Why do we make things more complicated than they have to be?  With all the time saving devices and conveniences of today, simple things still remain so complicated. Things like cooking, cleaning, and organizing baffle us.

In the last chapter of Mathew, Jesus gives the simple command to “Go and make disciples.” There really isn’t much too complicated about this. Four words…two verbs…go, make.  The idea of discipleship is talked about often, but I don’t see it, the reaching, bending, inviting that I see Jesus do in the gospels. Jesus teaches, touches, and tames those He meets.

Jesus doesn’t say go and make converts. Perhaps, that would be too easy. Converts take little time and effort and demand little from us. But, we like converts. They fill up our pews and fill out our forms neatly and nicely. Converts do much to fluff our feathers and stroke our egos.

Discipleship costs us something. Jesus invested in His disciples. He gave of Himself. He allowed access to Himself. He laid down His rights: rights to time, personal space, sleep, material possessions, and reputation. He was interested in others and put others’ needs above His own.  Jesus became a servant.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3

Perhaps this is why discipleship is more complicated. Although the command is simple, we can’t fake it. We have to live it with others as witness. But as much as the disciple learns from us, we learn and grow as we invest in the lives of others. That is why the Lord calls us to it…to make us more like Him. To live out our faith authentically with others causes transformation and growth.

To depend on the Holy Spirit causes our faith to increase and to love others with the love of Christ is an indescribable gift. To spend ourselves for others causes great joy!

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4: 10-12

His love is perfected in us when we love others!!! Grace upon grace, sweet friends…we don’t have to be perfect. Jesus knows we will stumble…fail. He has given all we need for godliness and to live a holy life, but we have grace upon grace when we don’t. Humility is one of the best teachers out there to show others the saving love of Christ.

There are many books written by people way smarter than I am, so I know you can get all the information you need, but maybe we need less information and more relation…more time with people. Let’s spend life together. Eating together. Sharing together. Learning together. Discipleship isn’t something we do, but something we are…either being discipled or discipling others. It is an overflow, an extension of the love of God at work in us.

Discipleship may cost us…but as with love, it is worth the risk!

 

India, you are a wild and contrasting country: ancient and modern, beautiful and dreadful, kind and indifferent, wealthy and poor. I never imagined you would infect me like you have. The smells, the culture, the people…India, you are an intoxicating mix of what makes life beautiful and what makes life hard, harsh, and cruel. In an unfair twist, in my western I- know- better ignorance, I am slightly shocked by the impact you have had on me.

As I prepared to visit you, I prayed for the Lord’s strength and love to invade my soul. Lord, fill me with Your passion and desire for this land 6,000 miles away. That is a dangerous prayer. Love is always dangerous…rarely safe. I was not prepared for the invading, fierce army of love that the Lord bestowed upon me. My heart will never be the same.

The danger comes not in the denial of the prayer, but in the very giving of my request…the imparting of the love desired. I am reminded of the conversation between Susan and Mr. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

You, precious India, were so ready to receive His love. Hurting people needing to hear the good news graciously surrendered pain and fear. Precious sons and daughters were welcomed home. Orphans found homes and families. I found you.

And that is the danger. The needs of so many are crushing. To have eyes to see and the love to feel left me feeling small, insignificant. What could I do? How could I ever make a difference in the midst of so many struggles?

So in my emptiness, as I searched the scriptures, I was reminded of the familiar story of Mary from Bethany and her anointing of Jesus in Mark 14. The religious leaders were harshly rebuking her for wasting expensive perfume, for her act of worship.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 6-8

The passage came alive to me and anointed my hurting heart. She did what she could. Jesus, those words spoke life into me and brought me back. You saw me where I was and called my name. You brought me to India. You arranged each and every encounter and ordained all the words spoken. Precious Savior, thank you!

Oh, India! You wrecked me! In the best way possible, I am not who I was. You have whetted my appetite to do what I can with what I have been given. I can do what I can.  I have tasted and seen the goodness of God in action. I love you, India…a gift of answered prayer. I took a risk on loving you. It was the best risk to take. At all times, bet on love, because love wins. Always!

 

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I love to cook. And eat. The eating really prompts me to cook and cook well, I might add. Once we discovered that my family had Celiac’s disease, we entered into a whole new world of cooking and baking. Although, things are much easier now with an abundance of delicious gluten-free ingredients, when we started this journey, these items were not available or were cost prohibitive. So, I muddled my way through and came through it pretty proficiently.

My goal is to make things that people wouldn’t know were gluten free. I feel a thrill when someone tastes a cake or dessert and asks, “This is gluten free?” So recipes have become a hobby…collecting, reading, and reviewing. I have discovered quite a vast number of recipes, some great and some terrible.

I haven’t perfected the art of knowing whether a recipe is good or bad without trying it first. Reviews are helpful, but not always accurate.

Case in point: last year, I was going to try a new peach pie recipe for our dear friend Rick. He is a southern boy, born and raised, and loves himself some peach pie! I had a lot to live up to…mainly his grandma’s homemade peach pie that would make angels weep! Whew…ok…here we go!

I researched and found what I thought was a good recipe. This was a birthday pie, in March, when peaches are NOT in season in New England! The recipe declared I was able to use frozen peaches and they would be just a delicious as fresh…don’t buy it!

I set about my task of making the pie crust, which will absolutely bring you to the edge of sanity if you forget to roll it out between plastic wrap. And plastic wrap, was created by the devil, along with pantyhose, but I digress. After much prayer and many hallelujahs, I set aside the crust and began working on the peach filling. Following the directions to a tee, I confidently filled up the awaiting crust and covered and fluted the top crust. I daintily painted the crust with a milk wash, sprinkled sugar to make is sparkly and beautiful, and popped it into the oven.

The wait was long…but finally the timer beeped and we all looked in awe at my first peach pie. Gingerly, I place it on the pie rack to cool. Boy did it look good! We loaded it with candles and presented it to the birthday boy! “Happy birthday to you…”

I’d like to say we gobbled it down with abandon, but the truth is we choked it down. It was awful. The peaches were hard. There was no juice to soak into the crust. I was so embarrassed, angry, and disappointed. Poor Rick. He tried to make me feel better. My husband, Keith, tried to console me too, but I was, well, let’s say, not having a good day.

Recently, I tried this process again. I used fresh peaches and a recipe that is over 40 years old. Success!!! Delicious…I even ate if for breakfast the next day. Don’t judge me!

So what is the point of this post? Pie? Recipes? What I realized through this process of failure and success is that, what we base our products or lives on matters. The recipe we use for life is crucial for success, for thriving and not just surviving. What do you use as your guide for life? Is it the always changing culture that dictates what you believe? Is it the advice of friends who may or may not have your best interest at heart?

As for me, I have chosen to use the Bible as my recipe for life. It never changes. Its constancy proves its eternal value and perspective. The ingredients the Bible calls for are always in season and available everywhere, and they’re gluten free! I never have to worry about the cost of these ingredients, because Jesus has paid my bill in full!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1: 3-4

So if you are finding that your life is not where you thought it would be or where you want it to be, maybe you should try a new recipe. Maybe the answers you’ve been looking are right there on the pages of your Bible. I can’t promise an easy time of it, but I can promise you that you will be given all you need, never be alone, and be transformed into something better.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3: 18

Don’t let failure stop you! Seek…search…pray! Jesus is so close and He has the best life-recipe of all!

Here is the link to the delicious Peach Pie recipe. I will spare you the recipe to the other one…you’re welcome!!!

Peach Pie

Here is my favorite gluten free pie crust recipe.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-pie-crust-recipe

Won’t you share your favorite recipes with us? Life is best shared!!!

When my children were little, we used to frequent a park where they could run free and I could sit and talk with my friend, uninterrupted, for a few minutes. Ahhh…such bliss. Never really taking my eye off of them, they would play without a care in the world.

After some time passed, I would notice that they would look up often to find me. If they didn’t see me right away, a worried look would cross their faces. As soon as our eyes met, they would smile and go back to whatever they were doing. My children needed me to see them. My gaze brought them comfort and security because I was their protector and provider.

I believe that the Lord created us with the need to be seen. In fact, it is my favorite name for God: El Roi, the God who sees. “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13

May I encourage you to slow down right where you are…in the midst of a trial, the mundane, or your deepest pain. Take a deep breath, aware that the Lord knows everything you are facing. Welcome Him into whatever you are going through because, He. Sees. You!

No problem or sin or pain is too much or too little for Jesus to see and work out in you. He created you to need Him. The hole you’re trying to fill will never be satisfied until you have allowed Jesus to cover and fulfill His desires in you.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:27

During a particularly difficult time in my life, I had been praying and crying out to Jesus. I had poured myself out to Him…but little changed. I felt ignored, overlooked, unseen.

Have you ever been there?

How persistent our children are when we ignore them while having a conversation with an adult! “Mommy…mommy…mommy” over and over again! They pull and tug. Austin used to pull my face towards his when he went unnoticed too long.

I can get like this with Jesus too. Impatient, snappy, and entitled.

But oh to be seen! During this difficult time, when I stopped to look around and prayed that the Lord would open my eyes to His working, I was undone! To be seen by my creator…to be noticed…and really seen. What a blessing!!!

So friend, please know that God sees you and knows you and loves you. Let these truths shake you to the core! Look for Him and walk in the knowledge of who you are in Him!

What are some ways you have seen the Lord seeing you?

Last night, my husband and I were dropping off our son at my sister Shana’s house. Our daughter was already there and all were excited for the drive-in and sleepover. Keith and I were excited for date night and shopping for Austin’s 13^th birthday.

In the car on the way over, Keith handed Austin two ten dollar bills…one for him and one for his sister, Emeria. We arrived and visited for a few minutes; Keith made sure Austin still had the money…nope…gone!

We looked in pockets, pouches, and places…the car, the ground, the bag…nowhere…nothing!!! We looked all across the street, under the car, and even in the trash! We folded the seats down, pulled up the rugs, and shook out all the clothing in the car. Nada!

The story of the widow and her lost coin came to mind. “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” Luke 15: 8

We meticulously looked for those two ten dollar bills.  We were baffled! We actually contemplated spontaneous combustion, because they were gone! What is it about lost things that makes us go crazy???

As tensions were building, I had an amazing thought! Let’s pray!!! Why didn’t we do this first??? Why is Jesus so often my last resort? I know I am not alone here…how many conflicts could be avoided if we went to Him first?

The whole time we were looking, our heads were down…looking at the ground, the seats, the floor, etc. After praying, Keith walked around the side of the car and looked up at the ceiling. There they were…tucked into the handle. How profound…look up! Pray and look up and wait expectantly for an answer! Thank you Jesus for this small, but powerful lesson!

And you bet I was just like that widow…”And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’” Luke 15: 9

So thank you Jesus for being in the midst of our mundane everyday activities…that You care even for twenty dollars…You are always present and so very near to us!

How has Jesus answered your everyday need? I would love to hear your answered prayer stories!!!

Keith and I have a date…Friday night. Since our kids have gotten older, and now stay up late, time alone is sparse to put it mildly. So, to reconnect and relax, we have purposed to make date night happen.

Being married almost 22 years, we’ve learned that making time for each other is vital to a healthy relationship. I was reminded of this when listening to a sermon by Pastor Chip Ingram. He was talking about being an authentic Christian. That by the renewing of your mind with God’s word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can live authentic Christ-centered lives.

You are who you hang around with. You are what you eat. Garbage in, garbage out. Not a very hard concept, really, but the Lord wouldn’t let it go. For days, He would remind me, “Melissa, you are what you eat.”

So what does this have to do with date night with my husband? Well, this is what the Lord has shown me.

1. Life is busy. For us, right now, it is crazy busy so Keith and I have set apart time to be together, just the two of us. We value this, so we make it a priority. Just as few things would interrupt our Friday night dates, I need to make sure that I am doing the same with my time with the Lord. Do I give Him my leftovers, my two extra minutes when I am stressed or do I set apart time to be with Him and only Him?

2. All week long, Keith will say things like, “I am so excited about our date. Where do you want to go?” He will ask me, “Are you excited about Friday night?” We anticipate good things from our time together. We look forward to it. It occupies our thoughts, not just our afterthoughts. When was the last time I felt like this towards my time with Jesus? Has it been too long? “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4

In order to dwell and feed, I must spend time with the Lord. I cannot rush through my time with Him just to check it off my list.

3. Because Keith has celiac’s disease, we are careful about where we go for dinner. Keith and I will research and ask lots of questions about the ingredients and the preparation of the food. Remember, garbage in is garbage out. And, as we are getting older and a bit rounder, we try to make healthy choices. Less processed more organic and locally sourced. I need to make sure I am not using only processed time with the Lord. I love to read and read all the time. But I cannot substitute other’s interpretations of scriptures as a substitute for reading His Word for myself. I can use others’ writing to complement my time with the Lord, but not replace my time in His Word. ” I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 34: 14-15

The Lord desires time with each of us. Even more than we could ever imagine. You are precious and loved. Just as Keith desires time with me, the Lord desires time with you. Let’s spur each other on to make a date with the Lord. To set apart time with only Him, to listen, to engage, and learn. To taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. Psalm 34:8

As I watched the news this morning, I saw multiple stories of people buying, selling, or using heroin in the vicinity of small children. As a mom, I scoffed and thought how stupid could they be? How selfish?

While I let these awful thoughts roll around in my highly self-righteous mind, the Holy Spirit whispered softly, “But I love them…”

Oh…that…

I don’t know what is going on where you live, but here in rural New Hampshire, heroin use and overdose is on the rise and is seemingly everywhere. I realized how much I keep this at arm’s length and don’t let it penetrate my heart. I see the mug shots and the court room scenes on the news, and judge. I don’t pray…do you?

Please know that I am not making excuses for these people, but I am questioning why my first reaction is to judge instead of love. Where is my compassion? How can I forget, that I too sin and fail?  “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23

I often have this attitude with celebrities when they fall too. I rush to judge. I laugh at all the memes that fly around social media, but I am left feeling sad…empty…not laughing anymore.

As a Christian, as someone who spends time every day in God’s transforming word, this is unacceptable! Lord, help me! Help me to have compassion like you do/did when you see/saw hurting people.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34

After some prayerful thought, I believe part of the empty feeling that comes after harshly judging someone is that I am not acting in love…I use 1 Corinthians 13 as a sign post to weigh if my actions, thoughts, and words are loving or not.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.  Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

My thoughts were NOT loving. They were prideful, dishonoring of others, easily angered, delighted in the punishment of others and not protective. Lord forgive me!

May I see these people as You do, Lord Jesus. May my first reaction be love and compassion for them. If I see their mug shots, may my first reaction be to pray for them and lift them before Your throne of grace. Even if I fail, I know You won’t, because love never fails and YOU ARE LOVE!!!

 http://tinyurl.com/nj5qwpk

The Positive Influence of Writing

I am participating in the Writing Contest: How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life. Hosted by Positive Writer. When my friend forwarded me the contest info, I was instantly excited, because I love writing, reading, and all things Words. Books, blogs, essays and articles. Some people like numbers, think in numbers, and math, but I am definitely a letter girl.

New to the world of blogging, writing has taken on a deeper meaning. I have allowed my writing to be seen by others. I didn’t realize how exposed I would feel as I send out my newly hatched posts. The risk of baring feelings, emotions, and hard learned lessons is high. I hadn’t realized how high until I started putting things out there for all to see. It was a humbling experience to publish my thoughts for others to read and possibly not like or worse…not feel anything!

Apparently, I had a visions of grandeur. Only a few people read my post and responded well to it, but then I was left with wanting more. More readers, more opinions, more opportunities to write…more…and write I did…it flowed out of me for about a month and half. Then life happened and now, as I have started a new job, I am finding the time issue to be hampering my writing ability. Oh, the problems of a blogging, working momma!

What I have discovered, to my surprise and delight, is the writing community that surrounds me is supportive, encouraging, and engaging. Where I had thought I would find competition and scarce opportunities, I have been shown kindness, given chances, and granted wisdom. These gifts have strengthened my desire to stay blogging and remain steadfast on this journey.

I am not alone and that makes all the difference.

Last year at a women’s retreat at Monadnock Bible Conference, I met the speaker, a woman that would change my life. It is my honor to introduce you to my mentor and friend, Jeanne Doyon. She is real, honest, and transparent. She has invested in me and my writing to help me pursue the dream that God has placed in my heart. She edits, encourages, and engages me to keep writing…She has featured me on her blog The Stream’s Edge. Below is the post from her site. Make sure to check out her writings…I know you will be encouraged too! http://streams-edge.blogspot.com

As I am now in my forties, hindsight is long and indeed useful for showing me how the Lord has been with me all my life. Circumstances, choices, and “coincidences” reveal His love, care, and provision over and over again. But none more than the godly people He has placed in my life to mentor, invest, and guide me in His ways.

These people loved the Lord and saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. They saw value where I saw deficiency. They saw potential, gifting, and talent where I saw average, plain, and ordinary. These people didn’t view me higher than anyone else, but because of their love for the Lord, they valued me. Because of the wisdom of the Lord, they were willing to foster the potential they saw to help bolster my faith.

With encouraging words, quality time, and listening ears, these people…these precious gifts instilled in me a desire to know their God…this Jesus that they loved so much. Why would they care for me? What made them invest in me?

Friends, never underestimate the power of a kind word or gesture!

Something small and maybe insignificant to you, can literally change the course of someone’s life. A small, “how’ve ya been?” and then really listening. Truly wanting to spend time with another person can be such a gift.

We see this with Paul and Timothy. As Paul writes his second letter to Timothy from prison (some experts say this was his last letter), we catch an intimate glimpse into how much time Paul has invested in Timothy.

 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,  persecutions, sufferings…3:10-11

We are all busy. I get it…truly. But busyness in NOT godliness. I feel so strongly about being intentional with investing in others. God brings people into our lives every day. Now, with internet, we have more exposure to people than ever before. How are we loving other people? Are we investing? Are we willing to spend time with people? Can we teach and encourage?

The people the Lord used to mentor me were not scholars, counselors, or professionals, but ordinary individuals willing to let Jesus love me through them. Are you willing?