fiery furnace

But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king."

He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" (Daniel 3:23-25)

As I reflect on my times in the fiery furnace over the past two years, two words come to the forefront of my mind - freedom and revelation.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were bound when they fell into the furnace. After the fire had accomplished its purpose, they were free!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego entered the furnace as three men alone together. Then Jesus showed up, "walking about in the midst of the fire" WITH them - Immanuel revealed!

Don't you just love the ways of the Lord? The fire that we think will utterly destroy us actually releases us into His glorious freedom and enables us to see Him more clearly. AND He doesn't just stand on the sidelines, guiding us from a distance. He gets into the midst of the fire WITH us. What did David say? "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are WITH me" (Psalm 23:4).

"When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you." (Isaiah 43:2)

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

short answer

While completing a questionnaire last night, I was asked to describe my religion. Here's my answer -

"It's all about relationship, not religion; following a Person, not principles; living from the heart, not by rules and regulations; loving and accepting, not judging and criticizing. Church is a people, not a building or a meeting."

How would you describe your "religion" in 40 words or less?

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

the debate

In its November 13, 2006 issue, TIME magazine featured a "God vs. Science" debate between Christian genome pioneer Francis Collins and Oxford atheist Richard Dawkins. Last week, TIME published several letters in response to the debate. Below are two letters that rang true:

"Scientists will not find God unless they think outside the box, as Collins has done. Faith and miracles, so central to Christian thought, are anathema to the scientific method, as Dawkins reaffirms. 'Why am I here?' and 'Is there a God?' are questions that cannot be answered by science. God comes to those who have the insight to think in another dimension and have the wisdom of a child."

John S. Mackiewicz, Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences
State University of New York, Albany, New York

"Science and religion seemingly cannot coexist because religion is all about the past and science is all about the future. Scientists and theologians need to stop making the mistake of equating the concept of God with religious doctrines. Every scientific breakthrough reinforces my belief that God cannot be contained by the confines of religion or science."

June Dordal
Moorhead, Minnesota

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up close

What a breath of fresh air Divine Nobodies continues to be! Here's a portion of what I read today:

Now I knew why I had to visit Kit. God put me with someone who had enough confidence in the Spirit to let my visit play out as God directed. I've received a lot of "ministry training" from some of the best and brightest megastars in Christendom, but I learned my most valuable lesson from Kit: Sometimes it's just best to get out of God's way. Plenty of people were willing to offer "biblical counsel" concerning my continuing career and ministry, which would have served only as distractions from listening to and knowing God himself up close and personal in real time. I was one of those people Jesus referred to who had their nose buried in the written Word but somehow missed the Living Word. Arriving in Connecticut, I wanted a five-point plan for putting my life back together, but Kit's unplanned agenda allowed for moments where I experienced God in ways I never had.

Maybe getting there requires coming to the end of yourself and the things and people you're depending on, even if they are inherently good, like the Bible. My striving couldn't get me any closer to knowing God. He had always been there, waiting for me to give up and listen. Though those dramatic encounters don't happen every day, I'm starting to become more familiar with his voice. In all Kit's improvising, I got a taste of God, making me hungry for more of him. He is what I'm looking for. The risks are worth it. I can't control or predict God, but I trust him enough to allow this journey of knowing him to take me wherever it may lead, even if I don't know where that is until I get there.

- Jim Palmer, Divine Nobodies, p. 15.

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obx marathon

Today I accomplished one of my lifetime goals: I ran my first marathon - 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 11 minutes, 15 seconds. Three months ago I came across an online ad for the OBX Marathon while doing research on the Outer Banks, and my heart was stirred. The timing and location seemed so right. One of the Father's words to me this year has been "released to run" (set free to be me), and few places on earth inspire me quite like the coast of North Carolina. I sensed the Father's encouragement to "Go For It!" As I began to train and prepare, everything fell right into place, and the Holy Spirit coached me through training, minor injuries, last-minute preparations, and the race itself. I ran the perfect race - a steady pace and a sprint to the finish (the last two miles were my fastest). Thank you, Daddy, for an awesome experience!

"The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet." (Habakkuk 3:19)

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

divine nobodies

This week I started reading Divine Nobodies by Jim Palmer. The subtitle of the book is Shedding Religion to Find God. Jim writes with an honesty that is refreshing and challenging. Here's what one Amazon.com reviewer had to say -

Divine Nobodies will touch the deepest most intimate parts of your being as Jim meanders through life discovering God within and through everyday folks...the divine nobodies of life. You'll cry, giggle, hmph, chuckle and ROFL. Shedding religion is messy business, albeit foundation shaking at times. Jim tells of encountering the round pegs, those questions and life situations that just don't fit into the neat and orderly square holes of religion:

What is church? What does it mean to be the church? If a loving parent wouldn't send their child to eternal hell, how could God? Why do bad things happen? What is our journey about as a child of God...is it about living the 'perfect life' a striving for sinlessness? Just how far does God's grace go? Should believers do life with the "undesirables", homosexuals, adulterers, divorcees, alcoholics of the world or does being around "bad" apples spoil the whole bushel...just who are "undesirables" anyway? Is knowing about God the same as knowing God?

If you have an inkling there's something more to God than Sunday services and Wednesday night prayer meetings, pick up a copy of Divine Nobodies...Jim's story will fan that inkling into a knowing that will guide you to a deeper and more intimate relationship with God...and that 'is' what life's about.

- Rick Harris

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soul surfer

Three years ago today, a thirteen year-old girl paddled into the pristine waters off Kauai, Hawaii for an early morning surf session. Minutes later, the unthinkable happened - a shark attack. The past three years have been an incredible story of triumph through tragedy for young Bethany Hamilton. Few stories have touched my heart quite like hers.

Here are some excerpts from Bethany's autobiography, Soul Surfer:

“My plans to be a professional surfer got hit pretty hard on that Halloween morning. It was my own personal tornado. In the days, weeks, and months that followed I had a lot of cleaning up to do. Often, it was scary or trying. And I won’t lie to you: in some ways it still is.

“But for me, knowing that God loves me and that He has a plan for my life that no shark can take away is like having solid rock underneath me. Look, lots of bad stuff happens to people. That’s life. And here’s my advice: don’t put all your hope and faith into something that could suddenly and easily disappear. And honestly, that’s almost anything. The only thing that will never go away, that will never fail you, is your faith in God.

“I don’t pretend to have all the answers to why bad things happen to good people. But I do know that God knows all those answers, and sometimes He lets you know in this life, and sometimes He asks you to wait so that you can have a face-to-face talk about it. What I do know is that I want to use what happened to me as an opportunity to tell people that God is worthy of our trust, and to show them that you can go on and do wonderful things in spite of terrible events that happen. I don’t think it does any good to sit around feeling sorry for yourself.

“What does God have in store for me? I really don’t know, but I do know one thing for sure: the adventure has only started."

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akeelah

"The Best Family Film Ever!"
"Absolutely Irresistible!"
"A Jewel!"
"Two Thumbs Way Up!"

That's what critics had to say about "Akeelah and the Bee" - a wonderful movie I watched on DVD this week with my fourteen year-old daughter. "Akeelah and the Bee" is the story of an eleven year-old girl living in South Central Los Angeles who dreams of winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Early in the movie, Akeelah reads a framed quote in the office of the UCLA professor who is coaching her for the spelling bee. Here's the quote -


Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, talented, fabulous?”

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people
won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us, it’s in ALL of us.

As we let our light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

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wild ride

As a sixth grade teacher, one of the first books I read aloud to my students is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. With each new reading comes a fresh insight into the heart of God. This year, Aslan’s post-resurrection romp through Narnia really stirred my heart. Here are some choice selections -

Aslan (to Susan and Lucy): “'We have a long journey to go. You must ride on me.' And he crouched down and the children climbed onto his warm, golden back.... And with a great heave he rose underneath them and then shot off, faster than any horse could go, down hill and into the thick of the forest.”

“That ride was perhaps the most wonderful thing that happened to them in Narnia. ...this is a mount that doesn’t need to be guided and never grows tired. He rushes on and on, never missing his footing, threading his way with perfect skill.... And you are riding not on a road nor in a park, nor even on the downs, but right across Narnia, in spring....”

What a great description of the wild, off-road, springtime ride I’ve been on these past two years. My journey has been unpredictable, unorthodox, and utterly liberating - a time of new beginnings like no other. As I wrap myself in the warm, golden folds of His loving heart, there is peace and exhilaration in abundance.

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy’s affection!

love prophecy

Twenty years ago when I was a young, unmarried twentysomething, a precious young lady gave me a single sheet of paper filled with words straight from the Father's heart. At the time, it was a challenge to receive the full impact of those words into my heart because my relationship with Father was very much based on performance - specifically, my ability to keep rules and follow principles. Even though I fancied myself quite spiritual (full of God's life), in reality I was quite religious (full of my own efforts).

Thanks to the Father's abundant mercy and grace, the words of this prophecy resonate far more powerfully today than they did twenty years ago. Although the prophecy was given directly to me, I believe it is a beautiful expression of the Father's heart for each and every one of us -


LOVE PROPHECY TO LINDSAY

My Delightful Son Lindsay,

I watched you last night while you slept - My heart was so overwhelmed with Love for you! I thought about you all night, excited to see you wake, and think of me. All day I have watched, and smiled, because you Lindsay, are such a joy to me! I have so much for you - I am constantly planning and bringing to pass things to bless your heart, and lift up your soul.

I want to remind you of my Love today - Love that you can accept and be confident in. Don't ever count yourself as not being worthy of my love - You are worthy, simply because you are my child. I proved my love, when I sent my son...Had I not loved you as deeply as I do, I could not have stood back and watched Him die - but when you Lindsay, understood and accepted what I had given, it was worth it all...and my heart was full of joy in knowing that my lost son had come home.

For I chose you, Lindsay! You can come to me with your daily hurts, frustrations, and joys - knowing that my hand of love will be upon you, doing what is best...I will be right beside you, when you feel as if your heart might break - when you're overwhelmed with yourself and the world - and I'll lead to the rock that is higher than you are - Which is me! I'm solid and strong, yet gentle and tender. In me you can find your strength.

I have made you new, Lindsay! I have ingrafted you in Jesus, and in Him you are new and fresh. Totally. Completely. I have drawn you to myself and invested in you the preciousness of my dear son...All that is His, is Yours - which is everything! So remember today Lindsay, that the old you has passed away. Do not carry the weight of it around. Be as a butterfly, just out of the cocoon - free and joyful in the new creature he's become.

Find your security in my Love Lindsay. Let your roots grow deeper each day. Press into the breadth, length, height and depth of it. For my love has no limits. I want you to experience it to the fullest. Be wholly filled and flooded with me! I have great plans for you, far beyond what you could ever imagine. I am at work within you each day, and am able to carry out my plans - All you need to do, is let me!

So today Lindsay, rest secure in my love. Seek me, for I have so very much for you, my dear son. And at the end of the day, fall asleep in my arms...Knowing that my eyes are on you, and I'm smiling!

Received February 6, 1986


- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

daddy's love

Excerpt from an email to a friend this week -

It seems that so much of this walk with Father is about moving from the concept of His love in our heads to the reality of His love in our hearts. Several years ago, I prayed, "Father, show me your heart. Let me feel what's in your heart." He continues to answer that prayer on a daily basis. Many times He uses the simplest things to communicate His love - the song of a bird, a smile, a butterfly, a cool breeze, kindness from a stranger, an email from a friend or just a simple impression in my mind that I am loved with a love that cannot be quenched.

In all of these things, Father shows me that He loves me simply for who I am - the person He's created me to be - not for what I can do for Him or others. He doesn't love like the world loves. He simply delights in who we are - nothing more, nothing less. Nothing we do can make Him love us more. And nothing we do can make Him love us less. We are loved simply because we are His!

His love is tender and gentle, passionate and relentless. His love frees us from the expectations of ourselves and others. His love frees us from all our fears, whether it be fear of the future, fear of failure, or fear of rejection. His love frees us to walk free, living true to the dreams and desires He's put in our hearts, regardless of what others might think or say. His love is unfailing, always there for us.

So...in the quietness of your heart, just say, "Daddy, show me this incredible love you have for me. I want to feel the intensity of your love for me. I want to live in the reality of your affectionate love." He is faithful, and He longs to answer that prayer far more than you could ever imagine.

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

knowing him

"When I get in a situation now that creates anxiety in my heart, here's what I know - there's something about Father I don't know, that if I knew it, I wouldn't be anxious here. That takes me right to my prayer life - 'Father, what is it about You I don't know, that if I knew it, I wouldn't be anxious here?'"

- Wayne Jacobsen, Transition: Moving From Religious Thinking to Relational Living, Disc 6: "How God Changes Us"

Click the link above to listen to or download the Transition series - highly recommended!

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

the guardian

Last night, I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest with my fifteen year-old son. One of the coming attractions was The Guardian, a movie about a student and instructor at the Coast Guard "A" School (search and rescue training). Towards the end of the trailer, these words appeared on the screen:

“Your darkest hour can be your finest moment”

Those words really struck a chord in my heart as I thought about events in my life over the past twelve months. In the midst of some very dark hours, Father showed me a level of gentleness, comfort, and compassion that I had never experienced before. It's been a life-changing revelation - a further demonstration of the Father's loving heart.

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

each day

More gems from So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Jake Colsen:

"The greatest freedom God can give you is to trust his ability to take care of you each day."

"Our worst moments result from grabbing for ourselves that which Father has not given us."

Click the following link to read the book online, download it, or order a copy - So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

trust

"Ultimately, trust is the fruit of a growing love relationship. You trust somebody to the degree that you know they love you...."

- Wayne Jacobsen, Transition: Moving From Religious Thinking to Relational Living, Disc 6: "How God Changes Us"

Click the link above to listen to or download the Transition series - highly recommended!

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

trust me

"Trust Me" - this has been my Daddy's constant invitation over the past 12 months in the midst of a failed marriage, strained relationships, and dwindling finances. When anxious thoughts arise, Father gently reminds me of His unfailing love and unlimited resources, and then invites me to trust anew. Through it all, I've seen this dynamic at work: the Holy Spirit makes the Father's love REAL (I can actually feel it), and as I experience greater and greater depths of this very real and personal love, it becomes easier and easier to trust Him with every aspect of my life. His love truly changes everything!

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

mighty breakers

More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The LORD on high is mighty. (Psalm 93:4)

Few things in nature express the power and majesty of God quite like the big waves that break off the north shore of Maui. Riding Giants (2004), a documentary on the history of big wave surfing, beautifully captures these waves and the men who ride them. Laird Hamilton, one of the film's main characters and the greatest big wave surfer of his generation, offers this perspective on the 60-foot waves of Maui - "How can you look at something like that and not believe in something more powerful than us?" (Men's Journal, April 2006)

Good question, Laird.

- Lindsay

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!

surfing at Huntington Beach Pier

relax

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

- The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:30-34, The Message

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indescribable

"When we see Christ as All in All then it will be impossible for us to ever again be reduced to the small, the trivial, the petty things which occupy us and waste so much of our time. Our only hope is seeing a Christ that fills us, a Christ that is greater than us, a Christ that is larger than we can fathom, an indescribable Christ that overshadows, overwhelms, and consumes us through and through!"

- Chip Brogden

Live free! Live in Daddy's affection!