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Oct 19

Daredevil

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Beverly

In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, a daredevil skydiver shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever — a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. Felix Baumgartner hit Mach 1.24, or 833.9 mph, according to preliminary data, and became the first man to reach supersonic speed without traveling in a jet or a spacecraft after hopping out of a capsule that had reached an altitude of 128,100 feet above the Earth.

Landing on his feet in the desert, the man known as “Fearless Felix” lifted his arms in victory to the cheers of jubilant friends and spectators who closely followed his descent in a live television feed at the command center. “When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data,” he said after the jump. “The only thing you want is to come back alive.”

A worldwide audience watched live on the Internet via cameras mounted on his capsule as Baumgartner, wearing a pressurized suit, stood in the doorway of his capsule, gave a thumbs-up and leapt into the stratosphere. “Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,” an exuberant Baumgartner told reporters outside mission control after the jump.

Risk takers like Felix Baumgartner have much to teach us. How many of us prefer to play it safe rather than take risks in our own lives and even for the Lord? We like the security of predictability to being led by the Spirit who is like a wind that blows wherever it wishes. While the need for safety is a major need in the human life, are we willing to take risks when prompted by the Spirit? Are we willing to go out of our comfort zone to give funds that we’ve been saving, to move to a strange place, to speak with people we don’t know because the Spirit leads us to do so?

Felix prepared for his record-shattering jump for seven years. He made jumps from fifteen and eighteen miles before attempting this jump. His helium balloon and space suit had been tested. How many of us take the time to prepare ourselves for the work of evangelism we are called to do? Our work of preparation is both internal and external. Internally we need to prepare our own hearts and lives so that when we encounter others it is from place of authenticity, vulnerability and empathy. When the Spirit shows us ourselves as we truly are, we “see how small we are” and minister from a place of humility and care. Externally, there are skills we need such as how to give bible studies, do friendship evangelism and conduct small group ministry.

Are we willing to invest time and energy into helping others share the journey with us to meet the Lord in the air when we will not need a helium balloon or space suit?

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Aug 01

Fake it Til You Make It!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Beverly

My friend, Joanne Palmer is at it again!  Her latest writing was  so powerful, I just had to share it.  Please leave us your thoughts.

It’s hard to believe you can be so foolish. All you’re concerned about are the externals of religion. You keep looking at your behavior and your zeal for God, but inside you’re controlled by your own ego, greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25 (The Clear Word)

Fake it til you make! Really? Fake it til you make it? Who said that? And where did that thought come from? And if we were doing that, when would we do it? When we’re little children learning life or teens learning how to become socially adept? And where? Would it be okay in school learning our ABC’s or at church reciting a memory verse on 13th Sabbath that you know you didn’t learn? And for how long? Do you fake it for a  few months, couple of years or over a lifetime?

When we were younger, my mother (and I’m sure yours too) gave instructions before leaving the house which usually included the question; “Did you put on clean underwear? What if you get in a car accident?” I ask the same question: “What if you get into a car accident while you’re faking it til you make it and you die in the process?”

Not many of us are so bold as to acknowledge that we are in the process of faking it. As a matter of fact we present as just the opposite. We have made it, and are just waiting on the rest of you to get there. The problem is we can’t really tell you where “there” is because it keeps changing. And since we are not being honest we can’t even acknowledge that it keeps changing.

The above text seems to suggest that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and though we hear this over and over it has not moved us to a real experience with one another or, dare I say, with God either. How different are we than the Pharisees? Does “Happy Sabbath” or “Call me if you need me” or “I’m praying for you” really mean anything now or is this a means of “faking it til I make it? When I see you at church and my heart says, “please don’t let her speak to me today,” but as you walk over to me I smile and my lips say, “So glad to see you,” what is that?

Matthew 23:28 KJV says “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” I wonder what it would be like if we could say when we’re angry, hurting, feeling alone, in despair or just unhappy and it would be okay. I understand that God is in control and He is good and He is working it all out for my good. But does He really expect me to fake it on the outside until He fixes me on the inside? Or would He be a proponent of open, honest, authentic, relational communication among those of us who profess to be His? Otherwise how will we ever be “true” witnesses and who wants to follow “fake” people? I don’t recall any situation in the Bible where Jesus “faked” it. Do you?

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Jul 25

Inside Out

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Beverly

We are happy to be back in business after a major hack job on the blog!  So much has happened since we last posted!

My friend, Joanne Palmer, wrote the following thoughts that seems appropriate to share at this time:

“Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7.

Have you ever heard children sing a song called “Inside Out?” The words simply say,
“You must serve my Jesus from the inside out.” What a novel idea! Our lives are often filled with doing God’s work. We give Bible studies, go to church, work in the homeless shelters, give our tithe and do a host of other things, all in the name of serving God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these activities of course, if we are serving God from the inside out.

But what is it that God requires of us? Micah 6:8 indicates that we are “to be just, to show mercy and to walk humbly before our God.” This text seems to indicate that what’s going on inside is more important than what we show on the outside.

I remember in a conversation one day with a close friend when she asked me if I thought I was better than my sister who was a drug addict. Of course my immediate response was “No, why would you ask me such a thing?” In my heart I thought, “She has nerve to even think that about me.” But later on when she knew I could hear her better she shared that if my sister and I were stripped from our “outer garments” (and you know she wasn’t talking about clothing), and people could only see our insides, no one would be able to tell the difference. Ouch! While I’m acting like I’m in better shape just because I don’t engage in certain activities, inside, my heart look just like hers, as far as God is concerned.

Remember the scenario in Luke 18 when the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like “that publican?” I wonder how many times in our hearts we have thanked God that we are not “like” our fathers, our mothers, that alcoholic, that church member. In actuality, if we are serving God from the “outside in” rather than from the “inside out,” we are indeed, just like that person.

When I think of how we present on the outside there are two scriptures that come to mind. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also…” (Matthew 23: 25 & 26). The second text found in Romans 2: 1 says,” Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
Though we may not be as bold in verbalizing our thoughts as the Pharisee, and we may not outwardly judge others, we speak our reality in our actions, our attitudes and our relationships every day. Think about it. Are we being just, showing mercy and walking humbly before God? Are we viewed as serving God from the inside out? If not, maybe we need to take a closer look at ourselves and consider the messages we are sending out. Heart service beats lip service every time!

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May 10

Mother’s Day, 2012

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Beverly

The story is told of a dear old woman who attended the funeral of a friend.  As she made her way down to the front of the church that was covered in flowers, mourners were startled to see that she had a big bowl of soup that she carefully carried down to the front of the church.  One gentleman decided to approach her to gently remind her that her friend was deceased and would not be able to enjoy her homemade soup.  She looked at all the flowers adorning the front of the church and turned to him and said, “She could surely eat my soup if she can smell all the flowers up front!”

I supposed you chuckled as I did when I first heard this story. The imagery is so startling! Giving flowers, or bringing food and perhaps clothing, is a great way to show love and care for those who are living, not the dead! “The dead know nothing!” The wise woman makes a fine point:  why not bring food, flowers or other expressions of love while a person is alive and can enjoy them.

Yet, honoring those we love does not have to be only for a day or a season.  It is a great habit to develop to frequently express gratitude for those who enrich our lives daily.  It only takes a moment to pick up the phone to say, “I love you” for no other reason than because…There is an old gospel song we used to sing with a powerful line:  “Give me my flowers while I yet live so that I can enjoy the fragrance that they give!”

As tributes pour in for mothers this week, I challenge you to ask, “How can I bring a bowl of soup or flowers while my mother can yet ‘taste’ and ‘see’ of my love for her?”   What meaningful way can you honor her in her love language: touch, acts of service, words of affirmation, the gift of time, or gifts?

So, join me in committing to develop the habit of expressing gratitude daily, by taking your mother or some special woman in your life a bowl of soup or flowers to bless them, while they are living.  We can make a difference in the life of a mother not just on Sunday  but everyday.

We’d love to hear feedback from you in space below!

 

 

 

 

 

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Apr 02

I Have A Dream

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Beverly

After 3 weeks of computer woes (with a MAC, no less!) I had  finally gotten back on track and finally finished a blog posting when the news of the killing of Trayvon Martin emerged. Like others, I had been closely following the  story, as it unfolds.

Haji Williams, our guest blogger, has written some thoughts that are worth sharing with you.

I have a dream that my son will not be judged by the hoodie he has on but by the content of his character.
Corey Jenkins

There are many brands that are now forever linked to the shooting of Trayvon Martin who was gunned down by George Zimmerman in a gated community in Sanford, Florida: Skittles, Arizona Tea, and the infamous hoodie.  This branding got me to thinking, “What does a hoodie say about the content of one’s character?”

Be honest.  Prior to Trayvon’s shooting death, what was your perception of a man, black or white, walking down the street wearing a hood pulled over his head with his hands in his pocket? (I am in no way implying this is what happened in the Trayvon Martin case). I know I’ve crossed the street a time or two behind a hoodie! However, many were enraged when Geraldo Rivera went on his hoodie-rant saying Hispanic and African American kids shouldn’t wear them, because of the negative stereotype often associated with certain attire. I was not offended because I believe it is high time we take responsibility for how we are portrayed not just in the media, but in real life. Ask yourself what “hoodie” do you wear out into the world everyday? Image matters, people often judge what they see and fear what they don’t understand. If celebrities, athletes, and countless industries are allowed to “build a brand” why can’t the average citizen do the same? Let’s build a new image for the United States, one that proves a person can be judged not by the color of the skin but the content of character.  After all, isn’t it your character that makes an eternal difference?

I want to let make it crystal clear that I believe that George Zimmerman should be arrested and charged for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, period! What I also want, is for us to use this incident to examine stereotypes and negative imagery and take responsibility for how we come across in the world, and remember, don’t let your “hoodie “ speak louder than your character!

To those that say what I wear and how I look shouldn’t matter, just turn on the TV. Earlier today the news station HLN reported they will no longer show the pictures of a younger Trayvon Martin nor will they show the 2005 mugshot of George Zimmerman. Why, because mainstream media understands that people are far more influenced by what they see rather than what they know

Please join in the discussion by sharing your thoughts  below.

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Feb 14

The Face of Addiction-Whitney Houston

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Beverly

Disbelief and then overwhelming sadness hit as I heard and tried to grasp the news about the death of Whitney Houston. She was only 48 years old…. Gone way too soon. She had a tremendous voice that has now been silenced in death.

Everyone acknowledges that she had a troubled life, and waged a very public battle with addiction. Unfortunately, her troubles were often attributed to her marriage to singer, Bobby Brown.

I want to attempt to set the record straight. Whitney’s troubles did not begin nor end with her marriage and divorce. Her addiction started long before she picked up her first drink, smoked her first cigarette, or had her first hit of crack or cocaine.

Addiction is a cunning and baffling disease. It is considered a primary, chronic disease of the brain. It is characterized by the ABC’s as noted below:
• Inability to consistently Abstain
• Impairment in Behavioral control
• Craving or increased “hunger” for drugs or rewarding experiences
• Diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal  relationships
• A dysfunctional Emotional response

Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.1

Now that the therapeutic definition of addiction has been identified, let’s speak to the bottom line: PAIN and Comfort.

I heard one comment that Whitney was called “The Queen of Pain.” She was not alone. Everyone experiences pain. After all, we live in a world of sin, and pain. We all need comfort for this pain. No one wants to live in pain (physical or emotional) all the time.

If we were left to find our own source of comfort, we all would be in trouble and like Whitney, even die from our choices. However, we are not left without a way of meeting this need. The bible says that God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5). He is the only ONE who knows how to provide the comfort our hearts need. When we turn to something other than Him, like Whitney and a myriad of others, we may end up caught in a web of addiction that can lead to spiritual and even physical death.

What’s the personal “takeaway” from this tragic ending of a gifted woman we can receive? Let me urge you to start by taking a personal inventory and by asking yourself some hard questions:
• Do I engage in anything I know is not good for me, yet I can’t seem to stop?
• Do I experience any stress or pain that I have chosen to comfort myself?
• Have I found myself minimizing and discounting the nature of my form of “comfort”: food, sex, VIDEO GAMES, people pleasing, TV, pornography, religion… the list can go on and on.
• Have others expressed concern about something I’m doing that I have chosen to ignore?

Into HIS Rest Ministries exists to point people to the matchless love and provision of God. We invite you to seek the God of ALL comfort in a new and fresh way, asking Him to search your heart. He wants so much to supply all our needs.

If these thoughts have spoken to you in any way, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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Feb 01

“I Missed You Daddy!”

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Beverly

This morning on the news was a touching story of the birthday surprise for a 6 year old little girl, whose dad was deployed to Afghanistan for a year. Unbeknownst to her, he was able to make it home to surprise her at school on her birthday.     She ran and jumped into his arms while crying.  “How   did you ever make it? I really missed you daddy!  I am really happy!” all spoken while she was holding him tightly.  She stroked his head and told him how much she loved him.

We’ve seen stories like this before, however, this story was different.  What made this story so touching was the loving expressiveness caught on tape of the little girl toward her dad  when he suddenly appeared.   Likewise, Dad had to fight back tears (this was a military man after all, and this was being filmed for TV!).   This was a moving story.  I was really blessed.

As I reflected on the story, it raised questions for me from several perspectives and prompted me to write them down and I now share them with you.

The Father
From the father’s perspective, what did this man have to do to make getting home to his daughter for her birthday a reality?  How did Dad contain his excitement when he realized that he would be able to pull this off?   Can you imagine the eager anticipation he must have felt, waiting in the wings till he was given the signal to come out.  The father reminded me of  Jairus who went out of  his way to plead with Jesus to come and heal his is daughter.

The Little Girl
Could the little girl dare to even hope to receive the greatest birthday present possible- that of seeing her dad?   Instead of being rendered speechless with joy, she poured out her expressions of love and joy at seeing her dad onto him.

O that all children could respond so positively to the sight of a dad.  O that all children had a dad who would put forth the effort to pull off this surprise.

The Onlookers
What about onlookers, including children in the classroom that day?  Was there a longing generated in some child’s heart for a dad?  O that we all received such a positive and warm reception from the one we call dad.

The Local News Station
Was the local news station contacted and agreed this would be a great story to report on? Little did either party realize what a special response would be captured!  There surely had to be some thought and effort put into making this a joyful reality.  Imagine the local reporter’s excitement that this story was to be picked up by the network!

God
Many of us have never had an experience of being loved or have a love for our earthly dad as this little girl.   God is so committed to restoring in relationships that which was lost that He has undertaken the task Himself to make sure that it happens. Psalm 27:10 says: “When my father and mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up.” I am grateful that although my earthly dad was not there, God has stepped into the gap and surprises me as this dad surprised his daughter.  I want my heart response to be like that little girl where I recognize what great love God has for me.  He is standing in the gap where my dad was unable to stand.  He has won my heart over and over again.

In the end, I have more questions than I do answers.  The questions have been a blessing.  The greatest blessing has been thinking from God’s perspective and His wonderful heart of love.  I want to be like that little girl.  I want to pour out my love and worship for my Heavenly Daddy for all the world to see.

Please leave your comments below, as we would love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dec 29

Are You on A Cover? End of the Year Thoughts

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Beverly

As we turn toward 2012, it is worth reflecting on 2011 as is fades into history.  What a year it has been!  I am grateful to be alive and even more grateful to serve an awesome God.

As part of my reflection of what this year has meant for me, I was reminded of an 80-year tradition of Time Magazine.   The editors of this weekly magazine bestow the title of “Person of the Year” on the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year. The recipient(s) grace the cover of the magazine along with much of the news of the year highlighted.  It is quite an honor to appear on the cover of this magazine’s special end of the year issue.

Besides the obvious choices of Jesus Christ or my husband, I was led to ask myself who has had the most impact on my life and would grace the cover of the magazine of my life?  This led to more questions:  Would it a friend or foe?  Would it be a positive or negative experience that would land this person/persons on the cover?   Could I put my cover on the newsstands for the entire world to see? How would the person(s) feel about my choice?  How would others feel about my choice?   How do I feel about my choice?

As I reflected on this life magazine idea, more questions emerged. However, the most sobering question that demanded my serious reflection was:  “Have I made a significant impact for good on someone’s life, such that I would be chosen to appear on the cover of his/her life magazine?   Could I say like Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ?” (I Cor. 11:1). Have I been faithful to what God has asked of me?  Can I say to someone,  “The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Phil 3:7).

Of particular interest is what Paul said would be the result of people seeing, hearing, learning, and receiving from us:  God who brings peace shall be with them.  What awesome words!  We have the great privilege of leading others into the very presence of the God of peace!

The news only gets better! The magazine of our lives is to be on the newsstands not only on earth, but also for all of the unfallen worlds to see.  Ephesians 2: 5-8 speaks of the precious truth that we are saved by grace and Christ has made us sit together with Him in heavenly places.  For what purpose?   So that in the ages to come we might be the display of the exceeding riches of God’s grace.  We get to explain to these beings how it feels to be the recipients of such amazing grace and love!  We get to explain how we got over.  We get to explain how consenting to be on the cover of someone’s life magazine for this portrait was a response to God’s love that was poured out on us.

Time editors chose The Protester for the 2011 Person of The Year.  The editors explained that the choice was only fitting in light of the Arab Spring uprisings as well as the Occupy movements.   The cover was a composite drawing of 26 protester images drawn by a very talented graphic artist.

Like the Time editors, I couldn’t choose a single person.  Instead, I chose my community of sisters who love me unconditionally and hold me accountable, always reminding me of the call that God has on my life.  My cover would be a composite of eight women-Audrey, Joanne, Andrea, Rochelle, Angela, Haji, Courtni and Annette.  I thank God they are a composite drawing on my heart.  I will be eternally grateful to Christ for giving them to me.

So here’s the question for you: In 2012, will you allow Christ to use you to be on the cover of someone else’s life magazine?  We want to hear from you.  Please leave your comments below.

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Dec 15

And The Angels Sang…

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Beverly

Well, it ‘s Christmas time once again and the Christmas music started a couple of days before Thanksgiving. My grandson, Alec, jokingly said that Christmas music should officially start December 1, as there are only so many versions of “Silent Night” one can bear to hear after a couple of weeks.

The Christmas story, however does have a special song that the angels sang to the shepherds that first Christmas morn. “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and say, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2: 13, 14. I love these verses and never tire of hearing Christmas songs with those lyrics.

However, this song nor any other was on my mind this morning. The morning didn’t start off so positively. I got to thinking about my shortcomings and physical pain I have been experiencing the last few weeks and it saddened me. I was hoping to accomplish so much more.  Sadly, there were only  a few things  crossed off  of my “to do” list and blogging was NOT one of them.

I prayed and journaled about my feelings and the cloud began to lift. As I was about to conclude my worship, the Lord reminded of one of my favorite artists who put much of the words to Philipians 4: 6-8 to music, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

I quickly went through my music library and found the song, and loudly began to sing and fought back by consciously rejecting the negative emotions that threatened to ruin my day. I played the song over and over and praised God for granting me peace and reconciliation in Jesus. After all, this is what the season is about: Christ coming to reconcile me to Himself!

Looking again at the Christmas story found in Luke 2, I noticed there was a lone angel that appeared and then suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host that broke singing this wonderful song, “Glory to God!”

Today that heavenly music is still echoing down through time to you and me.  As it is in heaven, so shall it be earth.  Please join me in forming  a multitude of earthly inhabitants, who break out in song to loudly proclaim,  “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Even if you can’t sing, it will be sweet music to the heart of God!

 

 

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Oct 28

October Month of Comfort-Grief and Loss

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Beverly

Jacob’s father  developed lung cancer and died when he was eleven years old.  Jacob saw his dad struggle to breath, and this painful experience shaped his career choice.  He became a respiratory therapist who was quite efficient in his job.  What Jacob didn’t realize was that he failed to grieve the loss of his father.  Being the only male in the family, he had to become the “man” and felt he had to be strong, therefore denied the pain of his loss.

Like many, Jacob attempted to work out his pain through his career choice, but he found that it did not take away his pain.  Only when he sought comfort by grieving in the arms of God did he find peace and relief.

Are there losses in your life that you have not given yourself permission to grieve?  Those losses can be any number of things. Take time to ask God to show you and fall into His arms to receive the comfort He is longing to give you!

Please feel free to comment below.

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