FOXY

“The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion.” William Blake

My siblings and I recently scattered the ashes of our brother after a Celebration of Life with family and friends. And the fox returned.

On the morning of the day they discovered our brother’s body - lifeless - a fox entered the yard, gazed around and disappeared into the forest. According to Thai culture, there is a mythology that the cycle of life, also called samsara, is a belief that souls continue on after death, born into a new life. Although people are influenced by Buddhism, many native Indigenous peoples also believe in the afterlife. Even though these beliefs vary from tribe to tribe, they believe the souls of the dead pass into the spirit world. Some believe that the fox was a reminder that my brother has gone, but was there to remind us that he exemplified the traits of a fox and was not to be forgotten.

As Christians, we too believe in the spiritual. It’s a battle that we engage in with the enemies of darkness every day. But we put on the armor of the Living God and take up our Sword of His Word and the shield of faith. God established both the fox and the lion.

When we read Psalm 24, God reminds us

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

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.

They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

Being “foxy” may be evident in many lives as we strive to do things on our own, to figure it out and to rely on ourselves, until we realize the need to be lionlike. We need a boldness in our faith and a recognition of the majesty of the King of glory. When you “go on your own” - your soul will eventually long for the lion.

Oh, that we may roar like the lion and declare our faith, so others will come to know Jesus!

PARAKLETE

Who doesn’t love a delicious meal? The food tingles our taste buds and sometimes even the presentation looks inviting. Sharing food with others moves eating to a whole new level. As we get together this Easter, may we experience that togetherness.

The bible tells us that we can experience God by inviting the Holy Spirit to live in us.

It’s all Greek to me when I see the word, “Paraklete”. The translation is “one called to come alongside.” I know when I’ve been through a tough stretch, I am thankful for people to come alongside and support me. We love to have our family and friends or others give us a helping hand but we can be blessed when we help others as well.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our advocate, counselor and comforter or helper. In John 14: 15-31, Jesus shares with his disciples before His death, how to experience God. In verses 15 - 17 Jesus tells them:

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The world only offers us circumstantial peace and often times our “train goes off the tracks”, but when we have the Holy Spirit living in us - even in the midst of chaos, confusion and conflict - we can find peace.

When faced with tough decisions, the Spirit is our guide. This Spirit of truth is our advocate and as we grow in our faith, He is at work in us. We can grow closer to Him through prayer, scripture, encouragement and accountability; trusting that He will lead us in every season of our lives.

Jesus told us He would never leave us. Obeying Him is not always easy, but excuses don’t count. When we reveal our love to others, we are demonstrating the love of the Father. There is a peace beyond all understanding. Maybe our circumstances don’t change, but we are changed within.

Jesus knew that he was going to die, but He went to the cross for us, so that we could have life. He kept his promise of never leaving us, by giving us the Holy Spirit. Oh that I could be courageous and faithful in all my circumstances. Happy Easter! He is Risen!

FREQUENTIA

Do you feel it? Can you see it? I can’t hear it, but I sense it. Frequency.

We listened to the heavy metal music. We consumed the junk fast food. We swallowed the pills from Big Pharma. We experienced the advance of technology. The thistles of darkness pricking our humanness. The cars used to be colored. The birds sang and tweeted in the branches and passersby would smile. The frequency has changed.

And yet, God is still here. God is still good. His mercies are new every morning. Maybe we need less loudness, cleaner food, natural healing and even turning off the screens. Why are we afraid of the quiet? the solitude? the aloneness?

Jesus is a testament to both the quiet solitude and the busyness of healing, preaching and teaching. Solitude was his 40 days in the wilderness and finding lonely places to pray. Perhaps we need time to draw nearer to him and to seek a closer relationship in those quiet moments?

During this time of Lent (the season before the greatest reason for believers); Jesus demonstrated his choice of solitude. In Luke 4 v. 1-2 and 14-15, he prayed in the wilderness and was in a spiritual combat with Satan before He began his public ministry. His heart was grieving the beheading of his cousin John the Baptist in Matthew 14: 1-13 when he went away by himself. He also showed His devotion to prayer just before he sent out His 12 disciples for ministry in Mark 6:30-32. But even before that, in Luke 6:12-13, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before He chose those 12 men. There were multiple times in scripture where Jesus communicated with God alone. Just hours before he was arrested at the Mount of Olives, He knew what He was going to face and He prayed away from His disciples. They couldn’t stay awake, but He fell to His knees “Let this cup pass from me” in His time of distress only to utter in His next breath, “Thy Father’s will be done.”

As we see the world in distress, as we are tempted and filling our days with social media, news and busyness, maybe its time to change the frequencies of our life from the storms, as we limp weak kneed, and crave a need to experience the pure joy of communicating one on one with Jesus. He hears us, knows us and our hearts. Meeting with the heavenly is a love gesture. He wants us to spend those quiet moments alone with Him. So, in the noise of the world, may you find those precious moments to draw near to Him.

MELIORISM

“The belief that we can contribute to positive change and improve the world through acts of love, creativity, compassion and kindness” is not something new if you are a believer. As we say goodbye to January in a few weeks, we look forward to February, longer daylight and Valentine’s Day; not to mention Random Acts of Kindness month.

Jesus and his disciples, Martin Luther King Jr. and even Mother Theresa believed in and demonstrated the word “meliorism” countless times. Have things changed in our world? Have we forgotten to be that positive change? Don’t we want to improve the world? Don’t we want to be the sunshine in someone’s dismal day? Let’s go back to the Golden Rule.

At a Nazi labour camp in the winter of 1943, an SS guard deliberately left a gate unlocked so that prisoners could have a seventeen minute window to escape into the Polish forest. Many lives were saved because of compassion.

During the 1800’s, a few artists such as Vincent can Gogh and Rembrandt, managed to create extraordinary works of art, even though they lived in extreme poverty. They have influenced the art world even to this day. Their creativity lives on.

A woman was having “one of those days!” She’d missed her ride, spilled a coffee and her phone died. As she stood in line at the grocery store, a total stranger caught her eye. He smiled - not awkwardly - just a sincere smile that made eye contact. There was no reason. It didn’t fix anything, but it softened her heart and she relaxed, smiling back. It’s a reminder that a simple, free smile can show kindness and change someone’s day.

Jacob’s story in the bible teaches that true love is patient and always willing to wait and sacrifice. He worked 14 years for his father-in-law to marry Rachel. In our world, we want quick results but Jacob’s dedication reminds us of God’s enduring love for us which is steadfast, patient and eternal.

Can we change the world? Yes, by one smile, appreciating art, showing kindness and compassion we can.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-39

SHIKATA GA NAI

Everyday we have choices. We are able see what is not working or to notice what is working. To see abundance or scarcity. To choose joy and gratitude or hurt and revenge. The way we perceive ourselves and others makes us realize that we are imperfect and yet we hold ourselves to high standards. But it’s okay to let go.

Shikata Ga Nai is a Japanese phrase which means to let go of what can’t be changed. It’s the realization that some things are beyond our control and to be at peace with that. By letting go, one can focus on what one can change.

As we draw near to the end of yet another year, I thank the Lord that I am able to choose the blessings not the “blah’s”; choose the laughter over the tears; to learn from the lessons and cheer for the challenges that I’ve been through.

I want to walk in kindness, go offline now and then or sit in the stillness. I want to take deep breaths and take time with those I love. I want to be grateful for all I have, forgive others and even myself praising God for another morning. I want to play, laugh and sleep well. These are the choices I want more of.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, we have every reason to share the goodness of God. May He guide us as we are filled with joy, wisdom and courage. I choose to let His light shine and surrender all my plans to His perfect will in my life.

Have a blessed Christmas and may we choose Jesus in 2026 and beyond.

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

gratiarumactio

Whether its in Latin, Spanish, French or plain old English, giving thanks is essential to the believer’s walk in faith. Sometimes, I have to remind myself, that despite the storms, the rain and the “ugh” feeling, God is there with me and I need to thank Him. Not for the circumstance, but walking with me through it all. Recently, it’s been the death of my brother who passed away in his sleep. We all wonder, “when’s my time?”

And then there are those who are filled with denial thinking that “my time” is not a conscious thought because ushering death out of sight is much easier than sitting with the memories of our loved one. It sobers us and confronts us with our mortality.

We are made in God’s image, that human part. But nothing prepares us for death because things are never the same as what was before. One day it will be “my time”, but until then, I need to live. And part of that living, is being thankful that I am.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

What will we experience when we cross into eternity? For some there will be screams because hell is a real place. For those of us who are believers, it will be glorious to be in the Lord’s presence forever. Getting excited about eternity is that reality for me.

When the souls are counted, when we are gathered together in His presence, we will know that what mattered most in our lives was love. The love that expresses, was given and received and even fought for and that Christ died for. It is this Agape love that we inherit when we become children of God; not the watered-down, cultural half-life that impoverishes us. Maybe if we spent more time with Jesus, imagined heaven and loved others, we just might become a better person and used our time we have remaining on this earth to make a difference. Our death would not be in vain.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16