Nakedness

I was talking with some friends recently and we were noting how God touched us in a similar way when we all saw “The Passion of The Christ”.  We were noting how that film gave us a new level of understanding - a deeper reality and awe of how much Jesus suffered and the horror of his death.  We all agreed that there was such a terrible feeling we had at the reality that Jesus had suffered so hideously for us and yet such a deep gratitude and gratefulness that He did that for us personally.  I noted that the only thing left out of all portrayals and films was the fact that Jesus was also naked on the cross and that this was in addition to all of the tortures and humiliation and shame he underwent.  Then one of my friends noted that she had been studying the scriptures about that very thing and that in looking at how Adam and Eve went from being naked and unashamed into covering themselves once they ate the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and their eyes were opened that they were naked.  She said that when those who set out to shame Jesus on the cross by putting him there naked were actually fulfilling a divine plan that Jesus was the restoration of those things lost in the fall.  Nakedness without shame is one of the things lost at the fall.  Nakedness is restored through Jesus.

This actually really struck me considerably when I heard her say this. In that moment, Jesus sort of unfolded something before me.  It was considerably daunting and sobering to look at.  Just briefly, Jesus flashed before me that all things are uncovered in heaven for all to know.  There is nothing on this earth we will have done or thought that would or could ever be hidden.  Now, this thought put some deep consternation into me.  I immediately thought of the shame I would feel at being so fully and vulnerably revealed to all others in heaven and it’s because I know I am not completely holy and pure in so much of what I am.  There are things I would want no other person to know about me.  This was actually quite a good exercise for me to undergo, because it revealed my own heart to me. 

I have received so much freedom at Celebrate Recovery – a Christ Centered 12 Step program based on the Beatitudes.  It is a place where I can be authentic and really talk about things without the worry of shame from others. It is confidential and I can be real and take off masks of people pleasing and performance to be acceptable.  I am accepted and can speak about difficult things that I struggle with in a real way – with no judgment. I also have people I am accountable to which keeps me honest. It is amazing how this process cleanses me from fear and shame.  When I am honest and real about what is going on inside me – it always brings me relief and takes the power away from hidden shame.  We are only as sick as our secrets.

The one thing that struck me in what Jesus revealed is that I want to be honest about everything I have been hiding away.  I want to come clean with it long before I stand in heavenly company “naked”.  I want to stand naked – in the sense of real before all people NOW. That is a good discovery to make and one that I take very seriously and am pressing into.

So, I give my testimony again this July at CR.  I’m being prompted to take off my proverbial "fig leaves" and walk more “naked” than ever before.  Clothed with the righteousness of Christ alone – my piteous efforts at self-covering are not only in no way needed, but actually prevent me from living free.  I want freedom – I want it, I want it, I want it! I will have it in greater measure!  Thank you, Jesus.

The Man with the Crucifix and Dove Girl

My First trip to Brazil was last May.  Remembering the first day there with my manager in the subway station - a young man of about 25 approached me wearing a wooden crucifix.  Came straight up to me, though my manager was walking with me.  He began anxiously pouring out Brazilian Portuguese.  I brokenly grasped that he asked if I understood Portuguese - but I had to tell him that I did not. He had a smile and look of happy expectancy on his face.  He kept looking at me intently and talking a million miles a minute.  I had to remind him that I did not understand. He held up his crucifix and then I could tell things shifted as he began to pray, though he still looked at me intently.  My manager was looking at me sort of strangely, I nodded at the young man and smiled at him very big. He was not put off at all that I could not understand him - he fervently prayed. He ended his prayer in the sign of the cross over me.  I thanked him and blessed him and had to be on my way to catch our train.  What a wonderful welcome to Brazil that was!! And, what a great trip it turned out to be!

I had been praying about the "Jesus Appointments" that I knew God would send - He always gives me assignments when I travel (well, really I have them everywhere, but traveling is especially full of them).  And, He always unfolds things in a different way every time. As it turns out, our interpreter was a week long "Jesus Appointment" on this trip.This was our first year exhibiting at the trade show in Brazil.  We hired an interpreter to help, as most Brazilians do not speak English.  The woman who set up our interpreter made a last minute change from one girl to another as the girl she initially set up found a full time job that started immediately. The woman who took her place was a stunningly beautiful person.  She spoke several languages (English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic and some Hebrew) and was actually also an actress (she was one of the Dove commercial girls) who did interpreting on the side to help support herself between acting jobs and to continue to practice the languages she knew.  Each day we went out to visit several of the many booths that filled the convention hall.  We then came back and spent a period of time at the booth answering questions from many of the visitors who came, while my manager went out for meetings.  During the times when traffic was slow - we would talk about many things.  During one of the lulls one day, she told me the story of when she was a little girl. She noted that she was about 5 or 6 years old and enjoyed playing with her little girlfriend and a neighborhood boy about the same age, who was so cute.  One day, she, her little girlfriend and this boy were walking together.  He knew that both of the girls liked him and this day the girls decided to find out which one of them he liked best.  So, they asked him.  Being a little boy, he told them that he would tell them right after he went and got himself an ice cream.  As he turned to run across the street for the ice cream, he was struck by a bus and killed instantly right in front of the girls. The girls were in shock, devastated - the situation was made more frightful as this girl's mother did not know if she was the one run over as the clothes she had on were a similar color to the boy's clothing and she saw her mother frantic and screaming in the crowd of people right after the accident.  This was just one very painful thing in this woman's life.  She had many other things that happened to her that would leave many people in a huddled mess for life.  But not her, she was out moving through life with determination, though there was still much anxiety in her.

God gave me a special few days time with her and it was very wonderful.  He showed her some things she did not see and mostly, Himself in a way she did not know Him. He's always the best that way.  I could tell people till the cows come home how much God loves them and how deeply committed He is to them, but, when Jesus says it - it's just different.  There is something so amazing in how He brings the truth.  He does it on His own - I only pray, He does the talking. The people have to tell me what He's done, because while I may suspect, what he actually says and does - it's just miraculous.  I love watching how He works.  He is the most loving, wonderful, kind, gentle, deeply committed and caring.  When people have received what He wants them to know - I can always tell, because their faces go from pain to immediate peace and joy - they just start to glow!

I'm headed to Brazil again this year.  I'm looking ahead and praying about the "Jesus Appointments" for this trip. God is so good.  He just loves to free people.  I love traveling with Him and seeing Him in action. I wouldn't trade the time with Him for anything.

The Enormity of Oneness - ARE YOU READY?

Ok – I’m overwhelmed.  Right now, God is unfolding something so astonishing that humans will pinch themselves to determine they are not dreaming when they see the enormity of it.  Seriously, I am ever reminded why I am thankful to live in this time!

God – His focus has been, is and always will be our oneness with Him. I’ve said it before and will again – God, wanting us to be one with Him – that single thought is the greatest thought I will ever have (TREASURE UNENDING!).  Everything, simply everything in our life has to do with this one thing.

God, in His outrageous goodness – always intended us for oneness with Him.  We are designed for Him and intimate union with Him.  He made every single provision for us so that we could live in accord with that if we chose it.  Before the foundations of the world – Christ was slain.  God knew that free will would bring about sin and death and dealt with it long before it was ever a reality.  He dealt with it as a side issue – not the main issue.  The main issue is always oneness with Him!  He crafted us to uniquely display Him in a way no other person ever could. Every single person ever born - past present or future – has been reconciled, crucified on the cross with Christ and buried in death with Him.  The question for each person - each life is, will they say yes to LIFE in Christ?  Will they choose to live in oneness with God?  It’s a choice – a free choice.  God invites us and wants each one completely for themselves.  He longs for each of His perfectly unique masterpieces to say yes – however, He will never force anyone against their will.

When we are baptized – what we are doing is publicly acknowledging that God made every provision for our personal and corporate oneness with Him and that we accept His great life as our own – we accept and say yes to oneness with Him (strikes me like accepting a wedding proposal).  We acknowledge that our old self  – the unworthy, bad, sinful us that could never change – died with Jesus as he shed His blood and died on the cross and was buried with Him (that's how going under the water represents our death with Christ).  And we excitedly embrace and acknowledge our resurrected status - ever rising up in the NEW ABUNDANT LIFE IN HIM and OUR NEW NATURE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!!  And we commit to an ever more astonishing life, renewing our mind in the fullness of God (which makes us able to live more and more righteously); we unpack and unfold the treasure of what living His life and love on this earth looks like in Kingdom fullness!

In many parts of the Body I continue to hear things like – “We’re not worthy” aimed at the body of Christ.  Those words were only ever true of and applied to the old sin nature.  For New Creations in Christ, old things have passed away – we are co-heirs in Christ – we have been made worthy!  This "unworthy" language does not apply to us.  New Creations are focused on thinking, speaking and living in alignment with God.  We see ourselves only with His eyes, which only see us completely qualified in Jesus.   I am starting to hear and will hear more and more teaching on this – God is very intentional about it this year.  Those who are one in God are beloved children of God and we are the righteousness of Christ.  We cannot live or speak double mindedly on this.  Many struggle with appearances – they wish to appear humble and want to avoid any hint of what might be considered arrogance or pride in speaking on these matters.  The truth is – Christ’s life is wonderful and amazing and glorious.  Those in Him are going to be all those things, authentically – with Christ in them they can’t help it!  It is one amazing way all men will be drawn to Christ lifted up!!  Christ in you, the hope of glory!! He is lifted up when we live His life!  And, you can see it – you know people who are in God – we see their union – their oneness with God upon them.  This is what God desires - that we abundantly live His life in the way He's uniquely designed each of us to shine it.  While we can be amazed at it, we don't have to get all funny about it or mince words or worry because we know that GOD INTENDED ONENESS – it wasn’t our plan, it was HIS!  And we didn't somehow make it happen - we accepted all that was done and became NEW!  It’s not arrogant to be God’s glory.  It’s really natural because HE intended it and He made us for it!!!  

True humility comes from knowing God and His amazing greatness.  Nothing will humble a person faster than to truly know God’s pureness, holiness, justice, goodness, greatness and love. There is no better life than knowing God and acknowledging and holding Him up in amazed wonder, exaltation and grateful adoration! It’s not about voicing self-loathing to somehow prove the absence of pride. Arrogance and pride are CAUSED only by fear.  Shaming ourselves or other people is never God’s way to get rid of pride. Shame never ever works.  It just teaches people that they must put on more masks to hide and do more intricate dances in order to look righteous enough – it never makes them righteous inside.  God eradicates fear with perfect love.  Only perfect love casts out fear.  Only saying yes to perfect love makes us righteous. Pretty amazing concept – but God’s the author and demonstrator of that.  We get to grow marvelously in THAT!

Whew!!! GOD YOU GO!! You amaze me, God, and I am so thankful.  I am so overtaken. You fascinate me and I want to know you, love you and serve you more and more.  I will never tire of seeing you be your wonderful self and how the fullness of you spills into everything and everyone around you!  Thank you, for who you are!!

He Likes Me?

 From Miriam Webster:

¹like

 verb \ˈlīk\

: to enjoy (something) : to get pleasure from (something)

: to regard (something) in a favorable way

: to feel affection for (someone) : to enjoy being with (someone)

liked lik·ing

Full Definition of LIKE

transitive verb

1

chiefly dialect :  to be suitable or agreeable to <I like onions but they don't like me>

2

a :  to feel attraction toward or take pleasure in :  enjoy<likes baseball>

b :  to feel toward :  regard <how would you like a change>

3

:  to wish to have :  want <would like a drink>

4

:  to do well in <this plant likes dry soil> <my car does notlike cold weather>

intransitive verb

1

dialect :  approve

2

:  to feel inclined :  choose, prefer <leave any time you like>

It was interesting.  I had a conversation recently that caused me to look up the word “like”.  I really didn’t find anything unexpected or earth-shattering in the definitions above.  But, the reaction I had to the word during that conversation has caused me to sit and ponder it a bit.  Looking back on it, I’ve had really similar reactions to the word in several conversations (all different people but the same topic) over the last several years.  I was sharing with a friend how much God really “likes” them. The response was off the charts!  You would have thought I went and grew a third eye on my face right in front of this person by their look.  It was sort of comic, really.  It started out as flat out disbelief, incredulity, then a sort of “could it be possible?” morphing into a sort of “nah, you’re just pulling my leg”.  But all through, they kept looking at me as though I was somewhat crazy, as though the idea that God could actually like them was beyond belief! 

It’s even more interesting – believe it or not – that the same people who have acted rather shocked that God could really like them are ready enough to believe that He loves them. Maybe it’s the “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) verse that has them convinced that he generally loves, because, well…He loves the whole world! But, they think, "Not really ME just as and for myself".  Or maybe it’s the idea that He loves everyone – He’s God – He has to, it’s in His nature and character!  But it’s only that sort of, "I love you because I have to (I’m loyal)" and mostly that translates to “I put up with you” in their hearts.  After all, you may “love” your Uncle Mort.  He’s family and you love your family.  Doesn’t mean you want to spend countless hours with him or take him on vacation with you every year. But, you would help him, can put up with his corny jokes or crabby rants during the holidays or visiting.  You have a loyalty to him.  But liking – that’s a whole different category.  Liking someone involves actually preferring their company and looking forward to being with them for themselves! 

Some people may not believe it - But God actually does like people.  I found this out very personally over the last few years myself.  Though I’ve always had a sense that God loves me – I didn’t really believe He personally preferred me.  Oh, I knew that He committed everything in and through Jesus so that I could spend eternal life with Him (hey, I know John 3:16).  But in my heart, on an ordinary day of the week – what exactly did God loving me look like?  Yes, He brought the sun up, gave me my every breath, food, people, etc… Believe me – I’m grateful and very thankful for each and every thing. But still, aren’t those things He is, being God (The Creator)?  I didn’t have a very deep understanding of how seriously God takes relationship – His and mine.  He is completely in – fully committed – and deeply engaged.  I started to see, through some very difficult encounters where I had to rely heavily on God, because I had no ability to defend or protect myself.   He showed up BIG – I will tell you.  I had such a season of discovery about who God is for me, personally, and truly – I’m still in it!!  And, I will tell you it changed and still is changing how I see people and things and myself and certainly, chiefly - GOD!!  I no longer just talk in generalities about God’s affection, attention and interaction with and for people.  I know that He specifically cares and longs for people to spend time with Him.  Please don’t mistake me – God does not “need” me or other people.  However, He wants me and He wants other people too.  Experiencing that – it was huge for me!  He doesn’t just put up with me – He relishes time with me and enjoys me.  And, GUESS WHAT?  I CAN ENJOY HIM TOO!!  Shocking!! Who knew?  He looks forward to our time together and He’s always attentive to me – even when I’m wandering about completely oblivious (I am quite a Magoo at times).  I want to learn to enjoy Him more and He's teaching me, cause that's what I'm made for!

Does this touch your heart?  I think it touches about everyone’s heart I’ve discussed it with. Significance – everyone is searching for theirs.  When you discover it’s in God – there is no bigger surprise or joy!  After all, THE CREATOR of all things WANTS to spend time with YOU and actually LIKES YOU? Ha ha! WOWEE!  I’M ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!  I’m not important enough to get 2 seconds with Bill Gates, but GOD, the one who knows me better than I know me (the maker of Bill), I can have all day every day with Him in the joy of His company.  Whew – my brain gets twisted THINKING ABOUT THAT!!

It’s Valentines Day again this week.  I’d just like to put it out there for those who don’t really get this – think about it, God liking you.  Ask Him and spend some time listening!!  I guarantee, you will marvel at the answer.

Mirror Mirror

It’s always wonderful to focus on God (You are so full of surprises and wonder, Lord).   He Himself is beyond marvelous to gaze upon and enjoy! In sitting with Him and His word there is always something in me that gets adjusted.  I am so thankful to have more freedom from some things that have held me in deep bondage.  And, I would not even have known they were there but for God’s goodness to me.

I have never wanted to become embroiled in the “man vs. woman” battle.  It’s just wrong for so many reasons and degrading and dishonoring to both men and women.  It is the enemy’s best weapon upon the body of Christ and I’m not up for giving any ground to him!  I’ve wanted to distance myself from even talking about it, but not God! Nope!  And, He’s very persistent when He wants something – ever notice that? Haha! Well, it may take time, but it’s always better when I go His way on things (it’s best when it’s sooner and rather than later!).

There have been times I have been so saddened and so disappointed.  When both men and women dishonor, insult and out and out tear each other up – it hurts my heart.  The lengths fear goes to are immeasurable.  I’ve said it before and will repeat – I am not a feminist.  I don’t believe in holding one’s sex as superior and the other’s subordinate.  I believe men and women are Co-heirs, equals –we are both made in the image of God and bring equally unique and required design features to working together in God's Kingdom. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." And God made us to work together – “It is not good that man should be alone”.  We were created to live out dominion over the earth in unity and mutual relationship and submission to God and each other.  Men’s roles do not exclusively assign them authority over women.  Women’s roles do not exclusively assign them this either.  Each has particular design that when rightly lived out together with mutual respect and love, magnify God. Ultimately – that’s the point – glorifying GOD!  Where God is displayed rightly – I see both men and women in all levels of leadership and in marriage in mutual submission to God and each other and living out the fullness of their complete calling in Christ! There is more fullness of this unfolding in the earth!  

There may be many who disagree with me.  I’ve gone into all the scriptural study and information about this in other posts regarding some sources of my understanding (See: What if…?, What’s Shame Got to do with it?, Ah-Ha! Women and Men in Kingdom Relationship, The Genders (another clue) and The Genders).  Good thing, you don’t have to agree with me for me to love you.  And, really, that completely frees me.  Its part of what I had broken off of me! GOO-OOD!  I am free to love people who despise, distrust, hate, fear and loathe me and all I stand for (and that’s not just those who believe it's their job to dictate what's right for the opposite sex but also staunch anti-theists, racists, and boatloads of others)  YAY!  Their treatment of me does not in any way bind or obligate me to treat them as anything but people who God deeply loves and therefore who I really love. They can’t force me to see them in any other way.  It wasn’t always so, but it is more and more NOW – thank you, God!

You see the mirror – it reflects exactly what it’s aimed at.  I have been unjustly the object of contempt over long periods of time.  When first exposed to this I was deeply hurt and lived in a toxic pressure-cooker mix every day for several years.  I took it very personally and did a lot of crying out to God. I wrote a little previously about how I asked if He wanted me to leave the situation and He firmly told me NO! There are only two options when undergoing such things – you’re either gonna get bitter or better.  As I kept going to God – He kept putting me back on track and training my eyes on His truths instead and in the midst.  And guess what?  He showed me some of the ugliest most horrifying and disappointing things about me inside me! YIKES! Yep, it’s true.  Rude things. Truly humiliating. I had no awareness about them.  He showed me, pride, hatred, rage and fear, rescuing for acceptance, masks of perfection - uck! Then, he gave me a safe place and people to be real with about those things – while completely being accepted. He brought me through - as I kept coming to Him - into a willingness to lay down things. In the process, He taught me how to see those who had contempt for me with different eyes.  He showed me that other people are put in my life to show me those things in me that have to go.  AND He proved He is my defender!!  I could not lift a finger to save myself or defend in any way. HE HIMSELF showed He is for me and provided for my every need. He’s my Daddy, the wonderful Papa who protects and provides for His little girl! I catch Him on days still doing that and I always look at people trying to mess with me and think – “You don’t know my Daddy, do you?!” :D  And He actually went further and changed the whole atmosphere and situation to greatly bless me in completely extravagant ways (financially, honor, respect and acceptance)!  I actually went from pain filled crying to joy filled crying in overwhelmed thankfulness.  I was not expecting that, but more astonishing I was not expecting my vision and understanding of who God is personally for me to expand so dramatically.  I am ever falling down grateful to Him for making me to know Him better.  It’s the cry of my heart to know Him more. His faithfulness, commitment and love are far more personal than I could have ever imagined, for me.  Knowing that affects completely how I trust Him, walk with Him and obey Him.  God’s growing me and this is a life long process.  Like the mirror – I reflect what I’m aimed at.  And, like a mirror – I reflect much more truly when I’m clean (God is ever cleansing me from distortion, dirt and gunk!).  When I aim at hate and resentment that's aimed at me – I reflect it.  But God’s taught me, whatever is coming at me I can aim myself at Him and I will reflect Him.  In this process anything in me that prevents His complete reflection from shinning out is exposed – and believe me, though it’s painful it is the best thing that can happen!  Here in this place when I humble myself and stay real I become my true self as he cleanses me from those things that are not the real me.  And, miraculously, when I reflect Him to situations and individuals – HE changes things!  Sheesh – ONLY HE CAN DO THIS!

I have not always been quick to embrace going God’s way in this.  Initially, I did not do it at all and tried to protect me.  But, over time – God re-enforced in me laying down fleshly responses (even when they are trying to smack me in the face) and living from my real joyful love centered self in Him. And wow – me living that way completely changes the world around me.  Who knew? And hey, God's not satisfied that we just be good at this - He's bound determined to make us great at this actually - perfect in Him! So, I get a whole new set of things to practice practice practice the truth of this out in!  YIPPEE!  What an "over the top" life knowing my Daddy's always committed to helping me grow to reflect Him better.

So, mirror mirror  – who are you reflecting?

Paradoxical Jesus!

Feeding trough, manger.

Jesus – His conception and arrival, while poor, dirty and controversial, was also miraculous, amazing and glorious.  I finally carved out some hours to really sit down and celebrate with Him and give Him my gift.  And, well, the more the merrier - so I invite you to share in a little of what I shared with Jesus too!

Jesus, I really appreciate your contrasts. You are paradoxical! The way you are all at once simple and complex.  You’re approachable – yet, completely other! Human and God. You’re dirt crusted and glory ridden.  Humility couched in perfection.  Blood covered healing.  Death pouring life!  You are letter and fulfillment of the law.  You’re comforting and unnerving.  You are the best friend I will ever know and the “fall down” awe striking ALMIGHTY GOD! You are naturally supernatural, unremarkably remarkable. You’re infinite and impervious in innocuously vulnerable wrapping paper.  You are completely trustworthy and anything but safe.  You make failure fail proof. You are goodness that throws me down on my face in grateful thankfulness.  I have not scratched the surface of you and it is my greatest joy and pleasure to spend eternity treasure finding the riches of who you are! I love you.

There is so much God is revealing in this time, it is the most wonderful time in all of history to live.  Life in Jesus, He himself is the most beautiful and wonderful – enjoying Him is an astonishing way of life.  It’s the opportunity to see Him everywhere in this world and love with His love and touch with His life.  Oh, I certainly have not arrived, but am ever more excited to practice and grow!  I will never stop! He lived that out so very well in his own walk here and lives it now marvelously in and through us in Him!

Oh, my dear loved ones – I invite you, whether it's the first time or again!  It’s Christmas – know Him! He makes it so easy to love Him. His peace and provision make all of life an adventure to be embraced.  Fear can run, but it can’t hide in His overcoming power and love!  There is much anxiety, trouble, fear, privation, hurt, sickness, evil, horrific circumstance and injustice – all of these things are real in our world, but they are not more real than Jesus.  He is the overcoming goodness reality beyond and in the midst of all these things.  He is life, rest, peace, joy, healing, justice, love, acceptance, comfort, provision and so much more. Welcome Him!  Jesus is born! Let Him be born in you and receive the greatest gift ever given, for you and all the world around you!

Love to you and warmest wishes from Family Long for a Christmas and New Year’s full of God’s presence!

The "Sow it to Grow it" Challenge!

Isn’t it funny? We know that when we plant onions we aren’t expecting strawberries to pop out.  And when we plant an apple tree, we aren’t looking for string beans to form on it.  The truth is, what you sow is what you expect to grow!  No real surprise there.  And I am going to point out that what is true in nature is true spiritually.  Yep, it really is!!  So, going off of that – why, why, why, do we wonder at the crops we’re growing?  Why do we sow disappointment, fear, anxiety, tiredness, sarcasm, hate, anger, impatience, pride, mistrust, contempt, shame and wonder that our crop contains not one piece of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc..?

OK, please let me confess.  I have tried to reap a good crop by planting bad seed - idiotic, I know. I have responded to the world with what the world dishes out.  I tried to protect, combat, defend and live in a way with the world’s ways by doing the same (only from a self-righteous churchyosity point of view).  Hideous seed!  Not only did it not change one thing in the world, I actually reaped a bumper crop of UGGG-LEE unto myself!  So, yeah, I know about this first hand.  Lil farmer December did not do well at that.

But, a few years ago I had an absolutely amazing opportunity to do the complete opposite.  So guess what – against all my doubts and despite all my fears – I did it.  I stepped out and listened to God’s leading and sowed compassion, outrageous faith, love, joy, patience and “winsome words” in the face of hatred, contempt, sabotage, fear and rejection.  AND…I am STILL REAPING AN AMAZING HARVEST!  And boy is the fruit sweet! I literally have to pinch myself to make sure I’m awake at times.  I’ve never seen the likes of it!  And the world has shifted. I literally went into this with no real expectation of seeing some things change.  I thought, “Okay, God is big and He can do what He wants to here”. But I didn’t think it would be personal things for ME.  Really, I never expected it.  I found that not only did hate turn to kindness, but contempt and rejection turned to acceptance and honor.  And it was not only personal (both in me and around me) but a change for many others and just the whole atmosphere of things in general too! How does that happen?  The seeds, my friends.  Seeds can only produce after their kind.  And, when you do it under God’s direction and guidance – He provides the sunshine, water and all other things needed.  And isn’t that good news?!  Cause, hey, you plant knowing what you’ll get and in line with what God wants to do!! 

So, here it is, I AM CHALLENGING YOU!!   Take the, "Sow It To Grow It" Challenge!!!  Pick the most difficult, discouraging, painful and negative situation, person, place in your life right now – and daily sow love, peace, joy, encouragement, patience, faith, trust, goodness, honor, gentleness into it with intention.  I did this for an extended period of time, but even if you try it for 30 days, it will reap rewards.  But to see a really amazing harvest – go for longer – set a longer goal and the harvest will be much larger.  Hey, map it out if it helps you be mindful – take a calendar and put a daily action you’ll take or note one daily after you’ve done it to keep track – check off a daily action. Find ways (direct or indirect) to sow with gracious generosity into these places, people and/or situations.  Be creative – you don’t have to do something direct with a contentious person to sow into them.  I did many things anonymously and it produced some miraculous things!  And, little seeds can grow some of the biggest plants – so don’t think it takes million dollar gestures to reap big rewards.  In fact, some of the smallest, but sincere efforts are rewarded with the biggest yields!! I loved blessing people and praying for their abundant favor, gladness, joy, health and provision.  And, writing encouraging things anonymously.  Providing little things needed like honor and humility in holding someone else up.   And, I sat with the Lord looking at the person, situation, and place and asking for His eyes for it.  I did things from His point of view and with His vision for it.  In most cases, initially, there was no evidence of anything but barren ground.  And there was where I planted good things with trust that they would grow, leaving it to God as to when and how.  I can’t tell you how lush the growth and harvest has been, but I’m hooked now!  And, I encourage you to take note of what grows, as far as you can tell - but don't hold your expectations of how or what it will be. Sometimes if you are in a situation where you can't see directly, it may be more difficult, but some of those things are the most rewarding when you find out later how things changed. And, some things we won't know til we meet in eternity, but they're still worth sowing and growing! Farmer December is even now sowing into some really hideous ground with cheerful expectancy!!  Oooh – yep, sprouts coming up all over!! Whoot!! Whoot!

So, now, it’s YOUR TURN!  I challenge you!!  Take this challenge and you will be astonished – guaranteed!!  I’d love to hear how you do, so, if you take this challenge, write a response here to let me know how you did it and how it went!   Great or small – share your harvest and it will multiply the harvest to others!!!  The more outlandishly unlikely the person, situation and/or place, the more astonishing your results will be!!! :D Come on – nothing to lose but lots to gain!!!  GO FOR IT!!