"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Family

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: family

What are some of the blessings of being part of a family?

What things do you love most about your own family?

How does the Body of Christ reflect the idea of family?


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!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Connected

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: connected

What makes you feel connected to others?

What makes you feel connected to God?

What are the dangers of being UN-connected?

Let me know what you think!!

And...as if I wasn't facing enough changes right now, Blogger has changed their *COMMENT* format - Instead of showing 0 comments before anyone comments, they show NO COMMENTS.  I find this very deceptive -
Rest assured, I have my comments OPEN, and cherish your input!

(NOTE: If you're interested, I'll share my thoughts over the weekend!  After all, I need to fan my own flame!)

"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!"

BAND OF BROTHERS (AND SISTERS)

I've just spent the last few days with some of my family members.

We had a series of family meetings – so we accomplished some "business" – but mostly we just had fun!!

Some family background…

My dad was the oldest of two boys, and my mom was an only child. So, my three cousins are the only first cousins I have.

Now I am the oldest of three children. And here's an *interesting* thing – each of us has a "counterpart" in our cousins.

Me – my oldest first cousin, a girl

My brother – my middle first cousin, a boy

My little sister – my youngest first cousin, a girl

Isn't that kind of cool?

My dad and my uncle were part of a very close family – and I can remember spending many birthdays and holidays as an extended family. My cousins were actually more like another brother and sisters.

Last night, at the end of two very intense days of hours-long meetings, we decided to go out to dinner, our last night together.

We ended up spending 3 ½ hours together – just reminiscing.

I can't believe how much we haven't changed.

(Some of that is a good thing – a lot of it is just hilarious!!)

My brother and my boy cousin have been lifelong friends. Both were born (stuck??) in between two sisters. So, they were really more like brothers growing up. I can't believe how much they still tease each other, and joke, and try to out *wit* each other with bantering repartee.

Last night I saw two little boys – (who are both in their 50's now) – joking like kids.

It was just heartwarming.

"The Hub" was with me, the only spouse along for the ride, and he had a great time hearing about some of those old family stories.

I think he actually learned some new "dirt" on me!

When we were coming home, I told him how special it was to know my cousins, to have them in my life, and to love them like I do.

I realized a tremendous thing – we are truly *connected* in a very unique way. Yes, we are friends – which is wonderful. But we are also something else – we are blood.

When I prayed last night, I got to thinking about this bond.

And I got to pondering how this bond isn't the only one I share with "family."

I am also vitally connected to another family – my eternal family.

Connected by the blood of Jesus.

Yes, we are a motley crew sometimes! Sorta like the disciples. Can you imagine what a ragtag bunch of buddies that was?? Sometimes I wonder what Jesus was thinking.

He pulled together the most random group of men – and yet, He chose them to build His church upon. I'm amazed that Jesus saw their potential! I know they didn't realize it – and I'm sure many who knew them doubted it too. But Jesus changed them, molded them, shaped them, transformed them into apostles that would light up the world with His Good News.

I've come to realize that that's how Jesus likes to do His business.

He takes the most unlikely candidates for ministry – and finds His way to use them.

But, what strikes me the most is this – over 2,000 years later, because of Jesus, we are all united together in the Body of Christ.

Brothers and sisters.

Related to Jesus, adopted as children of God – and because of that, we're all in the same extended eternal family.

I'm pretty excited about that.

I was sitting in church this morning, and I looked around at the large community of worshipers that surrounded me. I was quite overcome by the realization that these are "my people" – because these are God's people.

We had a guest singer from Africa.

SHE is my sister, too.

And all the people that worship at her church. And all the people in China, and Europe, and Australia – and all over the world. Believers that have already died, believers yet to be born. All part of God's family – all part of mine.

So, what does this mean?

Well, practically speaking, it says a whole lot about how we should treat each other. We should practice unity, seeking harmony in what we say and think and do. We should regard each other with respect. We should act in a way that makes our love for each other VERY apparent.

People should know we are Christians by our love!

But really, we should look at each other and see Jesus. See His blood covering our individual flaws, see His blood covering our selfish tendencies, see His blood covering our mistakes and sins – see His blood covering…

We should look at the band of brothers and sisters surrounding us and see family.

Good, bad, and ugly.

But family – deeply and eternally connected.

Just like me and Jesus…

Just like me and you!

(INSERT CYBER HUG HERE!)

So, when's the last time you told a Christian brother or sister that you really loved them?

Linked with Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

UFO'S.

No, it's not crazy flying saucers filled with little green men.

Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary defines it this way:

U nknown

F aces

O n

S idebar

Yes, I'm talking about all those little square-faced people that become your *followers*. I'm always fascinated by them. What stories are represented by those pint-sized faces? What struggles, what triumphs, what pain, what joy?

I have come to know some of those faces quite well. And one in particular, I just had the pleasure to meet IRL…(I know, I had to figure it out with my sons. In "textspeak" it means *in real life.* LOL)

A couple of weeks ago, Janis from Open My Ears, Lord, notified me that she and her family were going to be in my area on Sunday. Well, we met and went to church together! I can't tell you how special it was to celebrate next to a real-live UFO from Blog Land. Glorious.

I had lunch with her family afterwards. And it was like we had known each other forever. She was exactly how I pictured her – the way she spoke and acted, the things she talked about, her laugh.

I realized a wonderful thing about this blogging that we all do.

We are truly putting ourselves out there. And you really can know someone through their writing. Somehow the heart comes through…

A great truth.

Particularly when applied to God's Word. We have His writing, His actual writing in our hands. The Bible is God's Blog, so to speak. And through it, we can really know Him. All about Him. About His character, His pain, His joy, His triumphs, His love…we can know His heart.

Glorious.

You see, that's the thing about writing. It isn't just words on a page. It's the person. Janis was everything that her writing led me to know – and more. I sat with her in church, and at lunch, and couldn't stop thinking – she's JUST like I knew she would be.

I believe that we can have that knowledge – that SURE knowledge – about the Lord. And when we finally see Him face to face, He will be everything that His writing led us to know – and more…so much more.

So, I would encourage more of us to make the effort to meet IRL…in real life. It's a joy worth experiencing. And if that isn't possible, trust that we ARE getting to know each other, we are forming friendships that are real and vibrant, we are bonding to each other.

Blog Land is real.

And, as we pursue the Word of God – the living, breathing, vibrant Word of God – we will get to know God. We will become friends with Jesus. We will connect with the Holy Spirit.

I read my Bible every day – and I hope that you do, too. It's an amazing book. And sometimes in a radical way, and sometimes in a subtle way, its words work themselves deep into my heart. They become part of my soul. They find themselves at the forefront of my mind.

To all of you, every one of you little square-faced people, I want to say thank you. Thank you for becoming my friends, my confidantes, my soul brothers and sisters. What we have is wonderful and full. There is comfort and joy in knowing that we are upheld and empowered by real people.

Janis, it was my pleasure to meet you IRL. And I hope I have the chance to meet more of you, my dear blogging friends.

In the meantime, know that I know you. I see your heart. I feel your feelings, and I cherish your faith. I hold your friendship, and your words, so very close to my heart.

Just like my Bible, my friend.

How thankful I am that God knows me completely (IRL!!), and that I am growing to know Him ever more deeply and completely through His Word.

H&K – 143 !

(Textspeak to English translation: "Hugs and kisses, I love you!")

*SIDENOTE: Won't you please join Janis and me at her blog,

Open My Ears, Lord, for our online "interview"? We think you'll enjoy it...C'mon on over! :)

Have you ever met a blogger in real life – tell me about it!

(I am also linked today with Joan at THE BEAUTY IN HIS GRIP, for "Sharing His Beauty.")

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE DRILL TEAM

Back when I was in high school – (I got there by covered wagon) – I was a member of the drill team.

Now, I'm talking about when drill team meant DRILL team – not a glorified dance team. I never would have made a "dance" drill team. I have absolutely no rhythm. I don't know if any of you ever watched "Seinfeld" or not – but I dance even worse than Elaine…

Think gawky ostrich in a blender…OK, that's not quite right…in a windstorm. (Sorry, Mr. Ostrich…)

So, my drill team was a drill team. We marched behind the school band in parades. We had a very difficult routine that involved all sorts of intricate patterns and arm movements. We would weave in and out amongst ourselves, while executing the routine with precision.

And we got judged.

You see, we weren't just *pretty dressing* that followed the band. Well, we were, yes, but we were also in competition, too.

Yup, we didn't just mess around – we competed.

And we were evaluated in many categories. Creativity of the routine, how precise and crisp the moves were executed, the cleanliness and appearance of our uniforms, the unison of our marching, the alignment of our rank and file.

We were good. We always placed, as I recall, and we won several times, too. Awards ceremonies were pretty crazy. Think of a room (chicken coop) full of high school girls (clucking hens) suddenly learning that they had won an award. Let me tell you, the murmur of clucking quickly turned into a cacophony of cackling!!

All very exciting.

So what has me thinking about this today?

Well, I'm picturing the Body of Christ as a drill team. Am I stretching it too much here? Hang with me…

Aren't we all following after the marching band of other believers that have come before us? And aren't we all following after the Drum Major, Jesus, who's leading the whole thing?

Haven't we, the drill team, had to learn the intricate and complicated pattern of Christian life? Learning how to weave in and out amongst ourselves, while executing our faith journey with precision?

Yes, and we are being judged.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down…" (Hebrews 12:1)

And really, if you think about it, every day we live as a follower of Jesus it really and truly is Parade Day.

So, how do we look?

Is our routine creative and interesting?

Do we move in precision, with the crispness of the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Are our uniforms clean – do they have an excellent appearance?

Are we marching in unison – weaving in and out, yes – but always with a purpose, an intentional pattern?

And how does the rank and file look?

Are we in alignment with Scripture, with Jesus' example?

You know, my parents came to every parade that I was in. They would line up on the streets with hundreds of other people. And when our drill team marched by, they saw two things.

One, they saw a cohesive team, impressive in its unity and excellence.

And two, they saw each individual face.

And then, of course, they saw MY face…

I'll never forget hearing, distinctly and loudly –

"HEY, Sharon!! WOO HOO!!"

And though I didn't break my stride, I'd hold my head up a little higher and I'd smile with the very biggest grin I could muster.

It's the same with God.

He's also watching the parade. After all, He's the One who determined the parade route, from beginning to end. And He's the One who put together the drill team. He made up the intricate routine. He's the One who's waiting to see how we execute it.

You know what?? Let's make Him proud.

When He looks at us marching by, let's show Him a cohesive team, impressive in its unity and excellence.

Because He sees each individual face…

And as YOU pass by, He says, "HEY, (put YOUR name here)!! WOO HOO!!"

That's worth our effort, isn't it?!

That’s worth holding our heads up high and smiling a very big grin…

How are you marching in Body of Christ?

Come join me for a cup of Jesus!

Hosted by Joan at the GRACE CAFE.

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Stand Firm in the Faith

I've got one brother.

I love him dearly.

We were born only three years apart, and growing up we were fast friends. I can remember all the hours we spent together – playing army or detective or shipmates. Or the times we assembled car and plane models – (man, we got loopy on that stupid old glue!) Or when we went on family adventures.

My brother was a lot of fun.

Sure, he teased me unmercifully (what are brothers for?) – but he was always someone very special to me.

Now, what if he had come to me one day and announced that he was the Son of God?

I'm thinking I would have quickly told my parents, whom I'm sure would have gotten him some immediate psychological help…

So, I wonder what it was like for Jude – one of Mary and Joseph's sons, Jesus' half-brother.

Did he think his brother was crazy?

"Who does Jesus think he is?? I mean, evidently he thinks he's the Messiah – but I've never heard of anything so preposterous! Son of God indeed! He's just a poor carpenter's son like all the rest of us. What has gotten into him? I sure hope insanity isn't hereditary."

The Bible makes it clear that Jude and the other brothers of Jesus did not follow Him during His earthly ministry. ("For even his brothers didn’t believe in him." – John 7:5) And I think that makes perfect sense. Would you believe one of your siblings if they came up with this impossible claim?

But, something happened to dramatically change that perspective.

The Resurrection.

One of the reasons that I completely believe in the resurrection of Christ, besides the fact that I completely believe the Word of God, is this transformation of His brothers. Nothing in life could have altered their view of Jesus unless it was a life-altering event.

And an empty tomb is the evidence of that life-changing miracle.

So, when Jude, now a strong believer in Jesus CHRIST (the anointed Messiah, the true Son of God), has something to say – I want to pay close attention.

The book of Jude speaks out against an outbreak of false teaching. In the beginning of the book, he explains the situation that prompted his letter – (incidentally, it's a different letter than he had planned to write). I find it interesting that Jude, who at one time most likely thought his brother was a false teacher, now finds it extremely urgent to fight against those who do not believe the Truth – the truth that God had revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.

What does Jude tell us about false teachers?

1. They are ungodly.

2. They will worm their way into our churches.

3. They will say that God's grace allows us to live immoral lives.

4. They will claim their own authority.

5. They will defy other forms of authority.

6. They will scoff at supernatural beings.

7. They will do what their natural instincts tell them.

8. They will deceive people for money.

9. They will flatter others to get what they want.

10. They will brag loudly about themselves.

11. They will create divisions.

12. They are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck believers.

13. They are selfish, shameful people who are doomed to destruction.

14. They do not have God's Spirit in them.

WOW…

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is Jude's call to remain faithful:

"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." (Jude 1:20-21)

Yes, we are called to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but we must uphold each other while we do it. We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. We must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure.

We must remain rooted and grounded in the Lord whom we trust.

Jude knew that his brother, Jesus, was the Way, the Truth, and the Life – that's why I listen to his words of encouragement…

Remain firm in your faith.

Trust in God's promises for your future.

Don't be tempted to give in to sin.

Don't be afraid or give up in despair.

God will keep you from falling.

"All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen." (Verses 24-25)

Hey, Jude – thanks for the great word today!

How do you remain firm in your faith – and how do you fight against false teaching?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

CommUNITY.

That was the title of our Sunday message.

I think it's a good subject to consider the day after we celebrated America's independence. So, here's my *takeaway* from Sunday.

We're in the book of Ephesians.

"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

You know, we've got a unique bond as believers.

We used to be a motley crew of ragged sinners until we accepted God's free gift of salvation. And then, God gave to us His very own family.

We became the Body of Christ.

What a privilege this is – to be connected to the King and to each other!

But, oh! How we mess things up…

Here in Ephesians, Paul is exhorting us to live a life worthy of our calling. He is NOT calling us to be worthy – for we know that we can never do anything good enough to earn salvation. But, once saved, we are to live according to our new identities.

And UNITY is an integral part of worthy living.

Here in the beginning of Ephesians, Chapter Four, Paul lists several qualities that ought to characterize the Body of Christ. For we are to be unified – one people, healing together.

1. Humble – willing to step down and serve, to lift another person up

2. Gentle – strength under control – not strength that overpowers, but

empowers

3. Patient – longsuffering, "spreading out" the passion before we act, or

react, in frustration or anger

4. Making allowances – giving room to others, embracing the differences

in people, being non-judgmental

5. Love – love casts out fear, treats people as valuable, loves them as they are

loved by Christ

The Body of Christ should be a place of safe acceptance.

"The Hub" has a song that he loves from the Robert Redford movie, "The Horse Whisperer." It’s called "A Soft Place to Fall." I was thinking about that – the community of believers should be a soft place to fall. A place where we are accepted and welcomed, embraced and loved.

Now what's the foundation of this unity and healing?

Certainly it can't be based on our innate ability to get along ('cuz we know that ain't true, right?!) It has to have its foundation somewhere else.

Know any solid foundations anywhere? A good Rock to build on?

Hmmmm??

"For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."

(Ephesians 4:4-6)

I don't know about you – but that's sounding downright *granite* to me.

So, it is God who provides this family, and who adopts us into it by the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. And the Spirit, living in each believer, binds us together.

So, do we act like we're bound together in love?

Paul says in verse 3 to make "every effort" to find and keep this spirit of unity in the body of believers.

It's not gonna come naturally – but it's crucial.

I'm going to date myself with this one, but do any of you remember these song lyrics?

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. 


We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. 


And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. 


They will know we are Christians by our love.

Just going to close with some challenging thoughts – for you…AND me.

Am I living a life worthy of my calling?

Am I making every effort to keep myself united with other believers?

Am I seeking peace and healing?

Am I patient and non-judgmental?

Am I humble, and gentle – do I make allowances for other people's faults?

Do I really love others like Jesus loves me?

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"