Jesus on the Road

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:21,22.

So there we all were, getting off the back of a pick-up truck, having just ridden a few miles up and down the rocky, pitted terrain to El Progreso, El Salvador. We stood the whole way, holding on to the sides of the truck. There were periods of nervous laughter mixed with those of quiet reflection. I’m sure each one of us had a picture in our minds of what this day would look like.  I tried to picture the road we would help to build/rebuild on this mission trip, but when I stepped off that truck, that picture shattered and my heart started to beat through my chest. What if I’m not strong enough?

There wasn’t a nice little country path before me, not the one I meagerly underestimated in my mind. No, there was a mountainside. Thick bedrock lay under our feet. A couple dozen locals were already there, as curious as each one of us. I’m sure they were also wondering what this day would look like; all of us working together towards one cause: a road in and out of El Progreso.

As the work day began, we all learned to somehow become one team. The road began to slowly take shape, (Okay, so it didn’t just “slowly take shape,” there was hard labor, I would say “labor-camp” hard labor- I don’t think I’ve ever been so physically engaged in an endeavor in my life!)  Through the pick-axing of the bedrock, the carrying of the very large rocks up and down the mountain, the 5 gallon buckets of wet sand and cement, all by hand, (male female, didn’t matter), the road presented itself. As each day ended, more and more of the road was completed.

After what seemed like an eternity, we were standing at the dedication, hand in hand with our brothers and sisters of El Progreso and beyond. Mind you, it had only been three-and-a-half days since we started, and we all looked around at a miracle. The children were giggling and playing on that road that all of our hands built together. The natural, the working of our hands and feet and backs, was mixed with the supernatural, the Spirit of God, who connected us all in a mysterious way. 

I believe that miracles are all around us. I believe that I am a miracle, and you are a miracle. When is the last time you thought, “oh, I am going to make my heart beat?” It is the hand of God that makes your heart beat, and it was the hand of God that visualized and created that road to El Progreso.

There are amazing moments in our lives where we get to be part of something huge, bigger than ourselves, but there are so many small, powerful miracles that happen every day, every moment of our lives. If you can, take a moment now to close your eyes, and breathe in, and then out, slowly. There, that was a miracle. Find your pulse; did you find it? Another miracle. You are a miracle.

Cheryl Denise Wyatt

Prayer: God, we are so busy and take for granted all of the life and love and miracles around us every moment.  Help us to slow down and see….see the amazing awesomeness of your creation and timing and wonderment. You are God, and I am not. Please remind me of that daily. Amen

My roommate Donna & I

Part of the road we all worked on.

Cross at a home we visited.

Be Still and Know

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17

BE STILL AND KNOW

As I write this devotion, I am sitting in my back yard, under my magnificent magnolia tree, in my blue and white striped lawn chair. Up until about 10 seconds ago, my dog, Oscar, was sitting in the chair next to me, as he usually does when I am sitting in the yard.  I say “up until 10 seconds ago” because I thought I was going to tell you about how peaceful this moment was, and how we could miss it if we are too hurried.  Now, I am smiling as I type because I see that this is not my intended direction at all, because Oscar has shot across the yard barking at a neighbor, there is an ambulance screaming in the distance, a power-saw from the yard behind me, and the once-peaceful birds are now in some kind of ornithological riot!

Quiet, still moments are few and far between. Everyone and everything is on its way to somewhere, and undoubtedly, someone or something else is going to get in their way. We seem to be in a constant state of “catch up” and “stock up,” that we miss so many of the normal, everyday occasions to praise God. Even now, I am fighting with the thought-trains that are forging through my mind, “what is next for this great backyard? I need to call the dentist today. Oh, I should call my Mom today, too.”

I believe we have to be in a place in our hearts and minds to receive God’s best for us.  If I keep telling God, “Oh! Hold that thought, I’ll be right back with you, as soon as I finish this…,” then I will continue to walk around exhausted and unfulfilled. Nothing will ever be good enough, clean enough, or “mine” enough.

Do you have time to dream dreams or see visions? Take this fleeting moment in time, find a quiet spot, if even for 5 minutes, close your eyes, and breathe. Thank God for at least one thing He has done, is doing, and will do. God is the great “I AM,” and you are His precious child.

Prayer:  God, I am so tired, breathe for me. God, I am so grateful…for what you have done, what you are doing, and what You will continue to do for me. Most of all, I am just grateful for YOU. Amen

Cheryl D. Wyatt

Additional Scriptures: Psalm 46:10; Proverbs 17:1; Psalm 23:2

Use Your Words to Bless

1 Thessalonians 1:1--3:12

I am struck by the way that Paul writes to the church,  to the people of Thessalonica. It is so tender and yet, so forward.  He wastes no time in getting to the point.  He is blessed by what they have accomplished, and in what he is hearing about them, but there is still so much to do!  

I wonder if people in other churches around the city, around the country, or even around the world, are hearing of the things we are doing for Christ in our congregation at Congress and Wabash?  I don’t know about you, but I only want to be known as a group of Christ-followers who are doing the important, hard tasks of the church.  Going out into the streets and alleys and finding those who need Him most, ( and that, I have found, is all of us.)

I am also struck with the way Paul is talking to them and God simultaneously. 

His words to them are really prayers in disguise.  For instance, starting in the 11th verse he says ,“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

I just find these passages beautiful.  It is apparent the love that Paul, Timothy and Silas must have for them, and what a burden of prayer and supplication they bear for that church and its people.  

I pray that we can have that same kind of fervent prayer for even our own church. “ We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.  We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1:2,3.

Prayer for Today: May OUR words bless another as deeply as the ones we have read today. Thank you for showing us great leaders in our faith like Paul, who gave up so much to follow You, but got so much more in return. In Jesus, Amen.

Checker-Upper

James 5:1-20

I'm not really any good at waiting.  When I cook in a crock-pot, I always look. Baking in the oven? I open the door and look. As I have gotten older, I have gotten better at knowing when to look, but I still look

I have two kids. I remember when they were very little and I would put them in time-out.  The one, I could put in time-out, and they would be so good at the task of being away, that they would actually fall asleep!  When the other child went into time-out, they would come out every 5 minutes and ask if they could  be done or was it enough time out!  Although I am farther along than I used to be, I regret that I am still a "checker-upper."

I wonder, as I write this reflection, how many of you are "checker-uppers?" Do you plant your seeds, but them come out the next day and expect a crop? Okay, maybe not a crop, but even a seedling?  Have you ever planted seeds or bulbs in the yard?  I have, and I can tell you, it takes about 7-10 days for those beauties to poke their heads through the soil.  Those 7-10 days drive me crazy!  I usually find myself thinking, "oh, there's something wrong...the squirrels must have eaten them or they are rotted out in the ground!"  When they are out of my sight, I am nervous because they are out of my control.  I know this is a "bit" of an exaggeration, but I hope you get my meaning.  We have to put things into Father's hands and trust that He knows what to do with them.  Stop taking them back!

I pray that you have an amazing day. What can you put in His hands today?  He's more than able to take care of it!

Prayer: God, you are the keeper of my hidden things-the good and the bad. I trust you with my mornings, afternoons and nights. Thank you for being so good to me. In Jesus, Amen.

Cheryl Wyatt

God Prepares the Way

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Luke 10:22

God Prepares the Way

St Francis of Assisi  said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” 

The thought that our lives are to be the Gospel of Christ leaves the need for fancy words outside the door.  The very nature of Jesus is “the WORD” (see John 1:1). The spoken word became flesh. He was (is) the Word of God , incarnate; flesh and blood. He didn’t go around trying to prove Himself. In fact, He saw equality with Father God as “something to be used to his own advantage.” Philippians 2:6. Jesus went about His Father’s business, with no need to over-explain His mission, hammer the truth into people’s heads, beat them over the head…well, you get my point. He was on-mission, period. He recognized the urgency of being on-point.  I wonder how many of us spend our time on-mission?

You don’t watch the TV for very long to recognize a world that is in denial about its state of being. Evil has dressed itself up in celebrity attire, rampaged our streets, our homes, our very churches, even. It’s slick, slithery ways have become the “norm” in a culture consumed with self.  You need only live a counter-cultural life for a short while before someone takes notice. Yes, there are those who would poke fun at a life, a family, that will do it’s best to live in a Godly way. I’m not talking of those folks here, I’m talking about the people who are lost and broken and alone, desperate for another way, yearning for the good love of a parent, of Daddy-God. Pray that the Lord sends you there. 

We are living our eternities right here and now. The only thing that lasts forever are people, and God. I have found that in my life that everything matters; all that I say, do and present to the world. I am teaching others about the goodness of God each time I put change in a kettle, food on a hungry child’s plate, or give assistance to someone who may not have even asked me for it. I am Jesus today. You are Jesus today. We, are the body of Christ.

Prayer: Make my life a living Sanctuary for your Spirit, O God. May I be a light, Your light, in a lonely, scared, hungry world. Remind me that I don’t need fancy words or clothes, just an open hand to give and carry. In You, Amen.

Cheryl Garneau Wyatt

Additional Scriptures: Psalm 24:1; Mark 16:15; Acts 16:10

Half Measures

Half Measures

It seems that I’ve fallen into the great trap of complacency. 

Good-enough and not-too-bad have found a home in my soul.

I’ve grown accustomed to being sad and fat and making everyone around me stop asking me to do things again.  “At least I’m not as fat as I used to be.” I say. Last year,  I was running, 13 miles at a time, and now, I just sit and sigh and eat and cry.

Sit and sigh, and eat and cry. 

Who says I can’t be all that I envision? What has made me so satisfied with being dissatisfied?  Do I have to go all the way back and then some to only THEN turn around? That’s like getting lost, and having to go all the way to the coastline before I make the decision that I AM ON THE WRONG ROAD.

It’s been a pattern of mine to stop, start, stop, start. I hate it. It’s not a pattern I want to be involved with any more.  I remember when I was losing weight last year, I told a few people, “it’s going to really suck, and then it’s going to suck some more, and after that, it really really sucks. Then, you will smile.”

Right now I say, “enough, and I forgive you. Can we finish this, please?” 

No more regrets.

From Cheryl’s Noggin, November 13, 2011

It's Not All About You

"All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.” Ezra 1:6

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

Your extra money, that is.  It’s not all about you.  It doesn’t seem like you have a surplus, but I bet you do, somewhere in your house.  What’s in your freezer? What’s in our cupboard?  Do you have extra time?  Have you ever found money on the sidewalk?  Me too!  Just this year I decided that any money I find is not mine to keep.  I have picked a friend and give her everything I find.  Mind you, so far it’s only been around 35-cents, but that could very well change, and I have a plan in place.  Last year, I found $40 on the ground!

My simple point is this…whatever you have is twice as much as someone else.  Be nice, share.  It’s easy to get to the end and think, “if I give this away there won’t be enough for my family and me.”  I have found that when I give money or things away, the amount that I have left goes twice as far.

Nothing can beat the feeling of helping someone else.  Make twice as much dinner tonight and bring a meal to a single mother.  Make a plan for your “found money” that doesn’t include YOU.  Rake someone else’s lawn, maybe even before yours.   To make it tricky, try not to get caught.

God, help me to get my eyes off of myself and onto others.  Teach me to give sacrificially and out of my abundance.  You own it all anyway—help me to  take my hands off and stop holding on so tightly to the things of this world.  I trust that you will provide for my family and myself.  Thank you, Amen.

Additional Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:13; Philippians 2:1-3; Matthew 19:21