Christmas 2010

As I prepared for Christmas this year I was struck by my own selfishness. Because I was so concerned about writing (not writing) my thesis-project, I failed to enter Advent and now Christmas in the correct posture: humble and in awe of God. I was mechanical in my shopping and most times down right irritable. I wouldn't let my family reach me beneath the surface of my gruff exterior. At least not until I attended Midnight Mass. There Christ the child melted my concerns and anxiety. There I came face to face with Emmanuel - God with Us. God, with me even in my selfishness. God with me even in my abruptness with others. God with me. God with me. God with me. Oh Emmanuel, thank you for dwelling among us to transform us; to transform me. And thank you for a brother and his encouraging words. Peace again in my heart and mind.

The Cost of Readiness

I'm in the midst of helping people understand the cost of readiness.  To obtain anything costs. The concept is easy to understand when things turn out as we want them to, yet when the going gets a little rough, well we often fail to see the purpose of being prepared. I was listening to TD Jakes expound upon the cost of waiting on.....and I realized that the issue is we don't like to get ready for something and then have to wait or be told that we can't have it.  We think our time has been wasted.  And too many wasted efforts can result in doing nothing.

Today, I want to call us back to a state of readiness. I want us to pay up, using cash, not credit, to prepare ourselves for what Christ will do in and through us. For each of us the cost is different. Depending on where you are now, your cost may be to clean up the mess you're in both physically and emotionally.  You many have to clear away the clutter of procrastination.  Or you may have to get rid of the blanket of despair. Whatever it is, there is a cost involved.  An exposure happens.  Change must take place to position oneself for Christ.

What do you need to pay the cost of readiness?

Ready or Not!

I read a reflection today by Cackie Upchurch about preparing for Advent.  She began her reflection with "Ready or not, here I come!" What struck me most was her focus on "Ready or not." "Ready or not, God will act." she states. So true. No matter how I'm messing things up, no matter how confused I get, no matter how discouraged I become, God will act.  The outcome of God's actions depends on me.  See, I can be ready to receive God's action in my life when I've listen and acted on the things He has said previously.  When I'm talking and listening to God on a regular basis, I know how to be ready.  Some may say that they aren't sure of God's voice; that they don't know what they should do. Well for those Christians that are God-deaf, I would encourage you to read the Bible.  The living WORD of God will usher into your life the Holy Spirit in a way that helps you overcome your God-deafness.  That powerful WORD breaks through nonsense.  God's WORD helps you learn to hear God's personal voice for you.  Then when you hear God's voice you learn how to get ready.

Today begins our NEW Church year.  Advent helps us refocus our attention on God, to become ready for Her to act in our lives.  Yet as Cackie told us, "Ready or not, God will act." I think it's better to be ready than to be left scrambling around trying to get it together.

Get ready for Christ to bless you. Position yourself to receive the gifts. Open not only your hands, open your mind and your heart. If not, you might be left.

Complex Simplicity

Lately I find myself overthinking, overprocessing, overreacting in my mind. I've been consumed with the writing my last paper for last semester's class. Unfortunately for me that didn't result in any writing. It did cause me to make a simple situation complex. As I anguished over completing the task, I shut down. I allowed other situations to override God within. I allowed the voice that brings me so much peace, joy and comfort to be quieted in the banging of worry.
Aaahhh our God is a good God though. He continues to reach for us while we flail around making things complex.

Today I began to write again and it was so simple. Why I had stopped is complex. But the joy I felt as I put words together reunited my spirit to God. Wow what a peace She gives if we but allow it.

What simple situation(s) have you made complex?

While I'm Working

While I was working today, I listed to a number of T.D. Jakes' podcasts. I got so excited about loving God that I floated through my work. I even posted some of his quotes on Facebook. While I was working I had the best time in a long time. You know, sitting at your computer for the better part of the day can be quite draining. Yet as I listened to the sermons from the Potter's House, I was so enlivened about God moving in, through and around my life. Today it became quite clear how important it is to not only work, but to also leave room for God to enter in and be God. I made room and was so elated that before I knew it, it was after 5pm. While I'm working, God is teaching me how to perfect His work. While I'm working, God is showing me just how to accompany Her in the midst of my busyness. This on the job training that God is providing me is quite uplifting. I am so elated to be an apprentice of my Lord. All I have to do is move inside His plan. When done that way, Her benefits exceed my own expectations. "Faith does not demand details." T.D.Jakes