A Righteous Response

This article can also be found here: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2009/12/because-joseph-was-righteous-man.html

BECAUSE JOSEPH WAS A RIGHTEOU MAN.....

A new twist for marriages, Christian marriages that is, lies most delicately within the cleft of this truth. Imagine your marriage was plagued with the trappings of today: adultery, selfishness, denial, envy, strife…you get the idea. Now, in light of these problematic circumstances you realize you just cannot hold up under the pressure and decide to divorce.




Sad but true is this reality within our churches today. Our stats according to nearly every statistician reveal that the church is hanging in there not in perseverance instead with the world. Our rate of adultery, divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction, and downright pride and selfish ambition are unbelievable. Now, please know that I am not pointing fingers I have done my share of sinning and putting on my plastic face but I am truly astonished on how people who once loved one another are now lining the pews with all that is bad within them. Even in divorce the members of a church can be seen as vindictive and offensive as the lost. We seek justice in any form we can get and bring down the gavel at every moment possible. When looking into situation this way I see justification for our hurt not justice for the wrong doing.

I am not writing this to condemn anyone or reveal anything you do not already know but to shine the light on how this verse spoke to me….Because Joseph was a righteous man…he had in mind to divorce her quietly. This absolutely blew my mind! He knew the ramifications of her presumed “actions” and that it would end in her death by stoning. Most of us know by now know that they, Mary and Joseph, were betrothed (engaged) and it would require a divorce to sever the relationship. We know that even at this point it was allowable to divorce in the event of adultery or sexual immorality; furthermore, if what Joseph initially assumed was true then he could divorce her legally, publically. The problem is that there are few divorces that are quietly executed. I have not seen one in my lifetime; someone usually goes down in flames but both lose, all involved lose.



But because Joseph was a righteous man he set out to divorce her quietly. Because Joseph was righteous he acted with intent. Now I don’t know about you but most divorces are executed with the righteousness of the “other” person in mind. Most actions in a divorce are driven in response to what another person did or did not do; therefore, I can conclude that it is reasonable to respond due to the righteousness of the other party. But is this really what Jesus intends for us to do?

Another point to this is that Joseph was righteous under the law; we must respond in the righteousness bestowed unto us by Jesus Christ.



I found the answer to that question nestled in Matthew 1:19. This is the truth behind an acronym for a delicious dessert the Lord gave me in the summer of 2003, FUDGE. Forgiveness Under Divine Guidance Everyday. Wow!! The delicate truth that was found in the cleft of this rock is very telling of what our “nature” as a believer, a righteous child of God should be. Living holy because HE is holy is best exposed when we one is at their most vulnerable moment. We all have selfish moments, thoughts, and actions but when the rubber truly hits the proverbial road your character is unveiled. (sweet or bitter and sometimes with nuts!)

Jesus tells us to love our enemies because being kind to those who are kind to us is even done by pagans. What about being the most loving to those who hurt us or let us down? We place people on pedestals and are shocked when they fall or fail. Then our shock is what truthfully drives our response not the action of the person. I do not say that to relieve responsibility on the part of an offender but it is up to us how we respond to others. Joseph was in shock no doubt. He could have lashed out very easily. He could have run to her father and revealed her indiscretion but instead he measured HIS OWN righteousness and responded from that foundation.

If we have ever wondered what we could learn from Joseph or why he was specifically chosen to rear Jesus, then we now know. His faith and beliefs were lived out in his daily life, most importantly in his responses to others. His heart was exposed at one of the most vulnerable moments in history, yet he was discreet and humble even in his disappointment. Many men have been weighed, measured, and left wanting but Joseph shows us how picturesque the high road truly is.



I have a new respect for Joseph and a little more realization into the Sovereignty of our Holy Father.

ABIDING STILL
CHEL

Conference Update

For those you close to LaVernia (South San Antonio) We are having a conference April 16 and 17th...more details to come soon!
If you can attend, Great!
If you can pray, Super Great!
If you can do both, Wow!

Love, Chel

In Everything There is a Season

The Lord God has ordained every season whether it be in the physical or spiritual realm. He fashioned the growing season as well as the dry season. The rain is brought forth by him and turned to beautiful white snowflakes by his own hand. The seasons of the earth are much like the seasons of our lives. From birth to death and from second birth to eternal life, our lives will go through many times of good and plenty to times of hardship and struggle. Since, God has fashioned us in His likeness and by the same hand created the heavens and the earth, then we must realize His existence cannot be denied. Knowing that whether it is winter, summer, spring, or fall that the Lord God created them all.

By evaluating each season of the earth, you will discover the correlation to your life and your walk with the Lord. When we face our torrential rains and exponential growth, we know he is with us. When we experience great loss and find ourselves weary in a dry land, we know he is about to work it all for our good because we love Him. The seasons of this earth and steps we take each day are a reflection of our life in Christ. Let's say an earthquake occurs deep within the ocean, we will know to watch for a tsunami just as we should watch for an explosion when someone cuts us off on the highway after argument or an already bad morning. When we recognize the season of our soul by utilizing our knowledge of the earthly seasons, we will see God working on a whole new level. It is only by looking (and believing) for God in it all will we avoid the potential tsunami of emotion.

The Seasons

Winter
As stated by my sister, "Trusting the Lord when we seem to be trapped by difficult times and trials is easier said than done. When the world seems the most still, the busiest of times lies within our minds. We must keep a Godly perspective, even in the coldness of our circumstances." In other words, no matter how distant we feel, we should rest on the knowledge that God is always with us. We must look at things from His point of view and lean not on our own understanding as proclaimed in Proverbs 3:5 (New International Version). The coldness of the winter season can bring sadness upon those who love to bask in the sunlight. God is asking us to bask in the light of the Son. We will feel the warmth of His presence the very moment we acknowledge that He never left us out in the cold. Winter allows the ground to rest and prepare for a season of growth, so we should allow for rest during the winter of our souls.

Spring
After winter, the earth experiences a growing season. During such a season, a believer can lose focus of the One Who Blesses and look to the blessings instead. Spring implies ones toil in the soil to promote growth. Our motivation for labor should be rooted in Him rather than in our personal ambitions in service. This is the time of year the things of this earth will break ground and spring forth. You will see the beginnings of summer fruits and foliage. Spring is also a whirlwind. The rains come, the wind blows, and there are some cold snaps as well. In the springtime of our soul, we will find a renewed enthusiasm to serve the Lord. The air is fresh and likened to the time in the life a new believer or honeymoon. One should embrace the spring and use this time wisely as we may approach a time of intense heat in the near future. This heat may bring desolation and dry time for the soul of a believer. Keep in mind that intense heat under some circumstances removes impurities and can be purifying.

Summer
Just as winter may represent a season of sadness or coldness of the soul, and spring represents growth, summer represents a dry desolate land. This is a land time in which many will lose focus and seek the things of this earth. I looked within myself and spoke to a friend of mine and we determined the following statement, "Sometimes it feels as if we are in a dry and desolate place in our walk with the Lord. During those times when He seems distant, we must remember not to become preoccupied with the things of this world, but to choose to love Him regardless of the seemingly endless barren land." My friend has seen this dry land and knows that just as the earth needs a good rain to quench the parched land; our souls need His reign to feel revived and ready to endure the heat. Summer should be a time to go to the well of the living water for nourishment. We should not lose sight of the goal because the harvest is just around the corner.

Fall
Who hasn't experienced the tumultuous activity that accompanies the fall season? "We must learn to stay still in our spirit, constantly connected, and wholly dependent on the Lord". The earth is as busy in the fall as a football player or fan. This time of year causes much commotion. For the earth, the leaves are turning and crops are being harvested but for the believer the field is white for the harvest. This season represents our calling to go and make disciples and baptize them as commanded in Matthew 28:19.

Conclusion

The creator of this earth fashioned it to reveal himself. Furthermore, He may use it to mirror Himself and reveal the truth of His existence and purpose for our relationship. Each season has vivid imagery and reveals how just as the earth hangs on for the next season so we should as believers. If we apply what we see going on around us to what is stirring within us, we will see the very hand of God at work in our lives. When we know this we will feel the same wisdom and security of King Solomon from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 (New International Version), knowing that truly everything has its time and a season for every activity under heaven.

Flip This Heart

From the ground we look up to the sky and we are amazed by what man has been able to put in the air. Since my son’s (I will call him pieces and my daughter princess) birthday is the same day as the first day of official flight of the Wright brothers and my hubby works on airplanes for a living this is something to behold in our home. Things that fly either a short time off the ground (dirt bikes, golf balls) or the things so heavy carting thousands of people a day are truly amazing.
Recently, I was on a flight going to the other Chel’s house and I looked out from the window of the plane and saw how beautiful the city lights are from tens of thousands of feet in the air and I was amazed. Then suddenly, I realized how often we peer onto the things of man and we lose our breath for the beauty and majesty – the great wall – the pyramids – Christ the Redeemer, Corcovado, Brazil, etc. but these things were made my mere hands, hands created by another. Made by human hands that can be destructive and evil; but not the hands of God. This moment flipped my heart and changed my perspective.

A couple of days prior to that moment I had my heart flipped. I was eating lunch at Sonic and just sitting in my car and watching the car hops and the people. And I noticed this man with two small girls eating at one of the picnic tables. I noticed him because as each cute little teenager skated by he stared right through them as if to have x-ray vision. I was appalled I don’t mind saying. I know what you’re thinking and I hear your sighs along with mine. But then I felt it – my heart flipped and became worth that day to the Kingdom of God than what it was before I had arrived.
My Lord ignited a fire within me – an intercessory fire – unlike anything I have ever felt. I truly know what it means to say His grace is enough and it is enough for this man too. My heart was aching and full at the same time. Instead of seeing the pure flesh surrounding this man, I saw a dad with two little girls who was potentially doing irreparable harm. His heart issues go way down deep and this peering at young girls will hurt his heart and his family. I saw the sin and the reason Christ came. My disgust turned to deep compassion and my heart broke because like a pebble cause infinite ripples in a body of water so does his sin into the hearts of his family. The ripples he is causing will do damage and this man needed prayer not condemnation.

I must admit my judgment driven by the need to protect those young girls as I have one of my own. And I have seen firsthand how an older man looking at her makes her feel, she has even been driven to tears by the peering looks. They don’t have to dress to receive this attention anymore because the heart of this world is flipped so upside down and camouflaged in the darkness of sin.

I did pray earnestly for him and for those girls, his and the servers, and I imparted grace unto him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord loves us all and sometimes He allows us to fall so we can see spots on our hearts that we have over looked since they are so camouflaged with this world. I spent the rest of my lunch praying over him, his family, and those two sweet little girls he had with him. They truly had to fight to get his attention due to the “eye candy” around him. I prayed his appetite would change and that God would flip his heart and manage the ripples his struggles cause.

This fire ignited my heart even deeper for the lost and for those who have lost their way. God removed some dark spots from my heart that day and took care of this old house of HIS.

Reevaluate your own heart. He traded places with you! Revival begins in your own heart and commitment in your mind. Our hearts and minds must align with the will of the Father!

Rededicate it unto HIM. Find your style and see what gifts you have, intercessory prayer like what happened to me? What is your old house (you are His temple) dedicated to?

Allow HIM to redecorate! How is your curb appeal? Let HIM pull those weeds. What would your walls say if walls could talk? Do you need a fresh coating of the annointing of the Holy Spirit, or have your walls even been painted with the blood of Christ?

I left a stone at that Sonic that day. It will be a place to remember why the LORD met me there and how HE revealed Himself to me. This stone will keep spiritual amnesia at bay and remind to unceasingly pray. To pray for men like this whose piercing eyes pierced my soul and reminded me why my Jesus had HIS flesh pierced for all.

Was Blind But Now I See

Ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? That is quite possibly my favorite television program of all time. At the least, it ranks in the top 5.


I just finished watching tonight's episode. Oh.my.word. I was moved to tears once again.


The young man in the wheelchair, Patrick Henry Hughes, is now 19 years old, and has been blind since birth. He's been "confined" to his chair for most of his life because he's never been able to fully extend his arms and legs.


Here's an excerpt I found on a website dedicated to this special family:



"Patrick Henry is an amazing pianist. By the age of two, the toddler could play songs on the piano after hearing them only once. The gifted young man is not only a university student, but also plays a wide array of musical instruments, is an accomplished singer, and an exuberant trumpet player in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Band. The remarkable Patrick Henry has commented in previous interviews he feels he’s “been blessed” and is grateful for his abilities." (emphasis mine)



So here's my question: What's my problem? Why is it when I have "issues," most of which are temporary, why do I sometimes tend to let it get to me? I'm talking small things, ya'll. I mean when one of my kids cops an attitude about doing school work or my dh comes home with a grumpy heart, or bills aren't working out the way I want them to. And of course, it's never just one thing; it's when they all pile up all around me and seem to come at me from every direction.

My "issues" of daily life seriously pale in comparison to young Patrick Henry. How do I get so wrapped up in "stuff" that I forget to remember the important things?


One thing Patrick Henry said was, "I'm just an ordinary guy living my life. I don't see blindness as being a disability; I see it as an ability, and sight as a disability." He went on to say that people with sight tend to look at the outer person, whereas he could only see the inner person. In other words, his blindness made him able to see...what's important.


Isn't that just like our Jesus? In the New Testament, He was able and merciful enough to make a blind man see. In fact, He did that on more than one occasion. He did allow them to physically see with their eyes, but He didn't leave them at just that. Because Jesus knew what Patrick later came to know: it is more important to see people on the inside.


Look at John 9:1-3:

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'

'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"


Oh Praise Jesus! That means when these difficult (and sometimes not that difficult) things come along and get me all flustered, they happen so that the work of God might be displayed in me!


Oh, Lord, help me remember that perspective!


Then look at what happens later in the Chapter (vs. 25-38). The Pharisees are questioning the used-to-be blind man about what Jesus did (trying to find fault in the Messiah). But look at this man's response; it's something beautiful:


"He [the man] replied, 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!'

Then they asked him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?'

He answered, 'I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?'

Then they hurled insults at him and said, 'You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from.'

The man answered, 'Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.'

To this they replied, 'You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!' And they threw him out.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' (Jesus is getting very poignant here!)

'Who is he, sir?' the man asked. 'Tell me so that I may believe in him.'
Jesus said, 'You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.'
Then the man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and he worshiped him.


So this man was made to see the Lord for who He is, and he's made to see himself as a blind sinner in need of a Savior! Neither of which did he need "eyes" to see. Only the eyes of his heart.


Seeing people from the inside seems to be important to Jesus, especially when we're looking at ourselves.


I know I am a lost cause without Christ. I mean, it's pitiful! I can't even clean my house with a clean heart unless He's filling me with Him continually! Let alone home school three boys and wear all the other hats I have on my rack at any given moment...


(resident nurse, lawyer, judge, motivator, textile manager (laundry...hee hee), food manager, chef, accountant, coach, writer (of sorts), scheduler, interior decorator, occasional groundskeeper...I'm sure there's more!)


Wow. I'm seriously underpaid.


Just kidding, just kidding...the rewards are intangible, and many will come much later.


I will close tonight with this: here is a link (sorry, I couldn't figure out how to post the actual YouTube video right in there...I'll get there!) to a video of a song that Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes sang at the end of the show. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLA06UmFg0s

Praise God...I once was blind...but now I see!

The Glory of a Day

I am parched in a dry weary land, everywhere I turn there are offers to quench my thirst, yet I remain unsatisfied.


I wander from place to place, room to room, seeking tranquility and rest for my soul, yet I remain unsatisfied.


Time speeds by, the good ole days are only a memory in my aging mind, I seek comfort, yet I remain unsatisfied.


The days are harried, lists yet undone, duties increase, and I seek some release, yet I remain unsatisfied.


When I was my most thirsty, approaching insanity, forgetting all about me and busy in my pace, I met the one to change my conclusion and no longer remain unsatisfied.


At the well marked “living water” I was offered a drink, I partook of a mere sip and I was fully satisfied.


In the room marked “the corner of my heart” I met a man, took his hand, bowed my head, received his breath, and I was satisfied.


On my knees, I begged for the days of old, for my memories to once again unfold then I met the one with one touch of his hand I caught a glimpse of Heaven land, he gave me rest and I was satisfied.


At the close of the day, I decided to pray, I poured my thoughts and cares upon the one who keeps meeting me there, and He spoke Peace, Perfect Peace, and I am satisfied.


On the dawn of the very next day, I thanked Jesus for quenching my thirst, calming my mind, giving me rest and peace, perfect peace, Glory to God I will remain satisfied!

I pray that you too are fully satisfied with our Lord Jesus Christ
Chel

Boundary Pusher

So today started out fairly uneventful...checking email, facebook, little bit of math before going to the pool. No problem! Things were clickin' along; off we went!



Question: Do all other children (besides my oldest two) always want to play on the total opposite side of the pool from the lawn chairs?? My other ones always played right where I was when they were little; they felt safe. Safe was something they desired...yea, longed for.



Oh no. Not this young one. Lil'bit wants to push every boundary as far as it will possibly go. This has been true since he could walk. One time I took him to a birthday party at a park. A very LARGE park. Open and wide and vast. Have I made my point? Other kids were sliding down the blunt hills on flattened cardboard boxes - sounds like fun, right? Oh, no. Not him. He wanted to see if the earth is flat. I hardly said more than "hello!" and "bye!" to the other moms there. The rest of my time there was spent retrieving my not-quite-two year old.



Fond memories. (insert sarcasm here) So anyway...



My child insists on putting at least 57 other children and countless gallons of water between himself and the only human there that's conscious of his existence. Smart? Maybe not. Boundary stretching? You bet. It's what he does best.



So I now have a one-sided tan from sitting on the side of the pool instead of "flipping" in my reclining chair. Sigh. But here's something he DID learn to do:




Yeah, Lil'bit! This is very new for him. He's always pushing the boundaries, but they always stopped at the edge of the pool before. Until today. Needless to say, every time he jumped, the next one was just a little further down...a little deeper.

So I started thinking: Since we are children of God, and we tend to behave like it (more like children, less like God), how do I push the boundaries He's set for me? Surely I do, and don't realize the danger lurking out there in the deep water. Or in the woods surrounding the open area that I'm supposed to stay in.

It didn't take much thinking, ya'll, and it became quite clear. Because for me, when I try and try to do things on my own, setting aside the workings of the Holy Spirit within me, I am pushing those boundaries. When I try to be a good mom in my own self - boundary pusher. Anyone with me on this? I have determined that no matter how hard I try to be in a good mood, try to be a calm, supportive wife, try to extend patience, I am really seeking to do it my way, which is to say I search for forbidden land and water. Dangerous land and water. When all the while, my Father in Heaven is pulling me back, calling me back, reeling me in. Keeping me safe.

Maybe I'll just stay on the other side of the pool, close to Him.

In Him,