A Heavenly Wardrobe

It was May, 1987. I remember how crisp the air was with whips of white clouds moving across the sky. The gentle breeze moving the branches of the olive tree in the front yard and shoots of new growth on the fruit tree’s in the back. The songs of the birds who had just begun to invade our yard again after a long hiatus in the South could be heard inside the house as we sat at the breakfast table.

For my mom and I, there were thoughts of last minute wedding preparations to complete, gifts for the bridal party, table favors, arrival time for the photographer, last fittings, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. During the last minute details of the wedding preparations, I wasn’t really thinking of the “trousseau” but my mom was. She had planned all along to set a special day apart for just her and I to go shopping in the fashionable clothing district of Los Angeles. This was indeed special because we were considered country bumpkins living as inlanders of Southern California, where avocado, orange and eucalyptus trees reigned in place of Sacs Fifth Avenues and Gucci store front windows. As intimidating as it was I felt safe in the confines of my mothers elegant way of dressing and her confidence with sales attendants. Dressing for her has always been an art form and she was accustomed to the finest, but for me, I was (and still am) most comfortable with Levi's, tennies and a tee shirt.

I recall my mom saying to me, “Laurie, it’s time you shed yourself of that old wardrobe and make room for something new.” Words to live by, words of wisdom. I continually hear in my heart of hearts, “Put off the old Laurie and put on the new.” 

My moms wisdom was nothing new, I don’t think her intent was spiritual, but the implications were eternally life changing. 

This everyday practical act of “taking off” is necessary to “put on”.  Ephesians 4 say’s;  If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

It comes by way of the truth of God’s Word implanted in our minds.  Jesus the Word of God!! He is our righteousness and in Him we have new clothes made white and purified by His shed blood on Calvary.  Laying aside.. Putting off the old, was and is the most refreshing act I can do on a daily basis. Confession, repentance and turning to Him, saying to the Lord these old tattered clothes have to go! Jesus, sanctify and cleanse me with the washing of water by Your Word!

My earthly clothing style may never be refined.. But my daily prayer is to seek "His" heavenly wardrobe! 

In His love,

Laurie

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How do You Respond

This humble sun flower grows along the roadsides here in Temecula. It has no fame or glory, and we barely have time to appreciate it as we speed by, but it faithfully stays where it has been planted, tossed by the wind and weather beaten by the elements.. it's seeds continue to spread and cause a multitude of sproutlings doing the work for whatever cause the sower intended.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

In the context, Jesus is speaking about those who stood around at His crucifixion..

waiting, watching, mocking. These were ignorant men who truly did not know God!

We see them at Steven's death also. 

While Steven preached he received taunts, insults, persecutions, and the throwing of  stones which took his precious life. Even then, with Steven's last breath he looked up to heaven and prayed, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they were doing".

I have to admit, I have only a few times been persecuted for my faith, but the times I was, it was by those who ignorantly denied Jesus and were blinded to the truth. 

It was actually easy for me to forgive them!

But today I pose another situation, what is our response to offenses that come our way by those who are not ignorant of our Father in heaven. 

Hurts and pains that come our way by sister's and brothers in the Lord!  
It happens, maybe much more often than it should, maybe unintentionally.. and maybe not. 

My thoughts here aren't towards the offender, but towards those who are offended.

I recently read a book called, "Candle In The Dark". 

The main character, Caroline, is a gentle Southern Belle, raised in Virginia to a wealthy family with a mammy and a household of slaves. She is torn by the abuse her slaves received and is determined to help put an end to slavery. 
She is considered the heroine of the story, but I was drawn to the character Eli.
It was Eli's wisdom and love for the Lord, that guided and directed Caroline's heart. 
This strong stable slave who's love for his master Jesus, is lived out by his service and allegiance to his earthly masters while in the midst of seeing his loved ones separated and sold to other owners, children taken from their mothers' arms, and their wives thrown in to the arms of white men to be their concubines. 

Eli's unfailing love and loyalty never diminish and his work is always done in an attitude of worship and adoration for his Lord. 

The white slave owner's knew the word of God! 

These men preached the gospel, and at times they sat in service with their slaves at the back of the church "worshipping the same Lord". (hmmm)
The gospel they received was contorted because of selfishness and pride.. but then, don't we at times contort the truth to suit our own purposes? 

In the book of James it tells us why we fight and quarrel;

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel"... (James 4:1,2)  

The word lust here is defined as; Anything we covet, desire greatly, or long for. 

Like our own way!

How do we respond to offenses? 

Do we respond "loving our Master Jesus and the life HE lived?" 

I would like my responses to be gentle and forbearing, with humility and LOVE. 

I have been tested lately.. I F-A-I-L ! Truth be told.. my failure doesn't come by way of verbal  responses, my failure comes through bitterness. I keep records of wrongs. UGHHH.. :(
My inward responses are a REMEDY FOR MY OWN COMFORT! 

Love...Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Love covers, Love veils, Love conceals, our own motives,

and is replaced with, "the motive of Christ !" 

Christ's motive was love

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Christ's reaction was sacrificial
"Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross". (Philippians 2:8)

Love is sacrificial

It gives no room for the "Me" factor, but looks to the cross of Jesus and say's, "not my will, but Your will be done." It say's, Master Jesus, make me a servant to others as I long to serve You, and help me to do it with an attitude of reverence, and humility, for my Master in Heaven! 

Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

If we I see, like in the book of James, that fighting and quarreling comes from within;  

lust, self preservation and protection, I want I want I want..  then we I, will also see that the fires can be extinguished by the attitude of self denial...sacrificial love! 

To Love the life of JESUS!

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