DO YOU SEE ME?

Have you ever felt invisible?  I have.  Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone there was more important than you?  I have.  Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit into the role people put you in?  I have.  Have you ever felt like you were not good enough?  I have.

I also think 100% of the people who read this have, at one time or another, felt the same way.  

The crippled woman was invisible.  People walked by her without giving her a second thought.  Just another bent over woman.  Someone to ignore as they went through their day.  Then, she met Jesus.  Everyone saw her as she walked through them and went to Jesus.  She was no longer invisible. 

The widow woman had no value.  She had no standing in the community.  When she went to the synagogue, people looked down on her.  Then Jesus saw her. There was no article in the paper to make her famous.  There was nothing on TikTok or Facebook.  But, Jesus saw her put her wealth in the collection and she would be rewarded when she took her final breath.

He was just one of hundreds.  Thousands.  He was a fisherman.  Doing his job.  Doing what was expected of him.  Then Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew met Jesus.  They dropped their nets and walked away from family/community expectations and stepped onto a new path.  They became fishers of men.

He was possessed.  Not a simple possession either.  He had to leave his family and live in the graveyard.  He was often very violent - chained and guarded.  A man so crazy and tormented that he was not good enough to live as a normal man.  Then he met Jesus.  He returned to his home.

Normal everyday people.  People who were  invisible.  People who were poor.  People working jobs they were expected to do.  People who felt as if they are not good enough for one reason or another. 

UNTIL THEY MET JESUS.  

People like each of us.

UNTIL WE MEET JESUS.

1

 9-11

Today’s blog asks a question about 9-11. 

September 11, 2001 — 25 years ago.  Shouldn’t we forget?  And anyone under 33 only remembers what they have been told.  Shouldn’t we forget?  2, 606 died in the World Trade Center.  184 died in the Pentagon.  40 died in the plane crash.  Plus thousands died later.  Shouldn’t we forget?  HELL NO!!!!!!!

We should never forget the hate that 19 Islamic Jihadist held in their heart.

We should never forget.  To forget allows the hate to continue and the hate to repeat their actions.  

We should never forget and this country must stand guard or we will turn our freedoms over to those that hate us, one inch at a time.  Muslims are allowed to shut down Brooklyn streets to say their prayers and Christians are prohibited from praying outside an abortion clinic.  To speak out against the actions of Muslims earns you a label of Islamophobic.  So we are quiet.  Muslim groups want Sharia Law over US law.  And we do nothing.  

The hate did not overcome us on September 11, 2001.  They did not break this country with planes.  BUT they are using a new tactic.  One inch at a time.  One request to have their faith given priority.  

And when will we become like Nigeria?  Or parts of Egypt?  When will we fear for our lives if we refuse to deny our God?  When will we be like other countries that compromise instead of standing strong?  When will we have real no go zones instead of hidden no go zones?   When will we hold the Muslim businesses to the same laws that we hold Christian businesses?  When will Christians be allowed to go to a dedicated prayer room in schools?  When will burkas be removed to show the face of the person getting on the plane or voting or entering a building when hooded sweatshirts are not allowed?  I could go on.

At the top of my Facebook page, I have:  IF I AM SILENT, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTCOME.  I refuse to stop speaking out.  But I am only one voice and I fear that too many voices are silent.  Too many voices have forgotten 9-11.  Too many voices have forgotten the horror of seeing bodies falling from the World Trade Center.  Too many voices are silent and the outcome will be the death of the USA — one inch at a time.

Should we ever forget?  HELL NO!

A TABLE BEFORE MY FRIENDS

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a table before my enemies.  Today I want to tell you about another table.  This really should be titled:  A TABLE WITH MY FRIENDS.  Last Sunday we had a pitch-in dinner.  I wonder if there is anyone who has never attended a pitch-in dinner.  Some call it a carry-in.  Either way, it is just plain good food and great fellowship.

Walking into the church kitchen/dining room, the first thing noticed is the aroma.  Fried chicken.  Chicken and noodles.  Casseroles.  Green beans.  Then there is the salad table.  Pea salad.  Broccoli salad.  Potato salad.  Deviled eggs.  (Wonder why they call them that.)  Vegetable tray.  And more!  Of course after filling your plate, at least once, it is time to attack – I mean it is time to go calmly to the dessert table.  Do not fear.  I was told they were all calorie free and I am sure that is true because who would lie in church?  Every inch of that table was filled.  Chocolate cake.  Strawberry dessert.  Cookies.  Pie.  And more!  HOW MUCH BETTER COULD LIFE BE?

Actually – truthfully – honestly – the food could not come close to the fellowship.  I swear (the good kind of swear – like putting your hand on the Bible) the sound of chatter and laughter was so loud you couldn’t have heard if 30 motorcycles had roared into the parking lot.  I am not sure how anyone was eating for talking and laughing.  Usually, once the food comes out, it will get quiet.  Not around this bunch.  They must have taken Talk While Eating 101. 

Then I looked around.  There were adults sitting with kids.  And they were talking with each other.  There were younger adults scattered among older adults.  And they were talking with each other.  Even when the plates were being picked up, no one seemed to leave. 

I believe the angels were looking down and saw genuine fellowship.

I believe God loved the sound of our pitch-in dinner.

I believe Jesus turned to the Father and said, “Those are my sheep.”

 I AM.  Part 3

When I wrote I AM about being one of God’s names, I had no intention of writing a second part and even less intention of writing a third part.  Sometimes the blog takes on a life of its own.  Are you wondering how I can get a third part out of two tiny words?  Here goes.

Part 2 was on how God answers our concerns with “I am.”  He is sure of the path he wants us to be on.  Part 3 is on how often we answer God with those same words.

These are times I have answered God with these two tiny words.

God asks, ”Are you afraid of having surgery?”  I answered, “I am.”

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭

God gently asked, “Are you feeling overwhelmed?”  I answered, “I am.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and  learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is  easy and my burden is light.”

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ 

“I see a smile today,” God said.  “Are you happy.”  I answered, “I am.”

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭28‬:‭7‬ ‭

God noticed, “You finished the Sunday School Lesson.  Are you ready to teach the lesson?”  I answered, “I am.”

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ 

Then the world asked, “Are you a Child of God?”  I answered, “I AM! ! !”

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is  what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

‭‭ 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭

When have you used “I am.” to answer God?

 I AM    Part 2

Your eyes are fine.  The week’s blog is also titled I AM.  

The other day, I saw a video about I AM.   I thought I AM was a name and was to be spoken with reverence. This video made me think about I AM in a whole new way.  It showed me that I AM can be an action verb.  A verb to be emphasized.

Picture God calling these people.to serve and their reaction.  

Moses checked out the burning bush and quickly found out God was speaking to him.  God had a job for Moses.  Can you hear Moses saying, “God, I cannot do this.  I  wouldn’t know what to say or do to convince the Pharaoh.  I am not capable of doing this.”  Do you hear God reply, “I AM SURE.” (Spoken with conviction and power.)

Poor Jeremiah.  So young and unsure of himself and wondering why the LORD had chosen him to go on a mission. “Ah, LORD, don’t you want someone older and who can speak with wisdom?  Are you sure I can do this?”  Do you hear God reply, “I AM SURE.”  (Spoken with conviction and power.)

Samuel was called to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, but was afraid Saul might kill him.  Besides, how would he know which son.  I think he might have asked, “God, out of eight sons, I am not sure which son to anoint.”  Do you hear God reply, “I AM SURE.”  (Spoken with conviction and power.)

——————————————

“What do you mean you want me to be Lay Leader?  That would mean I have to get up front and talk.  Are you sure I am ready to do this?”  And God replies, ”I AM SURE.  You are ready and will be just fine.”

“Lord, this trial is hard.  Are you sure I can do it?”  And God replies, “I AM SURE.  You will make it through.  We will take one step at a time.”

“Be a greeter?  Welcome people I do not know?  Are you sure?”  And God replies, “I AM SURE.  Just smile and say hello.”

“This grief is hard.  My heart is hurting.  I am not sure I will make it through the day.”  And God replies, “I AM SURE.  I will give you strength to endure the empty chair by day and will hold you as you rest at night.”

“Such wonder!  Amazing!  Joy.  Peace.  Grace.  Love.  Lord, are you sure I am worthy of these gifts?”  And God replies, “I AM SURE.”

REMEMBER:  When you ask God, “Are you sure you mean me?”  AND He says, “I AM SURE.”  You better hang on because God’s I AM SURE is a powerful verb.

 I AM

God said he is I AM.  But I AM.what?  Would I recognize him if I saw him?  Oh, there is the description in Ezekiel:

Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.  I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬ -‭28‬

Glowing metal.  Full of fire.  Likeness of the glory of the Lord.  A sight so glorious that Ezekiel fell facedown.  What will I see when I see God?  What … wait a minute.  I have seen God.  

I have seen the power of God when I see mountains reaching toward the sky.  I have seen the breath of God when the leaves sway in an unseen breeze.  I have seen the wonder of God when snow falls gently and covers the ground.  

That is just the beginning.  I have seen the imagination of God when I see a tree wake up and leaves appear, only to go from green to orange and fall to the ground.  I see his imagination when I watch a squirrel run up a tree or when a crocodile floats silently through the swamp or when flamingos walk with knees that bend the wrong way.  

I see the gifts of God when a surgeon saves lives and when a teacher uses skills to educate and when the mechanic  fixes a motor.  I have seen the wonder of God in this world and I have seen the love of God when a baby is placed in my arms.

Do I really know what God looks like?  No.  Then how do I know there is a God?  Because I have seen him in the world around me.  In the rain and in the sunshine.  In the thunder and in the quiet, gentle breeze.  I have seen God in the eyes of a newborn.  I have seen God in the changed life of a sinner, as they turn from sin and walk into the arms of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  

Do you know what God looks like?

A TABLE BEFORE MY ENEMIES

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalms 23:5

Psalms 23:5 says that God will prepare a table before my enemies.  I have written on this before, but go back to it every so often.  Why?  I wonder if I am still battling the same enemies

A few have gotten better.  Anger has slipped down towards the bottom of the list.  I have not completely lost my temper in a very - very - long time.  That is not to say I do not get mad.  I do!  Sadly, I get mad over things which I do not have the ability to change: child abuse, attacks on religion, mutilating young people’s bodies and minds in the name of transgender, and allowing our country to be moved off the foundation it was built on.  I speak out, but feel like I am shouting into the wind and the wind is carrying my words away.

Envy has always been seated at the kid’s table.  I have seen behind the doors of way too many homes and I realize that what people show in public is not a true representation of what they have in private.

Greed might have made it to the door, but it never made it to the table.  Use of time not only made it in the door, but has a seat at the table.  I can get involved in an idea or a project and time goes out the window.  And time is taking things I should be doing.  Read a book or dust?  No brainer: read the book.  Have supper on time or check one more reference?  Checking one more thing usually wins out.  (Thankfully I have an understanding hubby.)

BUT I need to quit delaying the truth.  The enemy that bursts in the door and sits at the head of the table is still the things I have not done.  I look at that enemy and hang my head.

• Once again, there is no sack of food to put in the box for the food pantry.  Those items are still on the store shelf.
• Once again, the card I was going to send is lying on my desk.  The cute sunshine card is not encouraging anyone.
• Once again, I used excuses why I could not do something.  Yes, I have legitimate reasons, but I could go to the school board meeting or the town meeting or to the coffee shop for breakfast or back to the pool.  I could, but I allow my enemy to tell me it is okay to quit going because loading, unloading, and using a walker makes it difficult.

And that leads me to the end of this blog.  “Difficult” is an excuse, not a reason.  Which means that making excuses is a new enemy at my table.

I am thankful for a God that has patience with me.  A God that is helping me stand against my enemies.  A God who gives me a cup overflowing with Trust, Faith, Love, Joy, His Word, Peace, and Strength to face my enemies.

What enemy sits at your table?