Blood in the Water

Lysa Terkeurst says demons smell unforgiveness like a shark smells blood in the water. I think that is very descriptive—and true. 

Unforgiveness affects our spirits, our minds, our emotions, and our bodies…which means it affects our entire being. She goes on to say that God’s forgiveness flows to us and we must cooperate with God and forgive those who’ve hurt us. When we forgive, we symbolically take our hands off of our offender’s throat. Dr. Henry Cloud says, “Forgiveness is about releasing the debt they owe you and choosing not to carry the poison of resentment–but it doesn't mean you have to trust them or give them access to hurt you again.”

Forgiveness deals with the past and what your offender did to hurt you. Boundaries deal with the future and what must take place to move forward. Can you reconcile? It’s possible—but it takes two people cooperating to reach the same goal. You may be willing…but are they? It’s imperative that we ask God to move on their hearts, but they still have a choice. But the truth is WE can forgive no matter their response. Forgiveness doesn’t automatically mean reconciliation.  There may have to be a process to restore a relationship—and both parties must be willing. 

God says, “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18.  

Don’t entice the demons with unforgiveness. Forgiveness will set YOU free!

The Start-up of a New Kingdom

This morning as I read Luke 21 and Jesus’ words about the cost of discipleship, my mind went to the men who founded America.  Those who were in the beginning phases of establishing a new “kingdom,” paid a heavy price that most of us don’t understand.   

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence to establish the nation of the United States of America. The start-up of a new government was expensive and most either gave all they had to start our government or lost their wealth for supporting the cause. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Many lost family members because of leading this worthy cause; it was clearly divisive.  There were threats to their lives or the lives of their families from those who opposed them. To start a new nation was costly.  

The same was true for the twelve disciples involved in spreading the news of the new kingdom that Jesus came to establish. Of the twelve, ten were martyred.  Judas hung himself and John probably died of natural causes—but only after being miraculously rescued after being thrown in a cauldron of boiling oil, according to Tertullian. The disciples gave up possessions and homes to follow Jesus. They had to prioritize him over their families. It was costly to be a disciple.  

We’ve forgotten the price that was paid for the establishment of a “new kingdom.” Now we walk around with expectations of what we’re owed. People in leadership look to make a profit off of their positions instead of investing all they have.  We no longer count the cost—we impose the cost on those under us.  

We should examine why our founding fathers and the disciples were willing to pay such a high price. 

Freedom always comes at a price. 

Occupying

Jesus told a parable of a man who had 10 servants and gave them each 10 minas (money) and told them, “Occupy until I come.” When he came back, he asked for an accounting. One man gained double, another 1 1/2, but another hid his money. Reward (or rebuke) was given according to their profit (or lack thereof). 

Jesus was making the point to His disciples that they were to occupy, to carry on kingdom business, until He returns.  

What has God given to you? What has He put in your hands? Money, talent, carpentry skills, accounting, nursing, car repair, parenting, preaching? Do that for the kingdom. The important thing is to KNOW what’s in your hand and expand it for God. 

So many times we hide our gifts because we’re afraid to use them, afraid we’ll be critiqued, or afraid we’re doing it wrong. And sometimes we wait for the BIG thing because we think our gifts are too unimportant.  

For two years, I’ve felt sidelined in kingdom work. All I knew to do was what was right in front of me. So I’ve been a friend to a woman walking through something very hard. And I’ve written prayer journals. I’ve sent one to everyone in my family and to friends—and still writing. These may seem like a small thing—but they’re filled with power! I’ve asked God to unleash His power through each prayer I prayed. 

Don’t wait on the big thing! What if each small thing IS the big thing? Don’t stand in front of Jesus and say, “I hid it. I was afraid.” Do the thing right in front of you! Give God more than He gave you.  

Furnished and Prepared

Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel compelled to get things done—and you’re not even sure what’s driving you? I have. And as I was cooking or cleaning, I’d be thinking, “This makes no sense!” But then someone would show up on my doorstep, and I’d realize God was the Great Orchestrator.  

I was reading Mark 14 and verse 15 jumped out at me. Jesus had told two of his disciples to go into the city and follow a man carrying water (highly unusual since women did that job) and ask the master, “Where is the room for the Passover?” And verse 15 says, “Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared, there make ready for me.”

The master of the house had already prepared the room—without knowing why. Don’t you know everything fell into place in his mind when he was asked where the room was?

When you feel compelled to clean, decorate, cook, fill the car up with gas, get the children dressed, or any number of things…just do it! You might be preparing for Jesus.  

Tipping Point

Mark tells us about the tipping point for the disciples. It’s the story in Mark 14 of the woman who anointed Jesus’ head with oil, preparing him for his burial. Arguably, the event had nothing to do with them (which is a lesson we should learn from). As Jesus pointed out, her act of love would be told throughout time.  

What is a tipping point? It’s an event—or crisis—usually following many smaller events, which creates a response from us. When the scales are tipped, we’ll either fall into the arms of God…or Satan. It’s a choice. We always have a choice.  

Judas was the keeper of the purse for the group. He’d been pilfering money from said purse. So we know money was on his mind. This event made him indignant that a huge amount of money had been “wasted.” So when Jesus rebuked him instead of the woman and the scales were tipped…he chose Satan.  He ran to the chief priests to betray Jesus.  

You may have had a crisis moment lately. We all have them. The scales have been tipped. Whose arms will you fall into? Will you embrace Truth or the lie? If Judas could stand before you today, he’d plead with you to choose Jesus.  

Twirling

When was the last time you woke up and did a little twirl over your day? Psalm 118:24 says, This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

To rejoice means to twirl! It’s waking up and knowing God has prepared this day just for you. It’s EXPECTING Him in your day. Even though hard things may come, it’s completely understanding God is your Fortress, your Defender, your Shield, the Wing that covers you, your Hope, your Strength—and oh, so much more!!

To “be glad” doesn’t just mean that I will be glad—it means I will brighten someone else’s day as well. It’s me looking for divine opportunities to invest God’s goodness in others.  

GOD has made this day!  It’s like no other. Will you twirl?

Seven Years

Tomorrow will be 7 years since Liz Dietz went to heaven. This morning, I read back through every post I made about her journey on FB and cried—remembering the hard and the sweet. I clearly remember the day Andy & I took her to a doctor’s appointment in Amarillo and stopped at her favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. She ordered food and then decided she’d wait in the car. I knew in that moment I’d be moving in with her and caring for her. Andy & I talked about it over that meal. That was in January. I moved in the next day  She died May 4.  

Liz had vulva cancer. It’s an ugly, horrible cancer and is very painful. It was so hard to keep her pain-free. I can remember ministering to her and she’d say, “I never thought my daughter-in-law would have to do this!” I’d say, “Me neither!” And we’d both laugh. 

You may not know this, but Liz and I had a difficult relationship. I married the first twin—and it was hard for her to let go. Plus I was fighting for acceptance—in every wrong way, I’m sure. Her cancer journey was healing for both of us. She finally knew I loved her and she thanked me often. It was also hard. I kept asking God (as I’d sit at the nursing home with her for hours), “Are you sure this is what I need to be doing??” It was monotonous. But God knew that the consistency of my presence would speak love to Liz. 

A couple of moments stand out to me. One was when every door closed to keep her in the nursing home. We had to take her home. I shut down emotionally and mentally. I was also exhausted physically.  I had worked for weeks with the help of my sister-in-law, Amy (an estate lawyer), to keep her in the nursing home—but bureaucratic red tape kept it from happening.  We had no idea how long she’d live at that point, and all I could see was caring for her all by myself for an extended period of time. (That never happened throughout the journey. Family always jumped in to help! But I couldn’t see that in the moment through the fog of exhaustion and disappointment.). I was completely overwhelmed. 

The other moment was while she was still in the nursing home. Liz did NOT want to die. She had a hard time letting go of everything here. She was asleep one day and I stood over her and said, “Let go, in Jesus’ name!” About the third time I said it, she woke up and had heard me.  😳🤣. She looked me dead in the eye and said, “I will. But you have to pick up the baton and carry it.”  I assured her I would. What baton was that? I knew immediately—the baton of sharing Christ and praying for the family. Those were the two things we knew her for most!

Two nights before she died, I was sleeping in her room to be near in case she needed me and she talked to people in heaven all night long. She’d been talking to her sister, Beverly, and her husband, Bob. And she said, “I’m coming!  Just give me a minute!”   🤣 

We talk about Liz a lot. One of our favorite things she’d say was a long drawn-out, “Welllllllll, honey!”  It was kind of like a southern, “Bless your heart!” But if she didn’t agree with you, you’d just get a, “Welllllll…” 

Liz loved the Lord and she loved people!! She led many people to Christ and discipled them. Seven years have flown by. I’m so grateful we finished well with our relationship. And I think she’d be pleased to know the majority of her family are carrying the baton!

*This photo is my favorite of her. Ricky Garzon had come to her room and played his guitar and led us in worship. Liz was worshiping.