Author: Jana

Bringing the Family Together

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This time of year stirs up a lot of emotions. Good and bad. You know why? Because we have good and bad relationships, that’s why. Family gatherings for some are like the home and hearth story of the Waltons but others feel more like being caught in the Gaza strip after curfew.

Somewhere , somehow we have to adjust to new definitions of family, kindred spirits and blood relations. For example, in my family my girls have a lot of “aunts.”  I didn’t realize what was happening until Charis started trying to piece my family tree together.

“So is she your sister, ’cause we call her Aunt Nan?”
“Yes, she is my sister in Jesus.”
“So is Aunt Lou Ann your sister in Jesus?”
“Well yes, because she is a believer too, but Aunt Lou Ann is also my real sister. Well, Aunt Nan is my real sister too. Aunt Lou Ann is my blood sister. Oh (sigh) well, Aunt Nan is my “Blood” sister.” I tried to explain.
“Mama, you got Aunt Nan and Aunt Lou Ann, and the girl group and Miss Betsy and Miss Kate…Mama, you sure have a lot of sisters.”

You know, I do!  That’s just how God’s Family is. It doesn’t always make a lot of sense. We don’t always look alike. But the Family grows and expands in and through the seasons. And the Family doesn’t end, because one day we will all have one big Family party. Only at this party there will be no one left out, or isolated, or rejected. No one will be “not speaking” to each other.  Being separated by offenses and wounds will be impossible because we will have such joy in the One who called us all into His Family.

Let me give you the most beautiful picture of this. My friends the Morrells just came home with their third child from the Phillippines. All of them are children of promise.  All of them are children of designation, specifically chosen to be part of this family. Three grueling trips after years and years of prayer and preparation, and the anguish of the waiting.

Look at the picture. Look at their faces. Related completely, but not. Ordained together but not from the world’s perspective. Look at the future they have now been afforded and the very real risks these children have been rescued from.

All because God stirred a man and a woman who wanted to adopt to find each other and build a marriage and a home. All because God heard the prayers of the saints, an altogether “other” family has been born. All because God’s blood is stronger than any other bond, we rejoice in what He has done. God has a way of creating beautiful families. Rejoice this year in the “kinfolk” He has given to you.

You know what Mark said as he was traveling home with Abby in his arms? “I miss my boys. I can’t wait to get my family all together.”  I wonder, I just wonder, if God doesn’t say the same thing…

“I can’t wait to get My Family all together.”

Hidden But Present Majesty

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It was one of those breath-taking moments when you are doing life and suddenly you see a bigger picture. I was driving down the highway and there are lots of  hills on this route. Two of these hills rise up high enough that you can look out over the valley, and depending on the weather, you can see the Smoky Mountains.  I drive this route at least once a day.

But on this particular day I was out earlier than usual and the sun was rising, burning off the fog and smoke of the morning. When I reached the peak in the road, the rays stretched across the sky and you could see the full mountain range. Even Mount Le Conte was clearly visible.

It was a wonder to see this burning ball of light exploding its glory rays and revealing this majestic line of mountains robed in a purple hues.

I took my foot of the gas just to absorb the moment. My spirit was soaring at the visual representation of God.

Those mountains are always there. Whether I see them every day or not, they are still there. Still majestic, still beautiful, still awe-inspiring.  Just like God the Father.

And the sun rises every day. Whether I see it or not, it brings light to the world, and when it is lifted up, it reveals the mountains. Just like when Jesus is lifted up He reveals the Father.

We need more awe moments. We need to see that the Father is ever present, strong and relentless. And to see that Jesus rises new in our hearts every morning with one purpose, to glorify and reveal the Father.

When God Gets His Way

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It is so fun to see God continue to surprise and wow and provide. He is quite the show-off you know. What I love is His tender call to step out, to feel His nudges. He is relentless in His invitations to trust.

And then His reassurances, provision and promises come to life. The book “Dine with Me” was only a whisper at the beginning of the year. The “Real. Love. Life.” Worship cd was only a point of reluctant whining in January.

And now reviewing how God has persuaded and cajoled and inspired and honestly, how God has Done the work is awe-inspiring.

What have I learned?  That it is childish folly to resist Him. And it is childlike abandon that brings the peace that passes understanding. When I looked down the road at the beginning of the year, I could only say, “You want to do what? And how???”

And now looking back, I can only say, “You did what? And how???”

It is the way of God. Unpredicatable in His methods, Unchanging in His love. Unstoppable in His plans.

This Christmas season look at Jesus with new eyes. God’s unpredictable method to show His unchanging love in His unstoppable plan to be with you.

How’s Your Heart?

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Dallas Willard gives the instruction to do the “next right thing” when you are attempting to live out the God life. And I see that reflected in this verse. Don’t make your life about trying to hold your face just right to please God. Don’t work on outer form. Work on inner assessment. Is your heart toward God? Do what He says. He cares more about your sincere heart that any amount of money you could give or service you could perform. Let the Lord weigh your heart. It might be the most freeing thing you could do. No fear, just honesty between you and your Maker.
 
“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21: 2-3

 

Like this?  It’s an excerpt from Jana’s new devotional, Dine with Me, Real Food for the Hungry Spirit.  Order your copy here.

No Reindeer Games

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Are you hoping there’s more to Christmas than gifts galore, frenzied schedules and the empty exhaution that follows? Do you find yourself trying to unearth Jesus from under the Christmas cards, shopping lists, and wrapping paper? Do you just really not  have time to care?

Why not try something new this Christmas? Come join the Women Getting Real Christmas Celebration. It promises great food without the reindeer games. Caroling regardless of vocal ability. And a sassy look at why Jesus beats Santa at paper, rocks, and scissors.  This event is open to everyone – guys and girls. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. It’s free and everyone is welcome. Just RSVP here so we know how much food to make.
 
Blessings!

What a Difference a Year Makes

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One couple, believe it or not, was divorced when they came. Another couple was moving toward divorce.  In fact the only reason the wife stayed was because there were two beds in their room.

Where are they now, a year later?  The divorced couple is remarried! Not perfect but willing to try marriage God’s way. The other couple has had radical life changes as they begin to see how God changes everything. Again, they are not perfect, but they are still together and willing to try life with God as the center.

Other couples came to get refreshed, or reconnected, or catch their breaths.

What are we talking about? The Marriage Retreat of 2010.  And with the deposit deadline approaching for the Marriage Retreat of 2011, I want to challenge you to get off the fence.  Trust God for the money. Take the time to invest in your marriage.

Your marriage affects EVERY area of your life. Don’t think for a moment that this time isn’t well spent, the money isn’t well invested.

Deadline to register is THIS Friday. It’s only $50 to reserve your suite. Renew your hearts with God and with each other.

Register Here

Just in Time for Giving

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Wow! Do I have  a lot to be thankful for…And on the top of my list is the new book, “Dine with Me.”  It is a year’s worth of thoughts, stories, meditations, songs and challenges. It was so good for me to be working on it these last two weeks because it just filled my heart with reminders of God”s faithfulness over the last year.

Hope you will feast on it too.  It is a great way to enjoy the Lord, but it is also a great way to introduce your friends and families into the deeper life with God that’s possible for us all.  Order now. We are only getting limited numbers in the beginning. Cost is $12.

Labor Pains

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It is always good to throw yourself out there. Risk is good for the Christian because it forces us off the ledge and into the arms of God.

So with that preface, here is me running off the cliff.  Our new Devotional Book is to be delivered Dec 12th! And our new worship CD will be released in February 2011.

There is still much to do, much to pray through and much to watch God do. But I am eager to see where all this lands.

Please be in prayer for all the hands that are working in this delivery process.  I told Laura last night as we looked at each other, tired and bewildered, that labor is always hardest right before the baby comes.

So pray for us band of midwives as we seek to deliver these messages of God’s power and beauty.

Sure You Do!

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So Chuck is out of town this week and Charis made him a package of notes and cards. His first one was a doozy. Lots of sweet words and notions, but she ended it with a great question.

Do you miss me? Sure you do!

Chuck and I laughed about her tender heart that is so willing and able to receive love. She just simply can’t fathom why someone wouldn’t enjoy her.

And after I got off the phone with Chuck, I considered that God sends us similar notes. “Jana do you miss spending time with Me? Sure you do!” And He is right. I do. Like Charis, only moreso, Jesus is so willing and able to receive love and can’t fathom why I wouldn’t want to simply enjoy His presence.

Don’t just talk about what you need or should do to strengthen your God connection. Just do it. You both will be better for it. You both will enjoy the time spent together.

A Goal For Your Life Today

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Sometimes we stop everything we are doing to talk about what’s wrong with everything we are doing. You’ll notice, that while evaluation is good, rarely does it change the circumstances.

What changes the circumstances is making willful, conscious choices in the right direction. What improves and empowers our life is surrendering to God’s ways of doing life. Love God. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Love your enemy.

These are not analyses. These are action items.

Francis of Assisi said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

For me today, that means my Doing what’s Necessary— my confession and forgiveness. I have business in my heart that needs tending to. No amount of talking about it is going to substitute the act of it.

Then when I have done what’s necessary, forgiving myself and others, I can do what’s Possible—loving again.

And suddenly, I am doing the Impossible — moving out of my self-centered drama and into God’s life, His work, His heart.

So what are you waiting for? What’s the first necessary thing you need to start?