Radical Life in the Grind

Yesterday in 8th grade Social Studies, after discussing the Dark Ages, I asked if anyone would want to have lived during that time.  One student replied flippantly, 

"Yolo, man.- You only live once!"  

The youth cry Yolo in defiance- seeking to gratify their own desires- for they only live once. With more than words, he expressed a common belief: that this is all there is- so gratify your desires @ whatever the cost! I cringed.  Probably not from what you think. I know that is a common motto of those in this world. Jesus came to save the very ones that cry that out.

But the well is deep...

As I read Oswald Chambers this morning, I couldn't help but share it. As I shared in my previous blog, our Bible study theme this year has been “Come Thirsty.” And I believe we have. Like Christ at the well with the Samaritan woman, I believe God has offered us Living Water each time we met- just for the asking. And yet, although we know we are thirsty and drink that in, there are some very deep wells that seem unsatisfied for me and for others.

Come Thirsty

 What do you thirst for?  

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” -Jn 7:37

I live in a place where clean healthy water has been more than available to me. All too often I have disregarded the needs of my body for something that tingles my taste buds.

In July of 2008 I was on mission trip in Crimea working with Orphans Hope and the children of Kerch, Ukraine. As we traveled, we had been instructed NOT to drink tap water unless it had been boiled- so our choice would be bottled water: with or without carbonation, or "bubbles." In one seaside town of clean healthy water was in short supply making it not at all uncommon for public water supply to be unavailable for awhile at a given time during the day. 

I hate it when...

I hate it when I have to get water from the sink because my fridge's filtered water dispenser is broken.



I do hate it. But, it's bound to happen when the temperature is -50 below zero and the front door is blown open in the middle of the night. At that temp it doesn't take long to freeze anything in it's path; like refrigerator pipes.  Well, that is, until the door is shut, the heat is cranked up and the house begins to warm; and along with it....the pipes.   

"Michelle... We have a problem!" 

Covered by Grace

Although it's been 6 months of silence on this blog, I feel a bit like the shepherds who where told the great news and just couldn't wait to share!

"And he will be called "Emmanuel" which means God with us!"

375 bags of Candy Cane Almond Bark were made that AM

One of my favorite events at Christmas is making Candy Cane Almond Bark with the ladies from Tuesday morning Bible study.

Just like the rest of the world on planet earth, life seems to be spinning faster and faster. As December 2013 approached, I ran into Kathy, a selfless volunteer for the food shelf,  who asked "Are you going to be making the candy for the food shelf baskets?"

It was probably 4 years ago, I had first visited with Kathy and her husband about the idea. Bible studies are so often about taking in, so I was looking for opportunities for our group to pour out.

1st time @ MinneSoda Fountain

It began small, in the back room of the MinneSoda Fountain- crushed candy canes are mixed it into melted almond bark. Poured in little patties to cool; then broken in to small pieces. Bags are labeled and decorated with stickers. But perhaps most importantly, a small message with the Hope of Christ is tucked inside.

1st year making candy

Although I didn't know how I could add one more thing to my plate, I said yes.

So often I find that biggest obstacle to obedience is saying "yes." Adjusting my will to His rather than mine. Life was running for me like the lead car at the Indy 500.
Excuses popped in my head like lights going by....Common sense and  reason said- you can't do this!

2011

I thought, "You have no time..."
             
      And yet I know we all make time for what is important to us.
     
I thought "No one has extra money right now..."
But I know God owns it all. And the cost is no problem for him. In 2012, the free-will donations matched the grocery bill to the dollar!
               
I thought, "You can't get it all together this time..."

I couldn't. It was Sunday night. Tuesday at 8am was go time. I sat again to write the insert. Nothing. Rambling and babbling. I admitted defeat, gave up and went to bed. I was scheduled to work Monday- we would have to use a message from before and I still didn't know how or when I would be able to get 375 printed and cut.

As a 3rd grade substitute, I have 1/2 hour for lunch. At 11:30 I sat down and prayed, "Lord, if you want a message it's now.  And I tried to clear my head. Slowly, I began to type... "Look at the candy enclosed within. God poured himself out and covered our sin..."  I just tried to listen, slowly listen. The words formed, and a cadence fell. And I typed a bit more. Done. I just knew it.

I hit [send]. The email time stamp I received was 11:59am!

"So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do."  2Thes 1:11(NLT)

After finishing Monday on what felt like the Indy circuit, the inserts were printed, cut, and the pots were readied for an early morning melt.  I couldn't do it alone, but by the many hands of His faithful here on earth, God could. There is a moment at the end of the movie "Bruce Almighty" when God does something that only He could have done, and Bruce looks up with a smile and says, "Aw, now you're just showing off."

I felt like saying the very same thing!

Although the snow was frigid and blustery, you would never have guessed it. These women, so covered by God's grace, they overflowed with excitement and cheer. By 8:30am we were in full swing and it looked a bit like santa's workshop with 22 elves stripping and crushing the mountainous piles of candy canes; preparing bags; and folding endless flyers for the camp.  We stopped but once. Coffee in hand, I shared about how God provided very clearly our message this year.  Then a dear one, new to our flock, stepped forward and with gratefulness shared how she, like the candy, was broken. Like so many of us, she had worked endlessly to hold the pieces together. Yet, she had witnessed God's love and presence in the midst this fellowship. She now was free- "covered by Grace;"

Once again, God was "showing off." I say that because my dear friend's testimony was the message on the insert that day. It ends like this: "But when we are broken then covered by Grace, we bring forth his Kingdom- to make this world a sweet place!"   She did.  Oh, we saw his Kingdom ... and how sweet it is!

And he (Jesus) will be called “Emmanuel” which means God with Us!

Look at the candy enclosed within. God poured himself out and covered our sin. This message of grace that came from above was born in a manger; displaying God’s love. A miraculous announcement fit for a king; first given to shepherds with nothing to bring. God asked them to trust Him; to believe that it’s true.  The very same calling He gives me and you.  We are the candy, stained red by sin- our own and by others- this world we live in. But when we are broken then covered by Grace, we bring forth his Kingdom-  to make this world a sweet place! 

Praying you would, like the shepherd, seek the LORD. If so, we believe you will come know and experience Emmanuel- God with you.  As tangible as that baby, found in a manger, His presence, love and grace are available to you when you are covered by his death and resurrection!