These Dreams

     "No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all the people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants - men and women alike - and they will prophesy.'" - Acts 2:16-18

     Dreams are strange things. Most of the world sees them in one of two extremes: silly or mystical.  One thing is for certain, they are often an interesting topic.  

     I've had quite vivid dreams for as long as I can remember.  The dreams that truly linger in my soul are the ones that feel very real or actually became reality.  Those have ranged from upsetting and disturbing to funny and seemingly unimportant.  I don't know that I have the spiritual gift of prophecy, but I know that God has used dreams as a way to "speak" to me.

     I've had dreams where God was warning me.  I've had dreams where God was preparing my heart.  I've been called to obedience.  I've been called to worship.  I've been called out on sin.  I've been reminded of His unfailing love.  I've had dreams that seemed silly and insignificant, yet became reality after time.  Sometimes that reality was weeks later, and sometimes it was years later.

     Not all of my dreams are intense, of course; but I do wonder at times:  How do I know which dreams are a word from God or not?  Also, how do I handle the disappointment when a dream appeared to be a word from The Lord for me, yet is not appearing to become reality?

     I know I don't have all the answers.  What I do know is this: "'Interpreting dreams is God's business'" (Genesis 40:8b) ... It's a good thing that The Business Owner does have all the answers; and He remains faithful in both my reality and my dreams.  I just need to remember to trust that.

downs and ups

Read I Kings 17:8-24

"Then Elijah brought him down [the stairs] from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look!" he said. "Your son is alive!" - I Kings 17:23

_

I'm not a fan of stairs. As my family and friends know, stairs and I are like oil and water. My first incident with stairs was tripping up the stairwell in the round building during my freshman year of high school. Somehow I've managed to do that several more times in my life. Then in 2008 I had a severe ear infection and, in my dizzy state, surfed down an entire flight of stairs face-first. Most recently, my knee popped out of joint while I was coming down the stairs and I went directly down on my tail-bone and sledded about four or five steps down. I'm still sore from that one.

.

Thinking about my stairway incidents naturally transitioned to thoughts of the ups and downs of life. I've been blessed with plenty of "up" times on "user-friendly" staircases. There have also been some steep, downward-spiral staircases through the last few years due to the loss of two significant loves in my life: one because of death, the other a broken relationship. The person with whom relationship ended is not a bad person. In fact, it is mostly difficult because this is another Christ-follower with a kind heart. For various reasons, it seems we are just not to be in fellowship with one another here on earth.

.

So my current "down" is that it has been difficult to successfully avoid this person in such a small town - although I've managed to be quite good at it. I'm not stating that avoidance is the right thing, but it is where I'm at in my heart. It is my way of giving space to both myself and this other person with the hope of easing the pain. The problem with easing the pain is that it doesn't always lead to true healing. It's like the bandage that I had to put over the rug-burns on my face after falling face-first down the stairs. It didn't take away the pain, it just covered them. When I exposed the wounds, it hurt even more, but the icky "goop" that I put on it while it was exposed is what actually led to healing.

.

So over the past few weeks, it seems that the Lord is gently finding ways to not allow me to hide my wounds. I have crossed paths from a distance several times with this other child of God. It saddens me, I miss that special fellowship, and the wound seems to feel fresh all over again. The wound is deepest from the way that I have allowed the enemy to speak into it. Lies of being inadequate, unworthy, and unlovable.

.

I had yet another distant passing a few days ago. This time was different. I had been singing praise songs all day and my heart & soul were filled with God's Truth. So this time, I recognized God's nearness and comfort to me at the bottom of that staircase. No sooner did my heart fall, than I heard the song "Beautiful" by Mercy Me come on the radio. It was in that moment that I remembered that God is near and uses the "downs" just as much as, if not more than, the "ups" for us to draw nearer to Him.

.

Go back and read the scripture link above. I found it interesting that the sad moment led to "going up the stairs" and the rejoicing happened when Elijah came back "down" the stairs. A reminder for me that God's ways are not mine, but where I am, HE will meet me - up or down.

_
Beautiful
From Mercy Me's Album "The Generous Mr. Lovewell"
_

Days will come when you don't have the strength

And all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart
They'd see too much

Chorus
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Praying that you have the heart to fight
'Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
But they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

Repeat Chorus

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die!

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
In His eyes

Repeat Chorus 2x

Pleasant Awakening

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

The Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
Isaiah 40:28 NLT

Last Thursday evening, I visited my friends Steve & Katina. They have two darling daughters, Ella (6) and Nora (3). Katina and I had not seen each other in several months, so our visiting lasted well into the wee small hours of the morning! By that point, we had both thought it would be better for me to just sleep over rather than drive the 45 minutes home. Nora is now in a big-girl bed (queen-size, no less), so I just slid into the bed with her and "Elmo." Nora never stirred as I drifted off to sleep at about three in the morning.

I awakened to 3-year-old Nora lovingly staring at me and tenderly "petting" the side of my arm. She was grinning as though she had just found out that she could slide down a rainbow and eat candy for breakfast!

• "Rainey!" she whispered.
  
• "Good morning," I whispered back with a smile.
• "Did you know you slept in my bed with me all night?"
• "I did." I said as I stifled a little giggle, "Did you know I slept with you all night?"
• "Yeah!" she said very matter-of-fact, "me an' Elmo knew."
  

Then she decided we should get up and go have some cereal and watch Dora The Explorer. As quickly as she could get out of her bed and toddle down the hallway, our sweet little moment was gone.

I wonder how many times that I have been pleasantly "surprised" to awaken and realize that God was with me all the time through the dark of my night? How many times have I questioned His understanding of what was going on in my life as though He were not present? Yet, He does not scold me for being surprised at what I should have known was true all along. Instead, He delights in the sweet little moments when I quietly draw near to Him, and patiently awaits my return when I have gotten side-tracked by other things.

Praise the Lord for His understanding and presence in our lives!

Seasons of Life

I am the little flower
From the garden down the street
I'm pleased when it is Springtime
And the sunshine is so sweet

I am the darling flower
Providing for the bees
I greatly enjoy Summer
With shade and gentle breeze

I am the sturdy flower
I may seem a bit demure
For with the chill Autumn
My soul begins to stir

I am the faded flower
Though I'm here, it seems I'm gone
But there can be a peace in Winter
Like the dark before the dawn

Risky Business

I wanted to escape
The spot where I felt stuck
So I dove into the water
While others wished me luck
They did not try to stop me
I knew not where I'd go
But since I had uprooted
I missed the chance to grow

Risk is the possibility of suffering harm or loss. I have often considered myself one who does not take risks. I do not go down stairs without holding the handrail (except the time I sledded down on my face). I wait for the appropriate signal before proceeding on a crosswalk at an intersection. I wear sunblock if I'm going to be outdoors for any length of time. I wash my hands after handling money, lest I be exposed to a virus. I unplug my older small appliances before leaving for a vacation. I lock my doors at night ... okay, I just read back over the last few sentences and I protest your thoughts of OCD! No, really, I'm just cautious! Anyway, you can see why I would not consider myself a risk-taker; yet God has been gradually revealing the contrary to me in a variety of ways.

What God has been showing me is that I have, indeed, taken risks in my life. What you need to understand about me is that when I love someone, I love them with my whole heart and do not attempt to hold anything back. This brings me to several thoughts:

• First, I ask this of myself: Why do I not attempt to hold anything back when loving another person, yet I try to hide parts of my heart and soul from my Maker, the One that knows me better than I know myself? I'm sure it is shame of sin, yet I should remember God sees me as He created me AND covered by the beautiful blood of Jesus. Besides, I am only fooling myself if I believe that I can truly hide anything from Him! [Jeremiah 23:24]
  

• Secondly, there is a downside on earth to the risk of loving fully and exposing one's heart and soul because, as sinners, there is a high probability of being hurt - whether it be a loss by rejection, death, or other circumstances. Trusting another person makes us vulnerable. [Psalm 118:8]
  

• Then there is the flip-side that loving fully and exposing one's heart and soul is a risk that carries great reward at times. As sinners, we have a difficult time purely receiving the love of God here on earth, and so often compare it (consciously or not) to our earthly relationships to attempt to understand it. There is reward, however, even here on earth of loving like that because it is as close as humanly possible to understanding the extent of God's love for us by receiving love back from another when it is unconditional, similar to the love of a parent for a child [Isaiah 66:13]. The rewards in Heaven will be actually experiencing the full extent of God's love for us without the obstacle of sin.
  

• Lastly, we are called to die to ourselves daily, take up our cross and follow Him [Matthew 16:24-25]. While that may seem risky from an earthly standpoint, it is not risky if we take the perspective that handing ourselves over to the Lord means handing over our burdens, our cares, our hurts, and our worries; and gaining the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit, and eternity with Him. Plus, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" [Romans 8:31]. I would definitely consider that a benefit!
  

We are created in the image of Christ. We are called to love God first, then love others here in the way that Jesus set the example for us [I Peter 4:8]. Jesus took the biggest risk of all by paying our debt on the cross, knowing full well that there will be people who reject Him despite His relentless pursuit of their hearts. Aren't we to follow His example?

God Is Bigger Than ...

God is not surprised by what comes along in our lives. He is more than big enough to overcome death. He is more than big enough to cover our sin through Jesus' blood. He is more than big enough to make good what was intended for evil. He is more than big enough to still use for His good what are difficult and sometimes traumatic situations in this world ... and He promises to do so in His Word.

Think about Joseph. Joseph was not Egyptian. How could he have come to a positon of power & rule? His brothers sold him into slavery & told their father he was dead; well, his master was Egyptian and it was there that he began learning the language and the ways of those people. His master's wife made false accusations and he ended up in jail; and it was there that he became fluent in Egyptian & earned the respect of the warden. From there he became the Pharoah's dream interpreter and earned a high position of service & respect; and it was there that he learned the ways of Egyptian royalty. Eventually Joseph ruled over all of Egypt (second only to the Pharoah) and because of that, many lives were saved through years of famine.

.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me."

When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph,

the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed

and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,

because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you...

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you

a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance...

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 45:4-5, 7, & 50:20

.

The enemy's attack on Joseph was devastating for years, and yet God still used it for good. God blessed not only Joseph; but many others who would have died of starvation had it not been for all that had happened to Joseph.

Whether it be an the loss of a dear loved one, a battle with cancer, loss of a job, or whatever is my/your trial; I do not say that struggles are easy. I do not even profess to welcome them. Personally, I have wished away the crippling thorn in my side for a few years now. However, I know that God is faithful and true. I know that He is in the habit of miracles and blessings. I know that His Word is relevant to life today.

I know that the Lord has a purpose for each of us before we are born and does not abandon us, His children ... His creation. Not even in hard times because HE is bigger than that.

For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.

I will be found by you," declares the LORD,

"and will bring you back from captivity..."

Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Still Saved

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that's why you're worshiped.

Psalm 130:3-4 (MSG)

Just this morning, I was speaking with a work acquaintance with whom I've formed a friendship over the years through phone conversations. We've actually never met, but she often shares prayer requests. She is a recovering smoker, drug addict, alcoholic ... she's had a very tough life. She gave her life over to the Lord just a few years ago; but, like many of us, struggles at times and falls off of the path God has laid out before her. When we speak, I try to encourage her and promise to pray for her and her life situations.

This morning she told me that her husband (still addicted to drugs) moved out two weeks ago. She was glad on one hand, but it was still heart-breaking for her. She wondered why she couldn't be enough for him to want to quit using drugs. She then broke her current 52-day sober run in front of her 15-year-old who was home for the weekend from a juvenile center. It must have been quite a bad fall off the wagon since the police were called that night. She told me that she contacted both her AA sponsor and a lady that mentored her when she first became a Christian the next day. I affirmed her that those were wonderful decisions.

"I still run from God sometimes, and I do such bad things. Do you think I'm still saved?" she asked me.

I called her by name and said, "God created you and He knows your heart. If we only got to Heaven by what we do or how we live, then none of us would make it. That's why God sent Jesus - because He longs to reunite with us and love on us. If you gave your heart to the Lord, then you belong to Him and, yes, you are saved ... by HIS GRACE because JESUS blood is more than enough to cover every last one of every one of our sins!"

I can encourage others in this, but why do I have a hard time taking it to heart for myself? Praise God for His grace and that He does not keep record of our wrong-doings!

God saved you by his grace when you believed.

And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)

Thanks to my friend Tom for his devotional on Psalm 130 yesterday morning as that is what led me to share this story. Thanks for the encouragement, Tom! ...I don't know how to do links that don't look like links, so anyway, check out Tom's site if you like - he has some great insight as he goes through the scripture! http://creativepath.typepad.com/wayfarer/2009/07/chapteraday-psalm-130.html