By Faith...

I love how honest the Bible is about its heroes.

The great faith hall of fame is littered with people living imperfectly, yet they lived "by faith". Hebrews 11-- wherein the Hall of Fame lies-- begins with the definition of faith: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."

There is nothing in that definition that places faith in ourselves, or even in our own obedience to God's call. They are not included on the list because of how perfect they were in showing their faith to Him--but they had faith in Him, recognizing that all they had, were, and accomplished was because God was faithful to them. And God was faithful through them.

God has called us all to live a life of faith and obedience. I have a stumbling, imperfect obedience, but the moment I say "yes" to God, I am saying yes to a Person more than just the calling. My yes is to God, knowing that following His lead in obedience is a work, but it is His work. I stumble, but He never stumbles or falls, so that means He is always ready to catch me and put be back upright.

Of course, in the context of God's call to embryo adoption, I love that Sarah is included in the Hebrews 11 narrative: "And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise." I am not past child-bearing age, but at 42/43, I am feeling closer than some of my younger sisters. God has reminded me of His faithfulness to Sarah. But what I LOVE about this passage is remembering Sarah's response when she heard the news. She laughed. And when God wasn't moving, she took matters into her own hands. Giving Hagar to Abraham to produce a son has produced a literal world history of regret. Do you see God's grace here? His grace in forgiving and forgetting commends her to the Biblical Faith Hall of Fame. Amazing grace indeed!

And of course this gives me hope, the hope in Hebrews 11:2, confident in faith of that which we do not see. Saying yes to God is so exciting and such an adventure. One I am sure that will be filled with my stumbling and faltered obedience, but God is there to keep picking me back up. The faith I have is that which God gives freely to me.

The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37: 23-24

Surfer Girl

A disclaimer. Waves are presented in the Bible are tumultuous, but God has control over them, giving them boundaries and He stills them. I am not using a Biblical analogy in my post and I tread carefully on this post-- and I am asking you to do the same.

A month ago, we took a family vacation to the Yucatan, Mexico. Most of the kids time was spent in the water; most of this was spent trying to body surf. As I was out there with my kids, I realized that my attempts at body surfing was somewhat reflective of God's work in my life at that point.

I know very little about surfing, but I have begun to look intentionally for the right wave. There are many good waves to try to ride, but if you just take a good wave, you are missing "the" wave in the meantime. The right wave takes patience and intentionality to see. There are so many good things that we can be doing, but I wondered how many times I have missed out on the very thing that God has called me to while I have been distracted by those things I deem good and I decide on my own to do.

When I saw the wave I had been waiting for coming, one of two things occurred. As happened a few times, I froze, questioning the wave, only to watch it go by me and exclaim, "Shoot! That was the one!" And the wave was gone and I missed it. I, too, have been a bystander to the things of God and have watched the movement of the Spirit move right by me while I stood frozen, contemplating.

But the beauty of watching and waiting for the right wave-- the one that built the energy to carry me to shore on its crest-- and jumping on, that was giggly delight.

And this, my friends, is how I feel about where God's Spirit is taking us on this journey of embryo adoption. God's Spirit is moving and all we have to do is ride this wave into shore. This is none of our own doing, our own power or energy: God alone. I praise God that He showed us the right wave and prompted us to dive on top and let God do the rest.

I pray that, as the Spirit is always moving, that you would be prompted to begin or continue to follow as He is leading, under His power to sustain you and give you His victory.

My prayer request this week: I would be ready for our appointment on February 1--my body needs to be on track for proper assessment. Thanks friends!

The Little I Know and What is Happening

So, embryo adoption, aka snowflake adoption. Legally, there is no such thing as embryo adoption as an embryo has no legal rights. However, for the sake of semantic simplicity, embryo adoption it is.

Here's the short of it: parents who have chosen Invitro Fertilization many times have too many embryos to use. When they are finished having children, they need to decide what to do with these little lives that have been created. They can destroy them outright, destroy them by donating them to research or they can keep them frozen for future donation to an adoptive couple.

No matter what you feel about the ethics of IVF, the fact is that there are over 625,000 little lives frozen and waiting for parents. God has called us to be part of the solution-- the absolute beauty of becoming parents all over again.

God directed us to the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville, TN, for this adoption. NEDC has a heart for life. They are all about the life of these embryos, giving them fuller life by giving a chance at birth. Statistics can vary, but I have read that about half of these embryos do not survive thawing, another half make it to live birth. But we are relying on God for 100%-- and you can please pray with us.

Tim and I are currently in the process of our home study for this adoption through New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN. We are certainly loving the heart of this ministry, too.

On February 1, we have our first appointment at NEDC in Knoxville. I will have screening for viability of carrying to term, consults and a "trial run" of the IVF procedure. When all goes well, we will receive parent profiles to examine and choose embryos. The usual timing until actual implantation after this first appointment is six months.

I am looking forward to a baby bump next Christmas. I can hardly grasp that our baby is waiting for us.

God has just excited our hearts for our new child or children (yes, a chance at multiples ;) ) and we feel so honored to be a part of His great plan. We are entering the new year in faith, knowing that God is 100% faithful. He has called us to step out in obedience and there is absolutely no other place I would rather be then journeying with God, being guided by His Holy Spirit.

Loco o No?

Estas loco?

15 to 20 years ago, I may have thought I would do something loco for God – like jump out of a plane with a banner attached proclaiming John 3:16. That's just silly, not crazy.

My platinum-blonde-pixie-cut-six-earring-tattooed self of yesteryear could not have imagined a homeschooling-Suburban-driving-stay-at-home mom of at least five. God's crazy plan is so much different from my own. And I love it.

I don't actually call His plan crazy and I'm not doing anything crazy for Jesus. I am simply following His call for our lives. To some, it looks a bit crazy. That's OK. If it is, I am so grateful for the craziness.

We have been called to adopt again. Five or six kids is hardly crazy. The part that will get a few relatives choking on their Christmas ham is the method of adoption.

God has graciously and delightfully called us to embryo adoption. Never heard of it? Neither had we. We will adopt embryos (though not considered adoption legally: perhaps more on that later) and up to 2 to 3 will be implanted so I will carry and deliver our adopted child/ren. Though we don't know all the why's of God's calling, we know He has been very clear.

When God calls, we are to step out in faith and obedience. As this loco thing unfolds, I'm so excited to see what God is doing in our midst.

(I apologize that I didn't take the time to convert to a Spanish keyboard: yes, I am aware of the upside-down question mark and accent in estas ;) )

I See Dead People

I am sure most of you remember the cute kid in that movie years ago that said, "I see dead people."

What a nice 3-days-before Christmas posting.

I love Christmas. I like to reflect upon many memories of Christmas past and present. I get caught up in the glitter, the lights, the gifting, the memories made and held, the baking, the eating, the family time, parties with friends....

And I nearly didn't make it to the festivities this year. Unless you are very close to me, you cannot know the profundity of my experience in Israel. By the grace of God and His prayer warriors, I am alive this Christmas. God came down to me and healed me that I might celebrate His advent with my family this year. I am hyper-aware that many who began the year cannot say the same. Many people have passed on since last Christmas. The impact of God's divine healing in my life and His physical touch cannot be understated. I believe I will never be the same.

I am alive this Christmas. But I see dead people. 

I don't have crazy nightmares or visions, nor do I hang around zombies or ghosts. I saw dead people while I was Christmas caroling, when I attended the Holidazzle parade, as I strolled the stores for the next good deal. Dead people drive by me on the roads, dead people ring up my items. 

Christmas for dead people can be a time they can enjoy temporarily as the seeming goodwill of men is in full-swing. Some of them can fake their happiness through another disastrous family get-together. Others may take in the season and not be fooled by the joy and peace heralded that never comes. That is because dead people have at least one thing in common this Christmas: they do not hover around a manger to worship God With Us. They do not run to the stall with exceeding joy to worship the King. They do not span thousands of miles to bring gifts to Jesus. 

These cannot have any joy, peace or even love this Christmas. Because dead is dead. 

The physical reality of that statement is tragic, but the spiritual significance is catastrophic. Thankfully the true Joy and Peace and Love gifted to us on Christmas is also Hope. Hope for the world full of spiritually dead people.

I was not saved from death on April 10, 2011. God came down to me in the form of a human baby, chose to save me--predestined to save me-- even before that first Christmas. He saved me through the Christ child.

But having that experience, I feel it is time for me to get really real. Families and friends who have lost people this year or Christmas's past are not the only ones with the burden of death. There are millions of dead people this Christmas that need to be made alive in Christ. They are spiritually dead and if they physically die in this state, they will spend an eternity of "Christmas's" separated from God and in torment and suffering. 

Christ came to testify to the Truth. And He indeed is "the Way, the Truth and the Life."He came to show us the Father and to give us a way to be reconciled to the Father through Himself. He came to raise the dead-- yes, some physically-- but most importantly, the spiritual dead. So, I am purposing to get real this Christmas and share "the reason for the season" with those I know are dead. 

Christmas for most is not a season of joy and peace, though most people fake it well. It cannot be a time of rejoicing without Christ. Dead is dead. But alive in Christ is worth rejoicing and praising and dancing and singing about Jesus and the work and result of His first advent and anticipating His second advent.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  I Corinthians 15:21-22

Bread Lessons

To the Church in Laodicea

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

A couple months ago, I was preparing my bread dough, a new recipe so I read into the details of making the perfect batch. The trickiest part of bread dough is the yeast, of course. Bread recipes and bakers will advise to let the yeast soak into lukewarm water. Lukewarm water is ideal for yeast to be absorbed and your bread will rise faster. Cold water does absorb the yeast but it takes the dough much longer to rise. But the thing you never want to do with yeast is to absorb it with hot water. Hot water kills the yeast and the dough will not rise.

I have made bread many times before without knowing the reason for avoiding hot water. This new lesson in bread making reminded me of yeast in the Bible. In most instances, the Bible speaks of yeast negatively, like the yeast of the Pharisees and Saduccees-- their hypocrisy (Matthew 6:6-12). Paul likens yeast to false teaching (Galatians 5:9).

As Paul is addressing a situation involving a sexually immoral brother and the Corinthians improper handling of the sin, he writes:

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (I Corinthians 5:6-8).

To attain the nice-looking, puffy loaf of bread we Americans are accustomed to, we soak our yeast in lukewarm water since the yeast thrives in lukewarm. To our shame, we Americans—in some areas of the church—have attained a nice-looking, puffy church, with the yeast of sin able to thrive in our lukewarm spirituality.

Lukewarm spirituality was the mighty rebuke of Christ to the church of Laodicea. The strong image of Christ vomiting the church out of his mouth causes me to shudder and wonder. It seems that Christ is so sickened by indecision, flip-flopping, people trying to please both God and man, so sickened by a church that confesses Christ with their lips but their hearts are far from him (Isaiah 29:13), that He would vomit. He would actually prefer us to be cold over lukewarm! At least we and the outside lost would know where we stand if we were cold. Lukewarm makes it hard for an unbelieving world to distinguish truth from all else.

This church, and its direct implications to the church age in which we live, seems doomed and condemned as Christ proclaims that [we] are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. And we think we are rich.

For us and for Laodecia, a hopeless state. Sin runs rampant even in the church, and like the Corinthians, we not only tolerate it, sometimes boast in it. In the name of tolerance and living down to the standards of the world, we are afraid to share the intolerance God has for sin. We are afraid to tell people of their impending judgment before the Almighty.

We refuse to share the truth of John 3:36, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. The wrath of God is a destructive force and nothing can assuage it except Jesus Christ Himself. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! (Romans 5:8-9) If people cannot understand our death sentence, people cannot understand why we need Jesus.

And with the Joel Osteen’s, Benny Hinn’s, and Rob Bell’s shaping so much of the American church, the “good news” is reduced to lukewarm, ho-hum news. That we would reduce our Jesus and His sacrifice to nothing seems the great sin of our lukewarm American experience. We seem to have no more truth to offer or good news to share. If the “people walking in darkness” don’t see their need for rescue, will they follow the Light even when they see it, as He reveals Himself? Will we open the door to Jesus who declares “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock”?

I could write pages on the aforementioned men, but what about me? How rapidly does the yeast of my pride—sin—rise in my lukewarm spirituality? How often can I be confident that I am “hot” for Jesus? How foolish of me to not remove the plank plunged into my own life. I thank God that while He will not tolerate lukewarm, He gives us hope. He gives me hope: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Unlike other churches, Jesus had nothing with which to commend Laodicea. But His love is deeper still. Because He loves us Laodiceans, He warns us with rebuke and discipline. That we would repent in earnest before it is too late!

The Counselor says we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

The refining fire is hot, it will kill sin in the process of purification. As we put our trust, hope, even our very lives into Jesus, He will give us white clothes of His righteousness. Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall become like wool.  Jesus Himself initiates reconciliation and restoration. I pray that we would follow the counsel of Jesus and rub our eyes with the Word of God, the Word Became Flesh, and see Jesus for who He is. Then we will recognize His knocking at the door of our church.

Hot is the only temperature that kills yeast. If we let the Spirit of Christ overtake us, we can only be hot for Him—He allows no cooling. And the yeast—our pride and sin—will die. And we will open the door.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Epitaphs

Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9