Don't be a dumb bird.

Mr Cardinal came for a visit this morning! He saw the open door and let himself on in. As beautiful as he was, bright red in color, he was not a welcomed guest in our home. What a chore it was to get him out of here. It was very easy for him to come in but it was really hard getting him out. The poor guy was flying circles around my dining room looking for one of the windows to open all the while the same front door he entered upon remained open and in the same place as when he entered! 
He finally caught eye of my upper windows and with all he had, kept trying to get out those closed windows. Could he not see that 3ft below him was the way out. It was right there! Dumb bird!! We knew it and did everything we could...we gave him time to wear out banging his head against the window, we held out poles for him to get on which he did only to jump off repeatedly. 
Finally, we had to corner him and throw a towel on him and literally grab him and carry him out. On his own, he may have just died up there trying it his way, thinking he could get out what appeared an open window. We saved his life. Either he would die of starvation or head injury or my stalking kitty would have enjoyed a feast!

As always, you know there are lessons here. This is what I learned this morning:

1.) It's easy getting in (sin) but it's not as easy getting out.
2.) God is patient giving us the opportunity to explore the choice we've made to go through seemingly open windows.
3.) God is faithful to rescue us. There is a way to freedom. He knows the Way. He IS The Way to life!
4.) There are many windows. Don't panic and continue to be stubborn, banging your head upon each one in hopes it's gonna be right. You are hurting yourself. Stop and look for the open door.
5.) God is grieved watching you hurt yourself. Won't you stop flying circles and trying things your own way and trust Him. He wants you to have life, not death.
6.) God will grab you, not allowing more than you can bear. Sometimes it will be at the end of all you have. That's where He grabs you.
7.) God is good. He sees you and is waiting for you to settle down and trust Him.
8.) Accept help. Sometimes we need help.  

Did you go through a door you shouldn't have? Can't seem to find your way out? Rest assured, there is a way out. God sends rescue in many forms. The fingerprints of God are all around. If you are feverishly flying around banging your head, trying all you can to go the way that seems right, won't you stop and breath. Take a look around you. There is a way out. Trust the help that is being sent to you. Satan, the Deceiver, will put lots of "seems good enough" around you, but I challenge you to not settle but know with clarity The Way to rescue which leads to life! You are only hurting yourself and you will wear out. Be careful if you choose to be stiff-necked for the prowling lion is waiting for you to be weak. Be alert. Be smart. 

Don't be a dumb bird.

Thank you Mr Cardinal for reminding me to be smart!

" Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:13-17

What does my soul really magnify?

"My Soul, My Soul, Magnifies the Lord..." but does it really? 

Our church worshiped with this song last week and as I was singing it, about half way through, I felt the prompting question, "Michele, does it?" I stopped singing and listened. (Click HERE to access this song on YouTube if you want to listen also." "Let every heart prepare His throne... Come and worship, do not be afraid. My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord. He has done great things for me....Wonderful. Counselor. Everlasting Father."  

Yes, awesome and Holy God. Wonderful. Counselor. Everlasting Father. It's easy to say these things, especially if you believe them. But then, does my soul magnify Him? Yikes, we can think all we want in our heads but what do I magnify... Self? Hatred? Bitterness? Selfishness? Greed? A Gossiper? Unforgiving? Judgement? Or do I magnify the Lord I say I worship with Patience? Love? Servant? Fair? Gentle? Trustworthy? Joy? Hope? Peace? Faith? Self-control? Kindness? If someone had a magnifying glass on me, what would be the most obvious? Honestly, it's a frightening thought, am I truly magnifying the Lord? Do others see His Light that I say (claim) I trust? Do I still have my own eyes set on Him?

Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You may not even need a magnifying glass to see all my sin. We all have things going on in our heart, mind and soul that we hope no one knows. Sometimes our sins gets it's own t-shirt if you know what I mean! Often though, it takes a magnifying glass to find those little sins down in the hidden areas of our soul.

This week marked for me the 4 year anniversary of my Season of Hell. That's exactly what it felt like. As absolutely horrible it was, the redemption and healing that came of it, I would not trade having to have gone through that in order to be where I am today, healed and restored, freed from bondage, and passionately in Love with the Lord! I don't want my "old" Christian self back. God in His grace, provided so many instruments of healing through Christian counselors and mentors, strengthening old friendships to beautiful new ones, to timely bible studies, opportunities to encourage and be encouraged, etc, etc. 
I can honestly say that over these past 4 years, as I have pride-shattering, humbly put up a magnifying glass over my own heart, mind and soul and compared it to His, the more intentional I am to fix my eyes on Christ's Love to see more of Him and less of me. It's been a battle learning how to receive His unconditional Love into my sinful self. Seeking to be more intentional in His Name, it's my heart's desire to honor Him with my life, loving Him with all my heart, all my mind and all my strength, helping me to become more pure in my thoughts and deeds, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14  "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17 I can see and even feel less of me and more of Him. Oh yes, there is still sin and there will be until we sit at the feet of Glory's throne. But that void of "something missing" has been filled with wonder and delight, only God can be all that!!! 

The Lord HAS done GREAT things for me! The song for me now is a prayer more than a declaration. It's a "fearful" thought to say I do magnify Him. Oh how I pray I do, but I cannot promise that I will. I am a sinner saved by grace who's greatest desire is to know Him more and share Him more! I pray that I lead a life reflective, magnifying the One who holds my very breath, my life, my heart. I am not perfect and don't claim to be (anymore-lol). But what I do claim is the Blood of Jesus poured out over me, cleansing me, redeeming me, guarding me, helping me, sanctifying me. PRAISE GOD!!!! 
It is my prayer that as Believers, we will encourage and love one another, stirring up in one another a purposeful intention and accountability to fix our eyes on the Lord and magnify His Love to the nations, both saved and wondering. Will they see Christ the Redeeming Savior? Who will they say we are celebrating? Will it be our life or His? We can fake our words but we cannot fake our heart's outpouring. Isn't it time to stop lying to ourselves and with pride-shattering faith, magnify the heart of God?!?


Father God, Christ Jesus, You are the Great I Am. My soul, my soul, how it is desperate for Yours. I am yours. Father, magnify Yourself to us so we may reflect You more and not only experience it but also share the unshakable Joy of Your salvation and Peace that surpasses all our understanding. In Your unending love and mercy, cleanse us and help us be who You created us to be. Take every part of us and cast out all that hinders us from being filled with You. Help us to be intentional in seeking You, knowing You, trusting You. God our Creation, Sustainer and Rock, we worship You, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father. To You be all the glory forever and always, in every thing, every where. amen.

My Mountain- Wheezing to Whistling

I bet when I say "mountain" this is what you imagine. Those of you who know me already know I LOVE taking pictures and am especially awed by God's magnificent, diverse creation. I have TONS of pictures of mountains, snow-capped and richly green alike. There is something so grand about mountains and oceans as they display the might and control of God. I could sit and stare at them all day, every day! 

I have hiked mountains and I have taken the lift up. Truly, both trigger my adrenaline. Hiking is a serious work-out going up, down is much easier. Not to mention the fact you very well may encounter a bear, snake, boar, lion, and a moose (which we have!) Lifting up the side however, while safe from being a meal for Mr Bear, is unnerving for someone afraid of falling/heights. Either way, anxiety hits a high. So why do it? Because the glory is worth the sacrifice it takes to get through it. The views are breath-taking.


You may have noticed that the first few pics I posted are "real" mountain shots from a recent snowy vacation with the family. (I'm resisting the urge to dig out more of these awe-some mountains...so massive and beautiful.) So then, what are the other pics?!? They are my other "real" mountains. The "mountains" and valleys we walk through in life. Our obstacles. Our challenges. Our conquering moments.


We all have "mountains" to climb. These pictures represent for me, some of my mountains. To you, they may look like a fun, lovely moment, and that is nothing more than the Grace of God shining through that moment, but in my world, they are mountains that were climbed! 

I am blessed to get to help with the children's choir in my church and the song I am teaching is "Go Tell it on the
Mountain." Last night as we were singing and teaching the sign for mountain, I said "Stretch your arms all the way up. Show me how high your mountain is!" The kids reached their arms up and one said, "Your mountain is higher than mine." Those words cut to my core....how true. 

My mountains are not the same as your mountains. The way we climb it, the time it takes to get up and over it are different. I know, I have work-out buddies and they can out-run and out-last me any day of the week and even whistle a tune! Good Grief...I'm just trying to breath while not tripping over my own feet! lol


Think about it for a minute...If you took a picture of your mountain what would it look like? Maybe you are climbing one right now. I won't explain all my pictures but I will summarize in this: many of my mountains are fear- heights, falling, judgments, trusting God, trusting others, letting go; forgiveness, courage, parenting, leadership, surrender, endurance, illnesses, faith...

Because we are all in different seasons of life, our terrains will look very different. We will face different obstacles, slopes, views. This is why we cannot compare or judge one another. If you were to stand at the foot of my mountain, you may laugh, for to you, it's merely a bump in the road. We must be very careful that we do not judge the climb another is taking. Rather, that we speak truth in love and encourage our friend to get up and over their mountain! 


As I have consistently "worked-out" with my buddies, over time, I have begun to gain strength and endurance. I get over my "mountains" faster. I am stronger. I too shall be able to whistle a tune as I conquer a travelled path! Endurance and strength are both physical and spiritual attributes. I find that as I grow my spiritual muscles, my physical muscles increase too. I am less fatigued and weary. A Holy fire fuels my day. When I am not working out, physically or spiritually, I become lazy, weak, distracted and defeated. As I come to the foot of my mountain, I must have endurance and strength to climb it!! Otherwise, the journey will take longer than needed (thinking of the Israelites and Jonah!!). 

The glory waiting on the other side of your mountain...the views that are sure to take your breath away, are well worth the sacrifice it will take for you to climb! Begin today to "work out" those muscles of faith, hope, trust and you will find your wheezing transforming into a  joyful whistle soon enough! Unsure? Need motivation? Accountability? Ask God to send you a "work-out" buddy or two and head to the mountains!


What a time of celebration when we gather together to share the photo albums of our Mountain Journeys! From all around the world, millions of hiked trails, majestic views seen through the eyes of each one, how inspiring and incredible it will be as we see all God has done!!! Here are just a few of mine from 2012....

"He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." 

I Timothy 4: 7-10 

 

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye." Luke 6: 37-42

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." I Timothy 4: 7-10 



"...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us tothe kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1: 10b-14

                                          

DO NOT JUDGE! ENCOURAGE!

DO NOT FEAR! TRUST!

DO NOT QUIT! ENDURE!

DO NOT DESPAIR! BELIEVE!

YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS!!! Phil 4:13