Trading Places

The call came from New Hanover Hospital’s emergency room after the crisis with my three-year-old granddaughter had passed. "Mom, Katelyn’s okay, but we just spent four hours in the ER with her," I heard my daughter, Emily, say on the other end of the phone line.

Even as relief flooded my mind with the words, "Katelyn’s okay," panic rushed right in behind it as the second part of the sentence, "four hours in the ER," seeped in.

"It was just awful, Mom. We were at a self check-out at the grocery store. I was scanning our groceries and Katelyn was sitting in the cart with her baby doll. Turning my back to her for just a second, she attempted to climb out of the cart and fell face first to the floor," Emily said.

Katelyn’s little head hit the concrete floor with a sickening thud. Those in the store who observed the accident were frightened and directed Emily to the nearest medical facility at Carolina Beach where they were vacationing.

"We were so scared, Mom. Katelyn’s head was bruised and bleeding. We took her to a walk-in facility and they sent us directly to the hospital. I cried all the way there. I wanted to trade places with her, Mom. I wanted to take her place."

I know that feeling well. My heart would break as my children were growing up and experienced illness, injury and heartache. I would have given anything to trade places with them. I wanted to take their place. Parents as far back as time itself have hurt when their children hurt. Emily wanted to take Katelyn’s place and bear her pain but she couldn’t. As much as I wanted to take my children’s places as they suffered I could only remain close by and let them know that I loved them.

God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Jesus left Heaven and came to earth – a place that is full of sin and suffering. And Jesus, being fully God, did exactly what Emily and I wanted to do but couldn’t – He took our place. There on Calvary’s Hill Jesus died on the cross for us, He paid the price for our sins - a price that was ours to pay. He suffered as He hung on the cross waiting to die. The suffering should have been ours. Jesus traded places with us. Jesus took our place.



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"You want me to do WHAT?"

“You want me to do what?” He could hardly believe what was being asked of him. Yet, he knew he had to obey.

Slowly, they began the climb up the mountain. The man looked over at his son, his only son, and tears began to well in his eyes. Only yesterday, it seemed, he was holding his child in his arms and bouncing him on his knee. What a fine young man he had grown to be. And now the man was being called to do the unthinkable. All he wanted to do was yell out, “Why God why?”, but he knew he had to trust. Still, he had to will himself to put one foot in front of the other to continue this journey up the mountain to the place he was called.

“Father!” the boy cried out.

“Yes, my son, I am here.” The man said.

“We have the wood and the fire father, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Pulling his son tight to him, he searched his heart for the words to say, but his heart hurt more than words could express at the moment. He finally let go and met the boys gaze. “My son,” the man said softly, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” Somehow, it seemed, the boy understood.

They reached the clearing and the man called for his son. “Come here my boy, this is where we will offer our sacrifice.”

Quietly he began to build the alter. Ever so gently he placed his son on the wood and bound his hands and feet. No longer could he hide the pain. Tears flowed down his cheeks, unashamedly as he wept out loud.

Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Of course, we all know the end of that story. God stopped Abraham just in time and instead provided a perfect lamb, without blemish, for him to use instead of his son, Isaac.

But Abraham didn’t get the advantage of knowing the ending.

Abraham was willing to give up his one and only son, simply because HE asked.

SACRIFICE.

To surrender, give up, or renounce something that is prized or desirable for the sake of something or someone else.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking… we don’t have to worry about the “big” sacrifices like Abraham did. God would never call us to actually put a knife through one of our children on an alter. No. You are right. He wouldn’t. He already did that for us - only with nails through the hands and feet of His one and only son – the perfect lamb.

He does, however, call us often to surrender our desires, our wants for the sake of His glory. That, my beloved, is what it is all about…

His Glory.

It doesn’t matter if the sacrifice is big or small, as long as His Glory is shining through.

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18

Abraham had his eyes fixed on the unseen. He had to. If he had looked too carefully at what was in front of him – it would have broken him. He was, after all, only human, just like you and me. He chose by faith, however, to allow the Glory of the Lord to shine through him.

We have that choice too - even in the small sacrifices. Do we fix our eyes on what we can see right in front of us, or we do we choose to fix our eyes on the unseen and allow ourselves to be used for His eternal glory?

Oh Father, sometimes even the little sacrifices you call me to make are so hard. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like for Abraham and Isaac up on that mountaintop. My hearts desire, Lord, is to be used by you, no matter what the cost, or sacrifice. Help me Lord to keep my eyes focused on you so that I can be an instrument for your Glory to shine through.

Big or small, what has God called you to give up for His eternal glory?

Stop by and visit sometime... it'll be a joy!

Mediocre Life

After a prompting from the Lord, I am re-posting one from my own blog. I had something else for our Saturday together, but I think the Lord is not through with me on this. So, here you are...if you've already read it at my site, sorry. But maybe, just maybe the Lord has another message in it for you as well.....hmmmm.



The Mediocre Life.....

What kind of life is that? Sometimes---many times it is what we settle for instead of persevering before the throne---or pushing ahead and believing God for what He wants for us in the first place! He does NOT want the mediocre for His blessed children!

Jeremiah 29:11 says "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 a hope and a future". (NIV)


Last Thursday morning at 2:34---well, probably just a few minutes before that, the Lord woke me from a deep sleep. I woke, rolled over and snuggled deeper, only to hear Him in my heart/head beckon me from that nestled position. Well, old flesh immediately says, "I hate it when You do that...wake me up from sleep...YOU know how much I love sleep...."

I was instantly rebuked, "No, Lord, I'm sorry, I don't hate it.... You know I love YOU more than sleep."

So, I rolled over on my back, as if to ready myself to "listen".

His instructions are clear. "Get up-go to your prayer room, lay before me in prayer." I try just for 2 seconds, to reason with Him, that I can pray here....but no I can't. I pray out loud when He instructs me like this...and I KNOW already that this will be an out loud prayer. Not a whispered or silent type.

As I roll the covers back, my thoughts begins to "wander" down the corridor of my mind, filled with pictures of family. Is someone in distress? The brink of disaster? A fire? A tornado? (There was that one time of the tornado---an old post...don't remember which one--you'd have to hunt back to last year sometime...)

I go to the bathroom, then on through the dining room, where the Bibles, books and computer are arranged, just as I'd left them hours before...walk into the kitchen and look at the clock, thinking surely it must be almost "getting up time" anyway.--- Not so. ---Only 2:34. Good sleep being missed. Girls you have no clue how much this youngin loves to sleep!

I walk into the prayer room/library. Small room. Only big enough for the "granddaddy chair", two book cases and a desk. Just enough floor space that I can lie down and meet the Master of the house. So I take my place. Same place every time. As I began, I told Him, "I don't know what You've called me here for ....but that's okay. I don't have to know." My prayer began slow, as He blew the sleep from my heart, I began to weep before Him with the urgency of NEEDING Him to hear my plea. Not knowing who or what I was praying for, I left it up to Him. Many of you were prayed for. Many of you that I converse with on a daily basis via e-mail or a visit to your blog were on my heart. So, your name was called. The Lord prompted my spirit...."it's not about the numbers, Angie. It's about the message." I asked for the message. For the anointing. For His Spirit to rest upon me and pour into me what needs to be said. To the hurting. To the damaged. To the brokenhearted. To you and, yes, to me. He pours it in....I pour it out.

I can't tell you how many times a day I think about what the Lord wants to use my life for. What He's up to. But girls, it is all up to Him. Whatever He wants to do with me, use me for I am His. Totally. I love my precious family. My sweet darling man. My girls, their husbands, their children, my parents, my siblings...but I belong to the Lord. For His work....I don't know what it's to be. It may only be to get up at 2:34 a.m. and pray for someone I don't know. Someone I've never had the pleasure of a neck hug. But that's okay too. If the Lord crosses our paths here....then it is for a reason. I question Him not.

Dear sweet sister-in-Christ, it is not about the number of visitors I have or you have. Nor about the comments or who they come from. It is about the message of Christ....and getting it out to the lost and dying. It's about Him. All about Him. I had prayed. Then off to bed again. Thought I had completed the task set before me. Thought I had fulfilled His desire. I had laid back down but couldn't get you off my heart and mind.

That's where the word "mediocre" came in. It came in and would not leave! Like a rolling tape...just the word~~over and over and over and over~~yes! You get the picture? I promise I don't lay around or sit around with "words" just coming to my head, but that particular morning....the word mediocre came in and would not leave no matter what else I tried to replace it with! I was like, "mediocre what!" For goodness sake! I knew I would not go back to sleep until I had been fully obedient! So I got BACK up and went to the computer. I needed to tell you that we don't have to live a mediocre life. That He has a plan and purpose for EACH ONE OF US! YOU and me! All we need to do is be obedient.

So girls...if He calls you in the night to pray for me....please pray. If He calls you in the middle of a busy day to pray for your pastor, your neighbor, the girl at the checkout, the guy that delivers your pizza, the dude that cuts your lawn, pause and pray. If He prompts you further to go to another room, lay before Him, kneel before Him, or sit before Him, be obedient. Listen for His voice....He is calling us from a mediocre life into His glorious one!





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"The Cross"

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3.16

Rarely do we find a cross in a church that even remotely resembles the cross of Christ Jesus. They seem to be lacking in splinters and blood. Our modern crosses are made of precious metals and polished to perfection. Symmetrical and spotless, we mount them under adoring lights or poise them atop spiraling steeples.

So it is understandable that the sight of such crosses does not bring us to our knees in gratitude to God. Understandable, but unfortunate. Jesus’ cross would have made us weep.

It was rough and rugged and merciless. It represented humiliation and rejection and failure. It tore His flesh and absorbed His blood. And through it we now know the love of God.

We cannot rest in God’s love without remembering Christ’s cross. The two are bound together, dependant on and reflective of each other. The blood-stained cross of Jesus is the clearest and most compelling evidence of God’s great love for us.

Consider what the writers of the New Testament said about the connection between Jesus’ sacrifice and the love of God:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5.6-8

When we were weak and unable to help ourselves, Jesus came to our rescue. With no guarantee that we would even care, Jesus died for us. He submitted to the cross—a punishment normally reserved for the lowest of criminals—so that sinners could experience God’s love.

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved…Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 2.4-5; 5.2

When we were spiritually lifeless because of our sins, Jesus sacrificed Himself to save us. In His rich and surpassing love, Jesus laid down His life through a humiliating death—one that the religious viewed as cursed—so that we could be become alive in Him.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ~ 1 John 4.9-10

When we were loveless toward God, God sent His Son as evidence of His unfathomable love for us. Jesus embraced unimaginable pain—through one of the cruelest forms of execution known to man—so that we could live for God.

When we were powerless, ungodly, and unrighteous, dead in our transgressions, and without love for God, Jesus died on the cross to save us!

Now that is love. That is worth living for. That is even worth dying for. And that is most definitely worthy of resting in!

Resting in God’s Truth…

• We cannot rest in God’s love without remembering Christ’s cross.


• Without the cross, we would still be powerless and dead in our sins.


• The blood-stained cross of Jesus is the clearest and most compelling evidence of God’s great love for us.

_____________________________

Alicia Britt Chole is a speaker and author who lives with her fun-filled tribe of five in the Ozarks of Missouri.

Visit Alicia's blog: Truth Portraits

Change!

Are you tired of that word yet?
It's the "it" word of the day. Change.

From the White house to my own house, our nation is in a state of change right now.

I feel pretty safe in assuming that many of you are also in a season of change.

Some changes are huge- moving, major job changes, marriage, divorce, children. Others are smaller, yet meaningful changes. Some changes are internal such as attitudes and dreams.

I believe that the body of Christ is going through changes also. There seems to be a common thread in the conversations that I have with Christians lately. It is a sense that the Lord is calling us closer to Him and that things are starting to shift and shake within our churches.
Some of the changes are painful, yet necessary for us to become the "spotless bride" that He will ultimately return for.

One thing is for certain...we're being taking out of our comfort zones!
My "comfort zone" was always busyness. Yes, running around taking care of this ministry and that ministry and having lots of goal driven activities filling my time.
Now the Lord has brought me into a quieter place and calling me to lay down some of these things as He ministers to me the value and necessity of family and home.

This has caused me some pain. There have been a few things...titles...etc. that I have had to lay at the altar and walk away from.

Has God asked you to lay something on the altar?

He asked Abraham.
Gen 22:2
2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son,
Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the region of Moriah.
Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering
on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
NIV

Abraham was asked to bring his greatest blessing to the altar.
His legacy. His only son, whom he loved so much.

Isaac was a gift.
Abraham was God's servant. He knew His God. He trusted His God.

God then provided a different sacrifice.
Genesis 22:12-14
12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
NIV

Abraham renamed that mountain "The Lord Provides," also known as "Jehovah Jireh."

Look at what Abraham said on the way up the mountain:
Gen 22:5
We will worship and then we will come back to you."
NIV

Did you know that is the first time in scripture that the word 'worship' is used?

There were other offerings, but not worship such as this.
How beautiful is that?

When we lay down, as to sacrifice, something for the Lord- it is an act of true worship.
As a former worship leader and one who loves to sing praises to Him, that is powerful to me! There is no talk of music or singing being involved, but there was...worship.

So again, let me ask...has He asked you to lay something on the altar?

I believe, "sacrificial change" as opposed to "superficial change" will be the hallmark of the body of Christ in these last days.

Let's look at the blessing Abraham received for honoring the Lord:
Gen 22:17-18
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
KJV

I love it!
The Lord will bless our obedience. He knows our hearts. He puts desires in us. He will take care of bringing them to pass...in His time and in His way! He's so incredibly loving.

When we sacrifice our own wants and needs so that we can honor Him with our lives, He is worshiped!

As we do this, it changes us. It makes us more like the Savior we worship.

It’s change that we can really believe in!

Reckless Worship

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Mark 14:4-9

I began reading the story of Mary of Bethany during the Holidays. I thought about her living example of pure worship to our Savior. I realized that Mary of Bethany cared little about how she was perceived by others when she approached her Savior to anoint Him with expensive oil.

Touching our Savior was the only important matter on her mind. She wanted to be near her Savior and give Him everything she had as worship to her Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Mary of Bethany was criticized "harshly" by those who observed her act of adoration.

Is it possible that we too, could become critical of other's worship to our Savior? Are we concerned with what others might say about us as we worship and adore Him?

"But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; the Father is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23

God goes on to say,

"God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24

Our worship to Jesus Christ consists of a whatever we do to honor our Savior and what our motives are. It is not out of convenience or self gratification that we approach Him but rather, the offering of ourselves and our bodies as living sacrifices - the taking up our cross daily toward Him.

Mary of Bethany cared little the cost of the oil she used to anoint Jesus Christ for his burial with. She literally poured the expensive oil on his head as an act of profound love.

In the book of John, he said it was used to anoint our Savior's feet. She then used her hair to wipe His feet. What a beautiful act of devotion! Jesus discerned her heart and the pure love for the things of God. Mary of Bethany knew that He was worth it all. It was the Lord's preeminence that moved her to worship Him - as it should us!

Remember, at all times God looks at the heart of the worshiper - and you and I should always remember this when approaching Him! I want to have this type of worship for my Redeemer.

She humbled herself before God and desiring only to serve the Lord. Her action and attitude marked her as a woman who was courageous in spirit - we too, should have these same traits when we commit ourselves to Christ and our worship of Him!

What keeps us from sitting at His feet? What entangles us in this world? Ask Him to bring it to mind. Worship is our outward reflection of our love towards Jesus Christ. Pray and ask our Savior to give you this deep love for Him and His Word. Mary of Bethany cherished the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His Word is our greatest source of comfort, peace, and hope!

Our deep conviction of worship for our beautiful Savior will keep us aware of how we live. This will help us avoid the movies we shouldn't watch, books we shouldn't read and talk shows we shouldn't follow!

Our intimacy with our Savior and Father is His highest priority for our lives. Whether it is praising, giving thanks, singing, praying or giving financially, the issue always comes down to our motivation for doing the things we do.

To Him, it is the heart of the worship that matters.

Worship is a moment by moment expression of our walk. This type of worship should make us think twice before we do the things we do.

Mary of Bethany and her act of worship may have seen reckless to those observing her pouring oil upon our Lord, but God sees it as an act of deep devotion.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whenever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." Mark 14:9

"You are worthy, O Lord," To receive glory and honor and power; For you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created." Revelation 4:11

"That you may live a life worthy of the Lord." Colossians 1:10

Here is a portion of an old hymn I love:

"O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to thee; For thou, in Thine atonement, Didst give Thy-self for me; I own no other Master, My heart shall be thy throne; My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for thee alone."

My prayer for all of us:

"Thank you my heavenly Father for sharing Mary of Bethany with us. Help us to live a life of devotion to you that others might recognize as the life lived of reckless worship for eternity - remembering your always knowing our motive and whether it is in Sprit and in Truth."

In Him,

Elaine

Intimacy with Christ

I should’ve named my tiny Yorkshire Terrier “Enigma” instead of “Zoe” because her quirkiness could stump the best dog whisperer.

For example, she loves to sit on laps, so whoever is planted comfortably is the momentary apple of her little eye, and she begs to sit with the sitter. The problem is, she cannot jump high enough to get to us. We have to lean and scoop her up. Oddly, she then darts away, looking over her shoulder as if to say, “What are you trying to do, imprison me? Why are you so possessive?” She repeats this approach and retreat until she is far from the sofa, causing us to forfeit prime couch potato time by getting up and carrying her back to our laps, thus creating a whole new frustrating version of “fetch.”

We’ve analyzed her bizarre routine, wondering if she is …

• afraid of being lifted to 2-ft heights
• playing a screwy game of chase
• a control freak
• communicating, like Lassie, that Old Man Hanson is trapped in a burning shed which toppled onto a railroad track and is now in the path of a locomotive and we must go save him

Exasperated, I announced one day, “I wish I could become a dog and learn what is in that head of hers. I’d be able to tell her to stop this madness and convince her to trust us.” My family nodded in agreement, but I saw my son furtively dialing Dr. Phil and my daughter tracing “!PLEH” on the foggy window.

Allow me a very rough parallel here—do you suppose this scenario is similar to how we often respond to the Father? In other words, do we “play” at knowing him, claiming we want intimacy but dart away when he gets too close?

Do you think we really fathom how far-reaching Jesus’ love was, how he left a holy place and condescended to us on earth? Humanity didn’t just happen to Jesus; he chose it. And John 10:18 says he gave up his life for us voluntarily. That is big love.

Because he decided to be Jesus and not a stone image or despot, we know he was misunderstood and despised. We know he endured temptation. He grieved when John the Baptist and Lazarus died. He celebrated weddings and loved children but never married or had biological children. In Jesus’ death, the Father experienced what it means to have your child brutally killed. All of Jesus’ earthly experiences culminated in propitiation for our sin but also in our assurance that he knows our struggles and our needs because he was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

Jesus still reaches for us, and not half-heartedly—he goes to great lengths—leaves the couch, if you will, to bring us to him. Luke 15:4 and John 10 tell how he is the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost and for those who stupidly run away from his protection and love.

Do you sense the Shepherd reaching for you? Do you know your shepherd’s voice? Do you vex him with indecisiveness and lukewarm responses? Do you trust him, or do you doubt his ability to carry you?

Don’t just glance at him over your shoulder when he beckons you. Stay a while. You can never thank him enough for the great length he went to so that you can be with him forever and know him right now.

He Split Time In Two!

Today marks a significant day in our history, Palm Sunday. Today we remember the week leading up to the most inconceivable event in human history.

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus,
The Son of God!
Recorded in all four Gospels:

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry; On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
Monday: Clearing of the Temple, turning the tables of the money changers.
Tuesday: Controversy and parables; Jesus evaded the Pharisees traps and taught the people.
Wednesday: Unmentioned. (Interesting)
Thursday: The Last Supper with his disciples. A loaf and a cup of wine. The new covenant.
Friday: The crucifixion and death of our Savior.
Saturday: Defeats the enemy of The Ancient of Days!
Sunday: Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus the Son of God. Victory over death for all mankind.

As I am typing this recap of Christ's life, I feel a lump in my throat and warm tears brimming. My soul is overwhelmed with the hope I have because of this week and what Jesus did for me.

Jesus

He split time in two.
He is the first.
He is the last.
He is everything in between.
He is conqueror.
He is redeemer of the broken hearted.
His is the restorer of relationships.
He is healer of all wounds.
He knows the innermost parts of my heart.
My Provider.
My Champion.
Powerful Advocate.
He is trustworthy and true.
He holds the stars in His hand!

Wars are waged against Him......He is victorious!
Lies are broadcast about Him......He is truth!
Governments try to crush Him......He is sovereign!
Legislators work to erase Him......He is ever-present.
Schools no longer pray to Him......He is our intercessor.
The media scorns His name......His name gives life.
Evil tried to kill him......HE LIVES!

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We are healed. We have hope. We have victory. Jesus faced the week ahead for us. We are the passion of Jesus Christ.

"You Can't Have Her!"

I have a confession to make: I am a Lord of the Rings nerd. I counted today and in the land of Girlfriendom - after I considered every woman I know - I have exactly zero friends who share my affinity for all things Middle Earth. My love for this magical land leads me to hope, but never dare pray, that Heaven will be something like the Elven city of Rivendell. My perfect eternity consists of worshiping throughout the ages on regal white horseback like the elf princess, Arwen. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have told you that. But now you are convinced of the nerd part, yes?

Even if you do not share my love for this mythical place, you simply must force yourself to watch these films and ask God to reveal all of the spiritual imagery. One such scene has captured my heart this week as I’ve been preparing a series of lessons for a women’s retreat.

In the trilogy, there is a niece to the King of Rohan named Eowyn. She is described as fearless, high-hearted (love that word), and skilled with a sword but is forbidden to participate in warfare because she is a woman. A great battle is looming and, determined to defend mankind, she disguises herself in armour and rides into the fight.

In the climax of the battle, Eowyn’s uncle, Good King Theoden, is struck down by the Evil Witch King and is about to be devoured by the flying beast he rides. Just in time, Eowyn takes her stand between Good and Evil and proclaims, “You can not have him!” Evil boastfully replies, “No man can kill me.” As she reveals her womanly identity Eowyn surprises Evil by exclaiming, “I am no man!” She strikes the Witch King and destroys him…something no man in the entire army could have done. If she had stayed locked away in the city, no doubt the outcome would have been much different. I get the Girl Power Goosebumps every time I think about it! (Be rest assured I am no feminist, but that is for another post.)

Listen to Jesus say:

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no on can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:28-30

Hear Christ Jesus say to Satan today, “You can not have her!”

Oh that we would wrap our minds around that thought! That we could let the truth sink marrow deep that we are sealed and protected by Christ’s own blood and nothing, no person, no situation can take those who believe on His Name from His hand. He stands between you and the evil one. “Over my dead body,” Jesus says. But wait. Satan tried that too – only the grave could not hold Him who holds the keys to death and destruction.

In our relationships, we are called to stand in that place of protection for our wounded sisters. Even now, God is growing in me a supernatural love for both women I know and those I’ve never met. I desire more than anything to stand, with the Lord at my side, between you and Satan and proclaim, “you can’t have her! I know what she has been through. I’ve done this one before. Get up sweetheart, we are going home.” Satan may laugh. However, just like Eowyn, you or I may be the only one suited to turn that smurk into a howl of defeat when he realizes we were just the ones pre-designed to win this battle. God knows what it will take to disarm Satan and when our lifesong will be most fitting to minister in a specific circumstance. All He asks of us is our ‘yes’. One thing is certain, if we stay safe behind the walls we may remain unscathed, but the warfare will continue and many will be left stranded on the battlefield.

What does standing for woman-kind look like practically?

* You have a co-worker who is going through a rocky time in marriage. You've been there and the Lord restored your relationship. Will you be willing to involve yourself enough to share the source of your healing?

* A young mother at church has suffered a miscarriage. You remember the pain of your own quite well. Will you send her a note to tell of your own experience so she'll know her grief is understood and justified?

* Your daughter is not born again. She has continuously let you know the subject is off limits. Will you rise up against Satan and proclaim, "You can not have her!" Will you continue exploring creative ways of sharing the Gospel at all costs?

Praise God, we know the One who wins the war, but there remain many battles to be fought between now and then. Will you join me in holy indignation against the enemy on behalf of the sisterhood? This army comes in the name of the Living God and our Father is greater than all. Satan - Beware!

Aroma

I was a foolish young bride who listened to the un-wise counsel of those who advised, “Hide your dishes in the oven, away from your guests.”

I had just finished spreading the dough for our pizza when the doorbell rang. Michael got up to answer while I tidied up the kitchen. Grabbing all of the dishes I could find, I threw them into the oven (ditsy Little Darlene!). It seemed like a good idea at the time since my cupboards were sparking clean in less than 40 seconds flat.

“Hello,” I smiled as our guests walked into the room, “dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes.”

Enjoying the company in my kitchen, I finished layering the pizza, while my darling groom poured some drinks for the guests. “Done,” I announced, setting the oven to heat at 425, “let’s go sit down in the other room.”

About 10 minutes later, our guests were standing outside on the back steps gasping for air while my husband did damage control in the kitchen. Every few seconds a melted bowl or two flew by my red face landing in the grass of our postage stamp yard.

Thus marked the early years of marriage. My mom on the other hand--married for over forty years--usually has the smell of a pie in the oven or a roast that greets us the moment we walk in the door.

Our lives are much the same as these ovens, as we live out our sacrifice each day—one with a stench in the stove, and the other a sweet aroma to her Lord. We can pretend that we’re this, or we’re that, but the aroma of our life is unmistakable to God.

Abel wanting to be washed clean brought a sin offering to God from his flock, while his brother Cain on the other hand brought a tithe offering of the fruit from his gardens (Genesis 4:1-5). In essence, Cain was hiding his “dirty dishes” in the oven rather than taking them to the Lord to be washed as a symbol of his faith in the coming atonement. The Bible says that God had no respect for Cain or his offering.

When we live a life that is pleasing to Him as Abel did, we show faith in the atonement of Christ, becoming that sweet aroma that He talks about in 1 Corinthians 2:15: "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish."

Mmmm… Something smells good…