A Healthy Portion

I'm a mashed potatoes fan. I can't help it. I think it's actually in my DNA, and I might have asked a scientist or two if that's possible. I don't really discriminate against a potato unless it's instant. Which is not, in fact, a potato. There's really no time when I can imagine having enough mashed potatoes. They fill me as though I have a separate stomach dedicated to them. My mashed potato portion size will always cause someone to judge me at the dinner table. Depending on how hungry I am, what I'm craving, what I've done that day, my needs are quite different. But my mashed potato portion is always the same - plenty. 

Lamentations 3:24 (CSB) reads, "I say, 'The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.'"

And I'm struck by that word: portion. Because, if I'm honest, He doesn't always seem like enough. I cling to these other structures in my life - my church. my husband. my schedule. my parents. And they're all good things, but when they replace the Lord.....their purpose is tainted. These structures, these foundations - they are a part of the portion that the Lord has provided for me! He graciously gave me parents who I can (and do) call whenever I need them. He graciously gave me a husband who is indeed my best friend. He provided us with jobs that allowed us to actually see one another's face for several years. Our schedule - while packed and busy - was easy, because we had each other. The Lord gave these things to me. And because I'm just that nice, to repay Him, I took all of those things and slowly found ways that they could replace Him. Have a need? Pray. Call your parents. Lonely? Read God's letter to you. Go to a friend's house and watch TV. Exhausted? Rest in Him and His word. Watch Netflix until 2 am.

I recently read a quote from Margaret Feinberg: "Sometimes God removes what we've become dependent on to take His place back as our main source." And my first thought was, "Bet she can't back that up with scripture." And of course, she did. She reminded me of the Israelites, who were given many DAILY so that they couldn't forget the source of their portion. 

The LORD. He is my portion. He's plenty, and yet provides so far beyond my basic needs. He even fulfills some of my wants. As I delight in Him, and my desires become His, He is happy to fill those desires. Read that verse from Lamentations one more time: I say, "The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him." If I say it, then I've got to live by it. If the Lord is my portion, my everything, my fulfillment, then I can and will put all future hope in Him. And He'll be faithful, as He always is. He can't not be. He's great that way. 

Have you put your hope in something other than God? Did it hold up? In my recent experiences, I'll go ahead and answer for you: NO. Nothing is quite as firm a foundation as the Lord. His provisions may come in the way of healing, or sending a friend your way, or providing a listening ear, but none of those things in itself is greater than the God who has provided them. Let Him be enough, and you'll be filled to overflowing. 

and because I can't share a blogpost without mentioning a song......have a listen. He is enough, even if He doesn't remove our pain, our hurt, our sickness, our stress. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKECQ86XexM

Thou Long Expected Jesus

A friend once compared the months of waiting I experienced when hoping to become a mother to the waiting so many before me experienced in waiting for a Messiah. I'm not sure the idea of waiting for a Savior to come was ever so real to me before that moment. As a woman who had always longed to be someone's "Mommy," it seemed like the months of waiting were never-ending. But when I think about the generations of waiting for a Messiah to come, I know my waiting pales in comparison. It brings to mind the lyrics, "Come, thou long expected Jesus...dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart."

Prophets foresaw the coming of Jesus generations before His birth. Isaiah prophesied of this "Immanuel" or "God with Us." Micah announced that He would be born in Bethlehem. In Numbers we even see that a star will come forth at His birth. The details are so incredibly specific it's almost hard to believe, but isn't that the God we know? A God of details. A personal God, uniquely loving each of us. A long expected Savior, coming as no one expected, in spite of prophecies. A baby, vulnerable and innocent, yet somehow our Salvation, the Strength of Israel and the Desire of every nation. Born to release us from our sins and fears. Born to bring us consolation, rest, and hope. Born to reign in us forever.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, but not just because of all the warm, twinkling lights and hearts that tend to be kinder. The anticipation of awaiting Jesus' birth is beautiful. So many were so faithful, knowing and trusting that God would not disappoint. We have the treasure of a Messiah who has already come. He came for us, and He fulfilled His earthly purpose long before we were around. I would have loved to walk the earth alongside my King, but the privilege of being able to look back and see the completion of my salvation is a gift unique to those of us on this side of the Cross. We can look forward to His second coming - a vastly different entrance, bringing with it more fulfillment and a level of completion inexplicable in our human terms. As we look to the glory and majesty of that day, let's not forget the simplicity and beauty of that first Noel...the Christmas to surpass all others. The baby born a child and yet a King. The long expected Savior of the world. Find the culmination of things hoped for in His humble arrival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOxJFN-9_vs

Even (or especially) when it's hard...

In recent years - and maybe even more so in recent months, in light of our recent election -  I think a lot of us have become increasingly aware of the world around us. The news of our next Commander in Chief has settled differently in all of us. For some, the news evoked excitement for possible change and hope for a different future. For others the news evoked fear. Fear of division, violence, and loss.  I think we can all agree that division has abounded over the last few months, and even more in the last 24 hours. We have certainly become divided on a lot of issues. But one thing that seems pretty prevalent across the board is this heightened awareness of the other cultures around us. For some this is out of fear - they want to know who their "enemies" are. But I think others are more aware simply because the world is now right here with us. In years past, we had to step on a plane to encounter a large majority of the cultures in this world, but now we can simply step onto the sidewalk of our own neighborhoods. It’s really a beautiful thing, but sometimes we don't know what to do with that. We might find ourselves feeling "culture shock" in our own hometown.

It’s not always easy to see things from someone else’s perspective, but I think that is truly how we can become more aware of (and more relevant to) the world around us. That means actually getting out and talking to people who don’t look or think or act like you! Jesus Christ was all about unity and love throughout his ministry on earth. He led by the example that love - of God and of people - is the single most important thing we have to give. Even when we don't like who they voted for. Even when we disagree with their principles. Even when they wear a hijab that might make us feel a little uncomfortable. (Replace each, "Even" with "Especially," and I think we're even closer to what God wants for us.) 

1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

Jesus is no longer walking among us on the earth, but He left us with His teaching and His Holy Spirit to guide us. The love He showed by dying on the cross is IN US! We now have the right, privilege, and duty to share that love with everyone else. It’s not easy to step out of your world and into someone else’s, but it is how we share God’s love. Let's not hide behind a busy schedule or a difficult toddler. Consider taking that aerobics class you saw in the paper, or joining the book club you heard about at the library. There are so many ways for us to connect with the world around us, without having to leave our own hometowns. Remember that no one has seen God, but they can certainly see Him in you. 

Jesus, Lord at Thy Birth

Some songs are made for worship. Think "Holy, Holy, Holy" or "How Great is Our God." These songs are simply meant to honor who God is and praise Him for it. Other songs are meant to express some sort of emotion. Maybe your favorite love song comes to mind. (I see you, humming "It Had to be You" over there.) But there are some songs that are meant to tell a story. Country music fans are pretty familiar with this style! This morning in church, this was the type of song that was catching my attention in a whole new way. Not a story about a girl and a truck, but a story, nonetheless. 

You may not know all of the lyrics to "Silent Night," but most everyone can hum along and even fit some words in here and there. I had the privilege of singing with some pretty incredible musicians who just made the song come alive for me. Have you ever heard a song in a whole new way just because of the instruments being played? These musicians ushered in the presence of God, and with it, a new clarity on the song for me. 

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Christ, the Savior, was born that night. Jesus, the Lord was born that night. He did nothing to "become" our Savior or our Lord. He simply was. He didn't reach 21 and all of a sudden get His Messiah license. That baby - that sweet, soft, tiny, helpless baby - was equally our Savior then as He was during His three years of public ministry. He was equally the Lord at the moment of His birth as He was when I allowed Him to be MY Lord that day in June, 1994. 

The beauty and revelation in the words of this song can easily sneak past you in the disguise of a Christmas carol if you let them. This season, look past the tinsel and look into the heart of God. He is lingering in every moment of Christmas, not just in the form of a cute baby at the church nativity scene. He is glorious. His birth announcement made the shepherds tremble with fear! Heaven was bursting over with "glories" and "alleluias" over this infant Savior. The pure Light of Heaven had come to Earth, revealing the earliest light of the dawn of our redemption. The grace He would offer to us at the moment of His crucifixion was beginning to peek out over the horizon, ready to reign over our sin and grief. 

As you celebrate this season, don't forget that the Jesus who healed and fed and loved is that same baby we honor. His strength was perfect even then. He was, and always will be, Christ the Savior. Jesus, the Lord at His birth. 

Born to Us; Born to Her

“A child has been born to us; God has given a Son to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.⁷ Power and peace will be in His kingdom and will continue to grow forever. He will rule as king on David's throne and over David's kingdom. He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. The Lord All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for His people.” - Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah prophesied about it centuries before this. An angel came to her to explain that her child was different. But it still hadn’t all sunk in. As we read Luke 2, we see Mary quietly absorbing all that is happening around her. When the shepherds come and worship Him, we read that Mary treasured what they said in her heart and continued to think about their words. Simeon specifically addresses Mary regarding Jesus’ life, knowing that her heart will be sad because of the fate of her Child. As chapter 2 comes to a close, we again find Mary pensive and thought filled after Jesus speaks of His “Father’s business.” Mary must have known that Jesus was certainly not speaking of Joseph in that moment. And maybe then, as she “kept in her mind all that had happened”, the pieces started coming together.

This Child was clearly very special. God had revealed at least that much to her. She knew from what the angel said to her so many years before that He would be the Son of the God that she had devoted her life to. But the realization of what that meant seemed to become a little more clear in that moment in the temple.

Jesus, the Messiah, had been born. But until this point He had been her baby. Her son to feed and care for and nurture, just as any other mother would. But now He was growing – not just in stature, but in wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Verse 52) Mary began to see her Son as her Messiah, and not just a little boy in need of her love.

Luke 2 brings to life the Old Testament prophecies regarding the One who would come bringing salvation to the world. As of Luke 2:7, those prophecies aren't just lingering in the wings waiting for their debut. The Savior of the world, in the form of a helpless infant, had come. Stopping at verse 6 leaves us in the anticipation of the Old Testament saints. Stopping at verse 6 means never knowing the love of God in His greatest form – sending His Son. Thank God for verse 7. The Savior was born. Mary’s firstborn Son, so incredibly human yet so completely God, had come into the world to make all of hell shudder in His presence. But for a short moment that is eclipsed before this chapter’s end, He is a baby, wrapped in His mother’s arms.

Because we have Luke 2:7, we have salvation. We have Romans 8:38-39 and John 3:16 and John 20:21. Jesus began His ministry in Luke 2, starting with the teachers in the temple and moving to tax collectors, adulterers, the sick and the broken – people just like you and me, all in need of this Savior. Jesus came to fulfill over 300 prophecies from the Old Testament. His birth in Luke 2 was only the beginning of His work here on earth. Simply by being born He fulfilled over 20 of these prophecies! And in His death He accomplished so many more.

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus to share that a new day was coming. People who were living in darkness would now see a Light brighter than any other. In verse 1 of chapter 9 Isaiah prophesies that “suddenly” there will be no more gloom for the ones who have suffered. Those who have hung their heads in shame will be made great because of the One he foretells of in verses 6 and 7. The chapters leading up to these verses are filled with trouble – battles, fallen cities, and lies. But verse 9 offers more than a glimmer of hope amidst this trouble. Isaiah must bring the message of the Lord’s wrath and anger, but he is blessed with the honor of carrying the message of the Messiah to all who read his words. His words carry the message with hope and promise, but Luke’s words carry the truth with fulfillment and God’s glorification. The shepherds heard about Jesus, went to see Him, and immediately began to spread the news of Christ, thanking God for His revelation. Simeon saw Jesus and knew that his life was then complete. Anna saw Jesus and recognized that He was, in fact, the Son of God, and began to tell everyone she saw about Him. And all the while, Mary was taking it all in. Mary, younger than most of you reading this, but so wise and thoughtful, knew that she was watching her son and Savior grow up simultaneously, and nothing in His 33 years could have fully prepared her for His early death or victorious resurrection. But all the while, she treasured these thoughts in her heart, unwilling to let any of them slip away. Mary knew what so many now believe – a Savior had been born.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

As I Go...

I'm writing this on July 12, 2012. On this exact day, 10 years ago, I walked down the aisle in my church and committed to a life dedicated to missions. In that moment, I had no idea what that would look like: where I would serve, who I would meet, or how I would minister.

10 years later, I’m still not sure.

Here’s what I do know:

1.       Every time I hear a song about the nations worshipping, my heart flies to new heights.

2.       Seeing pictures of children red and yellow, black and white gives me an inexplicable joy and longing to see them face to face.

3.       My favorite church services are the ones when missionaries come and share.

4.       I am serving the people of Blytheville, Arkansas, and they need Jesus, too.

For me, from a very young age I knew that I would live my life serving God – not just with my extra time, but with every part of me. I knew that I would be serving God in vocational ministry. And I know that God will use my life and obedience in a missional way.

Sometimes people think that because you’re married, you know exactly where your life is headed and have everything together. That is simply not true. My husband and I talk at least once a week about what God might be doing through us and where He is leading us. God has blessed me with a husband who shares the same passions as I do – music and missions, and the desire to serve God through both. But that doesn’t make our future any more clear. It just means we’re in it together.

I spend a lot of time here telling other Christians about missions, inspiring them to go themselves. But one of my biggest fears is that I will never “go.” It’s probably a silly fear, because I’m “going” right now. I’m serving the nations by serving in my nation. But I still have a terrible fear that I will never be able to go serve God anywhere else, and I hate that. But my incredibly wise mother brought something to my attention one day: If I go somewhere else, who will be here sharing missionaries’ stories and lighting fires in the hearts of future missionaries? Who will be here educating Christians about the 1.68 billion people who have never heard the name of Jesus? If not me, then who?

We all struggle with our calling at some point in our lives. That seems to be obvious. But it’s not so easy to take that in when you’re the one struggling. Take some time this week to seek God’s will in your life as a missionary. Take Romans 10:14 to heart and find those who are waiting for you to tell them.

Light at the end of the tunnel...

Here I am, making another 3 am post. I have had so much on my mind lately and the moment I thought I was getting to a normal "adult" sleeping schedule, BAM! I'm blasted with college brain again and can't fall asleep until it's the time crazy business men and women are waking up!

Sometimes I'm thinking of bubbles, candles, pew flowers, and programs, but today that is just not the case. I've taken a break from wedding world (17 days and counting!) and I'm in job world now. My sweet fiance, Travis, spent an interview extravaganza weekend at a church and let me say I am MORE than ecstatic at the sheer possibility of our moving there. The weekend apparently went beautifully and the church will be going through the motions and if everything goes well, we will be headed there for a vote and an official "in view of a call" weekend next month. Now, I don't know if anyone else is keeping up with the days here, but that means that I will be living with my husband for a couple weeks before we actually have somewhere to live. For those of you who don't know what that means, let me explain further:

Mama and Daddy Henderson will be having some house guests.

At first I was overwhelmed by the idea of moving a queen size bed for a husband and wife into the room where two of my brothers slept in high school. Just didn't have the glitz and glam of the newlywed life that I was expecting! We're supposed to have a cute apartment that I can decorate and put a ridiculous amount of wedding pictures in because we don't have any other pictures yet!!! But guess what? Things don't always go as I plan them. I just don't know what my future holds. But as the sweet song says, "I know Who holds the future" and "this child can face uncertain days because He lives." So beautiful. So true.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" - Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

So I've decided that when Jesus said all of that, He meant it. I am amazed at the birds and their ability to sing in any circumstance. It doesn't matter if the sky is grey or bright blue, they just keep singing. My favorite song lyric is this: "Help me get back to the reason I sing for You." I get so distracted sometimes by whatever is affecting me each day that I forget that God saved me and gave me a reason to sing. And that Him doing that is more than enough.

My conclusion is this: I'm owning everything that comes my way. Living with my parents as a newlywed? We're going to have a cooking schedule so that I can still cook meals for my new husband each week. Not knowing where the Lord will have us receive income? We're taking an adventure and taking advantage of the fact that for the first weeks of marriage we will have no commitment to a daily office. So what are you going to do to give your daily "would-be worries" to the Lord?