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Christians sometimes fall out of step with one another. Strife and disunity among Christians harms the credibility of our witness to non-Christians. Power struggles, arguments, hurt feelings are further ramifications of our lack of unity. Continue reading
A recap of my house blessing ceremony. Continue reading
I’ve been spending a lot of time cleaning up pastures these past few weeks. Wild raspberries, vines, dogwoods, small trees have all twisted themselves around the fences that will soon (hopefully!) contain horses. I know that I won’t be able to clear the entangled masses completely before the horses move. This will be an ongoing, laborious process. Continue reading
Precise word choices can have a powerful effect. Hurtful words scar for years. Continue reading
The words I shared were not my own but of the Holy Spirit. The words were meant for my friend, yes. They were also meant for me and every other person who feels they don’t measure up. Continue reading
In the spirit of the Skepsis course, I’m reposting a related devotion. I hope you enjoy. (c) 2009, Amy S. Lewis There are so many mysteries with Ernie. Why does he chomp on his bit or flap his lip when … Continue reading
The best rides are the ones when Ernie is calm, collected and quiet. There’s a oneness between us. We both have a sense of peace and trust. We’re able to hear the wind in the trees, the crunch of dried leaves beneath his feet and the creaking of the saddle leather as it moves with Ernie’s muscles.
I’ve learned over the years to cherish quiet. Most days, if you were to come to my house, you would notice silence. A friend who visited recently commented, “You don’t have any music on. We always have music on at home.” A former co-worker observed similarly the silence that I prefer when I’m working. When I awake, I don’t turn on the radio or the television. To do so actually frazzles and irritates me. I need silence, especially in the morning. I cherish it all day long.
I didn’t used to be this way. I used to run with music, drive to music, cook to music, clean to music, get ready for work to music. You get the picture. I used to come home from work and plop myself down in front of the television for hours.
But that all gradually changed.
Solitude by Amy Loves Yah
I learned to cultivate contentment in silence. I learned that in silence I sense God’s presence and to hear his voice. I settle my mind and think more clearly when it’s quiet. I’m not distracted by noise, music lyrics or a tune. I can more easily pray. Like a quiet ride with Ernie, God and I are closer in the quiet – there’s a oneness.
The peace of God guards my heart and mind.
Question: How do you feel about silence and why?
Isaiah 30:15 (NIV): In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…
Job 3:25-26 (NLT): What I always feared has happened to me.
What I dreaded has come true.
I have no peace, no quietness.
I have no rest; only trouble comes.
Psalm 29:11 (NLT): The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.
(c) Amy S. Lewis, 2010
It was a long day working cattle. We pushed cow/calf pairs into a remote pasture after inoculating the calves. The arid temperatures and beating sun took its toll. We were dirty. Sweaty. And exhausted.
On the way back to the ranch, we came across one lone calf who hadn’t followed the herd to the upper pasture. It appeared as though we had a little more work yet to do. We were pleasantly surprised to hear that we were wrong.
The rancher told us to leave the calf. Even with three people on horseback, he said we wouldn’t be able to force a spooked calf to where it needed to be. The calf wasn’t in any danger and had water. It was best to wait for another time. We couldn’t force him where he didn’t want to go.
Adorable Calf by Kevin
We also cannot force people into a relationship with Christ. Some people can be prompted by an altar call. Others need a gentler approach over time. We need to be respectful of the individual and their openness. We need to discern when the time is right. We need to determine what approach is best for the other person – not simply what worked for us or is comfortable for us. If we’re not respectful, we could push them farther away from Christ.
Oftentimes when a calf gets separated from the herd, the easiest way to draw him back in is to bring a couple of cows to the calf. The calf runs to the cows where it feels safe and they can all then be guided back to the herd together.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT), Paul instructs us how to share the gospel, “ 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,[a] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
Finding commonality and building relationships with those who do not yet believe will open hearts and conversations to the Gospel. By drawing people in you can escort them closer to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15b-16, “And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”
Questions:
1. Who or what most influenced you to come to Christ? Why?
2. What most holds you back from sharing your faith? Why?
3. What common experiences could you use to build a relationship with someone who is not yet a believer?
Ernie’s lameness was a mystery. His leg didn’t have any hot spots. There was no swelling. And yet he was obviously hurting. I wish he could’ve just talked to me. It was so frustrating.
Seeking Revelation
Lacking any concrete answers, I resorted to soaking his foot in hot water and epsom salt, hoping that something would be revealed to me. Twice a day I put the mixture into a covered bucket and drove out to the barn to nurse my horse.
Soak, soak, soak.
Soaking it in by EvanLovely
Ernie didn’t seem to mind the warm water on his foot. He stood patiently for the 10 or so minutes. Sometimes he didn’t want to take his foot out.
He wanted to continue to soak.
After his morning soaking on day three, I discovered a portion of his coronet band at the top of his hoof was swollen and had a small puncture.
Yes! A revelation!
Sometimes I feel that way with God, too. When I’m searching for answers, looking for guidance, wondering why something happened, he’s quiet. There are times I wish he would talk to me more directly, in a voice that was unmistakable. There are times when I know he’s trying to tell me something and I just don’t get it.
A recent example: I was extremely discouraged, having been dealt a blow to my ego and confidence. I was feeling taken advantage of. I was downtrodden. “Where are you in this God?,” was my question.
I needed a good soaking. A long walk to let God comfort me.
Along my trail, I passed a church with a retaining wall covered in graffiti scripture verses and quips. Of the hundreds of messages on the wall, one stood out: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for…” (Hebrews 11:1)
“For what am I hoping?,” I thought as I walked. “In whom am I placing my hope?”
The following morning, I was drawn to Psalm 42 in my quiet time. I soaked in the words, comforted by the reminder to long for the Lord and to put my hope in him and him alone – not in man, not in my plans, not in work, not it money. Hope in the Lord. Just in case I missed the point, that very same scripture was incorporated into the sermon later that same morning.
I get it God – you’re talking to me.
Hope in the Lord. Long for him, not things of this world. Put my faith in him and I won’t be disappointed. It was only after soaking in his word that these reminders were revealed to me again.
Question: When was the last time you soaked in God’s word? What was revealed to you in the process? How were you blessed?
1 As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”
4 My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.
7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”
10 Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
(C) Amy S. Lewis, 2010
Before I ride, I go through a process. I brush Ernie. Pick his feet. Douse him in fly spray. Heave the saddle on his back and tighten the cinch. Put the bridle on. It’s second nature. It ensures Ernie won’t get saddle sores, be uncomfortable because of biting flies or get a sole bruise from a rock in his hoof. It makes the ride more enjoyable for Ernie and me.
We also need a little prep time to get the most out of our Bible study or worship time. All too often we come rushing into church at the last minute, mentally peruse the activities of the day or week ahead, and rush out of church to get one with life. Whoa, slow down. When it comes time for worship or Bible study, we need our hearts and minds focused on God, rather than our to-do lists, earlier conversations, evening activities or whatever worries occupy our minds. Attending worship or reading our Bibles are spiritual acts that require the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Next time you sit down to read your Bible or attend worship, pause. Fix your thoughts on God. Quiet your mind. Take a few deep breaths. Let the Spirit fill your heart with calm. Read a Psalm to help you focus on the multi-dimensional nature of God’s character. And pray for the Holy Spirit to give you new understanding and applications to your life, as He is the one who leads us into all truth (John 14:17).
Hebrews 12:28-29: “…let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.”
Has the Word seemed dry to you lately? Has worship left you longing for more? What distractions may be interfering? The way you “tack up” prior to your spiritual activities will help you grow in your knowledge, understanding and love for the Lord.
Questions for Reflection:
1. When in life does the Word seem dry or worship seem dull? When your schedule is overloaded? When you’re facing challenging situations? What patterns might you notice as you reflect on those times?
2. How can you keep from falling into the pattern next time?
3. How can you prepare your heart for your quiet time or worship more deliberately to hear from God?
