Repent and Live

Ezekiel is one crazy book of the Bible. I've avoided it most of my life because of its bizarre imagery, most of which I never truly could understand. I mean he shaves his head and beard with a sword, lays on his side for 390 days, cooks food over excrement and sees wheels covered in eyeballs. Weird stuff. But I'm reading through the Bible chronologically this year, so I'm diving in headfirst with Ezekiel. And I've learned so much from it. Wish I'd have done this sooner.

Ezekiel prophesied at the tail end of the reign of Israel's kings (the Judah/Southern Kingdom). These kings were continuing the years and years of disobedience, breaking God's laws, worshipping idols and performing all kinds of heinous acts. The Lord sent messenger after messenger to warn His children to obey, but they refused. Repent and live, is His constant plea. He pursued them. They turned away.

I've come to the conclusion that Ezekiel is all about how God had had enough. He sends Ezekiel to his children in Jerusalem to tell them the jig is up. He's done and they are about to be conquered by the Babylonians. And He repeats over and over again, "Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord." Ez. 23:49b.

Of course Judah is conquered by the Babylonians, and the Israelites are in exile for 70 years. After that period of time, the Jews are never again in history accused of idolatry. They learned their lesson ... the hard way.

It made me think of God's children who are refusing Him today. The Ricky Gervaises and Richard Dawkins of the worlds. There will come a day when the Almighty has had enough. And woe to those, truly. What the Israelites received in the form of punishment from this holy, just, loving God - famine, plague, war, captivity, death - is nothing compared to what those who refuse His Son will reap in the end.

Ezekiel chapter 18 is all about how each soul is responsible for their own sin and their own repentence ... and ultimately their own eternity. And He promised in 16:63 that when He makes atonement for us in Christ Jesus, that we will be ashamed. God says to the Israelites in 22:14 "Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you?" Woe to those who think that time will not come.

I prayed today for those who are so arrogant to proclaim there is no God. Psalm 14:1 says "A fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" I am praying these children will turn back to our Father who loves them so much and promises such an abundant life in Him. The message is clear. The message is love, mercy and grace. The requirement is repentance and obedience.

Christians, we need to be praying relentlessly for our lost brothers and sisters. We need to speak to them about Jesus, as Ez. 2:7 says, "whether they listen or fail to listen." When God says in Ez. 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not destroy it, but I found none," my heart sank a bit in me. How many of us do not stand in the gap? We live in a country so blessed by God, yet our culture is slipping into the same detestable practices as the Israelites. We need to be courageous, bold and persistant in Christ's commission to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).

Ezekiel 36 promises hope when we've repented: "I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you" (verse 26); "I will save you from all your uncleanness" (verse 29); "You will be my people and I will be your God" (verse 28). What peace! What joy! Glory to Him!

For those reading this today who have turned away from the One who created and loves you, I share in Ezekiel's message ... repent and live.

No More Ice Cream Cones

I watched as the school buses went by today, picking up and dropping off kids. I saw the many Facebook status posts where youth and parents alike excitedly talked about their children's first day of school. And my heart hurt a little. Just a little.

I took my youngest, Anton, to college on Saturday, leaving our home an empty nest. I knew there would be adjustments. Funny ones like not having to buy Frank's Red Hot Buffalo sauce or jars of Alfredo sauce. Not having someone to collect garbage Monday nights or unload the dishwasher. Not ever having to hear SpongeBob on the TV. Or walking into Anton's room, seeing the mess, sighing and just walking back out. But I miss Anton's wit, laughter, smile and company. It's very quiet around here. So when the school buses went by, it was just a reminder of his absence. And with my daughter 19 hours away in Rhode Island, the space just feels emptier.

I had a conversation with God today telling Him how much I missed my kids. How I hoped Brad and I had done a good job raising them. How we hoped they would make good decisions on their own, make precious friends and serve His Kingdom in some special way. And I lamented about the whole separation thing in the first place, and how I can't wait to have them come home.

That's when the tears came. But not from what I was feeling about my kids, but rather the realization that God feels the same way! He sends His babies down to Earth for a time. He hopes we make good choices, obey His Word, surround ourselves with precious friends and serve His other children. And He misses us! Oh how he misses us! He longs for us to speak with him, as I long for texts, calls and emails. He longs for our visits in worship, like I long for Skype times. And He can't wait for us to come home. How devasted He must be for the ones who abandon Him ... no calls, no visits and no desire to come home. Oh, how His heart must ache for those. Made me want to reach out all the more to His children to be sure they knew about the Father who loves them so much.

On the first and last days of school, I always bought my children an ice cream cone. This is the first time in 15 years I won't be buying cones. I wonder if the day I enter Paradise, Jesus will meet me at the gate with an ice cream cone? While I hope it's chocolate, I'm really not sure I care ... I'll be home.

Gift of Grace

As the preacher spoke today at the funeral, I noticed the woman diagonally in front of me start to shake. I could tell she was sobbing, and she brought a tissue up to her eyes frequently to catch her falling tears. She wasn't related to the man who's funeral we attended. She was a waitress who frequently served him at Cracker Barrel.

I guessed this was who she was prior to introducing myself after the funeral service because she started crying when the pastor spoke about her specifically. See, today I attended the funeral of the care receiver my husband has visited through Stephen Ministry for more than a year. Ken passed away unexpectedly Tuesday from a heart attack. As Stephen Ministry is a confidential, precious, caring ministry, I knew next to nothing about Ken until these last few days. I learned Ken had multiple physical issues in addition to dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Everytime Ken had a doctor's appointment, he later went to Cracker Barrel for his meal. Because of his OCD, it would take sometimes up to 3 hours for him to finish a meal. The pastor mentioned that Ken had a photographic memory, remembering detailed facts and dates. Ken even knew the Cracker Barrel waitresses' birthdates and their children's birthdates because he took the time to ask. My husband told me Ken particularly talked about one waitress named Patty. When noticing this woman sobbing in front of me, I deduced this must be Patty.

After the service I noticed her walking by herself, still weeping, heading to the mausoleum. I walked over to introduce myself and tell her how my husband had told me how much she'd meant to Ken. "You were truly a gift of grace from God for him," I told her. "Oh, no, he was a gift for me," she responded. Patty told me how Ken ate more than any man she'd ever seen before. She told me how she'd wait to put in his order for 28 minutes, because he always went to the bathroom after he ordered and it would take that long before he came back to his table. "I timed it perfectly so his food would come to the table when he returned." She told me how none of the other waitresses wanted to serve him because it was about table turnover and making more money. "But for me, it was never about the money. He was the kindest, most caring man. I'm going to miss him," she said before bringing that tissue back up to her eyes.

The pastor at the service mentioned that we move at mach speeds in today's society, but that maybe we all need to learn something from Ken. In his weakness, he exhibited the love of Christ, taking the time to get to know a waitress at Cracker Barrel, touching this woman's life in a powerful way.

By the way, Ken's birthday was Nov. 16, 1931. I remember this because the pastor made us repeat it several times, calling it "a historic day" ... because Ken was born.

Ken has entered into Paradise completely healed and undoubtedly rewarded by our Father for his caring spirit. I wonder if Ken had any idea when he took the time to speak to Patty, he'd be teaching those who would attend his funeral what the love of Christ looks like?

I'll be eating at Cracker Barrel soon, to visit Patty. Rest in peace, Ken. Rejoice abundantly as you dance in Heaven and know that your compassion in the midst of struggles will spread through the Kingdom, as we follow your example. I look forward to meeting you.

A Second Deeper Look

I know God has wanted me to write this for a week now, but it's embarassment that has kept me from it. Plus a little time to collect my thoughts. As soon as it happened, it was as if I could hear the Father say, "You need to write about this." See, a week ago today, my husband and I got to tour the birthplace and home of our nation's second president and signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams. I have been a fan of John Adams since reading quotes of his in a book titled "America's God and Country" by William J. Federer. Here was a man who loved his country, wife, family and God, and I was impressed. After reading more about him and watching the HBO special on him, I was excited about seeing places where he lived. The Adams' descendents saved everything, so they had many artifacts in those homes from the mold for musket balls that Abigail used when melting her pewterware into ammunition for the American militia to the chair where John Adams had his stroke while watching the 4th of July 50th anniversary parade before he died later that day. I loved this tour and learned so much.

But when we first got to the birthplace, getting off the trolley with about 25 other folks, I immediately noticed a very loud woman with her family. She annoyingly kept announcing everything. "Whoa, low doorway!" "Three steps down." "Narrow hall." When our group was split into two smaller groups, I volunteered Brad and I to go in the other group hoping she and her family would stay in the second. Instead, she and her husband and two children were assigned to ours. I could feel my shoulders droop knowing we'd hear everything announced on our way.

After going in our second room of John Adams' birthplace and listening to our tour guide speaking, I noticed the woman had something in her hand. I recognized it immediately and then put two-and-two together. That's where the shame came in. She was holding something for her husband as they made their way through the narrow doorway, his hand on her shoulder. She held a long, thin white cane with a red tip. This lady's husband was blind. She was describing everything to her husband and giving him advanced notice of when to step up or down or duck. I felt so badly about my initial thoughts. Here I was looking around in wonder at marvelous history, and he couldn't see a thing ... unless his wife told him about it. And she truly did an amazing job. Her comments throughout the rest of our tour were no longer annoying, but rather precious and uplifting. I was awed by her.

How quick I was to judge this loud woman, not realizing the selflessness she showed her husband. And all it took was a second, deeper look at the situation.

I would love to say that from now on I will take second deeper looks at everything before making a judgment about anything, but I know better, and know I'm sure to make this error again. I'm just hoping I'll be convicted about it beforehand.

My husband told me years ago when meeting someone to imagine life in their shoes. Sadly, for that moment, I'd forgotten his wisdom.

I am thankful for a patient God who forgives and teaches me in this manner. And grateful for the eyes and words of one to the benefit of another ... and its lesson at my expense to bring glory to the Father.

Yard Work

The grass is dead in my yard. Every last blade of it. Our summer last year was a hot, dry one, and I didn't water the yard. I didn't want to waste the money or time, frankly. I also didn't pull weeds or spray any weed killer for pretty much the same reason. Thus, what we have growing now are weeds alone, lots and lots of them of various kinds (including the beautiful Autauga Crimson Clover developed in this area). When I realized all the grass was dead this spring, my initial thought was, "Who cares? Grass isn't indigenous to this area, so if the weeds grow better, so what. I still have to mow it and certainly don't need to water."

However, there's a couple things I've learned about weeds: the varieties grow at different speeds so that two or three may stand a foot above the others, which looks ridiculous; and they are certainly not as fun to run around barefoot in as many are protected by stickers, jaggers and thorns of different kinds. So I'm second guessing my decision to let the weeds take over.

God has laid it on my heart to not dismiss the parallel to our society of late. How much easier it is to keep quiet and let the advancement of poor morals and bad choices take over in a world where less and less people are willing to take the extra effort to put a stop to it. After all, it's not my problem, not affecting me and I'll just get lamblasted to speaking contrary to growing public opinion.

We are saturated daily with cultural choices that are in direct opposition to what our Bible tells us is demanded of us by God. While we have free will, our God doesn't offer options in His commands. They are direct and non-negotiable. It takes more work and courage to be obedient to the Father and stand up for what is right and of God. And it's certainly not always popular. But my fear is if we don't, we're going to have a world full of "weeds" choking out the Word in us. What scares me even more is people are starting to forget what God says is righteous. They find ways to twist or dismiss His Word. Some are unaware of what it actually says, listening to the counsel of those who do the twisting.

God's children, pick up your Bible, read it and obey. The verse God chose for me as a banner this year is 2 Cor. 10:5 "Take every thought captive to obey Christ." Every thought. I love Jesus Christ with my whole heart, but let me tell you, taking every thought captive in obedience for me is tough stuff. My Father's heart breaks every time I choose to do in opposition to His Word, and I'm crushed when I disappoint Him.

But I'm not giving up. I'm going to keep trying. I'm going to quench my thirst for righteousness with Living Water and pull out those "weeds" trying to infiltrate and destroy what is of God in me. I pray my efforts never cease.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do in my yard.

Deal or No Deal

I've discovered I love the book of Deuteronomy. It's Moses' swan song. Like a parent writing a letter to their graduating senior, Moses is writing his last bits of advice to the nation of Israel before they enter the promised land and his earthly life comes to an end. He reminds the Hebrews of their adventures, travels and the laws God has given them. And he reminds them that they are God's treasured possession. Then he gives them the best deal they could ask for.

He says: "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on the earth." Deut. 28:1 He tells them they will be so blessed that they will have tons of children, plentiful crops and vineyards, herds of livestock, tons of food, be disease-free and lead pretty charmed lives of success in whatever they do. No one will defeat them as a nation and they will be indebted to no one: a pretty sweet deal.

But, he says, if they don't obey, look out, the curses will flow. And everything listed above will be in reverse. So, it's a no-brainer really. Obey, good. Disobey, bad.

After all this, God then speaks to Moses - and you can almost hear Him sigh when He says: "They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them." Deut. 31:16. God knows, despite the fact that He has given them the best deal ever, they are going to turn away from Him after they are settled in the land. They do, and things get pretty ugly.

You know, God has given us a pretty good deal too. He says anyone who believes Jesus is the Christ will live forever with Him. He doesn't say you have to obey - though we should - or that there will be consequences for our choices - which, of course, there will. He just says believe in Christ. When I think of the many who will not take that deal, I sigh along with our Father. Because the results of taking the wrong end of that deal are pretty awful and, well, damning.

Yeah, I love Deuteronomy. It's a nice reminder of how much God has loved, nurtured, disciplined and forgiven His children inspite of their failures ... to the eventual point of sending Jesus (Deut. 18:15). When God asks, "Deal or no deal?" how will you respond?

Wandering Ox

The other day while driving home from church though this beautiful neighborhood with winding streets that force you to travel slowly, I thought I saw an elderly women about to topple over. She looked like she was losing her footing, so I was about to immediately pull over to the side and get out to make sure she was alright. When I got a closer look, I noticed she wasn't falling. She was crushing an aluminum can underfoot. Once it was crushed, she picked it up and put it in a plastic bag she was carrying. This woman was walking along those streets picking up trash.

It reminded me of a Bible verse that just makes me chuckle when I read it. It's Exodus 23:4. The Lord through Moses is giving the Israelites the rules to live by when He shares this one: "If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it." I giggle because this just isn't practical for me in this day and age, as neither my friends nor enemies have oxen or donkey to let wander off. However, anytime I see a person's trash can rolling in the street or some yard decoration blowing down the road, I stop what I'm doing to return it, remembering this verse, mumbling to myself, "Gotta save the ox." So when I saw the women picking up trash I thought, "There she is collecting the oxen." Granted, I doubt she was going to return it to its littering owner.

As I walked today, I saw aluminum cans, plastic bottles and - my biggest pet peeve - cigarette butts strewn along the curbside. I didn't have a plastic bag with me to collect these items, but I did grab stuff as I walked to put with my garbage at home. I didn't do it to make the world a prettier place or to recycle. I did it because God would want me to.

One thing I did not pick was the cigarette butts. I would like, however, to one day return one of those to their rightful owner. So if you are waiting at an intersection in front of me and toss your butt out the window, don't be surprised if I get out of my car, pick it up and knock on your window to return it. Just giving you back your ox.