Maundy Thursday

(M. Toerner, 2004, Episcopal Church)

Today is Maundy Thursday. Tonight there will be scores of churches all over the country commemorating the Last Supper. I wonder what the Lord thought about as he approached the upper room. I wonder what he felt when Peter proclaimed his loyalty. I wonder what he experienced when Judas dipped the bread into the wine and subsequently betrayed Jesus in the garden with a kiss.

The only way to survive it all was to maintain a close, personal intimacy with His Father in heaven. Jesus was intentional about staying close to His Father. Often, He would depart from big groups and settle in a deserted place to pray ... to commune ... to meditate and to hear God.

Their connection, their relationship empowered Jesus to endure great hardship just like a righteous oak planted by a stream of water is empowered and strengthen to withstand powerful wind, destructive hail, and drought.

With each of these questions, literally try to "picture" Jesus' face, heart, mind, and eyes as He is experiencing each of these situations. Put yourself in close proximity to the Lord so that you can get a good, sound imaginary look.

Then, answer the following questions:

What do you think Jesus was feeling in the upper room?

What did He feel and think when Peter pledged his loyalty?

What did He experience knowing His betrayal was imminent?

How did it feel to be kissed by a close friend and companion while in the act of betraying you?

During this Easter weekend, take the time to meditate on the fact that Jesus was a real man, who endured real suffering, and died a real death and burial.

BTW, He experienced a real resurrection too. Can you imagine what that must have been like?

WOW!

Blessings, murphy

Successful Parenting

Christian parents have two goals.  They want their kids to: act right and be right.  Christians tend to believe that if their kids are good (or perfect), the parents feel as though they successfully accomplished their job.  If their kids turn our right, it proves Christianity pays off.

It doesn't take long for these parents to come to their senses and realize this approach to parenting is hog-wash.  A better approach emerges as parents purposefully and intentionally connecting to their children.  Having a solid emotional connection with children enhances their influence on their children.  Emotionally connecting to their children does not assure success, but it is usually helpful.  Christian parents would do well to relax a bit and realize there is only one Perfect parent. He presents an excellent model for healthy parenting. 

Being a Christian does not insure parental success. It does, however, strengthen the odds for a positive outcome, but there's no guarantee. The ultimate goal of parenting is successfully launching children into the world of work.  Parents also hope their children will choose to live for God and be a productive member of society.

Sometimes parents lose sight of the original goals and get side-tracked.  They narrow their focus.  When this happens, they are more concerned about their children looking right and acting right than they are about being right or having a right heart.  

If you ever see that you are going down the performance road, stop dead in your tracks.  Don't go one step further.  No positive consequence with come from requiring perfection from our children.  It will only beget rebellion.  Be wise.  Love your children well.  Lead them toward Jesus and equip them for being on their own when they launch from your home.

You are Not Alone ...

(M. Toerner; Beach Club; February, 2008)


One of the kindest things one Christian can do for those around him or her is to be authentic. Authenticity is the foundation of truth and truth consistently brings freedom.


One of the oldest tricks Satan uses is to influence people to believe they are the only ones who struggle with _____, referring to a specific issue or sin. The classic metaphor that describes this is the lone sheep being separated from the other ninety-nine. When one sheep (or person) is singled out, they are singularly more vulnerable. They are easier prey for predators. Thankfully our good Shepherd will search until He finds us.


Authenticity, sincerity, and truth show others how similar we all are. Every one struggles with jealousy. It is the context of jealousy that differs. Every one struggles with lust or the temptation to lie. Every one is tempted to steal, cheat on taxes, or exceed the speed limit on the interstate. Truly, all of us are tempted to commit the same sins. The Bible verifies this, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Knowing that all of us miss the mark of perfection (sin), asserts that we are not alone. We have many traveling companions and we all are tempted by the same enemy. I Corinthians 10:13 substantiates this, "No temptation has overtaken you, but such is as common to man, but God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will provide a way of escape so that you will be able to endure it (bear up underneath it.)"


Authenticity forces us to reveal our real-self as opposed to our public-self. Authenticity makes us take our "Stepford Christian" masks off and get real about what is going on in our lives, whether it is good or bad. Freely talking about real life struggles reveals the truth that we all struggle with the same kinds of issues. We all commit the same kinds of sin. As we come clean, we show the world we are in this together. We are making the journey through life with true companions.


So, when Satan tells you the lie, "You are the only one who struggles with ____! No one else struggles as you do. No one will understand. If anyone really knew all of these secret things about you, they would not like you at all. They would know that you are worthless and shameful," don't believe a word he says. He is a consummate liar, thief, deceiver, and seducer. He wants to keep you down and despondent. God wants you to know you are not alone.

Perspective

(Photo by M. Toerner; March/2009)

                                                                                                                                Is this a sunrise or a sunset?  Your answer will depend on your perspective.  Looking at the picture, can you be 100% sure it's the early morning light of a new day?  Are you confident it's the sun peaking its yellow head above the horizon?  Or, could it be capturing the day's final, fleeting moments?  Your answer will be based on your perspective.  

Perspective is the view we take of something or someone.  It is how we "see" a person, thing, or situation.  Perspective is individual specific.  It's the proverbial, "You see the glass as half-full or half-empty."  Often siblings have different memories and interpretations of their family of origin because their perspectives differ.

Having a personal relationship with God changes a person's eternal destination.  It also changes their earthly perspective.  God sees and perceives perfectly.  To Him, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day.  He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He understands what we do and why we do it.  Because of His perfect maturity and perfect wisdom, He perceives properly and accurately.  

As one is conformed to His image, he/she adopts this eternal perspective.  It is as though they are able to see earthly things from a heavenly vantage point.  It is the heavenly vantage point that enables one to stay calm during a storm, to not react to a child's tantrums, to not own what they are not responsible for.  

Always ask yourself how God might look at a situation, a person, or whatever.  Search for this divine perspective.  It is always there.  Remember the more you practice seeing as God sees, the easier it gets.  (BTW, the above picture is of a sunset.  Just in case you were interested.)

Blessings,

Murphy

Appreciate the Little Things

(Photo by M. Toerner; November, 2008)

One morning the Lord woke me up about 4:30 a.m. Usually when He does that, it is because He wants me to pray for someone or something.  I never know 100% what He is up to, but it is always interesting. 

On this particular morning, the Lord impressed me to get my camera and walk out onto our covered patio.  I gladly did as I was "told."  In those initial moments, all seemed forever dark and still. In those dark moments, I witnessed the colors and light of the pre-dawn sky subtly, yet assuredly, transform into a new day.  It was amazing to behold; pure beauty.   

Through the entire experience, I sensed the Lord whispering, "Good morning, sweetheart."  It was as though He and I watched the initial hints of color press through the darkness.  The sky was a mixture of maroon and black.  It continued to morph into lighter and darker shades of pink and lavender.  The limbs of the trees effortlessly reached toward the heavens like hands greeting the day with welcoming arms.  The trees, the birds, the grass, and my own soul were mesmerized as we patiently awaited the transformation.  We were not disappointed.

Watching the morning unfold created a deep sense of wonder.  As the light slowly, softly changed, my heart, mind, strength, and soul felt the full impact of God's goodness and creativity.  It was simply amazing.  How precious it was of the Father to awaken me and invite me to join Him for the birth of a new day.  

What are some ways the Father manifests Himself to you?

Do you see Him in the little things in your life? 

Do you give Him credit for the beauty that surrounds you?  

What are you most grateful for?  

Don't forget that He is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; the first and the last.  Let's appreciate Him in all things, even in the little things of life.  

Love, murphy  

The First Step Toward Healing

Photo by M. Toerner; December, 2007

The general definition of "trauma" is anything that leaves a lasting negative impact on one's life. According to this broad definition, all of us have experienced one or more traumatic events during our lifetime.  

There are several categories of traumas. Physical traumas include things like:  car accidents, sports injuries, excessive discipline, mistreatment by a bully, military action, domestic violence and more.

  

Emotional or psychological traumas include: abandonment, rejection, betrayal, teasing, sarcasm, poverty, neglect, unemployment, and others.  Abuse of any kind, whether physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual, would be considered sources of trauma.

When you think about it, most traumatic events touch our lives because of the poor choices and/or mean-spirited actions of people.  If a person drinks too much and causes a car accident, their choice to drink and drive caused a trauma.  If a parent is immature and ill equipped and chooses to beat a small child because the child is crying, that child experiences a trauma.  If a young girl is sexually abused by her father, mother, or brother, she is traumatized by their choices to sin.  

Most often, we experience trauma at the hands of other people.  Isn't that why we self-protect and withdraw?  Isn't that why we shy away from vulnerability in relationships and refuse to cry or be emotional in front of others because we might appear weak? Our greatest injuries happen because of the willfulness of those around us.  

Yet, we learn about healing and wholeness through the healthy relationships in our lives.  Although some people may believe it is possible to become healthy and whole without a relationship with God, I know from personal experience that God is the greatest and most profound source of healing, health, and wholeness.  Our relationship with God is founded on His love for us.  It is a settling thing to know you are totally and completely loved and accepted by God.  He knows everything you've done, are doing, and will do. He knows every sin and yet chooses to not hold the past against us.  His wrath has been appeased by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.  He knows our thoughts and choices. His sense of and demand for justice is satisfied because Jesus paid for the sins of the world via His sacrificial death on the cross.  

Have you experienced one or more traumas in your life?  If you want to be healed, the first step is to establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  This is the first and foremost initial step toward healing because God becomes the most powerful, stable, unchanging source of strength, acceptance, love, and stability in your life.  Do you have that kind of relationship with Him?