Are you missing out on the real thing?

"No creme, and no sugar." That's how my friend takes her coffee...black! Personally, I think she's crazy. All those yummy flavors to choose from to mix in!! How can she drink it "plain?" I have asked her and her response is this: "You miss the original, intended flavor of the coffee when you add all the artificial stuff to it." I am thinking, "Yes, that's exactly what makes it sooooo delicious!" Her reply is always, "You're missing out on the real thing!"
As much as I (respectfully) disagree in regards to my coffee "enhancers", God used this last coffee date to encourage and teach me. When we add "stuff," we take away from the original. How true this is in life. There are things we add into our friendships, our marriages, our schedules, our parenting process, our worship, and even our coffee than can completely void out the "original core" of what it was originally created for. 
We fill our days with unnecessary stresses or avoiders through busyness or laziness or selfishness and it keeps us from completing what needs to be done. 
We fill our relationships with surface conversations, selfishness, jealousy, unrealistic expectations, that we miss the beauty of what sharing life is intended to do in our soul. 
We fill our marriages with selfishness, "stuff" and expectations, that we live by feelings and not by covenant. 
We fill our kids heads with all the rules and expectations and totally miss on shepherding their hearts and spirits towards the Lord.
We fill our hearts with temporary pleasures, fears, pride and even close them off to others, that we miss being filled with purity and unconditional Love. 
When we add "stuff" to our worship, we can easily find ourselves worshiping worship and not the creator and receiver of who worship is intended for. 
There are enhancers and there are overtakers! If I add a little coffee to my milk, I have Coffee-Milk which is nothing like coffee....at all! If I add a little milk to my coffee, I have Coffee with a hint of smooth, taking off the bitterness of the bean. But, if I add whip creme, heavy cream, vanilla and cinnamon, or go for a White Chocolate Mocha, extra creme and add the whip, for example, it's like getting a dessert, not a coffee! I can simply enhance or completely change my coffee to not really be "coffee." God instructs us to encourage one another and "as iron sharpens iron", we too ought to love and serve (with humility) one another. The Holy Spirit is our Enhancer. When we follow His lead, we live "enhanced" lives. But if I make everything about me, I overtake what God has planned. I want to be an Encouragement Enhancer, not a Distractor or Overtaker! God's ways are better than ours!!! 
God, give me eyes to see the things in life that are enhancers, and help me know when I begin to overtake something and loose sight of the original. Help me seek after You Lord God in everything I say and do, that You would be glorified and lifted up. May my friendships, my home, my family, my worship, my relationship with You, be filled with the enhancers You have gifted in this life to bring me closer to You and remove from before me all things that hinder and draw me away from You. Be forever, the center of everything in my life! "May 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). Amen.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth....Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And 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 3:1-2, 12-17

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:1-8

Yes, I do! How can you not?!?

Our church is currently going through a series about the local church, the importance of it, the structure, the value and ultimately, the glory of God and the fullness of God (Eph 3:21). I had sat next to one of my friends named Jennifer and another dear friend who's name is also Jennifer sat down on the other side of me. She said, "You are the middle of a Jennifer Sandwich!" I hadn't realized it till she said it and of course, it made me laugh. Then, throughout the sermon, in the back of my mind I was still giggling about being between these two awesome Jennifers. These girls have been such dear friends of mine for many, many years now and I am so grateful for their friendships, and their prayers. I have been blessed with several of these true and special Sisters in Christ and enjoy all the many hugs and prayers from so many each week, all from my local church!! When I miss for a very random and rare reason, I really miss it!!! God uses us to encourage each other, not just Ina  emotionally way, but spiritually!! I certainly count my blessings for the richness of a heart overflowing with thankfulness! 
We have attended this church since before the doors opened over 11 years ago so it is a very comfortable place. It's our home church. It's where we feel cared for, accounted for and a safe place to spread our wings and learn to fly (Isaiah) in the places of ministry God has called us within the church. Our Pastor will lay it all out and provide many scriptures about the local church, but as I sit here reflecting on MY local church, from my point of view, I don't don't know how someone can NOT be a part of a local church. I seriously don't know what I would do without mine! I am blessed with a great family but my church family has to "live" with me week after week. 
I know he mentioned tonight that we don't join a church for how they will serve you, but that you go where God has a harvest for you to serve, and I agree. But let me tell you...what a blessing He gives when we serve in His name, in the place He has sent you!! When we are where we are supposed to be, our hearts grow fuller and out of that we fill others, all to the glory of God. 
We are to encourage one another and love one another! It's been a joy to do this for others as I serve, but to also be on the receiving end is what makes life so much sweeter, and do-able! My church is where I feel "covered." My church is my "go to" in times of trial and a place of celebration in life's victories. My church is a training ground where I get to stretch and strengthen my spiritual muscles. My church is where my prayers and worship goes deeper and wider. My church is where my journey with the Lord "straightens out."  I rely on the accountability and the teaching and the love of my local church to help me to grow in the understanding and knowledge of Christ so that I can receive His love and therefore share it with others, ultimately giving to God the glory, while enjoying the "fullness of God."
So, I don't know if you are part of a local church, but I don't know how you can't be. We need each other! If you are waiting for "the perfect church," stop looking because there isn't one, and it's not really about you eventhough you will reap the blessings of fellowship with the Body, it's about the Lord! 
If you're reading this and you feel alone, I challenge you to look within your own heart and ask yourself honestly if you are sharing it with others. When we keep a wall of protection or pride or pity, bitterness or doubt around our heart, it neither gives well or receives well.  I know this from my own cautious life. When our hearts are full, (Deut 6:5, 10:12) it flows in each direction!! Up-Down-Out-Across!!! Start with loving The Lord and being loved by Him and I can promise you that your life will be full in the goodness of God and He will draw you to others to share this love with and highlight His very sweet love!!!!
Okay, rant over!!...now if you want all the "church" teachings-stay tuned to the upcoming series!!! How can you not?!?

Reflections

Out the back window.

What a beautiful view out the back window this morning. I had not noticed the distant mountain range until it began to glow, growing brighter and brighter. Well, obviously, it was reflecting something. I sat my coffee down and ran over to the front of the house and there was the source of the light. The intensely, gorgeous, stunning, colorful sunrise was stretching across the skies, rising up, conquering the once dark blue skies. It captured me and illuminated my morning!!

The Source of Light in the front.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

We, as Believers, are to reflect the Light of Jesus Christ. We are a "city on a hill," a "light in the darkness." The illuminated mountain in the back of the house was a direct reflection of the Sun...and we should be too. 

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

When I "shine before men," and they see my "good deeds," who's reflection will they see? Who will they praise? Our Light should be a direct reflection of our "Father in Heaven."  

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:13-16

God, let me shine for you!! May it be Your glorious beauty that others see when they turn around and look for the source of my light. The Joy of You, is my strength!! You hold my heart! How empty they would be if they only saw the good of Michele, and not of You. You are the One Source for all we need or want. May the words of my mouth, all that I say and so, bring honor to You! You alone are satisfying and sustaining. Forgive me Father God when I have taken the reflection and made it my own. My heart desires to reflect You, the One True Light, intensely, gorgeously, stunningly, colorfully illuminating the skies that surround us. Give us the wisdom to make the most of every opportunity of all that You make visible. Shine bright Lord and reflect upon us, the glory of You. In Your Son's Awesome, Beautiful Name, amen.