But Wait! There's More!

But wait, there's more!  Sounds like a Ronco commercial, doesn't it?  But I believe that is the message God wants us to hear and believe.  Whatever we have today…..there is MORE!  So much more!

Take a quick journey with me.  

The angel (speaking to Mary, said), “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. ” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”  (Luke 1:35-38)

Isn't it interesting that God, speaking through the angel Gabriel, first told Mary that she -- a virgin -- would conceive a holy child, the Son of God. And THEN, he said, "But wait, there's more," and shared that Mary's much older, barren relative Elizabeth would become pregnant in her old age. 

In no way am I suggesting that Elizabeth's "senior years" pregnancy is a bigger deal than that the seed of the very Son of God -- the Savior, the blessed Redeemer, the Messiah -  would grow in Mary's womb.  What I AM suggesting is that when we believe - when we truly believe - that what God says he will do, he WILL DO, the Lord smiles and says, "Oh just wait - there is so much more!"  

But believing that He means what He says, and that He will do what He says He will do…that's huge!

Check this out - Mary of course went to Elizabeth to celebrate and confirm the Lord's message.  She didn't go in a doubting way.  She went in a faith-filled way.  We know this because after the conversation, Elizabeth said to Mary, "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (Luke 1:45 NLT)

Do you believe that?  Do you believe that there's more in God's plan for you than you know today?  Do you believe He will do what He says he will do?   Take a deep breath in.  Exhale.  Now answer honestly.  If you don't believe that, take some time to talk with God about that.

One final point.  Travel back with me for a second to the verse "For nothing is impossible with God."  (Luke 1:37)  Here's the bow that wraps it up:  nothing is impossible with God. Nothing.  Impossible is not in the picture. Not a young virgin being pregnant by the Holy Spirit, nor an old, dried up womb being filled with the new life of a child.  Two extremes. One Mighty God. 

Know, my friends, three things:

1. There is more, so much more in God's plan for you than you know or can even imagine.
2. Believing God's promises results in frequent peeks into the blessings.  And opportunities to unwrap those blessings, living far and above what you thing is possible.
3. Nothing is impossible with God.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zero.  Nothing is impossible with Him.   

Spend some time in Luke 1 today, chewing on His Word and His Truth.  And then perhaps you will join me in praying this today:

Lord, may my response be as Mary's. I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true. Your word says that to all who believe, you will do what you said. And You are faithful. You said that to all who believe, you would give Life. hope. Peace. Blessing. Abundance. That You will never leave or forsake me. That You  love me and will bring me into Your holy family, prepare a room in your heavenly mansion for me. That You  fill me with the fruit of the Spirit - with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, gentleness, self control.  That You have paid the price and forgiven all my sins, washing the dirt and stains away until I am snow white. That I am yours, and you are mine. Lord, these and many more promises You have made. May it be to me as You have said. Amen. 

Shielded

Shield:  One that protects or defends (Merriam-Webster)


You know those days when you hear a song in your head before you even open your eyes?  And it's not the alarm clock or the TV. But your hear it clearly. And sometimes just a few lyrics repeatedly play in your brain?

You, oh lord, are a shield around me....You, oh lord, are a shield around me....You, oh lord, are a shield around me....

Those are the words I heard before opening my eyes this morning.  I don't know why, but clearly God wanted to remind me that He is my shield. That He is my shelter from storms. That He is the One who is always Available, always Trust-worthy, always Near,  always Faithful.  He is.  Always. 

We wait for the Lord; he is our deliverer and shield. For our hearts rejoice in him, for we trust in his holy name. May we experience your faithfulness, O Lord, for we wait for you. (Psalms 33:20-22 NET)

I pray that as we wait for the celebration of christ's birth, and as we wait to hear what he has planned for our NEXT, we will know His strength and protection.  Hope you enjoy listening to this song today!   Sun & Shield

Next, but Not Yet

Headstands.  They intimated me for the longest time.  (ok, they still do intimidate me just a little bit!)   Occasionally I have become "obsessed" about them and worked myself silly trying to figure out HOW to get myself upside down.

One day I found a spot at home with a wall on one side and a door frame directly opposite the wall.  Aha!  I could walk my feet up the door frame and find headstand that way.  Lo and behold, it worked!  But it wasn't what I wanted to do….

Recently I decided to work on "crow" pose, an arm balance that requires a strong core.  I found a video on yoga downloads.com called "Rock Your Bakasana" and worked up quite a sweat practicing the hour long sequence.   I put that video on repeat and did it daily for several days in a row.  When I realized I was way over-thinking the pose and just "went for it," crow happened.

Hmmm….Might headstand be the same issue?

That very day, I discovered my first headstand, unassisted by the doorframe.  Glory!  For the last two weeks I have done one (usually several) headstands each day.  There's just a teeny bit of fear that I'll forget how!  So I'm committed to doing them daily for 30 days.

Today I tried to do a headstand on the beach.  No walls.  No door frames.  No yoga mat.  It was fun.  Free.  Imperfect, to say the least.  But that's ok.  Perfect headstands on the beach might be in my NEXT, but today they're a NOT YET (as you can clearly see in the video!)

Why share this?  I believe that God invites us to explore new things with Him each day.  He gives us a passion, a vision, an inspiration of something yet to come.  And so we try.  Test.  Dabble.  Wobble a bit.  And we rejoice in the learning and in the process of exploring the NEXT.  That only happens when we trust Him, seek Him, and obey Him.

You must pay close attention to what they (the prophets) wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines  in your hearts.  2 Peter 1:19 NLT

Father, may I trust you today with all that I am and all that I have.  May I trust that your NEXT for me is good.  May I trust You enough to explore and pursue the vision You give, the seed of hope you plant.  And may I be bold enough to share the journey with others.  Amen.

Mile Markers

What do you think of when you see mile markers on the Interstate? Do you wonder why those mile markers are even there?   Do you think about where you are?  Where you're going?  How far it is to the next Starbucks?  

I found this  definition and realized how applicable mile markers are to The 26 Challenge.

Interstate highway mile markers are numbered signposts alongside an interstate highway that are used as a way to determine the exact location of a vehicle. They are also used to calculate how many miles are left on the highway until the next state border.

The 26 Challenge invites participants to walk, run, skip, or cycle 26 miles during the 26 days between November 30 and December 25.  You can do it one mile a day, a few miles at a time with breaks in between - whatever works for you.

The Challenge is not so much about the physical discipline.  It's more about the mental and spiritual process of taking one step at a time, "from here to there."  Exploring what God has in mind for you NEXT.  

Take a moment to read Matthew 11:28-30 and chew on Jesus' invitation as you take one step at a time today:

Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

Cyber Monday! Contemplate the Prince of Peace

Today's video.

Alrighty then!  Thanksgiving 2013 is in the books and we're officially into the Christmas season.  That often means rushing and doing more than usual, and it may not be a very peaceful time.

Today, take a moment and chew on Isaiah 9:6.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:
     Wonderful Counselor
              Mighty God,
                      Everlasting Father,
                               Prince of Peace.

Breathe.  Prepare to welcome the Prince of Peace into your heart and into your day.  Whether you're moving or still, be Peace-full.

One of my daily habits is to sip my first cup of coffee as I read the Bible. I'll admit, I'm groggy until I get a couple of sips down, so I usually have to go back and re-read the first few verses!

Here's what I read today: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him (Jesus) to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:19-22).

 As I ran this morning I thought about reconciliation. A definition of from Merriam-Webster is "restoring to friendship or harmony." But the Greek defines two root words. Apo - of separation of a part from the whole; and katallasso, to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value, to receive one into favor.

A quick mental video played out of a beautiful crystal vase, falling to the floor, shattering. And then the hands of the Lord picking up every single fragment. Reconnecting the fragments to one another until the vase was completely restored to its original beauty.

 My prayer for each participant in The 26 Challenge is that you see yourself beautifully reconciled to Christ by His love and His grace. In your running, skipping, walking, cycling - whatever you're doing to cover 26 miles - I pray that God will show you what's NEXT for you. I know He sees in each of you as beautiful, unblemished, fully reconciled to Himself.

Blessings!

Why a 26-day Challenge?

Watch The 26 Challenge Video

My church is a church on mission. In November, Pastor Greg began a series called NEXT: From Here to There. Each of us is invited to celebrate our “here” while asking God to show us our “there.” NEXT is about more than God’s plans for Seacoast; it is also about God’s plans for you. He has a NEXT for you, whether you know it or not.

NEXT at Seacoast also includes an invitation to give generously – for the church, for our communities (expansion of a new Dream Center in West Ashley, new campuses), for the World (clean water, educational, medical, church planting, and economic development initiatives).

The 26 CHALLENGE is an opportunity for YOU to participate, and to explore what’s NEXT on God’s plan for you.

For the next 26 days, get moving. Walk, run, skip, bike – or all of the above. Cover 26 miles by moving your body without motorized assistance. Log your miles and let me know how it’s going. And I’d love to hear how God is using this 26 CHALLENGE to show you what’s NEXT for you!

At the end of the challenge (Christmas) I will donate to NEXT, $26 x the number of friends who join me in this challenge (up to 26x26!)

Let’s do this!