by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
One thing I’ve learned about the whispers of God this month is that they cannot be manufactured, only experienced.
So when I felt I was coming up empty for a post, I moved outside for inspiration.
I inhaled deeply while walking past the scrawny, but intoxicating, Winter Honeysuckle shrub. I thought of my uncle Jim who, in his final months this side of heaven, loved when I would snap off a branch and bring it to him.
I paused at the Red Buckeye Tree nearby, seeing it not so much for what it is now but what it will become in just a few weeks. Panicles of red flowers will greet our giddy ‘hood of hummingbirds very soon!
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| Winter Honeysuckle Bush |
And then there were the white/red striped camellias and daffodils. Both reminded me of my grandmothers. Grandmother loved ole-timey jonquils and Ma-Ma loved the camellias. I grow both as a nod to them and the beauty they brought—and continue to bring—to my life, even though they’ve been in heaven for years.
As I made my way back to the house, I recalled Isaiah 61:11.
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| Red Buckeye Tree Preparing to Bud |
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| Daffodil and Camellias from my yard |
For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to
grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up
before all nations.
Just as His whispers cannot be manufactured nor can His blessings. He uses the picture of a growing garden to show that He alone is able to miraculously engineer a simple seed to bring forth life from the soil. All we can do is make the environment right for the seed to grow to maturity.
Similarly, we can’t force or make God’s blessings happen but the heart can provide the right environment for His blessings to grow in and through our lives.
His whispers are always grounded in Scripture.
There it was, God’s whisper. It’s the beauty of the Word, for if we’re willing to listen, He is always willing to speak.
All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Psalm 66:4
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
You are loved.
It’s the whisper that arose from the meals, texts, flowers, and calls I received last week after my outpatient surgery.
The meal ministry, in particular, revealed preconceived notions buried deep beneath my own insecurities. When Carolyn, a longtime friend and former life group leader, asked if I needed meals after surgery I gave my standard answer: “That’s so sweet, but I think we’ll be fine.” When she came back with, “Someone in the group really wants to bring you a meal,” it felt strange to decline — almost as if I would be cheating someone else out of a blessing. The next thing I knew, Carolyn emailed our entire former life group in a stealth-like manner and surprised me with a week’s worth of unbelievable meals.
After several days of being a blessed recipient of this ministry, certain truths became clear:
1. You don’t have to be a chef to provide a meal. (Preconceived notion #1) Some brought home cooked meals, others brought part home cooked and part purchased meals, and others brought an entire purchased meal. Every meal was a gift! You are loved.
2. The meal is a blessing but seeing the friend who brings it is the bonus. I looked forward to seeing them as much as the meal, and that’s saying something! You are loved.
3. The act of providing a meal is so much more than food. As we scooped chicken and other delights onto our plates it was hard to deny the time, money, and energy spent for our enjoyment. You are loved.
4. I need to learn how to embrace the receiving end of giving as much as the doing. Perhaps the reason I felt I might be cheating someone out of a blessing if I declined is because that’s exactly what would’ve happened. Every person who brought a meal made us feel like it was their pleasure. You are loved.
Sometimes love comes in expected ways {wedding bands, hugs when seeing loved ones, a kiss as as your spouse heads out the door, etc.}
But when love comes in unexpected ways?
The whisper You are loved
delves deep, plunging below all preconceived notions, releasing dormant joy to bubble upwards.
True ministry, one done purely out of love for another, is life changing.
How about you? Has there been a particular way someone has ministered to you that left an indelible mark on your life?
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| Thank you, Sandra! |
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
What is it?
- the energetic worship service?
- the smiles that greet you at the door?
- the attendants waving you into the perfect parking spot?
- the clear and colorful signage?
- the way your children are welcomed?
- the Krispy Kreme doughnuts? (Is there any other kind?)
- the compelling delivery of the gospel?
The it is hospitality in a church setting. What helps our guests feel most welcomed?
It’s a question I continue to ask as I long to make our guests at Summit feel warmly greeted. Truth is, it’s sometimes hard to navigate. What’s friendly to one person is creepy-friendly to another. Time has been spent in prayer, ideas have been researched, and brainstorming has happened over coffee. Surely there’s something we can do to create a Christ-love kind of atmosphere.
Recently, while driving one morning, with no sound but my breath and God’s, came this whisper:
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1 Jn 4:20
There it was—a roar disguised as a whisper:
True hospitality begins with love between Christ followers.
We can have the Kreme-iest doughnuts and a never-ending flow of coffee but if we don’t love one another?
All else is empty.
Loving one another doesn’t mean we’ll always like each other at times, or even agree on every decision. And that’s okay. But loving others as Christ loves us calls us to a deeper connection lived out by dying to self, sacrificing for Kingdom-glory, forgiving quickly so as not to give the enemy a foothold, and praying for one another. Although we’ll never perfect the art of Christ-love this side of heaven, it is our motivation for all things, and our deepest desire.
Turns out, the real question as to what true hospitality is (at church, as well as our homes) doesn’t begin with what we can do — but rather, Whose can we be?
So, what’s one practical way your church builds upon the foundation of love when welcoming guests?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
When the breath of God plays in the form of a melody it serenades and soothes a stirred-up soul much like a mother holding a sick child. The unsettled part of us clings and sinks deeply into a place of comfort, the Word.
That’s the only way I know how to describe a recent “God whisper” that took place while driving to the local hospital for tests. I felt unusually unsettled about a health situation that could possibly take place while Brian was in France the following week. A battle erupted in my mind between truth and lies. In that moment, I remembered a recently purchased CD. With one click of the button, God’s Word, spoken through David Teems, waved the palm branch of victory in truth’s direction.
If you’re unfamiliar with David, you need to get acquainted. I’ve listened to him for 20+ years and every class I’ve taught during those years heard his voice at least once. His gift is reading the Word of God (verbatim) while playing ambient music in the background. My most recent purchase was David’s, Speak to Me, focuses on excerpts from the Old Testament (which I love!)
The victory that morning began when David paused, and then slowly uttered six words:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
I sat there, awestruck by the power of God’s living word. (Hebrews 4:12) He knew my inner struggle, my fear of being alone if trouble came knocking. His answer came in the form of a whisper but it resonated more like a shout in my soul.
His Word—the very essence of life, awaits to be devoured. For only then does it truly become our joy and heart’s delight.
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Jeremiah 15:15 NLT
Awake, My Soul
Here’s the best six minutes you’ll spend today. David begins reading scripture around the 1:30 mark. Prepare to be blessed, my friend. Click here to watch the Youtube reading of one of my all time favorites, or click on David’s CD below to view.
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| www.davidteems.com/music |
To God be the glory!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Sometimes they’re obvious. Sometimes not. But they’re always fueled by the Holy Spirit and burn with divine intensity.
Spiritual gifts.
A quick testimony. For years I’ve used my spiritual gifts both inside and outside the church walls. I’m sure you have as well.
When I recently accepted an opportunity at our awe-some church to help with communication needs, something unexpected happened. A part of me that had crawled into hibernation several years ago began to emerge with a skip to its step.
Questions arose within. Why am I feeling more fulfilled lately? What’s with this surprising spark of joy? Why do I now sense more of an ownership at Summit Church?
Driving home from staff one day, the answer surfaced: Spiritual gifts.
By re-engaging my gifts and creative energy, I felt a deeper sense of ownership, not only to Summit but to the Church as well. Few things rally the fulfillment felt by those who employ their God-given gifts for His glory.
If you’re struggling to feel connected in your church, or if you find yourself devoid of a spark that once burned with intensity, could it be that you’re not engaging your spiritual gift(s)?
I pray God’s whisper will rouse it from its sleep and surprise you with its joy.
Inhale deeply.
Some are front and center while others are quietly performed but every divine-empowered gift possesses the potent scent of life-giving, unifying, God-glorifying goodness.
So, how about you? I’d love to know your spiritual gift(s). To God be the glory!
[Note: This morning I’m having outpatient surgery so I will respond to your comments but it may be a day or two late. Thank you for sharing them!]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
As shared in last Thursday’s post, it’s often those quiet, subtle whispers from God that leave the deepest imprint on our lives, as well as others.
Recently, I walked into our local tea bar and ordered an Earl Grey. The young barista was confused.
“You don’t want your normal Mocha with whip?” she asked. I quickly told her that my fickle gallbladder had ushered in a new way of eating AND drinking.
As I made my way to the table with my cuppa tea, a woman who’d been waiting for her tea while I ordered, walked by. We exchanged pleasant goodbyes as she walked out the door.
I saw her get in the car, start it up and sit there for a second. The next time I looked up she was walking back through the door towards me.
“I was sitting in my car getting ready to leave but the Lord told me to come back in and pray for you. Do you mind if I pray?” she asked as she bent low, near my ear.
I don’t remember the last time that happened to me but let me testify now — it was a moment I won’t soon forget. I thanked her, and I thanked God. Her, for the obedience required in doing what God called her to do in that moment, not knowing how I would react. And I thanked God because only He knew how much I needed prayer as I quietly sipped my tea.
A quiet whisper. The woman heard it and obeyed. And because of her whisper of prayer, I was blessed. And because I was blessed, I desire to be more aware of those same whispers from God so I can bless others in the same way.
How about you? Have you had someone pray an impromptu prayer for you or someone you love? Is there some way I can pray for you today?
And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:12
