Are You Tired?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~ Matthew 11:28 MSG

I heard a couple of my co-workers talking yesterday about how they hate Christians, because they are so fake and, “Have you been to their churches?  It’s so dull and boring and they look miserable.”  I was going to turn around and say something, but then they parted ways and I didn’t get a chance to speak up, but thought about their comments a long time. 

Today’s scripture reminded me of their conversation.  As a church, what are we saying to a hurting and worn out world when we, too, are hurting and worn out all the time?  How do we get refreshed?  From what Jesus is saying, it’s by keeping company with Him and through those times, we’ll learn how to live freely and lightly and well-rested.

Maybe the holidays, with all the hustle and bustle, have left you feeling worn out and tired.  How do you reenergize?  Where do you get the motivation to keep going?  Some will exercise and other will drink coffee or one of those energy drinks.  God wants us to turn to Him as our source of refreshing.  When we walk closely with Him, His energy seems to flow off of Him and cover over us.  If you are tired and weary today, I encourage you to spend intimate time with the Father and let His Words encourage and refresh you.

Father, thank you that you are always available to us when we need you.  Thank you that you don’t get burned out and you’ve never turned us away.  I pray that we would remember to stay close to your side, always abiding in the shelter of your wings, drawing from Your strength to carry us through.  Be with us today and always.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

A New Song for Christmas

Have you ever heard a song before, but heard it for the first time as a message straight from God?  We were in church this morning, at our Christmas Eve service, and the band was singing “Little Drummer Boy”.  Having grown up in a Christian home, I’ve heard that song and even sung it year after year at Christmas time.  But this year, today, it was different.  Today it was as if I’d heard the lyrics for the first time.  The lyrics are, “I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum / I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum /… / Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum / Me and my drum.”  It was my own private, intimate message from my Father.  He said to me, “You don’t have to bring much.  Just bring yourself and bring your best.  When you do that, it makes me smile.”

Perhaps you’ve been feeling a little blue this Christmas season.  Maybe you’ve been looking around at all that you don’t have and can’t do for people due to a lack of funds.  But just like baby Jesus didn’t want from the little drummer boy things he didn’t have, Jesus doesn’t want that from us, either.  What He wants is for us to joyfully bring to Him what we do have.

I pray that today and in the days to come, you’ll remember that Christmas is not about presents, not about a tree, not about things you don’t have, but about what you do have.  And what we have is the love of a Savior and a chance to celebrate the victory that He has done in our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Need You

And my God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:19

Last night when we were changing Savannah and comforting her, the thought of thank you popped into my head.  It wasn’t sarcastic, though it was the middle of the night.  It was a thank you to the Father for these precious times of being able to completely comfort my daughter.  She’s at an age and stage where she’s on the move constantly, so I really and truly cherish those snuggle moments when I get them.  As I continued to rock her, the song I Need You, by Sonicflood, began to play in my head.  The lyrics are: You can tell when I need love / You know I’m in need / Love, I need love / You are love / I need You.

The above scripture says that my God will supply all of your need.  Sometimes all we need is the comfort of our Father.  Sometimes, it’s just a chance to stop the activity of the world and climb on up into His lap and be completely comforted.  During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, amongst the shopping, decorating, partying, and Christmas light hunting, don’t forget the One who should be the center of attention during this time: Jesus.

If your life seems a little chaotic and out of sorts, or if you are fighting with your spouse about colored vs. white lights, perhaps it’s time for a break.  Perhaps it’s you need some downtime, some snuggle time with the Father.  He wants to bring you complete comfort.  Take some time and crawl up into His lap; He’s always available to you.

Father, thank you for special moments with our family, the kind you can’t capture with a camera.  But even more than that, Father, thank you for special moments with You.  Father, thank you for the intimacy and closeness we are able to have with you.  I pray that during this season, we would remember you and look to you for our comfort and a breath of fresh air.  Thank you for being with us today and always.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Don't Forget Your Bread

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever...” ~ John 6:35 MSG

When you go on a journey, what kinds of things do you need?  You need food, clothes, and hopefully a map or some kind of guide to get you where you want to go.  In the above verse, Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life and says that those who align themselves with Him will never again hunger or thirst.  That word align really stood out to me and drew a mental picture of a straight edge and a string.  The closer the string comes to the straight edge, the less we can differentiate between the string and the edge.  But as Christ-followers, isn’t that what we all want?  If we want to be a true reflection of Christ and His glory, shouldn’t we see less of us and more of Him? 

Sometimes our journeys in life have us walking through shadows.  But as we draw closer to the Father, we don’t have to fear the shadows, even those that overcome us, for the Father promises that as we walk closer to Him, His shadow will overcome us and it’s there we will find rest and protection.  Psalm 91:1, also known as the “emergency” verse says, “He who dwells [remains, lives, stays] in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow [covering, protection] of the Almighty.”  Walking through life's valleys can feel like endless roads, but with the Lord as our guide and His nourishment to keep us strong, I know we will never falter.  

Let’s pray:

Father God, I pray that You would continue to draw us close to your heart.  When we cannot find rhythm for our feet, I pray that we would fall into step with the cadence of Your heartbeat.   Lord, I know that You will never lead us down a path or a road that—as we draw closer to you—we cannot overcome and won't grow through.  Father, I know you've got "exceedingly, abundantly above" plans for us.  I thank You, that You have taken the time to get to know each one of us and because You love us so much You will grow us into Your greatness, a true reflection of Your glory as we continue to align our lives with Yours.  Father God, please be with us today.  Hug us tightly and hold us close.  Kiss us softly and gently wipe away our tears.  I know You will be with us today and always as you guide us out of the valley and into the promised land. Thank you, Father.  It's in Jesus' Name that I pray, Amen.