Tickled Pink Life

Lessons of the Sparrow

by Lynn on May 15, 2013

What a busy week this has been! If you’ve been watching the news, you know of the multiple scandals, congressional hearings, jury verdicts and all other sorts of trouble and mayhem our country is embroiled in. My goodness, it makes my head spin around just trying to keep up with the latest breaking details! Jesus told us to expect trouble, and trouble is what we’ve got in abundance! Yes, our world is a place of turmoil, but that doesn’t mean we need to be. When addressing said trouble, Jesus also told us not to fret about it.

As Christians, we know that this life is not all there is. Eventually, Christ will reign and the chaos will come to an end. But while we are confident about the future, life in the here and now can be unsettling. The Bible tells us not to be afraid because God loves us, values us and watches over us.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31, NIV

During a trip to Disneyland a few years back, my sister and I stopped at an outdoor restaurant on Main Street to have some lunch. Birds are abundant in the park, especially where food is served and where visitors routinely share their lunches with them. While watching the sparrows flit around tables on the patio, our attention was drawn to one particular bird that had flown back into the planter. The bird had settled into the dichondra grass and we noticed he was busy with activity. Wondering what he was up to, we both peered over the planter wall to get a better look. We watched as the little bird darted from leaf to leaf of the ground cover. Each time he stopped, he drank the small drop of water held in each bowl-shaped leaf; moisture presumably left over from early morning watering or dew. The dichondra was like a meadow full of tiny cups, holding just enough water to quench the thirst of a little bird. Even though the day was quite warm, this small sparrow was refreshed because of the design of the ground cover foliage. How awesome that God would provide for the birds in this way.

The encounter we had with our little sparrow friend reminded us of God’s promises to provide for us as well. The same sentiment was beautifully described by Civilla D. Martin, when she penned this favorite hymn in 1905.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
(His Eye is on the Sparrow, Lyrics by Civilla D. Martin, 1905, in the public domain)

After describing the attentive care he gives to his creation, God makes a point to tell us that he values us even more. In other verses he tells us not to worry about things the world worries about, but to depend upon him to take care of us.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:22-31, NIV

The birds don’t fret about the world, and neither should we. If God is attentive to the thirst of a tiny bird on a warm day at Disneyland, how much more is he concerned for our well being?

One day soon Jesus will return and make everything right. In the meantime, we can take a lesson from the sparrow, by giving our worries to Christ and resting in his faithfulness.

On the journey toward Home,

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Praying for America

by Lynn on April 28, 2013

The National Day of Prayer is an annual event observed on the first Thursday in May. This year it falls on May 2. Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, Americans are encouraged to pray for the country. While observance is open to all faiths, the privately funded National Day of Prayer Task Force works to encourage Christians to participate in this annual event.

The goals of the organization are to communicate the need for personal repentance and prayer, to provide materials to encourage prayer and to mobilize Christians to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. Shirley Dobson is the current Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. She provides insight into the theme for this year.

Our theme for 2013 is Pray for America, emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men. To further highlight our theme, we’ve chosen Matthew 12:21 as our Scripture for this year: “In His name the nations will put their hope.”

Additionally, Pastor and Evangelist Greg Laurie will participate as an Honorary Chairman for the National Day of Prayer event. In light of the continuing spiritual and moral decline of our nation, Pastor Greg’s prayer will focus on asking God for forgiveness as well as for blessing and spiritual revival. The prayer is posted on the National Day of Prayer Task Force web site.

Father, we come to You to pray for our nation, the United States of America.

How You have blessed us through the years, Lord! We rightly sing, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee.” Yet we see trouble in our culture today. We see the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, and random acts of horrific violence.

Lord, we need Your help in America. In recent days, we have done our best to remove Your Word and Your counsel from our courtrooms, classrooms, and culture. It seems, as President Lincoln once said, that we have “forgotten God.” But Lord, You have not forgotten us! You can bless and help and revive our country again.

Scripture tells us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Lord, in Your mercy, we ask that You would exalt our country again. We have had a number of great awakenings in America. We have experienced times of refreshing, and revivals that changed not only the spiritual but also the moral landscape. As the psalmist said, “Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6).

That is our prayer for America today, Lord. Send a mighty spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls, back to you. You have told us if we will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that You will forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Chronicles7:14).

Forgive us today, Lord, and heal this troubled land that we love so much. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3, NIV

On the journey toward Home,

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The Revolve Tour: This is Love

by Lynn on April 14, 2013

Yesterday my sister and I took my niece and her friend to The Revolve Tour, which is the teenage-girl equivalent to a Women of Faith conference. Started as a ministry of Women of Faith, the purpose of Revolve is to encourage young ladies as they navigate the difficult years of junior high and high school.

This year the tour is entitled “This is Love” and the focus of its message is to tell teen girls that they are beautiful, unique and that the God of the universe loves them unconditionally just the way they are. Topics range from the awkwardness of trying to fit in, the confusion of fluctuating feelings, and the anxiety of peer pressure, to serious doubts about their self-worth, uncertainty about their purpose in life, or burdens of guilt and pain stemming from poor choices made by themselves or devastating choices made by others.

While it’s been a long time since I’ve been a teenage girl, I do recall that it wasn’t the easiest of times to live through. With all of the negative messages they are bombarded with today I can only imagine what it must be like for my niece and her friends. Occasionally, I will get an earful of the latest trauma and drama happening in my niece’s life, and it always makes me grateful that I am no longer a teenager!

While my sister Lori and I are seasoned Women of Faith attendees, this was the first year my niece was old enough to attend Revolve. As many teenagers seem a bit indifferent to nearly everything we adults consider important, Lori and I were praying that Katie would find it interesting and entertaining enough to have some of the message seep into her being. As she’s now in the boy-crazy stage, we were hoping to see the issue of relationships addressed at Revolve, and indeed it was in a powerful way!

Co-hosted by Tiffany Thurston and Kramer Rasmussen, The Revolve Tour started off with high-energy music, rotating colored spots and the introduction of the popular boy band Anthem Lights. Yes, that was pretty much when the high-pitched screaming started… and it only got louder as the day progressed…

It became amusingly hazardous for moms and aunts to walk the aisles when any of the musicians took the stage, as one was likely to be stampeded by two-hundred teenage girls running full-throttle toward it. So when Revolve opened with Anthem Lights, Katie and 200 of her newest best friends were fully engaged and ready to hear whatever any one of the dreamy young men would have to say.

To the Amen of many moms and aunts, they discussed relationship choices and the treasure of purity. Anthem Lights then performed a song called Hide Your Love Away which beautifully captured the value of remaining pure until marriage.

They also talked about passion, and how young people can lose themselves in their drive to pursue human love. Chasing after any passion, whether it be love, fame, music, money, sports, acceptance, etc, will leave them empty unless Jesus is their first passion. They encouraged the girls to seek him above all else and that all other passions would then fall into their proper places.

Guest speakers Andi Andrew and Christa Black really nailed the self image issue that so many teens struggle with. From an early age, many choose to believe lies about themselves rather than believing what God tells them in his Word. God is wild about them. He says that they are valued, adored and that he has a plan for each one of them. When they have doubts about their worth or self image, the Bible should be their source of information, not the fashion magazines.

Natalie Grant presented encouragement through both words and music. She shared similar examples of embracing negative messages over God’s truths.

Don’t let the lies spoken over your life to choke out the truth. God always has the last word. – Natalie Grant

In a new arrangement for the popular song The Real Me, she encouraged girls to understand that God knows them at the very deepest level; no masks; no pretenses; no make-up. And he loves them just the way they are.

Throughout the course of the day, God’s love was the focal point. The girls were reminded that they are not alone, that God meets them where they are, that God’s love for them is unconditional, that they are valued and that they are beautiful. Regardless of the emotions they feel, God is always with them, ready to extend mercy, grace, forgiveness and love. They have only to receive it.

People crave love and spend much of their lives in search of love or other stuff that can fill them. Unfortunately, attempts to use anything or anyone else to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts, leaves us unfulfilled and lonely. Until we ask Jesus to take up residence, we are left searching. Real love can only come from Christ. This is Love.

On the journey toward Home,

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Jesus is the Final Lamb

by Lynn on March 30, 2013

Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:7-8, NIV

Prophetic words. Generations later, God would indeed provide the Final Lamb who would atone for the sins of all mankind.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29, NIV

He is the Lamb of God. He is the First and the Last. He is the Shepherd of his people and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is a Mighty Fortress. He is Comforter, Healer, Friend and Father to the fatherless. He is the Lover of my soul. He is the Torn Veil. He is Love and he is Light. He is the Burning Bush and the Still Small Voice. He is the Son of the Most High. He is the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water. He is the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night. He is Creator of the Universe. He is in all things, and all things are held together by him and through him. He is the Great I Am.

Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by life, and sort of forget who Jesus really is. Because he is fully man, society routinely makes him into some sort of caricature that they can feel comfortable with. They think of Jesus as a tepid, sandal-wearing peace-loving hippie that wandered around Judea, spouting inspirational quotations that make us feel all warm and fuzzy about sharing on Facebook. And while he did talk about love, he also talked about sin, death, hell and eternal separation from God. The Jesus of the New Testament is the pre-incarnate Christ who repeatedly shows up in the Old Testament, battling on behalf of Israel and conversing with prophets. That Jesus, is the one worth following!

Because Jesus is also fully God, the reality of who he is gives us hope when our world is going-to-hell-in-a-hand-basket. And lately, it’s been headed in that general direction on more days than naught. When we get discouraged, remembering who Jesus is, and standing on his promises, gives us strength to persevere and the courage to remain faithful during difficult times.

Recently I’ve been blessed by a song written by MercyMe and recorded on their Hurt and the Healer cd. Entitled “You are I Am” the lyrics poignantly remind us of just who Jesus is.

You’re the One who conquers giants

You’re the One who calls out kings

You shut the mouths of lions

You tell the dead to breathe

You’re the One who walks through fire

You take the orphan’s hand

You are the One Messiah

You are I Am

Jesus is the final atonement for sin. He is the Last Lamb; my Redeemer by choice. He purchased my soul with his own blood, not because of anything that I’ve done to make myself worthy, but because of his great love for me. He is my Savior and coming King. He is Messiah! Remembering who Jesus is this Easter… and standing in awe.

Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:16-17, NIV

On the journey toward Home,

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Bringing Spring Indoors

March 20, 2013

It has been a very mild winter in Southern California, and indeed some days have been downright hot! While it seemed as though we didn’t have as many cool days as we should have had, the warmer weather has ushered in spring a bit earlier than usual. Unhappy as that makes my allergies, the blossoming [...]

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The Bible Comes to Life in a New Television Series

March 2, 2013

Tomorrow night a new 10-part miniseries will air on the History Channel. Filmed in Morocco and other locations, The Bible brings familiar stories to life in a way that people can relate to. The airing is the culmination of a five-year project of husband and wife team Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. Downey is best [...]

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Meandering through Disney’s Buena Vista Street

January 27, 2013

Last fall and again this month, I had the pleasure of touring Disney’s recently-opened Buena Vista Street, a multimillion dollar make-over of the California Adventure theme park entrance. Spanish revival and Art Deco-styled buildings pay tribute to the world Walt Disney met as a young idealist, when he traveled from Kansas City to Los Angeles [...]

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Exquisitely Pink Vintage China

January 12, 2013

To celebrate Pink Saturday, I thought I’d share some lovely items from my collection of vintage china. Shopping for and acquiring antique dishware is a passion of mine, and as it so happens I have collected quite a few pieces that are exquisitely pink! The 3-tiered server is a temporary resident in my collection as [...]

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Called Home Before Christmas

January 6, 2013

It was a bittersweet holiday for three families as their loved ones were unexpectedly called home shortly before Christmas. While differing in ages and places in life, all three were believers whose lives reflected Christ. I didn’t know all of them personally, but they or their families had a nexus to my life so I [...]

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The Miracle that is Christmas

December 24, 2012

Through the prophet Isaiah, a promise is given. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14, KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his [...]