In Math, do you remember how to deal with parentheses and exponents before adding or subtracting? That’s OK – not many people do!  🙂

The order of operations in the life and death of Jesus is critical.
Isaiah 53:5
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

“By His wounds we are healed” – Thank You God for loving us so much – even when things seem out of order to us.

Do you recognize God’s order of operations in your life? The storm before the calm? The blessing found in the pain? The faith grown through unanswered prayer?

“Jesus said, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

What is your favorite parade: 4th of July? Disney? Or cheering on your community team? Just imagine: arriving early to get a good seat….Lining up your family….and then cheering on the hometown hero!

Let’s rewind to Palm Sunday….the crowds, the sounds, the anticipation of the arrival of Hope! Their Savior! Their Messiah! Their excitement and zeal so fierce that people threw down their coats and lifted up their arms and desperate hearts: Hosanna! Save us!

Known longer than Mickey, more important than our country’s independence and better than any Super Bowl Ring or Pennant, let’s shout it from the bottom of our hearts and the top of our lungs for the whole world to know: 

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” John 12:13

I heard an older woman laughing so hard the other day about a memory she and her friends shared. She could not control herself! It wasn’t an annoying sound! It was contagious! The people around her just took a glance and smiled! (Maybe we were all a little jealous, too!)

God tells us that, “a joyful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22 And, “a happy heart makes the face cheerful,” Proverbs 15:13

So what are you waiting for?

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!” Psalm 100:1

What DID Jesus do?

Years ago I did a verb study on Jesus. Walking through the book of John (NIV), I highlighted every action of Jesus. What did Jesus do? How did Jesus act? How did Jesus speak? And pray? And live? And lead?

Need a Lenten devotional? Consider what Jesus did and follow the leader!

Jesus went.
Jesus decided.
Jesus saw.
Jesus found.
Jesus declared.
Jesus spent time.
Jesus baptized.
Jesus sat down.
Jesus visited.
Jesus asked.
Jesus gave.
Jesus told.
Jesus looked up.
Jesus knew.
Jesus taught.
Jesus showed.
Jesus prayed.
Jesus cried out.
Jesus loved.

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.” John 20:31

And the spotlights move on.

I had the joy and privilege to serve at a friend’s fundraiser last weekend to support the education fund of his two awesome boys who recently lost their mom to cancer. Their dad, Cole (left), is a long time friend of Justin Guarini (center), who graciously performed a concert for the fundraiser. Justin has extensive experience in stage, television, and Broadway performances, and is widely known as the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of American Idol.

An extraordinary performer and entertainer, Justin introduced his final song by explaining that in the performance industry it is important to remember that, “The stage is rented and the spotlights move on.” This took my breath away! We have this one life to live. The stage of life is temporary and our time of influence is short. How are we spending the days God is giving to us? What choices are we making?

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”  I Corinthians 13:13​

That’s it!  I can’t take it anymore!

Have you ever felt like that? Or cried it out in desperation? Maybe this lonnnnnggggg winter is dragging you down. Or relentless sickness. Or difficult relationships. Or stubborn logistics. Or complicated emotions. Or all of the above! 

Jesus gets us! He felt the same way! On the night before He died, He had had enough. Jesus said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Matthew 26:37

And then watch carefully…His very next actions and words in His despair: “He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father…” Matthew 26:39

Take your desperation to God. Fall with your face to the ground and pray, calling on your compassionate, ever listening and loving Father!

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

The Olympics have taken my heart this year. I so very highly respect the athletes and their incredible dedication! Their determination! Their expertise! Their joy!

The individual events are great, but it’s the team events that inspire me. Their coordination and communication are impeccable! I have learned so much from watching them whisper last minute encouragement or direction before an event! And then of course, to share in their hugs and victories makes us all feel like we are winners!

It reminds me of my walk with Christ – and with the body of Christ. Am I cheering others on in this journey – or am I a solo event? Whose team am I on? Do we share the same goals? And what does “our” win look like? Team JESUS!

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” Philemon 1:4-6

Sharing multiplies the joy and lessens the sorrow. It adds ideas and divides burdens. 

Life is better shared! Let’s celebrate the gift of sharing! What are your favorite times of sharing? Let’s keep the list going….
a funny reel
a smallllll bite of my chocolate chip cookie
an Olympic win
a prayer request
a secret
worship songs

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”  I Thessalonians 2:8

Turning the other cheek and going the extra mile should be considered Olympic events! Did you ever try to do it – and succeed? Like the athletes, we must be committed to life long training and fierce determination in order to win at this game called life.

But we can’t do it on our own. We need Superhuman strength! Literally! We can not maintain healthy relationships based on our own abilities or will. We need God’s secret ingredient – and God wins every time!

“I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love”  Philemon 1:9

Have you been stretching any muscles this week shoveling mountains of snow? Or has this January been stretching your time or money or energy or patience?

God loves us so much He doesn’t want us to stay the same. HE never changes, but He wants us to continually be molded and shaped in to the image of His Son!

Let’s mark this season like a box of salt water taffy – pulled and stretched in to the sweet aroma of Christ!

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11