Sweet Land of Liberty

The Christian music community has a message for us. And it's a message I've heard repeated quite frequently in songs lately. And frankly, it's sad we need it at all.

On top of this being a political season which has put our country at odds, we've also been dealt blows with COVID-19 that just won't let go, racial issues, protests and riots and a few natural disasters like wild fires and hurricanes that are wreaking havoc. So while we struggle with various opinions on the latest issues of our time, we also are getting sucker-punched by the burdens of 2020. I've found myself saying, "Well, it's 2020," every time something else crazy happens ... and it seems there's been a lot of crazy.

The sad part is, in the midst of this, a lot of folks, a lot of Christians, are forgetting to love. And that's the message I've been hearing more and more frequently on Christian radio.

 In Josh Wilson's "Revolutionary:"

Why does kindness seem revolutionary
When did we let hate get so ordinary
Let's turn it around, flip the script
Judge slow, love quick
God help us get revolutionary

"Start Right Here" by Casting Crowns says:

We wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It's got to start right here
It's got to start right now

 

And in Danny Gokey's "Love God Love People:"

 

We're living in a world that keeps breakin'

But if we want to find a way to change it

It all comes down to this

Love God and love people

 

I hear these songs and my heart breaks. Because as Christians we have two commandments Christ professed that encompass all, which Gokey summed up in just five words: "Love God and love people." But with all the bizarreness of 2020, we've forgotten it. People have got their heels dug in so deep that they won't listen to others. Even our presidential candidates displayed such behavior at the first debate with interruptions and name calling. 

I have friends who perpetually post political statements on their social media accounts, and frankly I am weary of it. Pretty sure everyone has already decided on who they are going to vote for, and honestly I've yet to see in the comment sections of those posts, "You have opened my eyes! I have changed my opinion." But it's not just political comments. It's statements on whatever the latest issue of the week is. Sometimes I feel these folks for not one moment will attempt to walk the shoes of others around them. And I bet there are a few folks reading this right now pointing at the other guy and saying, "I know, right, they don't get it," when it's likely you don't either.

I have opinions, too. Strong ones. But if you disagree with me, I am not going to hate you. Why? Because God told me to love you. He demands it. Loving people means loving the person who looks different from you, loving the sinners, loving the poor, loving the rich, loving the criminal, loving the unborn, loving the foreigner who lives among you, loving the other political party members, loving your church family ... loving your enemies. Why? Because GOD LOVES YOU. He loves you so much that His Son died for you. You who do not deserve it. And guess what ... His Son also died for the other guy, too.

It starts right here and starts right now. Love God and love people. Be kind. Stop the name calling. Stop the constant criticism. Stop assuming what you believe is 100% right. Stop assuming God is only on your side. And just love as God loves. Please, Christians, pause, reflect, reevaluate, repent, forgive and love. I'd really like to be living in the "sweet" land of liberty again.

Yes and Yes

I was catching up with a young friend recently when she mentioned she'd been dating a guy for several months. I hadn't heard about a boyfriend in her life so I asked, "Does he treat you good?" She hesitated a second and said, "Well..." I interrupted her right away and said, "Darlin' the answer to that question is 'yes.'" Then I asked my typical second question: "Does he love Jesus?" She hesitated again, "Well ..."

"Ok, look," I said, "The answer to both of those questions is always yes. There is no 'Well...' You  hold yourself to a high standard so that he reaches to achieve it. You are worth it."

Moments later I ran into another young friend and asked if her boyfriend was treating her well. She answered yes immediately. When I asked if he loved Jesus, I got a second immediate yes. I was reassured and happy for her.

But sadly, the number of young ladies who don't answer those two questions with an immediate yes far outweigh those who answer in the affirmative. I ask those questions of all the young adults in my life. After teaching youth Sunday School for years, I know many precious young souls. When I hear they've begun dating someone, those are my go-to questions every time ... "Does he treat you good?" and "Does he love Jesus." And you would not believe the number of young ladies who cannot respond favorably to either. What has happened to the young women of this world where they are willing to settle for someone who does not treat them as the Princess of God they are? Or look the other way when it comes to faith in Christ? If a man is not following the Word of God, it's no telling what his moral guide is, what he emulates in his character, and where his priorities are. Are young ladies so desperate to date that they are willing to compromise their values and expectations? Good heavens, it's not worth it. Men are not a project. They are called by God to be the spiritual head of the household. So they should be held to that standard. And if they aren't there yet, then walk away. If every young lady expected every young man to treat them well and love our Lord Jesus Christ, men would strive to do both of those things. Trust me, with men thinking about sex every six seconds of the day, it's easy to blur the line between lust and true love. So keep that first bit out of the equation while dating, so there is clarity of character.

I read a quote by C.S. Lewis that said,

Yes, yes, yes! It's no wonder our country's females are dealing with case after case of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. No man should ever, ever feel he has the right to treat a woman any less than God's beautiful, precious, beloved daughter. We've heard the many women who are speaking out, some after many years of silence, but good heavens, why did it ever happen in the first place? I've seen so many #metoo hashtags (where women affirm they have been sexually harassed) that it's embarrassing for both men and women. I was harassed once. I'm a #metoo. It was a man who felt he could reach out and grab my bottom. I turned around, grabbed him by his shirt, slammed him to the wall, and getting inches from his face said, "Don't you EVER touch me again." The fellow was stunned and slunked away. How dare any man feel he had that right? Who knows how many he'd touched that way before who just let it happen.

Look, girls, your worth is in Jesus Christ. You are His cherished baby girls. You are valuable, priceless and so unbelievably loved by your Father. Never, ever let a man treat you disrespectfully, no matter who they are. And never settle for anything less than a man who puts God first in his life and knows that worth.

The answers to both those questions above are yes and yes. Don't settle for less.

By This Everyone Will Know

The other day I watched as two male hummingbirds flew around our feeder. As one approached, the other swooped in to drive him away. And likewise when that one would dive in for a drink, the other hummingbird came back to force him away. This battle went on for more than 30 minutes. And the result? Neither bird got any sugar water. Not a drop. They were so busy shooing each other away from what they coveted, neither got a chance to enjoy the sweet nectar.

I had a little aha moment while watching this battle. I thought about people within the walls of the church who are fighting: people who are slandering and ignoring one another. While they spend so much time manipulating the circumstances to try to avoid so-and-so or be outright vengeful, neither party gets to enjoy the sweet beauty of worship. With two people focused on the hurt and bitterness, their disagreement, the paranoia of what others are thinking and the unforgiveness, what is done the way of worship, love, compassion, discipleship and grace? You have two people (or more) shooing each other away from the peace that is worship of the Holy One, whose heart is probably broken that His children are on the attack against one another. You can obviously see Satan at work in this because he thoroughly enjoys splitting congregations of churches. How can a church focus on growing the kingdom and bringing people into a loving relationship with the Lord and with others if the people within are fighting? The sad part is, many will not notice they are patsies for Satan's destruction. Their guard is up, their walls are built, their anger is at DEFCON 5 and ain't nothin' gonna bridge this chasm.

When watching the hummingbirds I wanted to do one of two things: 1) take the feeder inside. If they couldn't share (I mean there are six flowers for feeding locations on this feeder - the two of them and four hummingbird friends could all eat at the same time), then no one got it. Or 2) wish that I could speak hummingbird to say to them, "Are you guys kidding me really? I have made this for you to enjoy and you'd rather pick at each other? Seriously?"

Now imagine God watching us in our disagreeable best within the church walls. What if He wonders the same? "You can't love and share with one another? I will take the whole church from you. You can't get along? I have made this church for your enjoyment and abundant life and you're going to squander that time? Be loving towards one another!"

We are going to have disagreements within the church. You will lose respect for the many sinners that sit in the pews next to you. But never forget you are one, too. And remember our Father expects us to strive for peace. "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18 and "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9. 

I have been on the receiving end and the dishing end of these kinds of pathetic arguments. And I can tell you there have been many times where no matter what efforts were made to reconcile or mend relationships, some people just do not want to forgive 70x7. Some would rather stay in their corner whispering than reach out in the love our Father demands. And it's completely against everything we are taught as Christians to do. 

I don't think God expects all of us to be friends. I don't think He expects us to always get along or agree with one another. But He absolutely expects us to love. "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35. He expects us to value others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3). 

If Christians could step outside of their situation to watch the hummingbird battle and realize the damage they are doing and how pathetic they look, perhaps they might reconsider their actions. Perhaps they would realize they are pawns in Satan's great attempt to discredit Christians and destroy the church. Perhaps they would love. We have something worth sharing with the world, but will the world want what we have if we're not sharing it well with each other in the church? There is so much of God to enjoy. If you are engaged in a conflict right now, ask yourself if the struggle is worth the damage. The answer is most certainly a resounding no. God is love. Let people see that in us.

By The Grace Of God Go I

The other day Brad and I had lunch with a friend of his whom he met at Kairos. A former inmate, he lived near a location we were traveling by and we decided we'd stop by to visit with him and his new fiance. We enjoyed our visit with them. His fiance shared some about her life and some of the challenges she'd been through. A father who died young of kidney disease. A mother who kicked her out of the house. A grandmother who took her in who was an alcoholic. Her drug use to take away the pain of the loss of her father. Story after story of heartbreak and restarts. Praise God through it all, she had a church connection. At this same time, I was reading the beginning of the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed. She had similar stories of loss, drug abuse and promiscuity. I remember saying to Brad, "By the grace of God go I."

Two days later, I was watching a celebrity reality show about a guy who plans parties for the rich and famous. I watched as opulent plans went into place for the baby shower of a singer. Shiny gold, furniture, twinkle light trees, dancing, an elaborate menu, rental of a million dollars in jewels, a stylist to dress the star ... for a baby shower. A baby shower! I was in shock. What a waste of money. And to top it off, the diva shows up four hours late to her own party. Again I whispered, "By the grace of God go I."

I was not born into poverty or wealth. I have had a good childhood. I haven't lost a parent. I have never done drugs, nor found any reason to do so. I was taught to be frugal. My parents did not believe is wasting money or time. It is by God's grace I was born into the family and situation He placed me, praise His name. It is by His grace I have the blessings, challenges and strength to handle what comes my way. Not every day is a good day, but neither have they been horrific.

There are souls struggling every single day for food, health, shelter and peace. Others have been given the challenge of learning to live with excess and success and what that does to reliance on God. God warned the Israelites of that very thing in Deuteronomy 8:11-18, "Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid wasteland with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, “My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today."

There are all kinds of people in this world and we cannot possibly understand the path they've taken through this life unless we've walked it ourselves. We can empathize, sympathize and pray without ceasing for folks around us who are struggling, as they will for us when we are in challenging circumstances, because we never know what a day may bring. We need to be careful not to judge others for where they are, because we haven't walked in their shoes. But I also think we need to fall on our knees to thank our Lord for any blessed moments in our lives. It is by His grace we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). And through Him that we love the lost, hurting, confused, sick and depressed. Love, love, love and love some more. May we remember His grace in both our good times and bad, remember our value in Him, how much we are loved by Him ... and reflect it.

Commanded to Love

If you call yourself a Christian and are not loving your enemies, you're a joke. Just let me state that flat out. It was one of Christ's commands in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:43). He didn't say, "tolerate your enemies," "ignore those who are displeasing to you," or "give someone you disagree with the silent treatment." No, He said plain and simple, love them. LOVE THEM.

I am sure you are detecting a note of frustration in my voice. I am so very, very tired of people calling themselves Christians and finding all manner of ways to dismiss those they just don't like. I have been treated kinder, frankly, by non-Christians than people who call themselves Christians and smile to my face, while their behavior is blatantly opposite to what Christ commands.

Our Father calls us to be honest, compassionate peacemakers and He even gives us a formula for its success. First, Christ tells us in Matt 5:23-24 that we are required to reconcile with our brother or sister before we bring our gifts to the altar. Second, He tells us to forgive this person so our Father will forgive our sins. And thirdly, if we catch someone in a sin, we're to point out the person's fault and if they listen, all is well, but if they don't, take one or two witnesses along so the matter can be rectified. There's even a final option about getting the church evolved in Matt. 18:15-17. Therefore, based on all three of those Scriptural guidelines, we Christians should be resolving conflicts, forgiving one another and loving one another. But if even the forgiveness is coming slowly, we are above all, to love.

There. I know I feel much better getting all that out. And honestly, I don't follow all the above perfectly all the time. But I strive to, and praise Jesus, have an accountability group that calls me on the moments I am not doing as such. But if I don't see my Christian brothers and sisters working to reconcile, then I just plain and simple don't believe they are following the commands of Christ. They may be building walls around themselves or removing themselves from different things thinking they are protecting themselves from further harm. But that is folly. It's simply Satan isolating that person from the loving, reconciliation that Christ encourages. I know because I was there, doing that isolation bit, when all it did was make me more bitter, lonely and heartbroken.

If you love Jesus and owe your life to Him, He had a command that He considered second only to loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength (Deut 6:5), and that was to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18) - and that doesn't mean just Christian ones. When we stand before His throne we will be accountable to Him.

So stop faking it. Stop metaphorically stabbing people in the back when they aren't around. Stop eliminating souls from your life thinking that is how you will guard your heart. Stop rolling your eyes at people you disagree with. Stop pitying yourself. Stop being so arrogant that you believe you alone have been wounded or are sin free. Stop looking for reasons to dislike someone God created in His image and was willing to die for. In the name of Christ Jesus, stop it.

And start being who Christ commanded ... Him.

So Very, Very Loved

Last April on a Friday when I was praying for 30 minutes during a prayer vigil for the Kairos Prison Ministry weekend that my husband was lay director of, I tried something different in my prayer time. Instead of uplifting all these inmates in prayer and talking to God about them, I instead asked God to do the talking.

With a list of their names beside me, I prayed for each one by name, asking the Lord to tell me what I needed to pray for them. He would reveal words or images to me, so I wrote them down next to the person's name. When Brad came home that Friday night, I showed him the list and said, "This is what the Lord wants you to pray for for these men." As he read over the list, his jaw dropped. Many of the things I had written down, I couldn't possibly know because I hadn't met the men, but he said the prayers were dead on about them. Some he didn't know. For example next to one man's name I wrote: "He misses his Mom." Brad went up to him the next day and hugged him saying, "I know you miss your Mom. I'm praying for you." The guy just stared at him and walked away. Later in the day, he asked Brad how he knew that, then explained that his mother had been paralyzed years before, couldn't come visit him in prison and that it was his birthday that day. It was a confirmation for Brad and me about that prayer time.

Brad shared the prayers I had written down with several of the other inmates over the weekend as well. When several other men were added to the weekend, he asked me that next day to pray for them. One kind of interested me when the Lord had me write the word "energy" next to his name. I thought that was strange. Was I supposed to pray for energy for him? At closing when this man went to the podium to tell what the weekend had meant to him he said, "What amazed me most about this weekend was the energy I have felt from all of you." I nearly fell out of my seat, and tears rolled down my cheeks. Apparently he needed to feel that energy from the people there that day. It was such a profound experience for me from a prayer standpoint, and I have reexamined the way I pray. I am usually a talker with the Father. I decided I need to make a better attempt at being the listener. But since that weekend, I hadn't prayed that way.

Last Wednesday Brad went back to the prison for a visit. One of the inmates went up to him and explained that his wife had gone through the Kairos Outside weekend for spouses of inmates. It helps them better understand the changes in the lives of the inmates after a Kairos weekend. The inmate walked up to Brad and handed him a slip of paper with the name of his wife, Shantel, on it. He said his wife had an amazing weekend and he wanted me to pray for her to get a message from God about her.

I have to say, I was a little uncomfortable with this request. I hadn't prayed like I did that Friday night in April since then, so I wasn't sure the Father would necessarily give me a message about Shantel. But I promised Brad I would pray for her.

A couple days ago, I sat in my office on the bed in there to pray for Shantel. It was a dark cloudy day. As I prayed, with my eyes shut, I saw light. Lots of it.

I opened my eyes to see the low-hanging sun peaking through the clouds and beaming right on me through a soft steady rain. I thought how beautiful it was, then went back to praying as the clouds covered it back up again. As I started to pray for Shantel again, it happened again, the sun burst through the clouds right on me. Then I felt it. "It's a time of steady soft rain for her, but she will be a light through it all. And there is a promise." That was it. I wrote it down and went back to pray as the clouds covered the sun back up. But as I prayed, I thought "Lord what if that was just a coincidence - that whole sun thing. Is there something else you have for her?" And the sun burst through yet once again on me. The Lord likes to work in threes with me. Apparently, I am not easily convinced a first, or even second, time. And then the Lord did something for me that had never happened before. For just a brief moment, seconds even, He allowed me to feel the love He has for Shantel. And it was overwhelming. I started to cry. Oh my, how He loves her! An all encompassing, fill-your-heart-to-overflowing love that just surrounded me, made me feel safe, special, embraced. I wept as I realized this is how He feels about every single one of us. How blessed we are that God loves us so very, very much! Christ coming for us made complete sense to me in those moments. He loves us that much.

After this moment of worship with Him, I went back to praying, saying "God is this what you want me to tell Shantel? I just want to be sure I have it, that I'm not imagining all this." And the Father spoke to my heart, "Close your Bible, Jill. That is it."

It was my closest moment to Christ this week. To feel the love He has for her. To open my heart to God's direction. Let me tell you, there is nothing like it. We need to open ourselves to the Almighty. He wants to use us. He wants us to be willing recipients of His Word, direction and love. We just need to be available for it.

I think it's about time I started praying that way more often. I look forward to hearing what He has to say next. Open your heart to Him. He's waiting.

Dear 20-year-old Self

My husband always says he would never go back in time to change things because he is who he is today because of the joys and trials he's faced. I, too, am a product of not just genetics and environment, but of the circumstances that have come my way. I still wish I could change things in my past and honestly could provide my 20-year-old self with some wisdom. Since I can't, I am hoping my sweet 20-something friends and my children will heed what's here, and save themselves a whole lot of hassle...

Dear 20-year-old Self,

First of all, I just want to tell you that when you look in the mirror, you are gorgeous. I know what you're thinking, but you are NOT fat, you are NOT ugly and you are filled with potential. You are unique! Song of Solomon has it right: "You are beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you." (4:7).

While you should enjoy the sun, understand that exposure to it causes one of the nastiest cancers there is - malignant melanoma. Please use caution. Do not get sunburned. You have a genetic disposition to it. And, it causes age spots and wrinkles that you're going to be surprised with around age 40.

Speaking of age 40, that's also about the time you'll need reading glasses to see anything up close. It's truly frustrating when you can't read the tiny print in your Bible and have to get a new one with ginormous letters. You might want to just start off with that one, because you'll even have trouble reading all those notes you wrote in the margins of things you didn't want to forget. Write big.

Make it a habit to eat right now. Yes, that means portion control and good food groups - not just chocolate and fried foods. If you get in that habit now, you're good to go in the future.

Don't be so afraid. Take some risks. Yes, you'll fail repeatedly, but you'll have plenty of successes, too. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Phil 4:13) Don't be so worried about people's approval. Just make sure you're pleasing the Lord.

When you have kids (and you will - two amazing ones) don't be in a such a hurry for them to grow up. Enjoy every single moment of their little growing years. They will move out around age 18 and rarely make it back home. You are borrowing them from God for that short period of time, so really soak it in. By the way, do NOT get that Playstation for them. More time in front of a screen is not what they need, trust me. And pray and read the Bible to them more.

Have fun with your grandparents. Their lives intersect with yours briefly. And they are so much fun. Really learn from and listen to them. Save all the letters from your grandma about gardening. You could really use them later.

I know you don't like to cook, but try anyways. You're husband will thank you later.

And speaking of him - yes, it's Brad, relax - pray for him without ceasing. Wait till you see what he does for Jesus! It will blow your mind. And he ages really well. :) By the way, that thing I just typed is called an emoticon and it's a smiley.

Seek countless opportunities to serve. The opportunities to learn and pray are endless and right in front of you, but if you don't look for the places to serve, you could miss them. The world does not revolve around you.

Save your money. You're going to want to spend it and you're going to wonder at many times on this journey how you could ever possibly save, but do it. Even if it's just a little. And for crying out loud, TITHE! Do not wait until you think you can do it. Do it immediately. You will be blessed beyond measure and it will help in that whole saving process.

Don't compromise your beliefs. You know what is truth, because you've read it in Scripture. The world is going to try to convince you otherwise, but stick to the Word. So much peace and abundant life there. You think Madonna's bad? Just wait to you see Lady Gaga. Yes, that's her name. Seriously. Stop laughing.

You think your memory is bad now,  you just wait. You'll take lots of pictures, so that will help. Your husband will insist that you've been to the Milwaukee Zoo in 1994. Be sure to take pictures of that, because you have no proof and it disappears into the abyss.

Emphasize cursive to your kids. Make them practice. It starts to disappear in the 2000s to the point that your children's generation will not be able to read it. Make sure your kids can.

Don't waste your time watching "Lost" (a TV show in the future). Trust me, you can use that time so much more efficiently elsewhere.

Take time every morning for devotions. I know you are not a morning person, but every day will go better if you start it with Scripture and prayer.

When you find something you really like, get two of them if you can. It never fails that when it wears out, you'll wish you had an extra.

Never let the devil get a foothold. He will try your whole life.To get you to be upset with the little things to destroy friendships. As soon as you feel that negativity, give it to God and remember what is important - love, love, love.

Remember to have fun. God has given, and will continue to give, you so very much. Enjoy it all and be sure to thank Him for every bit of it.

That's all for now. I don't have time to tell you about cellphones, Facebook and flat screen TVs. You will love all three, but keep it in perspective and use them wisely.

By the way, God loves you so very much. Loves you, loves you, loves you. You are never alone. Make good choices.

In Christ who died for you ~ 48-year-old You