To be with us.

These are verses I shared with my Sunday School class last week. I hope they will be a blessing to you!

Matthew 1:18-25 ~ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.


From the very beginning of creation, God's desire to fellowship with people is evident:

Genesis 3:8-9 ~ And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

When God delivered His people Israel from slavery in Egypt, He tells them plainly what His purpose was:

Exodus 29:45-46 ~ I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Moses reminded them of His presence when they went it was time to go to battle to take the Land the Lord had promised to give Abraham and his decedents:

Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

God confirmed His presence to Joshua, too:

Joshua 1:5-6 ~ No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

When David was king of Israel, he understood God's desire to dwell among His people, continually:

2 Samuel 7:1-3 ~ Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But God said it was not for David to build His house, but his son Solomon would build a temple for the Lord. Yet it is so amazing that God would choose dwell among sinful, broken, people, that Solomon declares in his prayer at the dedication of the temple:

2 Chronicles 6:18 ~ “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!”

But this is His desire! The prophets declared over and over how He longs for His people to be with Him.

Micah 6:8 ~ He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

He wants to be with us! This is why He was born in flesh. He came to die, to be with us, and to bring us to Himself.

At the last supper with His disciples, He tells them:

Luke 22:15 ~ And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Matthew 26:26-29 ~ Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

He could have just said, "new... in my Father's kingdom" but He longs to have us with Him in the kingdom of God.

One of the last things He told His disciples before His death:

John 14:1-3 ~ Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And so, even in death, we need not fear:

Psalm 23:4 ~ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ~ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

What a promise! What a hope! And if this is our hope, how will we live to prepare?

1 John 3:2-3
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Comfort in death, and purpose in life.
He gives us the command to go, and make disciples, but not on our own:

Matthew 28:19-20 ~ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As we go, there will be trials and persecution. Do not lose heart! He is still with us!

2 Corinthians 4:7-15 ~ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

And lastly, because it's easy to get distracted and think that material blessings are our source of joy in during this season. Consider this exhortation:

Hebrews 13:5-6 ~ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”


Don't set your heart the things you don't have.

Remember Who is with you.

Immanuel. God is with us!

With us in our ministry.
With us to sanctify us.
With us in our trials.
With us in persecution.
With us in life.
With us in death.

He will never leave us or forsake us.

Immanuel! GOD is WITH us!

~~~~~

 

Life as a Sheep

Jesus is my Good Shepherd.
He is really all I want.
He provides for my every need.
He makes me rest in Him.
He leads me in the right way to go, for His glory and my good.

Even in the darkest times, when I can't see where I'm going, and I feel like I'm going to die,
He is with me. So I won't be afraid.
His correction keeps me on the right path.
It is comforting to know I'm where I should be.

When I am tempted, or the world gives me grief,
He gives me more of Himself to feast on.
He is more delightful than their charms or approval.
He chooses me, and blesses me for ministry.
I have more than I need, so I can share with those in need.

I am confident that His goodness is unchanging,
And His love and kindness will never end.
He will be with me every day of my life.
And when this journey is over,
I will live in His home where He is preparing a room for me.
And I will be with Him forever.