Throwing a Red Flag

Posted on January 29, 2016 by rstaples2013

The line between excitement and anxiety is thin when watching a -football game.

All of that changes if we are watching a recording of this same game now knowing the final score.

Let’s consider this scene:

Our team is behind by one score. We are in the final two minutes. Our quarterback throws a long pass that gets us into the red zone. To our dismay, the officials on the field rule it an incomplete pass. We groan.

But then, our head coach throws a red flag on to the ground. Hope springs.

After an agonizing wait the referee walks back on to the field and speaks the words we long to hear, “After review, the ruling on the field has been changed. The pass is complete. The challenging team will not be charged a time out.’ Then, with a wave of his hand, he announces “First and goal.”

Is it too much of a stretch to draw an analogy to some of the plays that make up daily life.

Let’s take a dream that you have had for a long time. You have put spiritual, emotional and physical energy into accomplishing this goal. Then, when the end is in sight, the dream looks like it is shattering. The enemy quickly steps up and signals, “You have dropped the ball”.

Hope fades.

But then, a red flag appears on the field. It is thrown by the Holy Spirit It is soaked in the blood of Jesus. He reminds the enemy that He has no power to define the destiny of the believer. The enemy has been disarmed at the cross. The defeat that is being predicted is not true.

The blood of Jesus is all the enemy has to hear to recognize that the initial call will be reversed.

Today may look like we are losing the battle. But let’s keep our eyes pealed for the red flag. Let’s not forget that we have the option of watching the replay now. We know the final score.

Yes, wee already know that victory is ours. Jesus paid the price. The Holy Spirit throws the flag. The enemy flees.

It’s time to celebrate. We know the end of the story.

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Comfort Through the Eyes of a Child

Posted on January 26, 2016 by rstaples2013

Jesus is clear in His teaching that we are to come to Him as a child.

It is helpful to nurture relationships with children so that we can gain insight into what it is about a child that Jesus desires from us. What can children teach us as we watch them with an intent to learn from them?

I was given the gift of a visit from a young boy this weekend. In one sense, he simply accompanied his mother and grandmother but in a deeper sense God used Him to remind me of what He is looking for in my heart.

Let me begin my saying I believe I have earned this young mans trust. When we first met, He clung to his grandmother and spoke politely but guardedly. Now that we have been together several times he is relaxed in my home.

I was captivated by his eye contact. He watched me with anticipation. He looked eager to know what I might want to say to him or what ideas I might have for us to do together. I was honored to see that he felt safe. As the family left, I knew that this child trusted me.

So, Father, let me greet you this morning by giving you the joy I received from my young friend.

I want to tell you that I am watching You today. Your eyes range to and fro to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to you. (2 Chronicles 16:9)I want that to be me.

I am eager to hear what you have to say to me today. The Sovereign Lord wakens me morning by morning. Wakens my ear to listen as one being taught.(Isaiah 50:4) My ears are tuned for Your voice.

I am looking forward to what plans you have for us to do together. You know the plans you have for me. Plans for good and not for evil to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I feel safe with you. I know you will never leave me nor forsake me.

I trust You, Father. I want joy and glory to come to You through me today.

Thank you for reminding me of these things through a child.

I pray these things with the help of the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

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Read Your Own Stuff

Posted on January 10, 2016 by rstaples2013

This afternoon my heart was troubled by a phone call from a friend who said she was in a “Spiritual Crisis”. The tone of her voice and the words she used evidenced deep distress. I didn’t find much success in trying to help her reframe her story into something with some hope.

After the phone call I wanted to comfort myself with the scripture that says the enemy has been defeated at the cross. I wanted to declare this truth and find the reference for it.

I couldn’t remember where in the Bible it was found so I typed in “disempowered enemy” . An article came up that addressed this theme. As I opened it I was amazed to find it had been written by me!!!

I didn’t know it was on the web. I also didn’t know today the truth that I knew when I wrote this a year and a half ago.

I’ll share it with you now, but want to encourage you to read your own stuff. Most of you keep journals. Many of you write blogs. There is much wisdom in what you, yourself, have written.

This is from an interview for which I was given both the topic and these assigned questions.

You Have an Enemy: The power of Prayer

“If you are a Christian, you are a target and if you are in ministry, you are a bulls eye” – Neil Anderson

 How do you serve, lead and minister with the reality and presence of the enemy all around you?

On a visit to China, I met some widows who lived in the church and prayed. My interpreter explained to me that this was important because the enemy could come in at anytime. As I processed this, I realized that the only difference here in the States is that the enemy does not wear a uniform.

I remind myself that the enemy is present but disempowered. At the cross, Jesus stripped the enemy of power, allowing him to live (for now) but giving the power that the enemy had coveted to those who are sons and daughters of the King. When we recognize who we are in Christ we can address the enemy from victory rather than pleading for victory.

Prayer is a natural conversation with our Father who loves to hear my voice, is interested in what I have to say and loves to confide in me.

What has been the most challenging thing about prayer for you?

Unlearning that prayer is a discipline that I need to cultivate and learning that it is a natural conversation with our Father who loves to hear my voice, is interested in what I have to say and loves to confide in me.

What difference has it made?

I no longer scold myself for not praying enough but instead look forward to building intimacy with God through spending time with Him.

How have you allowed God to speak to your heart?

I love to listen to worship music that welcomes the Holy Spirit and helps me focus on the Presence of God. When a time of encountering His Presence happens early in the morning it is easy to return to it throughout the day.

God speaks to me through His world. I meet the Artist as I ponder the artwork of creation.

I give myself permission to let scripture speak to my heart, even when it is not in context. (When I teach, I am careful to get the context right). When I am “hanging out with God” I discover Him speaking directly into my story from random scriptures.

What replenishes you?

  • Watching God be God
  • Friends who love me enough to pray for me, correct me and encourage me.
  • Knowing my cat is waiting for me at the door.
  • Watching my Koi swim peacefully, never worrying about being wet.

My faith in a verse: “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue that I may know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen as one being taught.” — Isaiah 50:4

 

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I’m so Glad it’s You

Posted on January 2, 2016 by rstaples2013

Years ago I had a good friend who was dying of leukemia. She lived nearby so I would often walk to her house, ring the doorbell, but let myself in.

Her response, in the later months, would often be, “I am so glad it is you. I am too sick for people”.

I’m pondering today what it is that makes someone welcome even when no one else would be. I am thinking about what my response is to an unexpected visit. What conditions need to be met for me to open my door  with delight rather than dread?

I have started this list. I am so glad when it is…

  • Someone who has already seen the mess my house is in.
  • Someone who just settles in as though they belong.
  •  Someone who seems happy to be here.
  • Someone who draws out what is on my heart and also tells me                                                                     what is on theirs.
  • Someone who listens to me and expects me to listen to them.
  • Someone who never condemns but always calls me higher.
  • Someone who eats what I can throw together and considers it a meal.
  •  Someone who laughs with me at my stumbling.
  •  Someone who prays with me for my heart cries.
  • Someone who trusts me.

This morning I read in John 14:23 that Jesus and His Father will come and make their home with anyone who loves Him and obeys Him.

I wonder how comfortable I am inviting Jesus and His/My Father into my home/heart today.

Can I recline with Him and be the one that people ask. “What is on Jesus mind?” as Peter did with John?

Do I have anything in my heart that I would quickly throw in a closet when I recognize that Jesus is ringing the doorbell?

I want in 2016 for Jesus to be comfortable in my heart and for me to recognize his Presence and be at home with Him.

I know that He never leaves but sometimes I am more aware of Him than other times. When I see Him at the door I want to be able to say, “I am so glad it is You!”

 

 

 

 

 

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Footprints in Chaos

Posted on December 22, 2015 by rstaples2013

Many of us love to pray or sing “Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus.” What we aren’t as quick to acknowledge is our expectation that the Jesus we see be accompanied by comfort, order and tranquility.

Those of us who have attended a tracking seminar at a nature center know that finding footprints in reality is not as clear cut as the poster that shows us the one set of footprints on a clean beach with the explanation of that is when He carried us.

Is there a need this Christmas season to begin by declaring that “Yes, God is with us”. His footprints are discernible in even the most chaotic stories.

Then, like the tour guide at the nature center, or the detective at the crime scene, we do not doubt that footprints are present. Instead, we put more energy into discovering them.

This posture calls us to a default position of denying several lies that our enemy has purposed for us to embrace. These lies include, God is not with us, Good is not good, God cannot be trusted, God does not care, and this mission is an exercise in futility.

With those distractions out of the visual field, we have more light to focus on the promises of God that cannot fail.

He is intimately involved in our story. He hears every prayer before we form it into words. He loves for us to discover evidences of His faithfulness before the faith becomes fact.

A mother told me this week that she has been grasped by an unexplainable hope for her prodigal son even though the circumstances have not changed. I see a footprint.

I watched last night as a friend prayed fervently for relief from pain and in the process was captivated by the story of Paul’s thorn in the flesh; learning that the affliction was a messenger from the enemy but the message was from God. I see a footprint.

Another friend, who is facing a financial challenge, said with riveting boldness, “God has this covered”. I see a footprint.

I wouldn’t expect to find God’s footprints in the chaos of a family prodigal, a bed of unrelenting pain or the threat of financial collapse.

But, then, I wouldn’t have expected the Messiah to come in the mess of a manger either.

Lord, Thank you for your grace that enables us to discover footprints in the chaos. Each of these footprints is at risk of washing away by the ravages of illness, depression and injustice.

But I choose to identify the footprints and shout out the promise of Christmas: “Emmanuel, God is with us!”

 

 

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Fox Hole Evangelism

Posted on December 19, 2015 by rstaples2013

My Koi pond needs an aerator to keep the fish alive during the winter season.

I have been unsuccessful in scheduling my usual professional pond service this fall.

So, rather than pondering my seven Koi friends gasping for air, I asked a friend who has never done this to help me. He came with another friend who had never done it either.

Together we devised a plan where we buried the aerator pump with rocks in a basket and strung some rope through the basket with enough slack to allow each person to hold the rope, stand on opposing edges of the pond and gradually lower the basket. I held on to the electrical cord that would need to be plugged in.

The “team” felt confident that the basket was secure in the deepest spot of the pond.

I haven’t mentioned yet that it was freezing cold and we were all standing in ankle deep water.

With the electric plug in my hand I asked, “Who knows Jesus?”

Both of my helpers were a but taken aback by the question but said they did.

I then explained that the reason I asked is that whoever places the plug into the electrical outlet will probably die and I didn’t want to be responsible for sending anyone to hell.

I then plugged the cord in myself and we all celebrated as the bubbles rose to the water level of the pond.

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Maybe this Burden is not Mine

Posted on December 18, 2015 by rstaples2013

I have often prayed for a burden to be removed from mine, or a friends’ shoulder.

I was impacted this morning by the wording of Psalm 81:6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden…”

I would have expected it to read, “I removed the burden from his shoulder”.

Any reference to burdens and shoulders bring me memories of the seventy-mile pilgrimage I walked with my nephew in Spain. I smile as I remember him picking up my backpack, as we were ready to start the hike for the day, and holding it so that I could easily slip my shoulders into the straps.

A reverse move would be made at the end of the days hike. He would lift the pack off my back and let me slip my shoulders out.

The pack wasn’t that hard to carry once it was secured in place. Credit must be given to the outfitters who carefully measured me, fitted me with the right size and shape and made sure the weight I carried was distributed well and within my capacity to bear.

The hard part for me was maneuvering my shoulders to get the pack on and off. Thankfully, my nephew noticed this and stepped up.

I wonder what God means when He says, “I removed his shoulder from the burden?”

What happens to the burden if my shoulders are removed from it?

Maybe that isn’t my question to ask.

Maybe the burden I have been struggling with isn’t one that I am equipped to carry. Maybe I picked it up without checking the ID Tag and the destination.

 

 

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My Thanksgiving Feast

Posted on November 27, 2015 by rstaples2013

I woke up early on Thanksgiving morning to find that I had received a text in the middle of the night. The text was simple: “Woke up at 2:56.” Isaiah 25:6: “God is preparing a feast”

The sender is a friend who often encourages me with prophetic promises. I cherish her prayers and am learning from her to declare the reality of hidden victory over the seen chaos.

This Thanksgiving was a day I had chosen to spend with a friend who is bound in a prison of unrelenting suffering. I had no answers for her pain. I trusted that I was affecting the atmosphere of despair by a heart of worship and praise passionately, though silently, expressed.

I am becoming more aware that God uses practical ways of giving us symbolic evidences of His Presence. He moves within our stories to remind us that nothing is hidden from Him.

I found myself thinking of other Thanksgiving days when this very friend I was sitting with would joyfully cook the traditional dinner. I knew that today she is unable to cook or even eat. I felt sad that she couldn’t eat but I was hungry.

Then another text sent from another friend. “We are delivering your Thanksgiving dinner at 3:30 PM”

I watched as this friend came in through the cold rain with platters of turkey, dressing, gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and apple pie.

The delivery was made to look effortless. She didn’t stay very long and we didn’t say very much .I wasn’t able to talk about anything superficial. I was distracted in the depths of my soul.

Today, delivering this food, this friend looked like Jesus.

God has prepared a feast!

 

 

 

 

 

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A Christmas Gift Idea

Posted on November 1, 2015 by rstaples2013

What do you buy your parents or grandparents for Christmas?

1743613_756518774397319_6494778392282804164_nThis book is easy to buy at Amazon http://amzn.to/1bL65u2

See comments below for confidence that this is a great gift.

Faith Through Aging Eyes explores the many ways our ordinary encounters with life become windows into intimacy with our Creator, especially as we age. These short, powerful stories are a source of hope and encouragement to anyone on this journey themselves or walking the road with an aging parent or friend. In each experience shared, you will find powerful points to be contemplated and applied to the everyday issues of life. They prompt us to look for Jesus in our own stories.

Faith Through Aging Eyes is a must read for senior adults and those who love them.

“I couldn’t put it down. These thoughts on faith touched me deeply. So simply written, yet powerful in meaning.”

“A simplicity that leads to profound thoughts. Faith stories that are inviting for the unbeliever.”

“I loved it and am buying another copy for my mother.”

“Read this book together with a friend. You will be blessed.”

“These stories tug at my soul and bring a tear to my eye.”

“Each story begs me to read the next story. I’m loving it. It is special.

I loved this book. Each story is like a short meditation, or thought on an everyday event, but the author’s storytelling is very engaging. You can read as much or as little as you have time for. I think you will be encouraged, you will be challenged, and you will begin to see common occurrences in a new and holy way. Though the book is written for seniors, I think anyone on a faith journey with Jesus will love it. (I did, and I’m not a senior!)

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How does God Spell “Healing”?

Posted on October 30, 2015 by rstaples2013

Today I visited a man who has what doctors call a terminal case of cancer. A white Mercedes-Benz is parked at the entrance of the driveway. He told me he was selling it to pay for his funeral expenses.

A year ago his doctors told him that “at most” he would have 10 months.

This man is aware that he has already beaten this prognosis. He is quick to rehearse his blessings. He is thankful for being alive for his 50th wedding anniversary, being able to process memories where he knows he has had an impact in people’s lives for Jesus.

As we talked, I was deeply aware of being present several months ago when he was baptized in our church on a weekday. He specifically asked to be baptized, knowing his prognosis and wanting to give public witness to his faith. The witnesses were his family, grandchildren and personal friends. After the baptism I led a healing service. I invited all of his family and friends that believed that God would heal this man to come join me in that prayer. All of the children, their spouses and all of the grandchildren joined me. We anointed with oil and prayed in faith for God to do what only He could do.

These months have been encouraging up until the last few weeks. Now the doctors are saying the cancer is dominating and life expectancy is short.

As I drove for this visit, I was led to acknowledge the gravity of the situation but at the same time to stand firm that the healing we prayed for several months ago would not be harder for God today.

With this mans permission; I anointed him today and prayed again for healing. We both knew it would need to be miraculous. We both knew God could. We both agreed that we wanted that which would bring the most glory to God.

It was comfortable to talk to Him about the possibility that he would see Jesus soon. It was an act of obedience for me to pray the impossible for him and declare him healed.

This man only wants God’s will. He has surrendered his life into God’s hand. If his life on earth is finished he wants his death to draw people to Jesus.

I am standing in faith today that God’s will is for him to be healed. I prayed an irrational prayer of faith. When he is healed God will be glorified. If, he is released from his physical body God will be glorified.

There is a part of me that would like to be able to explain why some people I pray for are miraculously healed and others are called home to the arms of Jesus. I have been set free from the mandate to explain it.

I only thank Him for the privilege of praying with faith for Him to do what only He can do.

After standing firm for God’s power and love I will rest in the comfort that I have prayed in faith. I will give God the freedom to define healing from his perspective.

I am asking God to tell us in this story, “How do You spell healing?”

However He spells it, I will praise Him!

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