Let Your Gentleness be Known

Let your gentleness be known to all men (Phil. 4:5)! 

Are you serious LORD? No wonder Paul says saturate yourselves in prayer! 

Gentleness is the fruit of maturity. It comes from quiet strength. It is the ability to control my words, my anxieties, and my stress in order to not be sudden, rash, or brash. 

Gentleness is sensitivity that wields power because it submits to God to allow Him to have full control of the situation. 

Gentleness wields strength because it bears with another. 

Gentleness displays inward grace and humility. 

Gentleness is founded in love and poured out of love. It is light, tender, kind, and soft. 

Gentleness is sensitive. You know the healthy kind. I have a confession. 

I feel a war raging inside me and at times I wonder, Who am I? Does gentleness count when my insides do not feel any of these truths? 

Sometimes, words... no flat out logorhea pours out before I think. I hate it when I speak before I think. I really do want a gentle quiet spirit. I pray for it. Yet, I am not always obedient. 

I am so glad that gentleness does not mean that we do not speak up. It means that I speak up with respect for the other. If I hold the other person as God's image bearer I am more likely to honor them and let my gentleness be known. 

Gentleness means I take care to not cause harm. It means that I submit this crazy human to the will of God so that He can mature me so that I might bear this blessed fruit. 

Praying for gentleness to be made known in me that I might make it known to all. 

Maybe today you should say a prayer for me! :) 

Father, please let your gentleness be made known in me and through me for Your glory alone.

First posted August 11, 2020

A Marriage Prayer based on Colossians 3

I rocked hard in my cushy blue chair. My foot kept tapping on the floor as I pushed it back and forth. I was so frustrated! As a young newlywed, I knew I was not who I should be, and neither was Greg. We loved each other and we loved God, but UGH! How do we help someone to change when we ourselves are struggling with the change in us? Sometimes, we would just forget who we are and to Whom we belong! I hated these moments. So, my foot would tap, and I would rock back and forth pondering how to counter our latest moment of not so godliness with one another. On this particular day, I happened to be reading in Colossians so when I opened up the Bible, I remembered that I had heard someone say, “Real power comes when we pray Scripture!” So, I decided that I would commit to praying Colossians 3 over our marriage. I took Colossians 3 and wrote it out in my prayer journal praying it with my owns words and my own issues. I was trying to own it in my life. I wondered if it would really work for us. I wanted to experience the reality of God changing us. So, I rocked, wrote, and prayed. 

I do not remember what our particular fight might have been in the moment, but I do remember that when I paused to pray Scripture, I would see that I was more intentional to dress appropriately in God’s character qualities and when I prayed them over Greg, I was more apt to see them in Greg. Yes, I had to fight really hard to not point out his lack of being dressed properly and try even harder to focus more on how I was dressed in a God given character quality. We have had seasons of beauty and splendor, as well as seasons of Hmmmm… not so much! But what I know from almost thirty years of marriage is that when I prayed and made the choice to honor God, Greg would follow suit. When I chose to dishonor Greg and God, Greg would often follow suit. This goes the other way as well. When Greg would choose to honor me and God, I would make a shift and do likewise. And when he didn’t, I would easily fall into the temptation to do the same. We so easily can cause our beloved to fall. UGH! 

I think the hardest thing in marriage is learning to die to self! We expect our spouses to be the one that meets our needs, but it must come from God. Learning how to die to self to serve our spouse is the training ground God uses to grow our character. He knows we have so much to learn. So, He blesses us with one another to grow us! 

What might a marriage prayer look like based on Colossians 3? This morning I took the time to write it out in a prayer and as I prayed through it I wished that I had the one I had written some thirty years ago. But, as I wrote it out I recognized for sure that the things I probably emphasized as a twenty-year-old are different than what I am now. I have learned so much and I know the blessing of praying long-term in marriage. Seasons come and seasons go. All things pass, so what might feel devastating in the moment will in a few weeks be forgotten when truly covered in love. This is the beauty of love given freely. 

It is my prayer today that some of my younger beloveds might consider writing their own marriage prayer based on Colossians 3. Pray it often and allow God to dress you appropriately at home in His character qualities. Maybe God just wants you to pray what I have already written. 

A Marriage Prayer based on Colossians 3 

Father, thank You for raising us up in Christ. Help us to see the things that are above that will honor Jesus and honor You since He sits at Your right-hand in the position of strength! It is hard sometimes for us to remember in the moment that we need to set our minds on things above. Emotions, frustrations, routine, wants, desires, and needs get in the way. Life is real and raw, so we forget and focus on the earthly things. Please forgive us! We know that we are hidden in Christ because we have chosen to die to self and follow Jesus. Thank You for the reminder that our belief in Jesus will allow us to appear before You in glory. Sometimes that seems far away. Can You please show us Your glory in our marriage now? Help us to show Your glory through our marriage. 

Help us to put to death anything that might be hindering our marital journey. Slay within us sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil, desire, and covetousness that leads to idolatry. Thank You for all the ways You have already dealt with those in our lives and help us to celebrate the goodness You have already orchestrated. Father, in many ways it is the internal struggles that are the hardest to slay because they are hidden inside us, and no one knows our thoughts. Please help us to deal with our anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk. Help us to be honest about our struggles and to speak truth to one another. Help us to encourage one another to grow in our new self by renewing our minds seeking to be like You! Help us to remember that NO ONE has the advantage of being better than the other. We are both free in Christ both male and female. 

What a gift You have given us as Your chosen children. Please help us to dress like Your children and to never forget that these character qualities must be put on at home before we walk out the door to serve others. If we do not dress in them at home, we cannot walk about wearing them well with others. Please help us to dress ourselves in Your holiness—allowing You to do the sanctifying work that must be done to make us holy as You are holy. Help us to remember that we are beloved and that our spouse is Your beloved as well and that just as we expect to be treated a certain way so does our spouse. Help us to pray often for us to deeply love each other so that our spouse knows that they are our beloved. BE LOVED! Help us to get into the act of loving well. 

Dress us in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience! O yes! Give us patience! We ask for it from You because with You we will have a better chance of being patient as the trials unfold. Help us to bear with one another without complaint in the daily routine never forgetting that it is in our times of peace that we prepare for our times of struggle. Our choices in these moments prepare us for when we must trust our daily habits to get us through. Help us to take out of our hearts what we received as an offense and not hold on to it for true love keeps no record of wrongs. 

Let Your forgiveness and grace be our norm. Let us forgive freely as You forgave us freely. Help us to cover ourselves in the blanket of love so that we might be bound in harmony as we let peace rule our hearts. You are so giving and so generous. In this we give thanks! Let thankfulness flow freely from our hearts, mouths, and actions. Cause us to say, “Thank you!” to each other often and to be very specific in what we are saying thank you for. Let us daily give thanks for the gifts You have given us and let us be known for our thankful and generous hearts toward one another. 

Let us dwell richly in Your Word, O LORD. Let the meditations of our hearts be upon Your Word and honoring Your Word because when we are in the Word, we are with Jesus, and we are transformed! Let Your songs of wisdom pour out of us with thankfulness to You! Help us to serve You in both word and in deed, giving Your Name, Jesus, honor. And giving praise and thanksgiving to our Father through You, Jesus! 

Father, as we submit to You it is so much easier to submit to one another because we are no longer thinking about our self, but the other and giving You glory. When we are submitted to You, O LORD, it is so much easier to love each other and not be harsh with one another. Allow our love and submission to one another be so honoring that we give You glory. We lift our children up before You and ask that we raise them up in honoring You and one another. Help us to show them how to respect us and help us to lovingly raise them up in kindness. Show us how to reason with them, guide them, direct them, coach them, and bless them as they grow. Show us how to encourage them so that they become strong and courageous. 

As we serve in work or ministry let us do it in reverence and awe as we serve You! Help us to not be people-pleasers always wanting to be seen. Let us serve for Your pleasure and not man! Thank You for the inheritance we have in Christ Jesus and that You call Your children Your inheritance. Thank You that we can rest in knowing that this is secure. Thank You that we can also trust that You will discipline the one that does wrong. You have no favorites. We can trust You to discipline us both as we go through life. We can trust that You can and will speak to our spouse when they have gone astray in their choices. Thank You for this assurance. We trust You! We give our marriage to You for Your glory! In Jesus Name, AMEN! 

May our Father, encourage you and strengthen you in your marriages today! 

Amen and Hallelujah! 

Shalom ya’ll!

How did Jesus handle "Cancel Culture" Attitude?

I discovered first-hand that, in this world, we tend to “cancel” people much too quickly. I had just  given my testimony to my Foundations seminary class. I was terrified to share what I had because it was raw and pretty messy. It was my first time to tell my painful story and it was to a room full of ministry leaders I highly respected. I wanted their approval.  

I didn’t receive it. I experienced the pain that comes when someone “cancels” us because they judge us unworthy to be included. That day, I learned a lot about feeling ostracized. Once I shared the truth of who I’d been before Jesus changed me, people who talked to me regularly began to avoid me. They’d awkwardly walk away or turn before I could seek engagement. It was my first harsh encounter with being “canceled” because my story did not lend itself to a pretty Christian testimony. I had never been shamed for past decisions like I did that day. It hurt so much and made me feel ashamed, even though I was walking in freedom. 

And do you know what? Being “cancelled” hurts even more when it comes from those who should be helping us with forgiveness and healing.

“Cancel culture” is practically an accepted part of life now. It happens when a group of people ostracize someone because they’ve done something that is perceived as socially wrong. It’s a large-scale way of using shame to pressure the person to “do the right thing.” While there is some value to cultural norms of right or wrong, the dark side of “cancel culture” happens when a person or a group of people place themselves as the arbiter of right and wrong and do not allow room for the “transgressor” to  find forgiveness or redemption. Worse, when attitude becomes anonymous and widespread through social media, it breeds fear, which then lends to a very unhealthy cycle.

Do you know what really bothers me about “cancel culture”? If someone steps “out of line” or is “outed” for a decision made today or even years ago, they’re immediately deemed unworthy. Nothing matters but that one word or act. Over. Done. The person being “canceled” is given no place to find community.  No opportunity to know the gift of forgiveness, and no way to be embraced into a welcoming experience that begins the process of healing and restoration that leads to redemption. When this happens, we’ve missed the mark.

It’s terrifying.  But as I read the story of the sinful woman who wiped Jesus’ feet with her tears, I realized that “cancel culture” is not new to us (Luke 7:36-50).  

It was common in Jesus’ day for wealthy patrons to invite a visiting rabbi to their house to teach. Even though a person may not have been included, they were still welcomed to attend, but they weren’t permitted to speak. It was kind of like going to a theater. The uninvited guests would encircle the dinner party and learn from the teacher as an observer. In a way, it was an opportunity for the host to be pious and generous to the more unfortunate in his community. 

A dinner with a rabbi was the social media of the day. It was the best way to get a message out because all levels of society were in attendance. Dinner parties were used for moral reform just like our social media is today.

I imagine this scenario: when the sinful woman heard that Jesus was at Simon’s house, she grabbed her alabaster jar,  showed up as an uninvited guest, and stood behind Jesus. As she listened to Him talk, she heard about the forgiveness of sins and believed. She believed so strongly that she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Before she realized it, her tears were covering Jesus’ feet. She knelt down to dry His feet with her hair. Her new understanding of the gift of forgiveness and that she was welcomed in His community were so profound that her worship bestowed little kisses on His feet in gratitude. Maybe she was lost in the spirit of welcome that she received in Jesus’ words as healing and redemption took hold in her spirit. One thing is for certain, she couldn’t contain her thankfulness. 

See, Jesus didn’t cancel her. He welcomed her tears and her wiping away the dust from His day’s journey with her hair. Jesus accepted her worship because it was an expression of faith. Jesus knew her past. Jesus knew her pain. Jesus knew her sins, but Jesus didn’t want her to stay there. Jesus knew the faith and peace which were yet to be born in her so that she might know the gift of welcome in community. Jesus didn’t cancel the sinful woman because Jesus came to change culture, not cancel people. A changed culture comes through a changed person. When we cancel people, we cancel opportunities for change.

But not everyone at that dinner behaved like Jesus did. They disparaged and spoke poorly of her and her actions. Consider that the Pharisee was the religious leader. He was the very person in the community who should have been offering the spirit of welcome to those that needed to know God and move toward God’s plan. 

It’s the same today. Where does “cancel culture” begin? Just like in this biblical narrative, it starts in one person’s heart and, if not dealt with appropriately, will be taught in whatever our culture considers the appropriate place to do mass social moral reform. “Cancel culture” moves one person’s thoughts to a group of people who want to belong, so they willingly cancel a person in hope that they will find their place. 

With the Pharisee, Jesus couldn’t let this teaching opportunity go! 

Notice how Jesus confronted Simon. He didn’t shame Simon by telling him he messed up. He didn’t “cancel” Simon the way Simon had the woman.  He actually modeled forgiveness and acceptance as He taught!

Jesus began with a statement. “Simon, I have something to share with you.” In the Middle East this meant that He had something important to say. He then shared a short parable about two men that had debts. One man had owed 50 denarii (one’s days wages) and the other 500 denarii. “If both were forgiven their debt, which one would love his master more?” Jesus asked.

Simon, tentatively, stated, “I suppose the one with the greater debt!” 

Notice, Jesus affirms Simon of his wisdom. 

Jesus then used the woman as His visual aid. “Do you see this woman?” 

Recognize this! Jesus wanted Simon to see her! He needed to notice her! Not who she had been, but who she was now! 

Why? It’s very hard to cancel someone you have taken the time to see!

Jesus then compared Simon’s actions to the sinful woman. Both revealed what was in their hearts. The opportunity for redemption came to a climax. The woman who had been “canceled” as sinful was elevated and given forgiveness, redemption, affirmation, and peace because she demonstrated faith in Jesus. 

Simon’s road to redemption is left untold. 

Why? I honestly don’t know, but I can’t help but wonder if this might give us the opportunity to dwell upon Simon and realize we might have the same attitude in our hearts.  This must be dealt with so that we can stop the “cancel culture” phenomenon that seems to plague us. Simon becomes our reminder that our thoughts lead to actions. The only way to truly change our culture is to begin with our own thought life. We are the ones that need to change!

How have you experienced “cancel culture”? In what ways might you need to deal with “cancel culture” thoughts in your own heart? Who might need to know that they are welcomed in your community so that the process of forgiveness, redemption, healing, and restoration might take place? Who in your life do you need to stop and just see? 

Shalom y’all!

First published at:
How did Jesus handle a cancel culture attitude?

Heaven's Hospitality: John 3:1-21 Jesus and Nicodemus

John 3:1-21 Jesus and Nicodemus

Have you ever been in a very dark room when someone switched on the light? Did you blink or cover your eyes? Often our reaction can be extreme. It feels intense and we try to block the light. But, if we pause for just a few seconds our eyes will adjust and then we can see with greater clarity. 

This is also true spiritually. 

The story of Nicodemus has a contrast between light and darkness. Listen to today's Bible story and listen to how Nicodemus moved from darkness to light spiritually. 

It is key to understand that Nicodemus was a religious leader that was living in the darkness spiritually. As he moved closer to Jesus and knowing Him, he was moving closer to the light. When we first move from darkness to light it is hard for us to see, but as we remain in the light our eyes will begin to adjust. This is true with our spiritual understanding as well.

How might God be asking you to move from darkness to light? 

Heaven's Hospitality: Ruth 2

What if kindness was the norm even during evil times? listen to the kindness found in Ruth 2 and consider how it was lived out during the time of Judges when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The book of Ruth becomes a sweet reminder that kindness is a beautiful gift in hospitality.

What I learned from hitting a tree!

What I learned from hitting a tree!

   

 I loved the swish of the wind and the sound of the “ZZZZZZ” of the line. I cried out to GOD aloud, “This is amazing! It must be wonderful to be a bird to see all of this beauty at anytime!” I looked out over the canopy of the trees and zipped across the tree line shouting with glee. As I neared the platform I started to pull down on the break and I noticed it wasn’t slowing. I looked at the twenty-year old guy on the platform and noticed he was chatting with the other team members. He wasn’t looking at me. I heard in my heart, “You are going to hit the tree. Relax your body. Bend your knees. And when you hit push off the tree!” I had no time to think I just responded, and I hit the tree. HARD! My body responds even now with sweaty palms, and I can feel the UMPH reverberate in me. My response. LAUGHTER! I hide my fear and pain by laughing. I was in shock. I did not know I was hurt. The guy moved my zip line to the next line and went on to his next arrival. I never told him, "I am hurt!"

I was able to stabilize myself and allow the zip harness to hold me up as I felt my body shake. I remembered two of my students were afraid of heights and all I could think was “I cannot let them know that I am hurt. It will make them afraid.” We were on a two-hour tour zipping through the trees. I had no clue how far into the tour we were or how many zips we had left. I did know that the last zip was our fastest zip at about 35 miles an hour because our guide told us as we waited to zip across. I got on to the next zip hoping it was the last, too afraid to ask. I have no clue what I was thinking from this point forward. I just kept moving forward. I know there was lots of laughter and chatter all around me. I was silent. We were asked to move off the zipline after that zip because we were about to do our last zip. This is when I realized something was not right. I stood between two college guys that made me feel tiny when I started to feel like I was about to pass out. It was 100 degrees that day so they didn’t think anything of me asking if I could hold onto their shoulders. They thought it was because of the heat. 

We were told that we were not allowed to get out of order but when the guy said that it was our last zip, I stepped out of line and walked right up to the zip and made him harness me. No one argued. I was the Dean of Women and the old lady on the tour. I got what I wanted in that moment. I listened to the ZZZZZZZ of the line for the last time and I have no memory of it. 

When I landed, I walked off the platform and as I stood waiting, I realized that my feet could not handle my weight, so I sat down on the rocks. The guide yelled at me and said, “No one is allowed to sit on the rocks.” This is when I realized I could not stand well on my own and the realization hit me that I was seriously injured. Some of the shock was starting to wear off now that I was off the zipline, so I allowed myself to feel for the first time what happened. It was surreal. I noticed that students were walking up the gravel hill to get to our bus about 100 yards away. I called out to my daughter Mikayla and said, “Come here!” I whispered to her, “I can’t walk!” She had no clue what was happening. I told her, “Help me to get to the bus. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.” She did. 

Somehow, I managed to get from the bus to the restaurant where we were eating that was across the street. I went to go pay our bill and as I waited for the cashier this is when I knew I could no longer stand on my own. The pain was unleashing burning searing waves radiating through my feet and up my legs. I felt faint. I do not remember telling the male dean or what happened from that point forward. I have vague memories of my students carrying me and trying to watch them finish out leadership tasks in blind folds. But these memories are like glimpses into a movie scene that pops up. I have a hint of it, but not a full grasp. 

I tried hard to make light of what happened because I hate being seen as weak. UGH! I am so prideful! “My new nickname is George! Just call me George and cry out, ‘Watch out for that tree!’” 

I knew I needed to see a doctor and I knew I needed a wheelchair. I wondered how I would tell my Greg. Phone calls did not work in the mountain, but I could text, so I text him and said, “See if you can find the movie George of the Jungle and could you please get me a wheelchair! I hit a tree!” I don’t remember his responses either. 

It is weird when you know you have walked through a moment, and you cannot recall it. We drove home to Nebraska the next day. I remember ice on my feet and a cooler holding me up. I remember kindness. Such kindness. Tears well up now, but I do not remember details. 

The next day I went to the doctor and after x-rays and seeing several doctors I learned that I had crushed my heal pads and tore all of my tendons and ligaments in my feet, ankles, and up into my legs. Time would reveal that I also reinjured areas in my lower back. The doctor told me that what I heard before I hit the tree saved my life and kept me from living with a crushed spine. It was in this moment that I knew I heard the voice of God and I obeyed. 

Today is the fifth anniversary of me hitting the tree and I would like to share what God has taught me. When Facebook reminded me that this was the day our team went ziplining, I realized that I am okay. In fact, I am finally ready to put to print what I learned from this experience. I never posted about it and only if you really know me well would you know that I went through it. Part of the reason is that I am prideful and vain. I have had to repent of both of those a lot in this journey. I would not allow my family to take photos of me in the wheelchair or using the walker because I did not want to look weak. UGH! I confess it now because I know the truth that when we are weak He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). The other reason was that I do not like writing or posting about things that I have not fully processed and allowed God to bring about His good fruit in me. I can with great joy say that on this fifth anniversary my heart is full and rich because of what I went through, and I know this is only because of what God has done for me. 

Shortly after I was injured someone suggested to me that God allowed me to be injured because He saw that I was sinning, and He knew I needed a wake-up call. O my! How to process that! God quickly reminded me that “pain happens to good people doing good things” as much as it happens to “bad people doing bad things.” None of us are exempt from having bad things happen in our lives. Things go wrong. Bad things happen. It only takes a split second. What we need to ask ourselves is How can I draw near to God in my pain and suffering? How can I give God honor in my pain and suffering? And how can I give to others what I am learning through this journey? I was not living in habitual sin or sinning in any form that would warrant God causing me to hit a tree and get injured. Honestly, that did not resonate with what I knew about God. I needed to simply accept that bad things just happen. No one is to blame. They just happen. 

As I reflected on my year and that I had chosen the leadership word of “Joy”, I realized that God prepared me in advance to be a person who chooses joy rather than whines and complains. I had already been praying for this character trait to be evident in me and I was able to pull on those prayers as I really wanted to whine and cry. I also realized once again how intimate my relationship with God truly had become. I heard Him tell me what to do and I did it. This realization gave me tremendous comfort as I processed my pain. It could have been so much worse! 

It was the first time in my life that I felt a level 10 pain. I hate pain scales. I cannot honestly answer them anymore because I have experienced what I thought was a 10 on the pain scale. Labeling pain now seems almost unnecessary when it comes to my normal pain in any given day. How am I to scale pain when I know a 10? PAIN HURTS! And when pain is in full force it is so hard to think, care, or even see others much less put it on a scale! 

One day I was determined to walk to my classroom to teach without using my walker to get there. I was so prideful that I refused to stay in the wheelchair as long as I should have or on the walker as long as I was supposed to. I was so foolish! As I walked across the parking lot between the Administration building, the dorms, and the classroom, I was trying to walk but my pain was so intense that I wanted to sit down in the parking lot and cry. I wondered, “What would my students think if they saw their Dean of Women sitting in the parking lot bawling?” This is when God gave me my pain song, “Thy will!” by Hilary Scott. There is a line that says, “Thy will be done!” over and over. I started singing that song in my heart for each step, “Thy will be done! Thy will be done! Thy will be done!” and before I knew it, I was finally in my classroom. I felt so exhausted and empty, but I did it! God helped me walk to my classroom by myself. I carried my own things and did it! TRIUMPH comes in the very small things. I wondered if my students learned anything from me that day, but I made it across the parking lot despite the pain. PAIN HURTS, but GOD showed me I am stronger. I am so much stronger than I realized. I had no clue how strong I really was, but He was making it clear. With Him all things were possible (Matthew 19:26). 

I also learned that pain brought fear. I found that I was afraid of hitting things and in general I had this unusual sense of not feeling safe. I did not recognize this until one day in chapel as the worship song was being sung by our student leaders, I had a vision of God. It was so real that I felt it with my sense of touch. I saw a lion. A Big Beautiful LION! I walked up to Him, and He welcomed me with a nod of His mane. I laid down beside Him and nuzzled my face into His mane. It felt wirey and stiff. I started to run my fingers through the mane only to realize it was not easy to do because a lion’s mane is course. His muzzle felt like velvet, and I just curled up to Him and felt so safe. In this moment, I knew that God is safe, God is good, and God is present. I need not be afraid anymore. God did not make me hit the tree. He allowed it but did not make it happen. He was using it to teach me things so that I could give them to others as they dealt with pain and suffering. This vision was so real to me that I did not want it to end. I clung to that vision and used these verses as reminders of what God was teaching me. 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting” (1 Chronicles 16:34). 

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (feet)” (Psalm 34:18). 

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of need” (Psalm 46:1). 

Every morning I would rise-up and read the Psalms. They became nourishment to my soul. I was accustomed to reading large amounts of Scripture every day, but suddenly I found that I only had to read one and I was suddenly stopped by God. His Word was so alive and active in me. I felt His presence as never before. I found myself crying out, “I love the Jesus me, better than the me, me!” Begging God to grow the Jesus me and to remove the me, me! This prayer was especially important when I was home alone with Greg. I would work hard all day at school trying to hide my pain and then when I got home, I had nothing left to give Greg. God used Greg to minister to my pain in the raw, real, and ugly moments. Greg remained faithful and understanding when I was not the Jesus, me. He loved me even when the me, me showed up. God used Greg to be Jesus with skin on to me and show me love when I did not feel lovable. For Greg, I wanted to be more like Jesus than ever before. Eventually, I discovered that pain opened doors for me. 

The truths found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 became my heart cry. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:3-11). 

I asked God to use my distress and suffering to bring comfort and salvation to those I served. I wanted people to know that I did not rely on myself, but God and that He alone is the one that delivered me and enabled me to give thanks and keep on walking. And if they did not encounter the Jesus, me then it was because I was the one who walked away from the God of all comfort and compassion not the other way around. 

So where am I today with my feet and pain levels? I get asked this by those that know me and know my suffering. I am good. I am not where I want to be, but I am good. I know that God is good. God is safe. God is present. He is my help in my time of need. I have developed an incredible sense of empathy for pain and suffering. I can see it in people’s stories, bodies, and movement. God causes me to pray for people that I might not have ever seen before because now He has given me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is willing to respond. And feet that move slow! I guess I needed to slow down! 

God surprised me recently. One night we were playing games and I had my feet up on Grant’s lap. He was unconsciously rubbing my feet. This is not something I have been able to tolerate since my injury, but on this night, God revealed a sweet gift to me. As Grant rubbed my foot, I jerked my foot back and he apologized so profusely as tears rolled down my cheeks. I tried to assure him, “Mommy is okay!” I jerked my feet because for the first time in four and a half years I felt pleasure at the bottom of my foot. It tickled! PURE JOY! I recently had prayed a different prayer. I simply said something like, “God, You have given us smart phones and smart brains. Will You please make my brain smart enough to heal my feet!” God heard and He answered. I can feel a tickle! That is bliss! 

I still suffer from chronic pain and if I walk too much or do too much I limp, but I know that God is good! God is safe! God is present! And that God is opening doors for me to walk through simply because I know pain and His goodness through it. Now that is a beautiful thing! 

I know you have your pain story. Everyone does. What are you doing with your pain? Will you use it to give God glory? 

It is okay if you don’t know how. Just ask Him. I promise He is good. He is safe! He is present! And He will help you in your time of need! 

"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15). 

 Happy 5th Anniversary to me! 

 Shalom Y’all!

The Spiritual Discipline of Storytelling

When I first began my journey in discovering how to tell Bible stories in my own words, my focus was all about how to get the gospel in the heart language of those listening and to reach the nations. My mind was on using it as a tool for others. My mind was not so much on the gift it would bring me. I had no idea that GOD would surprise me with a deeper lesson for me. As COVID hit our area, I noticed that the consumption of the news and social media was creating a frenzy of fear. It only took about a little less than two weeks for me to realize this is not sustainable. I cannot live in a spirit of consumption. I am designed to create, not consume. So I made a conscious choice to remove the consumption and get on with creativity. The creative outlet I chose was birthed out of sadness. I had prepared for months for two big conferences and suddenly I was told that both were canceled. What was I to do with all that God had put on my heart? I still felt that I had something to say, so I decided to create short videos teaching a few of the truths God had given me. 

During the beautiful spring days, I would go outside and sit on my back patio and begin to go over the Bible stories that God had given me to teach. As I went over a story and took the time to record it, I discovered a sense of peace that reached deep inside me. I discovered that when I created and recorded the Bible stories, it did not matter that our world was crashing in with COVID and race riots because I had found a deep soul satisfaction in creating. It did not matter that I only had a handful of people actually watching the videos. What mattered was that God was calling the deep out of me. I discovered that the craft and practice of creating a Bible story to be told had become a spiritual act of worship for me because, over time, story crafting/telling had become a spiritual discipline. 

 What is a spiritual discipline? 

Richard Foster author of The Celebration of Discipline defines spiritual discipline as “habits, practices, and experiences that are designed to develop, grow, and strengthen certain qualities of the spirit– to build the ‘muscles’ of one’s character and expand one’s inner life.” Brett and Kay McKay expand the definition for spiritual discipline as “the habits, practices, and experiences that are designed to strengthen certain qualities of the Spirit—to ‘build muscles’ of one’s character and expand the breadth of one’s inner life. They structure the ‘workouts’ which train the soul.” Without even knowing that this occurred in my life, I discovered that the practice of learning how to tell a Bible story, and then telling it, had become a spiritual discipline that was strengthening my inner life. My soul was being trained by my story crafting! I discovered that peace, counsel, might, knowledge, understanding, and yes even a healthier fear of the LORD were taking place in me. This gave me a greater confidence and assurance in God’s greatness and goodness even amidst COVID and turmoil of 2020. I realized I was “centered” when most around me were in chaos. I enjoyed soul satisfaction and a greater sense of community both with God and others, even in their pain. I celebrated an overflow of organic truths pouring out of me as others were spewing fear, anger, hatred, confusion, or pride. I was convicted when I fell prey to my own fears and forgotten moments of who I am, who I belong to, and what I am called to do. The more I made the crafting and creating of stories to tell, the more I realized that the Word had become the meditation of my heart moving me from feeling frozen and heartbroken to joyful and worshipful. 

Why have we not given the rally cry for storytelling as one of the great spiritual disciplines? Do we have biblical precedence for Bible storytelling to be a spiritual discipline? 

The Psalmist Asaph prophesied that Jesus would use parables. 

 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. (Psalm 78:1-3) 

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy by speaking in parables. 

 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world” (Matthew 13:34-35).

We could also discuss how the disciples used stories as a part of their daily discipline in teaching others. Just a quick scan of the book of Acts reveals that telling the story of Jesus was what they did. Jesus and the disciples developed the discipline of telling the stories of Scripture and Jesus because it fulfilled and revealed truth. 

What is a spiritual discipline? 

A spiritual discipline is a practice that we do that helps us to become more like Jesus. It is the process of doing something so that we might become a vessel where people can find Christ! 

What made the disciples so effective as disciple makers? 

They simply told the story of Jesus. There were no schools on what to do, no seminary classes on what to say, no Sunday schools or City groups to help them create a strategy or plan. Their discipline came in following Jesus. They didn’t have to practice telling the stories. The stories were the overflow of what they were experiencing. As we read Acts, we discover they simply told the story of Jesus over and over. It was in their telling that their discipline showed up. 

Several years ago, I read the Master Storyteller by Swarr, Gidoomal, and Araujo. I came across the word davar. These authors pointed out that davar is the Hebrew word for “Word”. The authors explained that davar is not just the Word, but it is the ability to fulfill what was spoken. They also pointed out that the Word can be spoken, written, illustrated, and/or experienced (p. 3). As I read this, I realized that is my heart cry. I long to be the person who speaks, writes, illustrates, and experiences the Word of God in such a way that others will be compelled to speak, write, illustrate, and experience the Word of God, too. So, I am praying that I davar. This can only happen in the process of time as I develop the habit of crafting and telling Bible stories. This discipline only comes through the struggle of pushing through in the story to get better each time I tell it. The discipline of experiencing the Word happens as I practice over and over and recreate new memory maps in my mind. And somewhere along the way, I discovered I am experiencing the Word of God in a new and powerful way. I discovered insights that no one had taught me before as I reflected and meditated on the story. It changed my prayer life, which changed my thought patterns and actions. I noticed that it then changed the desires of my heart and led to making specific life choices that honored God, and it opened doors of opportunity to share about God and His stories with others. The discipline of storytelling helped me to grow deeper and bear more fruit because the consistent, habitual commitment to learn, share, and teach a Bible story helped me to become more like Jesus. I moved from studying the Word of God to becoming like the Word of God. 

Can you honestly say that when you hear the Bible or read the Bible that you experience it? Why or why not?

In Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the Scripture is alive and active like a double-edged sword. We are supposed to experience the Word of God. I am a North American Oral Strategist or a Story-centric Discipleship Maker because I love to show others how they can speak, write, illustrate, or experience the Word of God. My goal is to help people actively engage with the Word of God. 

What is the process that must take place for something to become a spiritual discipline? 

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7) 

For me, the process of Bible storytelling came in four stages. 

    1) The fear and frustration phase 

    2) The commitment phase 

           a) Learning the practice

           b) Repeating the practice 

           c) Developing the practice 

    3) The discovery phase 

            a) Perseverance & Time

            b) Develop Rhythm

            c) Grow in deep truths

    4) The fruitful phase 

            a) Soul Depth

            b) Soul Satisfaction

            c)  Spiritual Sense of Wonder and Awe

            d) Spiritual Sense of community with God and others

In the fear and frustration stage, I was a new graduate from seminary ready to change the world. I would go and teach based on a topical study method with three points like I was taught. It greatly confused me when I did not see life transformation taking place in the people. 

Here is a parable I wrote about my journey! 

A long time ago, a very passionate teacher gave her students every single detail of information she would learn, but she soon discovered that many were overwhelmed and did not understand what she was teaching. At first, the teacher thought something was wrong with her, and then she thought something was wrong with her students. The teacher felt frustrated and really struggled because she wanted to teach in a way her students would understand. Out of frustration and resignation, one day she simply told a story. To her surprise, her students were excited and were able to recall what she taught. The teacher caught the truth that a story enables people to engage the Bible and encounter Jesus so that life change happens. 

The commitment phase began as I started telling stories. I did not know that there was an oral culture or oral strategy for Bible storytelling, until one day I stood behind two pastors discussing Chronological storytelling. I knew immediately I had to know more. I asked a few questions and began the process of learning. This is when I discovered that there is such a thing as an oral culture and oral strategies for Bible storytelling. I was ferocious in my research to learn more. In my research, I uncovered that there was a network called the International Orality Network. 

At the International Orality Conference, I encountered Bible storytellers for the first time. THEY TERRIFIED ME! Don’t get me wrong, they were great at what they did, but that was my issue. They were great at what they did, and it scared me. Their practice had removed them from how hard it is for a literate learner to develop the craft. I remember one encounter with a storyteller that literally made me freeze as she demanded that I tell her a Bible story she just randomly picked from the Bible. It was as if my mind became a blank slate and there was nothing there to share. I couldn’t even pull up the story, even though I knew it well enough that in a normal conversation I would have brought it up easily. There was something about the idea of performance that made me freeze. A spiritual discipline is not about performance. It is about drawing near to Jesus. 

God knew I needed a different approach to learn how to tell Bible stories. He led me to John Walsh, Michael Forestieri, Don Falkos, and Phyllis Hostmeyer to find my rhythm for storytelling. As I sat under their teaching, I discovered different methods for learning a story and different styles for presenting a story. John reminded me often that it was okay to mess up and that, in fact, a “good Bible storyteller will fail” and that is okay. God is big enough and the listener is kind enough to grant room for improvement. 

In the discovery phase, I started crafting my own style of Bible storytelling. In the process of practice, perseverance, and time, I developed mental memory maps for Bible storytelling. The journey was not easy for me. I felt like I was working my way up and over a very big mountain every time I practiced telling a Bible story. In the practice of preparation and process of time, I discovered that I had a sacred rhythm that grew out of this process. I started to notice deep truths that no one showed me. I would hear directly from God. I could tell that God was calling the deep out of me, and I felt closer to Him and richer from having spent time studying a passage to be able to tell it well. It was during the practice of preparing stories during COVID that I realized that it was no longer as hard for me. What used to take weeks and sometimes longer was coming to me in an hour. And it doesn’t take as much for me to go back over a story I learned a few years ago. In the past, I would have to relearn it, but now I can recall some of them without practice. 

The fruitful phase brought about blessings I never anticipated. The fruitful phase showed me that the discipline of learning Bible stories moved me from viewing Bible storytelling as a tool to a craft that brought forth creativity, which then inspired change. The Bible was no longer about consuming because it was what we should do each day. The Bible became my lifeline to creativity. I noticed that the more I was in the Word of God, the more I was with Jesus, and the more I was transformed. 

I noticed that the practice of storytelling developed my personal: 

  1) Soul depth 

  2) Soul satisfaction 

  3) Spiritual Sense of wonder and awe 

  4) Spiritual Sense of community with God and others 

I would like to say that I chose to make Bible storytelling a spiritual discipline, but I did not. It was a practice I did because I knew it was an effective tool, but overtime God surprised me. He wanted me to see that Bible Storytelling was a spiritual discipline that draws people closer to Him. Those that study His stories will know His character and what pleases Him. 

I found that when I studied Bible stories to tell, I found things that God revealed to me personally and I would later read a commentary and discover that He also showed it to someone like Charles Spurgeon or Matthew Henry. I was shocked to discover that God would give me such deep insight just from preparing a story to tell. One of my favorite revelations happened as I prepared the story of Jesus calling the disciples. As I studied this story and wrote out the character traits of God, I realized that from the names given in this short passage I could see Jesus’ history and mission revealed just through the names He was called. I realized that I feel God’s pleasure as I prepare Bible stories. I know His delight in me and this causes me soul satisfaction. 

One day I remembered a quote made by Eric Liddell, he British runner who won the gold medal in the 1924 Olympics. The story told is that Eric’s family were missionaries and one day his sister was reprimanding him for neglecting his responsibilities to God by running. Eric responded that when he runs, he feels the pleasure of God. Our spiritual discipline will cause us to know the pleasure of God. I know that there are those that would argue that Eric Liddell’s discipline in running is not a spiritual gift, but the concept of knowing God’s good pleasure at work in us when we seek to do His will stands true. 

Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” 

Just as the discipline of Bible storytelling gave me soul depth and soul satisfaction, it also taught me how to focus more on the character of God and His work around me to grow my spiritual sense of wonder and awe. My respect for God grew as I learned more about Him and His work. The spiritual discipline of studying Bible stories reminded me that God is present and at work unleashing His power and authority in my life, just like He did with those in the Bible. This caused me to want to tell others of His glorious deeds. I could not help but sit with wonder and awe as I grew in my God-confidence. I found that the discipline of Bible storytelling helped me recover what I had lost. Bible stories allow us to discover truth while we uncover the mystery of God, which allows us to embrace God’s beauty, and creativity around us. But even more important is what He has done for us through His Son Jesus where all the treasures of heaven are hidden. 

My newfound God-confidence spilled over into my relationships. The discipline of learning how to tell Bible stories made me grow in my relationship with God and others. I found myself loving God more and loving others more. 

Essentially, God used the discipline of Bible storytelling to grow me personally, corporately, and spiritually. All of those are end goals for authentic spiritual discipline! 

The spiritual discipline of learning how to tell a story will bring about an inward awakening and depth that will in turn build interpersonal communication and community. As we put into practice the telling of God’s Word, we will see a transformation in our community because the spiritual discipline has transformed us. 

When I set about on this journey of learning the art of storytelling, I did it so that I could reach the nations, but what I discovered was the LORD used it to call the deep out of me! 

Will you join me in the rally cry to call storytelling a Spiritual Discipline?