Learning Along The Way

A Very Special Day

October 4, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

Day 4

It’s officially fall. My favorite season. School’s in session. Baseball and football overlap for a few weeks. The temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change color.

And oh the colors! Even some California trees get in the color act, showing us change happens, even in California.

I first heard the quote on my photo spoken by Christine Caine on her weekly podcast in 2014. I was struck by it’s simple truth. Change is healthy. Change is good. Change is inevitable.

Then why is change so hard?

I literally had to convince myself that change is good. I made it my computer password for a long while just to repeat it like a mantra. Changeisgood Changeisgood

Today I have completed my 58^th trip around the sun. And in those 58 annual trips I have grown and changed.

And to think I was done growing up and considered an adult at this point! There’s been more growth since this last picture than the 18 years in pictures. But not physical growth. I’m still vertically challenged as my sons tell me!

I don’t remember at what point in my spiritual learning I first came across Isaiah 61, but I remember thinking I want to be called an ‘oak of righteousness’ someday.

It’s in Isaiah 61:1-3 we see the purpose of Christ prophesied…and it is the portion of Scripture Jesus chose to read aloud in the synagogue when He began His public ministry ( found in Luke 4:18-19)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor

Living things grow. To have been planted by the Lord… to be for the display of His splendor… to be called an oak of righteousness…

Growing things change. I am not done changing; I have many areas left to be shaped and refined while I’m still here. But thanks be to God I am not the same person I was when I first met Him! He has given me the oil of gladness and a garland of praise!

Change is good. Happy Birthday to me! Thank You Jesus for helping me change and grow and learn along the Way!

Living in Tandem Requires Movement (Day 3)

October 3, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

This quote is attributed to Albert Einstein.

What’s true of an individual bicycle is definitely true in tandem cycling. It’s a lot easier to fall over when you’re not moving forward! And moving implies change.

I’m aware that some of you reading may not be in a committed relationship and you might think this blog series isn’t geared to your season of life. I want to state here on Day 3 of #write31days that Living in Tandem is primarily about learning to live in tandem with God, our One True Captain. And although my friend Peggy suggested tandem cycling to help me deal with my marriage, God had bigger plans. Tandem cycling is a metaphor I have learned for my spiritual life. I didn’t know that I was going to grow spiritually in this cycling challenge at first. Most of the time I was praying super spiritual prayers like “Please don’t let us die! Our boys are too young to lose their parents!” Or really selfless prayers like “if we crash just let it be over quick! I’m ready to be with You Jesus!” But as the training rides got longer and I became a better stoker I had more time to relax into what I was seeing and experiencing. On those rides the Lord started to show me how my need for control in all my relationships (family, friends, work, etc.) was evidence that I was NOT TRUSTING God. Ouch.

Here’s how I know. You can see the picture:

You can’t ride a tandem alone from the back. You need someone in the front to be the Captain. The Captain steers, brakes, shifts gears and helps balance the bicycle whether at a stop or on the move. The stoker (the back seat rider) balances, pedals and encourages the Captain. From this list, who has more responsibility?

If I kept trying to steer from the back we would tip over. I can’t shift; the levers are on the front handlebars. I can’t brake either for the same reason. I can however help balance by not moving around on the saddle. I have to pedal because the bike is designed with in sync pedals; working together to move forward, and keep moving forward, is a huge part of this metaphor.

We need to communicate to move. And the Captain initiates the communication.

Let that sink in.

I’m not the one to say “Hey! Here’s my plan. Let’s go.” Well I can say it, and I can push the bike forward, but if it’s not the Captain’s idea, the results are likely to be unpleasant, at best. I began to see the spiritual connections, even though I’m sometimes a slow learner.

God initiates the momentum for movement in my spiritual life. I respond. I have a part to play but I’m not in control. The Captain is.

These musings spilled over to meditating on Romans 12:1

I urge you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

See that phrase that tells us it’s all God’s initiating? …by the mercies of God…

Because of what He has already done, I am able to learn to live in tandem with Him.

My cooperation allows the tandem to move forward.

How is your cooperation with God? Learning to listen and cooperate is part of Living in Tandem.

Living in Tandem with Others

October 2, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

Do you ever wonder how you would handle (respond) a friend pointing out you’re out of line? I don’t mean a literal line like at the grocery store. I mean when how you’re thinking about something, or acting in response to someone, is out of line with what God has in mind.

When my friend Peggy pointed out my bad attitude toward my husband’s way of leading our family it wasn’t easy to hear. I can imagine it wasn’t easy for her to hear me whining and complaining in the first place! I was often confiding in her about the little things Colin did or didn’t do that were driving me crazy. She listened and then asked me how I was helping the situation. I said things like “well I tell him what’s bugging me- I don’t keep it hidden.” Peggy laughed and then asked, “Do you tell God as often as you tell Colin?” I just stared at her and simply said “No”. Her question didn’t come with criticism or condescension. It was her simple way of planting a seed for me to nurture.

Peggy prayed with and for me. She listened to, laughed with and encouraged me. She watched our baby boy and invited our kindergarten son over to play with her kindergartener. But most importantly, Peggy pointed me to the Truth. She was (and is) a woman of the Word. Peggy didn’t lecture; we didn’t do Bible studies together. She would simply weave God’s Word into our conversations with gentleness and grace. Peggy was like the big sister I never had. We had lots of deep conversations and laughed a ton. She always had Kleenex for me when the waterworks started (which was regularly!). In a word, Peggy was my mentor.

I didn’t ask her to mentor me. I don’t know if she even thought about our relationship in that way originally. But her way of doing life was so helpful for me to witness and her friendship was such a gift that God used Peggy to shape me ever so slowly. Our friendship allowed her to speak of hard things to me; to point me to the Truth in a way that I could both hear and receive.

Proverbs 27:9 says Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

A mentor can be that kind of friend in your life. A friend who hears your heart and points you to Jesus. A friend who counsels you with wisdom and grace as well as humor. Learning to listen to words like these is a part of living in tandem. Webster defines tandem as “a group of two people or things that work together or are associated with each other.” Allowing yourself to be mentored by someone, whether it is in a work setting, spiritual setting or a combination, is a way of living in tandem.

I am a better human being because I have been mentored. We all have many areas to grow and change in life; I’ve had the privilege of several mentors speaking into my life through different seasons. I believe mentoring is helpful, fun and, dare I say, vital, for each of us.

The other side of mentoring is becoming a mentor. But more on that aspect of living in tandem in a future post!

How do you find a mentor? What do you and a mentor do? Should it be formal or casual? Is this a commitment for life? (You might say Yikes!) Sure there are lots of questions but there are just as many answers because there isn’t just one way of having/being a mentor. I’d love to hear some of your questions/concerns about mentoring. Or maybe you have a story to share that can encourage another woman? Please chime in!

Write 31 Days Writing Challenge Day 1

October 1, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

What a challenge to Write 31 Days! A blog post a day for the 31 consecutive days of October. Every.single.day. Yikes! I’m not doing this alone either. There are over 1,000 writers tapping away daily for the next 31 days on many different topics. Nine different theme categories for writers to share their passion for words. My writing category is Inspiration & Faith. The eight other categories allow writers lots of creative space. Please take some time this month to connect with other writers as well. I’ll share the link to where you can check them out at the end of this post.

I write a lot in my head. It’s safe there. No risk. But there’s no growth without change and no stretching without risk so I have to put my fingers to the keyboard and make it happen.

It has taken me several weeks to land on my theme. I considered what I love to talk with people about, figuring that would be an easy way to write. I thought about different ways to approach the one thing I can’t help but do when I’m talking: encouraging people. I love to listen, hearing what’s going on in someone’s life; specifically their spiritual life. I’ve decided to put these two things together. Encouraging and listening. I’m going to write for 31 Days serving up encouragement to step forward in your life in 3 different ways: Getting to Know God; Soul Searching; and Serving Others. My series title? Living in Tandem.

Why that title? Well it’s a long story so I’ll tell you in pieces over the next 31 posts!! Let me start by blaming my friend and mentor Peggy because she pointed out an area of my life that was in dire need of change…my attitude toward my husband. 18 years ago she told me I needed to get on the back of a tandem bike and learn to work out some attitude issues. I thought she was kidding but she persisted. Colin & I borrowed their tandem and rode it around their neighborhood. I was petrified! I couldn’t steer, I couldn’t brake or control the speed! Colin was completely responsible for our very lives!!! My need for control, fears and lack of trust were activated 100% during that short turn around a couple of blocks. Colin had a great time. I mean GREAT TIME!! When we got back to their driveway my heart was nearly jumping out of my throat and he had the giant little kid grin. He loved it and I was petrified. That spoke volumes.

As much as I hated to admit I had such big issues to deal with, I had to agree with Peggy. I needed to work through some big things and the tandem bike was obviously a ‘fun for Colin’ option. We went tandem shopping that day, but it wasn’t until several weeks later, Father’s Day of 1997, that we got our first tandem bicycle. It has become a significant tool God has used to grow & change me and, dare I say, shape me? Learning to live in tandem in all areas of my life has been (and continues to be) a journey of many miles. Over the miles I’ve come to realize this metaphor isn’t simply about marriage. I promise I won’t overwork the metaphor on a daily basis but I am really excited to share what I’ve learned along the Way. Most of all I’m excited to show you how these big ideas are for you too, even if you never get on the back of a literal tandem bicycle!

Obviously I would love to have you not only read my blog series but comment on what you read; letting me and others know how these words have encouraged you. Or maybe how you take issue with what I’ve said. Or perhaps you’ll have feedback on my writing style. I’m not the authority; I’m simply a fellow pilgrim moving through this life hoping to make positive impact on those I encounter. Your feedback will be so helpful!

Will you join me on this ride?

Come back here to get caught up if you miss a post. I’ll be using this as my landing page so each post will have a link to it’s page here and I’ll add it daily. And here’s the link to the main page for Write 31 Days writing challenge where you can find other amazing writers sharing their various passions.

Day 2 Living in Tandem with Others

Day 3 Living in Tandem Requires Movement

Day 4 A Very Special Day

Day 5 A Good Road to Ride

Day 6 When a Soul Needs Quiet

Day 7 When Relationships Hit a Rough Patch

Day 8 The Push & Pull of Being a Control Freak

Day 9 Friday Funday!!

Day 10 What is Enough?

Day 11 The Basic Elements of Living in Tandem

Day 12 Who’s in Charge Here?

Day 13 What’s Your Why?

Day 14 Muscle Building (Learning to Trust)

Day 15 Trust Building

Day 16 Friday Funday!

Day 17 In Quietness & Trust

Day 18 Embracing Rest

Day 19 When Enthusiasm is AWOL

Day 20 A Change in Perception

Day 21 Living in Tandem Isn’t Flashy

Day 22 Rest for Your Soul

Day 23 Friday Funday!

Day 24 Saturday’s Soul Food

Day 25 Sabbath Listening

Day 26 Moving Forward by Being Still

Day 27 What’s in a Metaphor?

Day 28 Learning to Laugh

Day 29 Relationships are Better in Tandem

Day 30 Why Should Living in Tandem Matter to You?

Day 31 Finish Well

What’s Around the Corner?

September 19, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

Don’t we often want to know what’s around the corner in life? I think that’s why we make plans. We have something to look forward!

I’ve been planning blog posts instead of writing them. I’ve done lots of composing in my head but not so much here on the blog. Why? Well in part, I’ve allowed myself to focus too much on circumstances instead of the One who holds it altogether.

In Proverbs we read: the heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.

I’m excited to share how the Lord has been establishing my steps. I’m going to share a blog series here for the 31 days of October.

I’ll be joining over 1000 other writers who’ll be sharing their passions on their blogs. So many categories, so much fun, so much learning and so much encouragement!

There will be live links to the Write 31 Days curator page where all the bloggers will share their individual link buttons. I really hope you will consider visiting some bloggers you haven’t come across before. There are amazing writers with some really interesting series topics that I think many of you will enjoy.

It all begins in only 11 days!!!

Learning to Celebrate the Daily

August 18, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

I am easily distracted these days. Interestingly, the distractions come from within; the thoughts of what needs to be accomplished mix with the memories of what was and is no longer. These distractions have hindered me from actions that I love, like writing. But I’m happy to say I’ve been coming back to center and learning to celebrate the everyday moments of life thanks to a new book.

I recently read the fantastic new book Simply Tuesday by Emily P Freeman. It’s available today! The tagline for this book really called to me: Small-Moment Living in a Fast Moving World. I had been living the SLO life for 30 years until two years ago. Now living in the fast-paced, change-oriented, bigger, faster, better society of the Silicon Valley is like “drinking from a fire hose” as our pastor puts it. Simply Tuesday is a call to notice, to appreciate the ordinary moments of the day and that is opposite living from this world’s expectations. What a beautiful thing because our souls are not meant for speed. A soul is meant for depth, for slow, for connection.

Emily shares her story of learning to embrace ‘small’. She puts into words what my own soul has yearned for; being okay with “right where I am” instead of pushing for more, for notice, for good, better, best. In the chapter “Effort & Outcomes” Emily’s words stopped my striving, never-good- enough heart & mind right in their Energizer Bunny tracks. “I don’t see Jesus calling me to excellence. I do see Him calling me to Himself. And sometimes, on the kingdom of earth, moving close to Jesus looks like failure and embarrassment.”

I have pushed and resisted, fought and argued and demanded that my life be “good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better best.” Being transplanted from the comfort and familiarity of my former life was painful to say the least. I have not been able to gain the traction I’ve thought I’ve needed to be “successful” in this new arena. The revolutionary thought that simply being aware and available to the movement of Christ in my day truly stopped my whirling internal dialogue. It was as if someone picked up the arm of the record player and turned the swirling machine off.

Simply Tuesday is seeping down into my soul. This book, Emily’s voice, is counter-cultural in this area where I live. But Emily lives and writes in Greensboro, NC and her words come from a place of knowing how extended beyond peace we often live. Simply Tuesday is inviting me to sit on a bench and notice where Jesus is moving in my day. It’s inviting me to learn to celebrate the daily; the everyday moments that make up my everyday, ordinary life. Learning to celebrate that this life is a gift from God moment by moment.

Learning to be present to His abiding Presence. Learning to be thankful for little things like a bird on a bird feeder or the smell of freshly brewed coffee is reminding me of the true beauty that makes up every day. Learning that time is non-renewable and therefore sacred.

This bench is at the park near our latest place of residence. (notice I didn’t call it home? I’m not there yet.) I often see people seated here looking out at the children, the athletes, the trees. This morning I thought of the gift Simply Tuesday is to me and prayed that it would be so for many, many more. I really want to encourage you to get your own copy and gather with others who are seeking connection like I am. They’re all around us; Tuesday people as Emily calls us.

Listen in to Emily chat briefly about her book here. Then go to Amazon and pick up your own copy (and maybe a few for your Tuesday people?). I’d love to know what you’re learning to celebrate!

A Couple Dozen Reasons

July 20, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and SnapChat didn’t exist 24 years ago. Neither did the internet for that matter. And frankly, I’m glad. My life to that point had been a series of fender benders, speeding tickets and finally a train wreck; all of them culminating at this day, our wedding day. July 20, 1991.

Colin was not to blame for any of those earlier events. In fact he turned out to be the Knight in Shining Armor sent by the King of the realm unbeknownst to this Ragamuffin. The Wise King knew exactly what it would take to win back this bruised, broken and unlikely heroine. Because He causes all things to work together for our good, this is a tale of redemption and healing; a story we all want to have woven into our own lives.

One doesn’t expect a story to end well that has a rough beginning. Many tales that begin badly end worse. But God has had a different plan for me that I often couldn’t see or hang on to. Yet He continues to persevere in working ALL of my life’s circumstances for His good purposes. I certainly don’t deserve His mercy. But because of Who God is, mercy and grace is what He has poured out on me. On us. Three kids became a family 24 years ago today. In homemade clothes, with the help of family and friends, we began simply. Making a commitment we didn’t really understand but have remained faithful to. Raising not one, but eventually two sons, both now men. Good men. God’s abundant grace poured down.

Two cats, three dogs and one goldfish were all members of our family. There were the two rats, two anoles and one snake that had their stays but they weren’t really an integral part of the family. Raising people and animals gives one a perspective of the importance and difficulty of sacrifice; a small inkling of what God has done for each one of us.

Letting go of old hurts, choosing the path of forgiveness over bitterness have been gentle nudges from God through Colin and our sons. It seems time and again, I’ve been the one to need the most shaping, the most re-working on an emotional and spiritual level; the loves of my life have been some of God’s shaping tools. Reading and studying His Word, growing up together, learning humility, expressing kindness sincerely, and looking to one another’s needs have been life lessons we have learned along the Way.

I am awed by what God has done through our marriage. Our sons are real people with real choices who know real acceptance by both their heavenly and earthly Fathers. They have great relationships with Colin and each other; of which I am amazed. These are results out of my hands people. I joke about holding up a sign that reads: Don’t Go This Way! and yet young people seek us out, asking for time with us to learn how to walk this life. Humbled is not a big enough word to express my feelings when a young woman asks me to meet for coffee. Tears of thankfulness to our good God stream down my cheeks as I write this.

There are at least a couple dozen reasons why this marriage should have crashed and burned at various points over these couple dozen years.

But God.

He has intervened again and again, saving, sanctifying, guiding and directing us back toward one another and upward to Him.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

1,2,3 Deedle Deedle Dee (3 New Ideas for You)

February 26, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

You may have noticed the name of my website; chosen specifically to fit the way I move through the world. Funny thing that still surprises my me-centered world: not everyone is like me! I forget we don’t all learn the same way, we don’t all care about the same things and we’re not motivated in the same ways.

So here I am, learning along the way. And I still get excited to share what I learn, like I am still an eager child in a classroom frantically waving my hand, hoping against hope that you’ll get excited too; that you’ll be encouraged or challenged as I was when I learned this new thing or read this new book or saw this new movie.

Maybe you get excited by some of things I share, and perhaps you’re not all interested. That’s okay really. I just hope you’ll keep stopping by to see if there might be something you are interested in hearing about. In my continued passion for learning I’ve gotten derailed lately from the sharing what I’ve learned; I’ve started telling myself no one cares but me, so why bother writing these things out anyway?

And then I tell myself truth: my story matters. And so does yours. How I see and think may resonate with you and give expression to a thought or feeling that you’ve held but hadn’t brought to the surface yet.

So I write again.

I learned there’s a name for what I really like to do; curate.

Curator–a person who selects content for presentation, as on a website.

I love to curate information, distill, share and recommend. I’d rather point to others’ works and how they’ve impacted me; how I think you would benefit from reading/hearing/learning from them, too.

Today I learned three new things! This is a big day and it’s only midday!

#1 I learned that when you risk speaking about a fragile part of yourself, people respond gently and with grace; way differently than I imagine.

Then later in catching up with email I read what Michael Hyatt had to say about a new book, Scary Close by Donald Miller. I haven’t read it yet but from the post I’m intrigued. Eager to learn more…

#2 When I let my fear of failure take the stage I don’t fully show up for myself or others. My fears cause me to veil myself, being somewhat myself but not fully myself. I heard last Sunday that the opposite of Faith isn’t Doubt. The opposite of Faith is Fear. So when any fear that I have is allowed to step forward and lead me then I am not believing God is big enough or strong enough or faithful enough or whatever enough. I don’t like that option. So I practiced #1 today. And I was encouraged. My brokenness isn’t pretty but God can bring His beauty out of it. He can do the same with you.

#3 Reading the words of others on the path to God’s Heart can shine light on my next step. True confession: I don’t read blogs daily. I make time for blog reading regularly but not daily. And yet, I am often blessed, encouraged or challenged by the words of fellow bloggers. Two days ago, over at A Holy Experience, Ann Voskamp wrote about failing at Lent. Kind of a funny thought really but true to her form of expression, I was caught off guard. This quote…

It is an irrefutable law: One needs to be dispossessed of all the possessions that possess us — before one can be possessed of God.

Let the things of this world fall away so the soul can fall in love with God.

I have learned the practice of spiritual habits is so important; during Lent I especially want to enter into what God is already doing. Being reminded again of how I cling to the familiar, to people and things of this world, being possessed by them, really took me by surprise today.

#1 risk being vulnerable

#2 take fear down by building trust in God

#3 read to be encouraged to grow.

There you go! 1,2,3. Deedle deedle dee!

3 Ways Both/And, Now & Not Yet are True

February 22, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

I am not equipped for this task but I am both stirred and compelled to write. I look up and out and seek wisdom…

It’s been a week since the world learned of the martyrdom of the 21 Coptic Christians on the Libyan shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

They did not recant their faith in Christ. They did not beg for human mercy; instead they prayed a simple, honest prayer:” Jesus help me.”

As a mother, I cry for their families who have lost a son. As a wife, I cry for the women who lost their life partner, the other half of themselves. I cry for the children who have lost their daddy. I cry for their church who have lost friends.

I cry.

ISIS might have thought they were sending death threats around the world with this new level of atrocity. Church, don’t waste this message. It is both an atrocity of global proportions and a reminder of what our real purpose is here in this day that we live.

#1 Both/And. This world is filled with atrocities that can overwhelm or motivate.

Please God, let this be a stirring up of Your people to pray. To stand firm in our faith and trust in You.

News travels faster now than it did when Dietrich Bonhoeffer was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. His penned words to the church at a time when Hitler was causing atrocities, speak out now in fresh ways in the 21^st century:

“The messengers of Jesus will be hated to the end of time. They will be blamed for all the division, which rend cities and homes. Jesus and his disciples will be condemned on all sides for undermining family life, and for leading the nation astray; they will be called crazy fanatics and disturbers of the peace. The disciples will be sorely tempted to desert their Lord. But the end is also near, and they must hold on and persevere until it comes. Only he will be blessed who remains loyal to Jesus and his word until the end.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

This is both disturbing and encouraging.

Most of us as North American Christians have made choices to live out our faith as insulated, entitled people. Ouch! How can I make such a claim? I’m one of you/them. We may generously give of our material wealth but do we also generously give of the time we’ve been given? Do we radically demonstrate love of those who disagree with our beliefs or do we judge them and ostrasize them from our communities? Do we spend the time we have been given on our selfish, simple lives?

What if we took our faith seriously and used the time we have here to pray? What if we live the words we believe: Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. What if we were both appalled by the persecution of other Christians and compelled to pray for the persecutors, not that they would be sent to Hell but that they would come to know the risen Christ?

When I heard the news of the #21martyrs the Holy Spirit compelled me to open my Bible to Revelation 20:4 where it says:

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God…

What we see now was prophesied 2000 years ago. I thank God that He exists outside of our limited 24/7 time continuum.

#2 His words to us tell us that His kingdom is both now and not yet.

Theologians refer to this as Inaugurated Eschatology.

God saw all this happen before He created. He made a provision for humanity at the Fall. He came in human form to show us the Father, to show us how we can now live the life we’ve been given and He has given us Himself in the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and remind us of what His Word says so that…

We may partner with Him in the work that is before each of us. The work? Intercession. Prayer. It is not the only thing you can do, it is the best thing you can do!

We can pray. Pray for endurance and perseverance not just for ourselves but for other believers around the globe.

Oswald Chambers spoke most of what we read as My Utmost for His Highest. His wife transcribed his talks and we have their combined work to encourage us. He said:

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen…Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe our hero is going to be conquered…”

Do you know how this story, the One True Story, ends?

What we see is not all that there is. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We are here to love radically. To pray fervently. To stay close to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith. To persevere until He comes.

#3 These Truths are examples of the now and not yet. He is both here by His Spirit, the Comforter, and not yet returned as He has promised.

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”

Here’s one thing we can do. Let us join today in praying for the global persecuted Church. Please watch this video.

21 Martyrs

How Pinballs, Tandem Bicycles and Lent Hold Hands

February 18, 2015 By Lisa Lewis

I’ve been reflecting on one verse of scripture today. Well truth be told I’ve been thinking about this for almost 2 years. It’s been bouncing around in my head, bumping up against my to do list of laundry, dishes, email, responsibilities and deadlines; you know the list.

Every time it bumps into something in my head it feels like a light goes on. One thing has stood out over and over: God is the initiator. He started this whole change process. Let me back up and explain.

The verse I’ve been reflecting on is Romans 12:1

I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship.

For a long time (like 20 years long time) I’ve looked at this verse as part of what I’m supposed to do as a Christian. The focus has been on me. But that perspective is changing.

By the mercies of God…

Five little words that have been bouncing around in my head like the silver ball in a pinball machine (do you know what a pinball machine is?)

photo credit: Williams Expo via photopin (license)

lighting up the objects it bumps into before it drops through the hole at the bottom; these 5 words all rolled together as one phrase.

By the mercies of God.

Any thing I do regarding the rest of this verse happens by the mercies of God. So then I want to know: What are the mercies of God?

Earlier in Romans we’re told that while we were still sinners, still enemies of God, He sent His only Son Jesus to pay the required sin sacrifice to buy us back from the enemy of our souls. (Rom. 5:8)

Telling you this much information without context is like walking into the family room in the middle of a movie that everyone else is focused on and you don’t know what’s going on. The point?

God is the Initiator.

He is the Creator, Sustainer, Equipper, Comforter, Provider, and the list goes on.

So by the mercies of God I am able to present my body, my whole self, as a living and holy sacrifice which is acceptable to God … do you see it? By God and to God. God is the Initiator.

But what are His mercies?

So many places in the Bible speak of the mercy or mercies of God. And like so many words that get said over and over I had to stop and remind myself exactly what the word mercy means.

Mercy–compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

God, Who created, ex nihilo (out of nothing) has within His power the right to punish or harm us for falling short of His perfect Law. But from the very beginning of humanity’s rebellion, God initiated a Way back to Him. He promised to send a Savior for humanity. (Gen. 3)

God is the Initiator.

By His mercies we are objects of Love not objects of wrath. By His mercies we can be forgiven for our fallen nature and every act or thought of rebellion against His Way. (Eph. 2:3; Col.1:21)

By His mercies we are invited close, called sons & daughters, co-inheritors with His Son. (Eph 2:13; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4)

By His mercies we are transformed, changed into the likeness, into the family resemblance of Christ. (Eph. 4:24)

Bottom line here: it is God Who is at work in us and through us. He is the Initiator.

Our responsibility is to live life in tandem with Him. A tandem bicycle is not designed side by side but one in front of the other. A captain and a stoker.

photo credit: Tandem bike from 1904 via photopin (license)

He’s the One in front, steering, braking, shifting, guiding. He invites us to join Him.

All we have to do is stay on the bike, on the saddle and peddle in sync with His power, His direction, His will.

As we begin this season of Lent I encourage you to ponder, to reflect, to listen, to let go. Let a portion of God’s Word bounce around in your head like your own pinball machine. Think about what it would take to be on a tandem bike with God the Initiator. Let these images and ideas hold hands during this season.

We have been given the gift of responding to His love, to His plan, to His sacrifice for us.

This adventure is amazing!

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