The crowd was so thick in and around the home where Jesus was teaching that no one could get through the door, or even close.  Four friends had carried a paralyzed man on a pallet a long way to see Jesus.  They surely were not giving up now!  They managed to transport their friend to the roof and remove a portion of the roof.  They carefully lowered the man on the pallet down through the hole in the roof and positioned him right at the feet of Jesus. A stillness came over the crowd.  Only the sound of the creaking ropes and the still man’s breathing could be heard.

Jesus looked up into the sunlight pouring through the roof and saw the anticipation on the faces of the four friends.  He saw their faith.  In that moment Jesus proclaimed the man was healed. (Mark 2:5).  The man picked up his bed and walked home. The entire crowd stood motionless, awestruck.  The four friends looked at each other, bursting with joy, their hearts pounding, “WHO ME?  My faith?”  Wow!…the power of faith filled friends in the eyes of God!

Preparing for our family gathering, my granddaughter Molly, age 8, made matching bracelets for each of the 12 family members to wear.  I love how carefully her small hands worked her craft as she anticipated and estimated the size of every wrist.  In weaving each bracelet she wove us all together in unity and love.  There was something about her faith filled intention that created a bond between us all.  It happened the moment she placed a bracelet on each of our wrists.  Her eyes met ours and her smile said it all.  We all knew the bond was real.

Powerful moments of communion brought about by love.

Jesus said, “I call you friends….Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13-15).

Pondering…

How far would we go to carry a friend to Jesus?

Who would be the four friends who carry you to Jesus?  Why did you choose these persons?

nk

 

 

The woman from Samaria encountered Jesus at the well one day when she went to draw water.  It was quite a frightening experience at first.  Men were not supposed to talk to women in public, and furthermore, the man was a Jew.  Jews considered Samaritans unclean.  They steered clear of them.  Jesus asked her for a drink of water and she quickly responded, “WHO ME?”

(Painting by Bob Dacey, “Miriam’s Cup” by Fran Manushkin)

Jesus talked with her in that moment at the well about a deeper kind of water, a “living water” which God gives.  He said, “You will never be thirsty again.  The water I give will become within you a spring of eternal life.”  Her heart beat excitedly,  “I want this water!” she claimed.(John 4: 13-15).

(Photo by Barbara Sundstrom)

In the midst of their conversation, Jesus told the woman things about her life that others did not know.  She found herself opening up to him, sharing about her life.  She realized that he knew her deeply.  He understood her in ways no one else had ever been aware.  She was a colorful person!

(Painting by Meg Harper)

For the first time in her life, the woman from Samaria was embraced and welcomed by someone who accepted her unconditionally, someone who KNEW her!

The woman left her water jar and ran to town, taking that powerful moment with her. Bursting with good news for everyone, here is what she said,  “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).  Someone who knew her deeply and understood, loving her unconditionally, had set her free to become her true self!  That moment changed her life forever.

Pondering…

Who knows you deeply?

How have you been set free to be your true self?

nk

 

 

 

I co-lead a class for persons who feel God may be calling them and wish to further explore how to listen and what it might mean for their lives.  In one of the sessions, the group enters prayer through various forms of art.  It was in that experience that this painting spoke to me personally.

(Painting from “The Blessing of the Lord” by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by Dennis Nolan)

I never thought much about Pharoah’s daughter until I saw this portrayal of her.  I looked at her face and the way she held that baby, and I saw LOVE!  I guess I had just put her in the camp of the “enemy”.  She was the Pharoah’s daughter, and the Pharoah ruled.  All of the Hebrew people were in slavery in Egypt, so Pharoah appeared to be the “enemy”.

When Pharoah’s daughter suddenly encountered the baby in the Nile River, she realized this was a Hebrew child.  Pharoah had ordered all male Hebrew babies to be killed.  She could have easily tossed the child aside as one who did not “belong” and certainly not aligned with the royal family!  But look at her face!  She fell in love with this baby.  She decided to embrace this Hebrew child as her own at great risk.  She took him into her family and named him “Moses”.  The children are always the vulnerable ones…subject to the attitudes, assumptions, and actions of their environment.  The Pharoah’s daughter saved Moses’ life.

I love this basket made by women of a third world country.  The word “LOVE” is interwoven through the entire wire basket.  It was through love that Moses was placed in the basket.  And it was through love that he was lifted out of the basket.  All the while, God’s grace held the child.

Eleven years ago my granddaughter Anna was born in China.  Like Moses, she was found in a basket as an infant.  But instead of a river, she was found on the steps of Bu Bu Wang Supermarket with a hat and a note from her mother saying that she loved her.  From those steps she was found and taken to an orphanage.  At 10 months old she traveled across the Pacific Ocean to become part of the Kellond family.

Each time I received the news that a grandchild was to be born my heart leapt for joy!  I actually think I screamed…I was so elated!  Look how wonderful they all are….

I  will never forget the day I heard the news that Anna would be ours.  I began to cry.  It came from the very depths of me unexpectedly.  On all the mission trips I had taken, there had been a child that I wanted to bring home with me.  Now it was finally happening!  Anna would be ours.  I love her dearly.  She is quite special.

Pondering…

Has God’s call in your life ever had anything to do with a child?

How have you experienced love that transcends boundaries?

nk

Amos was a shepherd whom God called to speak God’s word.  There was concern about justice in the nation, and the people of God being aligned with their purpose.  Were they being who they said they were?  Were they being who they thought they were?

In order to get the accurate picture, God gave Amos the vision of a plumb line to set before the people.  A plumb line is a string with a heavy object attached to it.  By letting the plumb line hang, nature’s pull of gravity will tell if a wall, post, etc. is accurately vertical.  I learned this from my Dad when I used to help him with projects. Later I found it helpful in my work on mission trips.

Being an artist, I love that God gives images to help us see and understand.  The Bible is full of images.  Jesus taught in parables which are images that contain the truth and help us realize the truth!  We might ask ourselves, “Where is our plumb line?”  Words from the Declaration of Independence might be a good plumb line for America…

How how are we measuring up?

The Bible is a plumb line for people of God who are willing to be open to understanding the scriptures as revealed by the Holy Spirit.  It then becomes the “Living Word” for every person in every time and place. The Bible was the measuring place for my grandmother.  This is her Bible which originally belonged to her mother.

The cover page is a little difficult to read, but it says that the Bible was given to my great grandmother by her church in 1919.  Now the “plumb line” for my grandmother is revealed in the back of this Bible as she recorded her readings…”finished reading Bible through”…and then gave the year.

Every single year for 22 years my grandmother read the entire Bible.  I have to tell you that I stand in awe of this!  I feel that as she did this prayerfully, with an open heart,  she received the words and images God wanted to give her to help her live her life.  It was her plumb line for her journey of faith.  The discipline of her regular reading was her measure for “How am I doing ?”.

Dear Grandma, I remember how I used to brush and braid your hair while you told me stories. I loved that time with you.  It helped me understand about life and gave me perspective. Sometimes I wish you were still here.

Pondering…

What is a “plumb line” for you?

Has God given you an image that helped you see the truth?

nk

 

Samuel was a young person assisting Eli the priest in the temple.  The Bible tells us that there were no frequent visions in those days…the word of the Lord was rare.     Samuel was lying down in the temple one night sleeping near the ark of God, considered to be the most holy place at that time.  The Lord called Samuel and he immediately responded, “Here I am!”.

(“Through His Eyes”, painting by Jean Pederson)

Samuel did not realize it was God who was calling him.  That was a totally unknown and unexpected experience for him.  He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am.  You called me.”  Eli groggily replied, ” Not me.  Go back to sleep”  God called Samuel three times and each time the boy ran to Eli saying, “Here I am!”  Eli finally realized the Lord was calling.  He told Samuel to go lie down and if the Lord called again he should reply, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.”.  God spoke and told Samuel that he was about to do a thing in Israel at which “the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.”  Yikes!  That is quite descriptive!   There were some pretty harsh words that would have to be proclaimed to the people.  I wonder if Samuel was scared to death?  Or perhaps he thought he would be a Superhero?

Samuel seemed to move forward in his journey of life confidently trusting in God’s calling.  He grew and the Lord was with him.  All of Israel knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. (I Samuel 3: 19-20)).

I wonder if sometimes God just wants us to simply say “Yes, here I am Lord.”  Then we watch and listen for God to explain what the calling looks like, to direct our path, and to empower us to live that calling….just a step at a time.

I love the words of the song, “Here I am Lord, is it I Lord?  I have heard you calling in the night.  I will go Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.” (Words and music by Dan Schutte)

As I reflect upon my own calling, it is that last phrase that holds all the meaning…”I will hold your people in my heart.”  Yes! That’s it!  If that love is not present, then nothing else matters!

Pondering…

What were you like as a child?  Is there a story that exemplifies you as a child?

Have you ever said “YES” to God without fully realizing what that meant?

Do you  feel that you have ever “held God’s people in your heart”?

nk

The King had chosen Esther as the most beautiful young woman in the land to be his Queen.  She went to live in the palace with all its accoutrements lavished upon her.  It was dazzling to be Queen Esther!  No one knew that she was a Jew.  She kept that secret hidden deep within her.

Then one day all that glamour was disturbed.  A decree went out that Jewish people were to be destroyed.  They did not keep the laws that were a profit to the King.  Esther was asked by her family to go to the King to beg his favor and plead to him on behalf of her people.  Her response was “WHO ME?”.  She knew the law of the inner court…Anyone going in to see the King without being summoned would be put to death.

(Previous two paintings by Juan Wijngaard from “Esther’s Story” by Diane Wolkstein)

Esther was faced with a hard choice.  She risked giving up the life of luxury and notoriety.  Indeed, she could be facing death.  Mordecai said to her, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  (Esther 4:14)

(“Your Turn” by artist Dina Wakley)

Esther realized this was her moment.  It was her turn to make a difference in the world.  Everything she was created to be and everything she was meant to do could be wrapped up in this moment, this time, this place.  She had to say “Yes!”.  She asked all the Jews in the city to fast and pray for her as she prepared to follow what she knew was God’s call to help save her people. She must be brave!

The King received Esther, granted her request, and the Jews were saved.

Perhaps there is “such a time as this” for each of us. In his book “To Bless the Space Between Us”,  John O’Donohue writes this…

Pondering…

Has there been a moment when you felt you were the right person at the right time to make a difference?

When have you had to make a difficult choice for something bigger than yourself?

nk

 

God had spoken through the prophet Elijah and used him in amazing ways to bring people to God.  But there came a time when trouble arrived and Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness.  He felt defeated and worthless.  An angel came to be with him and care for him.  He then had the strength to make it to Horeb, the mountain of God. He found a cave and stayed there, waiting for God’s voice.

“How long do we have to wait?”   It has been suggested by a few dear persons that the “p” word (patience), might not even be in my vocabulary.  Yet, sometimes waiting is part of God’s plan.  One thing I have learned in my ministry is that it is all about God’s timing.  God has the bigger picture which we do not know and cannot fully see.  We have to trust God.  Sometimes the circumstances are not all in place yet.  Sometimes it is all about our own readiness.  Whatever the reason, God is in charge.

Intentional waiting can be a very important time for us.  It can be a season of renewal and refreshment, a time of transformation.  God says, “Be still and know that I am God.”( Psalm 46:10)

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As Elijah waited for God, he discovered that God did not come in the ways he anticipated ….like a strong wind, or the earthquake, or the fire.  God came in the still small voice of a whisper.  It was then that God’s direction for his life became clear.

This picture and quote illustrate Elijah’s experience…

 

Pondering….

Is there a place that is like a “cave” for you to be still and know God?

When have you felt God saying , “Wait.”?

nk

Jonah heard the word of the Lord telling him to go to Nineveh.  His response was, “WHO ME?  Go WHERE?”

Jonah sneered at God’s plan.  You can almost see the word “NINEVEH” echoing off his lips!  He immediately packed up his bags and ran in the opposite direction from Nineveh.  He had a mind of his own.  His strong will and independent streak sent him bolting away from God.  His flagrant revolt catapulted him into a violent storm at sea.  As he was thrown overboard, he became enveloped by the very waters that wake God’s grace.

(Illustration by Robert Florczak from “The Bible for Children” )

Jonah was swallowed up, captured by God through the mouth of a whale.  Inside that belly of a place, Jonah prayed to God while God held him.

I love the title of this ink drawing by Maureen Carey…”Awake in the Presence of God”.  It is found in “The Artful Journal” which Maureen authored along with Raymond Fox and Jacqueline Penney. In their words the book is dedicated “To all seekers…those daring to take the journey to the very core of self and spirit.”  Maureen gives us another image along with her writing entitled “Saturday Morning”…

What seemed to be the pit was the very place that became God’s holy temple.             (Jonah 2:5-7).  It was an epiphany which allowed Jonah to let go of his own way and embrace the way of God.  Jonah went to Nineveh and spoke God’s word.  The people believed God, all of them…”from the greatest of them to the least of them”.

Wow!  God had something very important for Jonah to do!

Pondering…

When have you felt your life was in the “pit”?

How has God redeemed something in your life and turned it into something good?

nk

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible takes place in Exodus, Chapter 15.  By the miraculous hand of God, the people of Israel have crossed the Red Sea and they are now set free from slavery. Can you even imagine the joy of that day?  Unbounded exuberance!

(Illustration by Bob Dacey from “Miriam’s Cup” by Fran Manushkin).

Miriam, who was a prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron, led all the women in dancing with tambourines as she sang, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!” (Exodus 15:20).  The dancing burst forth out of gratitude and praise for who God is and what God has done.  They were unchained.  Their whole bodies were filled with worship.

On a mission trip to Africa, I experienced people in villages of poverty whose hearts overflowed with the riches of knowing freedom in God’s grace.  Worship was filled with joy, and joy was filled with worship.

Our first time of coming together as one in Christ was in a large open area surrounded by tents.  We all danced in long lines through the fields of glory.  Music filled the skies.

Traveling by bus we arrived in one of the villages and looked out our windows…

Crowds were dancing to meet us and welcome us.  They surrounded the bus and our hearts with their hospitality.  Our bodies began to stir as we stepped off the bus and stepped into the dance. (By the way, I have one of those “Methodist outfits” with the cross and flame pattern in the fabric which the people of Africa made for me).

In our last morning of worship together, our offering was a dance.

It mattered not what we had in our pockets to give.  We all danced down the aisle giving OURSELVES as an offering to God.  It was an offering I will never forget!  And every offering since has contained a bit of that dance.  It now lives in my soul.

When it comes to dancing in worship, count me in!  My toes are tapping the minute the dancing music begins…I can’t resist.  If you are looking for me in Heaven, I’ll be dancing in glory with Miriam and the band!

 

Pondering…

Remember a time when your body just had to dance with joy.

Remember a time of worship that stirred your soul, whatever the style of worship happened to be.

nk

 

“Jeremiah was a bullfrog.  He was a good friend of mine!”

(painting from “Miriam’s Cup” by Fran Manushkin, artist Bob Dacey)

NO, WAIT…that’s a song!  I’m talking about the prophet Jeremiah, not the bullfrog!  He was, however, a good friend of yours and mine.  Even though we have not met him personally, he was sent to speak some of the most important words we need to hear from God.

Jeremiah was sort of a wild and crazy guy, and was quite young when God called him.  So Jeremiah’s immediate reply was, “WHO ME?  I am too young!”  (He didn’t say , “I’m too wild and crazy”, but God already knew that).  God explained that he had always had a certain purpose for Jeremiah and that was to be a prophet to the nations. Prophets were persons who listened to God and then spoke God’s exact words to the people as God directed.  That took courage and strength.

There are questions still asked today.  “Will every person know God?  What about the people who have never been taught, or exposed at all to any instruction about God?” Jeremiah is the one who spoke for God saying, “This is my new covenant I will make with my people.  I will put my law within them.  I will write it on their hearts.  I will be their God and they shall be my people.  They shall ALL KNOW ME.  I will forgive.  I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

(painting from “The Wing”, written and illustrated by Ray Buckley).

God has reached out his hand to touch the heart of every single person in every corner of the world for all time.  Everyone can know God.  Everyone can be set free to fully love and be loved by God.  Thank you, Jeremiah, for saying “Yes” to be God’s voice with such a very important message.  What a huge moment for all of us!

Pondering…

What does it mean for you to know God in your heart?

Do you think you have ever been led to speak a word for God?  When and where?

nk