SCARS IN THE DEEP PLACES

I really like whales.

You'd think that living this close to the Pacific Ocean, that I might have gone whale-watching. I haven't yet. How come? Well, to be honest, I get seasick.

I've tried wearing those little wrist bracelets that are supposed to help. They do, actually. And I've tried medication. That also helps – but usually at the cost of just making me sleep the whole adventure away.

So, I've not had the joy of seeing a whale in real life.

Except for Sea World, which in my opinion doesn't really count.

There's this really interesting video on YouTube that I watched recently. It's taken by a guy out in the ocean on his kayak. He has a *close encounter* with a blue whale. Oh my. It's spectacular viewing! Utterly awe-inspiring.

Whales are so very cool.

But they do not swim alone in the ocean depths.

I remember watching a documentary about giant squids. Legend has often mentioned a terrifying creature from the depths of the ocean that plagued ancient whalers. But, until recently, there have never been any photos of the elusive giant. And so, this enemy has long been doubted to even exist.

This documentary changed all that – these scientists captured it on film.

Fascinating.

The giant squid is the primary enemy of the sperm whale. And during this documentary, they also showed some footage of a swimming sperm whale. Let me tell you – its skin was covered with scars. Some were long slashes, some were short gashes – and in some areas, there were these odd, round-shaped scars.

Tentacles and suction cups.

That's what they were. Scars from undersea battles with the giant squid. An enemy that has been doubted to even exist – until lately.

It got me thinking.

The ocean is a deep and mysterious place.

And somewhere in its eerie and silent depths, the sperm whale has done battle with a fearsome enemy. It has the scars to prove it.

As I pondered this, it occurred to me that it's no different in our own lives. Like battle-weary warriors, we bear the scars of battles that we have fought with our fearsome enemy.

And the worst battles have happened in the deep places – in the depths of our souls. The places that are mysterious to everyone, except for us and God.

Easy battles require spiritual band-aids. Easy battles are nothing more than the little cuts and bruises that regular life seems to bring on a fairly regular basis. We all have those. They don't usually leave scars.

But, oh – the other battles.

The battles with silent despair, or consuming grief, or overwhelming fear – those battles are waged in the deep and mysterious places. Those are battles that no one knows about. Battles that we fight alone…

Battles that we win because we are NOT alone.

I am reminded of that great and majestic sperm whale. Doing what it's supposed to do. Swimming – free and unencumbered – in the beautiful and shining sea.

Yes, it has done battle.

It has been to the deep places – and faced battles that no one will ever see. But it has come out of those confrontations alive! Wearing scars that have been dearly won, it swims as the king of the ocean.

Strong, undeterred, glorious.

Yes, I want to swim like that.

And it's possible – all because of some other scars that were won in the deep places.

Jesus and the ancient foe.

In a battle waged in the deepest place of all – a place separate from the Father – a place that was darker than we will ever know – Jesus fought and won.

He has the scars to prove it.

And because of Him, I can fight alongside Him in my deep places.

I can win my fearsome battles against the enemy.

I can come out eternally alive.

And I can swim, free and unencumbered, in the beautiful and shining sea of His Love.

Strong, undeterred, glorious.

Forever, His scars will cover mine.

Do you have any scars from battle in the deep places?

I am linked today with The Beauty In His Grip - just "SHARING HIS BEAUTY"

(SIDENOTE: I have been recognized by Joan at Reflections of His Grace. It is my tremendous honor to have been given this very thoughtful gesture. Thank you, Joan, for thinking of me - and I am humbled by your kind words.

Won't you please visit Joan's blog - she is a friend who is dear, kind, and the best to me)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Jesus Speaks

Sometimes "Bible Pick 'Ems" lands me right in the middle of an unfolding scene.

Today, I found myself sandwiched right in between Jesus' arrest and His crucifixion. Our poor Lord, being beaten and taunted – shuffled around to various "authorities" to decide His fate.

Didn't they know? – (rhetorical question…)

His death was a plan put in place before the world began.

But as I looked at the two pages that I turned to in my Bible, what jumped out to me was all the little red letters.

Jesus talking.

So, I put all of them together. Here's what our Savior, on the eve of His crucifixion, had to say to His accusers:

"Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.

If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I'm speaking the truth, why are you beating me?

Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?

My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.

You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.

You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."

(From John 18 & 19)

Wow.

I am made speechless by the Lord's words.

First of all, as an English major, I am impressed at their cohesiveness. Because, you see, these words were not said at the same time or the same place.

Some were said in front of the high priest, some were said before Pilate (at two different times) – and there was a lot of shuttling around in between.

So, I am amazed at how the Lord's words sound like one paragraph, spoken at one time. He absolutely knew what He was saying at any given moment.

Second of all, I believe those words could be said this very day to any person alive. Those words still have the same impact, the same power, the same authority they did almost 2,000 years ago!

Why? Because they speak truth.

Third, I love that Jesus says He spoke "where the people gather." Yes, His message is meant for the people. Jesus sought out the places where the people were. He met them on their own turf – and gave them His Truth. We ought to do the same. Jesus said, "You want to know about Me? Ask those who heard Me."

Friends, that would be us – we are the ones who have heard.

Fourth, though we can't read the tone of Jesus' voice, sometimes I think I can hear it. So, when He says to Pilate, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?" – I think it's more than just a quest for information. There's some irony in there.

I think Jesus is implying that Pilate had already heard His message – perhaps He is implying that Pilate was interested.

"Are you asking your own questions, Pilate? Or have you heard about me from others and you're interested? Hmmm??"

Pilate’s retort sounds defensive to me: "Am I a Jew?"

Jesus always causes a reaction, doesn't He? And it's curious to me how often He makes people defensive and angry, testy and argumentative. Few people are apathetic about His Name.

The rest of Jesus' words hold such power.

My kingdom is not earthly – it is not of this world.

If it was, the world would want to save Me.

The reason I was born? To testify to the Truth.

And those who recognize truth – Absolute Truth – outside of their own logic and understanding?

Those are the ones who will recognize Me.

And the closing words of Jesus are words that are spoken to every ruler or authority on this earth and in the heavenly realms – you have NO POWER over Me.

So, as we approach the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus, I am captivated by what we learn about Him at the approach of His death.

He didn't come into the world as a king – but as a King.

And He was born to die…for us.

Have you ever just gone through the New Testament and read only the red letters?

Take some time and let Him speak to your heart through His words – only His words – in the Word!

"When in doubt, search God out!"

SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking to us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!

It is My privilege to conceal things and My privilege to let you discover them.

O LORD my God, how great You are!

No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of earth, or all that goes on in My mind!

You make the clouds Your chariot - You ride upon the wings of the wind.

I stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens and make the rafters of My home in the rain clouds.

LORD, the earth trembles at Your glance - the mountains smoke at Your touch.

I have placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.

LORD, Your faithful love endures forever.

I have set a boundary for the seas, so they will never again cover the earth.

Oh, LORD, thank You for the promise of Your rainbow.

I take care of people and animals and flowers and everything in My creation.

Yes, everything depends on You.

Yes, so here's my request:

Give thanks to Me and proclaim My greatness.

Let the whole world know what I have done.

Sing to me and tell everyone about My wonderful deeds.

Exult in My holy name.

Search for Me and My strength - continually seek Me.

Remember the wonders I have performed.

I will always stand by My covenant.

It is a commitment I made to a thousand generations!

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

I cannot list all of His glorious miracles.

I can never praise Him enough.

Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to Your people.

Come near and rescue me.

I take pleasure in all that I have made - and that includes YOU!

I will love the LORD as long as I live.

I will praise my God to my last breath!

My glory will continue forever!

(Selections from Genesis 8, Psalms 104-106, and Proverbs 25)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Advent

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: advent

What does the word advent mean?

What is the one thing you think we need to remember during this Advent season?

I would LOVE to have you share some of the special things you to do to celebrate Advent.

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"