Surprise!

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Easter is the ultimate surprise party.

You know how it is when you’re throwing a secret party for someone. You spread the word but keep it on the down-low. Then the day comes when everyone gathers and quietly hides behind closed doors. Finally, the guest of honor arrives and when he walks in the room, everyone jumps up and yells, “Surprise!”

That’s what this Easter was like for me. I’ve been hiding out during Lent, being very quiet and shushing my friends in the room while exchanging knowing smiles. We knew it was coming. We knew He was on His way. Yet, the anticipation thrilled us to the bone. We could hardly contain our excitement or suppress our giggles.

In an earth-shaking twist, the Guest of Honor was the One who yelled, “Surprise!” and we all gathered around Him on Easter morning, rejoicing. “Hallelujah! Jesus! You’re alive!”

We’ve just spent the past 40 days of Lent preparing for this party. Why spend over a month getting ready for a celebration that lasts one hour? I think we should whoop it up for as many days as we reflected in the quiet.

The period of time between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension is called “Eastertide”. In other words, Easter isn’t over! This party is just getting started! Acts 1:3 says, “He appeared to them over a period of forty days.” Jesus kept showing up, surprising people over and over. Let’s show up, too, and allow Him to astonish us time and time again.

You’re invited to spend the next 40 days celebrating the Risen Savior! Join me for “Countdown to Liftoff: An Eastertide Party”. I’ll offer short daily reflections leading up to Jesus’ ascension to the throne.

Today is Day 39.
And counting.

Opening Day

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Opening Day of a new major league baseball season is a holiday in our house. It’s right up there with New Year’s Day and the first day of school as a “fresh start” kind of day. We wear our team t-shirts, eat hot dogs for lunch and tune in to see the first pitch.

I guess you could say Easter is the ultimate “opening day”. The stone rolled away and the tomb was opened. A man who was dead three days prior walked out of the dark cave and said, “Play ball!” Not really. I made that last part up. But “Go and make disciples…” sounds a lot like “Hey, team, go and take the field!”

The world has been closed up for a year, and although it may be too soon to fling wide the gates, we can at least begin the pre-game warmups together. This week I wrote a few thoughts on this:

“Play ball!” will be heard this week from many MLB home plates. Yes, please. Let’s play ball. Let’s all get back in the game.

If you need to stay in the outfield for a while, that’s fine. Just get back on the field. Hopefully, you’ll be able to join the team in the dugout soon.

It’s just that some of us have been trying to cover lots of positions and we’re getting tired. We need you back.

Sure, we’ve been dealt some curve balls and wild pitches, but standing in the box is easier if your teammates are with you, cheering you on. The stadium has been pretty quiet.

Sometimes it seems like there have been more strike outs than home runs, more errors than sparkling double plays, more losses than victories. There have been complaints about the uniforms, the schedule, the coaching. A few went to play for other teams. But thankfully, enough of us kept showing up to avoid forfeiting the season.

Hey! It’s opening day and I’m sensing something new! I can’t wait to hear the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. So lace up your cleats and grab your glove because we have a game to play. Please don’t sit this one out.

Relax, everything’s going to be all right;
rest, everything’s coming together; 
open your hearts,
love is on the way!
Jude 1:2, The Message

Adore

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The ACTS acronym has been around a long time. It serves as a method of prayer that includes Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. I remember learning this handy dandy prayer model when I was a kid. So it’s nothing new.

I’ve never had trouble coming up with things to confess — there’s plenty of fodder for that. Thanksgiving is easy — I just have to open my eyes and look in front of my nose. My prayers tend to lean heavy on the supplication side — there’s no end to the list of things I ask God for on a regular basis.

Adoration is my weak spot.

I can’t think of much to say.
“God, You’re adorable”?

According to the dictionary, to adore means to regard with the utmost esteem, love and respect; to like or admire very much; to delight in; to worship.

Perhaps we find it hard to compliment God because we aren’t very good at complimenting each other. We may think things, like “Wow, she looks really nice today,” or “Man, his guitar sounded so good this morning.” But we rarely voice those thoughts. Our inability to communicate admiration to each other transfers over to our relationship with God. “Nice sunset,” we might think, and go no farther. Maybe adoration is just voicing the thought, “I see that artwork in the sky, God. Great job! You really know how to mix the colors. I love the way You do that.”

Once when we were on vacation, we noticed a crowd of people gathering on the beach at dusk. Everyone set up chairs facing west, to watch the sky show. When the sun dipped below the horizon, the audience broke out in clapping and whistling. There was a standing ovation. Then they picked up their chairs and went home. That round of applause? I think it sounded like adoration.

So here’s the deal:

If I was at Menards and happened to see a certain HGTV decorating star, I’d go up to her and say, “I love your show! Your style is so warm and inviting and your creativity is so inspiring! I so look forward to seeing your designs each week! You are my favorite decorator!” (Yes, I would use all those exclamation points.) (And I would say “so” three times.)

If I was at the library and ran into an author I highly respect, I’d whisper, “Your books have meant the world to me. I admire the way your stories connect with life. You are so good at putting things in a way that resonates with me. I’m so honored to meet you and be able to tell you how I feel.”

If I had a backstage pass at a concert and had the chance to speak to a musician I’ve always loved, I’d say, “The songs you sing speak right to my heart. I play your albums all the time and know every one of your songs. I think you’re the best songwriter ever.”

See? That’s not so hard.

Adoring God is simply telling Him what we love and admire about Him.

“God, I love Your style, Your creativity, Your words, the way You touch my heart.  You are my favorite — the best ever, and I’m honored to worship You.”

Big hand-claps and hurrahs!
A standing O!
Adoration!

A.S.K.

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At the start of a new year, I like to ask God to give me a word to carry with me in the 365 days to come.
This year it went something like this:

Me: “God, I’m asking for a word for this year.”
God: “Ask.”
Me: “Umm, okay. Would You please give me a word for this year?”
God: “Ask.”
Me: “Again? Well, uh, a word for this year, please?”
God: “Ask.”

Then I got it.
My word for 2021 is ASK.

My verse for 2021 is Matthew 7:7.
Ask and it will be given to you;
Seek and you will find;
Knock and the door will be opened to you.

I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a call to get serious about prayer.
Give me a passage to study and I’ll dig right in.
Give me a class to lead and I’ll set up a schedule.
Give me a worship set to play and I’ll get to practicing.

But give me an hour to pray and I’m 😳

I’ve got a lot to learn.
I’m asking, Lord — teach me to pray.

Spring Cleaning

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It’s a little early for spring cleaning.
But I’m not talking about cleaning closets and cupboards,
washing windows and walls,
or bringing out bedding and blankets to blow in the breeze.

I’m talking about spring cleaning my Bible.

There is a zippered pouch in the back of my Bible cover and it accumulates all kinds of treasures over time, like:

  • handouts from a Sunday school class
  • a quote I jotted down on the back of a grocery list
  • a card that was especially encouraging
  • notes from a sermon
  • drawings and love notes from grandchildren
  • excerpts from books that were meaningful
  • Bible reading plans from the last 5 years
  • lists of prayer requests
  • a newspaper clipping
  • newsletter articles
  • birth announcements and obituaries
  • and prayers — so many prayers

Some are on paper yellowed with age,
others are perfectly preserved and laminated.
Some remind me of a sweet memory,
others I’ve forgotten.
Some still speak to my heart deeply,
others don’t resonate like they once did.

But it’s the piles of prayers that have my attention.
They are such good prayers —
prayers that should be prayed,
not stuck in a zippered pouch to be forgotten.

I’m bringing those slips of prayers out into the light
and giving them a place to land where they can inspire
and prod me into becoming a better pray-er.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Upstairs Prayers

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“They went upstairs to the room where they were staying.
They all joined together constantly in prayer.”
Acts 1:13-14

The hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” always makes me cringe a little bit.
A whole hour?
Of prayer?
Sigh.

What does that say about me?
I can watch TV for an hour.
I can read a book for an hour.
I can talk to a friend on the phone for an hour.
But an hour of prayer sounds daunting, if not impossible.

Then I read Acts 1 and a mere sixty minutes on my knees didn’t seem like such a big deal.

After witnessing Jesus’ ascension, the eleven disciples walked back to Jerusalem, went upstairs, and prayed for ten days. I did the math. The resurrected Jesus spent 40 days on earth. Before ascending, Jesus told the disciples to go back to Jerusalem and wait for a special gift. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, which landed on the 50th day after Christ’s resurrection.

50 – 40 = 10

The room upstairs must have been big — there were 120 people up there, all of them joined together constantly in prayer. For ten days. Waiting for something. Not sure what.

Which begs some questions:

  • Was it the same room in which Jesus and the disciples ate the Last Supper?
  • Who owned the house where the room was?
  • Did they use old Jewish prayers or was it extemporaneous?
  • Did somebody lead or did everybody pray at once?
  • Did anybody get testy?

Which begs some more questions:

  • Could I meet with 120 church members in somebody’s attic and pray that long?
  • Would we be able to take breaks?
  • What about eating? Who would feed all of us?
  • How long would I wait around for something to happen?
  • Would I get testy?

“Whenever God determines to do a great work,
He first sets His people to pray.”
~ Spurgeon ~

Something has been stirring in my soul,
telling me to make prayer a priority this year.
Perhaps a great work of God is on the way.
Maranatha!

Pray to Pray

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And pray in the Spirit
on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Ephesians 6:18

I’m a herky-jerky pray-er.
Some weeks I storm the gates of heaven with ferocious faith.
Other weeks, I limp through the days with barely a whisper.

A large percentage of my prayers are focused on me and what I want.
And then I have the audacity to tell God how to go about answering.
“Lord, here’s my problem and this is what I want You to do about it.”
It’s no wonder my prayers don’t availeth much.
Am I the only one? 😉

We all have room to grow in this area, I’m guessing. How can we become better pray-ers? It’s something I’m going to explore in 2021. Here are a few ways I’m going to try to grow in this area.

  • Remember that church directory from a several years ago? I’m going to dig it out and starting with the “A’s”, pray through it, taking a page every week or so. It won’t be long and complicated. When Paul prayed for people, he simply mentioned them to the Lord. (1 Thess. 1:2) When I come across a picture of someone who has passed on to glory, I’ll thank the Lord for their life and the ways they influenced me. I’ll listen for God’s prompting to get in touch with someone I haven’t seen for a while.
  • I like lists, so I’ll make a list of 30 people I know and lift up one name every day for a month.
  • During the sharing of prayer requests at church or Bible study, I’ll actually write them down and actually pray for them during the week.
  • When someone shares a struggle with me, I’ll ask them if I can pray right then and there, out loud, short and simple, instead of using “I’ll be praying for you” as an exit line.
  • If I can’t physically be with someone, I’ll write a short prayer in a text and send it.
  • I’ll keep a list of people to pray for in my phone and turn to it instead of scrolling Instagram during down time.
  • This year, I’m keeping all the Christmas cards we received and I plan to pull out one card every so often throughout the year and pray for God to bless them.
  • I’ll ask God to bring people to mind who need prayer and immediately lift them up when someone pops into my thoughts. Then I’ll send a quick message telling them God brought them to mind and I prayed.
  • Pray the alphabet.
  • I won’t be so shy about making my own needs known so brothers and sisters in Christ can pray for me.
  • I’m going to find a place to make a pile of stones and add one every time a prayer gets answered. Maybe pebbles in a vase on our kitchen counter or a stack of rocks in our front yard.
  • Let’s all pray for church staff and those in teaching/leadership positions on our drive to church every Sunday morning.
  • I’m making a prayer notebook. More on that later!

What ideas can you add to the list? Share, please!

Lord, I pray to become a faithful pray-er.

What Worked For Me in 2020

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So many things didn’t work this year. The usual routines went out the window. I’ve got to admit — some of it was a relief to let go of. As an introvert, being told to erase everything off my calendar and stay home sounded like a dream come true. But the world outside my window told a different story. It seemed to convulse with distressing bad news. I wanted nothing more than to bring some order into the chaos, some compassion into the vitriol, some saneness into the crazy. I coped by finding some things that worked for me.

  • Walks. Walks around the neighborhood. Walks through the woods. Walks by myself. Walks with PB. The strolls provided more than exercise for the body — they offered a place for my soul to breath, a refresh for my mind, and some tranquility for my emotions.
  • Focus. That was the word I picked out as my theme at the start of 2020. After all — 20/20 vision, right? I can’t count how many times this year I breathed the prayer “Eyes on Jesus. Eyes on Jesus. Focus.”
  • Sermon notes. I saved some pages at the back of my planner for taking notes on sermons. This simple practice helped keep my mind from wandering on Sunday mornings and gave me food for thought in the week that followed. PB also loved it when I quoted him.
  • Blogging. In my 10 years at “a small drop of ink”, I’ve never written so many posts. There was a series on Psalm 23 in the spring and a series on “The One Anothers” in the fall, but my magnum opus was “The Long Song — Psalm 119”. I posted five days a week for 22 weeks, which surprised even myself. The conditions were right for lots of writing.
  • Food. Food worked for me in 2020. When I wasn’t writing, I was baking. Sweet rolls, bread, cookies, cakes. My son introduced me to Korean Beef and Mission Street Tacos. I read cookbooks like novels and have so many recipes earmarked, I’ll never live long enough to try them all. Comfort food is real.
  • Sewing. My sewing machine came out of hiding and I made my granddaughters dresses this summer. It was just the project I needed. Something creative and functional, pumped full of love.
  • Frother. Yes, a milk frother. A little cream in my coffee cup, worked up into a foamy lather and then steaming coffee poured in — such a small thing, but so delightful.
  • BRP (Bible Reading Plan). Every year I put together a plan that helps me stick to consistent study of God’s Word. While I did flounder a while and missed several weeks during the summer months, I got back on track in September because I had a plan. Those early mornings of study and prayer anchored my soul this year. The plan for 2021 is up and ready to go.
  • Words. So many people came through with helpful, encouraging words this year. One of the quotes I copied into my journal as I wrestled with the reality that the pandemic is a “marathon without a finish line” came from journalist, Alex Hutchinson.

It turns out that, if you ask yourself “Can I keep going?” rather than “Can I make it to the finish?” you’re far more likely to answer in the affirmative.

Yes. I can keep going.
We can keep going.
Even after we hit the pandemic finish line,
we will keep going.

God bless us, every one.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Favorite Listens from 2020

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I know.
I turned a verb into a noun.
(“Listens” are not persons, places or things).
Oh well.

Podcasts, apps and music provided for some wonderful listening experiences this year, so they are all lumped together here. The fact that I won a free pair of Airpods only enhanced the adventure of finding good “listens”. Podcasts, apps and music are very personal choices, so take these lists or leave them. But get something good in your ears.

Podcasts

  • Wild at Heart Podcast — I’ve always enjoyed John Eldredge and the content he and his team put out on “Wild at Heart”. This year I needed it. Every Monday, from the onset of the pandemic until now, he has been a calming voice in my ear. Yes, the world is “gnarly” right now. These days call for maturity. God draws near and is full of mercy. His messages kept my chin up and my eyes on Jesus.
  • Pastor Writer Podcast — A weekly talk about books, ministry and writing by Chase Replogle. Three of my favorite things. He’s a very humble guy and is a top-notch interviewer of real quality guests. Plus, he sent me the free Airpods.

Those are the two I try not to miss. Here are a few others I tune in to from time to time:
The Next Right Thing, Emily P. Freeman
Knowing Faith, Jen Wilkin, JT English and Kyle Worley
The Habit: Conversations with Writers About Writing, Jonathan Rogers
Tony Evans’ Sermons, Tony Evans
The Village Church, Matt Chandler

Music

  • Grace and Mercy, Jess Ray (song)
  • Behold the Lamb of God, Andrew Peterson (album)
  • Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1, Andrew Peterson, (album)
  • Yet Not I, City Alight (album)
  • American Standard, James Taylor (album)
  • Song of the Lamb, Harvest (song)
  • Psalm 119, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, Exodus Music (albums)
  • God So Loved, We the Kingdom (song)
  • Goodness of God, Bethel Music (song)
  • Psalm 116 (I Love You, Lord), Mission House (song)
  • No Doubt About It, We the Kingdom (song)
  • Evergreen, Audrey Assad (album)
  • Birdsongs (Time to Relax), (album)

Apps

  • Lectio 365 — a free 10-12 minute daily devotional by the 24/7 Prayer movement. It’s so good.
  • Dwell — a scripture listening app with 10 different voices to choose from. There are 64 Bible listening plans, 55 themed playlists, and 286 passages. This one isn’t free, but so worth it.
  • Libby — the library app that lets me borrow audio books. I plan to use this more in 2021.

Silence

  • This is also a very good idea.