All Days Ordained

As I write this the new year is only a short time away. I know where I have been this year, the lessons I have learned and still have to learn. I made a lot of changes this year and there are more to come still. Going from student to intern brought with it uncertainty. 2015 is not all figured out, I wish I could say I'm at peace with all the unanswered questions but I'm not. Even so, I know God sees beyond this moment.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

(Psalm 139:16, NIV)

God saw the beginning of the world and the beginning of my life. He has already seen this year and what it will bring. Let us all be assured of that as we approach 2015. He who knows what is coming will help us face it and finish well.

Love

"Lord, why did you come here at all?
The world didn't recognize You
And even now, we who call You Savior
Still stray from the path
You made clear on that third day
Why did you come for any of us?
For me?"

On dark nights
When regret hangs low in the air
Like a thick fog
These questions come
I'm not sure I always hear an answer
As I wait
Even still, I know

Vices and struggles abound for all
But You are still leading me home
I can pull my hand away
When I've fallen
Or I can take Yours
And remember the scars

Every moment since You came
From that first night in the stable
You drew men to Yourself,
For only You are able
To heal that which is broken,
Even wounds from the snare of sin
All for love, into the dark,
Your light has been ushered in!

Joy

Jesus came to a world in mourning
and brought light and life

On the day that he was born
the Father knew the coming strife

Yes His back would be scourged
His hands and feet pierced
death would appear to have its day
but oh the joy of exultation
when he would stand at God's right hand
and every knee would bow
"Jesus, King of Kings be praised!"

~~~

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV, emphasis added)

Peace

Pasture lands, silver in the moonlight
The shepherds eyes are on their sheep-
Wait, is that star brighter than the moon
Before anyone can focus their eyes

Everything is engulfed in light
As a song echoes over the earth

Angels sing "Glory to God, in the Highest
And peace to all men"
What an announcement!

"Come see the Savior
In the town of David
In a manger"

Excited, they run at once
To see the child
And tell everyone
"Rejoice, rejoice,
The Prince of Peace is born!"

Hope

He was high and lifted up

King above all kings

Yet He made the choice

To come 

Oh the hope He brought

To a forgotten world
Emmanuel 

Putting on human skin and bone

To live among us broken souls

Every step he took

From the manger to the cross

Made the Father known

~~~

Jesus brought hope to a world in need. God was silent for 400 years after the prophetic ministry of Malachi. At a time when most of the Israelites had either forgotten Him or felt forgotten by Him, the Father sent the Son. Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us" He has not forgotten us.

As we begin celebrating Christmas, find hope in Jesus. Hope that is placed in Him does not disappoint. (Romans 5:3-5) No matter the difficulties, the doubts and the questions of this life, Jesus will see us through. And He is coming again to make all things right. Let that be your reason for hope, this Christmas and forever.

First Step

What will that first step feel like?

That first moment I stand tall?

Will I dance or kneel in worship?

Some wonder why I will not wait for streets of gold

On which to take that step

I smile at them and respond

“If I did, you wouldn’t see it!”

I would rather walk on the streets of my town,

And exhibit God’s power to my fellow man

Then see Christ’s face and take His hand

When I gain the strength to stand

So now I wait and wonder when

That day will finally come

I sit with Jesus, asking Him

“How long oh Lord, how long?”

I may not get an answer

But at least we are taking this journey together

Waiting For Christmas

I listen to Christmas music,

While leaves still cling to trees

The lights are coning on everywhere

Hope rises as I  wait

And yet I wonder, 

Where has my hope hidden itself?

And why does it take Christmas lights

To bring it out,

When the light of the world,

Is always shining?

Counting Stars

Yesterday I was on my way to Bible study and thought I saw the moon outside. When I got outside,  I realized all I had seen was a florescent light bulb. Sometimes I wish I spent more time in nature. God speaks clearly in those quiet moments in His creation. We see this in Genesis 15

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.” 

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 

 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”  He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be. 

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
,
(Genesis 15:1-6, NIV)

God  could use the stars to make a point because there were many stars in the sky. Where I live I can count the stars. I'm not against city life, there are many benefits to living in the city. With my limitations, it is the best option. I am, however, beginning to see that I need to allow myself to be in awe of God. I want Him to be able to get my attention, either with a million stars or with His still small voice

Beggar

I watch their feet

As they enter the temple courts

I ask alms to the rhythm of their steps

Someone gives me a small copper coin

Maybe he’s hoping I’ll go away

That’s all I can expect

Where is the beauty in this Beautiful gate?

I cannot reach beyond it

Does anyone see me?

Or will I waste away,

Without being known?

Wait, I’ve seen those fishermen before

They walked with that Rabbi,

What was his name…?

Maybe they’ll give me alms

“Can you spare alms for a poor lame man?”

“Look at us!”

No one has ever looked at me so intensely before

“Silver, nor gold do I have,

But what I do have I give you,

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”

Right, that was the Rabbis name, Jesus!

Doesn’t he know I don’t have the strength

Still I’ll give him my hand

Will I fall?

I’m standing!

I can run!

I hear my feet kicking up the dust that I used to lie on

“Praise God! I can walk beyond the gate!”

Electronic Journey

 Ink doesn’t touch paper

The screen is the mirror

We check ourselves in

Before opening up to the world

A symphony playing to an enraptured crowd

Now plays to many fractured

Audiences of one

We think we can touch with our fingertips

Something reachable in decades past

Only by crossing the chasm of land!

The carefully crafted sculpture of a memory

Has been reduced to a quick sketch—

A moments’ blink

Alone, yet together,

We journey through life

Holding a plastic hand

Sparkle

Staring out the window

All I can see is rain

I turn away

But closing the curtains

Doesn't stop the sound

The hammering of the storm

Echoes in my head

The next morning,

The sun rises

I peek out the window

The tree in my yard
Stands stripped of its clothing
Which has been strewn on the ground
By the wind
The wet branches
Beautifully sparkle
As the sun
Shines through the raindrops

I Didn't Know What To Write

Yes this blog is almost late, and yes, as the title says, it's because I feel like I have no ideas. Part of the reason I've posted so many poems lately was to avoid this problem. However, I also have big plans for my poetry on this blog in the near future.

I love the poems I've put on this blog, but right now I'm having trouble with a particular poem. Everything comes out cliche. I just can't get it right. As I struggle with this blog and other projects,, I try to remember two things:

1. I must relax- If I don't relax the ideas stop flowing. This may seem obvious, but consider this. Some writers thrive in high pressure situations. I thought i had to be one of them to be a true writer That's one of the reasons I went into journalism classes for a while. However, I realized that environment does very little to foster growth and mastery of the creative process. Panicking when I write has the same effect.

2. My writing must bring life- The Book of Proverbs talks  about God's Word bringing life. God created all life with Word. He is the Word! (John 1:1)  I can bring life or death with my words. With God's help, I will continually choose life!

Water

I was on Your shoulders in the storm

Your step was slow, your grip was firm

Peace surged through my soul, like the water below

The rain drenched my white dress

As it darkened my hair

The thunder was a cracking whip.

Urging the clouds on

Morning always comes, and when it came,

The sun and the breeze swept the water from my face

As the rays brought jewels to a seamless sea,

I couldn’t conceive another place I’d rather be,

Than on Your shoulders, whole and free!

But then, You stopped –

Taking my right hand, you helped me down

My feet touched the water, yet I did not sink

I looked in Your eyes with the question in mine,

You answered with a chuckle and a wink!

Still holding one hand, you took the other;

Somehow music began

You lead, I followed,

On water as firm as land!

We twirled, You dipped me

We waltzed and we skipped

We swung and shimmied 

I didn’t want it to end!

When the music was over

You held me close

And sang a song over me

To the beat of your heart

After an eternal moment

I pulled away just enough

To look in Your eyes

In those eyes I saw a love

No ocean can contain!

No cross can shame!

No grave can restrain!

You smiled and wiped a tear from my eye

The music began again

Yet it was fainter than before

For all I knew was Your eyes

As I danced on the water with You

Struggle

A right hand

Crooked, bent weak

Like a wilting flower

Holds strong hands with scars

For strength

Blind eyes might think a mountain flat

Deaf ears hear a still bell

Each one feels the wind

But which one knows its voice?

The mouth that answers with a song

To Rejoice

Not My Ability

As I've began the journey through Southgate interns over the past few weeks, I've learned that I'm still learning. I've been spending lots of time manning the phones at the church which has led to more than a few wrong buttons being pressed and dropped calls.I was also asked to watch some kids during a special volunteer appreciation dinner at the church last weekend. Even though everyone said I did a really good job, I felt a little foolish as I did all these new tasks. I often feel like there is someone out there who could do a better job.

Many people in the Bible felt that way too. One of them was Moses. Before he led the children of Israel out of Egypt he encountered God in a burning bush.God lays out for Moses exactly what he is to say to them.

God said to Moses, “I Am who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’”
(Exodus 3:14, NIV)

God also gave Moses exact instructions on what he should do. The fact that God had this all planned out should have been enough for Moses but it wasn't as we see in chapter 4. Even though Moses is conversing with the  Almighty God, who knows the end from the beginning, he still can't help but focus on his inadequacy.

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

(Exodus 4:10-12, NIV)

The Lord wanted Moses to rely on Him to free the Israelites, but Moses wasn't ready to look beyond himself. He asked God to send someone else, which is what I have felt like doing a few times lately. God decided to send Aaron to speak for Moses. I am determined to continue in the place God has called me to no matter how inadequate I feel. God will show His strength through me as I continue on.

I read a quote by Corrie ten Boom once that sums this up perfectly.

 “It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts.” Corrie ten Boom

She was an old maid thrust into a situation that she was completely inadequate for. She and her family worked to hide Jewish refugees in their home during World War II. They were all arrested and suffered the horrors of imprisonment in a concentration camp. Even through all of this, Corrie depended on the Lord to bring light into the darkness.

I may not be perfect at doing what I've been called to do but that is the point. God's perfect through me and that is all I need to know as I face new challenges every day

 (Note: I highly recommend Corrie ten Boom's autobiography the Hiding Place! If you haven't already read it, get a copy. Her story of courage and perseverance is a good read for anyone who feels inadequate to accomplish God's call on their life.)

Father to Daughter

As God's daughter,

Do I curtsy, bow or cower

He made the first light shine

Decided the depths of the sea

Put every leaf on every tree,

Yet He created me!

With courage,

I look into His eyes,

All I see

In those eyes that have seen all of time

Is the love

That compelled Him,

My Father

To send His Son

I know I can draw close

I have many questions to ask

Fears and worries must be surrendered

For now, though,

All I do

Is take two bold steps forward

Bask in His light

And stay focused

On His eternal eyes

A New Adventure

Today I started Southgate Interns! I can't believe it's finally here! God is going to do some amazing things. As I look back, I can clearly see how God lead me here.

When I enrolled in the Journalism program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in the fall of 2012, I thought I knew where I was supposed to be.I love writing and I thought this would be a natural fit for me. I did fairly well in my first two semesters, but when I tried to take some courses the next summer, I lost all motivation. I did very poorly in those classes, including one class that I should've excelled in. I decided to continue on, resolving to do better. I made it through my second fall semester, although I continued to have very little motivation. Then just this past spring I finally gave up.

I was taking three classes at the time and the work was piling up. To make a long story short, I broke down down emotionally. I had struggled with intense depression in the past, and it was now rearing its ugly head again. I realized that I was not meant to be in journalism because all the bad news in the world was overwhelming. I finished up my classes as best I could, knowing I wouldn't be coming back in the fall.

The Lord showed me the truth found in Isaiah 55:9

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)
God knew he didn't want me in journalism, but I had to come to the end of myself before He could make that clear to me. Then He allowed the dream of doing interns to resurface and made it possible for me to apply and begin this adventure. God knows best how I'm going to use my gifts and talents to serve Him. That's true for everyone. He has great plans for all of us if we'll let Him lead! Let the Lord take you on a new adventure! It will be difficult, maybe even scary, but it's worth it!

The Ultimate Treasure

Lately I have found myself wanting to experience more of God. I want to see more of His glory and majesty. When Jesus said He came to give us "life and life abundantly" (John 10:10), I know He meant that we could have communion with Him. I long for an encounter with Him that goes beyond head knowledge and surpasses my feelings. I want Him to touch me at the core of my being. As I write this, verses are coming to mind about the importance of a pure heart.

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God."

(Jesus, Matthew 5:8, NIV)

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

    Who may stand in his holy place?

 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

    who does not trust in an idol

    or swear by a false god.

(Psalm 24:3-4, NIV)

I want to know God in a deeper way. I guess the best way to do that is to ask Him to purge my heart of everything that displeases Him. He knows me better than I know myself. He will reveal Himself to me as I continue to seek Him. Jesus died so I could be close to the Father through the Holy Spirit. I would hate to get to the end of my life and realize that I squandered the opportunity to know Almighty God intimately! The Apostle Paul treasured his relationship with Jesus above all else.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

(Philippians 3:7-8, NIV)

Everything in this world will fade away. I want to know God intimately now so that worshiping Him in eternity will merely be a continuation of my earthly worship. I know that is the most worthwhile goal I could ever have!

The Deer

I look up from the field

And see a deer on the hillside

It leaps up to a higher rock

I run across the field

The deer looks at me

Mocking me

I find new strength

And reach the top of the hill

I see the endless sky

And the green velvet hills

Just as the deer limps up behind me

Will God Really Provide?

There are times when I see very clearly the areas of my life in which my faith is underdeveloped. Lately I have seen that to be true in relation to my finances.

I have just applied to do an interns program at my church this fall. I’ve been planning on this for months, but I just submitted a formal application yesterday. The program consists of nine months of online Bible classes that I will take with a group of other interns and continual service and discipleship within the church every week. It is an incredible opportunity to grow in my faith and become more involved in the life of the church I grew up attending. However as with other similar programs there is a cost. It is going to cost me $4,500 to complete the program. Right now I have a disability check coming in every month. It stretches pretty far already for how small it is. Therefore, even though I’ve done a little bit of fundraising in the past few months, I still don’t know where the money will come from.

This is a new test of faith for me. I have spent years believing for physical healing and have grown in my knowledge of the Bible and how Jesus wants me to live for Him. I have even had first-hand experience with being on the front lines of the spiritual battle within my soul. However, even though I was taught the importance of tithing from a young age, and my family has experienced financial provision, this is the first time I’ve had to believe that God is going to provide for me specifically. The provisions God has given to my family in the past have come because of my parents faith for their finances. Now I need vibrant faith of my own in this area and the journey hasn’t been easy.

I wonder if this is how the disciples felt when Jesus was about to feed over 5000 people in John chapter 6. They had seen Jesus heal and teach, but they hadn't yet seen Him provide food for this many people.The beginning of the story is very telling.

Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 

Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
(John 6:5-7, NKJV)

Jesus already knew that He was going to multiply five loaves and two fishes that a little boy brought and feed 5000 men plus their women and children. He knew that there were going to be twelve baskets of leftovers when all was said and done. He didn’t reveal this to Philip. Instead, He tested his faith to see how he would respond. I find this interesting in relation to my own situation. Jesus has not revealed to me how the money will be provided for this next season in my life. But this passage makes clear that He already knows where it’s coming from! Just as He knew then that each person would be satisfied that day, He knows how my needs will be met. That’s the reason why worrying about tomorrow is pointless. There is no way I can know what will happen tomorrow. I can trust that Jesus not only knows what my tomorrow will bring, He knows the end from the beginning!

I have two choices. I can either give God every logical reason why I will never have the money for interns, or I can trust that He has the “riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19, NIV) at His disposal to provide for my every financial need. I choose to trust God!

After The Point of No Return

Tonight I was at a prayer meeting at my church. There are many people in my church who need physical healing and we were lifting up those needs in prayer. I received prayer for healing of my cerebral palsy. I felt prompted to share a word of encouragement with everyone there. I had already been given this word earlier today by the Holy Spirit. He wanted me to share it with a family in the church dealing with a cancer diagnosis. I intended to send it to them in a message. Then I saw them at the church and thought I would share it quietly  after the meeting. Both of those plans were ignored by the Lord and the next thing I knew I had the microphone! I feel like God has asked me to share the same word here, both as a way to keep a record of it and so that He can use it to encourage more people.

The Scripture passage I read from is John 11. It's the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. I began reading in verse 1.

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11, 

This is an amazing answer! Lazarus is dying and Jesus states in defiance to death that the battle is not over. Jesus knew that He would have victory over death, not only for Lazarus but for all of us who call him Savior and Lord!

The people closest to Lazarus couldn't see this however. That is why four days after Lazarus dies and Jesus finally shows up they have given up all hope. This is often when God's power is most evident and beautiful. Man gives up and God takes over and accomplishes His miraculous plan. For Lazarus the miracle happened this way:

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” 

 Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this,that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Jesus is able to go beyond what we think is possible! Death does not have the final word. Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb. We need to declare the Word of God into hopeless situations. Jesus wants to intervene on our behalf. We need to let Him be glorified!

One Day at a Time

I am a compulsive worrier. There have been a lot of uncertainties in my life in the last few months. It is hard for me not to take control by worrying. For me, it's like having a tug of war with God. Even though I know He has full control in my world, I love to try and wrestle control from Him by worrying. Many verses in the Bible talk about worrying. One of my favorites is Matthew 6:34 Jesus is talking and He says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)

Earlier in that chapter Jesus teaches us to pray: "Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, NIV). Even though I get stressed out about little things I have no control over I need to trust that God has eternity all figured out. I in my humanity can't possibly fathom eternity. I need to do and live in what Philippians 4:6-7 say:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

If I can pray and trust instead of worrying I will become close to God. Following Him one day at a time will matter in eternity

How Much Longer?

Music is powerful. Often a line in a song can awaken emotions within me that spoken word can’t, including the pain in my heart that I’d rather ignore.

The song “How He Loves” is like that in my life. The line “When all of a sudden/I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory” aggravates a bitter wound in me. You see, I don’t know what being ‘unaware of my afflictions’ is like. I wish I did, I really do. I can’t just ignore my wheelchair. The best I can do is grin and bear it until I am healed. I try to focus on God’s love as the song invites me to do, but with each passing day as I wait for healing, this is becoming increasingly difficult. Romans 12:12 says:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV)

I know I haven’t mastered this yet. I’m not sure I can be patient in my affliction much longer. So what is the answer?

When Jesus was on earth, he healed people who had been sick for a long time. One woman had been bound with a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years (Luke 13: 10-17)He healed one man at a pool who had been sick for thirty-eight years. (John 5:1-15)

These are just two examples of how Jesus intervened in the lives of desperate people. He empathizes with the fact that I don’t always understand His timing and that I have an earnest desire to escape my affliction. He wants me to persevere as I wait for breakthrough. He demonstrates this in a parable in Luke 18.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

(Luke 18:1-8, NIV)

Even though I can’t ignore my affliction, I can continually petition God for healing. He is a just and gracious Father who hears the prayers of his children and answers them. This is the truth I cling to in this ever lengthening time of waiting. My God is faithful and He will not fail me!

The Winner

In the endless blue sky of the Sun

The moon can be seen

A sign of darkness to come

Light will slay darkness

For light rushed in on darkness

From the dawn of time

At the bidding of a booming voice

Darkness tried to advance

But light has seen victory

Though darkness has a moment

Light has all time

With moon, stars and sun to shine

It will never die

Story Behind the Poem

I wrote this poem when I was sitting outside my apartment. The moon was in a cloudless sky. It got me thinking about how light will always win over darkness. I believe Jesus is always victorious over Satan. Out of that certainty came this poem, I hope it encouraged you!

Call Upon Our Healer

I have been writing poetry since I was nine years old, and I’ve loved every minute of it! This is a heartfelt poem I wrote a few weeks back. I thought I would post it here to encourage anyone who is desperate for a healing touch from Jesus. He is willing and able! Cry out to Him and He will answer.

My Broken Healer

I cry out to You, Jesus

You hear my voice

You know how I long to run

To leap

To dance

You kneel down beside me

Embrace me and whisper:

 “My body was broken for you.

Dear child, you will be healed.”

I can’t stop imagining

What it will be like!

The moment when I will put my hand in Yours!

I will touch those cruel scars

You will lift me up

I will gain strength through Your Word

“Daughter, arise and walk.”

We will dance

You will gently lead me

You will twirl me

And dip me

What a joy that will be!

To be in step with You

And know the rhythm

Of your heartbeat

All will see

And give You glory

Savior, healer

Risen King

Broken for me

In You I have

Victory

Quick Interventions During a Long Wait

We all need Jesus to intervene at some point in our lives. Sometimes He intervenes quickly in a time of crisis, and other times the wait is endless. In my life I have experienced the latter and longed for the former.

There’s a story in Matthew 9 where Jesus has two very different opportunities to intervene in two very different people’s lives. A synagogue leader needs immediate healing for his daughter. A woman who has had an issue of blood for twelve years desires to finally be healed.

While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.’ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’

 Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment. 

When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and the people playing pipes, he said, ‘Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. (Matthew 9:18-26, NIV)

 When I watch people receive relatively quick healing in a crisis situation, it’s easy to feel like Jesus doesn’t see my less urgent longing for healing. When I read this story, I can’t help but marvel at his response to this woman. She knew that she just needed to touch Jesus to be healed. He took the time to speak to her, to affirm her, to see her. Then He took the time to go heal a young girl.

Jesus isn’t up in heaven trying frantically to fix all the world’s problems. He wants to know each of us, our struggles and our triumphs. With Him, all things are possible. He wants us to expect Him to intervene, in His timing, for His glory.

Surprising Seasons of Growth

Today, July 2, 2014, marks two years since I moved out of my parents’ house. I can’t believe it! I never expected to be one of the first two of my siblings to strike out on my own. Well, not on my own exactly. I live with my twin sister, but I have my own bedroom. That’s a first!

Moving out was one of the biggest changes in my life. At barely 19, I was about five years younger than I thought I would be before the move was possible. At first, when my parents were looking at apartments, I didn’t think I was ready. Maybe they didn’t either. At any rate, my parents knew that it was the best option for me. I moved to an apartment close to my church and one campus of the university I planned to attend that fall. It was a good fit, so I made the difficult, but exciting transition into young adulthood.

It hasn’t come without growing pains. I’ve been forced to learn how to cope with loneliness. When you live in a house with five siblings and share a room with two of them, you are never alone! When I first moved out, it was summer, so I wasn’t in school yet. I don’t have a job. I hated the silence and the time alone. I tried to keep busy as best I could, but it was still difficult. I still prefer company over being alone, but I’m learning how to enjoy that time. I listen to lots of music and audio drama. (Adventures in Odyssey is not just for kids) I read, I write, watch TV, pray. I basically do anything I did in my parent’s house. That being said, I have to be much more intentional about how I spend my day. I could waste it by binge watching Netflix. My parents aren’t watching. But that wouldn’t be constructive to me or anyone else. It also wouldn’t glorify God.

I have also become more intentional with my friendships. I realized early on that if I didn’t seek out my friends, I would be stuck in my apartment all by myself. This isn’t high school anymore. I don’t see my friends every day. Now I call friends as much or more than I text them and set up coffee dates whenever possible. It’s important to me to keep my friendships strong. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” (NKJV) Friendships are valuable. I love my friends and I desire to be there for them.

This desire also extends to my family. I go to my parent’s house for dinner as much as I can. It’s great to play with my youngest siblings and enjoy everyone’s company Those evenings are great, and I plan on keeping them going. It keeps us close.

Another verse in Proverbs comes to mind now.

"A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps."

(Proverbs 16:9, NKJV)

I didn’t think I would be here right now, but God planned it to force me to grow. He ushered me into this season of new adventures before I could turn back. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Update

Hi everyone,

After I posted the blog last night, CNN posted a new article outlining Meriam Yehya Ibrahim's new charges after being rearrested. From what I can gather, it has to do with false travel documents and the illegalities of trying to leave Sudan. Here's the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/25/world/africa/sudan-christian-woman/index.html?sr=fb062514christianwoman11aVODtopLink


Please pray for favor with the courts. Pray also that the entire family would find new strength in Jesus Christ.

What Will Your Treasures Cost You?

I thought I was reading a happy ending to a story. The CNN headline from Monday, June 23, 2014 reads:

“Christian woman freed after death sentence ruled 'faulty' in Sudan”

It turns out that I was wrong

A Sudanese woman was sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy, converting from Islam to Christianity. Even though she was raised by her mother, a Christian, because her father is Muslim, her marriage to a Christian man from the US was illegal.

She was given the chance to renounce her faith She refused to do it. The article showcases her commitment to Christ this way:

"I am a Christian," Meriam Yehya Ibrahim told the judge at her sentencing hearing in May, "and I will remain a Christian."

She gave birth to a baby girl in prison. Her 20 month old son was also with her. She was given two years to nurse the baby before the sentence was to be carried out. Along with hanging, the sentence included 100 lashes for adultery.

Thanks to international outcry, including appeals for her freedom on social media and pressure from the US, United Kingdom and Canadian governments an appeals court overturned the conviction. Meriam Yehya Ibrahim was freed and reunited with her husband on Monday.

I have been following this story since it broke in May and I actually shouted “Yes!” when I read that she was released.

Before she could leave Sudan with her husband and children, however, Ibrahim was rearrested at the airport, CNN reported Tuesday. Her original accuser, a man who claims to be her brother is adamant that  the rights and honor of his family were violated upon her release. He makes his feelings known in a CNN article, published Tuesday, June 24, 2014.

"This is now an issue of honor. The Christians have tarnished our honor, and we will know how to avenge it."

The whole heart wrenching saga got me wondering about the strength of my commitment to Jesus Christ.

Would I be willing to follow Jesus, even if it meant death?

Canada is a free country. I am free to profess Jesus as my Savior and fellowship with other believers. The Bible is a legal, readily available book. Churches are free to evangelize in the community. Sadly, our country is in the minority when it comes to religious freedom

Christians all over the world face imprisonment and death for their faith. As much as I hope and pray for continued freedom, I wonder if I will ever have to take a life or death stand for Jesus.  

When I was taking a history class in university, my professor told the class that he believed the atonement for sin Christians attribute to Jesus' crucifixion is a myth. He was basically saying that Jesus died like any other man, he has no power over sin and death. A few minutes later, he asked if anyone believed in absolute truth. Without thinking, I raised my hand. He asked me where he could find absolute truth.

I froze. My tongue wouldn’t move for what felt like five minutes, but was more likely 30 seconds. When I could speak again, I stammered, “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

The professor triumphantly continued his lecture. I spent the rest of the class wondering how I could be such a coward. I’d had the chance to speak the truth about who Jesus reveals Himself to be in the Bible and under the threat of a rebuttal  from this professor, I shrank back in fear. I remember closing my eyes to keep the tears at bay. Even though I hadn’t dishonored Jesus, I felt as if I had outright denied Him by omission.

I faced ridicule in that moment. This Sudanese wife and mother faces death, and yet she will not deny Christ.

When Jesus sent out the disciples in Mathew chapter 10 he told them how adamantly he desired their eternal allegiance.

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." 

(Mathew 10:32-33, NKJV)

Jesus asks us to give ourselves to him because he loves us and wants our hearts for all eternity. He makes this clear throughout His ministry. A passage from the Sermon on the Mount comes to mind.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

(Matthew 6:19-21, NKJV)

The persecution of the Church is a difficult issue for me to tackle. I could have written this from the human rights angle, but that would only tell part of the story. Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, and other persecuted Christians can be strong in the face of death because they know who they are dying for. We are all called to “offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1) The persecuted men woman and children in the global body of Christ live this calling every day, even unto death. I hope and pray that they will be able to keep their hearts and minds on Jesus. It is in him that they have put their trust. He has prepared an eternal reward for them in Heaven, just as He has done for all the children of God.

The Best Is Yet To Come

For reference read John 5:1-15

Last Friday, I had the privilege of watching my younger sister graduate from high school

Graduation is a time of hope for the future. New opportunities and challenges arise. In the Christian community, graduates are encouraged to find their purpose and expect great things from God.

I think sometimes many of us lose this hopeful perspective when we’ve put a little distance between us and graduation. Life gets stressful and uncertain. God reveals amazing plans for others and we wonder; Does God really have good plans in store for me? Maybe it’s just me, but I have asked that question more than once in the three years since I walked (wheeled?) across the stage and into my future.

This question isn’t new. There’s a story in John 5 where Jesus encounters a man who has probably asked similar questions many times.

This man was lame for thirty-eight years. Jesus encountered him when he was waiting for that to change. He was sitting beside a healing pool called Bethesda with many other sick people. It was said that an angel periodically stirred the water. The first person to enter the pool when this occurred would be cured of his disease. Jesus encountered this man in his waiting. The dialogue is revealing.

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

(John 5:6-9, NKJV)

Jesus asked this man; “Do you want to be made well?” If Jesus ever asks me this question in person, my answer will be an emphatic “Yes!” I have told Him I want to stand and walk several times in the last six years. In contrast, this man responds to Jesus with a list of obstacles to being healed that he had encountered for years. He didn’t see any way his circumstances could change. He failed to notice in that moment that he was face to face with God incarnate. He couldn’t see that Jesus was able and willing t heal him.

That wasn’t a problem for Jesus! With a word, He transcended the obstacles. The man was healed instantly.

Oftentimes when I feel trapped by the obstacles in my life, I can’t see a way out. My eyes are fixed squarely on my circumstances. The success of others increases my pain. This is especially true when I watch someone receive miraculous physical healing. I wonder why Jesus hasn’t given me my promised healing yet. I feel weak and alone. Worse, I feel ashamed that I am bitter towards those who have been healed. I want to rejoice with them, but I lack the strength to genuinely celebrate their victory.

It is in these times that I must choose to fix my eyes on Jesus, my Saviour, my Healer and my Redeemer. He understands my struggles and He will fulfill His promises to me for His glory.

As a graduation present, I gave my sister a journal. In the front I wrote a message and copied her favorite verse. I ended the message with this. “The best is yet to come.”

I believe this is something Jesus wants all His followers to remember, no matter what trials we face. He has good things in store for us, because He is the Good Shepherd. Jesus will never leave His children. On the mountaintop He will celebrate with us. In the valley He will pick us up and give us strength to walk.

The best is yet to come, in this life and in eternity!

Words of Hope

My sister and I were recently having a conversation about happy endings in books. She concluded that books shouldn’t always have happy endings because life doesn’t always go that way. I agree, to an extent, but there’s more to it than that.

I have an idea for a novel that I’m working on. I plan on seeing it through, which means it will need an ending. There’s a difference between happy endings and hopeful endings. I plan on approaching my book with this in mind. The end of a story can be sad, even tragic, but I want my books to always end with hope.

I’m sure this seems like an idealistic stance to take. That being said, it’s important to me that I remind people through my writing that no matter how dire circumstances become, hope can be found.

One of my favorite poems is “Hope” is the Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson. In this poem, the metaphor Dickinson uses for hope is a bird. The second stanza describes the resilience of hope like this:

“And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard –
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –“

In this stanza, Dickinson illustrates that hope can survive and cultivate joy in the greatest of adversity. This is an eternal, transcendent hope, the kind of hope my Heavenly Father wants me to have in Jesus Christ. God doesn’t promise life will be easy, but He does promise to keep hope alive in me. Hope is a confident expectancy rooted in assurance of the goodness and faithfulness of God. That is why it is eternal because Jesus is eternal. Jesus is hope personified. He is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). With Jesus reigning as Lord of my life, hope will remain in me in the midst of suffering. The Apostle Paul declares this truth in Romans 5:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

(Romans 5:3-5, NLT)

My hope is in Jesus and what He did for me and all humanity when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. Death didn’t win. Suffering didn’t win. Jesus made a way for me to experience the Father’s unconditional love through the Holy Spirit. He loved me enough to endure momentary suffering to give me eternal hope. I can endure suffering knowing that I will not be forsaken. Jesus assured His disciples of this right before He went to the cross. He was giving them some last words of encouragement before His betrayal, death, burial and resurrection. He finished by saying:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

(John 16:33, NLT)

Just as Jesus didn’t want His disciples to lose hope, he doesn’t want me to lose hope.

There are plenty of reasons to lose hope in this life. As a journalism student I was inundated with reasons to become jaded, cynical and hopeless. I decided to move away from the type of writing that showcases the often bleak world we all live in. Instead I plan to use my skills to bring people hope. I won’t pretend suffering doesn’t exist. I will bring hardship and conflict into my books for the purpose of showing how God reigns over it all. He loves this sinful, broken world, and His story will never end.

God's Word Endures Forever

Last week, I was reminded about how long written words last.

I was at ladies Bible study and one of the women told me that she still had a poem I had written years ago on her fridge. The poem had been shared with the church in the bulletin when I was a kid. I wrote it when I was nine years old. I had no idea it was still encouraging someone roughly twelve years later!

That got me thinking about how long the Bible has been around. For multiple millennia, the Lord has spoken to us through His Word. He is the Word:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

(John 1:1, NKJV)

When I took a Media Ethics and Law course in University, we studied a lot of ancient philosophical writings. Aristotle, Plato, that sort of thing. We studied this stuff to figure out their ethical philosophies. The prof said we didn’t need to study the Judeo-Christian ethic because she didn’t want to go there. I wonder if, deep down, though she would never admit it, she was scared to face the living Word of God

You really only see the writings of Plato and Aristotle in University textbooks and scholarly articles these days. They are instructive and important in some circles, but they aren’t living. The Bible is miraculously eternal and life giving.

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever 

(Isaiah 40:8, NLT)

 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

(Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)

I love knowing that my writing encourages people, but, no novel, essay or poem written over the centuries has the power of the living Word of God. God will always invade our hearts, minds and souls with the Word.

The earth was spoken into existence.

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

(Genesis 1:3, NKJV)

Jesus spoke to heal the paralytic.

“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 

(Mark 2:11, NKJV)

God’s Word has power today, right now! I want to let Him speak to me every day so that His purpose is accomplished in my life. The ancient philosophers are long dead and their works are crumbling. My God is alive. His Word is alive! Which matters today?

Strength And Light

For my birthday this month, my aunt gave me a candle. The candle is in a small white holder that has the meaning of my name written on it. This is what it says:

Emily

Level headed, shy and retiring

A tower of strength in a crisis

I had heard that my name meant “strong and industrious” before. In church, I’ve heard about the importance of the meaning of names many times. However, even with this knowledge, I couldn’t see myself as “a tower of strength in a crisis”. I see myself as weak and emotionally driven when push comes to shove. As I contemplated this, the Lord reminded me of a scripture passage I had been meditating on.

 “Have you not known?Have you not heard?The everlasting God, the Lord,The Creator of the ends of the earth,Neither faints nor is weary.His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak,And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary,And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LordShall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.” 

(Isaiah 40:28-31, NKJV)

I am not strong on my own. Jesus is the source of my strength. God has always given lasting strength to those who love, trust and follow Him!

In the next chapter of Isaiah, God promises strength again to those He has called.

               

You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,And called from its farthest regions,And said to you,‘You are My servant,I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you;Be not dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

 (Isaiah 41:9-10, NKJV)

          

There are crises in life. I can try and deal with them on my own and weaken myself and others in the process. Or I can draw on the strength God provides and be the tower of strength that He wants me to be. Just like my name says I am.

I found my name’s meaning on a candle. Candles provide light. When I rely on the strength God gives, I can truly love others and be a light in the darkness. If I’m relying on myself, I may gain praise for accomplishments, but people won’t see Jesus. As Jesus said in Mathew 5:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

           (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)

                
The Father provides the strength for His children to do what He has called them to do. That is why He gets the glory when I shine His light.

Walk in New Life

For Reference, read Mark 2:1-12, Mathew 9:1-7 and Luke 5:17-26

The other day, I was at church for a morning ladies Bible study. We always sit at tables to aid in discussion. The morning started with everyone singing worship songs. When everyone stood up to sing, the woman next to me joked, “Stand up, Emily.”

I want to emphasize, I know it was a good-natured joke. However, I can’t help thinking about times in Scripture when saying those words to a lame person actually had power. One in particular comes to mind. The story of the paralytic lowered through the roof to Jesus. It’s found in all three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. I love how the Mark account says that it was impossible to get the paralyzed man through the door:

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

(Mark 2:2-5, NKJV)

I don’t understand why we give up so easily. I am guilty of it. We all have family members and friends who need to meet Jesus. Maybe they need emotional or physical healing. When there’s obstacles in the way, it’s easy to let doubt grow. I have done it while waiting for my healing. The problem is, doubt can’t co-exist with faith. While we can sit in doubt, faith requires action! In the book of James, this point is driven home.

If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

(James 2:16-17, NIV)

The men who made a hole in the roof and lowered the man to Jesus took action on their faith that Jesus can save and heal. They didn’t just tell this man, “Jesus can heal you” and wait around. These men worked to get him to Jesus and didn’t give up. They were not disappointed.

Jesus didn’t stop with forgiving the man. Forgiveness was the first step to full healing. The story continued with some teachers of the Law challenging Jesus in their hearts.

“There’s no way this man has the power to forgive sins. Only God can do that!”

I love Jesus’ response!

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” 

(Mark 2:8-12, NIV)

Jesus revealed His divinity to the doubters in the crowd by forgiving and healing this man. He had a desire to do that then and He still does now. The book of Hebrews makes this clear:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

(Hebrews 13:8, NIV)

Jesus fully removed the curse of sin in this man’s life. You see, the Jews believed that sin manifested itself in physical deformities like paralysis. Therefore, Jesus removed that sin by forgiving this man. Then He removed the symbol of that sin by healing him! He wanted everyone to know that He has the power and the authority to make anyone a new creation and give them abundant life.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

(2 Corinthians 5:16-17, NLT)

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

(Jesus, John 10:10, NLT)

When Jesus healed the paralyzed man, the people were amazed. I’m sure it wasn’t just the people who saw it happen who marveled. Anyone who saw this man walking after that must have been blown away too!

So let’s believe that Jesus will still do this now! This is no joke. He wants all who are sick and dead in sin to rise and walk in new life!

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

(Psalm 103:2-5, NLT)

(Scriptures are from the New King James Version, New International Version and New Living Translation of the Bible. Links courtesy of biblegateway.com) 

Putting Nothing Above the Lord

For Reference, read 1 Samuel 3-7

In my last post I talked about worshiping God above all else. He deserves all the glory, adoration and love. The Lord has continued to challenge me in this area. There’s a story in 1 Samuel that addresses this head on.

Basically, leading up to this, there were corrupt priests in the tabernacle at Shiloh. Eli the priest had two sons, Phinehas and Hophni, When they became priests, they did not follow God's Law regarding sacrifices. Sacrifices and offerings were how the people of Israel could worship God and have forgiveness for their sins. If they weren’t carried out as specified in the law of Moses, God counted that as disobedience. Under the leadership of Phinehas and Hophni, ignorance of God’s righteous Law continued year by year. Eli did nothing to stop it. The Lord warned him of judgement, he paid no heed. Then the Lord told a young Samuel the judgement was certain. The Philistines defeated the Israelites in battle and took the Ark of the Covenant. The ark is where the presence and power of the Lord dwelt at this time. Phinehas, Hophni and Eli all died that day, as the Lord had warned. He ended their lineage as priests because of their continual, deliberate disobedience.

Now we pick up in chapter five. The Philistines took the Ark to Ashdod and put it in the temple to Dagon, their chief god. Verses 2-5 read:

“When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso^[ was left of it.  Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.” (NKJV)

God showed the Philistines that every idol must fall before Him. Only He is to be worshiped.

The Philistines weren’t surprised when the Lord brought sickness on them. The people had heard about how He dealt with Pharaoh in Egypt. They moved it to four more cities before finally returning it to Beth Shemesh in Israel. The people of Beth Shemesh eventually sent the Ark to Kirjath Jearim.  While all this is happening, even with the Ark back in Israel, the people were still practicing idolatry and straying from the Law.

Twenty years later, the Ark was still there. The Bible says the people felt like God had abandoned them.   God gave the Israelites a chance for victory over the Philistines with this command:

“Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.”
1 Samuel 7:3-4 (NLT)

The Israelites then experienced victory over the Philistines.

We are all, even now susceptible to idolatry. Whether we idolize dreams, friends, current celebrities or famous historical figures, it can happen at any time. Sometimes, we think we know better than to follow God’s plan, like those priests did. We can never experience total closeness to God if we put anything above Him, because when we do, He doesn’t have our whole heart. He wants to be loved with everything we are. That is His greatest commandment.