A quick note …

I just learned of a glitch which is preventing you from joining the Echoes of Grace community (subscribing). And you do want to subscribe because …

My Gift for you …

I’m thrilled to partner with Sally Breedlove, my friend and author of Choosing Rest to offer you a lovely printable and a very generous excerpt from her book. Possibly the best advice you will receive heading into 2017. To receive this gift, make sure you are signed into the Echoes of Grace community. On the top right is your invitation to join with your name and email address. I will be sending your gift out between Christmas and New Years. You won’t want to miss out AND yes, you are welcome to share this with your friends.

Please email me (sue@suetell.com) with the email address you want to use and I will add you from my end. Hopefully this glitch will be fixed this week.

Scroll down for this week’s Echoes post, A Christmas Prayer, A Blessing, and A Gift.

Merry Christmas weekend!  Back to the wrapping.  sue  

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Make sure and read all the way to the bottom ~
for a message you won’t want to miss.

The wooden manger sat in the front of our church. During worship we quietly wrote our concerns on pieces of hay (yellow paper) and delivered them to the manger, to Jesus who says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  The symbolic gesture reminded, the overwhelmings quieted even in the midst of another 2016 hard.

 A few weeks ago a dad and two of his kids met Jesus face-to-face when their small plane went down in Alaska on their way to a volleyball tournament. Although I don’t know this family personally, he was the cousin of one of our friends. I hurt with their family. Will they experience the peace Jesus came to bring this Christmas?

Christmas, the season of joy, hope, peace on earth … and not isolated from hards.

“I have said these thing to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Peace resides in the DNA of Jesus, the gift of Christmas, the one who overcomes.

“For he himself is our peace …”
Ephesians 2:14

My Christmas prayer for you …

Father, this Christmas week, my friends who have walked the reality of hard hards this year are much in my thinking; their faces and their realities parade through my mind, their names written on pieces of hay, a reminder to pray. I ask for each that thy would experience the peace that emanates from you, Prince of Peace. Peace I cannot fathom apart from you. Father in your overflowing grace, I ask for them, I ask for us all …

That your peace that defies explanation, will be our reality.
That your peace that is the blessing of your presence, will be our reality.
That your peace that comes from a mind stayed on you, will be our reality.
That your peace we are invited to experience, will be our reality.
That your peace promised the righteous, will be our reality.
That you, Prince of Peace, born in a manger, will transform our hard realities.
Amen.

Please enjoy this Christmas Blessing, thank you to Keith and Kristyn Getty.

My Gift for you …

I’m thrilled to partner with Sally Breedlove, my friend and author of Choosing Rest to offer you a lovely printable and a very generous excerpt from her book. Possibly the best advice you will receive heading into 2017. To receive this gift, make sure you are signed into the Echoes of Grace community. On the top right is your invitation to join with your name and email address. I will be sending your gift out between Christmas and New Years. You won’t want to miss out AND yes, you are welcome to share this with your friends.

Next week, one of my good friends is sharing her story of meeting the Prince of Peace in the midst of her reality.

 

“And blessed is she who believed …” the words that Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greeted Mary with that long ago day in a town in Judah.  I wonder if a hug accompanied them?

 

What was it that Mary was believing?

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
Luke 1:28

With nine little words, Gabriel offered two HUGE truths … Mary was favored; and the Lord was with her.

“Favored” the Greek word charis often translated grace speaks of Mary’s identity and reality. In a sue paraphrase, the text could read, Good morning, dear Mary, you who are experiencing the grace of God.

Have you heard the Lord call you ‘favored’? Jesus, the incarnation of grace, calls us favored too. Although his word might sound more like loved, as children of God, we are favored recipients of grace.

Mary’s favored status led to confidently thinking about and questioning what she was hearing. I get that. Her considering not challenging, allowed her to respond, “let it be to me”. Mary was alive to God.

“So you also must consider yourselves … alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:11

Paul penned those words, the first imperative in Romans, as the way to walk in newness of life (6:4). I ask myself, do my questions demand or trust? Do my questions validate my identity? Am I considering myself alive to God?

AND, “the Lord is with you!” Right now, you are experiencing the nearness of God.

The same greeting that wowed Mary that long-ago morning is for us, we who are loved by God — he is with us.

Gabriel’s message supporting the words of the prophets, was familiar to Mary, but I wonder, did Mary ever put herself in the story?

Isn’t that true of us as well?
Would we not be amazed if we knew God’s plans for us?

God not only speaks of our now reality, he also gives hope for our future.

Jesus speaking to his closest friends near the end of his life says in John 16,
“I still have many things to say to you …” (verse 12)

And I believe Jesus still has many things to say to me, err, us.

Are we listening?
How do we hear?
Are we, like Mary, pondering what we hear?
I wonder, what are the gifts God has for us in this new year?

I want to hear God’s affirmations.
I want to experience God’s nearness.
I want to believe that God has more words for me.
Like Mary, I want to consider his words and respond, Let it be to me.

I bet you do too.

And I’d love to walk boldly and expectantly into the new year hand in hand. Are you in?

Our GRAND-daughter and her brother were visiting for our annual Mana-Poppa Camp. While here they share a bedroom taking turns on the top bunk. We were up late that July night and the starless, moonless sky emphasized the dark, the very scary dark.

Ashlyn, snuggled in the top bunk with her favorite bedtime softy, was feeling a mite insecure; even the nightlight provided little comfort. We tried reasoning; our words fell on deaf ears. Her brother offered the bottom bunk (which was even darker); no deal. Nothing helped.

Except Ashlyn is a singer. That was the key. We started with the words of Philippians 4:6, and created a song to the tune of Jingle Bells. (Thank you to brother Jack for that inspiration.)

Jingle bells, jingle bells, don’t worry about anything. Jingle bells, jingle bells, no matter what happens. Jingle bells, jingle bells, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, give thanks to Him. Philippians 4:6, HEY!

Ashlyn’s fear did not have the huge implications of the fear of Zechariah and Mary recorded in Luke 1. For them it wasn’t a dark scary night, it was a personal encounter with the angel Gabriel. “Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear…” Luke 1:12, NLT; Mary was “confused and disturbed”. Luke 1:29 NLT. Gabriel’s words were the same to both, don’t be afraid.

Gabriel emphasized to Zechariah, “I stand in the presence of God”. With Mary, “The Lord is with you”. His life-altering words cradled in God’s  with-ness communicated they needn’t fear.

Just as for Zechariah and Mary, God is near to us. He whispers into our scaries, I am near, do not be afraid. Philippians 4:5,6 (my paraphrase).

Whether our fears rest in life changing realities that shake and overwhelm or temporary concerns that confuse and disturb, God is near. God cares.

Ashlyn fell asleep that night quietly singing her new song over and over and experiencing God’s nearness. The next morning she ran sparkly eyed and all excited into the kitchen to tell me that Philippians 4:6 reminded her of Isaiah 41:10, another fear not verse that she had sung about in the children’s choir earlier in the spring. It was an ah-ha moment for her.

All our words the night before could not assuage her feelings; but when God’s words were introduced, she was a changed little girl. The power of the gospel!

Like Ashlyn, in my fears I too need to remind myself over and over of truth. For me it is usually not in song, but in prayer as I review scriptures and ask God, What does it look like to trust this truth today in this situation?

The good news of the gospel is we do not need to live with fear. God IS NEAR! The gospel is so much more than the celebration of a birth, it is the continuing power of God at work in our lives.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel;
it is the power of God …”
Romans 1:16

What is creating angst in your heart this Advent season? How will you hear God’s do not be afraid? What scriptures might God want to speak to you? How do you experience God’s nearness? How will you remember … put them to music, memorize them, pray through them? If you’d like to share your fear, I’m glad to pray with you.

In my former life I taught 3rd grade by day and was involved in campus ministry at Western Michigan University by night.

Classroom – Eat
Campus – Sleep
Repeat.

It was great. I had the energy of a 20-something and the conviction that I was participating in important kingdom work. And I was.

Thirty miles on the I-94 corridor bridged the two five days a week. It was my adult time (if you consider a 20-something an adult) between the 8 year olds and the 18 year olds. The three others in our carpool and I debriefed and solved the world’s problems in that daily commute. It fed my extrovert nature and helped on the financial end.

As my third year of teaching began, I sensed the need to drop the carpool. Something (someone) whispered, Sue your biggest need is 30 minutes of quiet. No conversation, no radio, no cassettes, just quiet. That was new.

Some days I used that quiet to pray; other days to review scripture; sometimes I just looked at the trees; and some days I did nothing but drive. It was good — I gave myself permission to pause.

Advent, a time of anticipation; Christmas is coming.

How will I spend these days? Like my first two years of teaching robotically moving from one thing to the next or like my third year giving myself permission to pause.

The angel’s message to the shepherds was “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 (bolding mine)

Paul also highlights the peace we as believers have. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God …” Romans 5:1 (again, bolding mine)

As I remember Advents past, this rebukes and challenges. As a child of God, peace is mine. The question remains, how do I experience that which is already mine?

By giving myself permission to pause.

This Advent season, I’m propping my day with two pauses:

a morning pause: With my steaming cup of coffee, I’m taking time to sit and enjoy the beauty of December. I’m learning that the pause lends perspective that leads to peace. My friend Sally Breedlove says that “rest is allowing the present to be imperfect.” That just might be the perspective God has for me that day.

an evening pause: This time my mug holds decaf and I’m enjoying a favorite Christmas novel.

What would giving yourself permission to pause this Advent look like for you?
How might it change your enjoyment of the Christmas season?

Advent is a season pregnant with hope and expectancy, weeks of preparation for contemplating and then receiving the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Advent welcomes the incarnation into every home of those who celebrate it, but along with it there is the tension about the choices we must make. Will busyness define how we wait for Jesus to come? Or will quiet contemplation be our sweet surrender while we wait? Similarly, Sabbath asks not, “What will you give up for him?’ but “How will you wait for him to come?”  Shelly Miller, Rhythms of Rest.

You might also enjoy this post by my friend Marian Vischer. Her delightful way with words will keep you returning to her blog. Here she offers five insights for staying merry and bright this Advent season.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (bolding mine)

 

 

.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet there message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalm 19:1-4, NLT

As we move from the bright colors of autumn to the white beauty of winter, I’d like to share with you one more time the glory of God speaking through his autumn creation, the message he proclaims throughout all the earth.

“God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. Psalm 19:1-4, The Message

As you enjoy the beauty in these pictures, what unspoken truth are you hearing?

WOW! A two day retreat with Dr. Bryan Chapell – that was my privilege a few weeks ago. His content rich teaching left me with desire, hungry to communicate well. The title of this post came from his words referring to Philippians 2:12, ” … work out your own salvation …”

Work out does not mean manufacture; a correct understanding means to form something that already exists. Or in Dr. Chapell’s words, we work out what God has worked in (let the gospel fulfill its purpose).

Six days later, I board a plane for another retreat, this one on writing. Unlike the Dr. Chapell retreat, all these attendees are new friends. My temptation, put on my writing hat, you know, try to look like an author (of a blog) and base my testimony on the outward. After all, I’m starting with a clean slate.

I’ve been there before. What do I want you to believe about me? Even when the slate isn’t clean, there is the temptation to want you to believe who I am by my current circumstance. Like you, I wear many hats.

Mark 14 records Jesus and his trial before the Sanhedrin. He could have put on his Son of God hat.  Although accused of many things, when directly asked to defend himself, “But he (Jesus) remained silent …” (verse 61). He did not allow the Sanhedrin to define him by what he did, he did not put on a hat.

But when the high priest queried, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (verse 61), Jesus replied, “I am”. (verse 62) He claimed his identity.

That was my desire going to the writing retreat, not wanting to be identified by what I do, or what I write, but wanting to claim my identity (cling to the testimony that is already mine) that which will never change!

And in clinging to who I am – who God created me to be – I can also cling to “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Dr. Chapell shared this story about Rembrandt, one of the most well-known painters and print-makers in Dutch history and European art. Rembrandt often worked with apprentices who would do the first drafts of what became Rembrandt’s paintings. Their drafts were excellent, but with a stroke or two of a brush, Rembrandt made them brilliant.

One of his apprentices asked Rembrandt of the value of their work; after all Rembrandt’s brush created the masterpiece. His response, “I treasure your work and I will use it”.

What do you hear in Rembrandt’s words?

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”        Hebrews 10:14

 

 

Every summer Bill and I get our two oldest GRANDS all to ourselves for a week of Mana – Pop-pa Camp. One of the specials this summer was a trail ride. Previously there only horse experience Jack and Ashlyn had was in a barn.  This picture speaks their anticipation.

This week I’ve invited my new – as in we’ve never met – friend Courtney Doctor to Echoes of Grace. Courtney has had LOTS more experience with horses. When I read her words, they echoed true, not only as I remembered the trail ride last summer, but also as I ponder God’s loving bits in my life. May you also be encouraged by her words…

“Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” Psalm 32:9

Would I be taking my love of horses too far to say that it is a horse who has given me one of the best pictures of what I long for my life with the Lord to look like? Would you just assume that I was truly “horse-crazy?” Possibly… but it’s true. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the horse, Whizards Baby Doll (a.k.a. “Roxy”), is an example of what we should all strive to be. Let me explain.

In 2006, Roxy and her rider, Stacy Westfall, won a national horse competition. That, in and of itself, is not unique. What makes this ride so spectacular is that Stacy rode Roxy without a bridle, a bit, reins, or a saddle… and they were able to perform some amazing moves and maneuvers. If you have ever ridden a horse, you know that a bit is a relatively small piece of metal put in the horse’s mouth, connected to the reins and the bridle, that helps you control the horse. There are soft bits, which are round and smooth, and rough bits, which can be small and sharp or large and jabbing. There are snaffle bits, curb bits, Pelham bits, and gag bits, to name just a few. The trainer is the one who decides what bit to use. But regardless of the type of bit, horses need bits in their mouth to be ridden… at least most of the time. The beauty of Stacy’s ride was that Roxy was so attuned to Stacy, so compliant, so obedient, and so willing, that no bit was required.

Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to see what I am talking about.

Did you see it? When Stacy indicated that she wanted to go faster, Roxy went faster. When Stacy asked her to slow down, Roxy slowed down. When Stacy asked Roxy to turn, or stop, or run, or back up, Roxy did. All without a bit in her mouth! She was so tuned into Stacy that she was able to obey the slightest command and respond to the smallest request—and it is beautiful!

We Often Need Bits Too

In Psalm 32, verse 9, God tells David to not be “like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you” (emphasis mine). God is saying that it is better to be like a horse that does not need a bit—be like Roxy! I don’t think I’m taking the text too far. The purpose of the bit, according to verse 9, is to keep the horse or mule near. If a horse or mule is wandering off, they are a useless creature. But a horse or mule that is near is useful, usable, and ready. And to be near, ready, and willing without a bit is best!

Unfortunately, I am more like a horse or mule that requires a bit than I am like Roxy. And so God places and allows certain things in my life to draw me back to him. Just like there are a variety of real bits, there are a variety of metaphorical bits, too.

There are soft bits—things like a gentle rebuke or correction from a friend. When my heart wanders (and I am prone to wander), a rebuke can pull me back. There are stronger bits—things like loneliness and hardship. Loneliness causes me to long for the Lord. Hardship is a bit that softens my rebellious heart. When my passion for God wanes, struggle and sadness can be the bits that causes me to run back to him. And isn’t that the purpose for which God said the bit was to be used?

There are harsher bits, too. Suffering has certainly served as a bit in my life. Few things make me realize that I have grown proud and self-sufficient like suffering. Suffering reins me in; it is supposed to. This is not always the purpose of our suffering, but there are times that God allows suffering in our lives as a means of drawing us back to himself. He is the God that can take something hard and use it for good—if we will be trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).

Will We Submit or Fight?

The question becomes, how do I respond to the bits the Lord uses to rein me in? There are two ways a horse can respond to a bit. She can submit to it.

Or she can fight it.

So, if the Lord has put a metaphorical bit in your mouth to draw you back to himself, how are you responding? Are you fighting it and trying to run away? Are you angry, rebellious, or out of control? Or are you submitting to it by drawing near to God and becoming soft to his will and his ways?

Back to Roxy and Stacy. Roxy was only able to accomplish her remarkable feet for three reasons. One, she had spent time learning. Two, she had submitted to what she learned. And, three, she trusted her master. The same has to be true for us.

So, let me be like Roxy . . . but when I’m not, thank you, Lord, for using a bit of your mercy and grace to draw me back to you.

I couldn’t help but show you these two fun memories of our afternoon as well.

Jack on Rio and Ashlyn ready to take off on Dixie.

How have you experienced bits in your life?

Lissa and I have been wondering together via keyboard and screen about receiving God’s love … what it means, how it happens, why it seems elusive.

This recent communication seemed a good illustration to finish the month of posts on God’s love.

Hi Lissa,

Hmmmm, receiving love on their terms … what that means. I think I know what you are asking.

Here are a few thoughts …

Everyone has the same love needs: security, significance, acceptance, attention, protection, relationship with God and others, to trust and be trusted. I’m sure there are others as well.

But, we RECEIVE those needs in many ways. God created us each uniquely. For some, attention  means receiving a bouquet of flowers … others could care less about flowers, they desire deep conversation in a quiet coffee shop, or, or, or. Although we experience the love of attention differently,  we all need it.

We also GIVE love in many ways, giving resulting from receiving, receiving from God.

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23, NLT

This desire in Jesus’ prayer for us, his followers, amazes me. Jesus asks, God will you love them (us) as much as you love me?

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me…” John 15:9, NLT

Jesus received the love of the Father and then passes it on.

I too need to receive love before having love to give.

God created us differently; and we receive and we give differently. Sooooo, we need to give friends and family the freedom to love us in how God created them. We cannot give love in ways we haven’t received.

God is the only one whose love is perfect. He alone can love us in ways we get. Our earthly giving and receiving of is imperfect.

I think of my relationship with Bill. In my insecurity as a newly wed … and for a long time after … I didn’t understand Bill’s love. It looked different than what I had known. We come from very different families of origin. As I’ve grown in understanding God’s love,  I’ve come to accept his way of loving me.  And accepting has morphed into appreciating and loving his love.

But receiving God’s love was first.

Does this make sense???? Let me know.

Sue

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” I John 4:16, NLT

What does trusting God’s love look like for you?

My friend emailed the story of the birthday party for her Mom. You know, one of those BIG ones when all the relatives come together.

She was thrilled, and she was hurt (my friend, not her Mom).

Her Mom overwhelmed with honor by the family and friends was oblivious to other relationships not quite as congenial.

My friend so wanted to offer love, to include, to enjoy — but it wasn’t to be.

Last month I too traveled to a big family gathering, not a birthday party but a funeral, celebrating a life in a different way.

I too found myself tripping over love. Not love I was offering, but the love I wanted to receive eluded me.

In the midst of busy and emotional, I neglected God’s love for me. And in the neglect I was unable to receive love, the love I craved, love that was there all the time … I just didn’t see it. The lack of receiving God’s love shackled me from receiving the love of others and of giving love.

Three lessons I’m learning about receiving God’s Love

Hearing and Accepting – Each Sunday in church several opportunities come to the congregation to receive the love of God. After our prayer of confession and the benediction at the end of the service both offer God’s love. Many stand with palms upraised communicating, yes, I receive this gift.

My devotional time starts with reviewing scriptures that speak God’s love. I read them, pray over them asking what it would look like to trust (receive) them today. One of my favorites …

“I am my beloved’s, and His desire is for me.” Song of Solomon 7:10

In public or private hearing and accepting God’s love is the first step. Once accepted, then experienced.

Experiencing God’s Love – My Dad was not good at receiving love. On his birthday or at Christmas when gift giving is common, his always response was oh you shouldn’t have. His experience of love stunted because receiving was so hard.

When God’s love is received, other responses become natural. Reminding myself of God’s love last month, two new reactions emerged: thankfulness and affirmation.

Once experienced then given.

Giving God’s Love – When I became aware of being the focus of God’s love, giving His love became easier. I saw ways to serve, opportunities to affirm, thankfulness happened, smiles and hugs were spontaneous, love words flowed.

But the best part of hearing, receiving, and giving was the peace in my heart. Living who God created me to be, His beloved child, freed me from needing the love of others.

The first verse I ever memorized was John 1:12. I got part of it back then; I’m understanding more now.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” (italics mine)

” … Make yourselves at home in my love.” John 15:9, The Message

What are your favorite love of God scriptures? How do you experience the truth of these verses?