Updated on January 7, 2016
How Jesus is Our Sam
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. – 2 Timothy 4:16-18
So this past month, we’ve been watching the “Lord of the Ring” movies as a family. They just never get old for us, even though we can quote them by now. Depending on what I’m going through at the time, God always pricks my heart with different parts or phrases or relationships from these stories.
This time, the message was from Sam. Don’t you just love Sam?
In the third movie, Sam tells Frodo that he might not be able to carry his burden, but he can carry him. And he does. It struck me so deeply at that moment.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. – Luke 14:27
Jesus is our Sam. We may have to carry the physical burdens we are given in this world, but he never leaves our side, no matter the dangers, no matter how we doubt Him, even if we insist that He leave us. Even if we try to run away.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. – Isaiah 40:11
He cannot remove the burden from us, but He can carry us. And He does.
The next part that struck me from Sam was even nearer to the end. Poor Frodo was just devastated that he had been so weak when it really counted. He was literally hanging from a ledge, broken and bloody. Sam reached down to him. He could see in his eyes what Frodo was contemplating doing. It would be so easy to just let go.
“Don’t you do it. Don’t let go.”
Do you hear the voice of Jesus there? I do.
“Reach,” he said.
Reach.
Dear God Who Sustains, how can we possibly thank You for providing the perfect Friend and Companion? The perfect Hero. May we always listen. May we always hear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on January 6, 2016
Do You Feel Like You Have an Expiration Date?
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Sometimes this life of chronic illness feels like walking around with an expiration date. The pain reminds us of the weakness of this earthly body.
It’s easy to fall into a pattern of self-pity, isn’t it? It’s easy to dwell on every single task with a “this might be the last time I” attitude.
There’s a reason it’s called the “shadow of death.” It casts its shadow over everything and insists on following right behind.
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Shelly
Updated on January 5, 2016
The Fear of What is Coming
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. – Ephesians 4:4
Hope for the future. Do you remember what that feels like?
Mostly these days I only feel fear. I fear what is coming. And speaking of ridiculously trite understatements…
So as I was thinking of how I fear what is coming, God brought a glorious truth to mind. I can know what is coming.
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. – Luke 21:27
Jesus is coming. He’s coming to take me home to a place that has been prepared by His own hands, just for me. He wants me with him for all time. Take that, fear.
I don’t know when He’s coming. Neither do you, or anyone else for that matter.
For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. – 1 Thessalonians 5:2
In fact, only God the Father knows when He’s coming.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” – Matthew 24:36
But He is… Coming. And that gives me such peace. No matter what. He is coming.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” – John 14:1-3
Jesus, You have such a wondrous way of reminding me to take heart. I love you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on January 4, 2016
What It Takes to Continue
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” – 1 Kings 19:4
Photo by Rob Hurson 
I love to watch survival shows. You know, those reality tv shows where they push people to extremes and you get to see what they’re really made of… I think I like those shows because that’s what my life feels like.
I was watching one the other night, and it was the last episode. The last miles were the most difficult. There was one couple that just could not take another step. They had reached their limit, period. They were done. Literally shuffling along, crying, promising each other they could stop at the top of the hill, the two of them leaned heavily on each other as they made those last few steps to the crest.
And then it happened. Once they stood at the top, they could see their final destination. It was still a little ways off, but just a glimpse of the end to the long journey was enough to give them their second wind. They knew that rest was within their reach. Food, glorious warm food was waiting to fill their bellies. Pillows, such luxuries they hadn’t seen in weeks, waited within their view.
Do you know what those two worn-out people did then? Ran.
They ran.
See, sometimes all we need when we’re completely out of steam is just a glimpse of our destination. Just knowing that the end is in sight, and what wonders await us once we get there, is what it takes to move our shuffling weary feet into a dead run.
We have that glimpse any time we need it.
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. – Hebrews 13:14
We only have to open the Bible to have a view at any point.
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. – Romans 8:18
Lean in and shuffle along with me for now, ok? Heaven is waiting just up ahead. Lift your eyes and be amazed.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
Holy Father, Thank You for the glory of Your word, for the wonder that it renews in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on January 3, 2016
The Rub of Surrender
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ – Philippians 3:8
So I’ve been processing my One Word for this year. A lot. Even saying it out loud can give me the shivers.
Surrender.
I started off a bit resentful when God gave me this word. I mean, really, Lord? Is it because I haven’t surrendered quite enough yet? You didn’t just need my running, You also needed my walking? Speaking wasn’t enough; You required my singing, as well?
I was thinking of surrender as the things that would be lost to me in this year. Frankly, it terrifies me and it’s not something God expects us to make peace with overnight. I really believe that it’s a lifelong process.
Through my prayers (see: crying out) and my questions (see: begins with “how dare You?”), God began to reshape my understanding of the word Surrender and what exactly it looked like in the coming year.
It didn’t necessarily mean that I would NOT lose my walking or my singing, or fifty other things that I as a human long to hold onto… but God is showing me that the Surrender He has in mind is a different sort.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7
I might one day reach the point where I can make peace with surrendering my abilities. But when will I ever reach the point where I can turn over my cares?
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:22
I strive to release my health, but the striving really comes when I even consider releasing my burdens.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Surrender is an exchange. Why is it so incredibly difficult to surrender my fear? My great burdens? My worries and cares? What He wants to give me instead is a perfect rest. A burden that is easy and light.
Let me teach you, He says in the above verse.
I’m listening, Lord. I surrender.
Dear God, please keep in the forefront of my mind that what You wish for me to surrender are not my abilities, talents and gifts. What You long for me to surrender are the things that weigh me down, the things that keep me from You. What a marvelous gift. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 26, 2015
One Word 2016: Surrender
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32
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ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
ALL TO HIM I FREELY GIVE
I WILL EVER LOVE AND TRUST HIM
IN HIS PRESENCE DAILY LIVE.
ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER,
HUMBLY AT HIS FEET I BOW
WORLDLY PLEASURES ALL FORSAKEN
TAKE ME JESUS, TAKE ME NOW
ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
MAKE ME SAVIOR WHOLLY THINE
LET ME FEEL THE HOLY SPIRIT
TRULY KNOW THAT THOU ARE MINE
ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER,
LORD I GIVE MYSELF TO THEE
FILL ME WITH THY LOVE AND POWER
LET THY BLESSING FALL ON ME
CHORUS:
I SURRENDER ALL
I SURRENDER ALL
ALL TO THEE MY BLESSED SAVIOR
I SURRENDER ALL.
Text: J.W. Van Deventer
Music: W.S. Weeden
Father, as I enter this new year. Help me to lean on You, to surrender all to You , rather than to the enemy who wishes to instill only fear and doubt and anger. Thank You for the blessing of belonging to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on April 7, 2016
Feeling Abandoned in the Dark?
He counts the stars
and calls them all by name. – Psalm 147:4
One thing I miss about the expansive western sky is the way the stars came out at night. Oh my. Oh. My.
One minute dusk is gathering, purpling the sky and lending a magical air to the quiet. Expectation. The world holds its breath. And then. Oh then, the sigh comes in the form of dazzle and glitter, so amazing that the eyes cannot take it all in. The mind cannot process that much beauty. Night after night, it never got old. Never dulled. Never failed to awe.
I think God knew. He knew that there was only one backdrop that would showcase the celestial properly. See, the stars weren’t chosen for the night sky. The night sky was chosen for the stars. Not just any old dark would do. No, it had to be inky black, stretched velvet and fathomless over the curve of the earth. When you find the perfect diamond, it’s worth the time and effort to create a flawless setting.
God is more glorious than the moon;
he shines brighter than the stars. – Job 25:5
I’ve been thinking a lot about the stars lately, and how the dark was created just for them to have their moment. Sometimes our lives are like that, too.
Sometimes the glory God needs the world to see… the twinkle that will cause their breath to catch as they lift their eyes to take in the awesome wonder… sometimes that glory can only be perched on the inky black. Sometimes the black has to be stretched as far as the eye can see. It has to be endless dark.
Sometimes, in some lives, the glow, the other-worldly glow that seems so very out of place in what should be a vaccum, needs the night to shine.
Photo by mkphotonet
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
If you’re in that place today, take a moment to look around you. See those people who are staring? They’re caught up in the wonder. See the warm glow that gives form to things around you? That’s coming from within YOU, and it’s what draws others to you.
Shine on, Dear Ones. You are not lost and forgotten here in the black. It’s simply the only setting that would do.
Dear Lord, You are the only One who could create not only the diamonds, but the perfect setting of the pitch black night sky. Thank You for using the broken to showcase Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 26, 2015
The Maw of Primary Lateral Sclerosis
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. – Genesis 1:2
When I was in college, my friends and I spent a lot of time at a nearby lake. It was a beautiful place and I loved the water. There was this one side that was “our spot”…. the rock ledges just slowly lowered down into the water in a gradual way until you got a good ways out into the lake. That was as far as I would go, though.
See, when you swam out past that last ledge, there was nothing. The water just opened up and the floor dropped away and suddenly you were perched and vulnerable over this dark maw of nothing. It seemed to have no end, and it absolutely terrified me. Terrified. I couldn’t even breathe for a few seconds when I tried to look down at it through my goggles.
I’ve been reminded of that lake these few months. The way that maw made me feel when it opened up under me without warning… the way it seemed to threaten to swallow me up… that is the way it feels when I try and process the fact that I have Primary Lateral Sclerosis.
Honestly, I’ve been running from it, which is totally unlike me. I’ve prayed and prayed for so many years, for a diagnosis and for answers that explain what has been happening to me. I longed for that more than I longed for anything else, even healing. Now that I have it, I’m just moving on and acting like it’s no big deal. How weird is that?
I can’t even tell you why it’s happening! It’s not conscious, and I don’t feel like I’m doing it with any sort of purpose. Everyone around me is watching me and there’s great concern in their gaze. They are waiting for it to sink in, I can tell. Each time I look up and see them, I smile and wave so they’ll know that I’m just fine. Silly people, of course I’m fine!
But I’m not. And they’re not the silly ones.
And so I think I’m ready to dip my toes into the water now. I’ll stay right here on this first ledge. The water only reaches my calves, but I know that maw is out there. It’s mocking me.
God help me, because He’s the only One who can.
Dear God, I’m ready to start facing reality now. Forgive me for keeping my fingers in my ears for so long. Thank You for the grace and the mercy. And for the strength You willingly give me for the journey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 14, 2015
Made Me a Watchman
Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. – Ezekiel 33:7
photo credit: John Curley via flickr cc
But God answered, and He asked me, even me, to be a watchman.
The watchman is needed at night. He watches for those who are up to no good, skulking about in the shadows. He guards, warns and protects.
I am a watchman with tired eyes, but God chose me. My voice sometimes seems awfully small, but He picked me. I doubt whether my weak hands could offer much protection, but the Lord called me. As His Watchman.
And so I will take my place on the walls and the mountaintops. I will tell it to everyone I meet. I will let my voice ring out with conviction. My eyes will look into the dark carefully. My hands will protect with a God-given strength. I will keep the message pealing and the fires burning, so that all will know…
Jesus Christ is born.
Lord Jesus, You came! Thank You for the gift above all others. Help me to use every opportunity to tell of Your salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on December 1, 2015
Here With Us
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John 1:1-5
The very same eyes that gazed on the rainbow throne blinked sleepily up into Mary’s as she nursed Him.
The very same fingers that measured the breadth of the behemoth grasped Joseph’s as He stared in quiet wonder at the miracle his wife had brought into the world.
The very same ears that heard the first promise to Abraham, listened with rapt attention as his mother sang his first lullaby.
All that glory, all that deity, in one tiny swaddled bundle of pure joy. All that promise, all that fulfillment, in one lusty cry that pierced the night.
Our King became a babe. Our Lord took on flesh. Our God reached down to save the world.
Merry Christmas!
Dear God, as we welcome this day of celebration, let us never forget the baby that is the Reason. Thank You for Your matchless gift. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
