Expressions of love live on. The impact of love is powerful and seldom forgotten by the one touched by sincere acts of kindness. Equally valued are those acts of love discovered as sweet surprises many years later.

Our daughter and her family reside in our former house where we had lived for 33 years. Because of their strong walk with the Lord, they chose to leave a plaque we had screwed in to our entry door that reads: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Tightly screwed into the door, this plaque has remained intact for more than 30 years.

Just recently our daughter Bethany discovered something edging its way from the underside of the plaque. It was a small piece of paper. Gently removing it, she opened the very weathered note and read: “I love you, Sybil.”

Sybil now is Home with her Lord, so this note had to have been left by our dear friend many, many years ago when she had unexpectedly dropped by our house. In our absence, she left us this endearing gesture of love. There was no date on the note, but its content of love is timeless.

This not only blessed us but it blessed our daughter as a ‘kiss from God.’ Love lives on. Its mark soothes, heals, encourages; it never fails…even if it’s discovered many years later.

“Love never fails…” [I Corinthians 13:8a]

Waiting on the Lord can sometimes be difficult. It crosses the grain of our souls from which we would choose to move things along at our own pace. I’ve often said to myself, and others, that waiting is one of the hardest things the Lord ever asked of us. What am I really saying about this divinely-imposed intersection?

Waiting and tarrying can be quite different. To tarry means to linger in expectation. To expect is housed in faith–faith that our God will not only act but will act within the promise of the Father.  When I wait without expectation, my flesh crawls, balks, pouts, and insists upon being coddled. It’s really the best my flesh can do.

“Behold,  I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [Luke 24:49]

The choice left to us is: will we tarry for the promise? will we tarry for enduement of power from on high? or will we trudge ahead in our own strength, propelled by our own wills–thus, lacking His power?

We all tarry differently; however, being available to our Lord’s bidding, leading, and empowerment is critical. Self-promotion will always cause us to falter. Moving outside of His timing will always birth an ‘Ishmael.’ Acting in our own strength will never produce fruit that remains.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” [John 15:16]

We just need to be available to the Spirit of God when and where He leads. That means our pace slows down to tarry, our wills submit, our spiritual ears open, and we heed. In tarrying, we become fully aware of how prone we are to strip our gears and wander. All the more need to tarry.

As I listened to her son preach her funeral service today, I asked myself what ‘one word’ could describe Nancy. Approachable came to mind. Though it was 40+ years ago that I sat in her small counseling room of her home, receiving words of wisdom–I remain greatly influenced by this godly woman.

Being approachable means that you are easy to talk to, easy to receive from, and always causing one to feel accepted and loved. Nancy made everyone feel that way.  It was said by one of the women she mentored: not only were you accepted but you came away with tough, transformative truth. And I would say that you didn’t even feel the pain as you had been hit between the eyes with something you needed to learn.

Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren lined the rows in the service. Each one has been, and will forever be, greatly affected by her life. Filling up the rest of the room were friends like myself who would never be the same having been touched by Nancy’s love and tough truths from God’s Word. I can still hear her say to me: “This is your mountain to climb.” She referred to a tough situation that I wished would go away; but, more than likely I would have to walk through rather than around.

Her favorite scriptures were read. Her favorite hymns were sung by all. It was an endearing Nancy-day that gave tribute to the things she held so dear. Most noted were the comments about the hours of prayer she spent for all of us present–and many more who could not be in this service. Not only that, her prayers live on.

To have a son strong in faith so as to officiate her service, to have a brother weep and share about his beloved sister, to hear family members and friends pay tribute to her life lived fully for Christ is the legacy God intended.  She sowed His love and His Word every moment she lived. Among some of her last words was a scripture from Philippians 1:21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” NKJV

[In loving tribute to Nancy Denny Bodie, my friend for 45 years]

My birthday was approaching so hubby had a plan ~ a plan I had no knowledge of.  You have to know this man…he’s not a shopper.  If he does happen to look for something, he doesn’t press beyond one or two places before he changes his mind and accepts another plan. This plan and purchase, he shared later, was one that had to be satisfied.

I wondered what he was doing these three days he was mysteriously out and about; yet I didn’t think too much about it ~ our pastoral schedules can lead us in opposite directions at times. On the third day, he surprised me and confessed he had found my birthday gift.

Hubby said, “Let’s meet at the jewelry store and see if you like it before it’s engraved.” I had no idea what he had planned for engraving nor even what piece of jewelry he had chosen. My initials on some item? Our wedding date engraved? His love expressed in some secret term of endearment? Standing at the counter, he offered a beautiful bracelet for me to approve. Then he told me that his choice of engraving was: “Always & Forever.” We both cried…unashamedly…right there at the counter in front of the sales lady and anyone else onlooking.

A bit of history: For the last several hours of our son’s life, Patrick had said many things of which we’ve memorized. One of the precious things he said, so tenderly, to his family was “Always and forever!” He repeated this phrase many times to persuade us of his eternal devotion, and it has become such an endearing phrase among us. We’ve comforted ourselves with it. We’ve remembered him and his love for us as we’ve used these words. We often sign text messages to our grandsons with these words.

Just days after his Homegoing, our youngest daughter saw a wooden plaque printed: “Family ~ Always and Forever.” When she handed the gift to me, she warned me that it would stir emotions. It did. And this plaque hangs on our kitchen wall to remind us continually of this truth.

At the end of the day, relationships are ALL that matters. This is made even more clear when you are at the bedside of those transitioning from life to death. Jesus made ‘what matters’ very plain to us when He gave us the two primary commandments: to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength…and our neighbor as ourselves. Simply put, we will come to know that nothing else matters.

Always and forever, love is eternal. Just in case I forget, I wear these words on my wrist remembering that it was the Lord’s words that filled our son’s heart with such love for us. In turn, we will remember and love him, always and forever.

Hours before church service, I heard the words “shrink wrap.” I understood the concept well, having struggled to peel open previously, tightly-wrapped items or packages.

The vision unfolded. A mummy-fied soul is not a pretty thing. I began to see how believers had been bound tight, preventing them from moving into their destinies. I heard the question the Spirit was posing to us all: Who or what has shrunk you so that your destiny is halted?

Another picture was recalled from a frequently-viewed commercial. I saw a space-saver vacuum bag for blankets; the vacuum suction removes the air so as to allow the blanket to be tightly shelved. Perhaps the natural intent is a good thing…but certainly not in the spiritual realm.

There are a number of ways the enemy of our souls binds, halts, or even paralyzes us by his diabolical schemes to keep us from fulfilling our destiny. He even uses fear and trauma to suck the proverbial life from us so that we will be shelved for the rest of our days!

I delivered the message to the church and urged our members to permit the Spirit of God to cut open the shrink-wrap and to breathe into us new life, His very breath, into our lungs!

This attempt to halt the believer is not a new scheme. It began in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, having sinned against God, hid in shame. Perhaps we could expand the thought that they had been shrink-wrapped and life was figuratively suctioned out of them. The challenging question to them, and to us is: “Hath God really said?” Every time we doubt His plan for us, question ourselves, lose sight of our God-given righteousness, we are shrink-wrapped tighter and our purpose, designed intentionally by God, loses the very oxygen of life.

Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, set us free indeed!

Sacrifice is not a favorite concept. Most of us Westerners are not very courageous about sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others. Laying down our lives, our negative words, our self-serving attitudes does NOT come naturally. I love my comforts and securities as much as the next person. I desire a hope-filled life, a life cushioned from adversities and betrayals; yet life seldom unfolds that way.

I’m very much an optimist–loving to see life from the ‘bright side.’ I love a good laugh at myself. I love my Lord. I love the faith walk. I love resting on His promises. And I love His people [though admit to some being a little more challenging than others]. Scripture teaches me that I’m called to lay down my life for the Lord and for others.

Isn’t it inspiring to watch or read of the lives of heroes who have done just that? In fact, it’s a much easier spectator sport than actually doing the sacrificing myself.

For the sake of loving as Father God would have it, and truly desiring to be like His Son Jesus, I’ve had some challenges that crucify my flesh. It’s no fun! I admit it! Crucifixion is a slow death–never an instant one. The flesh dies hard!! Oh, so hard. I want to speak that smart retort. I want to bear my wounded soul to the one who hurt me. I want to demand justice [my version, that is]. I’m tempted to gloat when others learn their lessons when they’ve betrayed me. This is the best my flesh can offer…and it stinks! Dying flesh REALLY put off the odor!

LOVE COSTS!

Studying the life and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, I read that not only are my actions to portray His love, but so are my heart responses. Those secret sins that lurk in the dark places of my soul are the foxes that spoil the vine intended to bear godly fruit. Some of them are not such little foxes either.

I really don’t like the fact that love costs. But it does. It ultimately pays off in Kingdom currency. So…again…I repent of my stubborn flesh that wants the best of the Kingdom of God at a bargain-basement price.

My husband and I have walked out of theaters when language and content were not acceptable for our souls. Even prior checking of the rating is seldom accurate for the standard which we feel is biblical and best for us. This calls to mind though how many mental movies have I produced in my own mind…and didn’t ‘walk out’?

Our imagination ~ God-given as it is ~ can be misused to produce some pretty bad scenes. Most of the things we imagine are not reality. In the most God-creative way, they are to be used to create and even invent something that will benefit society. In the most devilish way, the imagination can be used to fulfill satan’s job description: kill, steal, and destroy. His favorite tool is deception ~ with fear in the other hand.

In the midst of watching a movie, as few as they are, we will look at each other and ask, “Should we either walk out of this theater or turn off the television selection?” Yet, how many thoughts do I interrupt and say, “You are on the wrong station! This is a horror film! This is not a godly production going on in your imagination! TURN IT OFF!”

Imagination is intended to be a beautiful gift. Pictures in the mind have creative ability to form images, ideas, and sensations that can come without input from other sources other than God Himself. Some of our most marvelous inventions have come this way. God revives the mind; and, from His inspiration can come beauty and benefit for His children.

Imagination can diminish or it can increase a perception. Without the renewing of our minds in God’s Word, and thus knowing His nature and love for us, we can become “movie producers” of some of the most horrific imaginations.

There’s a large gap between the lone thoughts of the human mind and the joy that Jesus offers to us in the abundant life. Within that gap is provided a God-given bridge from this world to Kingdom-thinking. God uses our imaginations as groundwork for progress. Contrastly, satan is the destroyer who halts, maims, and frightens us within the same mental capability.

This beautiful God-given gift helps us envision the possibilities in between who we are [in our natural way of thinking and being] to whom we were made to be. Just imagine…but be careful what ‘movie’ you are producing when you do. Either we co-labor with our Lord to create a divine pathway or we dig a dangerous rut.

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

The teaching was quite a few years ago, yet it left deep imprint upon my mind. I heard Derek Prince teach about how our driving habits can be ‘indicators’ of our walks with the Lord. My how this meddled with my driving habits and left deep conviction.

On my way out of town, I inched above the speed limit. After all, cars were flying past me; some nearly took the paint off my car. Okay, that’s an exaggeration–but I was emotional about their apparent safety in speeding. So, I complained.

“Why, Lord, do You permit these drivers to sneak right past the patrolman…yet You put a holy fear in me that, if found speeding, I will get caught?” His answer [which I’ll never forget]  was “You are Mine, so therefore I hold you more accountable!” That settled that!

We are called as ones set apart by the Master. Our walks AND our driving must reflect godliness. Why is it we give ourselves permission to drive recklessly while {hopefully} feeling stronger conviction about our walks, or our talks? Is it because we might be alone in the car and feeling over-confident that no one is looking?       He is.

The last speeding ticket I received was 40-some years ago. I’d left the house late because two of my children were not feeling well. The funeral was to begin in five minutes; my travels would take at least ten. Self-justified, I slinked past the 35 mph sign exceeding about 10 mph. Blue lights appeared. Ticket was served.

Total recall came to me of the teacher’s voice, so I sincerely thanked the policeman for being there to protect me and others from my careless driving. I arrived at the funeral home, though a bit late. A friend was arriving late himself. When he inquired about my ruffled expression, I relayed what had happened. I shared that I honestly had learned a lesson from Derek Prince’s teaching. God had placed the policeman there to protect me.

An applause from Heaven: Two days later, a check arrived in the mail from my also-tardy friend. He wanted to pay my fine.

How many times have I either read or heard spoken Hebrews 11:1? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The umpteenth time I heard it, when hubby was preaching, a certain cluster of words grabbed my attention: “Faith is…evidence!” Hearing every subsequent scripture he read to support his message, I heard the word ‘faith’ in a new way. As I listened, I embraced faith as evidence.

The legal system requires evidence for a case to be supported…and thus rules that it is beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil litigation, the standard that must be met by the prosecution’s evidence in the handling of a matter is that no other logical explanation can be explained. In other words, the matter is beyond dispute. This settles the matter in the courts in the natural dimension.

Faith in the spiritual dimension, however, is evidence in the already-established courts of Heaven. True faith in God and His Word provides the evidence that supports a matter in Heaven’s court, beyond any reasonable doubt. The substance of faith is the very essence of what builds hope…the foundational truth of His Word.

“Without faith [evidence], it’s impossible to please God.” [Hebrews 11:6] In other words, the matter is settled in Heaven, but, until I have faith and release it as the evidence in my request before Him, it does not support. On the other hand, when He realizes my faith, has actually already defended my case,  He has ruled that His Word sent forth will accomplish that for which He sent it. [Isaiah 55:11] Not only that, He watches over His Word [evidence] as the enforcer to perform it, or bring it to pass. [Jeremiah 1:12]

Thus, I must release my faith [evidence], convinced that the matter has been and is beyond dispute. Faith in Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, is my case evidence in Him who is not a man that He should lie. [Numbers 23:19] His Word stands up as undisputed evidence in the courts of Heaven. It is eternally true!

Trust is a furnace. It burns off the selfish insistence for the “now!” response from God. It burns off all of the “what if He doesn’t” anxieties. Trust transforms the soul to rest in the sovereignty of God.

Shadrach’s, Meshach’s and Abednego’s story is a Sunday school favorite. What student of the Word fails to experience the drama of the burning furnace with three men thrown to their potential death? The resolve of these men to honor God, and only Him, prescribed the furnace of testing.

Gethsemane depicts another furnace. Incarnate Jesus, who came in the form of a Man, anguished the same crucible as He rendered His will to the Father’s above His own. He would gladly have forfeited “this cup;” yet, He humbly yielded to the redemptive plan wrapped in the long, perilous journey to His death.

Two stories ~ one Old Testament and one New Testament ~ reveal the fiery flames of trust. Would Father God fulfill His promise? The three men in the fire trusted Him, whether He would or would not.

Daniel 3:17-18: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Our crucible is in the trusting. We ask: Will healing come? Will the prodigal child be reached by our loving God? Will the bank account be restored? Will the marriage ever be the same again? The furnace of trust burns fiercely. “Even if He does not…” If our answer does not appear in the ‘now’… If He doesn’t answer ‘as we wish,’ or is hindered because of man’s stubborn will … will I exit the furnace victoriously, still trusting?

The three men had been bound “in their trousers, their coats, their caps, and their other clothes” [vs 21]. The king exclaimed, “Look! I see four men LOOSED and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm…” [vs. 25] All they lost ~ the only ashes remaining at the bottom of that furnace ~ was that which had once had them bound.