Week 26 Shalom

Don’t you love when your are seen? When that loved one looks in your direction and you know they know?
In a world that’s running fast, it can be easy to live an anxious and lonely life. I know that when the Lord fully faces me, looks me directly in the eyes, all my fears are chased away.

May those who gaze upon His Face have His Name upon us and receive His blessings.

Happy Independance Day and God Bless America!  Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

  
As you know I am still helping my dad recover from a stroke while he is in a skilled nursing facility. Aging is hard. Some days he moves forward and some backwards. Besides being his daily advocate with doctors and nurses, I’m handling his finances, trying to figure out where he goes next, and traveling through the nightmarish maze called Medicare. And while my daughter is doing well in her own recovery and suffering very few migraines, there are still issues I want to attend to concerning her own well being.

For a while I walked in a supernatural peace I couldn’t manufacture, but in the past month I felt the weight of stress on my shoulders again. I found myself trying to grasp that elusive peace, which unlike the joy of chasing a flitting butterfly, added to my stress. So when I read Isaiah 26:3-4 I wondered, if I was trusting the Lord, exactly where did my perfect peace go?
I knew Isaiah was the verse I wanted to share, but I didn’t know how I wanted to illustrate it. Besides, it hadn’t really got it inside of me yet, so as usual, I studied the original language. Isaiah repeats the word peace, shalom, twice. In Hebrew repeated words show emphasis. God promises a double portion, perfect peace. Not what I was experiencing.

But what really had me chewing was the word mind, yetser. Yetser means framework. I thought of framing a house. The framework supports and hold everything that will make that house my home. Exactly where was my frame of mind currently?

Interestingly, the word trust means to lean on and be supported. So it all fits together, especially in light of verse 4; every framework needs a foundation. I choose to be supported on the Rock, the Lord.

Remember the wise man who built his house upon the rock? We know what happens to his framework when the storm comes. 

My mental framework for dad was on the wrong foundation. I thought I was leaning into and trusting the Lord, but the enemy had subtly convinced me to lean into doctors’ reports and dad’s progress. A good report proved that God was Good, but what happened when every other day we took two steps backwards? My mind was swaying in the swirling storm, beams bending far past the stress points.

As I studied I saw blueprints in my mind. A structure on a stone foundation, leaning into the Word of God. My frame of mind must be supported on the immovable everlasting Rock, not on my dad’s health reports. Peace eluded me only because the swaying structure of my mind was anchored on shifting sand.  

Since I am repositioning my frame of mind onto Christ alone, circumstances haven’t necessarily changed. But because I see through a different mindset, I feel His perfect peace again. I take the storm in stride, praying more effectively, hearing his voice above the many others. 

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose frame of mind is supported on You, because he confidently leans on and into You. So trust and lean into the Lord forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.   Isaiah 26:3-4 (My Translation)

June Theme: Shalom  

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s PEACE [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard (blanket) over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

June theme: Shalom.

 Strong’s Definitions: שָׁלוֹם shâlôwm, shaw-lome’; or שָׁלֹם shâlôm; from H7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:—× do, familiar, × fare, favour, friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is, be) well, × wholly.

In Hebrew, the root of the word, depending on the vowels that are used, has several meanings (that are relevant to the general meaning of the word Shalom); as for example: One meaning is “Whole”, another could be the actual verb “Pay” usually in command form. The conjugated verb has other spins that are worth noting, such as: “Hishtalem” meaning “it was worth it” or “Shulam” as “it was paid for” or “Meshulam” as in “paid in advance.”

Hence one can jokingly say that, “when it’s paid-for then there is peace.” Wikipedia

He paid ahead for my peace.

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life   
John 14:5-7

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

I enjoy stories. I also enjoy art journaling. So it’s no surprise that the Lord often explains His truths to me through the medium of film. One personal favorite is the classic “The Wizard of Oz.”

As I studied Jesus’ words, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, I saw a yellow brick road leading straight to my Heavenly Father. Like a yellow ribbon, the road is full of hope and the promise that the battle weary will find their way to their flourishing garden home.

Every time Jesus said “I am” He declared it in a present tense that transcends time. In other words, He will always be present tense. So the way doesn’t really lead to a final destination. The way IS a present person, Jesus, in the Father, full of His Spirit. Remember He Is (now, this very minute) the way… truth… life.

I am the gate/door 

John 10:1-5, 7, 9-10 NIV

Proverbs 8:32-36 NIV
It’s always fun to read scripture in context. I never realized that when Jesus said “I am the door,” which really means “gate,” he had just finished healing the man at the pool near the sheep gate. And in my ever living curiosity I wanted to find out more about the sheep gate.

It turns out that the sheep gate was the first gate to be rebuilt in Nehemiah’s temple. They could have started to rebuild at any point in the walls, but the sacrifice for their national sin had to be paid first. Brick by burnt brick, the priests actually rebuilt that gate with their own holy hands. Unwitting sheep filed into this gate and, of course, never returned through this gate because they were lead to the altar for sacrifice. As a song once claimed, you can check in any time you want but you can never leave.

So I think the disciples found it relevant when Jesus said He is THAT gate and the sheep COME and GO through Him. Come to think of it, the lame man at the pool may have exited through that very gate.

Early on, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus, as the gatekeeper, calls his sheep in, but then GOES AHEAD of them. (More about that next week) Then in a finishing act, he becomes the only living sacrifice we will ever need. We enter His finished work through Him and only Him, the Gate, and we exit that door in the life and power of His resurrection.

He is the door I want to stay in, waiting patiently for His Voice.

John 10:1-5, 7, 9-10 NIV
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Proverbs 8:32-36 NIV

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” 

Week 21      I Am the Good Shepherd 

John 10 & Psalm 23
11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep…14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me– Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father–and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep. And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd. 
John 10:11, 14-16 AMP
THE Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Psalm 23 AMP
During Jesus time on earth many sheep came through the sheep gate for sacrifice. I imagine that the crowds of sheep could get mixed together and external appearances would not be the best way to find your own sheep. So each shepherd would call and the sheep would ramble towards the sound of their own shepherd’s voice. 

I think about the crowds that pressed Jesus as recorded in Mark 5. It doesn’t say that anyone in the jostling crowd was healed. But then there is this one woman with the issue of blood, she was drawn to His Voice and received restoration as she followed her Shepherd.
In Psalm 23 I read all the wonderful benefits of following my Shepherd: provision, rest, refreshing, guidance, peace, protection, nourishment, restoration and best of all, a home with Him.

  
***Artwork is water color with no prep (still making daily hospital visits with dad.) 

Song “You are the Great Shepherd” by David Olinger.

Week 19  
I am the Bread of Life
John 6:32-35, 47, 49-51, 58 NIV 
Exodus 16:4 NIV 
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.”

You may recall in Exodus 16 the story about God’s supernatural provision of manna in the wilderness as Israel fled Egypt and went after God’s promise. Jesus refers to this in John 6. He then goes on to explain that He himself is the Bread of Life. He Is God’s daily supernatural provision to sustain us as we leave the captivity of the world and go after the promise called eternal life. 
I work in historic Old Salem, where I teach children about 18th century life. We have a couple of bake ovens in the district. One is fired up to bake 90 loaves of bread daily and the other once a week. 18th century adults consumed around one pound of bread per person, per day. That’s a LOT of bread! But the amount of physical labor needed to survive in a remote community required more calories than someone could hunt down. 

If I’m going to live a powerful spiritual life I’m going to need my daily bread, Jesus, the bread of life. It won’t be enough for me to eat the stale bread of yesterday.

Week 18. I am… 

 Have you ever been going about your mundane daily business and noticed something out of place that stopped you in your tracks? Maybe you just shrugged and carried on as usual, or maybe you turned aside to see. There were times I was so result focused I didn’t even notice the flicker in my peripheral vision.

Whenever I have noticed and turned towards the flame I have learned yet one more thing about God. I can sum up every new facet I see in two words, “I am.”

He is: present time, 

                 present place, 

                        and present tense. 

Whatever I’m doing He is doing with me. Whatever I need He is providing for me. 

He is I Am… Everything, right now.

John 8:58

Exodus 3:1-14