Ordinary or Extraordinary

Loved this journal entry... good reminder, God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes.

One Day… by Katie Davis; excerpt from Kisses From Katie

           

“Ordinary people.

He chose Moses. He chose David. He chose Peter and Paul. He chose me. And He chose you. Common people. Simple people. People with nothing special about them. Nothing special except they said yes. They obeyed. They took the task God assigned them and they did it. They didn’t always do it well, but they said yes, and with His help they did it anyway.

Extraordinary tasks.

Moses was a murderer, a shepherd just trying to mind his own business and move on with his life when he watched a bush catch fire and not burn up. God wanted to use him to lead His chosen people out of Egypt. Moses was a human and told God that He had the wrong guy. Moses wasn’t an eloquent speaker, and he was afraid. But he said yes, and god used him anyway. The Red Sea parted, bread fell from heaven, and people believed.

Jonah was an ordinary fisherman and God wanted to use him to set Nineveh free of its wicked ways. Jonah was human and quickly ran away, overwhelmed by the task God had given him. From the belly of a fish, he repented, he begged for forgiveness. He said yes, and god used him anyway. The people of Nineveh believed in God, turned from their evil ways, and were spared from destruction.

David was a shepherd boy, pretty much the runt of the litter, the very last thought in his father’s mind, and despised by his brothers. God wanted to use him to be the next great king of Israel. Though everyone doubted and watched in horror, David said yes, and God used him anyway. Little David used a stone to take down the giant Philistine. The Philistines were defeated, and though David continued to make mistakes, god used Him to make Israel a great nation and relay His words to many people.

Mary was a peasant girl, probably a teenager, getting ready to marry a local carpenter. God wanted to use her to carry His Son, hope for all mankind, into the world. She asked the angel, “Why me?” and “How?” Ultimately, though, she surrendered herself to His will. She said yes, and God used her anyway.  Baby was born who transformed the world then, and still does today.

Paul was a young man who made it his goal to destroy Christianity, dragging believers to prison and even killing them. God wanted to use him to proclaim his name to Gentiles all over the world. Paul had a violent history and initially other believers were afraid. But he said yes, he fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel, and God used him anyway. Paul performed and witnessed miracles, wrote close to half of the Bible, and spread the Good News all over the world.

Sometimes, the everyday routine of my life feels so normal to me. At other times the idea of what I do seems like quite a daunting task. I realize that since I have chosen an unusual path it is easier for outsiders to look at my life and come to the  conclusion that it is something extraordinary. That I am courageous. That I am strong. That I am special. But I am just a plain girl…broken in many ways, sinful, and inadequate. Common and simple with nothing special about me. Nothing special except I choose to say “yes.” “Yes” to the things God asks of me and “yes” to the people Hi places in front of me. You can too. I am just an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God!

More than I can handle? Yes, because in these times, God shows himself victorious. He reminds me that all of this life requires more of Him and less of me. God does give us more than we can handle. Not maliciously, but intentionally, in love, that His glory may be displayed, that we may have no doubt of who is in control, that people may see His grace and faithfulness shining through our lives.”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Leap...of faith

Even though life may seem crazy, messy and confusing or just plain, mundane and ordinary, God is still with us. He is teaching us and working through us! Only the Lord's consistent faithfulness working through you will bring Him glory. His timing may seem slow, yet it’s steady and eternal! 

Slow  by Audrey Assad

Faith is not a fire as much as it’s a glow

A steady humble lamplight in the window

It’s not too much

No, it’s just enough to get me home

Cause love moves slow

I’ve heard that faith moves mountains

I know it moves my feet

To follow You

Or maybe I’m a mountain

Because it’s moving me

To follow You

My faith is not a fire as much as it’s a glow

A little burning ember in my weary soul

It’s not too much

No, it’s just enough to lead me home

Love moves slow

So I move slow

Cause you move slow

Yes, love moves slow

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Priority 1- Prayer

This excerpt was a powerful reminder to me that God doesn’t have a Christmas break, a rushed holiday schedule, or a job to return to. He is God. He's faithful and always the same! He waits and wants to spend quality time with each of His children everyday.

Missing Me by Lifeway Journey

“Lately it seems like my prayers are going nowhere. There are prayers that have been hanging out there so long, seemingly unanswered, that I’ve gotten tired of asking. So I’ve settled, somewhat miserably, on what I think God is saying through His silence.

There have been other times I’ve poured out my heart in desperation. But there have been more times when I’ve hurriedly told Him what I need—right before I drift off to sleep. I’ve prayed for sick people who didn’t get better. And I’ve wondered, Does prayer really change things?

But I’ve realized that what’s missing in my prayer life isn’t God, it isn’t His lack of answers, it’s me. I’ve treated God like a drive-thru waiter. God, I’ll have a super-sized order of Your blessing, please, with one order of things going my way, one large cup of Your protection with no problems, along with a packet of guidance, and a very small order of spiritual growth on the side. Oh, and sprinkle in some forgiveness for that thing I did yesterday. Thanks, God! I’ll check back with you later.

But the God of the universe wants a relationship with me. He wants to spend time with me. He wants to make me look like His Son. Impart wisdom to me, and to show me how needy I am. When we get together, He wants all of me, not just the sleepy me who gives Him a list of things I want Him to do for me.

Prayer is two-way communication with our Creator. It’s not leaving a list with God. Instead, it’s the intersection of the Holy with the daughter/son He’s training in holiness. He talks, we listen.”

Psalm 27:8

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Worry or Worship?

Today I shared a short devotion at my teacher team meeting. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to say all I had planned because my nerves got the best of me. Don’t you hate that? You read and plan and prepare, and then in the moment when you’re speaking, it sounds like you’re talking in unrelated circles…needless to say, public speaking is not my gift!

Anyway, since Christmas is just a week away I wanted to share something about this special holiday.  So I read this describing Mary’s response to her unique gift – the mother of God’s Son!

Mary’s Song of Praise by Anne Alexander

“Mary’s song of praise is an amazing expression of adoration for her Savior—especially in light of the fact that she was a young teenager! Let’s look at the circumstances that preceded her praise.

God sent Gabriel to tell Mary His plan, and her response to this incredible news demonstrated wisdom and obedience far beyond her years. “I am the Lord’s slave…May it be done to me according to your word.” Shortly thereafter, Mary went to visit her elder cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. Upon hearing Mary’s greeting, “the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: ‘You are the most blessed of women and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” (Luke 1:41-43)

Through Elizabeth’s words, Mary had further confirmation that God had already done what He promised—she would be the Messiah’s mother. Mary remained humble after she acknowledged that she was an unlikely person to be given this honor and responsibility.

The reality of this extraordinary privilege caused her heart to overflow with gratitude in a joyful song of praise. She praised God for His favor on her,  His power and holiness, His mercy through generations, His exaltation of the lowly, and His special favor on His people. Young Mary’s knowledge of the Scriptures is evident through her song of praise.”

Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said,

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has brought down the mighty from there thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 

he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Deeper Walk – read Psalm 71

So, how evident is your knowledge of the Scriptures when you’re faced with unexpected circumstances?

Do you truly believe that the Lord will do what He has promised?

Can God trust you to remain humble when He gives you an extraordinary privilege?

Reading Mary’s story and song of worship shows me her remarkable faith and trust in God. She was human, and surely had fears, yet she chose to worship rather than worry. Maybe this would be one of Mary’s modern day worship songs:

Bring The Rain by Mercy Me

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Israel Tour: Journal Day 8

The Empty Tomb!

Back under the raindrops we exited our bus at our first stop at the top of the Mount of Olives. This is a great site that overlooks into Jerusalem-looking straight toward the golden Dome of the Rock, at the right the sealed opening of the Golden Gate in the old city wall, and to the left steps carved out of the Mount Moriah stone leading into the old temple, with the steep valley in-between. Up to Jerusalem, what a sight! We walked down to a garden area where Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional recounting that Jesus will come again, and this place-the Mount of Olives is where He will return!

We walked down this very steep hill, a long and winding road into the valley. Some historians believe this is the road where Jesus rode the donkey on Palm Sunday, and people waved Palm branches and praised Jesus with “Hosanna, Hosanna!” As we walked I couldn’t help but think of the song and sing the words to “Hosanna in the Highest…”

At the bottom of the hill we entered the Garden of Gethsemane. This garden has a high stone fence all around it because now it’s surrounded by busy roads with people and cars rushing by-what a sobering place this was. There were very old olive trees scattered throughout and our group sat and read the story of Jesus betrayal. Here we were, in the garden, the place where Jesus was praying and was betrayed by Judas. We took time to spend some time in prayer on our own. To my surprise, with all the surrounding noises you could hear, standing quietly for a few moments silently with the Lord in prayer was very emotional. This is another place I hope I won’t forget.

We walked across the road and up, up, up the hill to enter the city walls of Jerusalem at the Lion’s Gate. We toured the area around the Pool of Bethesda. Pastor Gary reminded us of Jesus ministry of healing here-He healed only one man God told him to minister to…of all the sick people that would gather around that pool area everyday. Jesus obeyed and ministered to the one God appointed for Him. How obedient am I? Do I listen to God to know who and when to minister to people?

Also, there has been built a beautiful white church building on this site, and as we toured inside and heard the incredible acoustics, our whole group stood on the front steps and sang together the Doxology and Amazing Grace-wow! We sounded like an award winning church choir—only due to the building’s construction-it was a worship treat to our ears!

Next we walked through the city and down the Via Dolorosa-the street many believe was Jesus’ route when carrying His cross to Golgotha. We entered and toured the Roman prison house, Antonia Fortress. This is where Jesus was mocked, beaten, and tried as a criminal. We went in the basement area-street level in Jesus’ time—where you can still see the street blocks and prison floor.

 

After a salad buffet lunch at a nearby Kibbutz that overlooks into Bethlehem, we made our way back to the Garden Tomb! I had been looking forward to this all week-unfortunately when we entered and toured the garden it was raining really hard! Our group stood and heard a historian's view of the Golgotha Hill side…at once time the mountain looked like a skull face, hence the name means, “place of the skull.” Then we each took a turn entering the empty tomb where Jesus was for only 3 days. It’s a very small space, half barricaded, with a sign posted on the door, He is not here for He is risen. 

Afterward we gathered in a nearby chapel room and had a communion service remembering what happened on this mountain and in this garden tomb!

I am grateful for my Jesus today because…

He came to Earth-in Bethlehem

He died for my sins-on Golgotha

He was raised from the grave-from the tomb

He lives today- in heaven

He is coming again- on the Mount of Olives

Reminds me of the old hymn...

Because He lives…I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives….all fear is gone,

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Israel Tour: Journal Day 2

In the sun on the Sea!

Praise the Lord! I opened the curtains to a sunlit Sea of Galilee! And sure enough, just after our salad buffet breakfast our group walked down the road a couple blocks and loaded aboard a wooden boat to set sail! While we sailed North our group mingled and snapped photos. Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional and we sang a few worship songs.

Our boat docked near the town of Magnala, the town of Mary Magdalene. We toured a small museum with an excavated boat exhibit.  Years ago a small fishing boat was found in the muddy sea shore and was carefully removed. Scientists studied the wood and have found 13 different kinds of wood/tree branches were used in its construction. This is a common fishing boat that would have been used in Jesus' time.

Next we drove up the Mount of Beatitudes-a high ridge area-and sat overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Pastor Andy read the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. As we sat and gazed at the Sea below us, and read through the Beatitudes…we were instructed Jesus was once here teaching his followers. He would stand near the lower end of the hill and speak looking up the hill as people would sit looking down. They would be able to hear his voice clearly as the hills and valley create a natural voice amplifier. That would have been cool to hear Jesus teach!

Back in the bus we were on our way down to the Sea of Galilee shores. That’s right we walked down to the rocky beach area filled with rocks and lapping waves. What a bright beautiful day it was. Here, we gathered and heard Pastor Gary remind us of the story from John 21, where Jesus makes a fish breakfast on the beach for his disciple Peter and asks him three times if he loves him.

Back on the road we drove to Jesus’ boyhood town, Capernaum. We walked through the town and saw the house ruins of Peter, a carved picture of the Ark of the Covenant being moved, and sat in the town synagogue ruins. What a place this was-at one time, Jesus was here. He would heal people, teach groups, and challenge them to change their lives and live for Him.

Finally it was time to eat, so we drove to a nearby Kibbutz and devoured a fresh fish and pita bread lunch!

We finished our day tour by driving around to the southern side of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan River flows South. There is a baptism park here where groups can gather and perform ceremonial baptisms. Several from our group wanted to follow in Jesus’ example-and despite the extremely cold water-this was an experience I won’t forget!

On our way back to the hotel we had to stop by a nearby Starbucks rival, Café Aroma for some much needed warm coffee.  Mmm, well timed, well made and well appreciated!

Not only was this entire day bright and warmed by the sun, but the reoccurring theme from our teachings and tour sites was “let your light shine.”

How many Hula-Hoops can you hold?

We all know that life is a balancing act of time management between jobs, relationships, hobbies, eating, sleeping, church, exercise and entertainment… and whatever else may be on your priority list.  If you were to compare each of these to Hula Hoops, how many hoops could you hold and swivel on your body at once? Now there’s funny mental picture!

This month my life’s seemed extra busy preparing student report cards, planning parent conferences, working extra hours at the church café, preparing a staff devotional, planning for a week long substitute, packing my luggage and preparing my mind to leave on a 10 day tour in Israel, as well as, start thinking about a school chapel to present of my Holyland trip upon my return. Whew! Several times within the past week, I’ve silently prayed, “Lord, I don’t think there’s enough time each day to get this all done!”

Thankfully, God has supplied me with many friends who pray for me; and, he’s given me sufficient time to organize, plan, prepare, and still have time to participate in a couple leisure activities-even write this blog!

In preparing to give my testimony and short devotional with my coworkers I found this excerpt to read about wisely prioritizing our time between work and worship. From the highly recommended book Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver writes…

“Life is filled with Hula-Hoops. We all have responsibilities, important things that need our attention. If we’re not careful, however, our hearts and minds can be consume with the task of keeping them in the air. Rather than centering ourselves in Christ and letting the other elements of our lives take their rightful place around that center, we end up shifting our attention from one important to-do item to another, frantically trying to keep them all in motion.

It’s easy to forget that while there is a time to work, there is also a time to worship-and it’s worship, the time we spend with God, that provides the serene center to a busy, complex life.

Mary, from Bethany, did not fall for that. She knew the difference between work and worship. Martha did not. That is why she nearly missed the better part.

I can almost see Martha as she greeted Jesus on his way through Bethany. I don’t suppose the Hula-Hoops were actually visible as she came out to meet him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a slight movement around Martha’s hips. “Come in! Come in!” she probably said “Mi casa, su casa! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check the soup.”

I, too, have been guilty of giving my Lord a breathless hello and a quick hug. I’ve welcomed him into y life and gotten him situated, but then moved on like Martha, frantically moving on to other duties.

Mary did not do that. She dropped her Hula-Hoops and sat at his feet. Who has time for recess games when you’re in the presence of the wisest Teacher who ever lived?

Stereotypes keep us from embracing truth. The story of Mary and Martha was never meant to be a psychological profile or a role play in which we choose the character with whom we most identify. This is a story of two different responses to one singular occasion. In it, we should find not our personality type, but the kind of heart Christ longs for us to have.

A heart centered in him alone.”

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”