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i'm taking a few days off here at the end of the week, so this post is gonna be quick.   two things.

1. happy birthday, midweekjolt! 

this week marks one year since this blog began. as one who loves to start new things and struggles to see them through, this is a milestone! 52 weeks. 52 posts! sure do hope that at least a few of them meant something to at least a few of you. thanks for reading. shall i continue?

2. tweet, tweet!

this won't appeal to all of you, but social networking online is the rage, as many of you know. i see many of you already on facebook. and i am finally committing to twittering as well.

twittering is nothing more than sending and receiving updates known as tweets. anything you're doing, or have just done, that you want to share with your followers, you send it out as a tweet. 

for example, through twittering, i know that one pastor i follow - one i have never met, but admire - was off yesterday and went to the national museum of history in DC - and this morning his tweet reminded me that i am God-commissioned according to Colossians 1.

another pastor i follow in L.A. is in NYC. 

i'd love to see our tribe of Christ-followers follow each other on twitter - we can use it to let each other know who we're blessing out there. imagine asking someone if you can pray for them, getting a positive response, praying, then letting us all know - all in a matter of minutes! it will make our day! all of ours!

and you can tell that blessed person that if it's OK with them, you'll invite a couple dozen others to join you immediately. how cool is this?!

if you're interested, here's what you do...

visit TWITTER online and set up an account. quick and easy. 

start hunting others from our tribe, and follow them. you can begin by looking at my profile where you will already find a handful of us. trust me, it snowballs in a hurry.

then - and for me, this is the key - set it up so you can tweet on your phone. this is what makes this work! no matter where you are, within seconds, you can send a tweet to let us all know:

I JUST BLESSED SOMEBODY!

you in?

let's go get 'em!

(how-to video)

go think about that

when i was a kid, i got spanked a few times, but those never really bothered me. it was "one and done," you know? i mean, ok, a few swats hurt, for a second, but then life was on again! i could get over one of dad's spankings pretty dang quick.

problem is, he figured it out pretty dang quick, too.

so he changed the punishment. 

when i screwed up, he made me stand in the corner.

"jeffrey, you go stand in the corner and think about that!"

i hated standing in the corner!

standing in the corner meant standing still. 

not moving. not playing. just being.

i hated standing still. still do.

i understand now, of course, that punishment - standing still or otherwise - is not about a good parent having the final say or of inflicting pain simply because he or she is bigger than the child. discipline, and even punishment, is about correction. correcting behavior that is unhealthy or even dangerous for a child.

proverbs 3.11-12 says,

my child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you.

for the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

as christians, when something bad happens in our lives, something that seems to stand us in the corner, something that we don't like, we blame the devil. we've been taught that satan hates God, and God's kids, and since we're one of them, satan is always gunning for us. so when something happens that doesn't seem to be in our best interest - as we define that - we blame the devil. and of course, he often is to blame.

but not always.

this proverb - quoted again in the new testament (see hebrews 12.5-11) - teaches us that God can be involved in our discomfort as well. God does discipline us, he does correct us, because he wants us to live lives that are healthy for us and honoring to him.

if you are suffering right now - sick, rocky marriage, out of work, unhappy, depressed, in a bad circumstance - could it be that God is disciplining you? is it possible that God has you standing in the corner right now, trying to teach you something that is ultimately for your benefit?

i wish i had a magic formula to give you so that you would know for sure. but at least take the chance to think about it. to pray about it. to examine your heart and turn yourself and your circumstances over to God yet again.

and while you're standing in that corner, please don't miss a couple key words in this proverb:

God corrects those he loves, those in whom he delights.

God does love you. he is crazy about you! and as so many fathers have said, his correction probably hurts him more than it hurts us. but he acts out of love.

he ALWAYS acts out of love. that's a guarantee.

now you go think about that.

you better sit down for this

reading through the old testament is always interesting. there are always new things, always things i feel like i have never read before. i came across one of them recently.

we all know - or should - that one of the 10 commandments says this:

remember to observe the sabbath day by keeping it holy.

i've read a variety of commentaries over the years, and had many conversations over the full meaning of this commandment.

does it mean no work on sunday?

does it mean no work on saturday (the original sabbath day?)

does it mean i also shouldn't go somewhere that makes someone else break the sabbath rule?

or does it just mean that at least once a week, i need to rest, and to give God some undivided attention?

those questions aren't fully answered for me even now, though i do have some convictions about them. but as i read further into exodus this time around, i noticed that the mandate to observe the sabbath kept coming up, again and again (exodus 16.23-29; 20.8-11; 31.13)

and then i came to this.

anyone who works on the sabbath must be put to death.

(see exodus 31.14-15; 25.2)

i'll leave you to meditate over this on your own.

i'm taking today off.

more actual grace

before you read this post -- if you have not read the one dated march 5, you will want to do that first. this is an amazing display of the care and glory of almighty God...

PART ONE is an email from debby castellow, the artist who drew the picture of emily rose... only she had no idea who emily was!

March 5, 2009

Dear Jeff,

We've really got to quit meeting like this! Just joking....I assure you you will be amazed at what I have to say! Last year this time after the prayer vigil you read a prayer I wrote during the vigil, to the Lord...This year it was my crayon drawing...to the Lord...You see I love those prayer vigils...I love spending time with God...I love Jesus and learn to love Him more everyday...Without Him I am nothing....seriously.

It has taken me some time this morning to quit crying after reading your blog. As usual God has touched my heart in a really profound way through all of this. To know that God works His love and grace through my feeble attempts at giving Him my heart is just very humbling ...

When I write, when I draw, when I am creative I am very open to God's leading. About 3 weeks before the prayer vigil I kept thinking God was urging me to paint a large canvas with the most beautiful purple I could mix....I saw in my mind, this beautiful, blond girl standing facing this brilliant yellow-white light (in my mind she was facing Jesus on the Throne of Grace...) She was wearing purple with blue undertones...When I got to the station at the prayer vigil, I knew it was the time to put it to paper...I knew in my heart that this was the place to draw the image I had seen...When I paint or draw or write it's like God takes the brush or pen and I am just along for the experience...I can lose all track of time and what's going on during those moments...it's just full of peace and total enjoyment....refreshing. At any rate as I was drawing with the crayon I was not happy with her hands because they were empty and I felt prompted to place a red rose in her right hand (signifying "I love You") and the goblet in her left (signifying "serving the lord" and communion with Him). Her purple and blue dress signify her being a part of God's Kingdom and the blue undertones represent being a part of the Family of God, chosen by Him. Now I can totally say I had no idea why I was prompted to share this drawing, I just knew it was what I could give to Him in the way of worship at that moment at that station. As a matter of fact I blushed after I pinned it to the curtain, wondering if anyone might find it much too intimate to display for everyone to see...I commented on Sunday after worship though to my husband that I was so glad that I could finally worship God with a people that understood intimacy with God...I could truly worship and not be shamed...Jeff your message Sunday actually was very freeing to my heart! The kissing thing... Ha! Thanks for being bold in what you preach.

I would be more than happy to meet the family with you and talk more about this drawing. In the meantime, please let them know that, that moment for them was directly from the Lord to their hearts at just the right time and in just the right way. And for that I am very happy and encouraged and honored to have been a vessel for Him to use!

In His love, Debby

PART TWO is a follow-up from emily's stepdad, mark mcelvey, dared march 9, 2009

In other words, she didn’t know us. She didn’t know about Emily. She didn’t have anyone else in mind. It was a drawing, an offering that God directly inspired her to do. She talked with us after the service Sunday, and she told us that she doesn’t do anything in purple, as a rule. She said that she thought maybe she’d draw one of her granddaughters, but their hair is much shorter, and the hair in the picture kept getting longer and longer.She doesn’t draw people, she mostly does landscapes.In other words, it was nothing she would choose to draw. Nothing in her life directly influenced that work.It came straight through her heart and hands from God to us. To all of us who miss Emily.

After reading that, if there is any room for doubt left in your hearts and minds about who God is, how He takes care of us all, and where Emily is now, then I don’t know what anyone can say to change your mind.

Psalm 71:20-21
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

Isaiah 25:8 
He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces;

Lamentations 3:31-33 
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Romans 8:39

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.

1 Corinthians 15:52-57

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

actual grace

last december, emily rose, a junior at butler high school, went home to be with Jesus following a battle with leukemia. since then, her family has found a home at threshold, mainly because of the way members of the church have reached out to them in the ways they do best.

this week's blog is a bit different - i wanted you to hear from emily's stepdad, mark. the following is a testimony to the tangible activity of God in the lives of his people.

As some of you know, Amy, Brendan and I are now members of Threshold Church. THD reached out to us during Emily's illness and during the aftermath in a way that made us want to be a part of your worship and ministry. We first visited on Sunday December 28, 2008. We were planning on going to Elevation Church, but they didn't have worship that Sunday, and Amy and I were determined to go somewhere to be close to God on the first Sunday after Emily's service. Amy, Caleb, Zach and I attended, and uncharacteristically sat on the second row. As a long and proper Baptist, I'm more of a back row guy, but somehow we ended up at the front.

As the praise band started their second or third song, "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" we felt the spirit touch us. We had chosen that hymn for Emily's service just 5 days before. Then as pastor Jeff began to speak about 2008 coming to a close, and all the trials, all the hardships, all the financial hardships, the job losses and the deaths in the family, we began to feel the spotlight on us. We felt singled out, tagged, touched, lifted up. We knew in our hearts before the service even concluded, that THD was where God wanted us to be. To serve Him there.

After the service we spoke with Jeff, whom we'd never met before. We introduced ourselves, but he cut us off, saying "I know who you are. I was praying and worried during the whole service that what God wanted me to say wasn't too raw, too difficult, too soon for you." We assured him that while he may have been apprehensive, and we maybe wouldn't have wanted to hear what he said, that God knew it was what we needed to know.

Since that time, there have been many more moments, random meetings, school dedications and meetings, dinner with friends, that have been tough in the moment, sometimes tough immediately after, but, ultimately, in His perfect time, what we need and what we embrace.

This weekend, Threshold held a 24 hour prayer vigil tied with the youth's 30 Hour Famine for hunger initiative. It was held at the clubhouse in our neighborhood. Several prayer stations were set up to direct our prayers and reflection. Some of the stations directed us to look inward and confess to God our sins, our worries, our burdens. Some directed us to look outward to others, to help and to pray for them. One station was different, though. It was very open ended. It consisted of an easel with a large drawing pad attached, a wall for display and pins to affix the drawings. No directions were given, no suggestions, nothing to guide us except our selves and our prayers. Some pages were hung with scriptures, some with prayers. Some were simple drawings of the cross. Some were elaborate drawings of Christ's wounds, or images superimposed on the cross. We were there at about 10 pm Saturday night. Sometime between when we left and 7 am on Sunday, someone drew the newly posted picture (see the top of this blog). It, along with several other pictures, was displayed at the church service the following morning. As of now, we don't know who did it, or even for certain that they had Emily in mind. It doesn't really matter either way. But God put that image in someone's heart. Someone was compelled to draw a picture of a beautiful blonde young woman, with a rose in her hand and surrounded by purple light, entering into a glorious light.

We showed it to Jeff after service, and he immediately said "That's your girl, entering into God's glory." Michelle Gardner told us when we showed it to her about "actual grace". That is when God provides a tangible "something" for us to see, to hold, to cherish, as a reminder of His grace. We had not heard the term before, but we do believe that it applies totally to this picture.

Once again, our idea of "coincidence" is defeated. Our concept of God's sovereignty, His power and His Plan, however, is reaffirmed and heightened.

To whoever drew this picture, thank you. If you would tell us who you are, we would like to thank you personally. If you are not comfortable with that, then please know that we have already thanked God for you and your expression of caring. We will frame the drawing and we will hang it with respect and thankfulness to remind us where Emily has journeyed ahead of us.

(from Jeff - if you are the artist of this picture, or know who is, you can get in touch with Mark and Amy by emailing me, jeff.gardner@thresholdchurch.com)