August 28, 2020

The Light in the Dark

August 28, 2020

Balconies Cave Trail, Pinnacles National Park - 08/09/2019

Awhile back we hiked a trail at Pinnacles National Park. It led us right into a cold, damp cave. We couldn’t see but for our headlamps that shone a pale beam at our feet.

We were new to the trail and didn’t know what lay ahead. The passageway became so dark and narrow that we had to feel our way. The walls and ceiling closed in around us until we were crawling. We didn’t know how deep the cave went, or if, as my worst fears suggested, we would ever get out.

Claustrophobic, I was keen to get through the darkness as quickly as possible. I refused to stop and kept our family moving, desperate to see the sun.

Finally, we spotted a bright light cutting through the blackness. Relief rushed over me as we climbed out of the cave and breathed in the free air.

It was only then that I realized how tightly I had been gripping Azar. While we were enveloped in darkness, unable to see, I had sought out his hand and drew him near. We had stayed close to one another the rest of journey.

This year feels like we’ve descended into a cave. The coronavirus has affected how we work, how we vacation, how we attend school or even church. We are feeling our way, unsure of how long the journey will take or if we will ever get out.

Fear has us desperately searching for a ray of hope. Committees have been formed. Zoom calls have commenced. Meetings have been held for the sole purpose of finding a well lit path.

As believers, we riffle through the pages of scripture, wanting direction. We cry out to God, “Show us the way out!” We’re scared of the dark and anxious for answers.

But God is not in a hurry to give them, not because he is calloused to our fears, but because he cares about our faith.

Our faith is precious to him.

“There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

What if the Christian life is less about knowing the answers, and more about knowing the Almighty?

Instead of clarity, God offers us closeness. He patiently waits for our hand to reach out and find his, and he draws near to us in the dark.

“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10

Are you seeking the Divine or merely his direction?

God offers us more than just his help. He offers us himself.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land… he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near.” Acts 17:26-29

As we walk through the darkness of this year, may we stop demanding God’s plans and delight in God’s presence. Instead of asking for his instruction, let’s ask for his intimacy.

Let’s not clamber to get out of the dark.

Let’s cling to The Light.

Sarah Anderson

August 21, 2020

Fighting Fire with Fire

Sarah Anderson

August 21, 2020

“Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8

When I’d hear this verse in the past, it would be coupled with a devotional about not looking at pornography or not listening to music with swear words. Sometimes at the end of the lesson, we’d be invited to throw our CDs into the campfire, renewing our efforts to be “good little disciples.”

While those lessons were certainly applicable (and in true ‘90s fashion, a little dramatic), it became too easy to treat that verse as a ticking off of boxes.

Do I look at porn?
Do I listen to heathen music?
Do I watch R-rated movies? Etc.

The problem was I could go through the whole list without once thinking of God.

We’ve taken a verse about centering our attention on what is good, praiseworthy, right, pure, or beautiful, and reversed it to focus on not doing what is bad, worthy of rebuke, wrong, impure, or ugly.

When we make Christianity about not doing bad things, the more bad things become our focal point. And if following Jesus depends on our ability to resist sin, we will fail every time. We must fix our eyes on Jesus.

Yesterday, I read this verse in a devotional with my son. It was all about flamingos and how what they consume turns them pink. In the same way, what we consume becomes who we are, our identity. However, instead of making a list of what we should cut out of our lives, Azar and I made a list of what we could add. I was desperate to be filled with goodness, truth, and beauty.

You see, as we sat in our living room discussing the book, the light outside was yellow from a smokey haze. Ash was falling from the sky, covering our lawn and car like snow. Just a few miles away forest fires continued to rage, consuming everything in their path. Trees, plants, animals, homes, churches, and businesses were being threatened and some were already lost.

Photo by Orville Myers, Pastor of Valley Bible Fellowship of Cachagua, CA - August 2020

Everywhere I looked there were signs of distress. Social media was ablaze with more bad news. There were weather reports about winds picking up and new fires starting. There were photos of houses being destroyed, of exhausted firemen and hopeless evacuees.

The harder I tried to not think about the fires, the more I thought about the fires. My heart pounded as I choked on the smoke seeping through my windows and doors. It felt like the ash and fiery smog were pressing in on me, crushing me. I could feel the panic rising, licking at my mind like fire, threatening to burn me too.

Photo by David Halterman, from Lime Creek near Esalen, CA - August 2020

Photo by Orville Myers, Pastor of Valley Bible Fellowship in Cachagua, CA - August 2020

Like a pink flamingo, I had consumed fear and therefore was flaming pink with anxiety.

But Philippians 4 reminded me to focus on what, or rather WHO, was good, praiseworthy, true, honorable, right, pure, and beautiful. Azar and I prayed, in the face of our frightening circumstances, that God would fill us with MORE of Himself and His word:

God, You are good and worthy of praise. “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9

Your word is true! “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Psalm 119:160

We love You and those You’ve made in Your image. Give us courage to do what is honorable and right. Help us to serve those in need. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-38

You are pure, beautiful, and worthy of respect. We praise You no matter how we feel, no matter our circumstances, because You are Immanuel, God with Us. You give us courage and strength to help others and to live a life of joy and thankfulness. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline… And regardless of what else you put on, wear love… Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other… And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives… And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” Colossians 3:12-17

Like cool water, God’s words snuffed out the tension burning within me, and peace flooded my heart.

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew…” Deuteronomy 32:2

What consumes your mind?
Is it a list of don’ts?
Are you worried about the forest fires?
Are you fearful of the coronavirus?
Are you anxious about the upcoming elections?

God says if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14) And if we ask Him to fill us with more of Himself, He will light up our life with peace, joy, goodness, and beauty.

Even more, when we fix our thoughts on Christ and His Truth, we can bravely face the flames of this world because we are fighting fire with Fire.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

Sarah Anderson

August 10, 2020

Psalm 122

Peace Within Your Walls

Sarah Anderson

August 10, 2020

Psalm 122

“May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” Psalm 122:6b-7

Soberanes Trail, Garapatta State Park, CA - 8/3/20

According to Bible Commentary the psalmist was referring to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was built as a “well-knit city and this psalm most likely echoed the account of the tabernacle’s construction. If so, then Jerusalem was being celebrated as the earthly residence of God.”

In verse 6, the writer refers to all who love Jerusalem and are devoted to the Lord as those who will be blessed with security and prosperity.

We know that Jesus' lineage is traced back to King David and Jerusalem was considered the City of David. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that God chose Israel as his people, and that he dwelled within the temple’s “holy of holies.”

Yet now, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, believers understand that there is a new dwelling place for God. Not one behind a curtain, or inside the walls of a chosen city, but within the chosen hearts and souls of mankind.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Psalm 122 celebrated the opportunity for God’s people to go to “His House” and worship him. God’s temple was considered a holy, honored, and happy place. The psalm also served as a reminder to pray for those who dwelled in the City of God.

While modern applications can be made about today’s church attendance and praying for fellow believers, Psalm 122 also serves as a relevant reminder to pray for peace within God’s dwelling place now: our hearts.

”Above all else, guard your heart…” Proverbs 4:23

We are the earthly residence of God.

As God’s dwelling, is your heart a holy and honored place? Is it a place of joy and peace? Or is it a place of war?

The Bible is clear that as Christians, we will be under spiritual attack. But we forget that attacks don’t always come from the outside by some obvious enemy. Sometimes the ambush can come from within. The Enemy can lead a mutiny on our mind and if we aren’t careful, we may believe these thoughts are ours, or worse, God’s.

What lies are you allowing to ram the gates of your heart?

If I am truthful, throughout the day I let my guard down and make small agreements with the enemy.

“You’re wasting your life.”
“You’re aimless.”
“You’re invisible.”
“You’ve made too many mistakes.”
“You’re being punished.”
“You’re too late.”
“You’re a failure.”
“You’re too loud, too emotional, too much.”
”You’re worthless.”

When I let these thoughts enter my mind and heart, I’m letting the enemy into God’s City.

And it’s treason.

We call these thoughts insecurities because they shake our foundation, our very being, our heart. And if we lose heart, our City threatens to collapse on itself. “…every city or house divided against itself will not stand…” (Matthew 12:25)

Psalm 122 is a reminder that security comes from God and His love. We must realign our focus, not on ourselves but on Him.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121)

God can keep us from all harm, even the harm we may let in ourselves, but we must look to Him for that help. Only when we refocus on God and His Word will we have peace within our walls and citadels.

So, what does God say about us?

We are loved. (John 3:16)
We are His. (1 John 3:1)
We are children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)
We are citizens of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
We are called. (2 Peter 1:3)
We are chosen. (Revelation 17:14)
We are delighted in. (Zephaniah 3:17)
We have a purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)
We are victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
We have a glorious future. (Romans 8:18)

What ugly whispers are battering the walls of your heart? Ask God to reveal and break your treaties with the enemy. Ask him to strengthen your security and peace by being rooted in His love.

Let us fortify our castle and reclaim God’s Truth this week. Let His House, your heart, be a place of joy, peace, security, and worship.

Sarah Anderson

August 3, 2020

Psalm 119

Our Heritage, Our Inheritance

Sarah Anderson

August 3, 2020

Psalm 119

Have you ever sat down to spend time in God’s Word to only dwell on your sin? Instead of finding refreshment, you are flooded with remorse.

San Buenaventura State Beach, CA - 7/17/20

Throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist declared his great love for God’s Word for which he endured many hardships. There have been times in my life when I have been persecuted or wrongly accused and I can relate:

“I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.” v. 107

But lately, I have read these verses with a pang of guilt, reliving the times when I have been the one to set the snare, when I have been the one to dig the pit.

“Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.” v. 69-70

“The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.” v. 85

The more I read about the righteous author who suffered at the hands of others, the more I thought about how I have caused suffering. I have said and done cruel things that have harmed people, and not always unintentionally.

In Scripture, descriptive words such as ‘rebuke, arrogant, cursed, scorn, contempt, slander, mock, wicked, shame, and destroy’ surround those who cause affliction.

I poured out my heart to God, begging He’d make me like this righteous Psalmist who delighted in His law. But these were not the lofty prayers of a saint. I was desperate. Worried. No matter how much I repented, I felt no comfort or reassurance.

The truth was, I was afraid.

I was afraid I was the antagonist in the story, that I was the bad guy. My record proved my greatest joy was not keeping God’s commands. Instead my history revealed sin. I was afraid that my legacy would be embarrassing. Ugly. Wicked. And only a source of great shame to me and to God.

But tucked within a familiar stanza under the hebrew letter Nun, I found a simple word, a treasure containing a wealth of comfort and hope.

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” v. 111

My heritage.

Bible commentary notes that heritage refers to “the possession I have received from God as my homestead.”

Homestead. Webster defines this word as an ancestral home.

This means that God’s law, His Word, is my ancestral home. His commands are where I belong. His Word is from where I derive. God’s Story is my origin.

Furthermore, Webster defines the word heritage as something acquired from a predecessor: a legacy, or an inheritance.

Psalm 119:57 says, “You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” The word portion, again, means inheritance.

A beautiful truth began to bloom in my heart:

I am not defined by my history.

My past is defined by His Story.

As an adopted child of the King, the legacy I leave behind will not be one of shame and regret. I am part of a greater, far more epic story that can be traced back before Adam and Eve. It predates the Fall. So when the Real Antagonist whispers that our lives are nothing more than a record of sins, God reminds us to flip back to the beginning of the Book to see how our story began, when His relationship with us was good, pure, and whole. That’s our true heritage. That’s our real ancestral home.

And it was Paradise.

So even now, when all seems wrong and wicked, whether in the world or in our own lives, remember we are only in the middle of His Story.

In the Lord of the Rings, there is a defining scene when Frodo and Samwise are caught up in a battle against the orcs. Having suffered under the ring’s heavy burden and having witnessed so much death and destruction, Frodo is overcome with grief and hopelessness. In this moment, Samwise remembers the bigger picture:

“It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.”

You and I, dear Christian, are holding onto something too. God’s Word is not only our past but also our future. Our heritage and our inheritance.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” -Revelation 21:5

All that was broken will be mended.
All wounds will be healed.
All wrongs will be made right.
All things will be made new.

As a believer, this is my birthright. No matter where I am in my story, no matter how many mistakes I’ve made, I need not fear:

My future is not determined by my efforts.

My future is destined for Eternity.

When we’ve placed our hope in Jesus, His story becomes our story. It began in Paradise and is headed there too.

So take heart. The ending is good.

San Buenaventura State Beach, CA - 7/15/20

Sarah Anderson

November 1, 2019

A Wood at Rest

Sarah Anderson

November 1, 2019

Old Indian Trail
1/9/14
Distance: There are two loops, each about 2.5 miles long
Terrain: Green Arrow Loop is flat to gently rolling
Vegetation: Evergreens and hardwoods
Comments: The trail leads to a view of Lake Michigan. Great trail for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

A Wood at Rest
by Sarah Anderson

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” - Psalm 62:5

I’ve walked this trail many times in various seasons. It’s a favorite because of the sweet smell of pine along the way. Pine trees, in my opinion, make great woods. You can see far behind the path on either side and the trees remain green year-round. Where most forests can look drab in the colder season, the Old Indian Trail is luxurious and magical.

The forest sleeps. Each tree is swaddled in blankets of white and there is a peaceful silence as the woods slumber on through the winter months. I want to tiptoe, afraid to wake them from their dreams.

Every season has a purpose: spring giving birth to life, summer providing shelter and shade, autumn bringing forth a harvest and sweet winter, when all dozes and takes a break from it’s toil. God’s Word speaks of the seasons in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” and God Himself demonstrated restfulness on the seventh day after speaking the world into creation (Genesis 2:2).

As the snow crunches under our boots, the only sound in a hushed world, my mind is awakened to the crystallized canvas before us. God desires that all creation rests. He bids us to be still, to give pause so we may be caught up in the beauty of it all, the beauty of Him.

We will miss a world submitting in quiet reverence to it’s Maker if we do not take the time to slow down. God desires that we live wonderstruck, marveling at His glory. And when we do, the busyness is peeled back from the lens of our eyes and we can finally see the Divine.

Lord, forgive me when I get too busy. Forgive me for being too focused on my tasks and caught up in my plans. Life is not about me. And when I keep my head down and my eyes on my tight schedule, I miss the greater purpose of my life, to give You glory! Remove the blinders and give me sight for Your beauty. When I am caught up in the world, I am never satisfied. Only You give my soul peace. Calm my spirit. Wrap me in Your arms. And for now, in this season, let me rest in You.

Old Indian Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan Hikes 1/9/14