Facing the Unknown

Facing the Unknown

Life has been so different these past few months as we have experienced the coronavirus become a global pandemic. So much has changed is such a short period of time. Little knowledge of this virus and its impact on our future has led to feelings of uncertainty. The crises of so much death, job losses, food shortages, and social isolation have left us struggling with how to handle the immense amount of emotion and stress that crisis and uncertainty bring. Even if we have not faced the death of someone we know or suffered the loss of our income, we have all been impacted by the change this crisis has brought about and face an unknown future in some way.

This week in our Living Your Word of the Year group we are exploring this very topic with a reflection question:

How are you engaging with your word in light of the unknown?

This question has given me an opportunity to look at my word of the year, fruit, and to look back over the past few months. Taking time for some reflection will be something we are going to focus on in our group over the next month. I have always found reflection and evaluation to be valuable practices in my life. My written journal and my art journal both are great tools to help me with the process of seeking God to examine my heart and life. As pastor and author Marc Alan Schelske said, 

"Journaling is an outward expression of your inward thought and heart life."

I use both of my journals for this purpose.

This week I began to look back through my journal for the past few months. On March 16, when we were beginning to face this crisis, I began to explore in my journal what life might look like in the weeks ahead. At that time our governor had closed schools for a month and had just declared bars and restaurants to be closed. Our church had also made the decision to stop in-person services for as long as the Governor deemed it appropriate. Since my job and much of my life revolve around ministry in the community I needed to determine how I would move forward. So I took some time to pray, to read Scripture, and then talk through what I felt was my call with my husband, and then with my pastor.

The first thing I did was to spend time finding out what was known about the virus at that time. How was it spread, what preventive measures could be taken, etc. Using that information to help guide my practice. I spent some time reading in 1 Peter, a letter written to Christ followers on how to live during times of crisis and suffering. I read many other passages in Scripture as well, and I spent a lot of time praying. This is what I determined back in March:

I've tried to use these as my guidelines for the past few month. I am volunteering in the community, trying to help make sure kids and families are fed. I'm trying not to engage in the divisiveness that has sadly become a part of this pandemic. I am mainly working from home, but am fully following the safe guidelines we have been provided with when I go out a couple of times a week. I've lessened the amount of news I take it. Not because I agree or disagree with the broadcasts, but because I am so emotional over the loss of life and over the divisiveness in our nation at a time when we should be caring for and supporting each other. In the early phases of staying at home I spent too much time reading news stories and social media and had times of totally checking out by binge watching TV. I got off track with eating well and exercising for the first month or so, but have turned that ship around. And then I remembered my training. That is what discipleship is all about after all, training to be like Jesus. Building our faith through spiritual practices so that we can draw from that deep well in times of crisis. So, I got back to what I know: Begin my days in God's Word before anything else. So when I look back through my journals for  the past months I find this:

The fruit of years of walking with the Lord and learning to trust Him; the years of spending time reading and studying His Word and learning how to live a life of faith, have borne fruit I didn't know I would need for such a time as this. I found that, while I was concerned about the virus and loss of life and about my family, I also had a peace about my role right now. 

What has not been on my mind: fear and anxiety. That is not to say there have not been times of riding emotional roller coasters, but I have found that the many years of being in God's Word and trusting Him through some difficult trials in the past have produced trust and faith in who God is, and in His goodness and faithfulness.. He is on control, even when the world feels out of control. I don't want to appear as if I have the answers to what is going on or to know exactly how we should handle life right now. It's going to look different for each of us because we each face different situations in this crisis. My time of reflection has just pleasantly surprised me with seeing the fruit of walking with the Lord and pursuing Him wholeheartedly in the practice of spiritual disciplines.

Last year I trained myself to memorize some Scripture passages, something I had always struggled with in the past. The two passages I memorized and meditated over repeatedly through the past year were Philippians 4:4-7 and Colossians 3:1-3. They both come mind so often these days and I've learned the value of having Scripture "hidden in my heart". Those passages have helped me stay anchored, grounded in my faith in God. More unexpected fruit that has blossomed in a time of need.

So, how are you engaging with your word of the year in light of the unknown? May I encourage you to take time in the weeks ahead and reflect on how life has been for you over the past few months. We'll provide questions and Scripture passages to help guide us in prayer and in reflection and evaluation.

Join us in the Living Your Word Community

My friends Bernice Hopper, and Valerie Sjodin, and I share insights through blog posts for creatively living a word of the year. In our Facebook group, we encourage one another by posting questions and prompts to inspire living out a word focus, keeping a journal etc. It is a safe place to ask for prayer and support. If you would like to connect with others in creative ways about living your word, you can ask to join our Living Your Word of the Year 2020 by clicking on the link below.

URL for Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingyourwordoftheyear/ 

Hashtag for Instagram:  #livingyourword2020

Check out their blogs:

Bernice: https://newlycreative.com

Valerie: https://valeriesjodin.com/blog/ 

Advent Words: Z is for Zeal

Z is for Zeal

"The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:7

Zeal is not a word that is used often in the present day. Its dictionary meaning is dedication, strong interest, or intense enthusiasm. We may use the word passion in its place. In a religious sense it means devotion to God. The Hebrew meaning of the word used for zeal is ardor or jealousy and has the picture of intense fervor, passion, or emotion. At the end of Isiah 9:1-7, after having described the coming Messiah's character and reign, it says "the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

Throughout the Bible we are told of God's unfailing love for His people and His faithfulness in doing what He has promised He will do. God promised a Messiah, a just King who would redeem His people. Commentator Bob Utley, says that the zeal of God "is the guarantee of its reality". God the Father's intense love and devotion for His people is the motivation for Him to fulfill His promise.

Today we celebrate the fulfillment of that promise in the birth of Jesus Christ. Love came to earth. God's zeal and commitment to fulfill His promise of the Messiah seeks a zealous, passionate, and obedient response: Our devotion to His Son.

On the night of his birth an angel declared that our Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born. A host of angels made a zealous response:

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom His favor rests!

Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas!

Our Advent journey ends today. Thank you for journeying through this season with me. May you know His Presence and His blessings today and in the year ahead. May Christ be alive in your heart and in your life in fresh and new ways in the coming year.  

Next weekend Valerie Sjodin, Bernice Hopper and I will share our plans for an inspirational project in 2019 that will take place in the Living Your Word of the Year Facebook Group. Watch my blog for the introduction to this 2019 project.

Share your creative response to the Advent Words challenge in our private Facebook group  Join here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/

Share  on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2018.

Check out my Pinterest board for this challenge and see some of the wonderful and diverse creativity of Advent Words 2018 participants. https://www.pinterest.com/marynbtol/advent-words-2018-challenge/

Advent Words: Y is for Yearn

Y is for Yearn

Simeon is one of my favorite people in Luke's Christmas story. Luke paints the picture of an elderly man who has spent his life yearning. He has spent his life longing and looking and hoping for God to bring His promised Messiah. Simeon only appears here in Luke, so very little is known about him. But what is known is significant. Luke says that Simeon was righteous and devout, descriptions of his faith and character. He knew the promises of God and was Spirit filled, for he was able to recognize who this baby Jesus really was.

Luke says that Simeon was yearning for God to fulfill His promise; he was "waiting for the consolation of Israel" (2:25). The consolation of Israel is the promise of comfort God would show His people in sending the Messiah to free them from their sins, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:1-2. He lived in expectation and hope because he believed that what God promised, He would do. Simeon's story shows us the result of yearning and looking and hoping for God's promises. As Steven Cole says,

"Those who hope in God's promises in Christ will be rewarded"

Simeon's yearning was rewarded in seeing the Christ child in the temple. The Spirit of God revealed to Simeon that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Simeon takes the baby in his arms and praises God saying,

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

    which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

   and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

Not only could Simeon see that Jesus was the consolation of Israel, but that He would also be salvation and light for the Gentiles as well. Another promise made by God through Isaiah:

"...and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God." Isaiah 52:10
"...The glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind will see it." Isaiah 40:5
"...I will keep you and make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles." Isaiah 42:6

Simeon's story is an encouragement to those of us who follow Christ today to look and hope and yearn for the promise of Christ's second coming.
"So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:28

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."     2 Timothy 4:8

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." 1 Peter 1:13

Share your creative response to the Advent Words challenge in our private Facebook group  Join here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/

If you belong to the Everyday Journal group that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.

Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2018.

Check out my Pinterest board for this challenge and see some of the wonderful and diverse creativity of Advent Words 2018 participants. https://www.pinterest.com/marynbtol/advent-words-2018-challenge/

Advent Words: X is for Xenos

X is for Xenos

Today's passages are Matthew 2:1-12 and Ephesians 2:12-19.

The word xenos is a Greek word that means alien, stranger, or foreigner. It can also mean host and hospitable. Today's passages give us two examples of xenos in the Bible.

First, we have the part of Matthew's Christmas story that highlights the Magi, also known as the three wise men. Matthew tells us that these three wise men were foreigners from the east, believed to be from Persia or even the Orient. The Magi were known to be scholars of astronomy and religious prophecies, and may have been Gentiles. So Matthew begins the story of Jesus' birth with a visit from foreign unbelievers who followed a bright star in search of answers to ancient prophecies of a king who would be born to the Jews. God led them to the promised king - the Christ child - by a star.

Three times in this passage, Matthew 2:1-12, the word worship is used. First, in verse 2, we are told that these wise men came specifically to find and worship the one "born king of the Jews". It is amazing that these men from a foreign land would come with the purpose of worshiping Jesus! It also seems to be a message to God's purpose and plan, as we see at the end of Matthew's Gospel that Jesus' last words to his disciples are His commission to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Both at the beginning and the end of Matthew's Gospel he makes it clear that God's sending of the Messiah is for all the nations.

The second time the word worship is used is in verse 8, where King Herod falsely says he will worship this baby king if the Magi return and tell him where the baby can be found. King Herod feels his reign is threatened by the news of this baby king, but God intervenes and sends an angel to speak to the wise men to return to their home by a different route

Thirdly, in verses 10-11, we see that when they came to the place where the star was overhead, they were overjoyed! They had found the baby king, the Messiah, and they "bowed down and worshiped him" and presented Him with gifts. These foreigners had no doubt who Jesus was.

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker!" Psalm 95:6

A second place xenos is used shows that we also, were once considered foreigners in God's kingdom. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:12-19, that those who are separated from Christ, described as those "without hope and without God", are foreigners to the covenants of the promise, God's blessings. But that "in Christ" a foreigner is brought near to God - reconciled - through the blood of Christ. In Christ, we have peace with God and we become a part of God's family! We join the Magi and bow down before the Christ King and worship Him!

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Today we light the Candle of Love. My collage for the fourth Sunday will be on tomorrow's post.

Share your creative response to the Advent Words challenge in our private Facebook group  Join here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/

If you belong to the Everyday Journal group that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.

Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2018.

Check out my Pinterest board for this challenge and see some of the wonderful and diverse creativity of Advent Words 2018 participants. https://www.pinterest.com/marynbtol/advent-words-2018-challenge/

Advent Words: W is for Word

W is for Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."

John 1:1-4

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:14

"If Advent is the season of waiting, Christmas is the season of wonder." 

Bobby Gross, Living the Christian Year

We are now just days away from Christmas, our sense of waiting begins to turn into a sense of awe and wonder. At the center of it is the mystery of the incarnation ~ the Word became flesh. This is the great mystery and wonder and truth of Christmas. God took on human form and lived among us, and thus became fully like us. He understands us. The author of the book of Hebrews tells us that the incarnation  means that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), because He was tempted in every way He is able to  "help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus was fully human. 

Yet He was also fully divine, fully God. John tells us that "In the beginning was the Word" - Jesus. The Word existed before time. He was with God. He was distinct from God, yet He was fully God. John goes on to tell us in verses 3 and 4 that Jesus, the Word, is the source of life and light.

"His life, manifest in the incarnation, is our light...He himself is the presence of God's own life and light and He makes that life and light available to human beings." Rodney Whitacre

Jesus, the Word, reveals God's glory to us. He reveals God's grace. He reveals God's truth. In His incarnation He reveals to us who God is. 

In His humanity He does not give up His divinity. Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus willingly laid it aside and submitted humbly to becoming a man. In this He submitted to the Father's will. 

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:5-11

The Word became flesh and lived among us ~ He was fully human and fully God. He was the fulfillment of the promise of Immanuel ~ God with us! This is the wonder of Christmas!

Share your creative response to the Advent Words challenge in our private Facebook group  Join here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/

If you belong to the Everyday Journal group that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.

Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2018.

Check out my Pinterest board for this challenge and see some of the wonderful and diverse creativity of Advent Words 2018 participants. https://www.pinterest.com/marynbtol/advent-words-2018-challenge/

Advent Words: V is for Voice

V is for Voice

"You who bring good news to Zion,

    go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

    lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

    say to the towns of Judah,

    “Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

    and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

    He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

    he gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:9-11

"Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
    together they shout for joy.
When the Lord returns to Zion,
    they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together,
    you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
    he has redeemed Jerusalem."

Isaiah 52:8-9

Amidst the many voices crying out for our attention during the Christmas season, Advent is a time to slow down and hear the voice of God through the Scriptures and the hymns and carols of the season. Voices proclaim the coming of the Messiah. They proclaim that God is with us!

God used Isaiah to be His voice to proclaim that He is the one who brings comfort to His people. Isaiah brought the good news of a future comforter who would be a mighty king (40:10), who would bring a reward for His people (40:10), and who would also be gentle like a shepherd (40:11). 

Isaiah's voice rang out: Behold, our God! Here is your God! God is with us!

He proclaimed of a time when with shouts of joy (52:8) the people would see the Lord "with their own eyes" (52:8). He called for God's people to sing songs of joy "for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem" (52:9). Isaiah's voice still calls out to us today. He calls us to shout and sing songs of joy that our Savior has come! The One whose strength and power comes wrapped in gentleness is here! 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:11, 14-15

The good shepherd gathers his lambs in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads them. He comforts His people and rewards them with His redemption. We too are called by God to lift our voices, to proclaim: Here is your God! Behold, our God is with us!

Behold our God seated on His throne,
Come, let us adore Him.
Behold our King! Nothing can compare,
Come, let us adore Him!

Behold Our God by Sovereign Grace Music

Share your creative response to the Advent Words challenge in our private Facebook group  Join here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/

If you belong to the Everyday Journal group that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.

Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2018.

Check out my Pinterest board for this challenge and see some of the wonderful and diverse creativity of Advent Words 2018 participants. https://www.pinterest.com/marynbtol/advent-words-2018-challenge/