Close encounters with Christ

As I was reading in chapter 20 of the book of John, I noticed that there are three types of encounters with Christ;

Jesus appears to Mary and He gives her a Message.

Jesus appears to the disciples and gives them a Mission.

Jesus appears to Thomas and gives him a Mandate.

Let's take a look at each one:

John 20:11-18

Jesus meets Mary Magdalene early in the morning in the tomb as she's standing there lost in grief. He shows Himself to her, but she doesn't recognize Him, so He calls her by name, thrilled at the sight of Him she wants to hold on and not let Him go...but He wants her to serve Him. She is given a task she must complete. She must tell the disciples about Jesus' impending ascension to the Father. She is the one chosen and entrusted with this important Message. 

John 20:19-23

Jesus meets with the disciples later that same evening as they are locked away in fear. Thomas is not there. Jesus comforts the rest of them with His gift of peace, He reveals Who He is, He breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit, and then He explains what He wants them to do. Armed with the blessing of the Holy Spirit they are now expected to step outside of their fear...He is sending them out of that room and into the world...because they have a Mission to accomplish.

John 20:24-29

Jesus meets Thomas eight days later. Thomas is present with the other disciples this time but he is filled with doubt. Jesus greets them all with His peace and then turns His focus onto Thomas. This doubter is called upon to touch and see the scars of Christ, He highlights Thomas' need for proof and then He gives him a strong Mandate to obey regarding his attitude...stop doubting and BELIEVE!

All of these encounters with Jesus are up close and personal. Do you long for such a meeting with Him?

Perhaps, like Mary, Jesus is right there with you in your grief but you have not recognized or perceived His presence. Perhaps, like the disciples you're in fear of what's coming next. Perhaps, like Thomas you're in doubt and waiting for God to prove Himself to you.

Are you ready for a Close Encounter with Christ during this season of Lent? Perhaps, as you open your eyes and your ears and your heart to Him, He will reveal Himself to you. He will comfort you. and He will meet you where you are. 

Are you ready to be sent forth with a Message to give? 

Are you seeking to be sent out on a Mission for Him?

Are you in need of a Mandate regarding your current attitude?

Whether you are in grief, in fear, or in doubt, 

God will meet you right where you are.

the gifts of a Sabbath rest and other blessings...

How often do you have a weekend that really feels like a Sabbath rest?  

There are times when our weekends fly by so fast it is hard to tell that we even had a break from the normal routine.  This weekend has been calm and relaxing and we truly needed that.  The ultimate treat for us is having a three day weekend.  With today being a holiday we get one more day to enjoy having Meesha and Spencer to chat with and hang out with.  Since she arrived on Friday we have driven out to see the Mennonite Community in Springfield, hiked at Guanacaste National Park and toured Jaguar Creek.  Today we will enjoy a little time down on the coast.  The sound of the waves truly sets my heart at ease and renews my spirit...and I always count that as a gift!

762.  building a friendship with Meesha in real life.

763.  chats that start after a 6pm dinner and end at a quarter til midnight.

764.  seeing a glimpse of how big our God is when looking at a Guanacaste tree!

765.  the colors from God's paintbrush continue to amaze 

766.  watching kids at play in the river

 767.  experiencing new dishes...

768.  a priceless cross from India for my collection

769.  literally having an elephant in the room!

770.  Indian spices

771.  an early start to the rainy season.
772.  Pastor Dan's message on prayer.
773.  friends who survived a car accident with no injuries on a rainy drive home down a Belizean highway
774.  starting a notebook to conjugate Spanish verbs.
775.  collecting memories in our home here in Belize.
776.  walking over to a seat at church with a little girl hugging onto my waist.
777.  treasuring memories made and lessons learned and storing them in my heart.
778.  the Embassy picnic.
779.  celebrating my birthday quietly with Tom
780.  feeling God's celebration and delight over me.

Gifts found in the Word: 
781.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Romans 8:38-39
782.  Those who look to Him are never covered with shame.  Psalm 34:5
783.  He provides security for those who revere Him.  Psalm 34:7
784.  His eyes are on us.  Psalm 34:15
785.  His ears are attentive to us.  Psalm  34:15

 joining in with the gratitude community:

Nathan is coming!!

Nathan arrives tomorrow and we are so excited... it will be his first trip here to Belize.  We are counting the hours until we pick him up at the airport!

My birthday is Sunday and having him here to celebrate with us will be quite a treat.  The only thing that would be more perfect would be for Spencer to be with us too.  

I am speaking this Sunday at church.  And my talk is based on a hymn I grew up with called Take Time To Be Holy.  Basically it is a teaching on how to study the Bible, and how it takes time to mature in your relationship with Christ.  I am not a preacher so I won't be preaching... just teaching from things I have learned personally about how to grow spiritually.  

So this weekend will be exciting; Nathan will be here, along with celebrating my 48th birthday and my first time speaking at our little church!

okay 2011 I'm ready for yah!

2010 had its share of ups and down for us... but I am ready for whatever 2011 decides to offer us.

Absolutely ready to put aside the frustrations, pain, fear and losses that we experienced with leaving our ministry and life in Russia and am looking forward to a year of settling into a full life here in Belize.

The name I have decided on for this year is JOY. Not the simple 'I'm happy and have a good outlook on life' kinda joy but the type of joy that only comes from an anchored soul.

I desire for His joy to be mine.
I cherish in my heart a joy that no one can take away.
I am willing to take the joy with the trouble and the trouble with the joy.

 I wish you all

May you have joy in your heart,

joy in your soul

&

joy in your home.

 Joy & blessings to one and all 

and have a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Fear and Faith-

In the house we are renting there is an electric heater on our shower.   I can see all of the wires and leads to it above the shower head. It is supposed to be an energy saving feature.  But quite honestly it frightens me.  For three weeks I chose not to use the shower.  I would heat water in the electric kettle, pour that water into the bathroom sink, wash off my body and shave from that water.  Me, the one who does not like camping has lived like a camper in our home.  

On Wednesday, I decided that I needed to face my fear.  

I had to tell myself that I didn’t believe that it was my destiny to die in that shower and that I could trust God enough to get in there.  Tom had been using it without getting fried and so could I.    All the while I showered I felt fearful.  Fear and faith coexisted for me in that space.  I remember during sales meetings my director would say that “fear and faith could not occupy the same space”.  I disagree.  Fear and faith can work together.  And when they co-mingle I believe it is called courage.  

For me personally courage is not about being fearless.  It is feeling the fear, calling out to God for help so that I can face it and moving on.

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.  Psalm 138:3

I am not sure how long it will take to feel comfortable using that shower.  Just knowing that I had the courage to do it once means that I can do it again.  And I know that I can face whatever new challenges come my way.   

One day at a time.