An Image Bearer

I love flying. I love the hustling, the walking, the anticipation as you wait on the runway. I love strolling up and down the halls during a layover (I know, I know. I'm crazy!). Mostly, I really love people watching.

I made a trip to New England recently, bringing me to a layover in the Charlotte, NC airport. [Side note: Can I just say how much I love that airport? Full of sunlight, faux trees, and wooden white rocking chairs. As far as airports go, a layover wandering those halls was pretty pleasant!]

As I boarded the first leg (in Boston) of the trip, I noticed the...uh...abundance of grumpy people. If you want to find a grumpy person--check the airport. However, before I got too sidetracked by staying out of their paths, the Lord reminded me of my mission as a Christian: we are little Image Bearers of Christ. We are to be little Jesus'--wherever we go, whatever we do. Whether we are handing out tracts on the streets of the Broncs, or walking through through Airport security. This being said, as I was waiting to hand my ticket to the security guard, I found myself smiling. Really big. I don't know why--but all of a sudden I got a super goofy grin on my face. I couldn't stop.

I walked through security, beaming at the grumpy glares shot my way. Eyes got big as I met the gaze of disgruntled passengers. I grinned as I walked down the terminal. I started humming softly as I waited for the call to board. Honestly, I just kept thinking about how much Christ actually loves me. How much He dearly loves all these people that were streaming past me. He sacrificed His own life for every single person--even those that reject Him. He gave Himself for the teens with dark eyes. The tired moms cleaning up spilled goldfish. Hunched over elderly gentlemen. Business men with spotless shoes. I kept thinking, and I kept smiling more (I may have even started whistling)! Then, as I walked through these sunshine-filled halls of Charlotte, I had another thought. What if my smile is the only smile someone sees today? What if I'm the only person that really looks them in the eyes? What if I am the only Christian they come into contact with today--or this week? What would I want someone to know about Christians, simply by seeing ME?

As I have walked with the Lord, I really REALLY believe that Christians (should) look different. Not weird different (although, now, we are starting to be considered REALLY weird), but we are "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Cor 2:15). We are to be different. We are to look different from the people surrounding us. For those who have found the kind of Hope which only Christ brings, there comes with it a peace, JOY inexpressible, and a quiet trust. We are to be LIGHT amidst darkness. We are to radiate the Love of Christ. 

I want to be different. I want to be so full of Love that people can tell I genuinely care about them. I want compassion to be in my eyes, words of kindness on my lips, arms prepared to serve, and a humility settled within my heart--a heart which knows who really IS to be praised. His name is Jesus. 

What about you? For those of you who follow Christ, what would your friends (those who call themselves Christians and those who don't follow Christ) say about you? That you are quick to argue or that you are a keeper of Peace? Is your mouth the first to "dish out juicy gossip", or do you intentionally go out of your way to encourage others ? What does your facebook say about you? What do your texts hold? What would that slow cashier at the grocery store say about your patience? Do you continually complain (even on social media) or are you looking for ways to help? What do your eyes say about the condition of your heart (Matthew 6:22)?

Most importantly, what would the world say about Christians by looking at you?

Friend, may our hearts be pure, TRUE reflections of the Image of Christ. May we be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry", full of "[peace], gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 1:19, 3:17). May we be truly different from the rest of this world.

In Him, 

Sweeter Still

Sunlight, through a window

A slight breeze through the trees..

Jesus, You delight my heart more than these!

Daisies with their sun-kissed face, lifted to a cloudless sky

Jesus, You are sweeter--sweeter still to me!

Chorus:
For I have tasted of Your goodness

Your purity and Love!

And I know there is no turning back from Thee!

I have seen Your righteous hand,

Quick to save me from all harm.

Jesus, You have proved You're sweeter still to me!

Laughter bubbling from a child

the sweetness of a sisters' smile

Jesus, You delight my heart more than these!

Soft strains from cello strings

Hummingbirds with Emerald wings

Jesus, You are sweeter--sweeter still to me!

I've seen what the World holds dear

Empty promises but full of Fear

Jesus, you delight my heart more than these!

I choose to only cling to Thee

for You alone can set me free!

Jesus, You are sweeter--sweeter still to me!

(Window and Jesus Photo: Google)

(c) Anna Dumaresq

Small Miracles

Yesterday was a busy day. I cleaned and baked, and cleaned some more. I was supposed to head out to see a friend for tea around 12:30, planning to swing by the grocery store to pick up last minute things for the Strawberry Shortbread I was bringing. However, I lost track of time AND when I got into the car I was driving for the day, the dashboard was lit up like a Christmas tree. So, after a car switch, I ended up leaving aroun 12:55. For most people, 20 minutes can sometimes be made up in some way by shortcuts and such...unless you live a SOLID 35-40 minutes from the area you're supposed to be at AND have to do a grocery store run. Obviously my friend wouldn't be offended at being late, but I wanted to honor the time she set aside for me. So I did what I usually do--prayed.

"Lord, I need help. It's supposed to start snowing any minute AND I'm supposed to be at her house in 30 minutes (1:30 was our set time). Would you please somehow clear the way for me, and get me through traffic and through the grocery store?"

I started just singing and praising the Lord as I was driving (He is an awesome car buddy), just talking to Him and thinking about things He has done. As I drove, little flakes started drifting down. AAAAUGH.

"Lord, please hold off the snow until after I have tea with Leigh Ana."

When I finally pulled up to the grocery store, it was a steadier falling of delicate snowflakes. But it didn't phase me. I got out of the car, walking with a determined step--my list scrolling through my mind.

~

While I approached the doors to the store, I happened to overhear the Grocery Cart-Collector (for lack of a better title) talking with an older woman in a very friendly, sweet manner. He waved at her, said "God Bless" then proceeded ahead of me to the cart rack. We made eye contact as I passed, and I smiled and said "Hello!". He nodded, smiled and said "How are you?". "Good thank you!" He went back to pushing carts into place, and I headed on inside the store. I can't really explain it, but I just felt so content and peaceful in the company of Jesus, that despite the snow and me being late, I just was pretty smiley. Maybe even joyful. ;) I walked quickly through the store, grabbing my small handheld basket full of needed items.

Source: Google

After grabbing the yogurt (very important to have good culture...;) ), I efficiently weaved my way to the front...where I found....Lines. Lots of lines. With only 2 lanes open. I had mostly produce with no bar codes, so I decided to bypass the self-checkout due to my reputation with them. I picked the less-lengthy line and settled myself into wait, just smiling and enjoying the peace in my heart.

Source: Google

Then. A tap on my shoulder. I turned hesitantly. It was the Grocery Cart-Collector, with his outdoor winter gear on. I was a little confused, wondering if I had done something wrong.

 "Ma'am, you look like you're in a hurry.Come with me."

I was thinking "ooook...what's going on? I am in the middle of a line, and he comes to get me out of everyone?", but I followed him anyways. The GC-C took my basket from me, then led me quickly over to a self-checkout. I was thinking "OK, I guess I can try it." 

Source: Google

Well, I did not have a chance to try. The GC-C, in his big winter coat and scarf, did not let go of my basket. He proceeded to scan quickly ALL of my groceries for me, meanwhile telling me how much he loved baby carrots, and seemed surprised that I was grocery shopping for my mom. His fingers flew over the keypad as he punched in produce codes by memory, smiling and sending items quickly down the conveyor belt. I just kind of stood there, unsure of what to do and feeling really blessed! He asked how I was paying, then pushed the Debit button for me. As I scanned my card, he went to the end and bagged all of my groceries for me. I was smiling so big because it felt like it was Jesus maneuvering me through the store and then checking out my groceries for me. I said "Thank you so much...that was a huge blessing!". He smiled, handed my my groceries and said "You're welcome!". When I stepped outside, my heart filled with joy, it had stopped snowing! I got to my friends house at 1:42.

~

God didn't have to do that. I mean...honestly, I would have lived if I had to sit in traffic and have to wait in the lines. It was not a huge thing...just a small request for help, in order to honor someone else. Yet, I asked for His help in something small...and I felt His smile and delight in showing me how even the man who is supposed to be collecting carts can reflect His love for me. That, as a Father loves when his daughter asks him to undo a lid or tie a knot, Jesus loves to take care of us...actual care of us. We just have to ask.

~

Being a Christian--following and obeying Jesus--does NOT mean life is all "daisies and butterflies"...it does NOT mean that you will not go through intense hardships, even extreme loss. So many people believe that if they become a Christian, money and success will pour out of everywhere. Also, another belief is that we will never have to worry about anything. But sin is sin, and it affects every single person's life in this world...Christian or not. Sin kills, pollutes and destroys. Provision for our needs will pour out---not necessarily popularity and acceptance that the world would crave. Trust me. People who follow Jesus are usually not popular. However, following Jesus does mean that you have a source of actual real Joy,  Unshakable Peace, and  Indescribably HOPE despite the corruptness of the world around us. The world can steal our possessions or even our lives...but the Joy of knowing and being loved by Jesus, the one who came to set us free from our sins, so we might learn to love righteousness and Him....THAT, no one can ever steal! There is no sweeter privilege than to be called a follower of Jesus. Nope. None. :)

God Bless, 

P.s. If you want to know more about Jesus or what I mean by no one ever being able to steal our Joy (or anything I talked about), feel free to email me! I love talking about this Jesus I follow. :)

Source: Google

Obedience In Faith

So, I'm back in the Old Testament--Deuteronomy to be exact. What can I say? I really actually love it.

Yesterday and today I have been reading in the first 4 chapters, and to give you a quick summary, it is a recapping of Gods deeds for the children of Israel. If you haven't read Deuteronomy, I would actually encourage you to take a look. It is a very rich book. I was reading in the same room with my friend (who was working on an email) and I basically stopped every 3 minutes to read her a verse. *teehee*

I just get excited, ok? ;)

I was reading today of the victories God did----and I mean things GOD clearly did----through the Children of Israel. It is remarkable. If you think about it "logically", this group of people were formerly making bricks and used to doing manual labor! Yet God used them to completely wipe out cities "fortified with high walls, gates, and bars [...] and we utterly destroyed them" (Deut. 3:5,6). Just stop and think about it for a minute..............a people who were mostly builders defeating armies.

Pretty crazy,huh? 

But in all actuality, what I really have been blown away with is in chapter 1. The chapter is describing how the people of Israel moved God to anger because of their unbelief. Even after all He had fulfilled, answered, rescued, and preserved, they allowed themselves to forget his goodness. They forgot his favor, his tenderness, his mighty hand, and his victorious right arm. As a result, that entire generation was prohibited in seeing a promise fulfilled. Because they did not believe God would actually follow through in His word, they missed out on seeing yet another incredible miracle. When God sent them to scout out the land he promised that they would inherit, most of the scouts allowed their fear to creep in. They only saw (and found) reasons why they should not obey God--why it would be wise to rethink directions directly from Jehovah. 

Except 2 men.

2 men who believed God.

 And they were not forgotten by their Master.

Nope. 

And He called them out---by name.

"Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers except Caleb the son of Jephun'neh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I will give the land upon which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed The Lord! [...] Joshua the son of Nun,who stands before you, he shall enter; encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it."

-Deuteronomy 1:35,36,38-

My heart even now quickens at the thought of being singled out of an entire generation---to be singled out by I AM? To be chosen from a generation of faithlessness because of true belief?  The boldness that Caleb and Joshua took in seeking out the goodness of Gods commands, and how they
sought to find the joy of following Gods commands. They sought to urge the people to obedience, to pursue righteousness, and believed God despite what their peers urged them to believe.

  But, if you pause to think about it, God has given us (as followers) the same opportunity. Jesus has proved himself over and over to us, yet how quickly we forget his blessings, his favor, his protection and when he intervenes on our behalf! We have the opportunity to step out into situations where it may seem daunting or difficult--I am kind of in a situation like that currently, as a matter of fact.  Situations where God has asked us to step out in bold faith, not clearly seeing the end result, but having the opportunity to take God fully at his word! 

The question is how will we respond? 

In bold, faithful (joyful) obedience like Caleb, or will we forfeit our opportunity to see the full glory of God revealed?

~

I cannot express how much I want to be like Caleb and Joshua. To be bold, zealous for my God, and earnestly believing my Lord at His every word! All I know is that my Jesus is still working on me--I am a bit timid of heart and feeble of strength. 

Yet I trust Him.

I believe he is fully able to take this little heart, 

and make me as courageous as Caleb!

Praise God!

In Him,

Anna

All In A Name

Faith: Compete trust or confidence in someone or something (according to Google).

For those of you who do not know, Faith is my middle name. No, seriously it is. There are a few different reasons which I was dubbed with this name, but the main one being that my parents prayed that I would become a woman whose trust was fully in God. Needless to say, I am still learning. But the last few days, God has given me 2 big sips of living water to savor regarding Faith. If you don't mind, I would like to share them with you. *My apologies if you do mind...*
Sip#1

I keep asking God to grant me more faith, to teach me how to have faith, and to open my eyes to ways he has been faithful. As I was reading in Romans about Abraham, a man who is known for his faith. I had another moment where I felt like I was seeing a verse for the first time.

"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. This is why his faith was "reckoned to him as righteousness" ~Romans 4:20-22
Sip#2
"A little while ago, you were on your knees saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: Let me know that I have faith." Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously,  praying for trials? For how can you know that you have faith until your faith is exercised? God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered and that we may be assured of their existence."
In addition to that, I am praying also that God would increase my praise AND give me new songs to sing for Him. For He is worthy of all praise, admiration and glory!

Abraham's faith grew as he gave glory to God--he was able to trust God as he praised God. Then it hit me. The times when I am able to believe God wholeheartedly is when I am praising or worshiping Him. The more I praise Him, the more I am able to believe He will do what He says. Even the times where my heart is hurting so painfully that I can barely push the words "Praise God" out of my mouth, when I do, there is a chip in the burden settled on heart. Even though faith is choosing to believe, I am beginning to see that an increase of Praise is an increase of Faith. 

Sip #2 was actually a little harder to drink, yet it is a true and good word. It is from Charles Spurgeon's "Strengthen My Spirit" (pg. 119). You ready for this?

You should have heard me after I read this--I busted out laughing and saying "oh no! I just did that!". Of course no one wants bad things to happen; in fact, we usually go out of our way to avoid bad things. For me, I am so accident prone and so many things have happened to me the last year that my immediate response was "Oh no! Should I actually be praying for faith?! How about some Joy? or creative ways in Development of Quality time with family!? That sounds safe, right?"

Pretty pathetic, huh?

But then God reminded me of what I had read the day before--Praise increases Faith. Why would we want a wimpy faith, a faith that has not been tested and proven as TRUE? There MUST be a testing, so that there is a glorification of God. By choosing Faith, we choose trials. But, we are choosing GOD.

So. I've decided to continue to pray for faith. (Whew!) ;)

So, friends, Praise Him! Choose to have faith in Him who IS able. For Faith does not just describe him--He is called "Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11). It is one of His names!

In Him who's Name is above ALL Names, 

~Anna