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Come…(Bo in Hebrew)

“Come close to God And He will come close to you…”
James 4:8

“Come” . . . Such a simple word.  “Bo” in Hebrew.  Jesus used that word many times, in many different situations with the people in his earthly life.  Two little letters, but its meaning and purpose in language is to activate a  listener to move.  Move near to the one speaking the word.  It is an action that intentionally draws two individuals closer to one another.  A choice is involved.  An intentional action is set in motion.  Distance of separation lessens.   

Think of how that little word is used in our daily lives.   In training a pet dog, it is likely the most frequently used word by its human companion.  The “come” and the response to the “come” says a great deal about the relationship and attitudes of both parties.  If there is no movement towards the one saying, “come”, there  is no impact on the situation.  Nothing changes . . . except emotions and thoughts of those involved.

Jesus used that simple word repeatedly during His time on earth.  “Come…follow Me.”  “Come

to Me….”   “Come, you who are weary. . . “   “Come near . . . to God . . . “   and more.   

“Come” requires a response of movement that lessens a separation.  Two entities come closer together.  Without the movement, the “come” has not taken place.  “Come” always requires a choice of the one being beckoned.  It also implies that something….or  SomeOne awaits the action of the one being beckoned.   The Daddy is looking for the child’s response.  The Trainer is watching for the dog’s movement toward him.  The hostess is prepared for the guest to enter her home.  

“Come close to God,” requires a deliberate decision of movement that will  close the distance between myself and God.  “Come” is an action that intentionally closes the distance of separation.  Making no movement brings no change.   It may result in other effects connected to the initial “Come”, but not  the outcome that had been initially intended or hoped.  

God speaks to us, “Come close.”  A simple invitation to move toward Him.  But He does not leave it at that.  God does not stand still, leaving all the action to us.  He responds to our action to move towards Him by intentionally moving towards me.  “He will come close to you.”  Purposeful.  Deliberate.  Active.  Inter-active.  It is His response to my action of moving near to Him.  He does not sit or stand, just looking at me as I move towards Him.  He responds by intentionally moving towards me.  I move towards Him.  He moves towards me.  He does not stand still, observing or scrutinizing my movement.  He responds by moving nearer to me, initiated  by His Invitation  to “Come.”   

The first step towards God is for each of us to “Come.”   And do not be surprised if the next Whisper is, “Be still. . .and know that I am God.” 

“Come” . . . (“Bo”). . .Such a simple, familiar word.  

But when spoken by God, it opens the Door to Eternal Life.

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Jesus and My Kids

“As Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers…
Simon (called Peter) and Andrew …They were fishermen.
Jesus said to them, ‘Come, follow Me! I will teach you to catch people instead of fish.’
As Jesus went on, he saw two other brothers, James and John…
They were in a boat with their father, preparing to go fishing.
He called them and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.
Jesus went all over Galilee.”
Matthew 4:18-21

Two sets of brothers out fishing. One set with their dad, one set apparently on their own in their boat. Different boats. Different dads. Same body of water, the same day, the same activity, and having separate, similar encounters with Jesus. The two sets of sons shared the same response to this Stranger’s simple invitation. One father watched his sons leave him as they got out of his boat and walked away with this Stranger. The other father was apparently absent. . .the sons on their own.

The writer does not elaborate about the fathers’ reactions, one present, one absent, but there certainly must have been some kind of response, whether internally or verbally, to this unusual disruption to the two fishing routines of their respective sons. The courses of those sons lives would be forever changed as the young men walked away from what “had been” and follow the Footsteps of Jesus and the change of Course He had prepared for them.

In Bible-times, fathers had a lot of authority in their families . . . a son being called away by a
Man outside of their family would not have been typical. Whatever internal struggles may have been going on in that daddy’s heart is not mentioned. He watched his sons drop what they had always done together and walk away, following this Man Who had called them to follow Him for a very different kind of “fishing.”

It’s not easy as a parent to let go of what “has always been” in their family’s life. From birth,
fathers have hopes and dreams for their sons’ and daughters’ futures. Good fathers have
invested their hearts, time, love, and encouragement in their child’s life. Their child carries a
part of his/her father into their future.

There is a spiritual piece of each child’s life that is also in each parent’s heart and thoughts.
We can love, teach, model, and train our child in God’s Ways, but we do not have control of that piece of our child’s life. That rests in God’s Hands.

Jesus did not speak with those two daddys first. He spoke directly to the sons. Parents cannot control the spiritual life of our children. We can teach, train, model, and invest in their spiritual lives, but ultimately, there will be a Day when Jesus Himself invites that child to follow Him. It is between Him and that son or daughter we love so much. Jesus did not talk with those fathers about details, nor permission, nor of the Plan for their sons’ futures. He spoke directly to the sons. Each personally responded . . . and followed. No information is given concerning going back home to say good-bye or grab something to bring for the unknown journey ahead. No mention is made of saying “Good-bye” to Dad or Mom….friends or siblings. Personal decisions to follow Jesus, wherever that may lead, come down to One-on-one choices.

There were two fathers. . . one present, one absent, but the interactions with Jesus were
between Him and the sons.

Jesus always makes it personal . . . between Him and “me”. . . The Path upon which each of us will walk with Him will be personal. Unique. Individual. Not the same as anyone else’s experience with Him. And the way God will interact with each of our children will be unique as well. He does not ask our permission concerning the Path He plans for our child. We have to let go, and trust Him to lead each of them.

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Tuning My Heart – Lessons from a Musician

“I will give thanks to You with all my heart.
I will make music to praise you in front of the false gods.
I will bow toward Your holy temple.
I will give thanks to Your Name because of Your
Mercy and Truth.
You have made Your Name and Your Promise
Greater than everything.”
Psalm 138:1-2

This begins a series of focused attention on “heart issues,” looking to David. . . one of the most in-tune “heartists” in the Bible. His intimacy and transparency with God gives us a wonderful example of what an authentic relationship with God looks like. May God use David’s heart to bring our own hearts closer to His.

If you have ever had a child in your home who is beginning to learn how to play a musical
instrument, you know the nerve-grinding effects of the squeaks and squawks of that experience.

At first, it’s a jarring attack on your ears and the nerves attached to them. But, you bite your lip at the auditory assault, knowing that it is an inescapable piece of the greater picture . . . the dream of making music that listeners will enjoy hearing. Someday.

David was a young boy, but woven throughout his daily responsibilities, he was learning to be a musician. . . a harpist. He was also a lyricyst . . . and a singer. He had spent much of his early life out in the fields with his daddy’s flock of sheep, responsible for their safety and their need for healthy green pastures to rest from their constant munching. It was a responsibility that required “moving attention” 24/7. It was a lonely job. So David used his little reprieves to make music. He could keep an eye on his sheep as he sang his tunes . . . putting words to the music as he watched over his flock.

David was only a few miles from the city of Jerusalem, and he could see it from the pastures of his father. The Temple of God was there, the place where his people gathered to worship.
Young David could see it, but he had a big responsibility with his father’s sheep, a job that
required his attention day and night.

So from a distance, young David learned to connect with the God of his father . . . his family . . .his people. Out in the fields, throughout the warm, sunny days and the cool, dark nights, he
could look across the hills to Jerusalem, and up into the skies of his Creator as they glimmered with stars and galaxies in the darkness. Every day. Every night. God’s Temple was the crowning Jewel of the busy city of Jerusalem. It was within sight. But David was experiencing a personal connection with God on those hillsides, alone with his father’s sheep.

He learned to sing. . . to play his small harp . . . to make music from his heart to God’s
throughout those early years. And God had His Eye on that little shepherd boy . . . Had a Plan for his life that would have ripples throughout the centuries to come.

We see so little of what God is doing through our circumstances, our families, our seasons of life, and all of the challenges along the Path. Don’t miss the Moments along your Journey that your eyes are drawn Up, your heart reaches towards His, and you catch a Glimpse of His Presence and the Touch of His Spirit, even in the midst of your daily life. Look up. He is near.

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My Reflecting Pond

I live in a comfortable, quiet apartment. I’m surrounded by furnishings, books, and lots of lovely memories of the life I’ve lived.

But with a simple step outside of my door, I have the privilege of seeing a large pond that has become my favorite daily view. There is nothing especially notable about the pond itself . . . until near sunset every evening. Like clockwork, the pond becomes a massive glass mirror . . .reflecting the sky and any trees or buildings along its shoreline.

Like magic, it becomes completely still, and the reflections on its glass surface are beautiful. The air stills. . . and the daylight begins to soften as the mirror captures the fading light of the sky. The stillness and mirrored sky always makes me stop . . . and simply look. I do not understand how nor why that beautiful “Moment” is repeated every day, nor why it has its notable impact on me. But it has become a daily reminder of God’s Presence and nearness . . .His faithfulness to me, despite all that Life has brought into my day, my thoughts, my worries, my sadness and my joys. His heavens are brought into my personal view. . . simply standing outside my own backdoor and looking at “my” glass Mirror of God’s artistry.

The reflections of His sky draw my thoughts to reflect on Him. Consistent, beautiful, quiet, a
Spirit-to-spirit communication that needs no words. And all I have to do is look and enjoy.

He is near. He is Present. He sees me.
And that is more than enough.

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MAKING HIM PROUD

His little voice caught my attention as he walked holding his Mama’s hand
through the parking-lot. I heard him loudly, proudly spelling, “Y-B-B-O-L Y-B-B-
O-H . . . HOME DEPOT!!!”

I chuckled as they passed me as I headed to my car with my purchase. He was
so happy to think he had spelled and knew the big store sign!

I wondered how often we, as God’s children, proudly announce things to Him that
we are confident that we understand, when, in fact, we are seeing something
backwards along our Walk with Him, but excitedly conclude that we’ve “Got it!”
Does He smile at our attempts to make Him proud of us, His Kids? We think
we’ve figured something out, and are happy to show-and-tell Him what we
“know.” We may have all of the pieces of the Picture, but often in the wrong
order, and with wrong conclusions.

Does He let go of our hand as we walk together, with our mistakes and wrong
conclusions? Or does He continue holding us safely as we do our best to keep
up and make Him proud.

I think He quietly smiles, knowing that we are trying . . . still learning. Someday
we will understand, and love Him even more for His Patience and Unfailing Love
as we walk through life together.

Check out Janet’s new book, Not Forgotten on Amazon.

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Let’s Go

“Behold . . .
We go up to Jerusalem. . . “
Luke 18:31

Today’s news struck an ominous note to me . . . Lebanon was being bombed by Israel. . . and
Jerualem would be a retaliation target. That is not really anything “new”, unfortunately, in the history of our world. In Jesus’ time, Jerusalem / Israel was under Rome’s military Occupation.

But Jesus, knowing what was to come for Him . . . His ultimate Mission and Death, . . . still
went, and brought His closest friends with Him.

What might Jesus be asking you to do this day, as you follow Him?
Are you paying attention?
Is it scary?
Is it beyond what you think you can do?
Maybe it’s “the worst” you could imagine.

You . . . I . . . we do not know what lies ahead. But Jesus does. And as He calls your name this day, or tomorrow, or next week and beyond, the Call is direct . . . and clear: “Let’s go . . . “ with Him.

When you choose to follow, that is the bottom line.

Will you follow His, “Let’s go” ?

Check out Janet’s new book, Not Forgotten on Amazon.

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God’s Ilogical Math: 1+1= Infinity

“My Kindness is all you need.
My Power is strongest when you are weak.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

For most of my adult life, I was privileged to have a front row Seat in watching God carry out
some incredibly amazing Answers to some extremely difficult Problems in my personal world.

The Problem: 1 very “lost” small-town young man + 1 very shy “PK” (Pastor’s Kid) + a large population of very troubled young people + God = People (estimate unavailable) now in the Kingdom of God.

I was the “church girl / PK (pastor’s kid)” who had known Jesus since the age of 3, when I
remember asking Jesus to “forgive me and come into my heart.” I promised to love Him forever.

Of course, at that point, my sin history was fairly brief . . .such as being mad at my little sister, sticking my tongue out behind the door at my un-seeing parent on the other side of the door, clipping an ant with my blunt-nose scissors . . . but I had a sense that those things would probably not make Jesus happy or proud of me.

When, in my mid-20’s, God brought a fairly new Believer into my life, I had never imagined
marrying a Coast Guard guy . . . a former “pot-head” with a troubled teenage past, raised a
Catholic (his church highlight was drinking the left-over wine from the Host as an altar boy.)
That was followed by years of living without any personal awareness of Who God really is, nor of God’s Love and Purpose waiting in his future.

Our unlikely Math added 3 boys to our picture, and then 1+1+1+1+1….to an un-numbered Sum, of troubled young and not-so-young people from our city and beyond, all the way to the Sahara Desert of North Africa.

Our human logic can never attain the Logic of our Creator. He by-passed all human “logic”
when He created the world . . . the heavens . . . and our own human forms designed to carry His Own Spirit in each one. He far surpassed human logic when He sent His Son to die on earth so that we could live forever with Him.

May we carry that Eternal Treasure of His “illogical Math” as we individually live out our
numbered Days. And may you be numbered in the Divine “+” to His Equation into which He has added us.

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Mercy by Day…And a Song in the Night

“The Lord commands His Mercy during the day,
and at night
His Song is with me -
a prayer to the God of my life. “
Psalm 42:8

When I was growing up, I often spent time each summer with my favorite Aunt and
Uncle in the mountains of North Carolina. They directed the youth camp they had
established on a beautiful mountain top. The camp cook, “Winnie” . . . was often heard
in the large camp kitchen, exclaiming, “Laaawd, have Mercy!” as small disasters often
occurred in the preparations for feeding 200 kids 3 times each day.

Mercy is often needed in the daytime. That’s when most activities are taking place.
There is more risk . . . tension . . . stress . . . in the daylight hours. Relational conflicts
are apt to ignite as people spend their days working, studying, and actively engaging
with each other in the daytime hours.

As night comes, darkness falls, the absence of the sun’s light has an impact on our
minds and energy levels. Life tends to quiet down . . . there may be more time to think .
. .to contemplate . . . to simply slow down.

God understands the ebb and flow of our human lives. He created the setting and
major elements that influence the energy we expend in the daytime hours. He knows
our need to slow down and find rest. In that quieting . . . in the stillness of the night, He
Sings to us. We are more apt to tune our ears and hearts to listen.

Have you heard His Song in the night? As a mother will gently hum a sweet melody to
her sleepy, restless child, the song brings a sweet sense of simple beauty that can
soothe and quiet the soul. Sleep comes softly.

God is Present day and night. He promised to be with us always. In the more active,
daytime hours, His Mercy is more essential for us to experience.

As the day wanes, and our energies slow, His strength and power flows into a gentler
Presence . . . a Song that helps His beloved sons and daughters to slow down . . . a soft
Melody begins as night falls. We need rest. We need the softness of a moon’s glow,

following our day’s bright sunshine and spent energies. He sets the atmosphere to
become a cushion for our weary minds, bodies, and souls.

His Presence wraps itself around us, providing the atmosphere our weary bones, minds
and bodies need to begin to restore our strenghth for tomorrow.

Winnie’s soft and low voice could be heard sometimes, from her rocking chair on the
porch, humming in the moonlight. . . a tender echo of God’s bedtime “Lullabye” to His
beloved children.

Check out Janet’s new book, Not Forgotten on Amazon.

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Encounter #8

Escape to Egypt

After they (Wise Men) had left,  An angel  of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
The Angel said to him,  “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.
Stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and kill him.”
Matthew 2:13

The new daddy, still-new husband, Joseph,  again has a Divine Encounter with the Angel of God, regarding the Baby now in his and Mary’s care.  The same Messenger was now bringing a Message that would again dramatically affect the lives of the young family.  In the midst of their first days of being  parents, probably amidst plans of returning to their home, their families, their life in Nazareth, there would be another journey for the three.  This time, to a foreign land. . . a foreign people. 

As the little family journeyed to Egypt, the ancient nation into which  “another” Joseph had been sold into slavery  so long ago, this young family would find refuge and safety for themselves and the tiny Baby sheltered in their arms.   Their people’s ancient experience of captivity in Egypt would now have a new chapter. . . The infant Life of their Messiah would find refuge with his new parents in that ancient land of Egypt.  The place of Israel’s captivity would now become a place of refuge, for a time,  for the Savior of the World.   

God’s Redemption Purposes never end.  There are no geographical barriers, no world powers, no evil plans that can stop God’s Plans.

Although we walk through seasons that do not appear to be “right”….or “fair”….or “good” . . . God’s Purposes are still in motion, and there will be a day when we look back, able to say, “Ohhh. . . . that’s why. . .” as we glimpse the Redeeming Purposes that He had orchestrated for our lives.

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Encounter #7

Men of a Different Culture, Ethnicity, Language,  Religion  and  World  Worship Jesus

Matthew 2

“After Jesus’ birth, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem.  
They asked, “Where is the One who was born to be the king of the Jews?  
We saw His star rising and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

Meanwhile, in an ancient Arabian region, three kings become aware of an extraordinary Event being signaled by a new Star appearing in the Eastern sky, clearly visible to these highly respected leaders of nations (likely present-day Iran.)   Can God be at work in nations that do not worship the Creator-God of the Bible?  Can He communicate to their hearts . . . minds . . even if they are not of the religion that was born out of the Bible?  

Jesus’ physical entrance into our world was within the context of the religion that grew out of the Bible . . . Old Testament and New Testament.  But God’s Heart reaches across all human barriers, including religions.  Stories of God’s engagements with people of all nations, languages, and religions have no human barriers nor categories.   .   .  God’s Heart is not limited to any of the barriers that we identify on earth . . . religious, cultural, ethnicity or language.  God used the “heavens” to identify and guide an unlikely array of worshippers to find Him.  They recognized that “worship” was the only thing to do in response to the One they encountered in tiny, human form.

Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and now three kings from “The East” . . . not of the Faith of Israel . . . but with a recognition of the heavens and the Creator Who used the heavens and the earth to bring His Reality into human awareness.  The three wise men . . . kings in their own right . . . knew that something completely unique in history was taking place . . . a Divine Event was unfolding.  They were determined to be a part of the experience.  At great personal cost, they came. Their eyes on the heavens, they found the Baby.  They experienced the Child, and they responded in worship. . . acknowledgement of The One announced by stars of the sky, yet in the tiniest, most vulnerable form of human life.