Ice Cream, the Supreme Court Ruling, and the Love of God

Photography by LV

My daughter is addicted to ice cream. I mean totally addicted. I can’t drive past an ice cream shop without her begging for a treat. And I have no one to blame but myself because I passed on this addiction. You see, since birth, ice cream has been our mother-daughter thing.

After doctor visits – ice cream

After bad days at school – ice cream

After good days at school – ice cream

Disappointments – ice cream

Celebrations – ice cream

Now it’s a struggle to get her to eat vegetables because her taste buds crave sugar. Oh, she’ll eat broccoli but it has to be drenched with Ranch Dressing.

Now, you’re probably wondering what ice cream has to do with the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. I'll tell you. This ice cream analogy came to me as I started seeing some of my Christian friends on social media praising the court’s ruling and changing their profile pictures to rainbow flags. These friends often post inspirational Christian phrases and were now using social media to express how “love won the day”. I wept tears of sorrow because these Christian friends are unknowingly breaking God’s heart more than any atheist or agnostic person ever could. You’re probably thinking, “How can you say that? They’re being loving and tolerant.” Because these friends, who out of their mouths say they love Jesus, don’t really know His Word. How do I know that? Because, for too many years, that was me. I could quote you John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son…” but I never opened up my Bible past that. I accepted Jesus into my heart as Lord and Savior in my 20s, attended church like any good Christian, listened to Christian radio but I never took the time to get to know God’s heart by reading His Word daily nor had I experienced the life changing power of the baptism of Holy Spirit.

You see, once you read God’s Word you find that Jesus did say “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But He also said, “Go and sin no more.” And if you keep reading The Gospels concerning His 3-year ministry, you’ll find that He had a particular problem with a group of people. Not sinners. His issue was with the religious leaders. He actually spent most of His ministry hanging out with sinners, teaching, healing, loving and comforting them. He avoided the religious leaders, not only because they were trying to kill Him, but because it bothered Him that they read and quoted God’s Law but they never took it to heart.

Matthew 15:7-9 (NLT)

[Jesus said] You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s heart was repeatedly broken by the Israelites. They would call on Him for help, promise to follow His Law, praise Him for his deliverance and mercy, and then they would cave to the customs of the surrounding people and worship their idols, doing evil in God’s sight. Soon their praises and worship would stop, they’d forget God and reject His law.

Isaiah 63:8-10 (NLT)

He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.”
And He became their Savior. In all their suffering He also suffered, and He personally rescued them.
In his love and mercy He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.
But they rebelled against Him and grieved His Holy Spirit. And He became their enemy and fought against them.

  

That is why Christians who profess to love Jesus but are caving to society’s customs and standards are breaking God’s heart and grieving His Holy Spirit. Agnostics and atheist do not break God’s heart. He loves them and longs for them to come to Him but He understands that they are lost without His Word. We, Christians, break His heart when we claim to accept Jesus Christ, take on His Name, and then turn around and reject His Holy Word leading his lost sheep astray. We are supposed to be God’s Light in the darkness. We are not supposed to cover our light because we are afraid to offend. We are loving our friends and family, who are ignorant of God’s Word, right into Hell and eternal separation from God in the name of political correctness.

Jesus said, “For I have come to call NOT to those who THINK they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners.” (Matthew 9:13) How can our unsaved friends know they are sinning if we lie to them, condone and even applaud their actions, and let them stay ignorant of their sin?

Many Christians today have family members, friends, children, and grandchildren who are living in some form of sexual sin. They are addicted to pornography, they are having an affair on their spouse, they are lusting after a celebrity, they are having sex outside of marriage, and, if we are honest, most of us have struggled in our own way with sexual sin. We are human, living in human sexual bodies. Read this scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (CEV)

Don’t you know that evil people won’t have a share in the blessings of God’s kingdom? Don’t fool yourselves! No one who is immoral or worships idols or is unfaithful in marriage or is a pervert or behaves like a homosexual will share in God’s kingdom. Neither will any thief or greedy person or drunkard or anyone who curses and cheats others. Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God.

You may think, “That’s so judgmental and mean!” But remember those are not my words but God’s Words. You see why we memorize John 3:16 and not 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. This scripture pierces the heart and it should. I’ll confess to you that out of sins listed above, I have committed most of them, whether in deed or thought. When Jesus taught on the subject of adultery He said, “Who ever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Jesus was warning us that sin is a heart issue. OK, that’s the bad news. If you keep reading the scripture verse above, God gives us the Good News. “Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God.”

God does not want us to stay in sin. That is why Jesus commanded, “Go and sin no more.” He did not die on the cross and shed His blood to give us license to sin. He died on the cross and shed His blood so that we could conquer sin by the power of His Blood and Spirit that washed us and made us holy.

If we never share the “broccoli” scriptures with our unsaved friends and we only share the “ice cream” scriptures than our silence is condoning their actions and they will die in the ignorance of their sin, unsaved and you will have their metaphorical blood on your hands. And when they are eternally separated from God, weeping in darkness, do you think they will thank you? Or will they weep and think, “Why didn’t my friends love me enough to share the Good News of Salvation with me. Why did they let me believe the world's lie?” What will be our excuse? I didn't want to offend you. I just wanted you to be happy. At least if we share the Good News with our friends and they reject God by their own educated choice than God will not hold it against us.    

Many of us want the love and grace of God and will share that message with our unsaved friends but we’ll ignore and omit what the scriptures teach about God’s Holiness. Those scriptures are harder and they require something from us. We tend to like the scriptures where God blesses us but we never think about God commanding us to bless Him. Did you know that God desires us to live a holy life?

1 Peter 1:13-16 (CEV)

Chosen To Live a Holy Life

Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how kind God will be to you when Jesus Christ appears. Behave like obedient children. Don’t let your lives be controlled by your desires, as they used to be. Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That’s why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too.”

So, in conclusion, do my daughter and I still have the occasional ice cream? Yep. But by practicing self-control myself, I'm trying to teach my daughter that we do not have to be controlled by ice cream. We resist temptation because we know it’s best for our health. That is God’s heart put in very simple mom terms. He wants us to stop sinning for our own spiritual health. Those sins listed above cause us to be separated from God’s holiness. His Words. Not mine. He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He desires that all sinners come to repentance. Repentance means to acknowledge our sin but more importantly turning from it. God chose us because He loves us and cares for us. Our love for Him should cause us to strive, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live holy lives. We can’t do it on our own but the more we know God, the more we read His word, the more we share His word, the more transformed we become into the image of Jesus.

So, my Christian brothers and sisters, I urge you to share all of the Good News of Jesus Christ with your friends and family, the broccoli and the ice cream. But learn from my mistakes. DO NOT take your Bible to the next family function and shove it in their face! I’ve done that before and very nearly lost a beloved friendship and pushed them farther from God in the process. This is what I have learned through trial and error and the mercy of the Holy Spirit:

1. Before every encounter with your unsaved friend, pray that you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Holy Spirit transforms you into the image of Jesus Christ. Pray that God’s love flows through you to them. Pray that you reflect Jesus in all you do and say. Pray that the Holy Spirit literally shuts your mouth from saying anything that will hurt them or push them away from God.
2. Then love them, right where they are at in life. Give them a Holy Hug, praying that the love of God flows through your arms to their hearts.
3. Ask about their lives with genuine interest. Laugh together. Enjoy their company and let them enjoy yours. I can imagine that Jesus was a joy to hang out with, that's why so many where drawn to him. Be a joy to hang out with.
4. If they have problems or a need, help if you can and offer to pray for them. Right then and there. Not promising to pray later but lay hands on them and pray in Jesus Name for their needs.
5. And when they see Jesus Christ in you, the Holy Spirit will draw them to Himself and may provide an opportunity to share with them the salvation message of Jesus Christ. So you better know God’s Word to answer their tough questions. You don’t have to water down the truth of God’s Word, because the whole truth of God has the power to save. Just share it like Christ did, in love.
6. Lastly, leave their life changing to the Holy Spirit. His ways are always gentle, loving, and uplifting.

Friends, when I first heard the news of the Supreme Court ruling, I felt devastated. I wept and literally wanted Jesus to take me to Heaven that day. I was also fearful of the judgment that will come now that our nation has chosen this path. But after prayer, I was reminded that God has not given me a spirit of fear and He has called me to share His salvation message with others. How selfish of me to want to escape a dying world when so many people need the love and hope of Jesus.

So Christians, our job is not done. It’s going to be hard, ugly, and we’ll be Daniels against many lions (Daniel 6) but remember greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Daniel's unwavering faith in the God of Israel converted the pagan King Darius, causing him to declare, "For His is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." God is searching the hearts of His people and asking, "Will you be My Daniel?"  

Love,

Yolanda

The Reluctant Watchman - A Short Story

Once there was a very curious girl who longed for answers. Thankfully, her curiosity led her down the path towards salvation and not trouble. But curiosity continued to gnaw at her soul, driving her to uncover the whys and hows of life. Dinosaurs, the age of the earth, Tribulation, The Rapture, gifts of the Spirit where all journeys she traveled upon. In her quest for answers, fear hindered her progress, doubt tripped her up, and condemnation became her worst enemy.

One day, God approached the girl and said,

“Daughter, I am always searching, high and low, for curious souls who desire to know Me. I have gifted you with a very curious nature for a divine purpose. I have an important job for you.”

Looking around, thinking she misheard, she hesitantly asked, “Are you sure, God? I’m kind of a mess.”

Laughing, God replied, “Yes, I’m sure. I do My best work with messy people.”

“OK, what’s the job? Research and Development? I’m really good at looking things up. I know, I know. Secretary. I looooovvvve taking notes and working at my desk.”

“Daughter, I know that you are skilled in those areas. I created you that way. But now it’s time to take those skills and use them for a higher calling. I’m calling you to be a Watchman on the Wall.”

“Hmmm…that job sounds kind of ominous. God, I know You know all things but You do remember that I’m kind of afraid of the dark and athletically challenged? What exactly does a Watchman on the Wall have to do?”

“You have to read and study My Word. You have to know it well so you can share My Word with others. You have to point them to Jesus and share the good news of salvation through My Son’s death on the cross. Also, you must stand watch looking for the signs of My Son’s return. When you see the signs, sound the alarm so that those who slumber in ignorance will wake up and get ready.”

“God, that sounds waaaaay beyond my capabilities and comfort level. I mean, won’t I sound crazy? Kind of like Chicken Little yelling the sky is falling?”

“Some will mock you. Even those close to you will tire of your warnings and ignore you. But, didn’t they not mock My Son?”

Looking contrite, she said, “Yes, LORD.”

Gently, the LORD said, “And didn’t My Son say that when they mock you they are not really mocking you but Him? His Name? In essence, aren’t they really mocking Me?”

“Yes, LORD.”

“Then ignore the mocking. I can take it!”

“OK, but what if people get mad at me for disturbing their slumber with the alarm?”

“Some will become angry.”

“Will they try to hurt me? Because you know, I’m kind of a coward and have zero pain tolerance.”

“They may.”

“God, this job is not sounding very promising. Mocked, angry, possible pain involved. I’m kind of desk-job girl.”

“You are more than a desk job girl because My Spirit resides in you. I will strengthen you when you need strength. I will give you courage when you need courage. I will provide the words that you must say. I will comfort you when you get mocked. I will empower you when you feel powerless. I will never leave you alone on the job because you are mine and I love you, always and forever.”

“OK, LORD. I’ll do it. But what if no one listens?"

“You are not responsible for whether or not they listen. Leave that to Me. You are only responsible for watching and sounding the alarm.” 

“I’m scared, LORD. I know I talk real tough but I’m afraid. What if I disappoint You?”

“You could never disappoint Me because I know your inner most thoughts already. I know the desires of your heart. You are an open book to Me! I know that your desire has always been to share My Son with others. I know how much you worry about those you love who won’t accept My Son. I know that you fear the unknown. But that’s how I keep you close to Me. Those who think they know everything ignore Me or, worse, deny Me. You press into My presence when you feel alone and insecure. I love that! In My presence, I will strengthen you. I will comfort you. I hear your prayers. Stop worrying about trying to make them perfect. I don’t want or need perfectly recited prayers. I want your heart-felt sincerity. And when you pray, the power of Heaven is unleashed for you. So keep praying, My little Watchman because I have important work for you to do.”

“OK, LORD. I’m ready! You know, I’ve been working out lately. Have You seen me lifting weights and even running? Maybe You can give me some awesome high tech weapons, like night vision goggles and a really cool Super Hero costume? I could totally rock a cape.”

Chuckling, God placed His arms around the girl and said, “You delight me, Daughter. Sorry, no cape." Then He placed His hand on her heart and said, "You already have all you need in here.” Love, peace, and warmth flooded every chamber, flowing out through her veins to every cell in her body.  “And in here,” He said, as she saw her Bible in His hand. He opened up The Book and placed it in her hands.

Suddenly, the girl awoke from a deep and restful slumber.

 “Was it all a dream?” she wondered sadly.

 But there, next to her bed, lay her Bible opened to Ezekiel 33:1-9.

 You Are the Watchman

God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them, ‘If I bring war on this land and the people take one of their citizens and make him their watchman, and if the watchman sees war coming and blows the trumpet, warning the people, then if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet and ignores it and war comes and takes him off, it’s his own fault. He heard the alarm, he ignored it—it’s his own fault. If he had listened, he would have saved his life. “‘But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner.’“You, son of man, are the watchman. I’ve made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked man, wicked woman, you’re on the fast track to death!’ and you don’t speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I’ll hold you responsible for their bloodshed. But if you warn the wicked to change their ways and they don’t do it, they’ll die in their sins well-warned and at least you will have saved your own life.

With a determined smile, she looked up and said, “OK, LORD. Message received. Your girl’s ready to take her post on the wall.”

The End

Dedication: This story is dedicated to my friend, Joan. Months ago, I was whining to her via text about a particular world event that I saw as having an enormous Biblical prophetic impact. The potential consequences of this event burdened my spirit and I was waking up in the middle of the night praying. I confessed to her that I wished I could be like others, oblivious to what was going on in the world. That I could ignore the news and just bury my head under my pillow and sleep. She very lovingly sent me this text:

"No, that is your gift. You probably have the gift of being a watchman. That is why you can't ignore it."

The moment I read those words, they resonated with my spirit. So I started doing research on the ministry of being a Watchman on the Wall. The calling comes from Ezekiel 33.

I have been hesitant, fearful, and insecure about writing and posting this story on my blog. I have tried to ignore and avoid the incomplete draft on my computer but God would not let me. For the last few months, sermons, articles, and scriptures kept coming to my attention that are urging Watchmen to step up to take their posts on the wall.  And today, when I opened up my Bible, I read this scripture:

Psalm 134:1-3

Oh bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve as night watchman in the house of the LORD. Lift your hands in holiness, and bless the LORD. May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

So, if you read this story and the Ministry of Watchman intrigues you and resonates with your spirit, then God may be calling you to wake up, pick up your Bible, and take up your post on the wall.  I pray He is because there's a lot of ground to cover, people to warn, and very few watchmen willing to answer the call.

Love, 

Yolanda 

A Runner's Identity Crisis

I just completed my third 5K and with this last one I learned an important lesson – I’m a runner not a walker. You see, I signed up for this particular 5K months ago. When I registered, I noticed you could sign up as a runner or a walker. I didn’t feel “runner worthy” yet because a speed walker can usually outpace me. It seemed presumptuous to identify myself with such an athletic title when I have friends who run half marathons and full marathons. They are entitled to the identity of runner. Not me.

So at the starting line, where all the runners were gathering, I waited on the sidelines with all the walkers. I kept looking around for my friend, Beckie, who is my training buddy. I’m calling to ask her where’s she’s standing so we can wait together and she’s says, “I’m in line already. Where are you?”  Sure enough she was lined up with the runners! She had identified herself as a runner, not a walker! What?

“But, but…I thought we were going to go with the walking group? Isn’t this group just for those who run really fast?”

Before she could really answer, the buzzer rang and she took off, smiling, radiant and joyous! As I watched her, a little enviously, I wondered sadly, “Why didn’t I register as a runner?” And this sentiment only intensified as I lined up with all the walkers. As our buzzer rang, I was not able to take off running because of the strollers, dog carts, and Chatty Cathy’s who were in my way. Frustrated, I made my way around them and started running. I thought to myself, “You have no one to blame but yourself. Why didn’t you see yourself worthy of the identity of runner?”

Lately, I’ve been reading this challenging book that describes the characteristics of lukewarm Christians. Basically Christians who are neither hot nor cold and who are pretty much faking it (Revelation 3:15-16). As I started reviewing this list of negative characteristics, I start seeing all my faults and identifying myself as lukewarm. Before I knew it, I was depressed, freaking myself out, and wondering, “God, am I faking it?”

God, in His mercy and goodness, reminded me of my real identity through a radio pastor on the drive to the 5K. The pastor basically said:

“Our identity as a Christian does not come from anything we do, not our accomplishments or our failures. It is not about us at all. It is about JESUS and what He has done for us. He gives us our identity. We cannot earn it. We are God’s masterpiece. His work-of-art. He wants to use us to accomplish great things but it is always for Him and by Him that we are able to do them. It’s not for us to get the glory but for Him to get the glory. Everything we do must always point to God so that people are drawn to Him.”

Listening to this message, I started to weep in my car. Because I knew God was giving me a much-needed love talk. He was basically telling me, “Yolanda, all these negatives thoughts you’re having are coming from the enemy. He wants you to doubt who I've created you to be. To doubt that I love you. Because if you identify yourself as lukewarm you will act lukewarm. You will stop striving for more of ME and that’s what the enemy wants. But I want to give you more! More of ME! I have given you a new identity. You are my beloved. You are my child. You are able to do all things through MY Son who strengthens you.  My Spirit resides in you. Stop doubting! Start trusting!”

So even though I had registered as a walker I was determined to run the entire 3.21 miles. I turned up the volume on my praise music and put my complete confidence and trust in God. I ran past baby strollers, dog carts, and Chatty Cathy's. And when I got fatigued and felt like walking, I prayed to God to strengthen me. I pushed harder and faster than I’ve ever ran before and as I rounded that last curve, running into the finish line, the song, Courageous, played on my playlist.

“In the war of the mind, I will make my stand. In the battle of the heart and the battle of the hand.”
 

I raised my hand while running and declared to God:

"In the war of my mind, God, I will make my stand. I will keep my mind focused on You. I will capture all negative thoughts, identify them as coming from the enemy, and declare victory over them in Jesus Name.

In the battle for my heart, I refuse to be lukewarm. I will feast on Your Word and pray for more of Your Holy Spirit’s presence and power in my life.

And in the battle of my legs, I will keep them running towards You. I will not quit. I will keep training. Getting stronger and faster with every 5K."

So, I am a RUNNER. I’m proudly claiming the title!

But why am I a runner? Why has God given me this drive when I have always hated anything that requires sweating? Why now at 46 instead of 16, 26, or 36 even?

Because each time I participate in a 5K God puts someone on my heart or in my path to invite to join me. Someone who’s tired of standing on the sidelines watching others run by. Someone who just needs to be encouraged, motivated, or maybe even carried until God renews their strength. And each time a friend runs, like my friend Joan, they bless and inspire me. My prayer for each friend is the same prayer I pray for myself. God, run with us every step of the way - renew, heal, inspire, transform, and empower us. May we cross the finish line with a passion to inspire others. Amen. 

So, whether we run for Him, write for Him, teach for Him, sing for Him, or serve Him, He wants to fill us up with His unfailing love so that it flows out of us into others. Making us radiant! Shining His light of hope to those who are hopeless and lost around us. That’s our sole purpose in this life. To point people to Jesus Christ, the source of our hope and joy, Savior, Champion, and perfecter of our faith.

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.  Ephesians 2:7-10 (MSG)

Love,

Yolanda

Summer Runners Club

The other day I read a great quote, “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, “Because of you, I didn’t give up.” This quote brought to mind a conversation I had with one of my friends who ran April’s 5K with me. Recently she approached me discouraged and said, “Seeing you makes me wish that I hadn’t given up after the 5K. I stopped running, I’m eating terribly, and I’ve gained all my weight back.” I gave her a hug and told her that everyday is a new day to start over but that we all need someone to cheer us on and hold us accountable. I promised her that this summer I would send her encouraging texts and hold her accountable to working out. Sometimes, it just takes a friend knowing they care to keep us going.

I used to organize and lead summer book clubs. I absolutely loved it because it was a good excuse to get out of the house and bond with like-minded people. I have to admit that I was great at coming up with thought-provoking and fun questions. A friend asked me to start another club this summer, mentioning how much she missed them. I thought about it for a while because I also miss my book clubs, but I realized that I’m at a different stage of my life. I don’t feel like getting together with friends and being sedate. I want to move! I want to inspire others to get moving. But I want us to move for a purpose.

The other night, after participating in my second 5K, my fellow participants and I got together for a celebration dinner. We were all sweaty and fatigued, discussing our highs and lows of the race but soon that conversation lead to a discussion on the highs and lows of our Christian journey. I found myself, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in the “mentor” role again – leading, sharing God’s Word, and encouraging.  I got home that evening, with more than a “runner’s high”. I was on a Holy Spirit high and I thought to myself, “I want more of that, God!”

So, this idea started forming in my brain of a “Summer Runners Club”, combining my new found love of running with a need I’ve been having to pray for my country, the persecuted church, and for those close to me who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  But when it comes to prayer, I’m kind of like my friend who’d given up running. I have great intentions but I soon run out of steam. I need people spiritually stronger than me to hold me accountable and inspire me to not give up.

So this summer, I’m going to run to God, for God, and with God and I’m inviting others to join me. I need them to join me! I believe God is urging us to pray! We are in training for the most difficult race of our lives. Not all of us are meant to be marathon runners, but none of us are exempt from God’s race to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So line up! Ready, set, go!

Can you hear it? Heaven’s trumpets have sounded. The angels are cheering us on! The Holy Spirit is empowering us! And Jesus waits at the finish line to award us our eternal prize – a crown of righteousness. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG)

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Love,

Yolanda