Good Tidings!

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

Wishing you a joyful Christmas celebration! Take time to remember the reason for the season.

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Book Signing Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who attended my book signing on Saturday, December 19th at Sign of the Fish bookstore. Praying those who read "My Heart's Desire" will find everlasting peace, joy and love. Enjoy!

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

Mary a.k.a. Martha

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

My given name is Mary, but these days you wouldn’t know it. I more closely resemble her workaholic sister, Martha. I love December and all the magic of Christmas, but I find I am running myself ragged doing everything but sitting at my Savior’s feet; drinking from the living water of His Spirit. There’s shopping, decorating, party-planning and more, all being juggled alongside my work, family, and church commitments. Each year I tell myself it will be different; I won’t be in such a rush to complete the “to do list” I’ve compiled. But is that realistic, or even possible for a Martha personality? It is if I allow it to be.

Today I purposed to spend time reading my Bible, and reflecting on what God longed to say to my busy troubled heart. You see, I do find great joy in serving Him by “doing” things for others. There are times I am convinced the Father is calling me to get up from my chair and act upon the commands He has given, not just soak in all His love for myself. People need to be touched by the love of Christ in word and in deed. They go hand-in-hand. If they didn’t, Jesus would not have provided such an example of servant hood for us to model. My problem is often the same as Martha’s. My motivation for serving coupled with my attitude is not aligned with Jesus’ desires. This is what leaves me empty and dry.

As I communed with my precious Savior today, I found my soul quenched by His words of hope and life. Every time I read about spiritual darkness I am filled with gratitude for how God drew me to Himself, and illuminated my entire being with His love. Energy infused, I am reading to face the day. The Father assures me that wanting to do good things is not bad, but when I start to feel resentful of all that is before me it’s my signal to stop and do a heart-check. As I confess my sin of worry over many things that God has not ordained, I find forgiveness and peace. Praying that I will live more as Mary than Martha, and that I drink daily from heaven’s fountain of living water so Christ’s light can shine through me into a dark world. What a joy that will be! "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

What do you need, Lord?

“Then the King (Jesus) will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

So many needs, so many blessings, all intertwined this month. My senses are functioning on high alert. Is this a sign of my spiritual maturity? I doubt it. Although much wisdom has been imparted much more needs to be put into practice. Until the day I can serve God as consistently as breathing, without analyzing why I should or should not act on the opportunities He presents, I remain stunted in my spiritual growth. November finds me mindful of a soft voice growing louder as I fight to smother the fear His response will bring to my question, “What do you need, Lord?” As always, He provides ample opportunities to be a blessing or a curse.

For me, there has been a recent surge in the need to feed others physically and spiritually. Sometimes I am prompted to prepare and serve the food, other times to donate money toward this fight against hunger. No matter what the method I have felt the Spirit at work in the details, and I am in awe. Jesus has asked His followers to join the battle against a greater starvation overtaking the world; the war to feed malnourished souls. If I’ll step forward in obedience He promises to arm me well, and faithfully He does. While many occasions to engage in such work come to memory, three are most vivid.

The first occurred one November Saturday. I frequently cook food that area churches serve to the homeless on the streets of downtown Raleigh. Jon and I longed to join the volunteers, but travel and work schedules previously interfered. At last the calendar cooperated with our wishes. While carefully shopping for the casserole ingredients I was delegated to bake the Holy Spirit whispered, “Mary, don’t skimp. Buy the best. Shop as if you are serving this to Jesus.” Reality check! Do I view the disadvantaged as people who should be happy with second best; life’s scraps? Or do I see them as jewels in the crown I will one day place before my King? Who am I serving?

Needless to say, I asked God to fill my cart with only the choicest ingredients for that casserole, and baked it with Jesus in mind. As we stood side-by-side serving the homeless that crisp autumn day, I was overcome with emotion. There were hundreds in line waiting for their warm meal. I had the good fortune of being assigned to the dessert table, where I could offer people a choice. How brightly their faces beamed when their selection was placed on their plate. Many praised God along with us, and suddenly it occurred to me that I am serving Jesus today. These are my fellow siblings in Christ! We are bound by the same living Spirit of God. Nothing separates us. We are one body.

The second occasion to serve the Lord happened this week. Jon and I hosted four International and two American students from North Carolina State University for Thanksgiving dinner. We did not know if all of them where Christians, but it didn’t matter. I approached the meal preparations with the same gusto as if God were joining us for supper. In my mind He was! I was excited to show them the love of Christ regardless of their beliefs. Who knows what God can do through the kindness of a stranger? I want to be used this way, so I am learning to pray to be more in tune to His calling.

The third chance surfaced yesterday. I was meeting my girlfriend at a coffee shop prior to my book signing event. Her cheerful voice greeted me when I entered the store as she proceeded to tell me she’d just bought the gentleman in the corner breakfast. He was homeless, and looked like he had lived on the streets for many years. Struck by her generosity, I turned to ask the man if he would like something else since I was buying myself a cup of hot chocolate. He sheepishly looked at me; then politely gave me his order. Handing him his food I blessed him. In my heart I was longing to do more, just not so publicly.

When my girlfriend went to the restroom God gave me a chance to respond as He lovingly said, “Go give him $20 discretely so only my eyes and ears can witness. Do not seek applause from anyone.” Resisting the temptation to waffle, I got up and handed the man the cash without uttering a word to my girlfriend. I only mention it now as a reminder to myself that one of the most important questions I need to be asking daily is, “What do you need, Lord?” Obedience is paramount. Perhaps you will agree. “Then the King (Jesus) will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

The Greatest Sacrifice

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

It was Veteran’s Day this week; a time of reflection on past and present sacrifices our military (and their families) make for our freedom. For me, November 11th has been an emotional day for several years now. It was 14 years ago we buried my youngest brother who although not a soldier still died fighting his own life battle. His only son is a firefighter in the United States Air Force, bound for Iraq in February, 2010 and Para-rescue training camp upon his return to the states. Trusting his fate to God is not always easy; we selfishly want to keep him all to ourselves. But the Father understands our pain, for His was much worse two thousand years ago on Calvary’s hilltop. The cross was the site of the greatest sacrifice ever paid.

While physical wars between nations wage on, I find this can sometimes distract me from the spiritual battle at hand. When so many soldiers and civilians die and peace appears bleak, I can be tempted to forget to pray for a different kind of victory. The real war that needs to be won is the fight for lost souls, the reason Jesus lived and died for. His was not a political war, but a struggle to reconcile all humans with God by His death for our eternal life. His unblemished heart and mind took the place of my sinful and corrupt one, all so that Jesus can call me “friend” as I call Him “Savior”. What a trade off.

Whenever we pause to pray for our military and their families let us also remember to thank God the Father for God the Son’s precious gift to humanity. True freedom begins with a choice to accept the gift of eternal life that is free to us, but cost Jesus everything. Only He can help us pray for our enemy’s eyes and hearts to be opened to the gospel of hope, and that they passionately embrace it.

Peace on earth begins not with swords reeled by one soldier against another, but when God’s Holy Word pierces our hearts and transforms us. As we support our troops in battle, so should our patronage be for our fellow Christians serving in God’s soul-winning army worldwide. Our sacrifice of prayer is so small when compared to the ultimate sacrifice of love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

The Delight of Singing

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

My church choir singing days ended early. Forever altered by the affects of my short-lived cheerleading experience, and my long-term aerobics instructor career, my limited range never recovered. Although no great loss to the audience, it was to me. Many Sunday mornings the dream of singing before my peers resurfaced. Admiring most in others what talent I myself lacked, I longed to join the vocalists. Several years later, one unsuspecting Sunday, my wish was granted revealing God’s great sense of humor.

Shortly after joining a new church I was invited to a Sunday school class for singles. The leader would open us up in song accompanied by his newly acquired guitar skills. None of the songs were familiar to me. I had grown up in a different denomination than the church I was now attending. My friends were tolerant of my missed cues and lovingly helped me along. If I messed up I simply laughed; keeping my volume relatively low. Somehow I’d managed to fool the leader. Thinking I was capable, he asked me to sing with him alongside my friends.

“Did he really pick me to sing in front of the class?” Years of untapped talent were about to burst forth, at least in my imagination! Excited, I jumped up from my seat feeling like a real crooner. Careful not to get too carried away, I kept my pitch lower than the others. Inside I was smiling brightly as we sang off key to a guitar played out of rhythm. Resisting the urge to bust out laughing, I wondered if God was rejoicing. Did we make His heart glow even though our skills needed perfecting? I sensed He was thrilled with the attempt because our cheerful hearts over compensated for our off-beat lyrics.

Thankful for that one chance, I did not expect to sing again in Sunday school. But God allowed my dream to continue week after week, much to my surprise. Months later I noticed my voice getting stronger, and my range improving. Although I still wasn’t gifted with a fabulous singing voice, it was exciting to feel less self-conscious. Who would have thought that I would be able to carry a tune after so much damage to my vocal cords? This was fun!

Sometime later the Lord impressed upon me that it wasn’t the sound of my singing that He delighted in, but the feeling behind the words I bellowed. That melody was sweet to His ears, and He challenged me to listen to His voice too. How precious to discover that Jesus delights over my fumbled attempts to sing His praises as He sings over me, His daughter. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

God’s Cheerleading Squad

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

Have you heard the news? God is looking for cheerleaders on His team. Are you interested? Could you use a little encouragement today? Do you know someone who needs to be uplifted? Would you like to be used by Jesus to build up the heart of a tortured soul who needs a touch of amazing grace? If so, consider this your royal invitation to join God in His court and tryout for a team He wants you on. Here are the qualifications you will need.

1. A repentant heart; one that is captivated by the immeasurable sacrifice of Jesus Christ who though perfect paid for your sins by His death, burial and resurrection

2. A life that continuously seeks to surrender to the Father’s will above its own, and longs to leave a legacy of blessing that will glorify the name of God forever

3. A teachable spirit—God will show you the moves and give you the cheers you are requested to perform that will draw spectators off the bench and into the arena of life

4. A thankful heart; one that rejoices in praising the name of Jesus and seeing others join in the chant

Can you imagine how much our world (and our own attitude) would change if we grasped the concept that we are gifted by the Holy Spirit for such a ministry? This is not a superficial cheering squad I am talking about. Christians know what’s at stake—the salvation of the lost. Although we are on the winning team the game is not over. It is still being played out in the drama of life. Recruitment continues; Jesus wants to increase the size of his cheerleaders, as well as His players.

What do cheerleaders do on Christ’s roster? They encourage others with His Holy Scriptures. They share what struggles and transformations are taking place in their own lives. Cheerleaders are open, honest, enthusiastic and raw with their emotions. They cry when it gets tough but they never give up hope in a positive outcome. Unlike earthly teams that experience defeat, they know on God’s team the greatest victory awaits them in heaven. They help others press on to glory regardless of how vicious the opposing team attacks. Their faith is in the right Person who will deliver all who follow Him.

There is a special reward God grants to His cheerleaders. It is a byproduct of their obedience to pour out themselves before others so His Holy Spirit can shine through their words and actions. Because cheerleaders delight in the smiling faces of the players on God’s team, and the spectators who one day leap from the sidelines to join in the game because of divine intervention, they are encouraged by those they have rooted for. This is the cycle of God’s blessing flowing from His Spirit to ours to another person’s and beyond, forming a beautiful circle connected by His love.

If you have been sitting in the stands observing the game and wondering which team to join, please make the only right choice. Confess your need for a Savior and forgiveness of your sins, accept by faith that Jesus paid for your sins by His death at Calvary, and believe that He is praying for you always as He sits on the right side of the Father in heaven. Don’t you want to be on His winning team where you can experience daily refreshment for your soul? Come join us. Somebody needs to hear the voice of your unique cheer the Spirit will teach you to recite! “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).


Your fellow sojourner (and cheerleader),

Mary