Fountains of Life

Another In The Fire

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We recently sang a new song in church called Another in the Fire by Hillsong United which reminded me again of how close the Lord really is to us. 

Based on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel chapter 3, the faith of these three men was tested by King Nebuchadnezzar as they chose to be thrown into a furnace rather than bow and bestow worship to an image. They knew there was only one true God and nothing or no one else was to be treated as divine or worthy of worship.  

So into the fire they were pitched. 

Ever feel like you’ve been pitched into the fire? In situations or circumstances where you’re getting overwhelmed and burnt up? Where there is no win-win resolution, only what seemed like a lose-lose one?

Sometimes we just can’t go around certain obstacles; we have to go through them. Illnesses, cancer, losses can be some of those difficulties where we pray and believe for miracles, yet we still have to walk through the process. We get pitched into the fiery furnace. 

This is where we, like those three guys in the Old Testament, have our faith tested. This is where we truly find out what we believe in our heart of hearts. This is where all our words and sayings can fall to the ground in a puddle of tears as we face fears and trials like we never have before. This is where God reveals how close He is to us. 

Immanuel — God with us. (Matt. 1:23) Jesus promised He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5). He promised He would always be with us, even to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:20). And there are definitely times when we feel like we are at the ends of the earth, deep in the fires of grief and pain, caught up in fears of the unknown. 

It’s right here in this uncomfortable, dire, and agonizing place where we make that choice exactly like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. I remember making that choice four years after my father had died of colon cancer. It was in the afternoon, newly planted in a foreign country where I knew not their language nor their culture, and I was all alone in my bedroom ironing, talking to God. I slammed the iron down. The grief I had buried up till then came out as hot anger as I yelled at Him, “Why did you take my father?” Then with tears in my eyes Father God held me as I finally let go of needing to understand the “whys” and allowed the ache in my heart from missing my dad to be smothered under a blanket of unconditional love.

We have to choose to trust in God’s incredible love as we go through the fire. It’s not easy. It’s possible there may even be death or loss at the end. Those men didn’t know, but they knew His love. It never fails. (1 Cor. 13:8) 

King Nebuchadnezzar watched as those men were thrown into the fire then “he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, ‘Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?’ They answered and said to the king, ‘True, O king.’ ‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’” (Dan. 3:24, 25) 

There was another in the fire.

My dear reader, let this story of these tenacious men encourage you. God is so, so close to you. Choose to trust Him. When you can’t go over, under, or around those obstacles that come into your life and you just have to go through them, there will be another in the fire with you too. You are never alone. 

The Watermelon Test

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As I placed my knife on the striped green skin, anticipating a juicy red belly, an acute analogy popped into my head: we are like watermelons. No one knows what’s on the inside of us until we’re cut into.

It’s even interesting to think about the fact that the very center and core of a watermelon is called the “heart.” Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” And in my case, my mouth usually opens up fully when I’m cut — hurt in some way. 

Being hurt happens in many ways; I’m not necessarily referring to abuse—that is a huge topic within itself — but we Christians get the watermelon test every day while waiting on traffic, while dealing with repairs, living through health issues, raising children, changing jobs, etc.

So when we’re “cut open,” what comes out of us? Harsh words? Anger? Retaliation? Judgment? Or sweet grace, mercy, and kindness?

I found myself driving in some pretty heavy traffic the other day. Most of the day I had been out and about running errands and I was ready to come home, settle down and make dinner. Five minutes from my house, I’m sitting in a turning lane and when the light changed to green, nobody moved. After a 10-second eternity, the car at the front of the line finally saw it and turned the corner. Then the signal switched back to red again. Out of the long line of vehicles waiting, only one car turned. Now I had to wait for the entire cycle of traffic lights to circle around again.

To be honest, I was furious. I shouted and yelled, “C’mon people! Really?” with the windows up, fortunately. My skin got cut and the interior that was revealed wasn’t a sweet succulent heart. It was anger, impatience, and judgment. Then a still small voice came from deep inside me saying, “Be anxious for nothing.” (Phil. 4:6) Thankfully, there was a good thing stored deep in my heart, it just wasn’t the first thing that appeared. Didn’t go through that watermelon test with flying colors. 

A few days afterwards, a friend of mine asked if I could help her with something one morning. This would “cut” into my scheduled agenda, however, I easily rearranged things and I agreed to meet up. I believe friends and family (relationships) take precedent over whatever plans I have. My schedule was adjustable, so I readily adjusted. Ah, the smell of a ripe watermelon popping open. Passed that one.

How about you? When you’re cut into, what’s on the inside of your watermelon? Some days are better than others, I know. There are days we’re red and sweet and delicious, and other times when we’re barely pink and — well — yucky tasting. That’s life. But try looking for those watermelon tests (without judgment on yourself, of course). It’s a simple way to check what’s in our heart at that moment.

Now let me get back to cutting my watermelon up.

Movement

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I love to watch the ocean. Blues and greens all the way to the horizon creating an ever-changing border between earth and sky. Waves bolting towards the beach, rising up, doubling over and tumbling onto the sandy shore. It’s always a wonder to behold. 

And it’s always different; it’s never the same. The ocean moves continuously. Blown by the winds, disciplined by the tides, adjusted by the seasons and currents, there’s always movement.

Movement. 

As I was gazing at this marvelous wonder the other day, I heard that word — “movement.” I had been reflecting on some memories of long ago and feeling somewhat forlorn when that still small Voice said, “You can’t go back; you have to move forward.”  It’s good to remember the past and reminisce, but the past is past; we have to keeping moving forward. 

Acts 17:28 says: “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” In Him we move. We cause to go, set in motion (kineo—Strongs). We aren’t supposed to stay the same day after day, month after month, year after year. We’re supposed to be growing, moving, changing, and developing. Improvement doesn’t happen without movement! (That’s tweetable!) 

Matthew chapter 25 is an interesting study of movement. The virgins who had vision for the future brought extra oil and trimmed their lamps; the three servants who were given talents, two of whom “moved” and invested it while the other one didn’t. What a great loss to him! And near the end of the chapter, Jesus said when we have fed, clothed, and taken care of the sick and those in prison, we have done this to Him. Do you see all the movement in this chapter?

Now I’m not promoting “works” by any means. I’m completely grounded in resting in Father’s love and learning to be still, but just like the ocean, life never stays the same — there’s always movement. 

Life affects us in a similar way as the ocean is influenced. The question is, will we move forward with the motions around us or will we try to buck against the winds and tides. Seasons change, the earth moves. 

There’s movement in our minds, our bodies, our jobs, our children, our marriages. Growth happens — or it should. I want my mind to stay fresh and alert; I want my body to stay healthy and strong; I want my job to challenge me; I want my child to grow up well; and I want my marriage to forever be moving forward as we grow older together, but none of these things will materialize out of thin air. I have to move! We have to move. Search for ways to train your brain, search for some form of physical exercise you like, search for ways to improve ourselves, our jobs, and our marriages. Endless books, podcasts, teachings, conferences, and the world wide web are at our fingertips full of more information than we can handle.

Life is full of movement. Are we moving with it? Are we taking the steps to adapt to new environments, new circumstances, new people, new places? I may not like or agree with how things are moving, but movement is a necessity of life. Stagnant water gets contaminated. I want to grow, to change, and to flow as freely as the ocean does. I want to move. 

(photo is from Playa Azul, Barahona, DR)

Growth Involves Trying

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By Cyndi

When I was a kid my father had a saying:  “Don’t tell me you can’t, tell me you’ll try.” At the time I didn’t appreciate it that much, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve discovered this is a great motto to live and grow by. Because trying involves growth, and growth involves trying. 

It’s impossible to grow and advance or succeed in something if you don’t try. Athletes and musicians know this well. There must be many hours of practice — trying — to create muscle memory and to perfect the right moves. Yes, there are failings and mistakes, but that’s all part of the necessary process.

To me, there are many, many applications of this little motto. What about trying to learn a new skill — like sewing, carpentry, fishing, painting, or cross-fit? “Oh, I’ve never done that before!” you may reply. So you don’t know how well you can do it or not unless you try. AND you don’t know whether you like doing it or not unless you try. 

Boodle Feast–Philippines

What about trying a new food? My response used to always be, “Oh, I won’t like that.” For years, my husband (who likes just about any kind of food) constantly hounded me to try new flavors, especially when traveling abroad, and for years, I fought him (I’m a simple person). Eventually I succumbed and lo, and behold, I have tried countless divers kinds of foods, including fresh tuna sashimi, goat meat, and even part of a pig’s ear. (Although I still can’t deal with mayonnaise.) Just the other day we tried some Ethiopian food. Can’t say I loved it, but can say I’ve tried it.

As we try things we grow — a lot.  We grow in knowledge, something new we learn about, like glassblowing or planting a vegetable garden; we grow actual brain paths within our brain as we attempt unfamiliar activities (neuroplasticity is a big thing now); we grow physically with new exercises or health changes (ever try rock climbing?); and we also grow spiritually as we try different ways of study, meditation, and being open to doctrinal challenges. Actually, if you’re really looking to grow spiritually, listen or read something that confronts your beliefs. 

Growth is a part of life. We should never finish growing. It’s proven to be healthy to continue learning and challenging ourselves. In fact, I have a 95-year-old grandmother who still loves to do sudokus and crossword puzzles. She also reads constantly. Needless to say, her mind is still quite sharp. I also know quite a few surfers who are still surfing into their retirement years and runners doing races into their 70s. I believe we are never too old to try something new. Because if we stop trying, we stop growing.

Thanks to my dad’s little saying I have ran marathons, traveled to over 20 countries, learned computer programs, played music and several instruments, eaten strange foods with interesting people, hiked mountains, zip-lined canyons, seen sharks while diving, skied a little, and speak some Spanish. Some of these things (and a torrent of others) I did well and some I did not. But at least I tried. Several years ago I even tried to train for a triathlon but ended up breaking my wrist.

So… I just got some wrist guards — I’m thinking about trying skateboarding with my son’s old longboard now. 

When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong

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by Cyndi

Upon returning from a mission trip with a scratchy throat, then preparing to leave for out of town again, a nasty cold seized me. Frankly, I can’t remember the last time I’d been sick, but this one was a doozy. It put me in bed a couple days and I had hoped it would lessen by the time we went up to teach at a Shiloh Place school the following week. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

On the day I was to teach, I came prepared with tissues and cough drops and hoped the cold medicine the night before hadn’t spaced me out too much. There’s a wonderful group of people we work with at these schools, so at the morning team meeting, after they prayed for me, one of the sweet ladies gave me a verse: 2 Cor. 12:10 — For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This has always been one of my favorite verses because it embodies the divine exchange. When I acknowledge my weakness and inability, it is the very thing that empowers and strengthens me. You see, I have nothing without Father. Well, let me clarify—yes, I have talents, skills, education, etc.— however, if I use them and rely on myself only, I may fail. Oh I can succeed too, causing a boost to my ego, but I can also so easily fail. And if I do fail, the condemnation and rejection is almost unbearable. 

Yet, if I understand that God is good and loves me no matter what happens, there is no fear of failure or disappointment — it’s Him using my abilities. And when I don’t have a need to take credit for anything, I’m strengthened and emboldened. There is nothing to prove, no pressure to perform, no impression to make. I have everything with Him.

I felt terrible that morning and was physically weak. I had to teach, but that precious woman’s word had encouraged me. I was reminded me that I’m just a little child who has a great Big Daddy. He would be my strength. 

When I stay little, weak, and needy in my own eyes, I become secure and powerful through Him. Perhaps occasionally I need to be weakened a bit, just to remind me of how strong I can be with the divine exchange.

And by the way—I think that was one of my best teaching days ever!