If you see one coffee shop come to your community, there is surely another to follow. Recently, my warehouse market, much to my displeasure, took on the look of it’s main competitor. I think Mom used to call that “stealing someone else’s thunder.”

I’m reading my third book on living in Babylon; aka in a pagan culture. I’ve heard at least three songs on Christian radio about fear.

Are Christian artists and authors also trying to slip in under the umbrella of someone else’s profit and fame? I don’t think so.

When I was writing more seriously, I’d get these GREAT ideas for books or articles, only to see MY idea appear on a store bookshelf or in a current magazine. I determined that I was “too late,” hadn’t heard God, or didn’t obey quickly enough.

As I read my third (or fourth) book on Babylon, mostly centered on Daniel, I see differently. As I hear one of the songs about fear–all of them favorites, I hear differently. No one’s trying to get a jump on the market, God is speaking! In the multiple venues and genres, He wants to make sure we hear.

Are you seeing common themes? Take special note. “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelations 2:29).”

lonnie

“This is a lesson for you and me to wrap our confidence around. When God allows us to experience a fiery furnace, He promises to experience it with us. Because He is good!”

Anne Graham Lotz, The Daniel Prayer p. 113; Zondervan 2016

I was praying for a friend a week ago. I could tell from her texts that she was really going through it! I wanted to ask, “Do you feel like you’re in the fiery furnace?”

Because, it seemed God was opening an unusual picture for me.

Looking into the fire, the king didn’t see just the 3 men he’d had thrown in, but another man. How did he get in there? Was it Jesus? I wondered, were the “4” men fellowshiping in the fire? And, if so, what were they talking about?

Could that mean that we, too, can fellowship with Jesus in the midst of our fires?

And, as I write this, I wonder at something else. The fourth man did not come out with Daniel’s friends? Did the king expect him to? Or, being an angel of the Lord, did the king fear that he would?

So many thoughts–much like a maze. May God highlight any part that would be meaningful and helpful to you.

May He Ever Be Honored and Trusted,

lonnie

“Be a fountain, Not a drain.”

Well, that gave Me pause . . .

How about you?

Did you wonder, first, if you were a drain to people you love? Or did someone spring to your mind that saps your energy whenever you’re around them?

Jason and David Benham continue, in Living Among Lions.

“For a fountain to give nourishment, it has to be plugged into a source. If not, you can press the button all day, but nothing will happen”

Scripture supports their thought.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (John 7:38 NIV)

“If we do not connect to God as our Life Source, when our “button is pressed,” nothing comes out to nourish others.”

I want to have an impact on the world and culture around me. I long to be a vessel of God’s love, compassion, and wisdom. But, I don’t have it within myself.

I MUST connect to the Source.

lonnie

“If you and I rarely exercise our faith, how can we be surprised when it’s too weak for anyone to notice? Too weak to move others, to recognize and acknowledge that our God is God?”

Anne Graham Lotz, The Daniel Prayer, p. 97; Zondervan 2016

Ouch!

lonnie

Do you ever read a Bible verse, understanding it, but . . . not really? I do. I get the gist, but I can’t put it in Lonnie-Words, so that I can apply it or practice it in my life. The following verse seems simple enough, but it’s been one of those verses for me:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21 NIV

Perhaps it’s the lack of context that it is often presented in. Further in the chapter/conversation, we read

“No one can serve two masters . . . you will be devoted to one and despise the other.” (V. 24)

Our treasures (what we value) become our masters. They guide or motivate our heart. They stand on the sidelines and beg for our attention.

But we cannot serve two masters/treasures. This morning my heart saw it this way: a nation (or our heart) cannot have 2 kings. If so, when differences arise in values or priorities, people (as will our hearts) take sides. Shall we talk about chaos?! Maybe even anger. Matthew 6:24 tells us we will hate one master and love the other.

I can serve my health by eating fresh vegetables and fruits; or I can serve my pleasure with cinnamon rolls and chewy licorice (not together).

I can treasure Jesus by being generous, hospitable, compassionate and forgiving. I can spend time reading His Word, praying, and encouraging others or I can fufill my needs and desires first and give leftover energy and resources to people and causes that God places in my life.

To be honest, I think we do love and treasure our Lord and absolutely desire to do His will. But giving up our preference and comfort is SO HARD. Even when I hear of the tremendous fulfillment and joy people receive from sacrificial service, I hesitate. Perhaps, it’s in thinking I can do it in my own strength or in thinking God will ask more than I can give; that He will not care for my needs or desires. If I think so, I’ve forgotten one important thing:

I am HIS Treasure. And where His treasure is, His heart is also.

lonnie

“Christians are to be like chocolate chips in the cookie dough of culture. We are too mix in, not blend in—-we keep our form, remaining completely distinct and separate—-yet we should make the batch great!”

(David & Jason Benham; Living Among The Lions p.xxxvi; Word Publishing 2016)

The Benham brothers explain that all the other ingredients, in chocolate chip cookies, blend together and lose their original form. We can’t discern the distinct flavor of flour or sugar, but aaah bite into chocolate! We could be eating with our eyes shut, right? Yet, we’d not only know we’d come upon a chocolate chip, we’d wish for more.

As Christians, we should be as distinct, and (dare I say?) as pleasureable.

It’s a challenge to mix with our culture without becoming a participant, but we certainly can’t impact lives and share Jesus by living in our own little world.

Weigh in. How do you do this?

Maybe, by engaging with the world/culture—but with another believing friend or three.

Challenged,

lonnie

“The righteous person may have many troubles . . .” Psalm 34:19

Well, there’s a way to start your day, huh?

What words disturb you?

Here’s my list:

troubles . . . hate them

many . . .are you serious?

the righteous!? . . . why?

I have to laugh. We’re often told to claim God’s promises. I’m thinking there aren’t many of us who will grab on to that one and hold on till God delivers.

But deliver, He does. The remainder of the verse says, “but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Sometimes, deliverance looks like 3 young men walking out of a firey furnace.

Sometimes, (ish) it looks like Jonah being vomited up by a whale.

Sometimes it’s a kind word or a sympathetic ear.

Sometimes it looks like birdsong and sunshine coming through your window the next day.

Today, my friend, I pray that you feel God’s smile.

You are not alone.

You are immensely loved.

You have just been prayed for.

lonnie

“I dare you to show me,” writes Jen Schmidt, “where in Scripture it says, ‘You’re scared? You’re nervous? You’re out of your comfort zone? Oh, then don’t bother. I need someone better.” Nope, never. Through His grace and favor God sees fit to use us when we’re completely and uneqivocally unworthy and unqualified for the task.” (Just Open The Door p.100)

I LOVE buts . . .

God? Maybe not so much.

BUT, said Moses, “I have never been eloquent . . .”

“Go; I will help you speak . . . “

BUT, Gideon said, “My clan is the weakest . . .”

“I will be with you . . .”

“BUT,” the disciples said, “That would take more than a half a year’s wages!”

Five loaves and 2 fish later, all 5000 “ate and were satisfied.”

It’s true, what Jen writes, BUT . . . there I go again.

God, it’s time for that silly but needed prayer: please make me willing to be made willing. I know wherever You send me, You will meet me there.

I bet You will even be there 5 minutes early.

Could You bring some dark roast?

I love You.

lonnie

Read these 2.5 verses slowly.

Does God speak anything to your heart?

“But you, Lord my God, brought me up from the pit.

WHEN MY LIFE WAS EBBING AWAY,

I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

Those who cling to worthless idols

TURN AWAY FROM GOD’S LOVE FOR THEM (Jonah 2:6a-8 NIV).”

I know I haven’t read Jonah a bunch of times, but how did I miss this?

It’s never too late to remember God.

It’s never too late to pray.

God so longs for relationship with us. He so longs for us to spend eternity with Him, that even when our life is “ebbing away,” He hears. He responds.

AND . . .

When I don’t feel God’s love,

is it possible that “I” have turned away? Not Him?

If God spoke something different to your heart, that is just how personal God is. Please share with the rest of us.

Evergrowing–Everloving His Word,

lonnie

“The question of refugees—-and refugee resettlement, in particular—-has divided the church as well. Many Christians feel torn between the natural desire to protect themselves and their families and the desire to minister compassionately to the vulnerable. Given the scope of this crisis, how Christ followers respond to this tension could define the church for a generation or more.” ( Stephen Bauman, Matthew Soerens, Dr. Issam Smeir; Seeking Refuge; World Relief 2016)

Do me a favor. Read that again. Where does the Spirit of God stop you? Take a moment to pray about that.

This book has challenged me to the core. So, I’m asking you, who don’t see some of us as on the same page as yourselves, to be patient. Allow God to do His work.

Something I’ve seen this morning is disturbing. You’ve certainly heard the saying, “Divide and Conquer.” If I look at things like immigration and gender issues, I see Satan at work—-desiring to divide and conquer, desiring to weaken the Church and to tarnish our testimony to an on-looking world.

God, help us. Help us recognize the enemy of the Church, our souls, and the enemy of the lost who need to know Your love and salvation. Show us when to speak up, when to shut up, when to pray and when to act.

For Your Glory and Honor

lonnie