Royal Gems

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on your hearts. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:3-4)

"What are you doing for Valentine's Day?" she asked while coloring the locks of my hair. A visit to the hair salon often leads to questions of holiday celebrations and ministry opportunities. "Nothing formal", I tell her with a smile, "every day is Valentine's Day in our house". As humbly as I could, I told her that my husband and I are so thankful God brought us together that we express our love daily in word and deed. She was intrigued and wanted to know more.

As she wrapped my head in foil to give me a sun-kissed glow I shared how he first saw me in church. Unbeknown to me (until Jon told me months later) it was my hair that first caught his eye. As we spent time together the character of each other was what we fell in love with. The outside package may have been the initial attractor, but if there was no inner beauty we wouldn't have lasted. There aren't enough jewels, clothing or cosmetics to cover up a deceitful or selfish heart.

She told me she wished her boyfriend would do more to express his love, like send her flowers on special occasions. I felt her pain. Every woman wants to feel adored by the man she loves. Sensing her sorrow I could have succumbed to male bashing or listing my husband's short-comings. But along with our marriage vows Jon and I promised to never speak ill of each other in public or to a friend. We edify and honor as we focus on the strengths the other person brings to our relationship. Our challenges are worked out between us with God's help, not in moments of idle chit chat with outsiders.

Honestly, the only person who will ever love any of us to the fullest is God. No other human being can replace Him. We all fail each other. If you want to know the greatest love there is, it's a personal intimate relationship with Jesus. If you want to be a bejeweled beauty, one whose gems will never fade, you must admit you are a sinner who can only be washed clean by Christ's blood on the cross. He will make you shine brightly with a heavenly glow and show you how to give and receive love as He intended.

Be faithful to study God's Word and let Him change you. The Bible is the Lord Almighty's love letter to us! It is not enough to memorize verses. The head and the heart must be one in love with God.  We must bury Scripture like rare diamonds in our heart for the King of Kings has shared Himself with us.

What adorns your neck and chest this Valentine's Day? Are they words of love, grace and forgiveness? We can only display on the outside what the Holy Spirit has implanted on the inside. Are you wearing God's royal gems? "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on your hearts. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Your fellow herald for Christ,

 Mary

Kisses from Heaven

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants" (Deuteronomy 32:2).

Deuteronomy 32:2 is my prayer, my travel verse for 2013 on this misty New Years day in North Carolina. As I linger through the pages of God's Word my eyes feasted on these succulent words from the Song of Moses. Oh to be a blessing, a vessel used by Almighty God to nourish parched souls in this complicated world, that is my desire. But I can only share what His Spirit imparts in me (John 3:27) by drinking in His kisses from heaven.

What is a heavenly kiss?  It's an intimate touch from Jesus that satisfies our deepest cravings--to be loved, valued, and in communion with our Creator. A kiss is personal, involves close contact and is shared only by the two people participating in the encounter at that moment. It conveys love, worth and status. A kiss tells us we belong to the giver of the kiss; that we matter very much. Only people we hold close in our heart we kiss.

God sends us dew drops of His love in more ways than we can count. We see His passion displayed in creation (Romans 1:20) and that God's love is pure. Sadly, humans polluted and distorted God's design for love (Romans 1:21-27) and spawned a depraved generation still growing today. But there is still hope! Jesus, God in flesh, came to earth to show us the Father's love (John 1:14) for sinners. Want to know who the One true living God is? Look to His Son, Jesus (John 14:6-7). See and know how close God holds you in His heart!

In Christ you will find forgiveness, healing, love, salvation, meaning and more. God's Word, God Himself-- these are kisses from heaven that fall down like rain on thirsty souls, quenching the one who sits at the feet of His throne (Psalm 56:10-11).

"Father, I pray you will draw me near so I may know you in a deeper way. Kiss my soul with your love. Anoint my words to be a blessing to others for your glory." Amen. "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants" (Deuteronomy 32:2).

Happy 2013!

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary  

Joy to the World

"But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid! he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

Wishing you great peace and joy as you look beyond the tinsel and trimmings and behold the good news that Jesus, our Messiah, reigns! We have nothing to fear and everything to celebrate this holy season.

Spread the word!

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants

"Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:18-19).

"How could plants that thrived for a decade deteriorate to near death in eight weeks?", I asked my husband in astonishment. Unable to take them into our hotel room while we searched for a new home we entrusted them to a close friend. She informed me they were struggling a "little", as she followed my instructions regarding their care. She meant well. But somehow they were slowly neglected and arrived at my doorstep parched and shriveled; a mere shadow of their former beauty and a lot like me.

The dragon plant took the worst hit shrinking from over four feet tall to half its size. With tape and sticks my sweet friend attempted to repair the damage she'd done on the plant's drooping trunk. It looked like it was on life support! Thankfully, my precious husband hid the plants in the garage until after my friend's visit. When my eyes first beheld them I gasped in shocked then burst out laughing. As tears rolled down my laughing face I exclaimed, "These plants are a metaphor of me!"

Watering my plants I realized my sisterhood with them. We'd both traveled a rough journey during this relocation. Uprooted from all that was familiar to me, all that made my life comfortable and easy, I wasn't thriving spiritually, physically or emotionally in our new city. I miss our friends, our church; our neighborhood. Now life is foreign and lonely like a dry wasteland. It's pretty here but I feel displaced.

Some days I chastise myself, angry that I'm acting as if I've been exiled to an awful place. But it's not an attitude of ungratefulness that's stunting my growth. I lack nourishment because I've rushed through my quiet time with Jesus. My plants are a reflection of the way I feel inside, but all is not lost! Just as there are tiny green leaves of new growth pushing through my plant's withered stalks, so there is life in me. This desert season has increased my compassion for those who struggle far worse transplanting, such as our brave military and their families.

As I read my Bible and God's Word washes over my parched soul, I am reminded of His purpose for the uprooting. He is more concerned with character development than comfort; there is something new He's birthing in me. If I let Him plow and plant something beautiful will bloom for His glory. "Father, help me remember the goodness of the past without hanging on so tightly that I miss the new thing you are doing" (Isaiah 43:18-19). Thank you!

Your sister and herald for Jesus,

Mary

The Great Cover-up

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“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).

It’s Halloween and the season of disguises. Some are scary others funny, but all carry the same theme of covering up our identities. As I prepare to greet the revelry of trick or treaters that will parade by our doorstep tonight I’m wearing a mask of my own. It’s not visible to the human eye, but my Heavenly Father sees it because it’s written on my heart—I’m a pretender, a fixer and a cover-up artist.

This morning a close friend shared a message that hit home for me. She used the analogy of trying to hang a cross on her wall without measuring the space it should fit. Inevitably she wound up with several holes in her wall because she mixed her mark. As she placed the cross on the wall and centered it to cover the holes she’d created an epiphany struck. Only Jesus can cover our holes, our sins, with His cross of sacrifice and love. We can’t, but oh how we try!

All October I attempted to fill the voids in my life with things that didn’t alleviate the pain. I'd rush ahead of Jesus, anxious to check off another item on my massive “to do” list. All this activity has rendered me useless; left me depleted and disappointed. As a new homeowner I am patching up physical holes on the walls of a previously owned house, a convenient distraction for spiritual reflection. Those are not the holes I should be concerned about. It’s my bad attitude, my unforgiving heart and whole litany of sins that no amount of make-up or home decorating can remove. I need help!

Why does it take me so long to realize that unconfessed sin is my problem, and that the Lord is waiting for me to seek His grace and forgiveness? Can you relate? After I read my girlfriend’s email I thanked God for using her to convict me of the spiritual holes I was trying to repair in my own strength. Then I asked the Holy Spirit to hear my confession and cover me with the precious blood of the Lamb of God.

Jesus is more than a cover-up for our transgressions. He’s the complete Remover and Eraser of sin and the Redeemer of our souls! No customs, no gimmicks, no tricks. Only peace and grace and a host of treats await those who knock on God’s door. Will you? “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

The Scary Place of Grace

"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told" (Habakkuk 1:5).

This was the summer of change. Two years in the making, my husband's company merger was completed and our tenure in Raleigh ended. An offer on our house came from the first viewers hours after being listed. The sale closed on September 13 seventeen years to the day I came to Raleigh from Boston. It is God's plan that wisked us away from the home and friends that we loved. Change is scary and so is grace.

Why is grace a scary place to be? Because it means we're not in control. It was only an illusion that we ever were to begin with. We do our best to execute our plans, but it's the Lord that determines our path. God's grace is our hope and peace when the uncertain future frightens us as we mourn our comfortable past. Grace helps us to let go of our tightly clenched hands and reach for God's ever-loving hand. 

With big dreams and big sunglasses to cover the big tears I cried, I drove behind my husband's overloaded pickup truck to Charlotte. It's been almost two weeks now. We are living in a hotel in Uptown Charlotte as we house hunt in the suburbs. Each morning God meets me in my prayer time and His Spirit comforts me. I feel Him as I walk the city streets breathing silent prayers for family and friends as well as strangers passing briskly by. Grace has helped us adjust to this change.

These days Jon and I feel God's presence in magnitude. He has steered us away from houses we thought were right for us, so we are confident He will confirm the exact place we should purchase. Change is unsettling and that is good! Christ needs to shake us up to wake us up. Grace is becoming less scary as our trust in Him is increasing.

Are you scared of major change in your life? It's natural to be hesitant but don't let your worries consume you. Take them to the Lord and watch His supernatural power work miracles in your life. This journey is where you will see His grace in abundance and your trust in God will increase if you release your fears. Don't be scared, be excited! "For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you wer told" Habakkuk 1:5.

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

The God Who Sees and Hears

"You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13).

 

Statistics reveal that moving is one of the most stressful events in a person's life, especially when it involves relocating to another city. I've done this before, but it was always my choice to go. This time it's driven by corporate decisions and God's providence. With tears in my eyes and a heavy heart I'm learning to embrace the transition. It's hard leaving the place my husband and I have loved more than any other, and the people who made it so special.

Still, there are blessings that arise if I silence my whimpering voice long enough to hear God's whispers of comfort. They come in the most ordinary and mundane moments of every day life, yet they are extraordinarily sweet like honey for my soul. Praying for favor with a buyer, while scrubbing the floor for our home showing, God assured me that somewhere in another kitchen another wife is doing the same thing. And He sees us both and hears our cries for answered prayers.

El Roi, "The God who sees me". That is how Hagar described the Lord who met her in the desert and spoke to her. Alone, abandoned and pregnant she was cast out from Abraham because of Sarah's jealous rage (Genesis Chapter 16). But God saw her anguish and came to her rescue. The same God sees me and He sees you. He hears our prayers and will provide for us. 

Before a single word is uttered from our lips the Lord's ear is attuned to our needs (Isaiah 65:24). Like a loving parent He watches over us day and night, and delights in hearing our voice. Won't you take your cares to Jesus who brings them to the Father? While we may feel invisible and unnoticed by the world around us, praise God He is our everlasting and all powerful El Roi! "You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary