Your Annual Reminder and an Announcement

     You know how I feel about delayed gratification. I don't believe in rushing what we are looking forward to - it'll come. This is why you'll never see me participating in any kind of Christmas in July - no music - no Hallmark movies. None of it. Christmas has its place. It will happen. It always does.

    
    However, preparing for Advent is a different story. After all, that's what Advent is about - preparing our hearts for Jesus' arrival. So right about now is the time to think about and plan for your Advent, which starts December 1st.

    About this time last year, I made an announcement here on the blog. If you missed it or need a refresher, read about it here.

    It was so exciting to launch this love letter I wrote to Jesus about Advent and Christmas and celebrating His birthday with intention and honor out into the world for others to read and join in. 

    Each day through the month of December I received a call or message or note from a reader or two or three. I kept them all.

    Today I'm mentioning that we've made some changes to my book - like including an action step for each day's reading - and a few other improvements (because I'm a Type A fanatic who can't leave well enough alone).

    We've just re-released my devotional and added - here comes the announcement - a Kindle edition! This was my business manager's idea. Some of you may know him, his name is Scott.

    So, here's what I'll be so honored if you would do today:

1. If you read Wonder in the Waiting last year and thought, "I know who would love this book" or "I'm going to get copies for all my friends next year", you could let them know soon how to get a copy (see below). Or better yet, order for them as a Pre-Christmas Gift (Chapter 6) or Thanksgiving Day favor. So fun, right?

2. If you attend a book club or small group, you might consider reading it together for the month of December. Spiritual endeavors are always more enjoyable with company.

3. If you or someone you know prefer a Kindle version, you could assist them in checking out that option. (see below)

4. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you could click on the link above, read last year's announcement, and decide to observe Advent with my company.

5. If honoring sacred holidays such as Advent is new to you or has somehow gotten lost along the way, throw caution to the wind, believe it's no coincidence that you are reading this blog today, and pick up a copy of my little book. I wrote it for you. 

    Then read one chapter a day for the month of December - leading up to the Best Day. I guarantee the wonder of Advent will be the best part of your Christmas celebration.

What's the easiest way to tackle any or all of these options? I'm so glad you asked!

•     The paperback and Kindle versions can be found on Amazon. 
• 
  
•     BUT, for paperback copies with a personal touch from me, I'd love you to order from my website. (Also, this allows me to see your names!)
• 
  
•     If you live locally, you can find books at Arrowhead Bookstore in Johnson City, NY or get in touch with me and I will deliver directly to you. No shipping!

     Last year's larger quantity offer still stands. "If you would rather buy in quantities of 5 or 10 or more because you think like me and desire to give them as Thanksgiving Day favors, or pre-Christmas gifts, or for your Book Clubs, Bible Studies, Sunday School classes or friend/family groups (great idea!), please send me a message at amburtis@yahoo.com and I will be happy to give you a special discounted rate!"

    Finally, of course, I must remind you that this is a time sensitive issue. You will need your copy(ies) in your hands before December 1st, so plan accordingly.

    Most of all, it is my hope and prayer that you will experience the wonder of Advent during your full, activity-packed December. That every day you will find time to be still and prepare room in your heart for Jesus in this sacred season.

    Thank you so much for helping me get this special message - this beautiful practice - into the hands of as many readers as possible. 

    May it be a blessing to all.

The Secrets Women (must) Tell

 I celebrated another birthday recently. I likely hit the halfway point of my life quite a while ago (unless I plan to live to 130) highlighting the fact I’m well into the last half of my life. Which forces an answer to the question of one willing to ask, “what matters most for the second half?”

The answer for me came swift and certain. I must tell what I know about Jesus, what I’ve learned and experienced through decades of studying and following His ways: tripping and falling; sinning and being forgiven; living in the blessings of obedience; being loved perfectly.  Also, what I’ve witnessed Him accomplishing in others’ lives and in the world and church. This is the stuff.

You can imagine my delight when I came to this passage while reading through the gospels during Lent; Jesus teaching the crowds according to Luke's memory in 8:16-18:

“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you sit it up on a lampstand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

One of my favorite teachings from the Apostle Paul given to women directly is for the older women to teach the younger, which provides a classroom for the younger to learn from the older. Ladies, if you’re ever wondering what God’s will is for you – that’s it right there. Not a mystery, it’s printed in black and white – even what is expected to be taught and learned (check out the books of Timothy and Titus for further study).

I consider this often because a woman doesn't have to be a biological mother to influence or mother another.

You see, we are all modeling life to the younger generation whether we realize it or not, whether we feel like we are the olders or not. We intentionally share recipes, household tips, relationship advice, traditions, stories that mostly make us look good (unless we have a boss self-deprecating sense of humor). But we also blaze a trail of words, attitudes, behaviors, and habits. 

In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul tells us we leave a fragrance in every room we visit. I once heard it said we bring joy everywhere we go, too - either when we’re coming or going.

I personally was well-mentored by the many older women God put in my path mostly at church. I often testify I wouldn’t have made it through parenting a strong-willed child if not for a few of these to whom I would go vent my frustration. They’d bandage me up with stories and infuse me with God’s word before sending me back into the ring again with their prayers for support. 

I believe strongly in this ministry. God knew what He was doing and what His daughters would need when He set this up.

After coming to faith in Jesus as a teenager, eventually I learned the value of the Bible and I spent time reading, studying and obeying it. Soon enough my life took a whole new direction - one in which Jesus became the environment of my life. This Book of truth and wonder (I like to call it) has become my favorite possession.

It is a book of letters (one commentary says it’s more like a library, so many genres represented) from the One who knows you, loves you more than any other will. It’s God’s heart revealed - an invitation to know Him – in each of the sixty-six books inside. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, page one to the last. Did you know that?  

This Book. It’s ancient yet somehow alive and relevant. God wrote down everything He knew we needed to know. Why? So, we could know Him, know His heart, know His love.  

This volume is a miracle. It’s not going anywhere. It will be preserved for your daughters and sons. Your grandchildren. It is a treasure and not to be neglected. That would be foolish.

It is our job, however, to know it, love it, and pass that love and knowledge to everyone we know – who has ears to hear! Keep it a secret? No – this is a secret we tell! More on that in a minute.

One of my favorite passages is found in Deuteronomy, chapter 6. These were bedrock parenting verses for us as we raised our kids. We are still living and sharing them though ours are now 32, 28 and 27.

Let's listen in on Moses giving final instructions to the people of Israel as they enter the promised land without him. 

Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.*

What's the alive, relevant message to us today?

All the stories of God's faithfulness. Talk about it. Talk about it. Talk about it

Assume listeners want to hear, want to know. Every age of those coming behind, need to hear us tell the stories. Tell the faithfulness of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the next generation starting with those closest to us in our homes and widening out to all those God entrusts within our influence. 

Keeping all this wonder to ourselves is missing the mark of our purpose! Hide it under a washtub or shove it under a bed? I don't think so!

But what if we do? What if we keep it to ourselves? If we choose not to retell the stories from the Bible we know, the stories of Jesus’ life, the stories of our lives changed by Jesus, we are making the stories secrets.

Which begs the next question – if we don’t tell, what and who will replace these true stories as concrete truth to guide our loved ones and those God entrusts to us? 

I’ll tell you who – the world will. Disney will. Hollywood will. Taylor Swift will. 

We have an enemy – God’s enemy – who is firmly in control of the narrative conforming us to its anti-God, anti-Biblical image. Romans 12:1 tells us unless we are actively resisting, we are already being conformed to its image - willingly. 

So, what do we do? We tell! This is the time it’s ok to tell secrets!

Take on this attitude: I should always assume God is at work in those He brings into my life. Therefore, I assume they will want to hear what I’m going to say. 

When I do this, I normalize spiritual conversations and speak in Gospel language (not repetitive "Christianese" or tired talking points), trusting the Spirit to do the work in others He wants to do. Praying for timing, hearts ready to receive, reading the room for Holy Spirit clues, etc.

What a tremendous gift to influence the women in our lives, youngers and olders alike, as both God’s ambassador (the likeness of Jesus’ character) and His instrument of change in their lives. We are not here for less.

In my experience, not many older women sought me out to influence me. Mostly I had to do the approaching to make this biblical practice a reality in my life. This should not be so. 

I studied those women in my life, at church, noticing the ones who seemed to walk closely with God, know Him well, know His word well, were joyful, suffered well. I wanted them to teach me their ways. And I wasn't talking about recipes and household tips.

We olders have the experience, the knowledge, the wisdom, the secrets that must be told.

There’s nothing more important. We must steward what’s been entrusted to us - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of this life is all about Him. We can’t let lesser things take priority. 

We mustn’t become misers of what we’ve learned, what we know. “Generosity”, Jesus taught, “is what begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” God forbid we keep the secrets meant to be told. No, let’s bring everything out in the open. 

This is the stuff to consider on a Mother's Day holiday. All women no matter your age or birth history. Whatever amount of time we have, let's make it count.

Love God’s Word. 

Teach others to love God’s Word. 

Assume they want to know. 

Learn. Teach. Repeat.

The Selfies of Lent

I’ve been walking on this planet long enough now to have been young, raise a family to adulthood, and now be a spectator in watching what kind of a world my grandchildren are going to grow up in.

To use one of their favorite expressions, “it’s terrifying”. In context, let me declare a few things: I believe Jesus is all-powerful and God is in control of the kingdom calendar; nothing surprises either of them, or happens that is out of their jurisdiction. I also believe there’s nothing new under the sun, aka, this isn’t the worst display of sin and evil a generation has experienced.

That said, I have concerns. The preoccupation, no - obsession with self - is staggering. Social media and selfies prove my point. I mean, did we even eat out with a friend or attend a party or “have devotions” if there isn’t a pic to prove it?

When I see one self-recorded video after another demonstrating how to apply makeup, style a room, prepare a meal or entertain a toddler, etc, I sometimes silently wonder, “Isn't this a little much? Who does she think wants to hear from her so often about so many things?”

A more comprehensive definition of selfie is born:

Self-obsessed, self-loving, self-interested, self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-serving, self-sufficient, self-important, self-admiring, self-indulgent, self-concerned, self-conscious, self-hatred, and plain old, used to be the only one on the scene - selfish.

That’s a lot of selfies.

A practice consistent for spiritual focus during Lent is self-examination. (Another selfie!) Believers in Jesus should stop and take inventory; ask some questions.

The goal of Christ-followers is just that, to follow Jesus. "Come, follow Me" was and is still the invitation extended from the Master, Teacher, Jesus Himself.

Author John Mark Comer breaks the intended expectation down to three simple phrases:

·         Be with Jesus

·         Become like Him

·         Do as He did*

How are we doing?

·         How much time do we spend with Jesus? Every day, a couple times a week, once a week, once a month? Are we alone with Him, enjoying Him or is it just at church?

·       Are we taking on the characteristics of Jesus, becoming/looking more like Him in increasing measure? Showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control – to name a few. Hint – one must know what Jesus is like – study what’s written about Him in the Bible – in order to be successful here.

·      Are we doing the things Jesus did? Do we love, serve, pray, teach, forgive? JMC suggests the true litmus test for growing spiritually is love – can others tell we are becoming more loving?

Oftentimes the way of Jesus is the opposite of the way of current culture. Paul corroborates this truth in Romans 12:2 when he teaches,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”**

There is so much goodness in that verse. It was a cornerstone parenting principle for my husband and I while raising our children, loving the way as Eugene Peterson translates it:

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”***

Yes, countercultural! One of my favorite words. That’s what I’m talking about, and isn’t that what we want? God wants to bring out the best in us – and our families – which could seep into the culture we inhabit.

An honest Lenten inventory and adjustment (if necessary) will help us achieve this. I even found some healthier selfies for us to replace the others with as well.

Self-denial, self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-sacrifice, self-deprivation, self-forgetfulness, selflessness.

That sounds more like the way of living Jesus taught, doesn’t it? He left us an example worthy of following:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”****

 Oh that cross, soon to be remembered, lamented and celebrated in just a few weeks.

*Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

**Romans 12:2 ESV

***Romans 12:2 The Message

****Philippians 2:3-8 ESV

This is Love

 

Some think Valentine's Day love is what is to be celebrated today, but there's something else on the calendar that represents a much deeper, less fickle affection.

Is there anything more wonderful than the beginning of a sacred holiday season? No, there is not. 

The wonder of these sacred holidays is that they simply cannot be fully appreciated and celebrated in just one day (or two if stretched). Not if you want a robust, meaningful celebration at the end - on The Day, that is.

Today marks the 40-day journey toward Easter; Lent begins. Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas - preparation of the heart. A slowing down and remembering just what it is we are annually commemorating.

The focus of Lent is three-fold: the disciplines of fasting, prayer and giving to the poor. 

It's a time to remember Jesus' ministry on earth, why He came. To bring yourself back to where you were and the shape you were in when He called you into relationship with Him and His Father, God Himself. To recall your sinful state and helplessness to save yourself, your need of a savior. The utter joy of being rescued from sin and self and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

I like how Charles Spurgeon puts it:

"Hold a true Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. 

Do not stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. 

Go at once to the cross...this will bring us back to our first love; 

this will restore the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart."*

I love that! And I know I could use the reminder, the redirect of my gaze from so many distractions and even from the hardening of a prideful, self-centered heart that shifts sometimes without intention, sometimes with.

Repentance is not a four-letter word. It's a gift. We should welcome it as such. Definition: deep sorrow, contrition or regret over sin, wrongdoing or the like.

It is good for us to spend some time mulling over this dark area of our lives. Trust me, it's not negative because every sin has already been forgiven by Jesus' death and resurrection - do you see where this is going? - to be celebrated on Easter Sunday.

So, let's do the work (is it work?) of walking the road to the cross with Jesus. Taking a long look inside, telling Him what we see, saying we're sorry. Entering into His suffering with gratitude. Enjoying His friendship. Forty days really isn't too long. Most worthwhile benefit usually needs a measure of time, not merely a day.

He is eager to receive us if we've been gone awhile. In John 6:37, Jesus says, "...whoever comes to me, I will never cast out." That's a promise. We have nothing to fear.

I find Lenten fasts refreshing. They breathe new life where boredom or spiritual laziness has crept in. Hard at times, of course - that's the point - revealing what has a hold on me. Whatever I "give up", I replace with a new or more frequent prayer practice and increased Bible reading (the Gospels!).  Emptying and denying for a while bring sharpness and clarity in hearing and understanding the Bible and in prayer. It's supernatural and marvelous, I can't explain it. 

I heard it said once, we thin our lives to thicken our devotion to God, our Father who loves us. 

Spiritual muscles are strengthened. Less time is spent worrying about getting my needs and wants fulfilled and I notice others, try to meet theirs if I can.

I wrote in my journal this morning that I'm hoping for transformation during these 40 days. That I might take on more of the character of Jesus, think more like He does, say things He might say, do what He does. Love better. Less of me, more of Him. 

I wrote about death to Angela a few weeks ago if you missed it. This is the stuff Lent is about. 

Here's the thing, Resurrection Sunday is coming. Honoring it needs to be so much more than just a new pastel outfit, a basket full of candy, going to church and family brunch after. 

Imagine how thrilling the living Jesus and empty tomb you celebrate will be after you've considered your life in honest awareness, confession and repentance of your sins; denied self and decadent indulgences, making room in your busy life for prayer; noticed and generously given to those in need; and entered into the weight of Jesus' suffering and sorrow for a season. This is Love.

Truly, this is the most important holiday of all and we want to be ready to celebrate it with gusto!

Go ahead, enjoy your red foil-wrapped chocolates and other goodies today, given and received in love.

More importantly, may the memory of your entry into faith with your true First Love draw you into a most meaningful Easter season.

*Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman, p. 107

Put it to Death

 In my Bible reading plan last week, I found Job at the end of his responses to his friends' accusations and advice (chapter 31) and his rope, I think. Not only does our suffering friend vigorously defend his reputation (the good old days when people respected me!), but he demands a trial before God. 

Cue the dramatic music. The app host teaches that this indicates pride and entitlement issues even though Job is earlier declared righteous by God. These are betrayed by the crisis Job finds himself in and God is about to deal with them. She went on, "Some trials reveal deep seated issues as nothing else can."

The air went out of my little library I sit in every morning. Don't I know that from experience? Yes, I surely do. Or to put it plain - ain't that the truth? It's been a soul-revealing first weeks of the year and what I've found in the mirror isn't pretty.

Oh, the love/hate relationship with pride and entitlement. Of course, I don't love either - at least I don't say so - but they come out to play when I'm not paying attention.

I'm revisiting a book I read last January - a recommendation from my grown children - to start off my goals for spiritual growth in 2024. It's been glorious and breathtaking (read everything into that) in equal doses. 

Based on the following verses:

I have been crucified with Christ. Gal. 2:20

..knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24

And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23

Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant...humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil. 2:5-7

Did you catch the theme? The Bible tells me when I entered into faith in Christ, I, too was crucified on Jesus' cross. My old self was slain there. "Christ's death and mine are so intertwined as to be inseparable."

Because of this, "God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God's commitment to my dying; and I must seize every God-given opportunity to be conformed more fully to Christ's death no matter the pain involved."

When was the last time you heard a sermon like this? Challenged to accept that mission? Speaking for myself, we like being conformed to Christ's life, but don't talk much about what being conformed to His death looks like. 

Yet, putting certain things to death has been a sacred echo in my private life for some months now (see Colossians 3). And I know it's a direct answer to my daily prayers to become more like Jesus; to take on the character of Jesus in every area.

The author continues with this possibly painful list (it was for me at 1st, 2nd and 3rd glance - if I'm honest):

"When my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing, I must die.
When called to do something I don't want to do, I must die.
When I wish to be selfish and serve no one, I must die.
When shattered by hardships that I despise, I must die.
When wanting to cling to wrongs done against me, I must die.
When enticed by allurements of the world, I must die.
When wishing to keep habitual sins secret, I must die.
When wants that are borderline needs are left unmet, I must die.
When dreams that are good seem shoved aside, I must die.

'Not My will, but Yours be done,' Christ trustingly prayed on the eve of His crucifixion."

It's ok if you just need to sit with that for a few minutes. I certainly did and do.

Jesus' prayer is the model prayer every true believer and follower of Jesus must adopt. Harsh? Unfair? Unrealistic? Of course not!  

The truths of Christ's resurrection prove that God will not leave me for dead but also raise me to new life too - if only I will allow my "self" to die.

"Indeed, on the other side of each layer of dying lie experiences of a life with God that are far richer, far higher, and far more intimate than anything I would have otherwise known." That's what I'm talking about!

Jesus said it in Luke 9:24, "Whoever wishes to save his life will  lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he shall find it."

It's a good word of teaching to identify with Jesus' death as our own - what we are called to - and that is how we join with Christ and all His promises for new life and life to the fullest! No pain, no surrender, and no death is wasted with God. 

Well, I don't know about you, but that's the life I want. All these things I struggle to let go of (die to), pale in comparison to being free from the power they hold over me.  Of course! Brilliant!

Jesus knows the way to abundant life. He said it Himself: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."* Always with the invitation to come and see.

The thing I love about Job - when confronted with his pride and entitlement, his first humble, repentant response in 40:3-5 was: 

"I'm speechless, in awe - words fail me.
I should never have opened my mouth!
I've talked too much, way too much.
I'm ready to shut up and listen."

Anybody (else) relate?

And then a few chapters later in 42:2-6:

"I know that you can do all things.,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'
Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
'Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will make it known to me.'
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you;
 therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Job's is the proper response to God's questions for sure. I don't believe God wishes us to despise ourselves per se, but our "self" (selfish, contrary to His Spirit appetites, desires and demands) is what needs to be put to death so we can really live.

A healthy dose of who we are and who He is goes a long way in correcting course. Job knows and we can know too.

I wrote my response down so I won't forget.

Father,

How can one learn these truths about you and not ask 'how am I doing'? We both know the answer. Confession and repentance are appropriate and required. I offer that humbly and receive the forgiveness I know you freely give because Jesus purchased it for me on the cross. Put to death anything in me that rears up and demands "give me what I want, when I want, how much I want and the way I want it" or thinks any of this is about me. Like Job, I've talked too much and I'm ready to be quiet and listen.

I wish to be overpowered and subdued by you. Following Jesus is my top priority. You get to decide where we go. Everything IN YOU. As Jesus prayed: not my will, but yours be done. You chose me because you love me and have a plan for my life. It's a good one - far greater than these ridiculous things I think I need and can't live without. Take your time enfolding it. I'll try not to rush you. It's yours. I'm yours. Time is yours. Thank you for including me. Thank you for loving me. That's all I need. 

Love, 

Angela

As soon as the words were out of my mouth a smile creeped across my face. Why, I wondered. Because peace came. I was carrying some heavy burdens and a load too heavy, now transferred to the only one who could bear the weight. I felt lighter and with it came joy. 

I'm so thankful our Father is committed to maturing and changing His children, making us new. Even committed to my dying every day so I can be conformed more fully to Jesus. My job - to cooperate, participate, pursue.

Death first, then the resurrection life. Sign me up. Death to Angela!

*John 14:6

All quotes from A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent