I had the privilege of meeting Emily Freeman 3 1/2 years ago. Not the best picture I know, but it brings back wonderful memories. I’ve read three of Emily’s past four books. All have ministered deeply to my heart. And her writing just gets better and better. I’m looking forward to receiving my copy of her newest book, released just this week, the Next Right Thing.

This story she penned recently, Don’t Give Your Critic Words, shares a principle that has become  important for me and for anyone who wants to hear God’s love for them. As I’ve practiced this I’ve used other terms. But Emily’s words communicate so well. May you be blessed as you read them.

I trust you’re enjoying the words of others while Echoes of Grace is on a semi-sabbatical.

 

 

 

Although Echoes of Grace is on a semi-sabbatical (check my previous post) until September, I will be popping in occasionally to say hello and share a new blog. Writing helps me process what I’m hearing from God and I trust will also minister to you.

And if I come across something from another writer that I think you’d appreciate, I’ll share that too. Like this 2 minute video that was played in church a few weeks ago, although not a blog, its message is so Good!!

And a song my friend Kathy shared with me, an old hymn to a contemporary tune. Enjoy. The sentence that keeps standing out to me, “I am finding out the greatness of thy loving heart.”

https://www.praisecharts.com/songs/details/21272/jesus-i-am-resting-resting-sheet-music

 

 

I collect pictures of paths. I love this one from just a few weeks ago in California. Yup, snow is not blanketing everywhere! I wish I could have been hiking that day with Judah, Naomi, and Ezra.

“You make known to me the path of life;” My guess is you have noticed those words from Psalm 16:11 on the home page of Echoes of Grace. (The path behind those words is in Texas.)

The last several weeks, God has been whispering that his path for me needs to take a rest stop, a semi-sabbatical.

I need to understand more about rest: physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And a bit of a time-out is the need of the hour.

Recently a friend shared these words, “Jesus could sleep through the external storm because he had an internal peace that the storm couldn’t shake.” These words spoken about the narrative of Jesus and the disciples recorded in Mark 4 could have said that Jesus’ ability to rest was not predicated on his outward realities. I’m challenged.

So I’ve made the very hard decision to give Echoes of Grace a six month semi-sabbatical.

“Semi” because writing is in my blood and ministry to you is as well.

So during the next six months, although I’ll not be posting weekly on Echoes of Grace, I will post once in a while. Writing helps me process what God is doing in my life. And I imagine some of you are in similar places and the words I’m hearing may be just what you need to hear as well.

And sometimes I’ll share the writing of one of my friends, only the really good stuff.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss any posts on Echoes, and you haven’t already signed up to “follow” Echoes of Grace, please do so; or send me your email address (sue@suetell.com) and I’ll make sure you’re notified when a new blog is posted.

My desire these next six months to understand more about rest by going more deeply into God’s throne room of Grace.

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

“But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder,”
Romans 15:15a (italics mine)

 

I grew up in New Jersey, a 45 minute drive from New York City via this two story engineering marvel across the Hudson River. Did I tell you that my Grandpa was the chief electrician for the project? And my Uncle John was the general electrical foreman when the lower level was added in the 1960s.

As a child we needed this bridge to visit my great grandparents and at Christmas to visit Santa Claus in the Macy’s store on 5th Avenue. (I still remember how Mom dressed us for that yearly trek.)

The George Washington Bridge was the key to these visits.

And often a book is key, the needed bridge to visit with God.

It was a Thursday on a chilly spring day. I was visiting one of my favorite spots to meet with God, a quiet corner, a comfy sofa, and the fireplace for extra warmth surrounded by my coffee, my journal, my Bible, and a book by a favorite author, Brennan Manning.

I sipped my coffee as I turned to the bookmark in the Manning book. (I’m not remembering the title at the moment.) Brennan’s writing was the bridge that was about to transport me into the presence of God.

He often starts his chapters with a scripture before the first paragraph. And there it was in flashing neon lights (or printed on lovely pink flowers).

WOW, another scripture telling of God’s love. And more than that assuring me that God has desires for me. Those ten words were the bridge. I did two things: I recorded them in my leather journal, that place where I record really important stuff to continue to pray over. And I turned to Romans 8, another place where God assures me that he is for me with the rhetorical question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31)

I could have packed up and headed home right then. But I didn’t. I continued reading through the richness of Romans 8. It was good!

Unlike some, my devotional life usually does not travel down the path of reading through one book of the Bible at a time. I jump around. Where is it that God wants to grab my attention today? That day God knew it was important that I hear his truths in Song of Solomon and Romans.

Sometimes my devotional time feels dry. I need help.

Often it is a book that bridges me to God’s word.

But most often, my own leather journal is the book that
is the bridge to God’s word for me. I make it a practice to start my quiet time reviewing my recordings here.

Recorded in ink in this well-worn volume are many scriptures, like Song of Solomon 7:10, that speak of God’s love for me. There are pages that record God’s purpose for my life.

In another place I’ve written the verses that tell me truth when I tend to trip over lies that are often too close to the surface of my memory.

As I review those words, my prayer very often is something like this, What would it look like to trust this truth today?

And very often books are the bridge that usher me into God’s presence.

What are the books, the quotes, the hymns that offer you a bridge to God’s word?

“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, says my soul,
therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:21-24

Copyright, Sue Tell, February 2019

 

 

 

 

Saul was on his way to Damascus when a light from heaven shone around him causing him to fall to the ground.

And then, Saul’s (later known as Paul) first conversation with Jesus happened …  before he knew him personally.

 

“We love because he first loved us.”
I John 4:18

Jesus initiated, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4)

Saul responded, “”Who are you Lord?” (Acts 9:5) Saul, the enemy of the disciples of Jesus, the one breathing murderous threats against them, immediately recognized the voice of Jesus and called him “Lord”.  May I be so quick to recognize when Jesus initiates towards me!

“I am Jesus … rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:5, 6)

Saul got up. His eyes were open, but he saw nothing. He was blind for three days. His traveling companions also heard the voice but saw no-one; they were totally flummoxed as they led Saul by the hand the rest of the journey to Damascus.

Enter Ananias, God’s chosen one to deliver the message of Saul’s destiny to him:

1. He is a chosen instrument of mine.
   2. He will carry my name to both Jews and Gentiles.
   3. There will be suffering.
   Acts 9:15, 16

In his writings Paul (formerly Saul) refers to other hardships.

In his letter to the Corinthian church Paul refers to his thorn in the flesh that he begged for the Lord to remove.                 (II Corinthians 12:7, 8) Wikipedia describes a ‘thorn in the flesh’ as a phrase of New Testament origin speaking of a chronic infirmity, an annoyance, or trouble. Pretty accurate, I’d say.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he says, “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” (Galatians 6:11)

As I read and ponder Paul’s story of his temporary blindness and other issues, what am I hearing, how am I responding?

I wonder …

Did Paul’s eye issues continue after his sight was restored?

I think about our story …

Bill’s blind spots don’t seem to be temporary, but they are spots, not total blindness like Paul’s.
Like Paul, Bill is a chosen instrument to bring  God’s message of grace and freedom.
Like Paul, Bill’s Naion (blind spots) are part of his story.

As I review my journal and the words God has spoken to me, I believe Bill’s Naion has not altered these truths.

Both of us have valuable and indispensable contributions in God’s story.
As we live those out, we encourage others to live out their stories as well.

God’s purposes for us individually are not compromised in the ‘we’.
As a matter of fact, I believe they shine.

“the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.”
Psalm 146:8

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.
Is anything to hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27

I am continuing to pray that God will restore Bill’s vision.

“‘But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you,
my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
II Corinthians 12:7

This is the third in the series of our Naion journey. Scroll down to read more of the story that I wrote last week and the week before.

Yes, I’m praying, God, please restore Bill’s vision. (Bill is not blind, but his Naion has left him with blind spots and partial vision in both eyes.) I’m human and that is my human prayer.

In the gospels, there are three different accounts of Jesus healing blind men, of fully restoring their sight.

In Matthew 20, Luke 18, and Mark 10 is the narrative of Bartemaeus, a blind beggar. Each of the three accounts provides a few unique details, but the end result was the same. When Bartemaeus heard Jesus was near, he called out to him, have mercy on me, be kind, meet my need. Jesus stopped; he heard Bartemaeus’ cry; he asked, What do you want me to do for you? Not only did Jesus stop, hear, and ask, he also granted Bartemaeus’ request, let me recover my sight. I loved Jesus’ affirmation, your faith has made you well.

In Mark 8, there is a story of another blind man. His friends brought him to Jesus. This account records a two stage healing. At first this blind man could kind of see, but things were still blurry … like men looking like trees. So Jesus laid his hands on him again and his sight was full restored.

John 9 records a third incident of a blind man being healed. This time Jesus himself initiated toward the man.

In each of these narratives a blind man’s vision is restored. In the first story, the blind man himself reached out to Jesus; in the second, the blind man’s friends brought him to Jesus; and in the the third, Jesus himself initiates.

Bill is reaching out to Jesus and praying his vision will be restored.
I am reaching out to Jesus and praying for Bill’s vision to be restored.
And by faith, we know that Jesus is reaching toward Bill with his perfect will.

The account in John 9 gives a more complete story. It’s not just about us! It encourages me yet leaves me with several questions.

The disciples who are with Jesus make an assumption that the blindness is a result of sin and ask Jesus about it.

“Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents,
but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
John 9:3 (bolding mind)
Am I willing to go through this hard situation so that the work of God might be displayed in my husband?

The neighbors didn’t get it either. It seems like they felt everything needed to be explained on a human level. Am I willing to be okay with things not being able to be explained by the doctors?

The Pharisees were confused. They didn’t like the fact that this blind man was healed on the Sabbath. They also saw Jesus as human and sinful. It didn’t fit their box. Bill’s Naion doesn’t fit my box either. Am I willing to live with mystery?

The parents of the blind man were more willing to go along with the crowd and their questions than identifying with Jesus and the miraculous. How often might I play the people pleaser role rather than risk being identified with God.

The testimony of the once-blind man,

“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)
“He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.” (John 9:38)

Am I willing to live with Bill’s Naion if it will shine the spotlight on Jesus who is indeed the light of the world?

In each of these three narratives, the sight of the blind is restored highlighting Jesus’ ability. I believe Jesus is able to also restore Bill’s sight, to erase his blind spots.

But the question is not about Jesus’ ability.
But, am I willing to live in the context of the bigger story?

I will follow Ann Voskamp’s advice. I will keep praying that Bill’s vision will be fully restored. And I will continue to trust that in this reality, that God is at work and something bigger and more important is happening.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then I am content
with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 12:9, 10

 

Copyright, Sue Tell, February 2019

 

 

 

 

Is this the death of a dream or the deepening of a relationship?

“Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4, (underlines mine)

Sometimes it feels like death — or is it that I am not trusting?

Or perhaps, is it a door to something I cannot imagine? Maybe it will deepen my relationship with God; maybe it will deepen my relationship with my husband, or with you. All good.

Naion has been part of our life for almost a year. My husband, developed this condition in both eyes last spring.  Yes, we pray God, please restore Bill’s vision. And like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego testified in Daniel 3, we live in the tension of “our God whom we serve is able … But if not …” verses 17 and 18.

In our current reality of but if not, God has encouraged me with the familiar verbs in Psalm 23:4.

Walk — Don’t run, Sue; walk. Walk through it. Be present to the reality it offers you. “… just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 Sue, this is an opportunity to live, to walk in the new life I have birthed in you.

I will fear no evil — These words leave me with a question, Sue, do you really believe that the
“… will of God is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2. If I do believe it, than there is no need to fear. And the changes Naion is bringing to us are good.

You are with me — God is present; God is aware; God is whispering truth; God is encouraging.
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” Deuteronomy 4:7. God is near; He is walking with me.

They comfort me — Those instruments used for correction, protection, and direction, those things we may think of as harsh, God uses as a comfort. They communicate to the sheep that the shepherd knows and is prepared for any potential danger — even in the darkest of valleys. And the sheep trust their shepherd. Ahhhh, the comfort. Sue, are you willing to trust me, your shepherd in this Naion valley you are walking in?

Two weeks ago we were privileged to go on a MercyMe at Sea Cruise. MercyMe gave three concerts and shared a lot of their stories. Their lyrics are filled with the grace of God. Bart, the lead singer shared the story behind his song, Even If. Click here to listen to his story, hear the song, and be encouraged in the midst of your hard. (You can skip the ad in 4 seconds.)

He speaks of his son Sam who was also on the cruise. The last evening 17 year old Sam played his guitar and sang for us, Because He Lives, a powerful testimony and more so because we knew Sam’s story.

Even though Naion is our reality, it is not death, it is deepening.

Next Thursday: Healing the Blind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Changing God, that’s what I’d been doing.

Do you see it, the scripture reference on the bottom left hand corner?

Bob and Pat were one of many who penned that very same verse on the cards we received for our wedding. Truly, the many! It was like all our friends were in cahoots about what was important to communicate to us.

“… No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.”
Psalm 84:11b

Our friend Karen even made a calligraphy of those words and framed them for our wedding gift.

God wasn’t whispering, he was shouting, Bill and Sue, you who are my traveling companions, here’s my commitment to you, no good thing will I withhold.

And yes, we needed that commitment. It was one of the first scriptures that Bill and I prayed in our early married days. We were trusting God to provide money for food and rent, truly the basics.

As time went on, we started a personal, private prayer list. We were asking God for some very special things … and not sharing these desires with anyone else. We were asking God for some bonus good things.

Bill plays the piano and it is a significant way that he enjoys the presence of God. A piano went on our private prayer list. You guessed it. One day a church friend called and asked us if we would like their upright piano. Thank you, God … and our friends.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.”
Psalm 84:11a

Context is important! We had been concentrating of the last half of Psalm 84:11. The first half causes me to bow in humility. In his giving of good things, he is protecting and honoring us.

But just last fall, 46 years into our marriage, my friend Kate pointed out verse 12. Context is important!!

“O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!”
Psalm 84:12 (bolding mine)

Trust — one of my key lessons of 2018. I heard myself saying that word lots! Here it was again, part of the context of scripture that has been so important since day 1 of our married life. The psalmist is affirming those who trust that God is the giver of all good things, are a blessed people.

According to my Bible notes, the purpose of Psalm 84 is to cultivate delight … to write deep into our souls … the joy and pleasure of God’s house. Those who know this delight are indeed blessed. They are not short-changing God.

“For the Lord God is brighter
Than the brilliance of a sunrise!
Wrapping Himself around me like a shield,
He is so generous with His gifts of grace and glory!
those who walk along His paths with integrity
Will never lack one thing they need,
For He provides it all!
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
What euphoria fills those
Who forever trust in You!
Psalm 84:11, 12 from the Psalms, Poetry on Fire

I’d love to hear your stories too.

 

 

We all have them. Satan successfully whispers lies in our ears, things we come to believe about ourselves unless we cultivate the habit of Important Stuff!

My spiritual journey, like yours I imagine, has had many twists and turns, ups and downs. But in the midst there have been three major stakes that changed, matured, and helped me to navigate the realities of life.

The first was that time in college when I realized that being a Christian was not only my religion, it was a personal relationship, a friendship with Jesus. Responding to that truth changed me for eternity.

The second stake came 30+ years later. As a result of my husband’s severe burnout and depression, we had the privilege of participating in a two week counseling intensive. And that was the beginning of my Important Stuff  journey. This stake didn’t change me (Jesus had already done that), but it began a maturing process that continues to today.

The third stake (another maturing stake) was about 12 years later … more about that in a future blog.

“When you find yourself flagging
go over the story again and again.”
Hebrews 12:3, The Message

“to write the same things to you
is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”
Philippians 3:1

“on some points I have written to you more boldly
by way of reminder.”
Romans 15:15

That’s why Important Stuff is so important!

We all (well, at least I do) find ourselves flagging at different points and we desperately need encouragement. We forget. We need reminders!

The counseling intensive introduced me to myself. I learned my true identity. Underneath all my roles, I am the beloved child of my heavenly Father. My roles — which are forever — changing don’t provide my identity.

As a brand spanking new believer, I was introduced to John 1:12, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God.” Back then I focused in on believe and receive never even noticing the children of God part.

The first scripture that caused me to hear my identity was I John 3:1, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us … called children of God … that is exactly who we are.” The Message.

Those two scriptures now anchor my relationship with God. I have them recorded in my Important Stuff journal. Most mornings they … and the many additional scriptures I’ve added over the years … are the first things I pray over. The first things I ask God about. What would it look like to trust my identity today?

This simple practice has been the key to my spiritual growth, to my maturing into who God created me to be, to live out of my identity not my current role, to smash the lies of the evil one.

My Important Stuff journal has changed from a cardboard cover to a leather cover. Important Stuff requires something a bit more substantial.

What are the practices that are the keys to your spiritual maturity?
What scriptures speak the truth you desperately need to hear?

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom.
The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.”
John 3:29

Jesus is the bridegroom.
John the Baptist is the friend. He knows his identity.
Knowing our identity and knowing our role leads to joy!

PS. I have a few more of these small Important Stuff journals. Would you like to begin this practice of recording and reviewing the scriptures that speak Important Stuff to you? Let me know and I’d be glad to send you one.

Something different for you this week.

It was my honor to talk with Sharon Betters of MARKINC Ministries about my experience as my husband Bill suffered through a year of depression and severe burnout in 1999-2000.

Brew yourself a cup of coffee or a pot of tea and settle in to listen to our 40 minute conversation. Click here to begin. My prayer as you listen is that God will minister to you no matter what your circumstances.

Thank you, Sharon for this opportunity, a joy for me to be part of your Help and Hope ministry.

 

Next Thursday: Important Stuff