No Neutral Ground

C.S. Lewis said, "There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan." 

Do you agree with Lewis, that there is no such thing as neutral territory? If you believe God's Word is true then living like there is neutral ground where you can avoid the spiritual battles of this world is a little like rolling out a sleeping bag on the 50 yard line during the Superbowl game hoping to get in a long, relaxing nap. I'm not really a football fan, but I'm 99.9% sure when that kickoff whistle blows you're going to know for a fact sitting idle isn't an option. It won't take long for you to wake up and become aware you're in the middle of a fierce and divisive battle. You realize one team is playing with the confidence and joy of an assured win, and the other team just seems angry and disillusioned of their inevitable loss. 

In this life every breath, word, action, relationship, thought, and desire is an opportunity to either confirm or deny who God says He is and who He says you are. It's one reason why as followers of Jesus our suffering matters. It's never wasted and always has significance we cannot measure or even see. It's a chance for us to find out firsthand whether God really is our refuge, our strength, and our present help during times of trouble. It's our opportunity to try out the power of prayer. Do you know from experience that Jesus' kind of joy supersedes circumstances? Have you experienced the presence of Holy Spirit so concretely that you've been left shaken? Can you look back on any past pain and point to God's ability to breathe new life into places you swore were hopeless? Do you know God's promises for your life aren't just good intentions, but active absolutes? 

God loves us too much to leave any hint of neutral territory. Instead, He's tells us we're going to battle hardships and hands us the assignment of a lifetime using His weapons and armor to stand against evil and fight for the freedom of others. It's an invitation to join in and experience a life more abundant than anything we've known. It's fighting because we know we're free and we're willing for fight for others to know it as well. 

John 8:32 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

A Purpose for Today

My tween has been thinking a lot (too much) about her life purpose...as in her LIFE purpose. That makes me really evaluate where I am in my mid-life purpose (read "crisis"). My first reaction is to tell her to stop thinking about it and go play. Then I take a deep breath and see the emergence of a very young woman looking back at me. My gut reaction to this question is simple. Love others. Done. Life purpose complete. But, this didn't quite satisfy her. Time went on and the question came back. While I still personally stick to the love answer, I realized something.

We're asking the wrong question. The question isn't "What's my life purpose?" That's too stressful. The question is simply "How can I be purposeful today?" 

Kids need to grow up hearing about the MANY...MILLIONS....of purposes they will have in their lives. Being purposeful is organic and ever-changing. When we ask "How can I be purposeful today?" we can think of specific answers...contributions...reasons...even timelines to be purposeful. We have more control with being purposeful each day instead of swimming in daily uncertainty if we are progressing with one life purpose. Some days we all rock out some purpose. Other days we're slugs. That's normal. The slug days have their own purpose. Rest. Recharge. Reboot. Slugs are slow but they are still moving. Slime and all.

Purposeful may feel big one day and minuscule the very next morning. Purposeful may take the shape of changing someone's life or just changing the trash to help the good of the home. Purposeful may be looking out for a new kid at school only to give space when he/she is connecting with a different group of friends. The coolest part of living a purposeful life vs living out one life purpose, is the power to define and redefine and grow and change and well, be human...aka...less pressure.

While we're rethinking questions...I've always cringed when little kids are asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Can we all agree to save that for high schoolers? Instead let's ask, "What are your hobbies?" or "What makes you laugh?" or "Tell me how you've been kind or helpful today" or, if they're feeling adventurous, maybe talk goals for the quarter or grade level. Goals are good, career choices at age 8 are not.  When our kids are asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?", let's help them find bigger, more purposeful answers...."happy, loved, kind, wise...etc" or "I'm exploring my options".

Parenting is tough for 9,377 reasons...one of which is teaching our kids to not only ask questions, but to ask the best questions. And, to not be afraid to change their question when the answers just don't feel right. Most answers are not a one size fits all...neither are the questions.

Whether you are parenting or grandparenting or mentoring or sistering or friending or strangering, pay attention to the questions you are asking others and the questions you are asking yourself. If there's a question bugging you, like my daughter, consider modifying your question and see where it leads you.

With much love and a little sluggishness,

Shelisa Welde

The Bridge

One more step and I'd be on the bridge. Am I ready? Glancing over my shoulder at the well-worn dirt path behind me I notice for the first time how wide and sure it was. Back on that smooth terrain I even ran for a time feeling swift and empowered. I saw God’s glory in the sunsets and budding daisies. I heard His creation cries in the dove’s song and sensed his presence in the cool breeze. Not long ago, a friendly traveler handed me a trail map just to make my travels easier. He’d mentioned not wanting me to have to think too much, and pointed out an easier path, but it seemed to go in circles and it proved to always take me where I didn't want to go so I threw it aside. Today the path began to wind higher and higher as I sensed God calling me forward with every uphill stride. I couldn’t run anymore and my legs grew weary from the climb, but when I reached the top of the mountain and looked across the expanse I knew there is so much more to this journey than I had ever dared to dream. The only way to get there was by crossing the bridge. Dare I admit I don't like heights? There, just within sight at the far end of the bridge was an illuminated path. It was narrower than the one I’d previously traveled, but its beauty was indescribably inviting. Somehow I knew it was meant for me, and I was meant to have faith in its unseen destination. I just had to cross the bridge to get there.   

Taken in with the inviting splendor of this newfound journey I step forward and hear the creaking of aged wood under my feet. Noticing for the first time how high the bridge suspends over the valley and how feeble the planks are sitting on the age-old ropes, I quickly retreat back onto solid ground. The pounding of my heart quieting as I glance behind me at the old familiar comforts of the known path. I was happy enough back there, for a time.  Should I just turn around and walk back down the mountain? Familiarity entices and soothes my fears.  God blessed me on that journey once, I’m sure he’ll do it again. Right? My heart knew the answer before I even turned to face the bridge again. My goal isn't to be the lifelong recipient of good gifts. Somewhere along that path my heart tasted freedom and now it wants more...more than what meets the eye. The unknown depth of my soul’s longing is to experience this journey fully surrendered to God's wild frontier. To stop clinging to my perceived control and get on the bridge. 

So I step forward, trembling inch by inch. The bridge sways in the wind and sounds of falling boards ricochet and crack in the blackened valley below. Fear calls from the depths of my soul urging me to retreat to safety. Should I go back? The answer explodes from a newly awakened space in my heart and mind. Never. I grip the rail as tight as I can and run, tripping on lose boards, hands burning from holding on so tightly, fear warning me to stop, but running...and all the way laughing for the joy of finally living. 

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following Jesus is a journey. At unexpected moments, He calls us out farther and deeper than we ever imagined going, but with Him all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23). Believing He is with us, his peace guarding our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:13) as we surrender every moment, even our most paralyzing fears, to Him who pours out his love for us (Romans 5:5) is our greatest adventure. 

Where do you see yourself on your journey? Where do you see God? What fears lie beneath your bridge keeping you from experiencing the freedom of fully surrendering to Jesus? Where has God’s love been so evident to you along the way? 

Jena M. 

The Second Chance Life

Hey friends, 

I hope you're all having a great week leading into the Easer weekend. Here's some words on second chance living and what it means in the face of a YOLO culture. 

https://unravelgrace.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-second-chance-life/

He is risen!

Jena M. 

Have You Seen My Keys?

I’m easily distracted.  If you know me well, don’t laugh…you're laughing. I've been told I look calm on the outside, but on the inside my thoughts are a pinball machine on it's third bonus ball. 

So much so that I’ve read articles on adult ADD just to make sure I wasn’t overlooking a clinical problem (thank you, WebMD). I forget things, important things sometimes, and miss the details of life like parent-teacher conferences for example.  Smart friends have shown me their e-calendars and organization apps. Lovely. I’ve been given awesome planners with suggestions on how to actually use them. Great idea. Last year I was challenged by a friend to take inventory of how I spend my days in 30-minute increments, but I found tracking it was difficult because I wasn’t spending that long on any one task. It was a little here and a little there.  I start one thing and get distracted by another: laundry, text, carpool, phone call, email, dishes, bills, pray for a friend, back to the laundry I left sitting on the couch…and on, and on. Is this all sounding a bit familiar? 

I know I don’t need a diagnosis. I’m 99.7% (leaving room for error) certain I don’t have a serious condition. I’m suffering from this thing we call Life. Most likely it’s not my circumstances that need to change it’s my perspective. I need to know my mission and focus. I’m a Jesus loving, warrior chic who gets antsy without clarity of her orders. Then there are times when I do get clear directives but Life distracts me to the point of ineffectiveness.

It’s one thing to forget peanut butter at the store or my wallet when I leave the house (thanks for the loans [you know who you are] and to my daughter’s elementary school for still letting me enter without my I.D.) but it’s another thing to forget my purpose in living. How quickly I live like my life is about tasks and to-dos, just getting from one day to the next. I need to stop and remember:

1.     I am a daughter of God

2.     I represent His Kingdom here on Earth each moment, every day

3.     I am Josh’s wife

4.     I am Mom to three wonderful girls

It really is that simple. Everything I do and how I spend “my” time and energy is best sifted from the top of that list down. My mission is to have God-directed influence in every relationship and responsibility I encounter beginning with those top priorities. Sometimes that means I teach and write, other times that means I’m at home baking cookies or enjoying a slow cup of coffee with my husband. The point is we are to actually live what Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

We have our mission and we can step into it with focused boldness. The craziest part is, that when we feel like God is asking a lot of us He’s actually giving us what we need most. Himself. Anything we do in this world is an overflow of our relationship with Him (Romans 15:13). When we get distracted and lose sight of our purpose we can, with courage and confidence, turn to our Father and ask Him to remind us who we are and why we’re here. 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

p.s. have you seen my computer cord? I know I left it around here somewhere...

Jena M.

Ripple Effects

Those women; the ones who speak confidence in the face of uncertainty, who reject dismay and invite joy, who search for truth with humility, who seem content among crowds, and who turn to Jesus before I can even turn over a thought. Twelve years ago I wanted to be one of those women.  I was a new mom, a young mom, full of uncertainties and doubts; full of ideas and vision, yet so short sighted, so inexperienced. When a friend invited me to attend a “women’s Bible study” I only went because it was ironically and conveniently located 100 feet from the front door of my quaint, second story condo. 

I had my presumptions about what a group of women would think of me…and I them. Inadequate is probably the best descriptive word for how I felt in a group of women, followed closely by unworthy. Although the meeting place may have only been 100 feet away, my heart was 1000 miles away from believing I belonged in their group. It was for those women and others so perfectly on track to becoming one of those women. It wasn’t for the young, first time mom who didn’t know how to handle her daughter being uncomfortable and fussy in the provided childcare, it wasn’t for the woman who didn’t know the books of the Bible or why they were not just in alphabetical or chronological order (for real), or how to shower and have this coveted thing called “quiet time” (I had to learn a whole language of Christian-ese), or how to sit in a room full of women and act like I knew how to be one because losing your own mom to cancer at the age of four and being raised by a dad who didn’t always respect women wasn’t exactly a recipe for confident womanhood.

God knew I needed to make that 100-foot walk from my home to the church’s front doors. They were baby steps of faith that I needed to take to begin to trust Him and His ways. What I realized over time was that all those women were doing the same thing. Their journeys were different than mine, but we were all desperately and imperfectly seeking to believe Jesus and be more like Him. The traits I envied in other women weren’t really them at all. It was Jesus in them that looked so appealing to me. I just didn’t know it at first, but the more I got to know Jesus; who He was, what He was about, and who He said I was, the more I saw His presence in other people. The women who admitted that fact quickly usually became my favorites because what He was doing in them just looked so, so good.  Their humility, grace, holy confidence, and loving ways challenged my fearful, self-righteous self without a word of blame or shame. I truly wanted what they had, and they had faith in a Savior and King who loved them and wanted to have a real relationship with them.

To all those women out there (if you even think you might be one you probably are!) keep your hearts turned towards Jesus and know that while you are seeking Him, God is sending a new generation to watch and learn how to be crazy enough to have faith in the unseen, and live love and joy in a world of suffering. You cannot know the ripple effects God sends out from a life of authentic faith.  Those women I looked to over a decade ago probably have no idea I was watching.  I'm guessing they had no idea God would use the ripple effect of their faith to encourage me to point other women (my three daughters included) to Jesus today. 

John 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jena M.

Brooms and Band-Aids

Admitting we are wrong is tough business. As someone who's followed Jesus for nearly 17 years, realizing I have blind spots of self-reliance and self-righteousness is no easy truth to swallow because part of me (a big part) wants to be a perfect daughter for my perfect Heavenly Father. One of Jesus' messages to His followers was to repent because God created us to be in relationship with Him, and unrepentant sin has a way of fogging up our view of God. He desires our sinful selves to be so near to His Holy Self that he allows us to say we're sorry...and accepts our Jesus covered apologies so that we "by the help of our God, return." (Hosea 12:6). God doesn't ask us to repent because he's cruel, or unjust, or unloving but because He is our perfect parent. One who is for not only our salvation, but our sanctification (us becoming more like Jesus). A parent who loves us enough to want our freedom instead of complacency, our joy instead of sorrow, our trust instead of fearful control. 

Like the children we are (no matter our actual age or spiritual maturity) we run hard from truth that may hurt, we hide evidence of the leftover cookie crumbs of sin, we ask for a bandaid to cover our wounds when what we really need is surgery for our souls. We are desperate for our God who loves us enough to send obstacles to slow our frantic pace, says that it's ok to sweep our messy sins right up to his throne, and isn't afraid to rip the band-aid off when necessary. 

Mark 1:15 says, "The Kingdom of God is near. Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"

Repenting is God's way of admitting we're wrong and literally turning away from our sin. But because God parents his children in perfect love he doesn't stop there. Our Father is FOR OUR FREEDOM.  When he asks us to turn away from something, it's because he has something eternally better in mind. Thankfully we don't have to wait an eternity to experience His promises. When we come before God and admit and apologize (two words I use with my own daughters often), God begins the hard work with us of clearing out the clutter of our souls to make space for His kingdom. One of God's love languages is giving good gifts. They're the type of gifts you'll never need to keep the receipt for because there's no such thing as refunds or exchanges. Perfect Love knows the exact size of your need and the specific quantity of gift necessary to fill your deepest, truest desires...peace, love, joy, mercy, forgiveness, meekness, faith, hope...It's never too much and never too little. God is good, His gifts are real, they're available right now, and they're so much lighter than any pre-repentant load we could ever carry. 

Jena M.

A New Atmosphere

What would it look like for God to bring in a new atmosphere of worship in your life? Atmosphere can be described as the pervading tone or mood of a place. If you had to list three pervading moods to best describe your past week what would they be? Fear, Joy, Anxiety, Peace, Humor, Sadness…

What would it mean for you to live the ups and downs of your life in an atmosphere of worship this week? this month? this year? 

Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23) is about the way we live our lives because of who we are.  In Christ we get to walk around as living sacrifices.  Living. Sacrifices. Here’s the thing: sacrifices aren’t supposed to live. Because Jesus sacrificed his life for us, we get to live…our everyday dish washing, carpool driving, paycheck earning, coffee drinking, diaper changing lives as living sacrifices for Him. We worship God with who we are, not with what we’ve done or where we’ve been, or what we’ve achieved, or what we can do for Him. In Jesus, we are God’s children, redeemed and forgiven, heirs to an eternal kingdom, and not one ounce of it is our doing. It’s God’s mercy.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

 What do you say? Can 2015 have a new atmosphere of worship? Let’s remember that sacrifices don’t live, and yet we get to because of Jesus, and let that reality permeate every part of our lives until we can’t help but worship in gratitude and joy.

Jena M. 

A Letter To Myself for Next December

A letter to myself for next December...

Hey You,

Remember how you wished you would've enjoyed the little things about the Christmas season last year? How the hustle and bustle overwhelmed the joy right out of you?  No one is going to give you permission to rest. In fact, you don't need it because your Heavenly Father told you to do it. He's got this. Go rest.
Do whatever you need to do to look your loved ones in the eye over a slow cup of coffee. Let your to-do lists down and snuggle into a good book. Cancel appointments and carve out time to just hang out at home with your kids. Turn off your phone. Be present. Don't accept every cookie exchange or party invitation if it means you'll lose your peace in the process.

Don't overthink your gifts. Gifts given with a heart of generosity and love matter most. Don't overspend. It's just not worth it.

Set aside some extra money to give away this season. It's fun and you feel good doing it. God loves a cheerful giver.

So what if your Christmas decorations don't look like Anthropologie's? That nativity set from the elderly couple's garage sale is your kids' favorite. Remember how they love to move the pieces all around and since you paid $1 for it, who cares of the shepherd is now missing legs?

Pick no more than 3 traditions you want to uphold this year. Remember bigger is not always better.

These few weeks before Christmas will fly by. There's mystery and wonder in them if you stop and look. Listen to what God is saying right now. Take time to worship Him.

While the memories are fresh, write down what God has done in your life this year. Where did you see His glory? Where did you grow the most? What were your biggest disappointments? Don't wait to do this because one very short week after Christmas is the New Year (don't act surprised that it's only a week- same time every year) and you'll be ready to move on and look forward.

One last thing, in case you haven't been told in a while, you're doing a superbly, awesome job.  I mean it...so proud of you. Now go grab that cup of tea and dark chocolate you've been thinking about for the past 10 minutes.

Love,
Me


Jena M.

From Darkness to Light

Where do you need Jesus' light to shine in your life? 

Jesus entered our world under the darkness of night. 

Luke Ch 2: 7-8 "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night"

This season has a way of illuminating dark places we'd rather keep hidden. Maybe it's because we want so much to have the storybook homes, the perfect Advent celebrations, and drama-free, loving families? Maybe the brokenness of our world in contrast to celebrating the holidays seems too ironic for our hearts to handle? In many of us, expectations and ideals don't meet reality for one reason or another and darkness creeps out of its neatly controlled box and rears its ugly head into the forefront of our lives; shame, fear, guilt, condemnation, anxiety, worry, control, depression, anger...name your darkness of choice.  Jesus didn't come to our world in the light of a glorious, sun-soaked day.  He came in the darkness of night because He is the light. With His first breath on Earth, Immanuel, brought with him the "light of life" and there is no place too dark for His light to reach. 

The "light of the world" coming to a sinfully dark world to bring "the light of life". 

John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 John 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

This pre-Christmas week, let's invite Jesus into our darkest places and trust Him to lovingly shine forth His light. He is the Word that is the "lamp to our feet and light to our path" (Psalm 119:105). He came to life on our earth to bring us life out of darkness and death.  Let's celebrate that promise by living out the words of Ephesians 5:8 and "walk as children of light" starting now. 

John 1:4 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Jena M.