'Tis the Season -- Or not! Thoughts on "the Darker Side of Christmas"

Christmas time is here again. Bells are ringing. Carols are playing. Everywhere you go there is fa-la-la and ho-ho-ho and wishes of good cheer, peace on earth and good will to men.

But what if you're not feeling the cheer of the holiday season? Perhaps Christmas brings with it a proverbial magnifying glass, enlarging and spotlighting the unceasing ache you feel inside for the child you lost to abortion. All the bells and carols in the world can't bring your baby back, and they can't fill the emptiness or turn back the clock.

Perhaps you put on a happy face, an invisible mask that hides your pain. You go through the motions, singing along with the carols, shopping for gifts, partying with friends and family. You stuff your pain -- or attempt to medicate it -- crying alone in the night when the party's over and everyone has gone home. There, alone with your agony and regret you long for sleep and dread it at the same time.

Perhaps you don't feel much of anything anymore. You may have shut down your emotions a long time ago, closing off the throb of pain pulsing through your heart, and now, you just don't feel.... Christmas for you is just a day like any other.

Or perhaps you've made peace with your abortion. It was an event you wouldn't want to relive and you're glad it's over. You may feel it was the best solution to a bad situation so you've put it in the past and moved on. For you it's something you don't give much thought. That's okay too.... Everyone responds differently to the experience. For some the emotional pain is severe and immediate. For others it takes years for the reality and pain to awaken. For others it's just a matter of fact.

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, but it can also be the saddest, loneliest, most heartbreaking time of the year. Underneath the merriment and good cheer there is an unrelenting undercurrent of pain for anyone that has suffered loss, and few losses bring the deep, soul-searing pain that accompanies abortion. So for those of you out there feeling this kind of pain and loss this Christmas season, my first words of encouragement are these: you are not alone.

There are countless people just like you all around this country, even all around theworld today that are experiencing the same kinds of feelings you're feeling right now. Abortion hurts. And even though our society doesn't acknowledge that, we here at In Our Midst want you to know we understand. We know you're out there. We know the kind of pain you're in.

We also want you to know there is hope.

On the surface Christmas is all about giving and receiving gifts, but the greater message of Christmas that often gets lost is the message of hope. Our pastor pointed out in last week's sermon that of the four gospels in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), the first one deals with what he termed, "the darker side of Christmas." How insightful. He spoke of the fear Mary felt at learning she was pregnant out of wedlock -- a condition that could have brought a punishment of death. He spoke of Joseph and the personal tragedy and public humiliation he experienced at marrying a woman pregnant with "another man's" child. Then there was the pursuit of baby Jesus and His parents by Herod, who would stop at nothing to exterminate the child that was prophesied to be the next king...even to the point of annihilating every child in the land under the age of two. What weeping and mourning there was that night!

No, the Christmas story isn't all joy and peace, good will toward men. It is filled with personal tragedy and deep, excruciating loss. But thankfully the story doesn't end there -- and your's doesn't have to either.

The part of the story that ushers in hope is the one where we realize that, as the Bible says, God suffers with us when we suffer. He suffered with those parents on that night these innocent children were torn from their arms and killed. And He suffered with you when your child was torn from you. God doesn't stop tragedy from happening; but He doesn't abandon us in it either. He knows the pain you're in and He wants to heal your broken heart. His heart's desire is to restore your life to you; to restore peace and joy to you.

I know, it probably sounds impossible to some of you at this point, but I assure you it is not. And the reason I can say that is that God loved us so much that later on, years after that first Christmas, He gave over His only Son Jesus to death -- the most excruciating, most humiliating death -- to pay the penalty for our bad choices and wrong actions. He did this for us; for me, for you, so that we could have a relationship with the Just and pure King of the universe.... Someone had to pay the penalty; so the Father sent the Son to do the job. And therein is our hope.... Because of Jesus, you and I can have a relationship with God; a relationship with the One that can help us through these hard times and dark nights. A relationship with the Only One that can heal our hurts and mend our broken hearts. And someday, because of our relationship with Him, we will be reunited with the children we've lost.

Tragedy did indeed occur that first Christmas, but the greater message was that hope was born on Christmas. That hope was born for you.

If you (or someone you know) are struggling with the pain of a past abortion contact us. We are here because we know...we understand...and we want to help, at Christmas or anytime.

Email us at staff(at)inourmidst.com.

My Calling Is...

How would you complete that sentence? My calling is...being the pastor of a church.

My calling is...evangelism.

My calling is....teaching the Word.

My calling is...leading a Sunday School class;...directing the choir; ...ministering to the post-abortive....

I can tell you how I would finish that statement. My calling is to educate and equip the body of Christ about abortion so that they can minister to the abortion-wounded in their midst. Wow....sounds impressive, huh?

I guess before we attempt to answer that question for ourselves we should take a look at our example -- Jesus Christ. What was His calling? Was His purpose in coming to live and walk among humanity simply to die for our sins and to be raised again? No, I think not.

Jesus' purpose was to teach the Word, heal the sick, raise the dead, pardon the sinner, make disciples, AND to lay down His life, paying the penalty for our sin so that we might have a personal relationship with the Father, as well as to rise again so that we might have hope. That's a mouthful. If you think about it, Jesus ministered to every person He encountered. If they were sick He healed them. If they were lost without hope He gave them new life. If they were hungry He fed them. He spoke freedom and life to those bound by sin; and to the Pharisees He spoke truth and conviction. It didn't matter what the sin was, what the ailment was, or why they were hungry. His ministry wasn't called "Feed the Hungry" or " Healing for the Physically Ill" or "Hope for the Divorced." His ministry was to be God to them...to show them and us the heart of God.

Too often I think we get caught up in what our "ministry" is, what our calling or purpose is. But aren't we supposed to be like Jesus?

When I examine my own areas of ministry it looks a little like this: My ministry is to my husband, my children, my home, my parents and extended family, my friends, my church, and yes, to In Our Midst Ministries. But my calling goes beyond that. I am to be Christ to the cashier at WalMart, to the woman that styles my hair, to the mailman that occasionally has to bring the packages to the door.

It's true that each one of us in the body of Christ has gifts, talents, and an area of ministry that, mixed together shapes our purpose and ministry. But my encouragement to you (and to me!) is not to get tunnel vision. If you are a pastor, you may not think that abortion recovery should be part of your ministry. Or if you are in abortion recovery, you may not think that serving at your local church should be a part of your ministry. But the bottom line is that if it has to do with people, it is our ministry. Can we do it all? No. Can we do it alone? Certainly not. That's all the more reason we need to work together...Your ministry working with mine and my ministry working with yours and our ministries working with the churches.

We need to be careful about drawing hard lines in the sand where ministry is concerned. If we work together, call on each other for help, apply our gifts and talents wherever they can be used, the work of God will be multiplied. It may mean we have to learn about something new or we may have to step out of our comfort zones more often. But the bottom line is, What would Jesus do and are willing to follow His example?

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NASB

If there is any way I can serve you, please let me know. That's what I'm here for. :)

Blessings to you in Jesus,
Mary

On Trusting God....

Several years ago I worked with a precious and amazing woman of God. One of her favorite teaching tools was the acronym. So it is in honor of her that I share an acronym that came to me recently during my personal devotion time. (Thank you for seeking to satisfy Jesus with your life, June, and for allowing me to learn from you.)

As I have wrestled with the idea of trust and trusting God over the years, these are some of the things He has been teaching me. I can't say that I have perfected these things, but I can confess that I am in the process of learning them. ;)

I hope this blesses you today:

T - Try Him and see.... If you don't obey Him in small things you will never know He is trustworthy. Psalm 34:8

R - Rely on His Word and His Spirit. Note: You must know Him and His Word before you can rely on them.... Hebrews 4:12-13

U - Understand that you won't always understand His ways or commands or purposes. As you accept that, and that all events serve His will, you will begin to experience His peace in your life. Isaiah 55:8-9

S - Sacrifice your perceived right to yourself and your desires. Realize you have been bought with a price -- the shed blood of Jesus -- and you are not your own. (Oh, but what a loving Master, Father, and Friend it is to whom we belong!) 1 Corinthians 6:20

T - Thank Him -- regardless of your circumstances -- for Who He is, for choosing you for Himself and for His purposes, for never changing (like shifting shadows), for never leaving nor forsaking you, and for working on your behalf even when you can't see what He is doing. Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17, Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 64:4

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Simply Seek to Satisfy...Jesus

Oh, don't we seek satisfaction?! We seek resolution and reward. We seek restoration, reconciliation and completion. In our humanness we develop programs and plans, set goals and strive to complete them fully prepared to measure the value of our efforts based on the end result.

Funny thing is, we serve a God that is all about the process -- not the end product.

It was through the process of Jesus pouring Himself out in the lives of those around Him that persuaded people to listen to Him and follow Him.

It is in the process of sanctification that we come to a place of trusting God and enter into the transforming power of His Spirit. His goal is to see us transformed from self-centered people to Christ- and other-centered people. To rely on Him and His strength instead of our own. To surrender our lives (and our ministries!) to Him instead of orchestrating and controlling and managing them according to our own idea of what He has called us to do.

No, He is so much bigger! His purposes are infinitely more than what we in our finite understanding can comprehend. What, then? How do we live out our calling? How do we know what steps to take today? What tasks to focus on? What goals to work toward?

Oswald Chambers shared his ideas on the subject in My Utmost for His Highest (August 10): Simply choose God's will...." He goes on to say, "The saint (that's us!) who satisfies the heart of Jesus will make other saints strong and mature for God."

There is nothing wrong with developing programs and setting goals. Those things are good. But as we do, our main objective should be simply to seek to satisfy the heart of Jesus. As we make that our highest goal the other pieces of the puzzle will begin to fall into place. They may not be pieces we would choose, but if God has chosen them for us it's okay. We can trust Him. :)

Have a blessed day in Jesus!

NOTE: If you are struggling with the idea of satisfying the heart of Jesus -- what that means or how to achieve it -- please contact us at staff(at)inourmidst.com. We are here to serve you.

America Bless God!

A few years ago my husband and I heard the phrase "God bless America" in a new way. It was turned around in a way that got our attention, but more than that it caused us to squirm just a bit. We pray often for God to bless our country -- and He has! But when have we asked Him how we as a country can bless Him?

As a country, we have taken prayer out of schools; we have allowed some in our country to limit our religious freedoms and freedom of speech; we have banned the Ten Commandments from public display in "state" institutions, and we have had legalized abortion on demand for over 30 years. We have slandered our leaders when they do not behave as we would like them to -- even to the point of hindering the efforts of those in our armed forces that are serving this country with their lives. And what's equally as appalling is that during the week it is hard to tell many Christians from their non-Christian counterparts.

As we celebrate our country's birth tomorrow instead of asking God yet again what He can do for us, we should ask His forgiveness, turn from our sinful ways, and seek His face. Let's celebrate this July 4th by crying out to those around us: America bless God!!!

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Click here for some patriotic inspiration.

Our Responsibility

Responsibility is a word that is often on my mind these days. What is my responsibility in this ministry, to my family, my church, my friends, to the lost around me? I have certain responsibilities that are glaring: caring for the needs of my husband and children; managing our household so it is a loving and productive environment; setting aside time to spend with my sweet, aging parents; serving God to the best of my ability with His empowerment; working diligently on my relationship with Him.

Oswald Chambers granted insight into this concept of responsibility as I reread a recent entry in my favorite devotional of all time: My Utmost for His Highest. He said, "The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him." I had to read that over several times to let it sink into my heart and mind.

I "know" Oswald well enough to realize that when he says "only" he doesn't mean the only one in the entire world. What he is saying here, to the best of my understanding, is that our greatest responsibility is to live in constant touch with God -- talking to Him, listening to Him; seeking His wisdom and guidance; giving Him praise and honor in all things, etc. When we make our relationship with Him our top priority and a constant element in our daily life, all our other responsibilities will fall into place -- or fall away -- according to His purposes and leading. There is much hope and peace in this admonition, and it instills a deeper desire to focus on my God more constantly and consistently.

The second part of this admonition bears a striking resemblance to a warning: "...to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him." I can almost hear Oswald exclaiming, "Be alert! Guard your heart and mind against infiltrators or distractions that have the ability to hinder your willingness or availability to cooperate with Him." If I am not in constant touch with God, I am more likely to be overwhelmed by the difficulties of life and the duties of family and ministry. This perspective sheds an entirely different light on my "other" responsibilities. The result is that I am more at ease, at peace; I'm less stressed-out and more pleasant to be around. And oddly enough, the important things still get taken care of! It's a win-win situation no matter how I look at it!

As often is the case, this admonition has the ring of simplicity but no promise of ease. Sounds simple, but the living out of it is anything but easy. Again, this is where we must remember that the Christian life is all about relationship, not following a set of rules. Because God is my Father, because He lavishes His love on me and desires His best for me, I can strive for this goal knowing I have nothing to lose but everything to gain. With every victory I will gain strength and confidence in Him, and with every failure I receive His comfort and encouragement to get up and try again...in His strength, for His glory. That's what "my utmost for His highest" means: my best for His glory.

What a privilege to serve such an Awesome God!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7 NASB

The Safest Place to Be

"Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10 When you do not understand the purpose of God's plan - bow the knee and trust the heart of your Father! The Lord wants to guide and direct you through all situations in your life. God knows everything there is to know about you. He knows everything you've done in your life and everything you are about to do. Each day, start out bowing your head in humble prayer to Jesus, asking Him to help you every step of the way. My prayer today, like most mornings is that the Lord will help me this day to live more like Him and less like me. We are such selfish people aren't we. Sometimes I re-read my prayer journal and think, boy I am selfish. Always asking the Lord for something. But I am reminded today, that Jesus wants us to seek Him daily. He will change our selfish desires into wants for other people who need more than we do. He will reveal His everlasting love and grace to us each day as we go to Him in prayer. What would you do if God called you to be a missionary to a foreign country - like Iraq for example? How would you prepare to go? Are we preparing each day by witnessing to others around us? Sharing with them how much God loves them? What can you do to make improvements in that area of your life? Pray for boldness! The safest place for us to be is where God wants us - the most dangerous ... is out of His Will for our lives. Can we look at our actions each day and see that we have made one difference in someone's life for the Glory of God? Don't be discouraged if you cannot. It is never too late to start - today is the day! Lord, I lift up each person today that will be reading this devotional. I pray that You place boldness upon us Lord that we need each day to bring You glory. That we live each day to please You Lord and not ourselves. Help us, guide us and have mercy on us Lord where we fail You. We love You Lord and the desire of our hearts is to be more like You so a hurting world will see Your love. I've seen many interviews in the last few weeks Lord, where people have lost every material thing because of the hurricane. Some have even lost more than that - they've lost a spouse or child. But somehow, by Your Grace Lord, they still have their faith. Thank You Lord. Thank You for their boldness to get on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News etc. to stand up and say GOD IS IN CONTROL! Thank You for this day Lord, and I pray that Your words today have given someone encouragement and boldness to change. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. I love you all and I pray that nothing I say, but the that scripture of the Lord, will touch your heart today - that you are obedient to what the Will is that God has for your life be done. Pray and seek Him today.

Love, Tracy

Copyright Tracy Beckham, 2005
Reprinted by permission.

Carrying Burdens Already Forgiven

"When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:10-11

I was reading a book that belonged to my Mother called All Things Are Possible Through Prayer. Chapter 6 is called Prayer and Peace of Mind. The Author says this, "I know a man who habitually brought his problems home with him at night. He talked about his troubles at the dinner table, brooded over them during the evening hours, took them to bed to keep him company during his troubled sleep. One night, as he turned off the sidewalk to the steps of his home, he hit upon a plan. "Tonight," he said, "I am leaving all my worries here on the steps. I'll pick them up in the morning." Now, to do something like that requires a lot of metal discipline, but it can be done! That night he enjoyed dinner, he found his family so much better companions; he even slept better. But the best part he explained was the next morning, when he picked up his troubles as he walked down the steps, he found they were not nearly so heavy, and some of them were gone entirely!

Instead of on the doorstep, there are some worries we need to leave to leave with God, at the foot of the cross. Study these words carefully ...

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! If there is one message people need today, it is the message of the forgiveness of sins! We do not need to be told of our sins; we already know about them. The author went on to say, A woman called me today to say she was 63 years old, sick and soon to die. Before she died she had to get something settled. She took $10.00 that did not belong to her when she was 20 years old. Imagine carrying that burden of guilt for 43 years for only $10.00!!! I loved the stories the author told, this book was printed in 1958 and so many of us are still doing the same thing. We concentrate on our problems, instead of turning to our Heavenly Father who can heal our brokenness. We dwell on our fears instead of our Faith. We stew over our sins instead of seeking repentance of them and receiving the forgiveness our Father freely gives to us. Why do we make something so difficult for ourselves, when God has made it so perfectly easy? Remember this verse when you are in a valley. Remember that Jesus loves you and He gave His life so that we could live eternally with Him. He has paid it all. Have a great day, encourage someone in the name of the Lord today. Love, Tracy

Get Ready to Be Amazed!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what
God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

The Lord says - Get ready to be amazed! There are some days where we are so low in the valley that we can't "feel" what God is doing in our lives, maybe we even feel that He has left us - but never lose faith. The Lord is always with you. Everything, including the valley, the destruction in our lives - everything, happens for a reason. It may be to reveal sin in our lives. Or maybe to show us that the valley is deep, but the Love of Jesus Christ is deeper! Each circumstance can be used to draw us closer to the Lord and help us to realize many things about the life we lead.

Study the Word of God. Ask the Lord to show you what changes can be made in your own life (rather than trying to change others) to bring you closer to Him and help you in your daily walk. Even in our most wonderful thoughts I don't think we can comprehend what awaits us. God is good......all the time!

I love you all, have a nice day today - share a word of testimony of what God has done in your life!

Love, Tracy

New Devotions!

Beginning today In Our Midst will be reprinting devotions written by Tracy Beckham, a gifted devotional writer. Tracy brings the truth of Scripture to light with warmth, compassion, and an understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus on this difficult path upon which we have been called to travel. I pray Tracy's devotions bless you as much as they have blessed me over the past few months.

Many thanks to Tracy for sharing her inspiring and encouraging words with us here at In Our Midst!

--------------------------------
Hearing What God Has to Say to Your Heart

"But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom. Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you. and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:1-5

When I am feeling down, and I am facing a valley - one of my favorite verses to read is Isaiah 43. It just reminds me how much God loved the world and the sacrifice He made on my behalf.

I love this verse because here is what it says to me ... I am your Lord, your loving God, I will save you from harm. You are precious to me and I love you! Do not be afraid - I am always with you. You are my own dear child whom I have created for Glory. Even if you walk through trials and you will face valleys, you will not be harmed - because I am always with you!

Even if you question and say how can God love me that much? One translation says, "The Lord answers, can a mother forget her own child? Can she refuse to love the child she bore? No, Yet even if she could forget, I [God] will never forget you. I have written your name on the palm of my hand and I will bring you home one day."

That is awesome. Remember this verse. I hope it touches your heart today and you realize that Jesus loves you whole-heartedly. From the top of your head to the edge of your toes. Pray that He meets you where you are today and you are reminded of just how much He loves you. I pray that His Word touched your heart and gives you a desire to seek His Word for direction in your life today. I pray that you have a desire to read The Bible more each day. …Have a nice day today.

Love, Tracy

Running Well, Finishing Strong

John Eldredge says in his book, “Waking the Dead” that there are three eternal truths in the Christian life:

1. Things are not what they seem.
2. We are at war.
3. We have a crucial role to play.

As children of God living in a fallen world we are going to experience attacks from God’s enemy (and by association, our enemy), Satan. If we are actively serving God and others, the attacks will come all the more frequently. This enemy is stealthy and cunning, and because he and his army have been observing us since our youth, he knows our weaknesses, often better than we do ourselves.

As a result, if we are not continually drawing close to the Father, if we are not keenly aware of his tactics, or if we get so busy “doing” ministry that we neglect to partake of essential spiritual food daily (the Word of God), we will fall prey to the enemy’s schemes.

In my own struggles in this area I have learned that knowing what to look for and recognizing the source is half the battle. Following are some of the warning signs I look for to see if the enemy is at work in my life doing what he does best: lying, deceiving, and destroying.

Signs that Satan is Seducing* Me:

·When I doubt the goodness of God.
·When I doubt the character of God.
·When I doubt that I am worthy of Him.
·When I obsess over my mistakes.
·When I am tempted to despair.
·When I feel hopeless.
·When I lose sight of my identity in Christ.
·When I am tempted to be afraid.
·When I feel inadequate.
·When I feel inferior.
·When I am tempted to wear a “mask.”
·When I feel the need to put up walls or defenses in order to self-protect.
·When I fear what God may allow into my life.
·When I feel like withdrawing from others.
·When I feel "it" (life, my calling, etc.) is too hard....
·When I feel that change will never come....
·When I am tempted to judge others harshly.

*[The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition defines "seduce" in the following manner: to lead away from duty, accepted principles, or proper conduct; to entice or beguile into a desired state or position; to win over; attract.]

The other half of the battle is found in Ephesians 6:10-18:

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

God never promised us that this journey would be easy, but He did promise us victory! He has provided the tools and the strength (i.e. everything we need), the rest is up to us.

God help us run the race well and finish strong for Your glory.

In Christ Jesus,
Amen.

Mighty Oaks, Tender Shoots

A Reminder of the Importance of Unity in the Body of Christ

Mighty oaks are a sight to see. Tall and straight, strong and seemingly invincible, they house the birds, they work to clean the air, and they provide shade and shelter from storms and blazing heat. They drop hundreds of acorns, seeds that when falling on fertile soil will sprout and grow into tender shoots.

The mighty oaks’ roots go deep into the soil, soaking up vital minerals and pure, unpolluted water, growing taller and straighter and mightier still.

Those tender shoots grow best when watered and protected from wild animals that would eat them or worms or bugs that would devour them. The mighty oak can (and should) shelter the tender shoots, protecting them from fierce winds and damaging heat and pummeling hail.

Through nature God has provided beautiful examples for us to follow as Christians. Those of us who have matured and continue maturing in His Spirit and in His Word are the mighty oaks; those who are new to the faith, the tender shoots. The mighty oaks have the responsibility to protect and nurture the tender shoots, guarding them from the “elements” that would beat them down, chew them up, and destroy them. We, the mighty oaks are to come alongside those tender shoots and exemplify what it is to be mighty in God’s strength, discipling them through our actions, our attitudes, and our words. Lifting them up in prayer, holding them up with our own resources if needed, as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms during the siege in Exodus 17. We are to encourage them and if or when they fail, we are to lovingly admonish and restore them, not pull them up by the roots like weeds.

Why is it that we are so prone to weeding out those tender shoots when they are just being tender shoots? Weren’t we tender shoots at one time?

As Christians we bear a huge responsibility for those seedlings, saplings, and shoots around us. But too often, we get puffed up in our mightiness…forgetting Who it is that has made us tall and strong and mighty, and for what purpose He has done so. And the sad thing is, none of us are immune to that possibility or temptation. Each of us have our areas of pride. But we are not called to be proud. We are called to be humble servants, and when we forget that, our God loves us enough to discipline us. Occasionally a mighty oak will be pruned and will grow stronger and straighter still. But, sadly, sometimes even mighty oaks fall prey to lightning or disease. And yes, sometimes even the mighty oak will dry up and die. But even then, as it decomposes in the soil its death serves future shoots and seedlings, because “…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB).

[A word of warning: At the same time, let us also be careful not to rejoice in the felling of those mighty oaks, but only in the awesome power of our God to redeem even the most painful situations for His glory.]

Our purpose is both simple and difficult. All the more reason why we need each other. God has called us to unity in the body to glorify Himself and to fulfill His purposes through us. “Jesus said…, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25 (NASB) We cannot crush the tender shoots around us and expect to fulfill God’s calling or purpose for our lives. It’s an amazing thing, but we need those tender shoots, and if we crush them, we too shall fall.

I leave you with Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17. May His words penetrate all our hearts as we seek to serve Him in that to which He has called us.

"I do not ask on behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one; even as You,
Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,
so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:20, 21 (NASB)

The Point of It All

In Isaiah chapters 58 and 61 we see two narratives on ministry to the captives, the oppressed, the afflicted and the brokenhearted. Chapter 58 focuses on genuine righteousness (as opposed to hypocritical religious activity) in the form of fasting -- in an out-of-the-ordinary way, I might add. When we do things God's way -- freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and ministering even to the needs of our family -- the scripture says our recovery will speedily spring forth! (A fascinating choice of words, I thought!) But it gets more fascinating still!

As you read on in the passage, there is a long list of benefits that would inspire even the faintest of hearts. But the part that really grabs my attention is verse 12:

"Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell."

Chapter 61 repeats three of these four "R's" making their impact even greater.

Think about it. What has abortion done to our country, our families, our churches? But when those in our midst who have been hurt by abortion find healing in the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, they become rebuilders of what has been ruined, raising up the very foundations of our faith in our Mighty God. As they share their testimonies and as they encourage others around them that have been similarly hurt, relationships are mended, breaches are repaired, and restoration takes place in numerous avenues.

When faced with the challenges of beginning or continuing a post-abortion recovery group in your church or community, remember that these four "R's" are what it's all about... Rebuilding. Raising up. Repairing. Restoring. All for the sake and the glory of our Awesome Savior!

Giving Them A Voice

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? James 4:12 NASB

Pardon my heavy-handedness...I do not mean to be so, but this is where my heart is today: heavy. You see it's all part of this disturbing trend within the Church; a trend where we put on smiling, joyful, or peaceful masks as we pull into the church parking lot. We go through the motions during the services, struggling to keep our mask in place for the duration, sometimes barely making it back to our car before it crumbles to pieces again. The hurts and hang-ups and habits that stress us out, bring us down, and threaten to destroy us remain buried deep in the recesses of our soul, shrouded in secrecy as far as our brothers and sisters in Christ are concerned. Forget that we have been called to bear one another's burdens. How can we when we don't even know they have burdens?

Perhaps the more important question is "Why don't we know...?" Why haven't they shared their burdens with us? Why haven't they shared that their marriage is on the brink of divorce because of an addiction to pornography, or that they can't live with the overwhelming guilt of a past abortion, or that they cannot bear the painful memories of having been sexually abused as children? I've given this a lot of thought over the years and I think I may have at least one answer: it's because of shame. Shame is normal in these situations though, right? Yes, indeed. But let's paint this picture in a different light, shall we?

Suppose the Church had the reputation for being the place for wounded people to go to find acceptance and wholeness -- as Jesus suggested in Luke 5:31: "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. Suppose the Church was the spiritual and emotional hospital He intended it to be, not the holy huddle of the we've-got-it-all-together crowd. What if instead the Church was the place for people to go when their lives became unmanageable?

That's what it started out as. But somehow, somewhere down the line it got all messed up and instead of being a place where broken people found healing, it became a place where broken people were judged or condemned or shamed for their brokenness. It became a place where those who found a measure of healing grabbed up stones to hurl at anyone that might dare to darken the door of their church if they so much as limped. Of course we don't do that anymore, for the most part. Most bible-believing churches today want the broken to come (on some level). The trouble is those that have found healing are too ashamed or fearful of sharing what that brokenness was. They're just so joyful at having been healed that they want to move on with their lives, and well, the fact that they found wholeness without having their sin exposed is all the better. No one need know, right? Besides, if people knew they might judge them or whisper about them behind their back. The result is that the voice of the one healed is silenced, and the incredible power of their testimony lies dormant like the talent the unfaithful servant buried in the ground. It is safe, and the servant knows exactly where his treasure is, but it isn't being multiplied for the master.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Jesus surrounded by ex-lepers, ex-prostitutes, ex-beggars, and ex-tax collectors? And didn't the general population know all about what those people had been? The interesting thing is that the only ones that seemed to mind that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners were the Chief Priests and Pharisees. Somewhere down the line we let the Pharisees shame us for the very woundedness for which Christ died. We let them steal our voice and the incredible testimony of what our mighty God has done in our lives -- testimony that could enable others in similar circumstances to admit their own brokenness.

Isn't it time we took off our masks and let our brothers and sisters in Christ know what it was we've been healed of or need to be healed of? Isn't it time we put out the welcome mat to the broken and wounded so they too can find complete healing in Christ confident that we will accept them and walk beside them on their journey toward wholeness? It's only when we stop being ashamed of what Christ has healed us of that we can give hope for similar healing to others. (Or, one could ask, Are we really healed if we are still so ashamed we cannot tell others about it?)

As we take off our masks they will be free to remove theirs as well, and then they will no longer feel the need to hide their hurts. Because of our bold witness they will be able to find their own voice to tell us how they are hurting. Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to help them.

The Church, A Mission Field?

And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick." Luke 5:31 NASB

As I was writing to various people yesterday, telling them about In Our Midst, I experienced one of those "aha" moments; the kind that makes you sit back in your seat and go, "Hmmmm." I was telling someone about our ministry to the Church -- equipping the Church to minister to those hurt by abortion and sexual sin -- referring to it as a unique mission field. As I wrote those words it occurred to me how appropriate and yet incredibly unusual it was to refer to the Church as a mission field. Unusual and uncomfortable.

Africa is a mission field. Eastern Europe is a mission field. Even the good ol' US of A is a mission field. But the Church...?

The truth is many of our churches are made up of walking wounded. Those who have trusted Christ for their salvation, and even some who have surrendered to Him as the Lord of their life walk around attempting to serve God from still broken lives. Abortion, infidelity, pornography addiction, eating disorders, food addictions, codependence, control issues, rage, and even the seemingly lesser sins of gossiping and harboring unforgiveness keep the body of Christ from walking free and serving Him unhindered.

We are called to "run the race," as Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 9:24 and Hebrews 12:1. We are to be as disciplined as marathon runners, strong, conditioned, toned, running with all our might toward the goal of bringing glory to God. Yet many of us though trying to run faithfully are limping at best. Sadly, some are lying along the side of the road, too wounded to participate in the race.

Although some parts of the body are strong and effective in fulfilling their purpose and role, the parts that are wounded and weak hold back the body as a whole. If a runner has rock-hard legs but his lungs are weak, he will never make it in a marathon. If his heart is strong but his knee is out of joint or his foot is infected, the best he will be able to do is limp.

Perhaps it shouldn't be such a unique and unusual thing for us to think of our churches as mission fields. After all, Jesus referred to them as hospitals. So why then do we walk around ignoring the wounded in our midst? Is it because their wounds are so well hidden? Or is it that we don't want to see them? Perhaps the true reason is somewhere in between.

One thing is certain: we have our work cut out for us!

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12, 13 NASB

Encouragement for the Weary

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:9, 10 NASB

This work we've been called to can be difficult. It can be exhausting. In any kind of ministry work there are always more hearts to tend to than there are hours in the day, and after a time it can begin to wear us down. But this is especially true when the hearts we're caring for are wounded so deeply by a past abortion or sexual sin.

Add to that the frequent and persistent attacks of the enemy on those of us who bear the name of Christ and seek to serve Him with our lives, and we become wearier still. Temptations, irritations, frustrations, roadblocks, illness, discouragement -- all tools the enemy uses to chip away at our resolve, beat us down, and crush us.

Sadly, his plans succeed all too often. Good pastors, teachers, and ministry leaders take early retirement, or worse, they fall into sin. Too weary to keep fighting the fight and running the race they throw in the towel or stumble and tumble off the road, wounded and defeated.

However, the Word tells us not to lose heart -- notice our hearts are important to Him as well -- that in "due" time -- His timing, not ours--we will reap what we've sown. What we have through the ministry God has called us to is an opportunity -- an opportunity to partner with Christ, to be used by Him as He fulfills His purposes in and through us for the Kingdom of God. What an awesome opportunity that is! How privileged we are to have been chosen for such a task.

The one thing this passage doesn't disclose is "how" we keep from losing heart -- the key to success in ministry. But we know what that key is, don't we.... Yet how easily we forget sometimes. We are merely the vessels, the clay pots, the conduits. The strength, the power, the ability -- all of it comes from Him. Our job is simply to show up every day prepared for service. He does the rest. If only we could remember that!

The last line of this passage refers to doing good "especially" to those of the household of the faith -- our brothers and sisters in Christ.... another reminder to us that we need to be locking arms, supporting, encouraging, and praying for one another. The burdens we've been called to bear aren't merely the burdens of those to whom we're ministering, but to our co-workers in Christ.

What's the saying? A burden carried alone is multiplied; but a burden shared is cut in half. Or perhaps what's even better is a reminder from the Word of God itself:

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19 NASB

Muddy Pawprints

"Therefore we said, 'Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; rather it shall be a witness between us and you and between our generations after us...." Joshua 22: 26, 27a NASB

We have a Yorkshire Terrier. Actually he's my dog. I wanted him. I picked him out. I bought him. And I am the one in the family he is most attached to. This little dog was something I had wanted for a long time. I had a couple of dogs in my growing up years, but they were never the companions I had wanted them to be. This dog, however, has become a beloved member of our family -- as I'm sure those of you who are dog lovers can understand. But suffice it to say, I love this dog.

I had let the dog outside a couple of days ago to chase the birds and squirrels and to do his "business" but had forgotten him. Meanwhile it began to pour, and it was a solid half hour before I remembered he was out there. When he came in he was soaked to the bone and not the least bit happy about it. He was even less happy that I had to use the blowdryer to dry him off. Of course I felt terrible at having forgotten him, but we made things right and carried on with our day.

Anyway, this morning I noticed two muddy pawprints in the kitchen floor. Now some people would have to wipe them up immediately. After all, what would people think?! As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness.... But not me. When I saw them I smiled. They were sweet reminders of leaving him out in the rainstorm which in turn reminded me just how much I love this little dog. I can assure you those stains will be on my floor for a while!

For a lot of Christians, reminders of a muddy past are best cleaned up, hidden away, or destroyed altogether. That's especially true when their past has been muddied up with such devastation as abortion or sexual sin. They don't want anyone to see those stains. After all, what would people think? But for me, the muddy experiences of my life are nothing to hide away because it was through them that God revealed the depth of His love for me. It was through those painful, shameful, and difficult times that He pursued me relentlessly, and when I couldn't stand it anymore and turned back to Him, it was then that He showed me what real love is. Sharing those experiences from my past are precious opportunities to magnify and glorify my God, and to comfort and encourage others with the comfort and healing grace that He pours out on those who give their lives over to Him.

Our churches should be, I think, like my kitchen floor.... Marked with the muddy pawprints of our lives, not as tracks of tragedy but as trophies of God's grace. If we were more open with our own past sin and shame in light of His mercy, others would be freer to share their struggles with us. If they knew what we had been through and that we're not all that different from them -- that our sin is not all that different -- then perhaps they would feel safe to entrust their burdens to us. Instead of the enemy maintaining a stronghold in their lives because of the burden of secret sin, they could find freedom and forgiveness from that sin, likewise becoming witnesses of God's amazing grace to others.

When we can let down our guard and be real with others about what we have been through, God can use our muddy past to pave the way for healing for others. We have to stop worrying what other people might think of us and be willing to lay it all bare for the cause of Christ.

Locking Arms: Unity in the Body

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB

One of the most remarkable things about these verses is what they don’t say. Nowhere in this passage does Paul mention any denominational affiliation. He doesn’t endorse the Baptists over the Presbyterians or the Methodists over the Assemblies of God. In Christ we are one body united by one Spirit. He doesn’t even tell us we have to agree on everything. The only point Paul emphasizes is who we are in Christ. This passage of scripture is for those of us called by Father God in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is because of Him and through His enabling that we are to walk in a worthy manner, representing Him with all humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance for one another in love.

Isn’t it interesting that Paul mentions tolerance! Even in those days there were different factions of believers, each with their own ideas of what living the Christian life was supposed to look like. Things haven’t changed all that much, really, in two thousand years. We still have our different factions and our different perceptions of what appropriate worship styles are, about social issues and even how to interpret certain passages of scripture – things that can be very divisive indeed. And sometimes, honestly, we aren’t very tolerant with each other’s different beliefs, are we? Paul doesn’t tell us here we have to agree with one another… Our responsibility is simply to be humble, gentle, patient, and tolerant with one another…in His love.

But the idea Paul is driving home here is that because we are one in Christ we should behave that way. In Mark 3:24 Jesus says, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” We who are called by His name comprise the kingdom of God here on earth, and as such we all serve the same God and Father who lives in us all. But if we allow doctrine or dress or worship style to divide us, we are not acting in a manner worthy of Christ. As long as our doctrine of salvation lines up with scripture, the rest is simply not worth bringing down the kingdom of God.

Instead of segregating ourselves by adhering to labels for this denomination or that denomination, we should be locking arms together, combining forces to fight for the chosen flock of God and against our common foe – being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When we accomplish that, no kingdom will be able to stand against us and our God will accomplish mighty things through us!

All Scripture NASB unless otherwise noted.

Posted by mary at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)