Monday, November 30, 2015

On NaNoWriMo and Answered Prayers




 
Now that I've crossed the NaNoWriMo finish line, I thought I'd give you all a long overdue update. A lot has happened in the past few weeks.

But first, let's talk about NaNo. 

 

I finished the morning of the 25th. That's 50k words in 25 days (aka my fastest writing pace ever). I managed a few hundred words on Thanksgiving, but between the holiday, recovering from the holiday, and the gloomy weather, I just haven't had it in me to write any more. I'm all...


Even though it's totally not. I need to complete the draft before Christmas if I want to release 2-3 books next year. And call me crazy, but I do.


NaNo isn't my only news. God has been on a prayer answering roll.


1) Ministry Opportunities:

 

One of the things I've missed during this illness is ministry. God has given me plenty of one on one ministry opportunities over the years, and I've relished those, but I longed for something...more.

Back in January, I researched human trafficking and sexual slavery for my novel, Eleora.

Here's the thing--all information comes with a burden. When you learn something, you have to do something with what you learn, whether you act on it, discard it, or choose to ignore it. Once I knew what was happening in the world--what was happening in my home town--I couldn't do nothing.


I met with Lindsey Nadler of Project 41 in October to go over her beta reader notes for Eleora. Prior to the meeting, I had prayed God would provide a way for me to become involved with the ministry. I told Lindsey of my interest and how I was waiting for God to heal me, to which she said, "If you're serious about wanting to get involved, I need someone to organize a prayer team. We need people who will take prayer seriously."

Why am I always surprised when God answers my prayers? I mean, we have a pretty good rapport going, and yet I was so stunned I barely got the words out--"I'm your girl."

Our team meets via conference call at 5am on Wednesday mornings. I'm no morning person, but I love denying myself that bit of sleep to meet with others to pray. I can't think of a better way to start my day.

Lindsey also invited me to teach a writing and journaling class as soon as I'm well enough to do so.


2) Community:

 

Back in the summer, the Lord began speaking to me about pursuing community again. He brought the subject to me through Scripture, prayer, blog posts, conversations, an expert consult on the book of Job. The message was everywhere: Pursue Community.

I was confused. Again and again, I asked, "What do you mean, God?"

Well, things have become clearer.

Writing Community:

For months, I've prayed for writer friends. Women in particular. (Not that I'm not super thankful for Len Woods and Leo Honeycutt.)

After taking a couple of Kristen Lamb's writing classes and surviving her Death Star editing treatment, I joined WANATribe, a social network for writers. Most of the members are women! Kristen and I are now pals, an unexpected gift. A handful of us meet in the chat room for "writing sprints," in which we write as many words as we can in 30 minutes and compare counts. (It's writing as a competitive sport. It's awesome.) And I met kindred spirit Talena Winters on Thanksgiving Day.

In addition to a writing community, God has given me the gift of...

Christian Community:

 

"God places the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:6

When I think of the community the Lord brought my lonely little soul into, I think of the word "family."

The connection was instant.

When I walked into the Siegmund's home on Friday night, October 16, the love of the Lord was so thick in that place I smelled it on the air. I tasted it. I waded through it on the way to my seat. I breathed it in, and basked in it all evening long.

I remember looking around the room that night. No one knew because I wore my mask, but I was grinning for most of worship and Bible study, thinking to the Lord, Thank you. Thank you. I've found my people!

Guys, this weirdo has found a home. Even as I write that, I tear up.

The story of how God led me to this group and what I've experienced since deserves its own post, but honestly...it's a gift so personal and precious I'm not sure I want to share it. Not here. I tremble at the thought. I don't think you could understand if I did. For now, I'll just hold it in my heart and savor the kindness of God. But if you ever want to hear the story, don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my best to describe the indescribable.

And consider this--when God prompts you to do something that confuses you or seems a little crazy at the time, trust Him. Act. He not only provides the means to obey, but the reward is breathtaking.

And sometimes miraculous

3) Physical Healing:

 

Yes, you read that right. I'm experiencing legitimate physical healing.

It's been going on for a while, but it can take time to notice. You can't miss a new symptom when it shows up, but when symptoms begin to disappear? It's hard to keep track. You go about your life as it is and then one day you look for the old symptom, and it's not there.

Either late this summer or early this autumn, I noticed my fevers were gone. I used to spike a temp with every reaction and every time my monthly visitor came to call. Not anymore.

October 12 was my last bad bout of histamine-induced insomnia. Since then, I've fallen asleep with (relative) ease, and I (usually) sleep through the night. And get this--more often than not, I wake up feeling rested. If you have an autoimmune disease, you know what a miracle that is.

At my most recent check up with Dr. Yakaboski, my adrenal health tested nearly perfect. My last episode of anaphylaxsis was in the spring. Since June, I've enjoyed regular church attendance. And not once have I left community/prayer group sick. Not once!

While all of this is a very big deal, I'm pretty excited about my latest healed symptom, which followed the heels of a very special experience.

My community group has recently trained in a program called Christian Healing Ministries. CHM is an intercessory ministry for people in need of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.

I was the first client to apply.

The week before my session, which was the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, I prayed. A lot. I knew God was going to heal a few specific spiritual battles and emotional issues, but I also sensed I would experience physical healing that night.

So I shared my thoughts with Brandon, Mom, Nona, the kids, and a few of my friends, and asked them to pray.

All week I prayed, "Lord, I come to you with open hands, ready to receive anything you want to give me."

The night before and throughout the day of the session, Sara would burst into spontaneous prayer--"Dear Jesus, please help Mama be able to handle da cold so we can teach her how to play in da snow."

I know she's four, but it felt prophetic, y'all.

I approached the session with a little bit of fear and lots of expectation. It was very different from anything I've ever experienced, but extremely powerful, personal, and healing on all fronts.

Once again, the experience was far too precious and personal to share in detail, but I would like to share this one very special thing:


(Note: Yes, I know the word is "welts." 
No clue why I mispronounced it a bajillion times, 
 but Micah refused to record another take for me.)


To give you a point of reference, I took this photo one night a while back after peeling refrigerated sweet potatoes with nitrile gloves on. The photo quality doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea.


What I love about this:


1) The Lord healed something my kids could see. They'd been praying for me to be healed. God answered with something visible, boosting that childlike faith. I don't have a ton of visible symptoms, so that's kind of special.

2) God's thoughtfulness and kindness. For over a year, I've accepted discomfort as part of the cooking process. It is what it is and all that. And then, God heals this symptom the week of Thanksgiving before the biggest cooking day and season of the year. Amazing.

3) It's funny. Better yet, it's witty. Look at the specific prayers again. I prayed, "Lord, I come to you with open hands." Sara said again and again, "...please help Mama be able to handle da cold."

I love a good pun. So when the Lord showed me the connection, I laughed and laughed and laughed. And then I cried.

God speaks my language. He shares my sense of humor. I love it.

The winds are changing.

 

Do you feel it? I do. This season brings healing, growth, and adventure. And before the end of it, maybe even that party Jenny and I talked about throwing.

Mercy, I miss that girl. How many times have I wanted to call her this week? When I close my eyes, I see her smile. I hear her laughter and hallelujahs. I suppose it's comforting to know she knows and she's celebrating in heaven.

Damn cancer to hell.

God isn't finished. 

 

I believe healing continues from here. The next time the temperature dips below 40 degrees, I fully expect to walk outside without a coat, breathe deeply, feel a bit chilled, and be fine.

Lindsey, if you're reading this, my answer is, "Yes. I'd love to teach that writing class." Somehow, God will work out the details.

My new family is stretching me, challenging me. I'm looking harder at my Bible, realizing that maybe I only believe half the paradox--that another half exists--and that I just haven't seen it because I tend to limit God to my experience and what I've been told rather than what the Bible says at face value. Grappling--it's good exercise.

And mixing with people again...wow. That's growth in itself.

With ministry opportunities, new friends, new thoughts, and book releases on the horizon, I'd say there's plenty of adventure ahead.

Onward and upward.

Friday, November 20, 2015

A Call to Arms, A Call to Peace: Thoughts on the Syrian Refugee Crisis


 Syrian Refugees

When I first read about the Syrian refugee crisis on Ann Voskamp's blog back in early September, I prayed, "Oh, God. Send them here. Let us take care of them."

Now He has. Praise the Lord!

But His timing tests us. 


His timing tests us because the refugees chase the heels of state elections and a terrorist attack. We are reminded--it can happen to us. We are vulnerable.

And now our officials use the tragedy to promote or to attack the 2nd Amendment. In Louisiana, it divides voters and may change the outcome of the runoffs.

I want to live in a world in which a tragedy can be tragedy and not a platform for political agendas. In which the media takes a quiet breath to mourn bloodshed before they try to fix things only God can fix.

We can't heal horror with legislation. Nor can we prevent it.

But we can feed the hungry.
We can clothe the naked.
We can take in the stranger on our doorsteps.



But we don't want to. Because we're afraid. 

Sisters and brothers, may I humbly suggest that if we're too afraid to love, then Satan has rendered the American church useless? Faith without works is dead, Beloved.

This morning I read the words of Jesus in Luke 12:4--"My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do."

The Holy Spirit takes me to Matthew 25:34-40--"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a sojourner and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

And Deuteronomy 10:18-19--"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality...He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Yes, it is true that ISIS sleepers may be among the refugees.

What of it?


At the heart of the gospel is the willingness to get hurt for humankind. Jesus was willing to get hurt for you, Beloved. He told us long ago we would be hurt for him.

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who persecute you." (Luke 6:27-28)

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while were still [enemies], Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master." (Matthew 10:24-25)

"For to [suffering] you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps..." (1 Peter 2:21)

This is a fearful thing, yes. But it isn't new. And being American doesn't exempt us. Furthermore, we pledge allegiance to God and the gospel before the flag or our personal comfort.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13)

Suffering for the sake of Christ is also the utmost honor. 


"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Matthew 5:11-12)

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

Remember, it is to death we are called. 


"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:34-35)

Welcoming refugees is risky. And the government has a responsibility to protect its people. I neither possess the wisdom nor the desire to make the decisions they must make. So I pray for them that they will listen to the voice of God and obey.

BUT we are not to trust in the government for protection. Nor our flag, nor our guns, nor our economy.


"No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
neither shall it deliver any by its great strength."
(Psalm 33:16-17)
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). Who numbers the very hairs on our heads "and not one of them falls to the ground apart from [His] will" (Matthew 10:29-30). 

I urge you, Beloved--don't give in to blind fear...

See the opportunity.


Many believers lament they cannot GO to the mission field. Rejoice, Christian! The mission field has come to us!

Let us not assume these people are our enemies. The Muslims I met in 2000 grieved with me in September 2001. Most of them are peaceful people who, just like us, are trying to save themselves and just...can't.

Let us look into their eyes and see ourselves.
Let us arise and be the Church!

Loose the bonds of wickedness.
Undo the heavy burdens.
Let the oppressed go free.
Break every yoke.
Share your bread with the hungry.
Bring into your house the poor who are cast out.
Clothe the naked.
Do not hide from your fellow human beings.
THEN
 your light shall break forth like the morning,
your healing shall spring forth speedily,
and your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, "Here I AM!"
(Isaiah 58:6-9)

Brother, if you are afraid, I do not condemn you.
Sister, I do not shame you for your fear.
I only implore you to confess it to our great God as sin and to remember He is with you. He loves you. He is faithful and just to forgive and restore you.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
I encourage you to ask to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, who brings the gift of boldness. And honey, you can BANK on God answering that prayer (Luke 11:13).

For those who welcome the refugees with open arms, you do well. But do not condemn our brothers and sisters who have fallen prey to the devil's schemes. Do not imagine yourself holier than they. Repent of your pride and vitriol of which you so vehemently accuse them.

If you cannot love your brothers and sisters in Christ, what hope have you of loving anyone else?

This is not the time for division.
This is the time for unity.
This is not the day of judgment.
This is the day of salvation!

Do not lose heart. 


The Holy Spirit is even now changing minds and convicting hearts of fear and pride and turning them toward our fellow men and women who need God and all He is every bit as much as we do.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. He has anointed us to preach good tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to offer sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord! (Luke 4:18-19)

Let's get hurt for the gospel, Church.
Let's make peace and arm ourselves with the love of God.
Let's join ranks with those of whom the world was not worthy.

Jesus screams it loud and clear on the cross--
People are worth it.