Big Deal, Down the Road

I was watching my eight-year-old daughter as we were driving down the freeway one day. Her eyes were busily occupied with all the scenes around her. It took me back to the memory of looking out the car window myself as a kid. Even though I lived in rural Illinois, the world seemed so big when I was looking out the window. Every car, every person, even the corn fields…BIG!

Now when I’m driving, I see lots of cars with little people in them holding hazy objects up to their ears. I used to study the expressions on the faces of people as they would pull up next to me….now I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I used to notice big buildings and distinctive landmarks. Now I’m lucky if I notice a speed limit sign or a curb (my SUV needs an alignment, go figure). Weird how I’ve just grown used to my surroundings.

The same is true of my view of God as a kid. He was larger than anyone I could ever imagine. He was somewhere way up high with really humongous ears and eyes. He was pulling the clouds with a string, and He was keeping all the events of the whole world in motion. “He’s got the whole world in His hands…..” was a regular melody inside my head. He was a great big God…..the BIGGEST!!!!

I still believe God is big, but sometimes I allow Him to be too common. I pass Him by as if He were another building or a blurry person in the car next to me. I get used to my surroundings, my way of life, my bubble.

When did this perspective change? And why? I don’t remember….the windows of my mind are blurry on the subject. I think maybe, though, on my journey to have a more personal relationship with Him, instead of Him becoming familiar in an awe-filled way, sometimes I’ve allowed Him to be familiar in a take-for-granted way. Yuck, hate to admit this stuff.

I don’t want to be a kid again. I don’t want to see God as the grand Puppeteer. However, I sincerely pray that my Best Friend, The Savior of my heart and the Lover of my soul would never become just another face to me. I pray that I can love Him as much as He loves me; all the while, remembering that NO ONE can love with that huge kind of love.

HE is my omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent OMNI-Friend. He’s a big deal to me.

"This new plan I'm making with Israel 

isn't going to be written on paper, 

isn't going to be chiseled in stone; 

This time I'm writing out the plan in them, 

carving it on the lining of their hearts. 

I'll be their God, 

they'll be my people. 

They won't go to school to learn about me, 

or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. 

They'll all get to know me firsthand, 

the little and the big, the small and the great. 

They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, 

with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean."

Hebrews 8:10-12, The Message

Wholly Holy/At the Internet Cafe

I am a visual worshipper, so a trip to somewhere grandeous is all it takes for me to get perspective of how awesome God is. It is truly amazing after being a Christian for all these years that I can make GOD such a casual name in my vocabulary. As if He were the mailman delivering Good News…..or the maintenance man, making repairs in my life….an entertainer, performing music inside my heart and mind.

I was convicted as I sat, hiked and biked in the beautiful mountains of Colorado last summer that His name had become too ordinary to me. Don’t get me wrong, I uttered His name as "holy" in my prayers and in my worship, but in everyday living, I had not exalted Him to His proper place. I've been grappling with this ever since. Even today, I struggle with finding the balance between reverence and relevance, though I know it is His desire that I am both at the same time. This culture is full of Twittering "omg"s and variants of His name as an interjection to the most common of subjects. Yes, even among Christians. I've done it myself. But ever since the Holy of Holies opened my eyes to His view, I've wholly reconsidered.

Will you please join me for the rest of this devo at the Internet Cafe? So many women are ministered to each day at the Cafe, and your comments, input and testimonies deepen and personalize the impact of the message each day.
Click here to dive into what the Word has to say on the subject. Thank you so much!

In the Key of HE,

Reverently Relevant

In keeping with the Lord's conviction to have an undivided heart, He has reminded me to stay focused on the ministry He has called me to...for now that is my family, young people, seekers and new believers. He's also given me a ministry of encouragement that falls into every relationship I have, but I find it easy to keep that one in tact, unlike the other sometimes.

"Get the Word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed--keep that dusted off and in use." 1 Timothy 4:11-14, The Message

I've noticed with all the time I spend around the younger and the trendy, that I've been forced to conform a bit. I text. Got me a Facebook. Even got a bunch of "friends" on it. I enjoy ordering my Starbucks with the right name in the right order as fast as I can spit it out. Oftentimes, I shop in the junior section, cuz I like the style for the most part. (when I'm not in my lounge pants at home anyway). Contemporary Christian music rings well in my soul, even a few of the (shudder) rappy sounding ones (gasp). Love the sound of the phrase, "That's all I'm sayin," and "I'm on to you." Unfortunately, "Like" has like, you know, become a regular word in my vocabulary. Being in kids and youth ministry for years, this is all a natural part of who I am, the way I'm wired, the unique person that God made me to be. 

As with anything, though, a line must be drawn. ONLY the Holy Spirit moving in and through us can convict us as to where that line should be. Here's mine:

I can be relevant without losing my reverence. Yup, that's the bottom line.

* I shalt not have eye candy coming out of the top or bottom of my blouse, (unless it's after hours for my husband's eyes only...winka). The thought of someone else's husband glaring at my chest or midriff or my own teenage son struggling not to stare at someone else's young wife or daughter is enough conviction for me. I can show my fun personality without spending a fortune OR trying to draw attention to myself with what I wear. And as a mommy, I vow not to buy my girls clothing with text across the front that says "FLIRT" or "I hate my Brother" or certainly not "HOT" or "DELICIOUS" (or any words at all frankly) glaring from their bottomside. There's a line, and I won't cross it.

1 Timothy 2:9a (NIV): "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety..."

* A huge thumbs down for the words "Oh my God," unless it's used respectfully in prayer or praise. I can't even stand the sight of "OMG" in texting and twittering. I realize the "G" can stand for "goodness" or "gah," but it's not the first thing that comes to one's mind...HIS holy name is ours to keep precious, to hold dear, not to use like the rest of the world does. Some think this is legalistic. I dare say... "NOT!" My Bible tells me which lines are not gray, and this is one of them.

Exodus 20:7 (The Message) "No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; GOD won't put up with the irreverent use of His name."

* I will not stop treasuring the old hymns, while still enjoying worship music of all kinds. No matter the beat or the rhythm, I will especially hold dear the songs that are rich in meaning and hold to correct theology. However, I won't cause division in the Body or turn up my nose to those who prefer a different sound than me, as long as it stays in line with God's Truth.

Psalm 149:1 (The Message): "Hallelujah! Sing to GOD a brand-new song, praise Him in the company of all who love Him."

Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV): "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

*I shall not be on Facebook or email or text or blog more than I am with my God or my friends and family and community, real and in person. I'll remember that a "live" hug does way more for my children than a virtual one will do for anyone. The Lord is watching how I spend His time, and though I can make a difference through the world wide web and the potential it has to offer, there is no doubt in my mind that the largest difference comes from knowing Jesus more...which means spending time with Him. Though I'll text my kids as needed and sometimes just for fun, I won't forget to show them what it means to look them in the eye and say "I love you."

Mark 12:30-32 (NIV): "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

*I dare not forget to look in the eye and give a smile to the person serving my iced venti vanilla nonfat latte at the drive-thru. As much as I'm there, I shall make the effort to learn their names and as much about them as possible without making the car behind me honk at my lack of courtesy. And while I'm at it, I may as well remember that my money is the Lord's money, and as He allows me to spend it in pleasure, I will do so making a difference in attitude and action with the people in my path, maybe even paying forward a purchase or two.

Colossians 4:5 (The Message): "Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not to put them down, not cut them out."

*And like, as much as I need to be able to communicate with, you know, my kids and their friends, and many of the youth at church who keep in touch, I won't forget that most of my words are to be used for praise, and I would be well to remember to like, well...listen more than speak. And I'll not get so totally flippant and loose with my words that I show disrespect to God or another person, which is so easy to do, ya know?

James 1:19b: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..."

1 Peter 4:11a: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God."

Here in this city that I live, Lord, I know that You have called me toward seekers, young people and new believers, and relevance is important in order to reach these people around me. But dare I never forget reverence to you in the process. May I be holy and devoted to you without becoming self-righteous or indignant toward others. May I listen more, and speak less. May I "be" just what You want me to be to someone else, without even having to try...help me to completely do away with the need to be understood, and ask for help in understanding others instead. Lead me to offer Your help or Truth to someone without allowing them to trample me or lean on me too hard in the process. Remind me to remind them to lean on You, that You are the Only ONE who can meet their deepest needs. And may I do it all in the awesome glory of Your name, Amen.

In the Key of HE,

Big Deal?

I was watching my eight-year-old daughter yesterday as we were driving down the freeway. Her eyes were busily occupied with all the scenes around her. It took me back to the memory of looking out the car window myself as a kid. Even though I lived in rural Illinois, the world seemed so big when I was looking out the window. Every car, every person, even the corn fields…BIG!

Now when I’m driving, I see lots of cars with little people in them holding hazy objects up to their ears. I used to study the expressions on the faces of people as they would pull up next to me….now I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I used to notice big buildings and distinctive landmarks. Now I’m lucky if I notice a speed limit sign or a curb (my SUV needs an alignment, go figure). Weird how I’ve just grown used to my surroundings.

The same is true of my view of God as a kid. He was larger than anyone I could ever imagine. He was somewhere way up high with really humongous ears and eyes. He was pulling the clouds with a string, and He was keeping all the events of the whole world in motion. “He’s got the whole world in His hands…..” was a regular melody inside my head. He was a great big God…..the BIGGEST!!!!

I still BELIEVE God is big, but sometimes I allow Him to be too common. I pass Him by as if He were another building or a blurry person in the car next to me. I get used to my surroundings, my way of life, my bubble.

When did this perspective change? And why? I don’t remember….the windows of my mind are blurry on the subject. I think MAYBE, though, on my journey to have a more personal relationship with Him, instead of Him becoming familiar in an awe-filled way, sometimes I’ve allowed Him to be familiar in a take-for-granted way. Yuck, hate to admit this stuff.

I don’t want to be a kid again. I don’t want to see God as the grand Puppeteer. However, I sincerely pray that my Best Friend, The Savior of my heart and the Lover of my soul would never become just another face to me. I pray that I can love Him as much as He loves me; all the while, remembering that NO ONE can love with that huge kind of love.

HE is my omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent OMNI-Friend. He’s a big deal to me.