Happy Fresh Start Friday!
Here’s to continuing our global conversation on how women relate to one another. Today, I’m returning to a famed Biblical story that has so much to teach us.
We’re only looking at the first six verses because they are jam-packed. If you want to follow along with me, grab your Bible and turn to 1 Samuel 1:1-6 (NIV).
Found another little golden nugget, or should I say visual feast, today as I continued to transfer files onto my hard drive. Couldn’t help but revel in the austere beauty of the work of Michelangelo, as witnessed while visiting Vatican City, Summer 2009.
Don’t mind the “background noise” of Rob and I discussing our poor videotaping capabilities. If I could, I’d mute it. But, take just a few moments to look up. While roaming in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rob and I once again became overwhelmed by its’ history and Christ’s words in Matthew 16:18, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”
It has been written:
“If we go to the outside of the apse and study Michelangelo’s arrangement of windows, pilasters, geometric panels, cornices,
and dripstones, we perceive a message that is not merely artistic. We can intuit the solidity of the Church through the great horizontal lines
before us. At the same time, the powerful vertical thrust of the mighty pilasters is crowned by corinthian capitals. A tension tending towards
transcendence is strongly evoked by the propelling force of the cupola, something made emphatic by the sixteen double columns with vaulting
ribs that lead all the way up to the cupola’s skylight. The cupola, with its massive profile, seems to be yearning for universality. Michelangelo
wanted it immense, so that it would ‘embrace all the Christian peoples of the earth.’ The inside of it could be a pictorial description of Paradise
itself. Through the sixteen large windows, broad ribbons of shimmering light might appear to the visiting pilgrim as if forming a staircase down
from heaven itself.”
Oh, this visiting pilgrim most certainly felt the presence of God. Arms opening to the world. Inviting us all to lay down our lives for the greater cause. As I climbed the stairs to the cupola, I prayed. Somehow my time in the Vatican City infused new courage and fortitude for sharing the gospel with the world. Particularly, women around the world. Finally, we reached the top. People from all over the world brought together by the beauty of Michelangelo’s work.
Heaven will be the same. Men, women, and children, from all over the world will be brought together by the beauty of God’s work. Wow. I’ve got to
let that thought sink in. The writer, Stendhal, wrote of the cupola. “Go directly beneath the cupola. You must sit on a wooden bench and lean back
as far as possible. That way, it will be possible to rest while contemplating the immense void that hovers above. However little one might possess of
true spirituality, the imagination cannot fail to be staggered by the experience.”
Staggered indeed. When was the last time you were staggered by the presence of God? Refreshed by the beautiful work of another in your life?
If St. Peter’s Basilica could talk, and I believe it really did to me, I believe it would say, “Life is short, dear Christian. Sometimes the climb to
the top will be arduous (and boy, was it), but climb. The beauty that awaits will take your breath away.”
Pray for your “cathedral” today. Your community of faith. Your church family. As we carry on this conversation, let’s lay down our egos and pick up the
humility of Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 says, “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
“Mam, you really need to empty your hard drive before your laptop really throws a fit,” Rich, a robust, intelligent Apple employee commented.
“Oh dear,” I smiled. “I had no idea it was so full. No wonder it is dragging.”
So, I trotted home to begin the “emptying” onto my external hard drive.
When I did, I found several little videos taken while on my 30-day-whirlwind-adventure-to-Europe with my husband in 2009.
Oh, the gentle, sweet reminder of the Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland church bells. Never in my life have I seen or been anywhere so idyllic. So charming. It moved both Rob and I to tears. As we drove into the Jungfrau region,
noted as “the Top of Europe,” or “the throne of God,” we both new life as we knew it would be altered. Breathing in such grandeur gives new meaning
to, “Rock of Ages.”
Today, as I revisited the moment(s) of filming this short video, I couldn’t help but consider the community of faith. Church bells sound to call us to worship.
“Before mass communication they were the only way to gather a village together, so they also served secular functions” (wikipedia.com). The new church
my husband and I attend sound their church bells hourly. They make me stop and consider. The past couple of days, we’ve initiated a global conversation on
the power of spiritual unity and the travesty of spiritual disunity among women in the community of faith. May these grand church bells serve as a herald cry.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes:
“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer. With great yearning the imprisoned
apostle Paul calls his ‘beloved son in the faith,’ Timothy, to come to him in prison in the last days of his life. He wants to see him again and have him near. Paul has
not forgotten the tears Timothy shed during their final parting (2 Timothy 1:4). A human being is created as a body; the Son of God appeared on earth in the body for
our sake and was raised in the body. If there is so much happiness and joy even in a single encounter of one Christian with another, what inexhaustible riches must
invariably open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to live in daily community life with other Christians! It is easily forgotten that the community of Christians
is a gift of grace from the kingdom of God, a gift that can be taken from us any day.”
So, as you consider sharing your story with women from around the world, let the resounding of these Swiss church bells call you to a moment of worship. A moment of prayer for the women of God. May we lay aside all our differences, all our unhealthy patterns of communication, and embrace the call as the bride of Christ. Oh, I can just smell the fragrance of spiritual unity. Take a deep breath! It is lovely to behold (Psalm 33).
Little did I know that the path to my Masters Degree would be so self-actualizing, meaning, drive me to scrutinize my core and examine my sense of self, God-given personality and capabilities, mental boundaries, and so much more, all in the light of God’s Word. It has been an amazing, pain-staking-at-times journey. Yes, it took me by surprise, but I am deeply grateful for the experience. In my last class, my final research paper tackled the abysmal subject of oppression and women, entitled,“A Voice for the Voiceless.” In response, I felt even more compelled to begin taking this conversation to other women.
Don’t get me wrong. On a deep level, I’ve been avoiding this project. Why? Because in order to get to the bottom of the issue, we’re going to look at some ugly truths: jealousy, comparison, competition, insecurity, inferiority, backstabbing, strong personalities who like to control, etc. BUT, after living through the oppressive spirits, a newfound freedom in Christ comes that far outweighs the latter. Once the noose of oppression was lifted off my head, WOW! The resuscitating power of God gave me new breath. In fact, I actually found myself starting to “skip” in my church sanctuary last Sunday. I caught myself.
“Janell, stop skipping. What on earth are you doing?” I laughed. And then, I did it anyway. Yep, skipped about five or six steps. And, then, I giggled. A real little-girl-can’t-keep-me-from-doing-it giggle. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. After a very long valley of oppression, I didn’t think I’d ever feel that way again. Ah, the grace and truth that Jesus Christ brings. I want millions of women to start skipping and smiling like never before. Don’t you?
This morning on CBS, I listened to a vibrant, well-spoken young man discourse on “losing religion” and “loving Jesus.” He debated a priest. Worth watching. One line pierced me. Right in the middle he expounds, “I want that man.” All I could hear was, “I want that woman.” Ladies, Jesus wants you. Maybe you’ve been hurt by other women and decided, “Church isn’t for me. I’ve had enough.” Please know this: Jesus wants you. Come back to HIM and HE will lead you to a community of faith where you can flourish. Trust me. It is possible.
So, take a few and listen to this spoken word “performance,” for lack of a better description. Drink in the truth. And, then, will you share your story? For even greater understanding of what I’m looking for, go to http://www.janellrardon.com/fresh-start-fridays.html.
Have you ever hit a brick wall? No, really, have you?
As a writing teacher, idioms are a blast to teach: a drop in the bucket, a blessing in disguise, a chip on the shoulder, ants in the pants, etc. In 2011, one idiom cried out to me: hit a brick wall. Sometimes in life, no matter how hard we try, things won’t change.
According to the Idiom dictionary, hit a/the (brick) wall (informal) means, “when you are trying to achieve something, you reach a situation where you cannot make any more progress.” The key here being, “cannot make any more progress.” You pray. You plead. You try harder. And, nothing.
Boy, over the years I’ve pushed against many brick walls—all in an effort to “fit in.” But last year, after years of trying to fit in, God actually said, “Enough, Janell. Move on.” The “moving on” was both daunting and liberating. It is never easy to leave a community of faith. A church family. But, sometimes, if I am honest, we just don’t “fit.” All of my efforts to fit in left me exhausted and numb. Today’s fresh word shares how God used a fresh word from Galatians to help me in a very difficult time.
I’m going to spend the next few months writing about my “hitting the brick wall” and would love for you to share any/all stories you might have about your experiences. If you would, take about twelve minutes to listen to today’s VLOG, and then consider sharing your story with me. Now I know you probably won’t want to post it on a public blog, so send via janellrardon@me.com. If interested and need a little more guidance, download the SHARE YOUR STORY pdf on www.janellrardon.com
“Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence
will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”
-Napoleon Hill
Here at the beginning of 2012, I’ve been delighting in spending loads of time with Candace Rose this week and tomorrow Brooke flies in from California and then she and I are off to visit dear family in Pennsylvania. Airports are becoming a second home (see #6) it seems (smile) as our three twenty-something birds fly in and out quite a bit these days. I remember standing in Boston’s Logan Airport in August 2007, after a family trip to see Candace (who was interning at a publishing house), and hearing a little voice say, “Life from this point is going to be a series of hello’s and goodbyes.” Yes indeed. In light of this, I want to remember one simple truth: Life is short. LIVE IT. LOVE IT. And, SPEND IT WISELY. I’ll be reflecting on this a great deal in 2012 and putting action to the words and thoughts of 2011′s message on influence. Here’s one more “shot in the arm” about the “ripple effects” of our influence on others.
One of the most significant truths realized in 2011 was that of being an influencer. It seemed as if a WWE-sized struggle was taking place between personal ambition and holy calling. Is bigger always better? Is more, more, more, a sign of God’s favor? Is growth only measured in size of ministry and number of attendees?
I wish I had the answers, but I’m afraid I’m still praying on this one. In light of my search, I’m reposting my thoughts on the subject. Won’t you share yours? And, then, consider your sphere of influence. How can you better serve them?
It has been so good to look back over 2011 and see everything God has done in my heart. It is times like these that I am really glad I journal. Otherwise, a great deal of heart work would be forgotten. Just today, I found two pages full of some difficult heart work, which, in hindsight, encourages me to press forward.
Today, let’s take a fresh start look at our thought life. When you have a few minutes, review this challenge from Fresh Start Friday, April 8, 2011: Take every thought captive. Then, examine your thought life. What bad thought processes need to be swept out of your mind? Do you need to mentally redecorate? Buy new thought furniture? (smile)
Cut and paste this and put it on your bathroom mirror!
“Sovereign Commander of the Universe,
I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief, in a felt spiritual darkness.
My heart is full of evil surmising and disquietude,
and I cannot act faith at all. My heavenly pilot
has disappeared, and I have lost my hold on the Rock of Ages;
I sink in deep mire beneath storms and waves,
in horror and distress unutterable. Help me, O Lord,
to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee,
For better, for worse, without comfort, and all but helpless.
Give me peace of soul, confidence, enlargement of mind,
morning joy that comes after night heaviness;
Water my soul richly with divine blessings.
Give me a mountaintop as high as the valley is low.”
On June 19, 2011, Rob and I jumped out of a moving airplane . . . willingly.
We even paid $$ for the experience. For me, it was work. After seven years of studying and writing about trusting God, I needed to test my material.
One significant truth emerged as a result: a very big part of trusting God is learning to LEAN on God.
Proverbs 3:4-6 instructs,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and LEAN NOT on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
A thousand times I heard the still small voice say, “Lean on me, Janell. I’ve got this.” So minutes before the leap of faith occurred, Jim, my professional jumper, kept repeating, “Lean back. Be sure to lean on me.” Right at that moment, all those years of teaching were sealed. The voice of God spoke and I felt greatly empowered to go forth and teach hundreds of women the truths in “Freefalling to Freedom: Take the Leap and Experience True Freedom in Christ.”
As you stand on the grand threshold of 2012, do you feel God nudging you to lean on Him? Leaning hints at resting, doesn’t it? Is there something you need to let God take care of? Take it from me. I was scared out of my mind, but when Jim pushed my head back on his shoulder and said, “Lean on me,” I did. I felt the voice of God behind it all. Push through the scared-out-of-your-mind feeling and lean back. Oh, it ends up feeling so freeing. Here’s to the freefall and the disorientation experienced the minute you decide to let go:
Here we are on the eve of 2012. There is something spectacular about the seconds before the world’s clock turns from 2011 to 2012. Ah! the possibilities of a blank slate. A new year. 365 days to fresh starts.
As I reflect on the highlights of 2011, my time at JMU’s Women’s Conference and my time teaching the Senior High at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church rings loud! At both groups, we talked about THE DIVINE ENEMY of our faith and reflected on C. S. Lewis’s teaching in “The Screwtape Letters.”
Who doesn't need a fresh start? "Fresh Start" defined, "an opportunity to start over without prejudice." This little space on the blogosphere is dedicated to you and the thousands of others like yourself who wake up in the morning needing an opportunity to start over. Heaven knows I've needed hundreds of fresh starts. Mornings after mornings of them. So, here we go. A safe (albeit public place) to encourage one another to let go of a past full of regret, mistakes, failed opportunity, or wasted energy. Here we will embrace the future and celebrate the present.
-tabula rasa, (Latin: a scraped tablet, one from which the writing has been erased.)
Once efforts are set in motion to ensure that the principles of unity are being activated within our communities of faith, an indomitable spirit of unity will permeate, empower, and produce a rich source of spiritual nectar that will feed a hungry world.
janellrardon
