Be the Gar

Okay, so I'm an admitted science geek.  That established, I'd also like to confess my addiction to documentaries.  Almost any type of scientific or historical documentary is guaranteed to grab my attention.  I usually record them so my family doesn't have to be tortured by my tedious interests.  A few nights ago, I was watching a show about the Aligator Gar.  It's a very interesting species for many reasons.  One of which is, that it can be found right here in Southwest Oklahoma.  The gar is a prehistoric fish that has survived because it can do something that most other fish cannot. 

When the hot Oklahoma sun dries the summer air, many of our small ponds and watering holes begin to dry up and are cut off from the original source of water.  Once the water source is cut off, the water becomes stagnant.  Stagnant water is not moving and becomes depleted of oxygen.  When the oxygen is gone from the water, the organisms in the water begin to die.  But not the Gar.  When the Gar needs air, it simply goes to the surface of the water and gulps air directly through its mouth.  So, when the Gar is cut off from the life giving oxygen it needs, it finds another way to find the life giving air.

Meditate on the word stagnant.  Listen and hear some of the definitions: 
1.  Not moving or flowing; motionless.
2. Foul or stale from staneding.
3. Showing little or no sign of activity or advancement; not developing or progressing
4. Lacking vitality or briskness; sluggish or dull. 

I bet you can guess where this is going.  Every day we are struck with the mundane.  We get into ruts and fail to progress.  We do it at work, home, church, you name it.  We go through the motions of life, but are we really living?  My hope for everyone as we enter the Holiday season and New Year is this; Take a look at the water you're swimming in.  Is it moving, flowing, progessing, and full of life?  Or, is it stagnant, motionless, stale, foul, dead?  If your water is stale, make sure you're connected to the source.  If you find that your connection to the source of life has been severed, find another way to connect.  Whether at work, home, or especially church.  Hit the surface and inhale the sweet breath of life offered through Jesus Christ. He doesn't want his body just standing around motionless and dull; stagnant.  No, His desire is for us to move, progress, and live the life He offers when we are connected to Him.  When we are living that life, breathing Him in, we can share that life with others.  But remember, to live we have to stay connected.  Find a way; whether it means stirring up the water, gulping in air, or moving to a new pond.  Whatever you have to do, just be the Gar!

Do You See the People?

I got slapped in the face this morning during Sunday school.  Not literally, but I felt the sting just the same.  We've been studying about the importance of sewing the seeds, and trusting that God will work.  It's been an awesome study.  This morning, during our video, I was struck by what the speaker (Terry Rush) said.  He asked a simple question.  "Do you see the people?".  Sure I do.  I mean, I try to always help when I can.  Of course I want to show Jesus to people in my life...but, that's not what he meant.  Look deeper.  Look farther.  Do you really see the people?  ALL of them?  Not just neighbors and aquaintances, but the PEOPLE?  Ouch!  I can say yes until I'm blue in the face, but I pass over people all the time. 

I thought of a little girl in my class when I was just a second year teacher.  Poor, dirty, needy, trying, sad.  I tried to convince myself that I treated her with love, but my actions said otherwise.  She would come to hug me every morning, and I would hug her back, but not REALLY embrace her.  I didn't want to get dirty.  The little girl lived in squalor.  I knew this, because I had seen reports from DHS and local authorities.  The other kids, didn't want to be around her either.  She hungered for attention of any form.  I hated the situation she was in, but there was nothing I could do.  Right?  I was tollerant of her, because I felt sorry for her.  I was nice to her, but I never reached to her.  I never saw her.  She was in my class every day, but I never saw her.  She cried out to me, to love her with the love of Christ, but I was afraid to get dirty.  I remember the day she brought me 2 cookies.  She was so proud of them.  I gushed over how good they looked, but I was horrified of eating them.  I kept picturing the cockroaches in her kitchen as she was baking away. Such a rediculous, petty image.  I should have pictured her beautiful heart.  I should have pictured her face of joy.  She worked so hard, to make me those cookies.  She wanted, no needed, me to eat them.  She needed for me to show her that she was lovable.  But I was too good to eat them.  I really thought being nice to her was enough.  I didn't know she needed to "see" me eat the cookies.  She knew I didn't see her.  She didn't know she was worth being seen. 

So, do you SEE the people?  Not from the outside, but from the heart.  Do you look for the image of God in every face you meet?  Do they see the image of Christ in you?  I want to say yes with all my heart.  But, I still have a long way to go.  As you experience life this week, take every opportunity you can to see the people all around you.  When we get over ourselves and see the beauty of humanity, they can see the beauty of the love of Christ within' us. When we open our eyes to God's perfect creation, He opens our hearts to His love.  A love that SEES.  

The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40   Hearing the Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the  law, tested him with this question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?".  Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with allyour min.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it.  Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

I like to think that I am easy to get along with.  But, lately, I have questioned my likability.  I mean, when I really think about it, I can be quite the opposite.  Stubborn, opinionated, loud, judgmental, overbearing, bossy.  I could go on, but I would only be stating the obvious.  I appease myself by thinking of all the good qualities I also posses.  Kindness, generosity, compassion, love, eagerness, patience, and a few others.  So, in the end the good wins out, and I am again likable. 

Recent events in my life have led me to a new realization.  I'm easy to like, as long as we agree.  Not just me but everyone.  Think about it.  Look at your friends, people you admire or respect.  Don't you basically see eye to eye with them?  I'm not saying you have to agree with them 100%, but look at it from the other side.  How many people do you really like that have opinions completely different from your own? Maybe you can tolerate these people, maybe even admire and respect them, but like them?  Now think about the people you don't really  like.  Come on, I know you have some.  Why don't you like them?  Personally, My dislike of others can almost always be narrowed down to some difference of opinion.  Wouldn't you agree?  Sorry, I couldn't resist.  Maybe I disagree with the way this person treats others, or with decisions they make, or with their political or religious views. 

It's hard to like people you don't agree with.  It's often even harder to love those people you don't really like.  Well, it is for me anyways.  I often think about the Pharisees in Matt 22.   I don't think Jesus told them what they were wanting to hear.  They wanted to hear something "doable".  Like, don't murder or steal.  Nope, Jesus chose a toughy.  Love Him above all, and love your neighbor as yourself.  I've spent a lot of time wondering why.  Why is it so important to love EVERYONE?  The more I think about it, the more I realize it has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him.  It's not that hard for me not to kill another person.  I could probably refrain from doing that even without Jesus Christ.  But, loving my neighbor, that's different.  I can't do it.  Well, I can't do it in and of myself.  If I am going to love with the love of Christ, I have to love through the love of Christ. 

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35).

I have to remind myself often that God made man in his image.  Not just me.  Christ's blood was poured out for the love of all humanity.  Not just those who loved Him.  So, our love of others must reflect this love.  It's hard.  I struggle.  Man, do I ever struggle.  But, that's kind of the point.   When we are weak, He is strong.  Our inabilities  force us to depend upon his ability.  When we understand the reality of that, then we are able to love.  And love ushers in understanding and peace. 


“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Exercise for Life

Today my students did a lab activity called, "Exercise Your Heart"  They were to investigate the effect of exercise on their heart rates.  I watched them huffing and puffing from the exercise, but no one quit.  I heard students telling each other, "keep going!  Don't stop!".  I saw their smiling faces and heard their laughter between gasps of breath.  They worked in groups with people they don't necessarily like, but no one complained....hmmm.  As I explained how the blood of life is pushed through the veins by the heart, all eyes were attentive.  More exercise, more blood pumping, more efficient bodies for life.  Life....blood. 

I don't know about you, but when I really exercise, I can feel the blood moving through me.  As my pulse pounds, I can almost feel the oxygen being delivered to my needy depleted muscles.  It's not always fun, but it is imperative to building and maintaining a healthy body.  Spiritual exercise readies our souls to fight the battles of the flesh.  It is vital that our spirit to be "in shape" for our Kingdom work on earth to be effective.               1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says this:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

So how do we go about this "spiritual exercise"?  Exercise is different for each person, but here are some things I think we could all benefit from. 
1.  Pray.  Opening the lines of communication also opens your heart to His will. 
2.  Reflect.  Fine areas within yourself that cause you to stumble, and work on removing them.
3.  Read.  Read God's Word.  As you read, you will find it speaking to your heart. 
4.  Partner up.  Just as with physical exercise, having a partner increases your accountability.  You don't have to actually do the exercises together, but hold each other in check.
5.  Fellowship.  Be encouraged by those around you (just like my exercising students)
6.  Set gradual goals.  Don't jump into the deep end if you don't know how to swim.  Too much too soon will lead to frustration, fatigue, and failure.
7.  Set aside time.  It's easy to be too busy for exercise. 
8.  Commit.  Make a conscious decision to exercise.  Tell others about your commitment.  It's harder to quit when you say it out loud!

It may seem like a lot, but when you exercise your soul, you can feel the life blood of Jesus moving through you as well.  You can face you battles and chores with a smile, because you understand the greater purpose of your life in God's Kingdom.  So, here it is...my commitment to exercise, (physical and spiritual).  Let's get in shape together!  Let me know if your up for the challenge.

A Balancing Act

Lots of my personal thoughts stem from experiences I have at school.  Today's is just that.  I hope you don't mind the anatomy lessons you might receive as a byproduct of my experiences. 

I love to teach about the human body!  It is absolutely amazing.  How each system works so intricately to maintain balance is phenomenal.  It is the greatest example of "teamwork" I have ever experienced.  Each cell has it's own specific purpose, yet come together to form tissues, and organs, and organ systems....I think you get the picture.

Each year, I have at least one student ask, "Mrs. Tacker, what is the most important organ in the body?  Like, which one could you not live without?".  Hmmmm.  There are a few organs that are dispensable, but of utmost importance?  There are none.  Our bodies were designed for balance.  Each system influencing those around it, and helping them function more efficiently. No system is independent of another.  Each depends on the others to function.  And, when you think about it, each system shares the common functions of serving the others and protecting the body.  Think about that!  The body is a unified front.  Ready to connect the dots?

It is certainly not chance that the church is referred to as, "The Body of Christ".  And, just as our Earthly bodies were created in the image of God, so our churches should be reflective of the image of Christ.  The church is not merely an organization, but a living organism.  Compare the two:  

      Organization = is a group of individuals voluntarily associated

       together for a certain purpose.

      Organism = is any living thing which develops by inherent life.  Which

      means the sum total of related parts, in which the relationship of each

      part to part involves a relationship to the whole.

 Each member of a church serves as a vital part of this organism.  Though our specific functions may differ, our mission is shared.  Bring the life of Jesus Christ to the world through our service.

Is this how our churches function?  Too many times, we let our personal differences interfere with function of the church.  When one body system fails to contribute, the body becomes sick.  When personal agendas and doctrinal discontinuity invade the church, disease spreads quickly.  So, the church takes a sick day from its Kingdom work.  Creation suffers from the infections of flesh.   Our desires for power and influence, and respect cause irreparable damage. 

Maybe your church needs some preventative medicine.  Imagine yourself as part of a living organism.  Celebrate the value of each member of Christ's Body.  Do your part, but also offer yourself in the service of others.  A balanced church spreads love not disease.  Serve one another and build each other up for the wellness of the church and the advancement of His kingdom.  

From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the Church of God, which he bought with his own blood. " Acts 20:25-28

Regurgitated Faith

Regurgitation:  1. To rush or surge back.  2. To cause to pour back, especially to cast up (partially digested food).

This word is often found to be repulsive, yet we experience regurgitation daily.  In fact, my family has experienced it A LOT lately! Poor Polly has been regurgitating all day!  But, emptying the contents of the stomach is only one form of regurgitation.  When stangers meet in passing, they regurgitate their greetings, "Hi.  How are you?", one asks.  "Fine.", the other responds.  Do you see the regurgitation here?  It's practice.  Habit.  Neither party is truly concerned about the well being of the other.  Education is full of regurgitation.  Teachers present information, and ask students to prove what they have learned by spewing this information back at them.  The students might get the right answer, but fail to see the big picutre.  They read the book, but miss the main idea.  Is that what learning is supposed to be?  I admit, I have it easy.  I teach science.  It is often easier for me to help students connect what we are learning to their lindividual ives.  Science is based upon questioning, investigation, and drawing of conclusions based on research.  When students make these real life connections, regardless of the subject, their education is authentic not regurgitated.  They don't have to cram all night for tests, because they have an internal understanding of how, why, and what. 

This problem of regurgitation seeps from beneath the doors of schools and into the pews of churches.  Though our intentions are pure, we often rob our children, as well as ourselves, of genuine faith.  Our desire for our children to share our beliefs can lead to regurgitated faith.  That is, faith born of practice and repetition, not a living connection to Jesus Christ. I'm not suggesting that we change what were teaching our kids, but rather how we teach them.  We need to help them connect to the life and teachings of Jesus, not just memorize scriptures.  This self investigation is invaluable during the early teen years.  During this time, teens are stuggling with self identity.  Can you imagine the possibilites that exist for these kids who find their idenitiy through Jesus.  Understanding why they believe not just what.  This will establish true faith they can build upon their entire lives.  It amazes and nausiates (pun intended!) me to see how many church leaders have regurgitated faith.  They can quote verse upon verse, but their understanding of meaning is shallow at best.  They don't get it.  And, unless they're willing to learn, they never will. 

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of regurgitation, in every aspect of the word.  The rancidness of the stomach can easily sour the soul.  Encourage each other to build a firm foundation of faith.  Based upon prayer, study, conversation, love, questioning, investigation, and understanding.  Understanding that we don't know it all.  If you are a regurgitator, don't give up.  Start your investigation today.  Don't keep spewing your faith, let it digest.  Let it offer nourishment to your body and soul.  Connecting your life and your faith through Jesus is the only way to build genuine faith.  The faith like He has in you.

Stepping Out of the Box

Friday night, I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of the night sky.  It was so crystal clear.  Bands of the Milky Way and distant planets seemed close enough to touch.  I'm baffled by it's absolute perfection.  Everything about our existence in the universe is just right.  Count it no coincidence that life not only exists, but flourishes on our tiny little planet.  In the infinite vastness of our universe, the Earth would not even amount to a speck of dust.  Yet, here we are!  Astronomers and Physicists who spend their lives studying the universe still have no idea how big our universe is.  You see, their knowledge of the universe is limited by the speed of light.  They can't see farther than light can travel.  Even though scientists can't see beyond the so called "edge of the universe", most believe that innumerable galaxies exist beyond that boundary.  So, even though they are limited by sight, their belief surpasses those limits.  Even though the universe is limited to them, they do not reciprocate these limitations.

Can we say the same?  Our desire to identify with societal groups often binds God to the cultural norms of that society.  But, God is not a part of any one culture or society.  We limit God's ability according to what we are comfortable with him doing.  We call people crazy when they claim to see ghosts or UFO's, because those things cannot exist within the boundaries of normal reasoning.  We call evolution preposterous, because we can't grasp a God who creates continually.  Yet, the very God we proclaim to be ours is the apex of the supernatural.  What about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?  The very super nature of this event is how we know Him as Saviour!  Man places labels and categorizes everything from social class and race to morality in an effort to better understand God.  Yet, in doing so, we prove our inability to grasp his omnipotence.

Struggling churches seeking growth resort to commercialized gimmicks instead of having faith in God's ability to work.  When their efforts prove futile, they don't understand where they went wrong.  Our lack of understanding is the point.  We don't get it.  We're not supposed to. Isaiah 55:8-9 says this;

      "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

For true growth to occur, we must come to terms with our own inadequacy.  Like it or not, God's existence goes beyond that pretty little box we try and put Him in. It goes back to sharing His vision, not our vision of Him.  Because in His vision, there are no limits; no impossibilities. Because, in His vision, we are free to step outside of the box.

Uncomprehendable Love

Moments like this are few and fleeting.  He seeks a rare chance of rest as his tired little body crawls into my lap.  I wrap my arms around him and draw him near to me, as his tiny hand reaches.  His eyes are closed as his hand reads my face of love and pulls me into him.  Our noses meet, and my eyes close.  I can smell the breath of life.  His tender skin warms my coldness as my cheeck slides across his.  My lips can't stop kissing his perfectness, and the taste is holy.  As I hold him, I feel our souls mingling.  His in mine, and mine in his.  The tears well in my throat, and one falls on his head.  "Anything," I whisper, "I would do anything for you my son."  I know he feels my love.  His father comes to take him to bed, but I push him away.  I don't want this moment to end.  And so, I hold him just a while longer.

  "How great is the love, the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him."  1 John 3:1

My body is tired.  The world takes it's toll.  He beckons me to His lap, and offers me rest.  He says;

"Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

His outstretched arms draw me into Him, and I rest my head upon His chest.  His perfection envelopes me.  I close my eyes as he strokes my cheeck.  He closes His eyes as his lips of mercy caress my soul.  I am at peace, as I listen to the rythm of His unfailing heart of love.  As He holds me, our souls are weaved together.  Mine with His, and His with mine.  I feel His tears fall upon my face, and his love showers me.  He whispers to me.  "Everything," He says, "I have done everything for you my daughter."  Satan comes to take me to bed, but my Father's love, binds me to Him, and we cannot be separated.  And so, He hold me just a while longer, because He knows these moments are fleeting.  Such love is uncomprehendable.

New Vision

20/20 vision. I can't say it's something I sat around giving thanks for. What's the old saying? You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone." For the people who have it, good vision is common place. Lackluster. For the people who don't, it's a dream. This window to the world, is something I seldom thought of. About a year ago, I was faced with the reality that my daughter was losing vision in her right eye. We want to tell our kids, they can be and do anything they want in life. Here I was thinking of how to break the news to my 3 year old that she could never be an astronaut, or fly a fighter jet. How, why? What could I have done to keep this from happening? Should I have paid closer attention? I felt like such a failure to her. I needed to do something, anything. I needed hope. I needed new vision. And, that's exactly what I got.

Vision can be defined as a vivid mental image; the perceptual experience of seeing. My Google search on vision, led me to this definition, "imagination: the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses". My ability to see is fine, but what am I l ooking for? We want tangibles. But God's vision for us is not one that can be seen within the limits of human eyes. God's vision allows us to see beyond our eyes through His Spirit. God's vision, leads us out of a system of beliefs and into a living church. More than a lifestyle, but life itself.

Yesterday, I talked about inhaling the breath of Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Those disciples didn't just get fresh breath, but clear eyes! They were led into a reality of impossiblilities, becoming possible through Christ's vision. When we allow our vision to be led by the His Spirit, things become clear for us too. All the worries, doubts, confusion, and struggles are shadowed by His light. They fall by the wayside, because we have the vision that was once just a dream. Proverbs 29:18 says,

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

Really, God's Vision is not about an ability to see what's in front of you, but a willingness to see what is not visible. Not about what you can see, but what you can't. The blindest of men could have the vision of God. And through it He can unlock door to the impossible. Polly is still undergoing treatment for her vision problems, but has made monumental improvements. This week, she was able to see 20/20 in her eye that was once considered legally blind. God's vision for me was to see His strength and healing, to share His vision for what was possible. As long as our vision comes from our sweet Saviour we can all share in the joy of having sight, because there is resolve for spiritual blindness. What are you waiting for? Open your eyes!

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." Psalm 119:18

"Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." Mark 8:25

Spiritual Halitosis

We've all been there. Staring into the face of bad breath, and no way to escape. Amidst the stench are words, but we can't hear them. Our thoughts are of self preservation. How can we remove ourselves from the foul one without causing a scene. We start to turn our faces away. We may even re-posture ourselves to face another direction or feign a nose itch in an attempt to guard ourselves. When none of these methods are successful, we look for an exit. Someone else to talk to or somewhere we need to go. We are so appalled by bad breath. It must mean the offender has poor hygiene. Yet, we hardly notice our own stench.

Spiritual Halitosis plagues Christians and churches everywhere. And, the consequences of this disease are much more dire than it's physical alternate. Confrontation, disagreement, comparisons, labeling, and power struggles within a church are often found at the root of the problem. We spew our venom and lash out, because we feel we have been wronged or that our opinions are of little value. Yet, we wonder why people don't hear our words and posture themselves away from us. Much of the time, we are unaware of our offensiveness. But our lack of spiritual hygiene does not go unnoticed. It hangs in the air, a reminder of our smallness. Many of our friends have grown so accustomed to our venom, they hardly notice it anymore. Just like a smoky room, we get used to it, but, over time, our eyes start to burn. So what do we do? No one wants to have bad breath!

Fortunately, there is a cure for spiritual halitosis, and it doesn't require a trip to the dentist. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes into man the breath of life. The very essence of himself, for we are created in His image. After the resurrection of Jesus, he appears to his disciples. John 20:21-22 says this,

“Jesus therefore said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' And after He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'” (NAS)

Can you imagine the sweetness of the breath of Christ? He offers His breath to us too! We don't need a stick of gum or a mento. We simply need to breathe Him in. When we fail to do this, our venom returns again and again. Think about your breath today. Are your words worth hearing? Does venom spew from your mouth, or sweet nectar drip from your lips? Turn down the gum, and accept the breath of life!