paravanes:meditations

  (c) Deborah Evans On this Veteran's Day weekend in the U.S., many of us are remembering those who "fought for freedom." Most of us would say veterans fought for those at home and elsewhere to have the option of making and carrying out choices, choosing new and better paths, naming and acting upon their own priorities, etc. These options are a big part of what most of us call freedom. What does it mean to "be free in Christ"? Freedom in Christ is made of at least two things: preferences and power The person who is free in Christ choses and prefers what Christ wants for them: purpose. joy, humility, true and godly love, compassion, disciplined power, peace, and honest relationships.. Freedom in Christ includes the power to create, experience, and maintain these things in our lives. As we become more free in Christ, we may experience fewer dire emergencies and life extremes on a daily basis. This is true because we create the foundations that allow us to experien

  (c) Deborah Evans When you think of church, or the church, do you think of a building? A multi-location campus with many buildings seating hundreds of people? A Gothic type historical structure in a central business district? A school gym? A small or large neighborhood building that hosts food distribution, back-to-school rallies for the neighborhood children, and Vacation Bible School during the summer? All Saints Day, or All Saints Sunday, is a time to remember the true church can't be defined by a building's location or a physical address. What do we remember on All Saints Day? Throughout all time and in all places, God has called people into fellowship and discipleship. No single church organization or denomination can truthfully say they are "the only church" :because no human person completely knows the full mind, full heart, and total actions of God. God has always called people, and has done this independent of human action. Remember the story of Abram's

(c) Deborah Evans I've spent some holidays alone. I don't always spend holidays alone, but I've spent a few alone and I will share what helped me enjoy and remember those holidays as positive landmarks in my life. I hope these ideas are helpful to you. You need a plan . You need a plan because so much of the advertising, marketing, and messaging of the culture is based on happy "family and friends" gatherings during the holidays (Thanksgiving through the New Year). Of course, all of these gatherings are not happy, joyful, or peaceful. No matter. Given all of this messaging, you need to create a space to enjoy the holiday based on your life, your priorities, and your circumstances. Your plan begins now . Allow yourself to quietly consider why you are alone during the holidays. I am not referring to psychoanalysis or deep self-therapy. Just sit quietly for a time and review the circumstances or events or your life. Perhaps you have chosen to be alone during the holi

  Photo (c) Deborah Evans  How open are you to change? How open are you to new ways of seeing the world? How open are you to leaving something (or someone) behind and taking on something (or someone) new? How open are you to learning and practicing new habits, new priorities, and new perspectives? Salvation in Jesus Christ is about transformation. When you examine Jesus' relationship with his disciples, you see him leading and guiding and protecting them through a series of challenging, authentic, transformational experiences. You see Jesus working miracles, reaching out to the marginalized and rejected and showing God's care and concern, conflicts with the traditional religious leaders, political arrest and execution, resurrection, and ascension (moving beyond physical limitations). Almost none of this happens when Jesus is alone. What he does, he does with his disciples. Why didn't Jesus just speak to and lecture his disciples instead of leading them through these events?

Image: Window in the kitchen of the Daggett Farm House at  Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan Photo by Deborah Evans If you are seeking to hear from God, you must rest.  What does this mean? This means you must intentionally move yourself out of emergency panic mode. This means you must determine to align your emotions with the serenity and power of God.  This means you cannot live on a wavelength of stress, uncertainty, and frustration. This means you must know beforehand God will answer your prayer for guidance. This means you will align yourself with the purpose, power, and peace of God.  You will rest your mind, body, and emotions in preparation for hearing, understanding, and believing in the guidance of God. If you want to be guided by God,  first   you must rest .  

  c) Deborah Evans "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."--Proverbs 27:1. Seek God's will, but insist upon nothing.  Leave the details to God.  Trust opportunities God creates for you as you walk in faith and minute by minute obedience. As a Christ follower, your purpose is to obey God and love God's will and God's way. Few people declare and decree a painful challenge or an unwanted life change. Usually, the decree or declaration-- -when it's specific --involves getting what we think we want.  God uses all types of circumstances and events to conform us to the image of Christ. Jesus said "the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 15:16) What does it mean to ask in Jesus's name? In the ancient language Jesus spoke and the gospel writer used to record Jesus's words, "in my name" meant "in my way", "in my manner", and "as representing my identity, purp