A Case of Mistaken Identity

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

It happened just this week. I was mistaken for someone I wasn’t. What turned out to be something of a compliment for me was utterly embarrassing for a rambunctious teenage boy. Imagine the scene if you will. The sun is setting after a warm summer day while our community pool is brimming with excitement. A large group of teenage boys and girls are playfully teasing each other as their chaperones watch from their lounge chairs. Doing my best to remain inconspicuous, I carefully dodge their flailing arms and make my way to the opposite end of the pool. One-by-one they begin their reluctant exit out of the water as the chaperones inform them it’s time to go home. Feeling safe I let my guard down; stretching my body out to swim my daily laps. That’s when it happened. My stroke was interrupted by a sudden splash and a tidal wave engulfed my head. “Where did that come from?” I wondered.

Rubbing the water from my eyes, I turned my head to find I was face-to-face with a boy of fifteen. Both of us stunned he broke the silence by saying, “I thought you were Carrie!” It was obvious he’d mistaken me for one of the girls in the group; someone he was trying to flirt with. Fumbling over his words of apology, he was immediately summoned out of the pool. His chaperone could not say “I’m sorry” enough. Once I got over the initial shock I laughed in reply, “Well, I guess it’s nice to be mistaken for a teenager every now and then.” I didn’t have the nerve to reveal my true age, but it didn’t need to be said. While my hair and figure might have allowed me to pass for one of those fifteen-year-old girls, my face wouldn’t. That young man made a hasty decision to jump into the water based on an illusion. He didn’t take time to study all the facts, and now regretted his actions.

This innocent case of mistaken identity got me to thinking, “How many times do we all jump into something based on misinformation?” We become involved in relationships, activities, even churches based on feelings or appearances. Our rationale is to tell ourselves that this thing must be right for us because it looks and feels good. While this makes for some uncomfortable or miserable everyday life experiences, it can have deadly consequences when it applies to our spiritual lives. We can mistake the lie of a message laced with humanism for the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, deceptive messages are clothed in spiritual garb, and are very tempting to our sinful nature.

For most people it’s much easier to listen to preaching about the love and blessings of God, than the wrath and separation from Him our sin has caused. We often seek a relationship with God for what He can give us (in the form of material gifts or answered prayers), instead of acknowledging our need for forgiveness and salvation. Many are following the wrong voice—one that tells them there is no hell, and therefore no need for repentance. We are all assumed to be children of God by the nature of our physical births, and sin is not viewed as an offense to our Creator.

If that were true, then why did Jesus have to die? If sin is not offensive to the Father, then why did it only take the sin of Adam and Eve to condemn the whole human race? Make no mistake, sin deeply offends God. God is not present where sin abounds, He can’t be. His holiness will not share the throne where sin reigns. This is why Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, and the Lord’s presence. When Jesus hung on the cross with all the sins that every person had ever committed, and would ever commit, the Father turned away from Jesus. A beautiful holy God cannot reside in the ugly presence of sin.

This is good news! Because my sin was washed from the Father’s memory by the Son’s blood, I am now mistaken for Jesus. Sometimes it’s hard to take that all in while I’m still struggling with my old sin nature, but praise God He does not give up on me! Like all believers I can rest assured that one day I will join Him in heaven, and be holy as He is holy. Until that day, won’t you join me in heeding the words of Almighty God? Do not be so quick to jump into the pool of deception following what appears to be your Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a discerning heart and mind, so you may obey the true Shepherd’s voice. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

My Heart's Desire Book Trailer

The video my publisher uploaded on You Tube promoting my book in June, 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTFlL9ZghGk

I've also included a photo of where I first began writing the book, on our screened-in back porch. It's a place of tranquil beauty where I've done many Bible studies, and had precious quiet time with the Lord. Guests are often drawn to our back porch to gaze upon the gardens as they greet the day with coffee or tea. We're shared many simple evening meals and pleasant conversations there too.

Thanking God for this blessing, and the ability to share it with others.

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Hiking at Taughannock Falls, NY

Jon and I made a trip to Upstate NY this month to visit family and friends. It was nice to get away from the heat of North Carolina for the cooler temps of the northeast!

Hope you enjoy this photo of us hiking in Taughannock Falls in the Finger Lakes regions. Truly a gift to be able to marvel together at God's creative genius!

Blessings,

Mary

The Tithing Test

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows (Malachi 3:10).”

Reading this Scripture in Malachi it appears God is putting His character on trial for us to judge His faithfulness, or is He? When He speaks of blessings that will overflow in our lives as we tithe, does that mean our bank account will steadily increase in proportion to our giving? Or is the one whose faithfulness being tested ours? Could the blessings we receive be something other than monetary in nature? These are questions I invite you to explore with me as I share some thoughts the Father has placed on my heart.

In January, 2000 I began tithing for the first time. Each week I expected the floodgates of cash to overtake me. My giving was all about me wondering how God was going to reward my obedience. My test commenced as I watched my commission-based paycheck decrease steadily for six months while my co-workers prospered. The harder I worked at my job the further I fell behind financially. It was as embarrassing as it was frustrating, especially because I’d declared to the team I was tithing. While I believed in God, I was not born again. I was still trying to “earn” His favor. Tithing became one more way of seeking approval from the Lord. The challenge was to trust what He was doing, and to keep resentment at bay while continuing to tithe. The tide would turn in its proper season.

Things did improve financially for me. I was blessed with a new job. For the first time in my life the monies flowed in faster than I could spend them. Before long I was debt free; able to save and increase my giving. Now my test revolved around practicing fiscal self control. As a former shopaholic this wasn’t easy at first. Over time, saving began to excite me more than shopping sprees did. Although I did not realize it then, God was blessing me with this sudden influx of greenbacks because I would need it for a future surgery, and a long stint of unemployment. He was preparing me for a crisis, and sending a windfall to help weather the storm.

Soon after surrendering my life to Jesus bigger tests came. I wrote about them in my book My Heart’s Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love because they were a critical turning point in my life. That was the beginning of learning to trust God with the money I had, and for the money I needed. He completely changed my mindset around spending and tithing, and transformed me into a cheerful giver. Slowly the molding of my will to His began as I learned to view God’s “out pouring” through new spiritual eyes. Blessings were no longer seen as “cash only” rewards. There were other things to take into account.

If I expected to never suffer another financial setback because I was tithing, my disappointment would have been great. Had I believed giving always equates to raises at work, I could have become disillusioned. That is why I’m convinced God tests our hearts to see if we’ll place our faith in Him whether the number is rising or falling on our bank statement. How do we present our tithe to God? Is it with worship for all He’s provided or worry over what we need? Are there other ways apart from our paycheck to be blessed financially in these hard economic times? In my experience, there are many.

Would you be surprised to know that I make less than I did 10 years ago, five years ago; last year? It’s true! Looking at my situation on paper I’m going backwards. My husband hasn’t gained much ground either. Yet I smile each week as I write checks to our church and a variety of charities we support. We give more now than we ever have; I wish we could do more! I’m learning that as we invite Jesus into our financial decisions, the simplest of things become gifts from Him.

One of the ways He blesses me is in the store. Before I enter the store, I ask God to help me spend wisely and to give me favor. It works! I find great bargains and unexpected sales. When I ask Jesus to control my yearnings I don’t spend money on unnecessary items. It’s exciting to see our monthly budget for expenses decreasing. I’m not sad about tightening our belt. The less we spend on luxuries the more we can save for emergencies, and the more we can give. We have enough for our needs even if we don’t for our wants. God is protecting us. Fulfilling too many of our wants always gets us into trouble!

If you are struggling, ask the Lord to show you how to trust Him with your finances. There is so much peace in knowing nothing is too hard for Him! Let us pray we will all past our tests, and remember to take inventory of God’s bounty in our lives. Our richest treasures lie in the quality of our relationship with our Savior, and those we share our earthly lives with. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows (Malachi 3:10).”
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Holding My Father’s Hand

Previously posted on my website in June, 2009 http://extravagantlife.net/site/

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

Life has been more chaotic than usual for me, and I feel my strength being depleted. It’s not just me who is struggling, but friends I’m praying for too. There are real needs to be attended to as people suffer from health crises, financial ruin, job loss and fractured relationships. Some days the pain is more than I can bear, and I feel so helpless. It seems God has pushed me to the limit, or has He? Perhaps a more accurate statement would be to say that He allowed me to rely on my own problem-solving abilities, and I simply ran out of answers.

Do you ever feel hard times equate to punishment from God, and that He isn’t listening to your cries for help? I used to feel that way a lot before I had a close personal relationship with Jesus. Even now, there are moments during trials when Satan will tempt me with those thoughts that if entertained only lead to despair. Praise God I don’t have to surrender my mind to the Devil’s lies! The Lord has provided the ammunition to combat these vicious attacks—His Holy Scriptures.

Recently, I found myself in tears as I grappled with burdens that pressed me face down to the ground where my view of life was dimmed. In that moment I had two choices. I could wallow in the “dirt” before me and blind myself further, or I could pray and allow God to open my eyes to His hope. By His grace I chose the later, and the Lord led me to this wonderful verse: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).

Is there anything more precious than hearing the Father say to you that He is holding your right hand, and He will help you? How tender and powerful that picture is for me. Reading it instantly blessed my soul, and I thanked God for revealing that Scripture to me. One of the many things I love about God is that He meets me right where I am. He didn’t chastise me when my reaction to life’s problems was to panic. No! Instead, His Holy Spirit gently convicted my heart to confess this sin and not only receive God’s forgiveness, but His help too. What joy!

Perhaps you would care to join me in this exercise. Whenever I feel myself fearing the task before me that is beyond my control to complete, I meditate on the vision of God’s divine intervention. He’s waiting for me to bring my cares to Him and to trust that He will either take care of it without my effort, or infuse me with the strength to fulfill the mission. Come. Silence your mind, close your eyes, and let the peace of your heavenly Father fill you as He says: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Learning Contentment in Trying Times

Previously posted on my web site in May 2009: http://extravagantlife.net/site/

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).

The past week I have felt anything but content. I have let the stress of my everyday circumstances steal my peace. While the natural response might be to say “I am only human”, as a born again follower of Jesus Christ this is not true. Yes, I have a fleshly body and belong to the human race, but my spirit is infused with God’s supernatural Holy Spirit. While this does not make me equal with God, it does give me access to His heavenly throne where my prayers for divine intervention are heard, and answered. How quickly I forgot this truth when recently tested.

It began with the announcement of company layoffs that occurred over a seven-day span at my corporate job. Even though I was spared, the news was nonetheless devastating to our entire team. Each day tears were shed as co-workers tragically learned of their fate, and those of us left to pick up their job responsibilities were crying with them. The layoffs were random, often wiping out the best employees, like a cancer that strikes without warning. Despite their best efforts over the years, these employees could not control the outcome. It was just their turn to suffer loss.

None of this “feels” fair or just. It’s not easy seeing people struggle. I’ve been there myself having experienced half-a-dozen layoffs over my working career. No matter how much people told me it wasn’t my fault, a part of me always felt somehow I’d failed. Watching my co-workers exit this time, I can honestly say this is not a result of poor job performance, nor is it anything they manifested. In fact, a part of me wonders why I am still employed. There is only one explanation, God’s grace and His plans.

Does this mean I have more favor in the Lord’s eyes than my downsized co-workers? Absolutely not! While I am fortunate to have a weekly paycheck, my increased workload is nothing to rejoice over. The stress seems unbearable as management’s unrealistic expectations are heaped on our shoulders. The job was already difficult with adequate staff. Yet I know there are others who would trade places with me in a heart beat, and I feel guilty. I have a goal to work full-time in writing in speaking. Many have no vision for their future. They have put all their time and energy into this job; now it’s over for them.

So why haven’t I left? Why not just quit because I’m unhappy and let someone else take my place who really wants to be there? After all, who needs to stay in a situation that’s not meeting my needs (except financially)? That seems like the logical approach, until I take these thoughts and feelings before Jesus in prayer. It is there my precious Lord and Savior impresses upon my mind that something bigger is going on. Ironically, it’s the same thing He wants to teach my former co-workers—the secret of contentment regardless of life’s trials.

Four years ago I was downsized from a company due to market conditions. During my five months of unemployment, I proclaimed to everyone that God was not going to put me back to work doing the same type of job I’d done for the last ten years. I was convinced He would not give me employment in a field that I no longer felt any passion for, so I focused my energies on other pursuits. I had several interviews that produced favorable feedback, but as soon as a new door was ajar the funding disappeared. In the end, I went back to work doing the same thing I’d done for the last decade.

One day, feeling utterly defeated and trapped in my corporate job, I cried to the Lord as I prayed for help. I told God I didn’t like what I was doing; I wasn’t happy. I felt I was going to crumble under the weight of my responsibilities. Each weekend I fussed internally knowing Monday was fast approaching, and I didn’t want to go to work! I was thankful for the income, but not the job itself. My disappointment over the way God answered my prayers was evident; I told Him I didn’t understand what He had done. As is often the case when the Father touches my grieving heart He simply said, “Trust me, Mary. This is for your good despite your feelings. It’s not time to leave yet”. Today He whispers these same words.

As I seek God’s face without concentrating on the “things” I dislike in my life, something exciting is happening. I have ceased asking Jesus to make the job easier for me. Rather I’ve asked God to reveal more of His character to me. I want to bask in the warmth of His love, and trust in His provision. I am learning to surrender my plans to His. All God allows is drawing me nearer to Him for satisfaction. It is one thing to read Scripture and tell others what God can do for them, and quite another to have this belief tested in my life. He longs to show me in this ever-changing world where true happiness is found, in knowing Him personally.

My job can disappear tomorrow, relationships can end, sickness can invade my healthy body, but God is unchangeable. I find hope in that truth. He is faithful to provide the courage I need to endure hardship, and gives me joy. How does God do this? He hears my prayers and extends His matchless grace to me; to all believers of His Son. I am so encouraged the Apostle Paul wrote that he “learned” the secret of being content. It’s a process. Praise God He never gives up on those who hang in there with Him! I pray you learn to be filled with the contentment of Christ too. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary