True Colors

Sharathon is over. The leaves are crisp and burnished bright with razor sharp beauty. Colors so clear that they burn even brighter under a shadowy sky. This is fall… this is God’s storybook illustration painted across the fields and carved into the hills. I know some look at fall with sadness, thinking about chilly days and bare trees. But when I look at out this last dying dance of leaves I see something else. I see the covering of chlorophyll green dropping away and blindingly brilliant colors blazing through. Ruby reds… yellow golds… rich orange and russets so deep and thick you can almost taste them. This is the glory of God’s living earth unmasked… as it dies, it’s true colors are revealed.
When you work in a ministry, it’s so easy to put on the pretty Christian face and keep your attitude an artificial summer green. But if I am truthful… if I’m going to really let Jesus express the rich colors of His life inside of me – I have to die. I have to let go of those things that I use to cloak and create my secure little bubble of a life…. Like money. Like power. Like gas pumps and groceries and elections….. even Sharathon totals.
Sharathon is over. The leaves are lovely and falling into pools of color in my yard. Leaves that will soon be brown, broken, and blown away. But in their dying is a picture book promise…
Spring. New life. New beginnings. And so much more than I can ever imagine. I don’t know what these days will bring – but I know that in shedding our masks and abandoning ourselves to God – we will find out who we truly are…
And His colors will shine through.

Final Prayer...

Father, here is my final prayer at Sharathon's end...

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You....

My morning, my evening... my moment, my years... my breath, my life, my safe harbor and unsinkable vessel on the open sea. You, my Father are all these to me.

Thank You for this moment with You... and for this Sharathon

Sandy out...

The end of the road?

The last leg of the journey...

It's just a few more hours until the end of the 3 day adventure God has been leading us into. A few more hours before totals are tallied... and praises are poured out. You know what's really cool? The praise doesn't depend on the totals, because my Father has poured out so much more than financial support this Sharathon. Maybe it's just me, but I have felt the clean, sweet air of freedom filling this place from day 1... mixing with the smells of chicken and carry the sounds of joy. I could say this Sharathon has changed... but maybe it's just me that's changed. In any case, my Father never changes - He just gets bigger and bolder, richer and more wonderful with each new thing I learn about Him.

And there's still so much to learn...

All because of Jesus. What a great theme. What a great reality check. He is the never changing constant that anchors us, shelters us, holds us in His arms. My life is not drawn from a bank account or a government or a culture... or even from my own self-image. I am in Christ, hidden - but living out loud.

I do have my moments... I mean, I only have to look in the mirror a little too long to start to doubt. But if I make Jesus Himself my mirror....

I am free.

Only a few hours to go. And the journey has just begun...

I don't want to miss it...

10:22 am. The exact same time I started writing my blog post last night. No coincidences in God's timetable....

I hit the ground running this morning (by the way - I'm not really a runner). Coffee cup in hand, I began updates and uploads and a miscellany of other stuff. Funny how the immediate so overwhelms the important - and sitting here, in the quiet - listening for the voice of my Father, is the most important thing I can do at this moment.

In the excitement, in the rising tide of energy that's beginning to fill this place, I don't want to get off course. I don't want to miss the mystery and beauty of what God is doing... of what He's going to do in this day. All because of Jesus. I've seen and heard things already... things that go beyond dollars and cents. A Dad beginning to understand for the first time his son's faith. Wounded hearts hearing words of encouragement for the first time. Music becoming the voice of God in someones ear. How can you put a price tag on that?

I love the energy... I love the fun... I love the people.... but most of all, I love being part of something larger than myself. I am so grateful to be part of what my Father is doing. In a world and culture that makes me feel so small, it is like the breath of life itself to know that I am created and crafted to be woven into God's plan... that I am not just a cog in a machine, I am His child. All because of Jesus....

I wish I could fully grasp what that phrase encompasses... All because of Jesus.

But for now - in this time and place - I'm going to be the kid sitting on Daddy's lap. He is driving the car... but He let's me put my hands on the wheel so I can know the joy of the journey.

Whew! Back to work!

The end of the day...

I usually write in quiet - an office, a room... anyplace I'm off by myself. But I'm sitting here in the middle of the auditorium at Family Life. It's 10:22 and a few die-hards are milling about, and the energy of the day hasn't faded yet. It's curls about the ankles, teases at the back of the mind as it compels people to cluster, talk, even work. It's funny how a good day almost doesn't depend on the circumstances or the fulfillment of expectations. It's good because God's people bring the fragrance of His goodness into every corner of this place.

There's so much I could fill this little page with. Hilarious fun with a silly hand-puppet. Hugs and smiles freely exchanged. Deep conversations and crazy dancing with my much younger friends. The fragrance of family. The fragrance of hope. The strong, heady scent of fearless abandon to the Father. God is good - yes He is... all the time.

So I sit, surrounded by living memories of the day, and I know - as much as this faltering little flesh-bound brain can know - that all the promises wrapped up in Jesus Christ are here and now in this place.
The Author of eternity...
the Maker of every moment and every beating heart...
the Giver of life and breathe...

My Lord Jesus, is scripting this minute... this hour... this day.

And I thank Him for letting me play in His yard.

Sleep well tonight... I know I will.

It's going to be a good day...

I left my house early this morning in darkness… and in pain. It was one of those times when my body turns against me and hits me in the gut. An hour later I’m dancing in the food line with our chef, Sherri – rocking out to Denver and the Mile High Orchestra.
Yesterday I had a great day… a day of freedom and some serious joy in the Lord – and I started this one with my body beating me up. I fully believe there is a real Enemy out there. He’s like a petty thief that tries to steal or mar whatever good thing God pours into my life. BUT…
He is crushed, de-fanged and defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen!
This will be a good day. Even if the pain returns, it will be a good day because my Father is a good God who spreads His wings over me… over you… over this moment, whether it’s filled with joy or pain. That’s why this “no fear” thing keeps coming back to me. God is good… Jesus is King… and, like a child, I am safe and sound in Daddy’s lap.
This is going to be such a cool Sharathon….

End of an amazing day...

The sun is cruising somewhere on the other side of the world... my husband is sleeping, cocooned in good dreams I hope - and I am up too late again. But in this hour half moon and starlight, I end the day as I started - with a deep breath and Jesus.

It was really an amazing day. An unusually amazing day. I'm not necessarily talking about dollars - though I'm continually amazed - and humbled - when I see God's family pour out their love and support each Sharathon. I'm not necessarily talking about crowds flocking into the building to become a part of it all. I'm amazed by the peace. It's like being a child, totally trusting in Daddy to take care of you. All day I simply felt... peace - a sleeping baby kind of rest. Daddy's going to take care of us all.

I got to play today. All my work felt like play - from doing web updates to hanging out with Sally Slapfinger. It was like Daddy tossing you into a pile of autumn leaves - a pure, tingly, scary-good delight. I felt it wafting through the hallways, into offices and the auditorium. The fresh scent of God's goodness. I know there are elections. I know Wall Street is like some ADHD bully playing with our economy. I know there are wars and rumours of wars.... but in this moment, in this sacred space created by God inhabiting this family of believers - here there is no fear.

Thank You, Father...

I'm going to bed. This is going to be an amazing Sharathon.