Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 35-39(NIV)

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All Like Sheep

Deciphering the truth in the flood of news is almost impossible, you need some sort of prophetic discernment. Who really knows what is going on?

Simply going to the grocery store is enough to make any of us feel completely bereft. We now have an unprecedented amount of unemployed people in our country, let alone the world. The question bubbling just under the surface of all this confusion is, are you more worried about getting this virus or about your financial well being?

This current crisis is breeding unparalleled fear, confusion, and suspicion. Loneliness abounds. We don’t know who to trust, some of us do not know how we will pay for our rent, let alone our next round of groceries. Some of us are immune compromised or have loved ones who are. Neither can afford to get sick. The burden of worrying about all of this, trying to figure it all out is just too much.

The domino effect of this world wide pandemic is potentially staggering. We are all connected on levels we’ve never realized or understood. What affects one will eventually affect another.

The loss is great. The fear of what might be is great.

Once again, I find myself realizing how utterly and completely dependent I am on my Lord for my daily bread, daily provisions- for everything. It has struck me anew how like lost sheep we are. We need a shepherd, someone to care for and guide us.

I’ve caught myself wishing for eternity. This world is so freaking painful. Who can stand it? I have felt helpless and hopeless, lost in the whirlwind of too much pain and sorrow. It is all too much. As I have grieved and worried about too many what ifs, anxiety rubbing me raw, the Lord whispered to me, showing me a sweet glimpse of how he must see all of us – His sheep. How much He actually loves us. Hope is not lost.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

We are his sheep, the people of his pasture. He is a good and kind shepherd. He is here with us, He has not forsaken us. He is slow to act because He loves us.  His will is that each of us would come to Him, to His saving grace. He wills that each of us would reach out and follow the good shepherd. He is offering us redemption, wholly and completely. He is calling all of His lost sheep into his fold. He is calling all of us who are weary and heavy burdened. Come. His burden is easy, his yoke is light (Matthew 11:28-30). 

Come, come soon, dear ones, do not delay:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him 2 Peter 3:15

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17 -18

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. –Proverbs 27:17

Does anyone else feel like we are living in an upside down world?

Future generations will read about us and judge how we handled this time. I am curious what they will think about how we, the people, those of us who profess to be believers, handled our current situation. It is hard to know which way is up. 

While driving, I’ve noticed several of these signs along the roadside: No close encounters of any kind

No close encounters of any kind?!

What does that even mean? We need close encounters with one another now more than ever. We must fight to stay connected with one another; thankfully, we have several methods at our disposal to safely do so despite the current restrictions.

God did not make us to live alone. He created us to have close encounters with each other, to fellowship and be in relationship with one another, to build each other up and support one another. He never meant for any of us to walk through this life alone.

Isolation can be debilitating. Loneliness is a very real condition. None of us should feel alone during this time. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

During this time of social distancing, we must creativity orchestrate close encounters with one another. Do not forsake the fellowship of believers. Do not forget to reach out and encourage one another.

Check in with your people, co-workers, friends, neighbors. Connect in new ways. Smile and wave to people you pass. Smiles are contagious- and free! Pray for your neighbors, pray for your enemies. Pray for those in leadership. Pray for those who are self-isolating, that they may be encouraged and that the Holy Spirit would give them comfort in an extremely difficult time. 

For your own sake as well as theirs; we all need encouragement and we all need to know that none of us are in this alone.  We are all members of the body of Christ and we need to remember that we all need each other. Thankfully, the Word of God gives us plenty of instruction for times such as these. He is not surprised by this current trial. He was not caught unaware and He has not forsaken us.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually,                                                                             give thanks in ALL circumstances;   for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

-1 Thessalonians 5 9-18

We live in a time where, thankfully, we have so many tools we can utilize to stay in contact and connect with others. Obviously, it is not the same as a face to face connection, but with just a little creativity, you can still reach out and even ‘see’ others.  You can orchestrate close encounters through a phone call, text messages, zoom meetings, face-time, or even a good old fashioned letter or care package. I am encouraged and loving hearing about all the creative ways people are reaching out and supporting one another.

There is really no excuse to not be connected during all of this.  

Some are grocery shopping for the vulnerable, leaving groceries on the porch for those in need. Have you guys seen posts with the drive by birthday parades?  Others have reached out through good ol’ fashioned mail, sending encouraging letters, cards, or care packages. Others are setting up Zoom meetings, doing church or devotional check-ins online. Some have started group texts – even those who don’t like group texts!  There’s even an app out there that allows you to play games with each other virtually! Online church is going strong- if you have internet, you have so many live or recorded church services available to stay encouraged. There’s even a way to watch movies together online! Don’t forget that a simple phone call or text is one of the easiest ways to stay connected. 

Close encounters are needed now more than ever before.

Reach out to someone today! And keep reaching out. We need one another. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

   I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;  surely I have a delightful inheritance.’

Psalms 16:5

Essential

Over the past several weeks, the word ‘essential’ has been carelessly tossed around like so much rubbish.

The definition of essential, as a noun, means: ‘a thing that is absolutely necessary.’ 

Our perspectives are being shifted in many ways. We’ve realized that not everything in our life is truly ‘essential’. Just go to any grocery store with your normal list, and very quickly, you will adjust your expectations on what is ‘needed.’

The problem I have with this term has little to do with actual physical things, essential or non-essential, the problem I have is how flippantly it seems to have bled over into describing people- actual people. When we start referring to people as essential and non-essential, the lines begin to blur, what exactly are we referring to? Seems like there is a very slippery slope here.

I am fully aware that certain jobs may be rightly deemed more necessary at certain times for certain reasons. During this time of ‘social distancing’, some can’t do their jobs as they normally would. We are all having to adapt and figure things out day by day. 

But this blanket term ‘essential’ seems to encompass people as well as their actual job. Perhaps, this is because, for so long, we have let our jobs be a measuring stick for how important we are. Our identities have gotten so entangled in our jobs, we rarely know where one starts and the other ends. When you meet someone for the first time, without fail, one of the first questions asked is, “What do you do?” 

Who are we apart from our job? Who are we apart from where we graduated from school, which neighborhood we hail from?  

Our worth is often based on the answers to these questions. Our value as a person has gotten so grossly enmeshed in our job, titles, position, and income – that without those things, many of us have no idea who we really are. When you strip all of these things away, what is left?

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;     your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalms 139: 13-14

Perhaps now is the ideal time to tease apart who we are apart from what we do – let’s figure out who we really are, and what is truly is essential in us. —I am sure we each have some non-essential heart stuff we can throw out.  

For the record, each of us is essential. Each of us matter, regardless of what you do, whatever your station in life is – you are important.

In Christ, we are new creations, we are made holy and righteous because of him. Nothing you do or don’t do can change that, nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.  (Romans 8:31-39)

I am not referring to the glib and overused ‘everyone is special’ mantra  that this generation has abused and twisted into a perverse version of ‘fairness’.

Instead, I am referring to the unique beauty we each hold as His image bearers. Each one of us is uniquely important, each one of has has different strengths, weaknesses, dreams, talents, and hopes. This is beautiful, and we should celebrate and appreciate these differences. Instead, we have wrongly compared and lifted one up over the other. This should not be. We have failed to recall that comparing is the thief of all joy, that comparing an apple to an orange is not a right comparison. 

To say some one holds more value than another is simply absurd. I would love to see our thinking shift and for us to start admiring one another’s differences and appreciating who we are in Christ – which is where our value comes from. May we start to appreciate and support one another instead of tearing each other down.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.   Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,  so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NIV)

Whatever part you play, whether you be an ‘eye, a pinky toe, the stomach, the ear, or the brains’ – you are uniquely valuable; your worth is immeasurable and incomparable to other’s values.

Too often, we fail to recognize the value of something until we lose it or hurt it. Anyone who has ever gotten a tiny paper cut or stubbed their toe, quickly realized that these little parts of us, though we usually don’t even think about them, make a big impact on our life and well being. Don’t be guilty in discounting anyone as more or less valuable because their job is deemed more or less essential.

Look past the obvious and ask God to give you eyes to see people as He sees them. Ask him to show you who the people in your life are – in Him. If we can start filtering how we see people through His lenses, oh my, I imagine we will start seeing so much more beauty!

We are all essential in Him. You are wonderfully made.

Don’t forget or dismiss it.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise 

because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

Psalms 8:2

In my Bible’s footnotes, the word praise is exchanged for the word strength.

In praising Him, you invite him into your space, into your inmost being, you acknowledge him and give glory to him and his power. And it is then, that He comes, that His strength rescues us from our enemy and enables us to do what He has for us. 

Strength, true strength, the lasting kind, only comes from the Lord. We can do nothing apart from him, it is God alone who enables us.

‘I love you, O Lord, my Strength.

The Lord is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield and my horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

and I am saved from my enemies.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes who were too strong for me.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.’

Psalms 18: 1-3, 17, 32

As a family, we recently determined to sit quietly before the Lord to worship and praise. 

Why is this so hard to do?

Distractions, some conflict, an argument, and more distractions sought our attention.  Our hearts muddied and stretched thin, sitting still felt more like sitting on pins and needles.

Be still and know? How was that even possible?

The praise music just bounced off our anxious hearts; turns out, it’s quite difficult to choose to praise when your heart is not feeling it.

As we sat together in subdued silence struggling to praise Him, my mind wandered and recalled the worship music from my childhood.

As I recalled old worship songs, my mind automatically thought of my Mom. Often she would take a pause, in the midst of so much disorder and chaos, she would blast the family stereo with praise and worship music. Our stereo was huge, as big as a medium sized dresser with huge powerful speakers; booming and pounding, vibrations would rattle and spill throughout the whole house and even into the yards, it was inescapable.

My mom would sing along, praising the Lord wholeheartedly and with abandon. I can clearly remember her losing herself in praising Him fully and joyfully.

The random moments she would choose to do this seldom seemed ideal. My childhood was loud and messy. I grew up in a big Italian family, it was obnoxious with more than our fair share of chaos and dysfunction. Her timing would interrupt whatever else was happening, and sometimes it just felt downright annoying and inconvenient.

Nevertheless, she would do this, and inevitably, no matter the mood we were in, the lyrics would creep in and we would catch ourselves singing along as well. All these years later, I can still remember specific songs. 

I think my mom must have realized that you have to fight to praise in this crazy world – that His strength came only after you yield and invite Him in. She knew that if she waited till everything was perfect, till we were all in a happy and willing mood, well, she would never have found the time or space to do it. She knew she wasn’t strong enough to make it without Him. She fought to know the Lord and to praise him in some very difficult circumstances.

My dad had his own way of fighting to be in the Lord’s presence. No matter what was going on in our life, he consistently took us to church. Whether we wanted to or not, like clockwork, we would attend services. Life was not perfect, but he knew the answer and our hope lay in seeking God. He faithfully brought us to Him in the only way he knew how, taking us to church was his way of fighting to be with the Lord while re-directing us to God. 

How often have I wallowed in my own condemnation, letting shame keep me from entering into worship, from praising Him? 

I want to feel worthy before I praise him.

First, I want to be better, to earn the right to be in his presence before I feel free and able to connect and have relationship with the Lord.

How laughable are my pitiful attempts!

How arrogant and proud to think I could ever be counted worthy by my own strength. 

We can never be made worthy apart from Jesus. He wants all of us to give it up and just go to Him in the midst of our crazy chaotic dysfunctional days, bring  all of our broken super messy selves to Him.  He can handle us, and He is waiting. 

It is only Him who can make us whole.                                                                    It is only Him who can make us worthy and give us strength. 

Will you choose to praise him even when things are messy, scary, chaotic, hard, dysfunctional, broken – or whatever else?

Will you praise him? Will you seek Him and acknowledge him even when you don’t feel like it, even when things are not going well? 

 ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, 
 in quietness and rest is your strength. 
 … yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; 
 he rises to show you compassion. 
 For the Lord is a God of justice. 
 Blessed are all who wait for him.” 
 Isaiah 30:15 & 18  

 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; 
 he delivered me from all my fears. 
          -Psalms 34: 4 

 Fear has grown bold in recent days
 It lurks behind every corner and every turn -
 Boo!

 Aggressively, fear is in your face
 Sleeping and waking with you, all tangled up in daily tasks
 Dining with you, feasting on all you hold dear 
 Fear is no longer quiet
 None of us exempt from its gaze
 Fear has grown bold in recent days
 Laughing as we worry and we wonder 
 
 Fear mocks our pain as we squirm and fret 
 Gleefully he charges ahead, 
 Spreading, stalking and stoking the doubts, the worries -
 All the what if’s

 He’s been looking and waiting for this chance
 Fear has taken over the world, 
 He is frolicking about in a playground of his and our own making
 He’s grown bolder and he’s getting louder
 Fear has set his stake in each who have allowed him in

 Oh, yes, fear has grown bold in recent days 
 Feeding off our thoughts, he’s growing bigger and bolder
 Monster he is -
 Boo!
 
 If you want to be free  
 You will have to fight 
 Stop feeding him
 Be brave and courageous and even louder

 Cling to Truth, to all things good pure and right
 Do not let love out of your sight, not even for a moment
 Call on the Maker 
 Turn away from the darkness

 Turn away from all that is hidden, bring it all out into the open
 Unpack your burdens, quickly! There is no time to waste! 
 Bring it all -yes, even that-
 Bring it all into His light

 Forgive, oh yes, 
 Let love grow and spread 
 Reclaim the ground fear has so boldly stolen in recent days 
 
 If you are to live - 
 Live free!
 Be brave and courageous and even louder 
 Declare His Truth and Grace, and forgiveness 
 Grow fruit by living according to the Maker’s way 
 
 Turn your thoughts back on Him
 Choose this day, whom will you serve?
 
 Fear has grown bold in recent days
 He won’t easily let you go or give up
 So it is time for you, dearly beloved, 
 You must grow courage
 Be brave and be loud; declare His Truth

 Praise The King, who is your king? 
 It is time to choose:  fear of evil or fear the Lord?


But now, this is what the Lord says- 
 he who created YOU, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel,
  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 
 I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 
                                 Isaiah 43:1

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, you are are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me. 

Psalms 23:4

You are Invited: A few days ago, a group of us has began reading through Psalms together, just one Psalm a day. The chapters are short and a quick read but lend so much hope for getting through these trying days of uncertainty. 

I’ve been surprised at how encouraging and timely this sharing and reading together  has been. Hearing and sharing these verses and thoughts has become a bright spot in each day. It should not come as a surprise, God’s word does not return void, His timeless Truths breathe light and life into every situation. These verses have given me something good to meditate on through out my day. 

To accommodate more people, we actually started over, so we are just on chapter four today. You could easily catch up if you would like to join us!

THE PLAN: On your own time, you read the Psalms of the day. Choose a favorite verse to mediate on through the day. 
You then have the option to connect and share your favorite verses and insights in one of two ways: 

GROUP TEXT: Let me know if you would like to join our group-me text to share with a larger group of believers by texting: (512) 627.3881or email me: sarah@sarahdenman.com

ONE ON ONE: For those of you who are not a fan of group texting but would like to stay connected  in a more intimate setting, you are more than welcome to just message me daily or as wanted. You can also choose your own smaller  more intimate group of people to connect with. Invite your friends – I am sure this would encourage them as well. 

I would love to hear from you one way or another;  text me: (512) 627.3881 or email me: sarah@sarahdenman.com

If you have prayer needs, please share!  If you have good news, please share! I will respond! 

Iron sharpens iron, and in times of trial, staying connected and encouraging one another is so important and needed. 

WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT: Once a week, on Saturdays at 2:30, we will host a virtual meeting to read the Psalm of the day, share encouragement and pray together.  If you would like to participate, message me for the link to join.