Four Men Who Dared to Be Different ~ Part 2

I can see those little monkeys set apart and huddled in the corner of their cage saying, “hear no evil, speak no evil, and say no evil”; but, how many of us would boldly do the same? Would we dare to be different from all the rest of the ones in the cage of our society? Are we willing to feed ourselves on something different from the rest of them?

To reiterate; this is about four men who dared to be different - four men who refused to eat the foods that would cause them to defile themselves and set cause to break the laws of their religious beliefs.

A few days before beginning this new journey through the book of Daniel, I was doing a little online surfing for articles and blogs on how people are coping in light of the downward spiral of the world’s economic systems.

Of course, there a great increase in number of articles and blog entries on how people are coping and saving money, of recent. It is reflecting the times in which we are living.

People are downsizing, particularly with the large population of baby-boomers entering their more senior years. Personal debt and bankruptcies are at an all-time high. Companies are moving their production facilities to cheaper lands, investments are plummeting in the stock market arenas, and people are losing jobs left and right. Oh, what troublesome times we are living in, but should we be surprised?

Aside from the inundation of articles and blogs and frugality, there are a newer substantial amount of blogs and sites for a growing number of people who are now opting out of the societal pressures to look like we have it all made. They are choosing instead, to move with a purposed directive towards a new trend called “voluntary simplicity”. They are the new army or breed of those fighting to step back from the society’s focus on self absorption and indulgence, and the overwhelming pressure to “keep up with the Joneses”.

Living the great American dream is no longer the dream.... in fact, it has become a nightmare! Society is starting to say “we have had enough”. They are opting out, and discarding all the stuff that really isn’t necessary. They are no longer interested in accumulating treasures, and storing the “stuff”.

My own sister-in-law and brother-in-law made a decision, a little over year and a half ago, to sell off their home and all of their world possessions, in order to purchase a large RV motorhome and drive off to discover North America. The timing, they felt, was right. Their kids, now in their twenties, had left home, and being only in their forties themselves, they were young enough to enjoy the concept. They also wanted to do it while they have the health to do it. They were both of tired of their jobs and the rat-race, and were ready for an all-out adventure. So in just a few short weeks, they got rid of their stuff, and were waving farewell.

Their challenge and part of the whole exploit would be to see how little they could spend. It would be more like a game, but not a regimented, unbending requirement. They wanted to do it all as simply as they could.

They chose an online trip journal, and daily post their happenings, as well as keep a running tab on their expenditures; namely fuel, food, and overnight fees. Since they have never been big spenders to start with, they spend very little, and have surprisingly, on average, spent only around a thousand a month over the past year, for their new style of living. Internet is picked up randomly here and there, on whatever signals they happen to find along the way, and cell phone pay-as-you-go is a monthly five dollar phone card they keep topped up only for roadside emergencies, should they ever need it.

Board-games, cards, strolls on the beaches, bike rides, dog-walks, and get-togethers with other fellow RV-ers are high on the list of activities. They trade books with other travellers, eat foods in season and with simplicity, pickup cheap dvd movies once in a while to watch on their laptops, they read the headlines and news videos online, and participate in free activities and touristy items as they motor along. It’s a low-key lifestyle they have become accustomed to, and that they absolutely love. So, what started out with intent to be only a couple of years long, has now become a lifestyle, and has progressed into plans for a longer timeframe.

They have chosen, and they have dared to be different.

While there is a part of many of us that may be envious of such a freedom to be able to pick and move like that. I, personally, have to say that I am too busy enjoying this season of writing and ministry. I absolutely love what I am blessed to be doing right now, and of where He has me. I love the simplicity of what we, as a family unit of our own, have chosen for this very busy season in our lives.

While we have never been too passionate about keeping up appearances, we have opted to step out of the influences and to clamp down on spending. Like others, who are choosing to rebel, we are no longer interested in spending our money or time on the unimportant things. Again, like many others, we have chosen to say "no', and to no longer conform to make the status quo - we choose to store the stuff, instead, where it counts... both personally and spiritually.

Do we, as believers in Christ, want to be strong in our conviction to not be conformed of this world?

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20 (NIV)

It is all about setting our boundaries. We can choose to be a part of what is happening around us or to standout and be unique – to dare to be different and set apart.

We can certainly live in the world, but we don’t have to live of it.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Rom 12:2 (NIV)

Part of the study of His Word, is the factor of application; taking what you learn and applying it to your own life. So with an awareness of our own financial situations, and with the conviction of my faith - for the length of time that I am studying this amazing book of the Bible, I am personally committing to eat simply and at home (as much as possible), to not to spend any unnecessary money on what could be construed as frivolous items, and to live my life as simply as possible. I shall commit to purging out my belongings in order to downsize our home to its’ simplest form, and its' most mobile, move-ready basics. Not because I have to to, or because circumstances may force it in the future... but simply, because I want to.

We can learn much from the example of four men. Four men, who opted to take a stand for the simpler things - to eat with the simplicity of a diet of strictly vegetables and water, (and not the indulgent diet of a royal palace), and of whose bodies and minds ultimately reflected its intrinsic value. Four men, who chose to not be conformed to the patterns of the world around them, but to take a stand for righteous faith and respect for the Law.

Four men, who dared to be different.

Four Men Who Dared to Be Different

All of the offers of the world, sat before the men who dined at the King’s table. The finest, most tantalizing, highest quality fruits, vegetables, pastries, breads, meats, wines, and cheeses were spread before them in a very specific quantity – all, no doubt, for optimum physical performance and maximum, mental fuel.

Yes, indeed, the prolific abundance and resources of the royal kingdom were being invested into the physical bodies of the finest specimens in the kingdom – all handpicked and chosen to be trained for the king’s service.

There was only one hitch.

There were a couple of men, who didn’t want to touch it with a ten-foot pole. In their culture the foods were considered unclean, and eating them would have defiled the Law to which they would stanchly defend and preserve. To break that Law, would be to sin against their God.

Let’s read the first chapter of Daniel, in the New International Version, and see how the actual story is recorded...

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.
6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you."
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

While it was, no doubt, probably an honour to have been chosen, (and most assuredly the family and friends, of those that made the cut, were proud of their loved ones), it was apparent that not everyone was willing to compromise!

Four men, who dared to be different. Notice the court officials even tried to change their names. Talk about losing your identity, and just becoming another one in the crowd!

It was all about motive, pleasure and self indulgence; the king’s, his courts’, his interns’, and his nations’. Oh, how this parallels our life, here in the present day, and from within our western culture! Indeed, we are living in a modern-day version of Babylonia! After all, it wasn’t just the name of a place, it was a culture, a way of life, and a philosophy for living!

The world is our oyster! Our eyes and ears can now hear and see and experience the voices of influence from around the world in a nano-second, through technology and media, all as never before in history - all implying that we really are the center of our own universe!

Think about it. We are enraptured with pleasure for ourselves - our five senses are never dulled and they too, are fed their finest! Education is now available through means and sources never dreamed or perceived in years past; physical health is scientifically explained, altered, reproduced, and cloned in peitre dishes; and dictionaries have words that are now considered parts of everyday speech - words that would make even an animal blush!

Our hands fondle the finest of textures and objects in their purest, natural form or their man-made, artificial counterparts. Our palettes exercise the diversity of cultures and tastes, and exotic aromas fill our nostrils, taking our imaginations to distant lands across the globe.

We can feed not only our bodies, but our egos! We can choose to find ourselves, remake our appearance, access unlimited banks of knowledge, get cash at the touch of a button or the swipe of a card, and cross oceans and continents in a heartbeat! We have choices like no other time, or nations, in history; and, we tell ourselves it is entirely possible to have it all!

Well they too, had it all, and it was being offered to them on a silver platter, literally. However, they made a choice, and like Mary would, many years later, they chose what was better!

Four men, who dared to be different.

© January 2009 Brenda Lois Crowe
All rights reserved.

Insatiable Hunger... Temporarily Satisfied

It was back in time... I can’t tell you where exactly, but I saw myself as though I was on the side of the Road to Damascus or somewhere. The sun was suspended somewhere back and behind me to the right, and it appeared to be late morning or early afternoon. Expectancy and anticipation hung in the air. The atmosphere was like a tangible, insatiable hunger that had to be fed.

Word had gotten out, and throngs of people began gathering in a cluster, that begat another cluster, that begat another cluster. Again and again, one after another, the numbers of the assembly grew. Each member was hoping to catch an opportunity to see Him, close-up, in the living flesh of Glory.

Yes, it was Him indeed... He, the One who was the awaited Messiah, was coming towards the multitude that was gathering.

I glanced, longingly, to catch a glimpse of His face as He was walking closer. Would He look like I had imagined? Would He smile, or look my way?

The heads bobbled back-and-forth in front of me, as all of them struggled to catch their own glimpse of the One who delivered people from demons, and did great miracles all in the Name of God.

There were others with him. Two, or maybe it was three, walked just a step or two in front of Him. They, like Him, were sandal-footed, and small puffs of dust were being raised from the dry soil with each step that they took.

His friends were smiling and glancing back at Him, ever mindful of the need to protect Him, should the crowd press in too closely. Their dark curls peeked out from underneath the coverings over their heads, and their faces were clearly impressed upon my heart. They were having a wonderful time with Him, and were enchanted with the penchant in the hearts of people, to adore Him in the place of His Presence.

I stretched higher on my tip-toes to see over the heads that now moved from side to side blocking my sight-line. I was no longer able to see over these ones that stood in front of me, and all I knew, was that I had to see Him...and I desperately began seeking fresh openings between the moving masses of hair and head coverings...

But, it was to no avail.

The whole situation for me, almost felt hopeless. He was known for finding the ones who were least likely. So, possibly there would be hope even for me. Even behind the throngs of people, He would notice if His Father noticed... or if the power had gone out from Him.

I too, had heard of the woman with the issue of blood – she had touched the hem of His garment. She had crawled between the feet of the ones who had gathered. There in her desperation, she had allowed nothing to stop her.

She knew He was the One. He was her only hope. No longer would she be a woman who wore a name of shame. It was insatiable hunger... and it drove her to it. She found a way... and now, so would I.

I caught a fleeting flash... mostly of the back right side of his head, going past, and out in front of me.

I had to see Him, and I caught myself slowly lowering myself to the ground, like she had done, and I too began crawling. The dust was now thick from the bare feet and sandals that stirred on the earthen surface below my knees, and I momentarily held by breath, and squinted for the sake and protection of both my extremities and my eyesight.

I would have had to presume that He didn’t know that I was there... but then again, maybe He did. The murmuring and blurred sounds of the crowd were disappearing somewhere off into the back, and over my head, as they continued shuffling off, and following behind Him.

My knees were clamping down on the lower half of the beige garment that I wore. It slowed down any possible speed in terms of progress. The head covering was now dangling and blocking the vista that could possibly lay before me. Frustratingly, within my haste to break free from them, I was continually being forced to pull my fingers out from underneath the feet of the dispursing mass of "Followers" – all to spare any possible breakage of the very hands that guided me. The tops of my feet were now dragging over the small pebbles behind me, and I winced with the pain.

Finally, the thinning crowd in my area had dispersed enough for me to see, and I was able to come out and from around them. I wanted to jump to my feet, and see Him... but, alas, it was too late. All I could see was the back of them.

Sigh.... The crowd was starting to move in tighter behind them, once again obstructing my view, and now there was no longer any chance of seeing Him.

Really, I had not even dreamed of touching Him. I merely wanted to see Him; that was all, and it would have been enough for me. My head hung in disappointment, but my heart held onto its desperation. It was insatiable hunger.

Then it happened...

Suddenly, instinctively.... I began grabbing and clenching the handfuls of fine sand that His feet had walked upon. Perhaps, to the others, if they had even noticed me, I would have appeared to be a desperate, crazy woman who was grabbing sand from the street...but they didn’t understand.

I had touched-not the hem of his garment, because I had no access to it, but I was able to hold what He, Himself, had touched. Some may have thought that might have been settling for second best... but to me, it was the very best.

After all, it made perfect sense to me, that if power went out from Him when she touched the tassels of his robe, then surely the sand would carry the power of His presence where He had stepped. It was the next best thing... it was within my grasp... and it met my need.

I would hold onto it with all I had. It was tangible, it was a memory, it was power, I could take it home, and now, it was mine. I would carry it with me like precious cargo, to a place where I could safely store it. Perhaps, it could be a vessel of some sort, that could I could set in a place of honour upon my mantel. Yes... that would do nicely, for now.

Little did I understand in that moment, it was what I would carry in my heart, that would outlast it all. I had experienced insatiable hunger... and I would only be temporarily satisfied.

With an incredible jarring sensation, I was suddenly removed from the indwelling vision of where I had travelled, to my place of physical reality...

A place of insatiable hunger... temporarily satisfied.

© Brenda Lois Crowe, December 28, 2008
All Rights Reserved.

A Wing and A Prayer!

A family member decided she no longer wanted the dear old thing, and it was destined for the curb. So guess who grabbed this wonderful old wing chair before she could ask "do you want it"?

I am in the middle of a livingroom redo, and thought with some work, it would be a lovely addition to my somewhat classic decor. It seemed to have good bones, the springs seemed sound, and it appeared solid in structure, so how could I leave it there?

The original rose velvet cover did not suit the original owner's ever-changing decor and so she decided to recover it herself in a plushy blanket-cloth type fabric, but it really didn’t lend itself to the traditional lines or style of the chair. Nor had it been done well...so, needless to say she did not end up happy with it!

I had already found a great bargain on a piece of micro-suede type material in my fabric stash – bought a year ago, with absolutely no purpose in mind. I only knew it would match the decor choices that I already had made. The amount could be a problem, but there are ways of making it work! I decided that if I am short on fabric, I am going to combine another piece of coordinating fabric, also in my cupboard already, with it on the internal seat part of the chair. It will solve the shortage problem, while adding a minor touch of contemporary flavour – all, hopefully, without sacrificing any of its’ traditional or classic feel. So, after tossing back and forth between two options in my cupboard, it would seem it is really the only perfect choice in which to cover it!

Taking off layer number one, was a chore to say the least! She used long nails, screws and upholstery nails... whatever she could find to hold down the blue. It was a forever task trying to remove them all, but my son and I finally did it!

Of course, then we discovered the cushion was not reusable, since the family dog had been using it regularly. My very allergic hubby would never be able to take the fur, and I would never handle any smells, so out it went! New foam was purchased, and cut to go.

I also bought some old-fashioned round brads for the back side corners, when I picked up the foam. As an addition to the original, more traditional feel of the chair, it should look great when it is finished!

The front “kick plate” board had a crack in it, but my dad, a carpenter, was able to repair it quite easily from a job leftover scrap piece, so it is nice and solid again. One more freebie bonus! And hurrah, he confirmed the springs are definitely in great shape!

Also needed, some med and lo-loft quilt batting – there are pieces in my stash, and someone just blessed me with a huge “freebie” chunk of industrial wool felt in a delicious cream colour... it will work very nicely!

A soft thin layer of foam is needed to wrap the structural boards in the front section. Lo and behold, a gift piece of art was shipped in such a product, and is perfect to do the job. Another freebie, again!

Now it shall be plunked down in my driveway, once again, in the throngs of reupholstery land! This afternoon, I plan to tackle the balance of the pink layer we left until last... and to carefully vacuum out all its’ nooks and crannies from the dog hair and “crumbies” that have made their way down into the cracks!

So here goes nothing .... a wing and a prayer!

You Can Have Your Cake... and Eat It Too!

Having been away in New York for a week, and with a hectic non-stop agenda upon returning, there was little to time to regroup and get back into the groove of our normal routine. All that, as a "wordy" way to say none of us had stopped long enough to refresh the fresh fruit and vegetables in our pantry.

We were out until midnight the night before, and fell into bed feeling exhausted, and hence, there was nothing, prepared in advance, for a fast lunch after church.

My hubby commits himself, faithfully, as a sound technician during the worship and service times every Sunday morning, as he has done for the last twenty-five years - so it means we are regularly on board at the church by 8 am for an intercessory prayer-time and the early worship-team practices!

Usually the first ones there, the DVD recording process after the service means we are often the last ones leaving the building, too. Since we try to avoid shopping on Sundays, it meant we would all be going out for lunch...

My son opted for us to dine in his favourite restaurant downtown. Well-known for their fabulous homemade meals and oversized portions of absolutely everything, for one to say they are a popular place is a definite understatement!

Seated in the diningroom at the back of the establishment, the packed room was now emptying slowly, as most the Sunday morning “church crowd” finished their lunches.

Down the center of the room, however, were two long tables with family and friends celebrating a significant life-event. Since there were three little ones impressively dressed in the cutest of formal ensembles, it was most likely a baptism or christening of some kind, we finally presumed.

The group arose and went to huddle in the corner. Positioning themselves for a number of family portraits, they were all smiling.... at least, all but the man and woman taking the pictures. To add to the scuffle of activity, one young man standing in the foreground was graciously trying to instruct the woman how to use his new digital camera. Other models were slung over her arm and wrist.

It is often a problem when one returns from some of these wonderful family and milestone moments, only to realize there is not one photo with one’s self in it! So it was a small opportunity to bless these people in a simple way! So quietly, I leaned across the table to my husband and whispered that I was going to offer to take the pictures, so that the man and the woman would not be excluded.

Although he and my son are not surprised at anything I do, and are very generous servants and the blessors of many, it is important to note that my husband is a very quiet and shy man. He was puzzled at the idea of his wife walking up to a group of strangers - intruding on their family moment - all to offer her photographic services! Meanwhile, I saw it as nothing more than an opportunity to bless someone!

Although he remained apprehensive and bewildered at my so-called boldness, I stood and strode across the room.

The family nodded quickly in agreement as to the inquiry, but the woman was determined to maintain the position of her post, and chose to ignore my offer. Her husband stood behind her, thanking me for the proposition to do so, and shook his head in total frustration with her determination to master the strange new camera - all this happening, as I was returning to the nearby table from whence I came.

Oblivious to the dispersing partipants heading off from lunch themselves, we were handed the bill for our own, and my two fellows got up to lead the way to the cashier’s counter.

Lagging behind to untangle my purse handles, I passed the table and felt someone gently grab my shoulder. A white container was offered to me, and I looked up to see the face of a charming man in his forties, and noted he was dressed in his own Sunday finery.

“This is for you”, he said with a most charming grin on his face. “It is a piece of cake, and I would like you to have it. That was really nice of you to offer to take those pictures. I really appreciated your kindness. It was very thoughtful.”

“Well thank-you. That is very sweet of you, but it is not necessary.”

“No seriously... most people wouldn’t offer to do something like that. I just really want to bless you. So, please take it!”

No one wants to rob someone of their heart-given blessing, or miss the opportunity to be blessed themselves, so of course I accepted the gift of this soft-spirited soul.

It turned out, that the event was celebrating the baptism of his new two week-old daughter. A believer himself, he was also the very proud papa of the young 18 month-old toddler, and the 28 month-old boy that was now exiting well ahead of his mother!

Expressing my thanks again for the cake, and extending my congratulations on the special events, I took the sweet offering and trod off toward the front-cash to join the others. I was truly touched by this man's heart to also want to thank and bless another.

Grinning, I joined the puzzled fellows and waitress, all who wondered and inquired as to where my mysterious package had materialized from.

“I just got blessed by the gentleman in the back room. It’s cake. You see... ”, I tenderly explained. “... It pays to step out and do something that might be considered a little... "bold". Every once in a while... you see a God-blessing come back to you right away. You wind up being doubly-blessed.”

Others who had gathered behind us were listening intently, as the waitress returned her comments of agreement. It made me wonder how many of them, would look for opportunities that very same day, to do likewise.

Of course, I couldn’t wait to get home and share the tasty chocolate morsel that I gratefully now toted in my hands! But as it turned out, the guys didn’t want any after all. So while curling up to watch an afternoon movie, I had the chance to savour the blessing of every bite, and to reflect on the goodness of the Lord and His people!

Oh, how He must delight in the gentle passing back-and-forth of "blessings" amongst His children – like some, of whom were orchestrated to be in the backroom of a restaurant on that very Sunday afternoon.

In spite of those who may have objected to our decision, simply in order to bless a perfect stranger,we were both no-doubt honoured and satisfied. It was knowing that our heart motives were all purely for the sake of blessing one another, just as He blesses us.

Take those opportunities and risks to step out in faith, even when those around you don’t understand. The Word tells us that you may have even have entertained angels and been unaware!

God sees what is done in secret. Let the left hand know not, what the right is doing!

Who knows? You may just find yourself getting doubly-blessed! But then again... you may just find that you really can have your cake...and eat it too!

Created to be Crowned

Originally posted by Brenda, Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:20:00 GMT on Pawn to King, and is filed under True Stories

As artists or designers, we have a chance to work in many different mediums and in many diverse forms. We take what is possible, experimental, successful, or even disastrous, and make an attempt to turn out a piece that we are proud to place our name on.

We create because there is an incredible part of our personality that longs to express our thoughts and ideas in a way that will speak to others in a powerful and intimate way. If we are successful, you will be able to identify any artist’s works without seeing our actual name on it, simply because our style or the ‘handprint’ on our piece is so unique.

God, our unique Creator, with both His words and with the work of his hands, performed the most miraculous forms of originality in creating both the heavens and the universe. The One who created all that is within it, is the Master of diversity and distinctiveness. Everything is colourful, exceptional, purposed, and has a matchless beauty of all its’ own. It is the interpretation of that creativity that influences how we view our world, and art, as such a personal thing.

For an artist, official challenges and competitions are a chance to exhibit can bring the best, and sometimes the worst, in any creative personality - fuelling the creative part of us that needs just one other excuse or “outlet” to design something.

A recent “challenge” was to incorporate a specific line of hand-dyed fabrics and threads for a show entitled “Quilters Pleasure Weekend”. We were required to purchase a kit that contained one spool of hand-dyed thread and two different fat-quarters of fabric (2 pieces, 18” x 22”), instead of the usual strips (9” x WOF, or what is known as width of fabric).

In spite of the already excessive amounts of fabrics stashed away in the cupboard, I wanted to personally challenge myself to use only the kit without adding too much to it. That meant a smaller project, but hopefully something that could pack a lot of punch!

It goes without saying that it would have to be something different that would catch the attention of the judges. Colourful and eye-catching, the workmanship would have to show off the true beauty and colour of the threads and fabric, without overwhelming the design of the item itself.

Inspiration came, and I knew what I wanted to do. The size was do-able and different. When studying fashion design, one of my required courses of study was millinery, but I hadn’t really done anything with it since. Now I found myself inspired to peruse every book I could order from the library in order to refresh my skills and knowledge-base on the subject.

I went through the process of creating the various pieces of the hat and mapped out the design itself. Then I started cutting out the sample pieces to perfect the details and catch any flaws within the project.

Perching the sample pieces on a ‘design head’ and seeing what alternations needed to be made... I began to contemplate the ‘crown’, which is the portion of the hat that sits on the top of the head. The crown gives it both structure and stability, and is the determining factor as to its’ overall fit and appearance. The top has to be well constructed in regard to the covering, fit, height, width, and shape, or else it loses its purpose and effectiveness. In other words, a hat is created to be “crowned”.

In the end, the simplicity of the overall design put me in mind of a frontal view of Tutmose’s painted, limestone sculpture of Queen Nefertiti that was made in the 18th Dynasty. It would almost appear like a flowerpot perched upon her head. She is wearing a period version of a royal head-covering, but it is not in our minds’ eye what a traditional crown would look like.

Searching out the definition of crown in the dictionary confirms that a crown was “reward of victory and honour and the titles associated with such positions”, “a royal, sovereign or imperial type of headwear”, the uppermost part of the head, mountain, tree or shrub, “the part of hat that sits on the top of one’s head”, “a wreath or decoration for the top of the head or skull”.

What is most interesting, is the Miriam Webster dictionary also adds a comment regarding to the “capitalization” of the word “crown”, referencing it to “(1) imperial or regal power: sovereignty (2) the government under a constitutional monarchy: monarch (7) something that imparts splendour, honour, or finish: culmination.”

There is not one crown that will be remembered as powerfully as one the wreath of thorns and crowns...woven and twisted... to be used as a tool of mockery on the head of Christ for His crucifixion. Worn by the King-of-Kings and Lord-of-Lords, it imparted the finish and culmination of His life’s purpose in the form of a man - in order to bring salvation and eternal life for those who would choose to believe. Because of His unselfish position of royalty as the Son of God, we too will be entitled to a crown of a different kind... if we choose to believe.

If we look at the Word of God in the New International Version, there are 70 verses that have the word ‘crown’ included. Noting that re-emphasizing verifies the importance, in reference specifically to our focus, there are a few outstanding verses that confirm there is indeed a crown that awaits each one of us at the finish... the culmination of our walk with Christ.

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

While the dictionary definition confirms that a crown is a “reward of victory and honour, and the titles associated with such positions”, the Word of God indeed guarantees that it will be a crown that is custom designed, creatively made, custom-fitted, and embellished with jewels that you have rightfully inherited and earned as a child of The King! Like Queen Esther, “you have been called unto a royal position for such a time as this"! (Esther 4:14)

...You were created to be crowned!

Sparklers or Fireworks?

Originally posted by Brenda, Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:36:00 GMT on Pawn to King, and is filed under True Stories

No major celebration of patriotism would be complete without a large dose of fireworks, and Canada “popped, snapped and sizzled” at the end of its’ Canada Day celebrations in style! The glorious splashes of colour burst forth in the starry skies, and with only the occasional spot of cloud cover, the brilliance of the sparkling spectacle was not missed by anyone!

Living as part of Canada’s capital region, we are privileged to see our country’s diverse ethnic and celebratory styles in many forms and venues. The “oohs and ahhs” of the crowds said it all. Attendance numbers were record-breaking across most of the country, and flags were waved proudly from sea to shining sea! Elated crowds, clad in red and white clothing, sported temporary red and white flag tattoos, and the delighted children waved their sparklers high and wildly!

What we experienced, the night before, was the simplicity of sitting on the docks at our friends’ home on the Ottawa River and creating our own personal display over the water. We were only too delighted as we lit and relit, to see even more small shows erupting across the river in Quebec, and downstream on the shores of one of our provincial parks, located in another nearby community.

For Canada Day itself, as has been our routine for many years, we join friends and friends-of-friends for a potluck-barbeque supper and head into a nearby town, with kids and lawn-chairs in tow, to watch the fireworks lob over the horse-shoe shaped falls and flowing rivers. In addition, the many boaters in the area come upstream and anchor themselves to get a front-row seat of the skyward production, creating little bobbling light shows of their own on the shimmering surfaces.

Perched on my seat and watching these beautiful bursts of colour, I likened them to snowflakes. Each one unique, and with no two ever alike!

As they banged and echoed off the surroundings, the brilliance of light would illuminate the focused faces of the crowds that were gathered on the hillside all around us. One could not help but note the smiles and the impact that the tiny sparklers and aerial eruptions caused.

As I studied these marvels of showmanship, each created to give a “fairy-tale punch” to any special occasion that they could ever be used for, I noticed a plane flying a few extra thousand feet higher and wondered what an incredible view they must have had flying over the fireworks below them that night! I did the “child-like faith” thing and wondered if God, Himself, was enjoying the colours that He had created, and if when studying the faces of His children as they watched, did He wish that we would celebrate and focus on Him with such excitement and intensity.

Sparklers burn slower and progressively as opposed to fireworks, which are created to launch and explode. Both are created to make an impact and to grab an instantaneous, emotional response. I just wonder if our personal walks and relationships with Christ leave the impact of sparklers or fireworks in the world!

Do we generate a small spark around us... burn slowly... haphazardly... spewing randomly in our output and design... like a sparkler? Or, are we pointed... focused in our aim... and purposed in our design... and ready to explode with impact in our faith... like a firework?

Are we, "like sparklers and fireworks", leaving a memorable impression on the hearts and minds of those around us, as we work together in creating a marvelous show of Light... or are we a stand-alone example of showmanship? And, are we making an impact on His behalf, not just on special occasions, but everyday of our lives?

How about you? Are you a sparkler or a firecracker?

No More Storing Up the "Stuff"

Originally posted by Brenda on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:25:00 GMT on Pawn to King and is filed under True Stories

Our delightful old girl is a mere 142 years old, but is only officially registered as 139, as that is the earliest tax registry that they can actually find on her in the archives. She is a designated “century home” and wears her plaque on the front wall of the house proudly. She has a rich, local history, and if her walls could speak they would have many stories to share. And, like all good women, every once in a while she needs a makeover to help perk her up and give her a fresh perspective.

Since life takes us on many paths, and a household of people can evolve in many directions, it means seasonally discarding old ways and old things. So our interior is now undergoing a quick cosmetic redo. And, like the shoemaker, who works on everyone else’s shoes but his own children’s, mine is always the last to get done.

It last had a dramatic freshening up, in its overall interior appearance when we moved in 25 years ago. Our tastes have changed since, and time and everyday wear has left its’ evidence. In other words, I am way too busy, way too sentimental, and have way too much “stuff”.

Okay, let’s re-phrase it and say it this way, “My name is Brenda... and I am a packrat.” Or, at least I was. I have finally outgrown the need to hang onto everything, and to attach a memory to it.

I no longer have a desire to store up stuff that I have to be continually maintaining, especially when I have long outgrown it, or don’t need it. Nor, do I want to have to worry about it - speaking not only in the physical, but also in the spiritual sense of things.

A while ago, I shared with a group that I was speaking to, this oh-so-true statement. “We spend the first 40 years of our lives accumulating things, and the next 40 trying to get rid of it....and rarely do the kids even want it when you leave it to them, anyway!” I am not sure who originated the quote, but it is quite likely that there was a packrat in their home!

It was the small flood in the basement, this past Spring, that spurred me to get rid of the excess “stuff” in the house. There I was, scrambling to move boxes over to one side in the studio, knowing that I had not looked at some of it for years, nor had I even missed it.

So, now I am decluttering ... and in more ways than one.

Confirmation has come, many times over, that God is now moving us over to one side, like the boxes in the basement studio. As individuals, as a family, and as a church body, He is sorting through our contents, and decluttering what we have long forgotten and buried away, in order to ready us for the physical move that is coming in the near future.

All I can say, is that one way or another, I am not taking all this “stuff” with me! I want to go with the least amount of “stuff” that I can possibly move, and I am not going to ‘clean house’ at the last minute. I want to deal with it all now, and enjoy my life without carrying the extra baggage on my shoulders!

I want His will and His way, and He reminds us that His way is not about storing and carrying the material things in our lives. Matthew 6:20-21 says, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Like my house, I was way overdue for my own interior makeover. So I came back from my last trip to the states and dealt with those things that were robbing time, energy and space in my life. Prolonging the inevitable tasks proved to be a weighty issue that was never necessary in the first place – even though I can appreciate the lessons learned in the interim. And like I mentioned earlier, it took no time at all and almost all those ‘looming’ problems were solved on the spot.

Isn’t it interesting that when you study procrastination, it is often determined that the actual task itself never took any time to accomplish in comparison to the time that it was struggled with, the nightmares it caused, the relationships it destroyed, or the time it stole away?

In undergoing this interior overhaul, the things from the past that I have procrastinated on, (hoping that someone else would deal with it, or it would just go away), have finally come to the place where they have to be dealt with or tossed aside permanently. No more hanging onto the extra weight on my shoulders, as a result of not dealing with the tasks! The excess baggage is taking up way too much valuable space – in my home and in my heart!

Why do we store all this “stuff” anyway? Why do we postpone what we could have handled within the moment? Why do we focus on what we see only before our eyes, and not beyond what the eyes can see?

The bottom line is that I no longer want to be a packrat. I want things to be simple, uncluttered and spacious in my home - and to still be the authenticity of our family and where we are right now, at this point in our lives. Likewise, I want an uncluttered interior space in my heart, my head, my soul, and my spirit, so that I can reflect the authenticity of Christ and who He is in any given moment.

There is no room for excess baggage in these houses! So, it's out with old and in with the new.

No more storing up the “stuff”.

Come "As" A Little Child

Originally posted by Brenda on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:03:00 GMT on Pawn to King, and is filed under True Stories

My hubby’s family resides in England, except for his parents who live next door to us, and my sister-in-laws and their families, who both live quite a piece away. So, when family gets together it is always a big deal.

His cousin Clive, and his family, blessed us with their presence this past May, and we were able to go on vacation with them for a week or so to a charming cottage in the Muskokas. Pure cottage country, it is a delightful blend of rustic cabins and millionaires’ hideaways. Picturesque and serene, it is a vacationer’s paradise – a place where you can get away from it all and just be yourself.

Of course, when you are on vacation, you will always do some of those things that you wouldn’t normally do every day....

Out on an exploratory tour of the area, we happened upon a quiet little park, just on the outskirts of a tiny village. Walking out onto the dock, some dipped their fingers in the still waters to see if it was warm, others dipped toes, and still others wandered off to the side to check out the foliage of the Canadian landscape. It was a calm, serene, spot and we almost dared not to disrupt it with our chatter. And that was when I spotted it...

There in its’ shining, silver, glory was a gigantic swing set. There is something about recapturing those sweet childhood moments... Swinging, back and forth, and jumping off to see how far you could land... Hair blowing in the breeze behind you... Could take your brother out doing it (lol)?

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” ( 1 Corinthians 13:1)

It was the first scripture that popped into my head... and although it was not originally intended in this content, it sure summed things up.

Everyone else suddenly spotted them, too – the swing, the slide, and the monkey bars. Who could resist? We adults joined the kids, and became childlike once again. (Granted, I don’t remember the seats on the swing being quite that narrow when I was younger!)

Pumping your legs back-and-forth, and building height in your swing.... isn’t our daily walk with Christ like that? We hop on the seat of our new position of life in Christ, and soar. Up and down, we follow the path of our journey with him, with all its’ highs and lows. Eventually, somewhere in the middle we have to stop and be still, only to see we are still seated with Him, and that we are in a calm and quiet place...

Suddenly, we were all laughing, giggling, and having fun being kids again. How He loves it, when we become as little children. His Word even says so.

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

You will find these words in two places within the New Testament, where Jesus is blessing the little children. (Mark 10:15, and Luke 18:17 NKJV) Of course, we know when anything is reemphasized in the scriptures, it is of great importance.

It says “...as a little child”. That little word “as” caught my attention. Turns out the word is Greek, and originally is written as “hos”, (pronounced hoce). Used here as an adverb, (or a verb helper), when translated it means “as it were, like, be like, as if, even, even so” and another long list of similar definitions.

It turns out that it is a small word, with a big meaning!

We can be naive, goofy, serious, and real “as” children. We can sit at the feet of our Father and hang on His every word, and recognize that He is our ‘hero’. He is our protector, shield, and defender of faith. He is all the things we would want Him to be, and more.

Don’t you just love those simple, uncomplicated moments when we can feel like a kid again?

We need to be know that we are His children, and He wants us to come “as” (like, as if, even as) His “kids” with childlike faith, love, trust and hope at all times. And, we also need to know, that like all good “daddies” and fathers, He will lovingly stand behind us and push us on this “swing” that we call “life”. We just need learn how to be seated on it...

... “as” a little child.

God Shows Up

Originally posted by Brenda on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:07:00 GMT on Pawn to King,and is filed under True Stories

Just when you feel like you're ready to throw it all it in... When it all seems too much, and makes no sense... God shows up.

Yesterday, I continued to be carrying the weight of many struggling hearts and hurting people. I was having difficulty even praying in the Spirit, for both them and myself. For days, just simply carrying this overwhelming burden, had been nothing less than wearing.

A couple, that my husband and I know, is going through a long season of difficulty in their marriage. Nobody knows about it. Certainly, we didn't, but God does. As man-and-wife they have run on parallel lines, as though a railroad track with no cross-beams beneath, except for once in a while.

They came to my mind weeks ago, and once again they were on my heart. So, I called the house.

The wife was at home. She thanked me for the encouraging words, and for making God "personal" once again (see previous blog entry). Then she pointedly made sure that I understood that my obedience was one of the reasons that they were still married.

I barely know this couple, so how could I possibly be responsible for them still being married?

It turns out that years ago, when I was sitting in a church one night, I had written a word of prophecy for them - one that I have definitely long forgotten. It spoke of the difficulties they would go through, and that God would restore their marriage - and as long as they hung in there, it would come to pass. She tucked it in her Bible, and says that she has read it often over the years - as it gave her hope when she felt she could not do it one more day.

Isn't that just like Him?

It really has been a struggle this past week. The weight of a "grieving" Holy Spirit, has permeated my heart and it has felt like something eternal was altered - that there is no going back to capture it in all of its' natural perspective, never mind the spiritual side of things - that even what I personally had to do, had all been blown out of the water. Nothing would be more heartbreaking to me than to miss what He wanted.

When I am there, my heart is here. When I am here, my heart is there. Granted, He has a plan, and it will all work out. Patience, of course, is being tested at every turn. Not being sure what I am to be doing, beyond the present moment, is new territory for me. In His mercy and grace, He has almost always provided that insight beforehand in my journey. Blind faith is not difficult, but it sure can be a test of endurance at times! And when and where there seems to be no outlet for doing what you are called to do, God shows up and makes one.

Our up-and-down moments in life are all being used to bring a message of hope, if not for this moment, for one down the road. So, remember...

When the time comes and you feel like you want to throw it all in... God shows up.

...And God Became Impersonal

Originally posted by Brenda on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:53:00 GMT on Pawn to King and is filed under True Stories

As I glanced around the funeral parlour, my heart sank. Only a handful of people had shown up to say ‘goodbye’ to a life that had, no doubt, mattered to God.

Barely a dozen family members, and three ‘friends’, that turned out in actuality to be strangers that were providing the food ‘post-burial’, were all struggling to support her only heir, a son.

Her own minister didn’t even bother to show up, and another had stepped in to fill the void. A supposed ‘Christian burial’, the woman hadn’t even walked a life of personal relationship with Christ at all, and in the end it actually made a mockery of the entire situation.

I thought back over her life. Once a vibrant woman actively involved in her local church, she had become a lonely woman who rarely ventured beyond the walls of her home – and as a result, became a recluse.

Her husband, a much older man, had passed away many years earlier. In her grieving, she had asked the people around her for space. No doubt, she may even have inadvertently ‘pushed’ them away. They said they wanted to honour her need to mourn her loss, but in the end, the ‘church’ folk just never called...not even her own minister.

….And God became ‘impersonal’.

A faithful servant for decades, she gradually stopped going to choir and other activities. She lost her heart to even be there. In reality, all she wanted was for someone to reach out and care… to find God in the midst of it all… but still no one called. Eventually, over time, she had become bitter and forgotten altogether, and she felt she didn’t matter to anyone.

….And God became ‘impersonal’.

Weeks after that, on a Sunday morning, I sat in the back corner of my own home church. Scanning the sanctuary, I noted a few visiting faces and made a mental note to speak to them before they left. After service, in the busyness of people wanting to socialize, they somehow got missed and slipped out the doors and back into the world.

I wondered if we were the only ones, that very day, that would have made them felt like they mattered. Perhaps, in their quest to find Him in a moment of trouble, we might even have saved someone, who in their own quiet place of desperation was thinking of taking their own life. Maybe, just maybe, because we overlooked them they thought that no one cared; as much as to say, that they felt they weren’t seen or heard even by Him.

…And God became ‘impersonal.”

In this day and age of busyness, I often wonder how often we ‘servants of Christ’ can make God become ‘impersonal’ even in our own personal circles of contact. After all, we are called to be His hands and feet, and to be a light in the darkness.

How many opportunities in any given day, do we get the opportunity to reach out to someone and introduce Him in a real and personal way? How do we reflect the very God that cares enough to know the number of hairs on our head, and on whose palms our very names are written - making Him not ‘impersonal’, but ‘personal’, caring and real?

It’s a risk, but let’s face it, some risks are just worth taking.

A very recent trip to one of the toughest neighbourhoods in NYC showed me that while every opportunity can be a risk, some are just easier and safer than others. My two ministry partners had warned me of the danger of being present in such a place, and I was most grateful that God had positioned me between them for protection.

The men, deep in conversation, had not noticed immediately that I was no longer with them. As we rounded the last corner to head to the van, I had stopped to encourage a lady officer who was sitting at her post, where she was contained within a small vehicle. The beating sun, blended with the ‘concrete jungle’, made the heat more unbearable than was possibly comfortable. In her tiny, glassed-in environment, I paused at the window to acknowledge her - commenting on how hot she must have been in full uniform, and inquiring of her need for a drink of water. It was greeted simply and hesitantly, with a nod and a half-smile.

All I knew in that moment, was that God had suddenly become ‘personal’ and that I was simply a vessel to let her know that ‘someone’ cared. Little did I know, that by the grace of God and my total ‘naivety', that I could have had my head blown off for doing it in that area! The inquiry had given me the favour of continued ‘life’ in that moment to me, and made God ‘real’ and ‘personal’ to her. My dear friends on the other hand , are no doubt glad that my gift is one of intercession, rather than walking with them around the ‘hood and endangering their lives!

A willing vessel, can make a big difference in a moment and a life. So, take the time today and encourage those around you. Take every opportunity to leave a mark on your fellow man and let them know there is an awesome God who loves them and cares, or else, they might just think that they have become forgotten...

…And God becomes ‘impersonal’.

"Consider It Paid In Full"

Originally posted by Brenda Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:13:00 GMT on Pawn To King and is filed under True Stories

Recently, my husband’s reliable half-ton went in for its’ mandatory emissions test and came home with a rebellious tendency to quit or stall in the most untimely places - like perhaps the main intersection of a nearby town. Towed to our own personal mechanic, and unresponsive in revealing its’ new personality quirks; it was issued passage via a tow-truck to a more ‘diagnostic’ facility. There too, we met with fate as hubby was told it was no longer worth the expense of fixing his trusty, or should I say rusty, friend.

A quiet man of few words, he pondered his quandary and drove my own personal set of wheels home. Three drivers and one vehicle would not do, especially in our busy lives! The intensity of his workload would not permit perusing choices of vehicles at the moment, nor would he have time to be bothered selling it. It did not appear to be good for anything but parts at that point, and that was when the Lord put it on his heart...he was give the truck away.

There was a young man in the youth group of our local church who had a truck just like it. He made arrangements for him to take ownership, and went back to the dealers to square up what was owed. The gentleman behind the desk looked at him, pen in hand, and asked if he knew that that same young man was working for them, and that the young man had told with him what my husband had done. My husband explained that he had no idea, he just felt that he was to bless him with it. The gentleman, struck by my husband’s generosity towards his young employee, took the rather sizable bill, stroked a line across it, smiled and said, “Consider it paid in full.”

My delighted husband then went next to our own mechanic to settle his outstanding debts with him. He too inquired, as the outcome of our adventure, and was struck with my husbands’ heart to give the truck away to this young man. Curious as to how our bill faired out in the end, he listened as hubby shared how they cleared the bill since the young man worked for them. Good friends since childhood, our mechanic was not to be outdone – he grinned as he slid the bill across the counter, stroked across it with the pen, and said....“Consider it paid in full.”

Two days later, on Sunday morning, my husband showed up for his weekly stint in the sound-engineering booth. The father of the young man was playing on the worship team that morning and had already shared with the visual-technician, a dear friend, what hubby had done for his son. Our friend smiled from ear to ear. “That was a nice thing that you did. Did you know my son works for a car dealer? Well, we look after our ‘family’ here. I will be right back”, and he went off to make a phone call. His son would be on the lookout for a new vehicle for us as of that moment.

The next morning, our phone rang at 7:30 am. Our new friend had found the perfect vehicle for us... a Honda Oddyssey. Perfect it was, and in mint condition. The price was a steal! Details aside, the young man went as far as to go home, grab his own personal camera, shoot some pictures and email them to us. We, of course, were thankful to our faithful Lord for His exceptional provision and speedy orchestration!

Several phone calls later, it was arranged for them to drive 7-8 hours across the province and pick it up. All the details were being looked after on the other end. The father, our friend, would take the time and visit with his son, and would drive my hubby to Niagara Falls. My husband figured of course, that he would pay for the gas there and back for him. However, when it came to time pay, our friend had already paid it and knowing the story so far, chuckled and said, “Consider it paid in full.”

No problem. Hubby knew that they had a hotel room that he could pay for; he would reciprocate his friend’s time and trouble there. One can only imagine the stunned look on his face as the hotel clerk registered her final key strokes, looked over the counter, explained how the friend had done much business with them, handed them the key, and said in words of her own, “Consider it paid in full.”

No one noticed the license plate until I needed to find the van in a shopping mall parking lot, full of the same colour and make. We recognized that it was our initials and phone number on it, and I wondered how they were able to get us such a ‘personalized plate’ so quickly. Turns out it wasn’t a ‘personalized’ plate from them after all. They thought it was one they had ‘randomly’ picked from the pile, but we know better. I howl with laughter, every time I see God’s handprint and handiwork confirmed on the ends of our vehicle!

“Consider it paid in full”. Those words leave me awestruck with the mighty God we serve, every time that I hear them! Only God, Himself, could have orchestrated the events above, and only God, Himself, could have given such a message. When we are faithful to the obedience of Christ, He will bless us in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine!

No greater pause, however, should be given as to the message, blessings, and generosity in those words when we think of Christ.

I can just visualize Him hanging on the cross that day, uttering those powerful words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”... and now, as I lean in close...as He takes His last dying breath... I can imagine and hear the words He may have whispered quietly to all humanity...

“Consider it paid in full.”