Storm Prep

Storm preparation...it usually hits right when we're in the middle of a big project and have a whole bunch of stuff outside.  Here in El Paso, the weather is usually very cooperative in terms of being able to leave things outside.  But then we get word that a storm is coming or that the wind will be bad.

The storm prep usually hits at the busiest times or at the end of the day when the body is tired.  It usually means hauling a bunch of heavy things back indoors and quickly reorganizing and dragging out tarps to cover what we don't have space for.  It's not fun, and I usually do not enjoy it.

Ah, but when that storm comes, what peace of mind.  All that time spent in preparing for the storm pays off.  I can stay indoors, dry, warm and comfortable, while the rain pours down or the wind kicks up.  I am not concerned about things getting damaged or ruined.

Spiritually we face storms, too.  Did you know that you can do spiritual "storm prep"?  In those times of quiet and rest, we can purpose to take care of our spiritual business.  We can spend time in prayer and Bible study.  We can make things right with others.  We can spend time in praise and worship, seeking His face.  If we do it now, then we will have peace and comfort during the storm.  Storm prep, unfortunately, doesn't just happen.

Travel to Emmaus Every Day

Luke 24:13-15 (NKJV) "Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them."

Imagine--you hear about this Jesus of Nazareth for three years. You hear His radical teachings and maybe you even witness some of His miracles for yourself. Then those awful days come when Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem. And when you're still trying to process all of that, you begin to hear rumors that He is risen from the dead.

The two people traveling back to Emmaus certainly had a lot to think about and discuss on their seven-mile journey. But how amazing is it that Jesus showed up to walk with them? And not only that, He Himself took the time to explain to them what had just happened:

Luke 24:25-27 (NKJV) "Then He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?' And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

Do you ever find yourself with questions about Jesus and what is in the Bible? Do you know that you can have a personal relationship with Jesus in which He can talk to you and explain things to you just like He did for the two travelers on the way to Emmaus?

John 10:2-4, 27 (NKJV) (Jesus speaking) "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

James 1:5 (NKJV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Just ask.  Then the trick is to wait for an answer.  It will come.  Maybe in the moment, maybe at a later time.  But believe that God will answer.

Joy! I'm Painting!

Another one of my Christmas decorating projects beginning to take shape. I think this is the final project that I'm taking on, because if I don't stop with the new ideas I will not have the time to finish any of them. This particular project is giving me the opportunity to try something that I have wanted to do for awhile--negative painting. I found a series of videos that helped explain the technique in a way that I was able to comprehend. It has slowed down my painting process, which is a good thing. It gives me time to contemplate and really enjoy the journey instead of rushing to the finish.

October and Christmas Decorating

Last day of October, and yes, I am working on Christmas decorations. With so many people celebrating death this time of year, I prefer to focus on life instead. Golden pine cones with their seeds waiting to be planted and become trees, snowflakes that cover everything in their white purity and speak of renewal, and evergreen branches that speak of faithfulness and fruitfulness during the harshest time of the year. And above all there is the central theme of Christmas, Christ Himself--all-powerful God becoming a helpless baby to make good on the promise He made to mankind when mankind committed the ultimate treason against Him. THAT is what I really enjoy to celebrate this time of year.

Like Cancer

So it's Breast Cancer Awareness month..a lot of pink, a lot of fundraising events, and of course the encouragement for exams to detect cancer. It's good and fine, but there's another examination that I would like to propose--an examination of the soul.

Have you ever had something eat at you "like a cancer"? I'm talking about grudges, things that were said or something that was done to us or even things that were not done that hurts us. Like the physical disease, these injuries to our soul can start out as something benign. But over time, if we are unwilling to forgive and let it go, the injury can begin to change and grow into a deadly poison. It can wreck our attitude and destroy relationships. It can cloud our perspective and keep us in very dark, unhappy places.

Fortunately, there IS a cure for this "cancer" of the soul. We can seek God and ask for His grace (i.e. Divine power) to forgive those who injure us. Cancer or not, this is a much better way to live, in forgiveness.

Jesse Tree Project

I have been wanting to do this for awhile now--create ornaments for a Jesse tree. The Jesse tree traces the lineage of Jesus through a variety of symbols used in the Old Testament. I haven't done this before due to the time factor, but this year I found a drawing template to work from. It saves me some time while still letting me be creative with the paint. Here's the first four that I started.

The One Defense

The first time I heard Matt Maher's song "Lord, I Need You" I was blessed.  It really spoke to the place I was in.  Today as I sat in the car and listened to it playing on the radio, the one phrase got me thinking:  "My one defense, my righteousness/Oh God, how I need You."

My one defense...I have been a big fan of defending myself.  Hang around me for any length of time, and I will be sure to launch into an explanation of why I am doing what I am doing.  Anything that sounds like correction or instruction will also bring a flood of defensive excuses to the surface.  I feel an almost constant need to argue my case with anyone and everyone who steps in my air space.

But there really is only one argument that is absolutely essential, one case that must be won.  There is one Judge, who watches over every part of my life and to whom I will have to give an answer for what I have done with that life.  I have absolutely no argument or excuse that stands before Him.  Any good that I have done is not good enough to satisfy His holy requirements, and all the evil I've done...well, it's evil.

So I'm in quite a pickle.

HOWEVER, this same Judge has graciously provided for my case.  He has sent His Son to pay the penalty on my behalf and satisfy all the requirements that I am unable to.  If I believe on Him and trust completely in Him, I have a defense--my one and only defense.  When I turn from my own ways and my own arguments and submit myself to His ways, every righteous thing He has done is credited to me.  My one defense, my righteousness--what an exchange!  Every other argument and attempt to defend myself pales in comparison to this.

Oh God, how I need You...