Lessons from Vashti & How This Applies to Believers Today

Lessons from Vashti

I was recently drawn to study the book of Esther. There seem to be many drawn to this interesting story in the Old Testament in this season, mostly focusing on being alive at "such a time as this." However, as I began to read this story, I began "seeing" some things from it in a different light than what I have often heard taught. It is these insights I wish to share.

Chapter 1 sets the stage for Esther's entrance into the story. We do not really hear of her until chapter 2. In chapter 1, we learn a little about King Ahasuerus, "who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces." While boundaries have, of course, changed over time, these ancient nations are still in existence today. For those "geographically challenged," take a look at a map of the world. Ahasuerus apparently ruled over territory extending from India northwest through modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, likely Syria and the Saudi Arabian peninsula (including not only Saudi Arabia but Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen), then southwest through Egypt and Sudan to Ethiopia. Wow! Imagine all of that being one country, under one ruler today! He ruled his empire from Susa, which is in what is now southern Iraq - a good, central location for his empire.

He apparently was experiencing peace within his empire, since he was able to turn his attention to entertaining all of his nobles, princes, and army officers at a banquet in Susa. While the passage in Esther 1:4 is often interpreted as this event having been a 6-month party, this scripture actually says that "he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty" for six months. Let me equate that to a display that might be on exhibit at a museum. Ahasuerus put his riches on display for those of his kingdom to see and enjoy. It was at the end of this 6-month period that the king threw a 7-day party - for all who were "in town" to enjoy.

"When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of the garden of the king's palace." (Verse 1:5, emphasis added.)

To complete the stage for what unfolds in this chapter, it should be noted that "Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus." (1:9) Note that the queen was giving an "indoor" party for the women, within the king's house - his house, not hers. (Hold that thought.)

Where most people begin in their discourse of this story is with verses 10-12.

"On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded ... the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him."

We can read over these three verses very quickly. The slant I have probably heard the most on this was that when the king became drunk, he sent to have his wife, who was beautiful, come and parade herself lewdly before his drunken guests - and she, in her righteousness, refused to do so. Then, in a fit of drunken rage, he, at the advice of his friends, dethroned her.

As I began to study this passage, that is not the story that is recorded.

Let's start taking a closer look at this passage, beginning in verse 10. "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine ..."

This is the part that is often cited to indicate that the king was drunk. However, the original language does not say, nor even imply, that. The word for "merry" is the word towb (tobe). It means "good" or "a good or good thing." It can also mean "beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fine, glad, good, graciously, joyfully, kindly, kindness, loving, merry, most pleasant," etc. The king wasn't drunk - he was in a good, gracious, kind-hearted mood!

Nor is there indication that his guests were drunk. In fact, some may not have been drinking at all. Verse 8 states that "The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person." The fact that this was recorded for us seems to imply that there were some who chose not to partake of the king's vast quantities of the best wines of the day.

Let's continue with the story. In his "merry" state, "he commanded" his eunuchs "to bring Queen Vashti before the king..."

The word that is translated "commanded" is the word amar (aw-mar'). It would have been more accurately translated as "bid" or "call." The Literal Translation of the Bible states, "he said." The initial word sent to Vashti by the king was not a demand, but rather an invitation.

Further, the word translated "to bring" is the word laqach (law-kakh'), which means "to take, bring, carry away, fetch, get, send for," etc. Putting the terms together, this passage is saying that Ahasuerus sent his eunuchs "to go get" his queen who, remember, was in the palace while he was out in the garden.

He wanted his beautiful wife to come to be seen by (and, might I venture, "greet") his guests on this final day of feasting ending the 6-month display of the things within his kingdom of which he was most proud or pleased. He was proud of his wife, as any husband should be. They had been celebrating in different areas and he wanted her to join him for this final day of celebration ending a 6-month season. Does that really seem to be an outrageous request?

Continuing this verse, they were "to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful." (Emphasis added.)

The queen was to come "with her royal crown" - or, put another way, in her royal attire. There is no indication here that Ahasuerus wanted his beautiful wife to disrobe herself before the people. In fact, his request was that she adorn herself as royalty. If we read the story as it is written, he was wanting to present his queen, in all of her royal beauty, to their subjects. It seems to me that this should have been viewed as being honored rather than being dishonored or disgraced, as I have often heard it portrayed.

Yet, the queen, for whatever reason, "refused to come at the king's command." We can speculate about her reason or reasons, but scripture does not reveal them to us. (Which, to my way of thinking, means they were not a vital part of the story.)

It is the word maen (maw-ane') that is translated "refused." It means to "refuse utterly." That's the first really strong word we find in this story. There is no evidence in what is recorded that Vashti in any way tried to appeal to the king that she did not want to come and ask if she might be excused from doing so. Rather, she "utterly refused" his invitation.

Another interesting note is that in this passage the word translated "command" is a different word than was used in verse 10. Here it is the word mitsvah (mits-vaw') which means "a command." Somewhere between verse 10 and verse 15, the king's request had turned into a demand. Perhaps when the queen failed to accept his initial invitation he had sent the eunuchs back with a more firm request. Maybe these messengers made several trips back and forth between the royal monarchs, carrying messages that began to escalate in tone. We do not know. What we do know is that by verse 10 Vashti had "utterly refused" the request of her husband. She refused the request of the king, at whose pleasure she had become queen, in whose palace she dwelt, and at whose expense she entertained.

It was only after receiving her "utter refusal" that "the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him."

This is the crowning event of a 6-month period of celebration of his accomplishments - and his wife "utterly refused" to join him in it. From this perspective, we can see that it is Vashti who is dishonoring her husband, the king, the one who sought her hand and placed her in her royal position, rather than Ahasuerus seeking to dishonor her. Can we blame him for being upset?

Yet, in his own integrity, he did not respond rashly. Rather he sought sound counsel from those who knew the law of the land, inquiring what was to be done to someone who failed to obey a command of the king.

"Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times - for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice and were close to him ... who had access to the king's presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom - 'According to the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?'"(1:13-15)

We know that the recommendation to the king, which he accepted and implemented, was "that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she." (1:19)

In honest reflection, this seems a "just reward" for her behavior. She was not put to death. She wasn't even banished from the kingdom. She was, however, banished from his presence and stripped of her royal position.

There are a couple of interesting things to note here. "Royal position" is the translation used for the word malkuwth (mal-kooth'). Malkuwth means "a rule or a dominion." It can be translated "empire, kingdom, realm, reign," etc. Vashti was not queen "in name only." Though we do not know exactly what, she had some measure of rule within Ahasuerus' kingdom. This is not inconsistent with who Ahasuerus was as a person or monarch. In Esther 5:3 and 5:6, he offers Esther "even to half" of his kingdom. Perhaps it was the fact that she was co-monarch with him that caused Vashti to feel she "had the right" to disobey his command.

A second observation from this passage is that the word translated as "who is more worthy" is the same word "towb" used in verse 10 to describe the "merry" heart of the king. This re-enforces the fact that this word carried a connotation of being good - and not one of being drunk.

However, after breaking the whole story in this first chapter of Esther, I want to focus on why Vashti was deposed. It was Memucan, one of those "who knew law and justice" that clearly stated the heart of the issue:

"'For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women causing them to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, "King Ahasuerus ommanded ueen Vashti to be brought in to his presence, but she did not come." This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's conduct will speak in the same way to all the king's princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.'" (1:18-19)

Within any nation and, particularly, any kingdom, there is proper protocol. We see this protocol carried out throughout the book of Esther where those summoned come to the king and those who are not summoned do not. This was a well-understood protocol for the empire. Yet, Vashti had somehow decided that she was "above the law" of the kingdom and displayed contempt for it and for the king.

The word translated as "contempt" in this passage is the word bazah (baw-zaw'). It means "to disesteem"or to "despise, disdain, [find] contemptible, to think to scorn." Memucan knew that in order to prevent this type of attitude from breeding within the kingdom, it had to be addressed fully and quickly.

Again, many have judged both Ahasuerus and his advisers as simply being "male chauvinists" who wanted "to keep their wives in their place." I disagree. There is a proper place for respect and proper protocol for approaching a king. Vashti clearly violated both. The fact that Memucan expanded this to the wives of others in the kingdom is not inconsistent with scripture. Consider Peter's admonition in 1 Peter 3:1.

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior."

In fact, I submit that Esther is a wonderful case study for what Peter taught many centuries later.

How This Applies to Believers Today

When reading the book of Esther, we usually focus on how Esther risked her life to take a stand for her people. There are certainly lessons for us to learn from Esther and Mordacai, and I do not minimize those. However, I believe there are also some lessons in this first chapter that we often overlook.

Vashti had been selected by King Ahasuerus to be his Queen. As such, she apparently was a co-monarch with him, in that she had "a royal position" that granted her some level of dominion and rule.

Does that sound familiar? Christ, as King of kings, is looking for a Bride that will be a joint-heir and reign beside Him as the true Queen of Heaven throughout eternity. [Side note: No wonder Satan has tried so hard to empower a false Queen of Heaven to pervert what Jesus wants done in the earth!]

As His Bride & Queen, we are granted dominion and rule within His kingdom.

Yet, we must never take our position with Him for granted. We must never fail to "come when He calls" or do what He asks us to do - whether or not it was the thing "on our agenda" for that time or season. "Our agenda" must always stay submitted to His will.

No doubt, Vashti considered that she was busy "working for Ahasuerus" as she was entertaining the ladies of his kingdom. However, Ahasuerus wasn't interested in her busyness; he wanted her presence with him. We need to make sure we do not resist the invitation to come into the presence of our King by being too busy working - even when that means working in His Kingdom.

We must always approach Him rightly. While there is no longer a veil of separation and we can come freely before His throne, we must still remember that He is a sovereign God. While Father God is our "Abba, Father" [Daddy], He is still The One True God, Creator of the Universe. While Jesus is our Heavenly Bridegroom, The Lover of our Soul, He is also our Lord and Savior. While the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Comforter, and The One Who Leads Us Into All Truth, He is also the Spirit of the Most High God and not to be grieved.

Let us take a lesson from the way in which Ahasuerus dealt with Vashi in a manner consistent with the law of his kingdom and justice. While God is a personal God and in His grace takes us "where we are," He is also a just God who will not tolerate rebellion or contempt. If we show contempt [lack of full respect] for Him or His commandments, like Vashti with Ahasuerus, we will no longer "see His face." Remember, it is the pure in heart that shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

God, in His graciousness (by His grace), may not "banish from His kingdom" those who do not truly honor Him as He should be. He may still allow them to live in heaven instead of being cast into outer darkness with those who have refused to be reconciled to Him. Yet, there is still a place reserved for those who are willing to fulfill the role of Bride, with all due respect for and obedience to her Husband and King. If we want that place of favor, we must abide by the laws of His Kingdom.

Let us Love and Honor our King of kings ... at all times and in all ways. May we always be swift to answer His summons to His presence. And may we never find ourselves banished from seeing His face.

Live Life Excessively!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, NASB)

Yesterday as I was participating in a webcast for Destiny Gateway, the host, Jess Bielby, referenced the above verse. When he did, I immediately heard the following in my spirit:

Satan comes to steal your purpose, kill your vision, and destroy your destiny.

Though the point that was being made and the teaching for the session went a different direction, this revelation had my attention. Last night, I began delving into understanding what this statement really meant.

First, I looked up the key words in the verse in their original language, per information in a Strong’s Concordance. Then I turned to “Merriam-Webster Unabridged” online dictionary for meanings of the English words. All definitions here are from those sources.

The word “steal” comes from the Greek word “kelpto” which means “to filch.” “Filch” is not a word that most of us use on a regular basis. It means “to steal furtively” or “to pilfer.” These are more words we don’t use every day. “Furtive” means “done by stealth.” “Pilfer” means “to steal in small quantities.” So, the phrase “the thief comes only to steal” really means that the ultimate thief, Satan, comes to pilfer from us, to steal from us a little bit at a time.

Adding the nugget that was dropped into my spirit today, it is our purpose that he seeks to pilfer. “Purpose” means “something that one sets before himself as an object to be attained : an end or aim to be kept in view in any plan, measure, exertion, or operation.”

Putting the two together, the demonic forces come by stealth to steal, a little at a time, gradually, so that we do not notice, that thing that we set before ourselves as the object we are to attain. Solomon warned us that it was “the little foxes that spoil the vines.” (Song of Solomon 2:15) It’s usually not the one, big blow that gets us; it’s the constant wearing away, little by little. The enemy whittles away at our purpose, until we lose sight of it; it is no longer “kept in view.”

As enemy forces whittle away on our purpose, they begin to move in to kill our vision. The word translated as “kill” is the Greek word “thuo” which means “to immolate [slaughter for any purpose].” “Immolate” means “to offer in sacrifice (as to a deity); especially to kill as a sacrificial victim.” It also means “to sacrifice or abnegate (as oneself) usually in the interests of some cause or objective.” To “abnegate” means “to surrender or relinquish (as a right, belief, or idea).”

What I had heard in my spirit was that the enemy comes to kill our vision. “Vision” is “something seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight : an imaginary, supernatural, or prophetic sight … especially: one that conveys a revelation.” It also means, “unusual discernment or foresight.”

What we have then is that the enemy forces come to take our vision, the imagine we hold through “unusual discernment or foresight” of what is to be, and offer it as a sacrifice to Satan – and we surrender our beliefs and ideas and allow them to be killed.

Having stolen our purpose and killed our vision, the result is the destruction of our destiny. The word used for destroy is “apollumi” and means “to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.” Satan is not out to simply thwart the fullness of our destiny; he wants “to destroy [it] fully.” Since Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, failed to fulfill his destiny, he wants to destroy the destiny of as many others as possible. As the old saying goes, “misery loves company.”

The term “destiny” has become a very common one in Christian circles that walk in present truth. The webcast I mentioned as the beginning is called Destiny Gateway. I attended a church for a couple of years which is part of a ministry called Destiny Ministries. This has become a common term. But what are we really saying when we talk about our destiny?

Strictly speaking, it is “that to which any person or thing is destined.” It speaks of our final destination. One meaning offered for “destination” is the “predetermined end, object, or use.” When we allow our purpose to be stolen and our vision to be killed, we will not reach our “predetermined end.”

If you are a strict Calvinist and believe that the end of all our lives is predetermined and that we have no control over the outcome, then you will not believe what I am saying. If, however, you believe that God has given us the ability to make decisions along the way that effect the course our life takes and its eventual outcome, then ponder this new way of viewing a very familiar verse. Satan is out to steal our purpose, little by little, until he can cause us to relinquish our vision, ultimately destroying our destiny – causing us to never fulfill that which we were created to be and do.

Fortunately, the verse does not end there.

The first portion of the verse is a warning of what can happen; the second half of the verse is a promise of a better end. Let’s look at this verse again.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

After stating the enemy’s plan for our life, Jesus states part of His own purpose. Jesus came – was born as a human being, lived a sinless life, was brutally killed as a sacrifice for all of our sins, died, spent three nights in the heart of the earth, was resurrected, and now makes intercession for us at the right hand of the Father, God – that we may “have life, and have it abundantly.”

The word used here is “perissos” and it comes from a word meaning “superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality)” The Greek word carries the implication of being excessive. Jesus’ plan for us is that we live a quality life, one that is superabundant to the point of seeming excessive.

All too often within Christian circles we have heard people chided or spoken of in less than flattering terms if they were prosperous and seemed to be “living in excess.” Yet, Jesus said that He came to provide us with a life that was overflowing in both quantity and quality, to the point of being excessive.

All of that is available to us, if we will heed His warning and remain vigilant to guard that which is of value to us – so that the thief cannot come and steal it all away from us, little by little, killing our vision and destroying our desire to attain that which we set out to do.

Peter exhorts us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

But, Praise God, we know that “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) Let us guard against the thief, so that we can live in the second portion of the verse: that we may “have life, and have it abundantly.”

Live life excessively!

Selah.

lessons from Narnia – part 3

In lessons from Narnia – part 1 and part 2, we have discussed five lessons:

1. Impatience is costly.
2. Failure to deal properly with personal trauma will knock you off course.
3. Talking with the enemy will cause you to lose your advantage.
4. Disunity will set you up for deception.
5. When you don’t finish the job, you allow room for the enemy to work.

In part 3, we will wrap this series up with two additional lessons.


6) God is waiting for us to engage Him in our battle.
When Lucy finds Aslan, he has been waiting for them to come for him. He is well aware of the situation and their need for him. However, he was waiting for them to come to him to ask for his help rather than him simply coming to their rescue. This is consistent with what we are told in Jeremiah 29:11-13.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

While God’s plans for us are good ones, He waits for us to seek after Him to obtain them. It wasn’t until Lucy went searching for Aslan with all her heart and all her strength that she found him. And it wasn’t until she found him that he “listened” to the cry for help she brought from the others. He began to fight on their behalf immediately. Even before he arrived at the scene of the battle, he engaged the trees and elements of nature to fight for Peter, Edmund, Susan, Caspian and the Narnians.

This may seem like just part of the tale spun by Lewis in his writings, but the Bible records the fact that the elements of nature do sometimes align themselves to assist God’s people in their battles, as well as God, Himself, “getting in on the act.” Following are a couple of examples.

“And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword. Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.” Joshua 10:11-13 (emphasis added)

“And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” Exodus 14:19-29 (emphasis added)

I just love the stories where God gets into the fight!


7) The enemy always underestimates God.
In 1 Kings 20:23, the servants of the king of Syria reasoned that “Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they.” Of course, that was not true. In fact, according to scripture, God took the accusation personally and it ensured their defeat!

The Telamarines similarly argued that if they crossed back over the river, they would be able to defeat the Narnians. The scene that follows reminds one of the Egyptians pursuing the Israelites – though this time the Telamarines are fleeing before the Narnians. It is here that the Telamarines come face to face with Aslan and realize that he does exist, that he is fighting against them, and that his power is definitely greater than their power. Any time we encounter God “face to face” we will always be reminded of Who He truly is.


As stated at the beginning of this series, these are just a few of the truths that C. S. Lewis wove into the story and that were portrayed in the movie. I trust you have found some nugget of truth in this series. If so, Selah, “think on these things” – and on other Simple Truths from the Word of God.

lessons from Narnia – part 2

In lessons from Narnia – part 1, we focused on two lessons:

1. Impatience is costly.
2. Failure to deal properly with personal trauma will knock you off course.

In part 2, we will look at three more. Again, if you have not yet seen the movie, you might want to wait to read this until you have done so.

3) Talking with the enemy will cause you to lose your advantage.
When Prince Caspian entered Miraz’ bed chamber, he had the clear “upper hand,” having caught him sound asleep, totally unaware and unprepared. However, instead of killing Miraz, Caspian begins talking with him. Never carry on a conversation with the enemy! It only provides him an opportunity to regroup to overpower or seduce you. While they are talking, Prince Caspian allows Miraz to get up. As the prince is watching Miraz, the evil king’s wife reaches for her crossbow and takes aim at her nephew.

Fortunately, Peter and Susan arrive to rescue Prince Caspian. But they, too, leave Miraz alive to be fought another day. The enemy we resist for a moment but fail to deal with completely will be back to fight us another day – strengthened by our lack of decisiveness in dealing with him (it) previously.

4) Disunity will set you up for deception.
After suffering the terrible defeat at the castle, Peter, Susan, Edmund, Caspian and those who managed to escape the castle with them return to Lucy and the others waiting at Aslan’s How. Peter and Caspian get into an argument, each blaming the other for the terrible loss. With the rift between them and Caspian doubting the legendary abilities of the four, the dark dwarf Nikabrik makes his move to convince Caspian to align with the dark powers to defeat Miraz, promising him certain victory. Disunity and disillusionment set us up for deception. Nikabrik knows that only the blood from the seed of Adam (a human) can bring back (free) the white witch and her powers.

At first, the promise of victory lures Caspian into their grips. Then, when he sees the witch, he realizes who is really behind the promise (and that the ancient stories really are true) and tries to pull out. Just as Nikabrik and his companions are about to overpower the prince and provide the needed blood for the witch to be freed, Peter, Edmund and Susan arrive to rescue him. The witch then begins to lure King Peter into her deception, even though Peter had stood firmly against her in their previous encounters. Once again, we see how disunity sets us up for deception. Fortunately, Edmund remembers all too well her deceptive powers and thrusts her through with his sword. In the meantime, Nikabrik and his companions, the old hag and the were-wolf, are killed. These forces of evil are destroyed and Peter and Caspian are reunited in their effort to restore Narnia.

5) When you don’t finish the job, you allow room for the enemy to work.
Having realized their only hope of survival and victory is Aslan, Lucy and Susan are dispatched to search for Him. In the meantime, the others try to delay the battle by sending a challenge from High King Peter to (self-proclaimed) King Miraz to meet in a one-on-one battle to the death to decide the victor. This, of course, is a parallel to the battle of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

Miraz finally agrees, and Peter and Miraz engage in the challenge. After some time, they mutually agree to a rest period. Both have sustained injury. Miraz begins to suspect treachery, since he had instructed the lords attending the battle with him to kill Peter if he appeared to be gaining the upper hand and they had not.

When the battle is re-engaged, Peter finally gains the upper hand and has Miraz on his knees, defenseless. Rather than finishing the job and killing Miraz as the challenge stated was to be the end for one of them (and as David did with Goliath), Peter hands the sword to Caspian for him to finish the job. Miraz intimidates Caspian with a well-worded remark and Caspian also refuses to kill him. Both Peter and Caspian assume the victor of the challenge is clear and that the war is now over. Not so! Never expect the enemy to play fair!

One of the lords who attended Miraz to the challenge now kills Miraz with one of Susan’s arrows that he had saved from a previous battle. The fact that their king has been killed by Susan’s arrow rather than Peter’s sword appears as unfair play to the waiting Telamarine army – and the battle begins.

Twice Peter and Caspian had the upper hand on Miraz and could have killed him. Twice they spared his life, somehow expecting him to suddenly “change his colors” and act rightly. Both times, refusing to “utterly destroy” the enemy in the land (as the children of Israel were repeatedly told to do) proved costly.

“And when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.” Deuteronomy 7:2

When we believe that confronting sin without dealing with it completely and killing it at the very root of the problem is sufficient, we only set ourselves up for it to come back and cause us even greater devastation.


For more lessons from Narnia, check back for the final post in the series, part 3.

lessons from Narnia – part 1

As “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” movie began to play, I heard the Holy Spirit instruct me to look for the truths in it. He said there would be many, but there were certain key ones of which I should take note.

Notes:
1. For those who have read the book but have not yet seen the movie, it does not follow the book exactly. So events referenced here may be slightly different than the events in the book.
2. If you haven’t seen the movie yet but intend to see it, you may want to wait until afterwards to read this.

Background
To set the stage for those unfamiliar with C. S. Lewis’ chronicles, Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy are siblings who live in 20th century London. In the first book of the series, “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,” the four youngsters “fall into” ancient Narnia through an old wardrobe in which they were playing. There they quickly learn to be warriors as they encounter the evils of the white witch and finally meet the great leader, Aslan. As the story unfolds, Aslan offers his life sacrificially to spare the life of Edmund, who had fallen prey to the evil deception of the witch. As with the true Lion of the Tribe of Judah, death was defeated and Aslan returned to life, empowered to overthrow the witch, who is bound and remains powerless for over a millennium.

Many years pass in Narnia, where peace reigns under the oversight of High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, Queen Lucy and, of course, Aslan. One day while riding in the woods, the four find themselves back in a strangely familiar spot. They are soon tumbling back through the wardrobe and back into 20th century London – on the same day they left! While they had spent many years in ancient Narnia where they had grown to adulthood and ruled the entire land as its kings & queens, only a few hours had passed in modern earth time. They had returned to London and their childhood.

As time passes, the four continue to long for the adventures of Narnia and their beloved Aslan. After a couple of years, they are about to the point of reconciling themselves to the fact that their life is to remain in London as they are when they suddenly find themselves passing back through a different portal into Narnia. In the couple of years that have passed in earth time, they come to realize that it has been over 1300 years in Narnia and it is not at all the way they left it. They learn that both their legacy and even Aslan are so long forgotten that they are considered myths by most. In the meantime, the land was invaded by Telamarines who had landed on its shores and had been taken over by their evil rulers. Due to the untimely death of his father, Prince Caspian is to be the heir to the Telamarine throne, when he is of an age to assume it. In the meantime, the land is ruled by his very evil uncle, Miraz. As the movie begins, Miraz’ wife bares him a son. With this news, Miraz attempts to kill Prince Caspian, so that he and his son will become the heir of the throne. Thanks to his tutor, the prince escapes, but must run to the woods to save his life.

1) Impatience is costly.
As “the kings and queens of old” (Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy) who have been summonsed back by Prince Caspian meet with the prince and the creatures of Narnia to strategize on how to best approach the battle with Miraz and the Telamarines, King Peter makes a costly mistake. At this point in the movie, only Lucy has seen Aslan since their return and she saw him only briefly. The others disbelieve that she really saw him at all. From that frame of reference, Peter decides they have “waited long enough” on Aslan to come to provide leadership. He apparently believes Aslan has either died or gone away and concludes that “now it is up to us.” The results of his decision prove costly to their army.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

King Peter’s failure to do this cost the lives of many of the Narnians. His decision reminds me of a similar decision made by King Saul of Israel who believed he had waited long enough for Samuel, God’s prophet, to show up before a great battle.

Timing and location are critical elements in any battle. Impatience will always cause you to play into the enemy’s hands. To avoid his snare, we must always seek the counsel of the Lord and refuse to move until we have His strategy for the situation.


2) Failure to deal properly with personal trauma will knock you off course.
Once inside the moat-surrounded castle where Miraz lived, Prince Caspian was to see to it that the gates were opened and draw bridge down to allow the Narnian army to invade the castle. His first “detour” from the plan was to find his old tutor, Cornelius. Finding him cost time, which is a precious commodity when dealing with the element of surprise. It would not have been a critical issue had that detour not led to the second, more costly one.

Having found Cornelius, the prince learns that Miraz had murdered his father, King Caspian, whom he had believed to have died in his sleep from natural causes. This sends the prince to Miraz’ bed chambers to personally confront the (self-appointed) king. This both cost time and exposed their presence to Miraz and, therefore, his army. Prince Caspian’s emotional “need” to confront Miraz put all of those with him in greater danger. His personal “need” caused him to lose focus on the greater mission. It also pulled Peter and Susan off task to follow and rescue him. This meant all of them were now off the plan – and not where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there. In addition, Miraz and his army were now fully aware of their presence. The element of surprise was over and its advantage lost.

Failure to deal with our emotional traumas in a right way causes us to play into the enemy’s hands and to spiral deeper and deeper into sin. When we are controlled by our emotions, we react out of them rather than acting in a way we know is right. An example of this from scripture is found in 2 Samuel 13. King David’s son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar, and then refused to marry her, leaving her to live the rest of her life in shame. Tamar went to live with her brother, Absalom, disgraced because of what had happened. In verse 22 we read, “Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.” For two years, Absalom plotted to kill Amnon. By verse 32, “Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.” Absalom knew this was not the way to handle the matter because two verses later we are told “then Absalom fled.” This caused a breach in Absalom’s elationship with his father, King David, which was never properly reconciled. That breach eventually led Absalom to attempt to take the throne and kingdom from King David, resulting in his own death along with the death of many others. (See 2 Samuel 15-18.) Failure to deal with emotional traumas or unwholesome desires will lead us down a path of destruction, which will affect not only us but also others around us.


For more lessons from Narnia, check back for part 2.

Which of these were neighbor to him?

"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" (Luke 10:36)

Over the past few weeks, I've been given reason to ponder on some things that have been turning in my head for quite some time - in fact, years.

Do you go to one of those churches where everyone hugs each other and tells them they love them? Sounds good, doesn't it? It can feel good, too. But ... does it mean anything?

"Of course it does!" we respond. We are brothers and sisters in the Lord. We are family. We love each other.

Are we? Do we really?

"Of course we do!"

Ok, let me put the question another way. Do we act like it? Do we demonstrate our love and concern?

I've pondered this in my own life for several reasons, looking at it from both the giving and receiving end. I've also observed three separate situations recently and the evidence they have provided is inconsistent with what we say. Let me share some of those stories to keep it from sounding like just a "poor me" story. There seems to me to be a difference in what we say and what we do.

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Situation 1:

A 40-something year old man who ran in marathon races suddenly dropped dead in his home from a heart attack. In spite of faith-filled prayers and CPR, he did not revive. Of course, his wife was in a state of shock. Since there were children involved, she had to "be there" for them while dealing with her own grief and the reality of the sudden change in financial condition since he was the bread winner.

I had talked with someone who had known this couple for many years and was "a sister in the Lord" to them. I was seeking to find out from her what needs might be there. She told me how she had offered to bring pizza over and to do anything that needed to be done. Since no needs were expressed, she did nothing (other than taking some pizza over) and had no suggestions for me of things that needed to be done.

I barely knew this couple. But I knew they had a large family, most of which lived elsewhere, so that means they will need large quantities of food - meat, vegies, and dessert (aka - a meal). You don't ask; you assess the need and act on it.

I later learned that the ex-wife of the man who died (and mother of his oldest daughter) went over and cleaned the house before the out of town relatives arrived. She didn't call and ask; she simply showed up, cleaned the house, and left.

Which of these ladies was a neighbor to this woman? Her sister in the Lord? Or the woman who showed up to clean the house of the widow of her own ex-husband?

Situation 2:

Another 40-something year old man, also very athletic and healthy, collapsed when two aneurysms burst. After struggling for over a week, he, too, passed away leaving a wife and small children.

From what was said by the minister at the funeral services, this couple was very involved in their church. So, in the midst of roller coaster ride while his life hung in the balance and for a period of time afterwards, meals were provided to the family for the children and wife (when she was there to eat) and the extended family from out of town who were staying in their home to care for them while "mom" was at the hospital with "dad." Gift cards were also provided to help buy meals for the wife at the hospital or gas for her or the extended family who were driving back and forth from out of town or whatever was needed. And the lawn was kept cut.

Who did all that? Their church family? No. In as far as I know, they did not do anything. It was their coworkers who provided the food and gift cards and began taking care of the yard. Their neighbors took over the yard care and assisted with the food delivery, if no one was home when it was brought by daily for about a month.

Who were the neighbors to this family? Their church family? Or their coworkers and those who happen to live beside them?

Situation 3:

A man in his early 50s had a massive stroke. Once again, he and his wife were very committed to their local church.

His wife was "living" in the waiting room for the critical care unit, going home only to shower and freshen up and check on the house and the mail. Once again, gift cards for expenses she and their (grown) children were incurring and yard care was provided. Once again, it was his coworkers who provided these; not their church family.

Who were their neighbors?

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I could go on with more examples, but I think you get the point. It isn't enough to hug each other and say "I love you." "Love" isn't a word, nor it is a feeling. It's a commitment that elicits action on our part when the one we love is hurting or in need.

Let us ask ourselves ... to whom have we demonstrated our love recently?

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:7-11)

covenant relationships

As a general rule, we in the United States do not grow up with the understanding of covenant that they do in some countries. Most people do at least acknowledge that marriage is a covenant relationship. However, the divorce rate in our country – among Christians as well as non-Christians – testifies to the fact that keeping that covenant relationship is not always a priority.

One evening this past week, I was caused to reflect on a particular covenant relationship I have had for about 15 years. The reflection was triggered by an incident in which my covenant friend was being viciously attacked by a family member and I “stepped in” to defend her from the lies that were being spewed. I won’t go into the details of that situation, but it did cause me to later reflect on my relationship with the friend I had defended.


What does it mean to be in covenant?

• It means being there when they need someone – without being asked.
  
• It means knowing “that’s not really necessary” sometimes means, “I don’t want to ask you to do that (but it would really be appreciated if you did).”
  
• It means watching their back and defending them – even if they are not around.
  
• It means being willing to step in front of them and “take the bullet” in their place – or provide the protective shield when they are under attack.
  
• It means being willing to utilize all of our resources (finances, time, energy, etc.) to meet a need they have.
  
• It means being as scripture said of David and Jonathan where their souls were knit together and “and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Sam 18:1)
  

In our society today where self-centered, watching-out-for-yourself sometimes seems to be the norm, it is often misunderstood when one person is willing to “lay down their life” for another – particularly when it is for a friend rather than a spouse or relative. It can be questioned even when it is for family.

I went through a season of care-giving for my mother in her final years. As she aged, the time and attention needed to do all that was needed continued to increase. Once when we were “back home” visiting extended family and friends, I had her cousins and then my cousins pull me aside and tell me that I needed to consider putting her in a nursing home, because (in their view) I shouldn’t “put my life on hold” for her. My thought was, “What?!”

In my view, I wasn’t putting my life on hold. I may have been putting some plans on hold, but not my life. I was living through a season of my life in which I had the privilege of caring for the person who had spent years caring for me. Why would I not want to do that? Isn’t giving ourselves away what love is about?

How many today are willing to do that even for a relative, much less for “a friend”? Yet, John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (emphasis added)

Perhaps it is time to ask ourselves the question, “For whom would I do that?”

Then ask the question, “Who would do that for me?”

The answers to those two questions will reveal your true covenant relationships.

Oh what a tangled web we weave ….

“Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.”
(Sir Walter Scott)

As I sat in a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) waiting area over this past weekend, I watched the demonstration of the truth of this phrase. I was sitting with a close friend whose brother is in the final stages of AIDS. Of course, AIDS does not kill you; it breaks the immune system down so that you contract something that does. In his case, he made it through Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma a few years back. Now it is Fungal Meningitis, which is very serious.

He had been in the hospital for a little over a week when he took a sudden, drastic dip that caused them to move him to MICU in the early hours of Saturday morning. When I met his sister and parents at the hospital at 1:30am, things did not look good. We did not expect him to make it through the day. Close friends were called a few hours later. His friends began arriving to be able to see him & friends of his parents began arriving to comfort them.

Here’s where the web begins to get tangled. The young man who is dying had never told his parents about his homosexual (actually, bi-sexual) lifestyle, so he also would not tell them when he learned he was HIV positive. Then, of course, he would not tell them when he learned he had moved into full blown AIDS. Further, he had forbidden his sister and friends to tell them. The dance going on in the waiting room & hallway would have made a good episode on a sitcom, if it had not been so serious.

Further, the doctors and nurses would call the sister back to talk in private, because he had requested that his parents not be told the full story. In addition, his sister is a nurse, so she understands more easily the situation and possible ramifications of each report. However, the fact that they were talking with her instead of the parents was causing the mother to fume – even though the daughter would return and immediately convey the information (that could be). If the doctors had talked with the mother & father, they could not tell the full story due to trying to not reveal the “real” issue.

Finally, late Saturday evening, the mother blew up at the doctor and demanded to be told the whole story. Since she did have a durable power of attorney, he did so. There’s a lesson in being careful what you insist on! She now had to face how her son, who could never do anything wrong, had been living a lifestyle of which she had always spoken in very derogatory terms.

Hmm … could that be why he never wanted to tell her? I do not in any way condone homosexuality. I believe that scripture is very clear on the fact that it is sin. However, it is also sin to be judgmental. Further, the sin of homosexuality is no “worse” or “more sinful” than any other sin – be that heterosexual promiscuity or adultery or lying or backbiting or gossip. Unfortunately, many of those who speak out against homosexuality do so out of attitudes that are equally wrong from a scriptural standpoint. We need to be seeking to minister and bring freedom and reconciliation, not condemnation.

After the initial shock and anger than no one had told them previously, there is much more peace “all around” now that people can talk openly and honestly about the entire situation. Now all the facts, conditions, and potential series of events can be laid out and understood.

So, why is it that we sometimes try to deceive someone? One lie only leads to another – and then another one to cover it – and then another, etc. Then you have to remember to whom you told what – and try to keep people who believe different stories apart, or (as he did) make sure that one party knows that the other party does not know something or knows “a different story.” It all gets very complicated – and the web begins to grow.

This leads to another old expression: Honesty is the best policy. Which, of course, is consistent with scripture, “No lies about your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16, The Message)

understanding God's timing

"Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command." 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NKJV)

I had an interesting illustration today of how important it is to know the timing of God in your life. The illustration came in two pieces. Before I get to that, let me lay a little foundation.

The verse quoted above is in the middle of a passage recounting the military might of David's army as he was made king of all of Israel at Hebron. This portion of that list is introduced in 1 Chronicles 12:23 with the statement,

"Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD." (emphasis added)

In this list that speaks of the "mighty men of valor" who were "armed for war" and "expert in war with all weapons of war," it notes of the sons of Issachar that they "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."

There is a message here, almost taken for granted by the writer, that is easy for us to miss. One of the critical skills needed for military success was to understand the times and know what to do. This ability was listed as the critical ingredient that the men of this particular tribe brought to the David's army.

Whether we are talking about effective advancement of the Kingdom of God on a corporate level or a personal one, it is critical that we understand the times and know what to do -- and when, exactly, to do it. This leads me to the "simple truths" I saw illustrated today.


don't lag behind ...

The first illustration came in a conversation as I was finishing lunch today. A young man who is involved in ministry began sharing about his personal vision for expansion of that ministry to the community. In talking about that, he shared how he was doing some things to better prepare and credential himself so there was be no question of credibility in what he and this ministry were doing. To this point, it had been simply a good exchange allowing the other couple involved in the conversation to understand this goals and vision of this ministry.

As he was speaking of how long the credentialing process would take, since it was being accomplished around his ministry, family, and other obligations, I heard the Holy Spirit say that he could not afford to take that long to complete it. I began to share with him the word of the Lord for his life about this situation sitting there across the table in the restaurant. The word was very clear that instead of the four years that he was planning to complete this process, he needed to have it completed in two. If not, there would be an opportunity that would pass him by because he was not yet prepared. He needed to take a step back and see what he needed to adjust to focus on completing this process.

nor run ahead ...

Later in the day, I encountered the counterpoint illustration. In this case, it was a statement made in the morning's message by an apostle to whom I relate, George Bakalov. While we are not in the same geographical location, his Sunday morning message is webcast and I can download it later (either from his website or from iTunes) and listen.

I do not know that Ap. Bakalov could ever be accused of lagging behind. Perhaps so, somewhere in his life, but not in what I have known of him. When God gives him a new idea, he's immediately pursuing how to implement it. But, as I learned from Bishop Bill Hamon, "a strength left unguarded can become a double weakness." (I'll leave the discussion of that truth for another day.) To his credit, Ap. Bakalov is trying "to keep his guard up."

He made a comment during this morning's message about needing to understand God's time and seasons. He said,

"God has been just challenging me here in the last couple of days ... saying, 'Wait a second. You've got so many things that you want to do, but how about My timing? How about My seasons? ... Do you have faith enough to allow Me to do things in the right time and in the right season?'"

the lesson ...

To the one, God was saying, essentially, "get it in gear and get moving." To the other He was saying, "wait a second, how about slowing down to wait for Me?" The same principle applies to both. We need to develop the skill of the sons if Issachar so that we understand the times and know what to do -- and when, exactly, to do it.

I was pondering this afternoon after the lunchtime conversation about how many times we miss an opportunity by not being in the right place at the right time. Part of that includes preparation. If we are there, but are not prepared, we resemble the 10 foolish virgins. The consequences may not be as severe, but we do miss an opportunity to "enter in" to whatever the opportunity would have been. We may not ever realize we have missed something, because our lack of preparation kept us from even being considered for it. Other times, we do know about what "could have been" and have to deal with the disappointment. How much do these missed opportunities affect how completely we fulfill our destiny? In all sincerity, only God knows.

On the other side, how many times do we miss the opportunity that would have propelled us into what God wanted us to do because we were too busy doing "good," even "Godly," things? Are we too busy working for God to stop and take time to hear what He has to say? Perhaps we need to slow down a little and wait for Him to set the stage for us. Then, that which we have been striving diligently to accomplish may become as David said of the defeat of the Philistines at Baal Perazim, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” 2 Samuel 5:20 When we move in God's timing, the results are always MUCH better.

Let us purpose to not only seek God for His direction in what He wants us to do, but also ask Him where He wants it done, how He wants it done and when He wants it done. Then, and only then, can we be assured of being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.

Who is Laurie?

I recently read Phil Cooke’s new book Branding Faith. It wasn’t what I expected. When I saw the title, I assumed “Branding” to be an adjective. So, I assumed the book to be about faith that “leaves its mark.” Instead, Cooke used the term as a verb. His point is that we need to “brand” our faith. We need to do something that causes it to be identifiable, or, to borrow from Merriam-Webster’s definition, “to impress indelibly.”

While many may find his book to be “too secular” because it talks about marketing techniques and tactics, I found it quite interesting and personally challenging. By that, I mean that it challenged me on a personal level. After all, are we not trying to get unbelievers to “buy in to” the gospel message? Unbelievers are spiritually “dead” in their sins. Most non-believers in the western world cultures are not “spiritually minded” with the exceptions being those who are in the occult or spiritism. (Unfortunately, there are also many who call themselves Christians who are also NOT spiritually minded! That’s a different subject left for another day.)

In his book, Cooke challenged the reader to tell their own, unique story. His premise is that in “Telling Your Story” you will find your “brand” – the image you want to portray, the reputation you want to build. He then proceeded with four questions to be answered to do that. I took it as a challenge to answer those questions for my own life. That is what follows.

At first glance, this may seem a little odd for a post on my "God's Simple Truths" blog. However, I believe that answering the questions posed by Cooke is one of the "truths" about ourselves and our reason for being that we all need to answer. So, as you read through my answers, begin to ask yourself how you would answer each of these questions. That's the "simple truth" you should take away from this posting.

What’s the Point?

As a secondary question, Cooke asked “Why are you doing [what ever it is you are doing]?” He then addressed both the areas of talents and abilities with which we have been equipped as well as family backgrounds and life experiences that have shaped how we view things.

Talents and Abilities

I have a passion to teach. It doesn’t matter if it is teaching mathematics at the high school or college level, teaching graduate level probability & statistics, or teaching computer science topics to my peers in the industry in which I have worked for the past 20+ years, I love to teach! It also doesn’t matter if I am in a lecture hall full of people or teaching (tutoring, mentoring) one-on-one. I still love to teach! But what I love to teach the MOST are the principles of the Kingdom. I greatly enjoy seeing someone “get it” with a concept of mathematics, engineering, or computer science. But the reward of knowing someone just grasped a key of the Kingdom is much greater. The impact of that can be far more reaching. How much better for someone to know how to restore a “crashed life” than just being able to restore a crashed computer system!

Life Experiences

I am one who fights for the underdog. I particularly fight for those I believe have been misunderstood or “done wrong.” (My apologies to the grammar teachers, but it conveys my message!) I always want to see “right” prevail. It’s no wonder that I love the old western movies. The “good guy” always did the “right” thing, whether or not it was popular. He was often misunderstood, his actions misinterpreted, and his motives misjudged. But he still did “right” – because of who he was and his personal integrity, ethics, and character. I still like those guys! That’s the way I always want to be. In the movies, they always won in the end. Unfortunately, in history, many men and women who filled those roles during that period in the history of America or in similar situations throughout the ages in any land, did not come out as well in the natural. Countless individuals, known and unknown, have given their lives to stand for right, to fight for truth. They are the real heroes.

What “wires” me this way? As Cooke points out, it is likely my own life experiences. I have been blamed too many times for something I did not do. I have been misunderstood even more. Words have been twisted, actions misunderstood, motives behind them misinterpreted and misjudged. I guess it is no wonder that I want to come to the defense of others to whom I see the same things happening. I learned long ago that you can never defend yourself in such situations – because the person(s) accusing you have already decided your guilt and that what you say is not to be trusted or even believed. It takes an intermediate (an intercessor, an advocate) to defend you. In my life, those have been rare. I know how difficult that makes walking through the situation and how much stress and pressure it causes. That, too, adds to why I do not want to see others go through those things.

Who are you?

Next, Cooke asks “Who exactly are you?” He states the purpose of the question as being “to discover what makes you who you are.” What is your family background? What is your educational background? Where did you grow up geographically? All of these things shape us.

As for me, I’m a southern gal. :-) That’s why I like things like grits and mustard greens and cornbread. I was also raised “poor.” We never went without food or clothes, but let’s just say we were on the lower end of the “lower middle class.” I realized the only way out of poverty was education. Fortunately, academia was the one area in which I excelled. I wasn’t athletic. I was not musically talented. (I have often pitied the poor woman from whom I took piano lessons. She must have dreaded me coming. I also feel sorry for my parents for making the financial sacrifice to pay for those because they wanted so much for me to be able to play the piano. Try as I might, I never was any good at it.) Nor was I “charismatic.” As I have often said of myself, when I was growing up I wasn’t just the wall flower at a party or social event, I was part of the wall! [Those who know me now find that hard to believe. It is evidence that God is a Healer.] Education became a priority for me. However, I had to break free from the poverty mindset in which I was raised to even be able to go to college, much less on to graduate school.

Like Cooke, my “third place” (that place where we hang out besides home and work/school) was the church. It is difficult for those who did not know me then to understand how I “grew up in the church” when I did not grow up in a godly home. The answer is simple. I lived across the street from it. I could (and did) go to church whether anyone else in my family did or not. That, too, has shaped who I am – both the fact that I “grew up in the church” and the fact that I often attended it alone.

Being so involved in the church in my childhood and teen years has it benefits (the things I learned at an early age about God and about living for Him) and its drawbacks (the things that I saw). I not only lived across the street from the church, I lived next door to the parsonage. In addition, since all of my primary relationships outside of my family were church relationships, I knew a lot of ministers. Unfortunately, I knew some of them “too” well and knew too much about others. I saw the double standards and hypocrisy. I knew “ministers” who where adulterers. I knew ministers who were homosexual. I also knew one who was a child molester. I knew how anyone who dared to try to expose them and their sin turned out to be the one who was “evil” in trying to attack and “falsely accuse the man of God.”

It is no wonder that I put such a high value on personal integrity. I am one who is much more concerned about character than I am about gifting. Your gift does not impress me unless you have the character to carry it well. I may respect your position, but your position does not impress me – your lifestyle does. One of the things that my experiences have developed is a pretty accurate discernment in such matters. If your walk is inconsistent with your talk, I will see through you. I hear more loudly what your life is speaking than what your words are saying. If those are inconsistent, you lose my respect. If they are too inconsistent, you also lose my trust.

What are your gifts and talents?

Then next question Cooke asks is “What were you born to do?” That’s an easy one. Teach. Today I would add to that Train and Equip. I don’t want to just impart knowledge. I want to know that the person has learned (or “caught”) what I have taught and can apply it. To me, that is the difference between a true teacher and a lecturer. Unfortunately, many “preachers” fall into the second category.

If you had asked my mother, she would have told you how I used to line my dolls up and hold school for them before I ever started to school. (I never did ask her what I used to teach them.) When I was in the first grade (and we did not have public kindergarten, so that was my first year of school), my teacher would have me help some of my classmates who were struggling with their lessons. Apparently, I could explain it to them in a way they would understand it – or at least give them the personal, one-on-one attention they needed. (I didn’t know the word “tutor” then.) When I was in fifth grade, the school started a program where the more advanced students from the higher grades would go down to the lower grades to tutor students who needed the extra attention. (Schools didn’t have aides then like they do now. We were a free resource. And, it was good for us as well.) No wonder I got degrees (plural) in Education!

I also love math. Why? Because it’s logical, of course! (Yes, I also loved Mr. Spock. Not the doctor, the half-Vulcan.) In mathematics, the rules are well defined. (I like well defined rules!) If applied properly, the rules of mathematics always yield the correct answer. The result obtained is either right (when rules are applied properly) or wrong (when they are not). Black or white. No gray. I like that, too!

And, I love to write. Whether it is the annual newsletter to friends that I have done now for over 20 years, a technical manual (like a 300+ page manual I wrote as part of my job), or something like this blog, I love to write. I love to express my feelings by writing them. I love to share my knowledge or things I have learned by writing them. And I often function as the “chief editor” of technical writings within what ever group I work. In part that is because I am good at “cleaning up” what others have written – whether grammatically or in wordsmithing it to make sure it will be understood or interpreted correctly. One area in which I know I would be good, but have not yet had the opportunity to try, is that of “ghost writing.” That is helping someone else who either is not a good writer or doesn’t have the time to do so get their message on paper. Or, maybe I should say “in print” since paper isn’t really a necessary medium these days! Another area as yet unrealized is in writing my own books and training manuals. That, too, will come.

What makes you different?

Cooke’s last question asks “what separates you from the pack?” What makes you unique?

Again the answer seems simple. I’m me!

I’m multifaceted. Not only have I seen myself that way for years, I’ve had it put in those terms in prophetic words given to me.

You’ve already learned (if you didn’t know before) that I am a teacher, I am a mathematician and statistician, and I am a professional in IT (Information Technology, what we used to call “Computing”). I can sit in a meeting with upper level executives as a technical expert. But I am much more “at home” in my jeans and a flannel shirt than in a business suit. I can relate to people on all levels of the social spectrum. Remember, I grew up “poor.” I can talk with the guy who is living on the street and hasn’t had a bath in a couple of weeks (or longer!) and turn around and talk with an executive or professional. This ability, too, has been addressed in prophetic words. There is Kingdom purpose in being able to be at ease in any level of social environment. Also, having grown up battling cockroaches and worse, I can survive in environments in which some of my friends today could not. However, 4- and 5-star hotels are MUCH nicer and much more comfortable! :-)

From another perspective, I can cook (well!), decorate a home, or landscape a yard – and that means do the work, not just design it! I can change a tire, change the oil in the car, and even change out a radiator. (For the record, I choose NOT to do those things these days!) I can sew or limb a tree. I can do bookkeeping or accounting (yes, I did that for a living at one point in time) or teach math and statistics. I can architect and run UNIX systems or lay out your factory floor. I can teach you how to balance your checkbook and how to create and live within a budget, or I can teach you about living within the realm of Kingdom principles. I will find your inefficiencies and areas in which you are ineffective. If you will allow me, I will offer you ways to address them. :-) I am a multitasker extraordinaire, but can focus intently when necessary. Overriding it all, I am task-oriented. Need to get the job done? Call Laurie!

So, who IS Laurie?

What Cooke addresses are our natural abilities and personality. He notes that callings are a different issue and that God will often call us to do things beyond our natural capabilities. So, what I have NOT addressed here is the call on my life or all the various facets of ministry involved with fulfilling that. The call on my life supersedes, but is not inconsistent with, who I am in the natural. This is much like the way the law of aerodynamics supersedes, but is not inconsistent with, the law of gravity. It if weren’t for gravity, the plane would not land. :-) If it were not for the natural, we would not be able to live and function in this natural world. But the spiritual giftings we allow to mature in us “by reason of use” and the call God placed on our life before the foundation of the earth are beyond our natural abilities to fulfill. For those, we must tap into God’s supernatural ability being manifested through us. That topic I will leave for another day.

For now, I will end this, signing off as Laurie, teacher and champion of the person(s) wronged.

Who are you?

look on the inside

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!

You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside

but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.

In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous

but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

(Matthew 23:27-28)

I had a practical lesson in “looking on the inside rather than the outside” recently. I was in the market for a new home. I had made the decision to move from the home I had built more than a decade ago with its rather large yard in which I had planted LOTS of shrubs and flowers to a patio home or condominium, preferably all on one level, where someone else would care for the yard and shovel the snow. (Get the picture?) So, I had been looking.

After viewing a number of places, all either multi-level or condos in a high-rise building, I finally found one that had everything on my list. It was a condo, but all ground level. After looking at three different units in this same complex (over a period of several months), I found one that was done in the color scheme I wanted and had an “extra” library room, which I would use as an office. The exterior was stucco, and looked very “Florida.” Now, that just HAD to be for me!

When I went back with a friend to do another look at everything before making an offer, something just wasn’t right on the inside. The first realization was that something was not right inside me. (Spirit check!) As I focused on it, while I loved the exterior, the cute patio, the landscaping, and the wonderful storage area built in the oversized garage, something wasn’t right INSIDE the house. The paint was fresh and the color would work wonderfully for me. It had crown molding and other “extra” features. But what I began to realize was that I felt cramped walking through it. Other than the oversized master bedroom (with a less than oversized closet!), the rooms were very small. The living room area had a couch and two chairs and even that made it difficult to walk through. The dining area could barely hold the table, chairs, and hutch. And as I began to really look at the kitchen, there was enough room for dishes and some food – or some pots & pans – or some Tupperware. (Did you catch the “or” statements? Where would you put the other things? And then there are all those appliances and baking things, etc.) There just was not enough room ON THE INSIDE to be able to enjoy living there.

So, I chose to abandon all my dreams and visions of living there and pulling up to my Florida-looking home each day – in one of “THE” subdivisions in town. I mean, just the “Wilson Estates Parkway” address was worth something! (Err … I mean “costs” something!)

A couple of weeks later, I learned of a one-story patio home for sale. It was a free-standing house. At initial glance, not nearly as “nice” (interpret that “impressive”). It has a very light gray (almost white) vinyl siding and a white concrete wall across the front to enclose the private courtyard. From the street all you see is the garage, the concrete wall, and the roof. Very “bland” looking.

But step inside!

It is open, spacious, very light & bright. What the two places had in common were the gas fire place that lights at the flip of a switch, being a single-story with a “safe room,” oversized garage, and a very large master bedroom. There, the similarities end.

As I sit typing this, I am sitting in my living room (yes, I bought the patio home) that, as currently configured, could seat 12 with room for more. Behind it there is plenty of room for the dining table & chairs, hutch, curio cabinet, and piano. (No, I never figured out where I would put the piano in the other one!) In addition, there is room for six bar stools at the marble bar that corners the kitchen.

Not only do I have room for all my dishes, pots & pans, Tupperware, baking dishes and appliances, I have room to spare in my kitchen. I am thinking of putting either a small (two-seater) table or a work island in it.

It does not have an extra “library” room to use as an office, but that’s okay. The master bedroom is SO large that the office is at one end of it with an oversized chair and ottoman between the bed and the office area. The guest bedroom is larger than the master bedroom was in my previous home – as is its private bathroom and walk-in closet. Then there are the two walk-in closets in the master bedroom as well as the utility room with a separate storage area and the unfinished machine room with yet more storage area and the oversized garage with, you guessed it, yet more storage area. WOW!

Add it up, and there is about 1000 square feet more space in this patio home than in the condo I originally wanted. (I’ve lived in several places that didn’t have 1000 square feet total – much less “1000 more”!)

Everyone who has come to see it is amazed, because …

“It just doesn’t look that big from the outside!”

So … back to the point. We are warned about judging from the outside without looking at and dealing with the inside.

I realized that I would spend my time INSIDE my home – not outside looking at it. The outside might represent my “house,” but the inside would be my “home.”

Likewise, the real “me” is who I am on the inside – not the front I try to paint on the outside. No matter how good (“beautiful”) we look on the outside, it is on the inside that the fruit of our character is grown. Am I filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23? Or full of hypocrisy and everything unclean?

Let’s all make sure we pay more attention to what we are on the inside … who we truly are … not just what we look like to others. I really like a quote I saw recently and I will close with it.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation,

because your character is what you really are,

while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

(Coach John Wooden)