Can a Temple Ride a Bike?

I heard a news report yesterday about an event happening in one of our nations oldest and most historically-flush cities, Philadelphia.

The event is a nude bike ride.  You read that correctly…nude bike ride.  Now, if you’re like me, your first thought may have been, “what does that mean? Is the bike lacking something normally on a bike…is it ‘nude’ of color, handlebars, a seat, wheels, what…?” 

Nope, the name is actually “The Philly Naked Bike Ride” and it really means Ride!A!Bike!Nude! Let it soak in. Go there visually.  Cringe a couple of times. Play all the jokes in your head.  Like… “The Liberty Bell is not the only thing with a crack we’ll see in Philly.” Or… “There are more stares at this race than Rocky ran.”  Okay, forget the bad jokes.  Go back to the whole idea of riding a bike naked. Cringe a couple more times and join me in a unanimous, ‘WHAT IN THE WORLD!?’

A few thousand people will participate in this annual bike ride, promoting healthy body image and fuel consciousness.  I’m not sure how body image and being fuel conscious go together so let’s just concentrate on one part of it- healthy body image. 

Now, I’m ALL for promoting that, but there has got to be a better way than riding a bike in your birthday suit.  Let’s wear shorts and tank tops or maybe a bathing suit, but NUDE?  I’m not sure that promotes anything other than exhibitionism and voyeurism. 

Who is doing this race?  More importantly, and quite possibly scarier...who is watching this race? Maybe I’ll cautiously concede to the idea that riders are trying to make a needed statement about being loud and proud with their bodies, no matter the shape or size.  What I can’t fathom is understanding what kind of person wouldn’t ride nude themselves, but would get up early on Saturday morning to stand on the side of the road and watch others’ fleshy parts go zooming by?! 

Are unhealthy body images a problem in our country?  Yes, for sure. I, like many other women spend way too much time thinking about how I look, what I would love to change, what diet may do the trick this time and pondering the idea of surgical help- if money were not a factor.  Our young girls…younger and younger every year in fact…have so many warped ideas of beauty staring them in the face day in and day out, that it’s no wonder many of them end up with eating disorders.  (Let’s not forget this is a problem for boys too, but that’s another topic)

My point is, yes, we need to be proud or at the very least ‘okay’ with the body we have.  God created these bodies of ours. They are not perfect nor were they meant to be. Our bodies are temporary vessels, but vessels with purpose.  In actuality, our bodies are not our own so we have no right to use and abuse or flaunt them.

I Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

Is laying a vessel of the living God bare on the altar of voyeurism honoring and glorifying to Him Who lives in us?

My opinion is no, but then again…my vessel is cracking, saggy and pudgy in all the wrong places. Maybe if my vessel looked 22 instead of 52...?

Nope. I think I can confidently say, I’m out either way.

I don’t claim to have the answers for myself or anyone else when it comes to maintaining a healthy view and opinion of these funny things we call bodies.  I do however hold fast to the Truths laid out in 1Corinthians 6, as well as these from Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.

Will the act of riding a bike nude renew anyone’s mind in a way that transforms a life?

Will ANYTHING we do outside of true authentic worship of the living God renew our minds, transform our lives or change our view of ourselves and others?

Look at the vessel you have. Don’t criticize or critique it…just look. Now ask God to give you His eyes for that vessel.  He sees it too. He’s not criticizing or critiquing because He sees what’s in it.  Beautiful. Pure. Holy.   

A temple.  Do you see it? 

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

I woke up this morning thinking about mirrors.  Isn’t that the strangest thing to be thinking about when your eyes open for the first time on a Saturday morning?  I couldn’t imagine why I was thinking about mirrors.  I hadn’t dreamed about them, I hadn’t read about them before bed, I hadn’t discussed mirrors with anyone-not even myself-before drifting off last night.  So why in the world…? 

Absent of any reasonable explanation, I followed my wandering thoughts to mirrors of all kinds.  The gold framed one I bought at an estate sale months ago I’ve yet to hang because I can’t find the right place for it.  The often unflattering dressing room mirrors I will ultimately have to face on my quest for the best (or least worst) bathing suit for the summer.  The fun house mirrors seen at every carnival, haunted house, or boardwalk amusement I’ve been strong enough to brave over the years.  The magic mirror in fairy tales.  And lastly, the one I stare into every morning as I ready myself to start a day and every night as I end one.  

Mirrors were fun when I was a kid.  Once discovering the magic of reflection, I could spend the better part of an afternoon writing words “in code” — which meant backwards, just so I could hold them up to a mirror to read.  Reflection isn’t magical anymore; it can actually seem quite cruel first thing in the morning.  

Thoughts of mirrors were just a neurological segway to the real issue at hand-reflection.  

Unlike true mirrored reflections, our everyday personal ones can be skewed.  What of ourselves are we reflecting onto someone else?  Are we seeing them for who they really are or a reflection of our experiences put on them like a jacket we either love or hate?  What do others see when they face us…a reflection of acceptance and grace or one needing to be examined with timidity from a distance?  

Many people live coded lives, portraying a life backwards (opposite) of what is really true.  One persona in public, one in private.  This has to be exhausting; wondering if they will pass by or stand in front of a mirror that turns the code, revealing their true selves.  I’ve experienced this kind of bondage firsthand and it’s debilitating to the soul.  

What if we could experience freedom by living lives mirrored in truth?  What if our life reflection is one so led by the Lord that we see ourselves the way He sees us?  What if when others look at us they see their truest selves because of the grace that lives in us?   

My rambling thoughts have led to fervent prayers. Prayers that I will reflect the Jesus that lives in me, prayers that I will be a channel of grace so someone else can see themselves as God sees them, prayers that the Lord will reveal any soul blemish I’ve been trying to hide.  Prayers for a friend who is, I believe, living in the bondage of a coded life. 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ~ “ But whenever a person turns to the Lord , the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord , are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 

  

Can I Really Give Up "Law and Order" for Lent?

Ash Wednesday was yesterday which means Lent has officially begun.  This means fasting, this means abstaining, this means sacrifice.  In my mind and heart I know these things are necessary and right in order to fully focus on how Jesus suffered for me.  Of course the fleshy part of my being wanders in another direction at first. 

Like, why did I forget to indulge on “fat Tuesday” before Wednesday got here?  It’s like making the decision to start a diet.  Don’t we all want our favorite foods “one more time” before starting the diet?!  Starting Lent seems much the same way.  If we’ve decided to give up sweets, then don’t we want the biggest and best piece of cake right before we give all that up? Maybe this is how the tradition of a King Cake on Fat Tuesday began in the first place. Someone somewhere said, “Let’s eat cake before we can’t!”  (If that’s a real quote then I apologize for plagiarizing) 

Once I give up my disappointment in forgetting to indulge (seriously, did I need to remember that?!) then I go through the laundry list of things I should give up.  I’m not big on fasting food or drink but instead choose to abstain from an activity.  This sounds crazy for someone who loves food - seriously, I love food- but fasting a food or drink is just not hard enough.  If I’m busy I can go all day and forget to eat.  Giving up breakfast, lunch, or even dinner would not be too far from a typical day for me.  I’ve tried giving up coffee in the past but all it did was give me a headache.  Did I pray more during that time? Yes- but mainly for my headache to go away, and not much else.  This didn’t seem too productive so I decided that wasn’t the best route for me.  

Abstaining from an activity that takes up my time has always worked a little better for me.  I can use that now “free” time to focus on the Lord.  And here again is where I get bogged down with ALL the things I should give up…

Too much TV.  I have what can only be described as an obsession…an obsession with "Law and Order."  To be clear, I like the old ones…the original- no special letters or words after the title for me.  I live a simple life when it comes to my obsessions.  Seriously, I have a DVR that is 80% full right now and most of that is "Law and Order" episodes.  

Facebook- I post very little but I LOVE looking at what everyone else posts. I don’t live vicariously through the life of others, I’m just nosey- or curious- whichever sounds less weird.  

Falling asleep in my leather chair.  This is a real thing…a real problem.  I do it more than I’m willing to admit even to myself.  This seems like a silly thing to give up for Lent and really an easy fix, but it’s about adding in another discipline to give this one up.  That discipline would be going to bed at a decent hour.  I’ve actually thought about and asked the Lord if it’s okay to add something during Lent as a way of giving something up.  The jury is still out on this one but I think I already know the answer. “This has nothing to do with Lent- just turn off the lights and go to bed!”  Got it.  

Clutter.  I feel pretty good about this in general.  I’ve moved so many times over the past few years that I’ve cleaned out plenty of junk, but there is always room for improvement.  I can’t stuff one more t-shirt in my drawers, my jewelry is such a mess that I have things I’ve forgotten I have, and the clothes…the shoes.  TOO.MANY.THINGS.IN.CLOSET.  #ineedtogivethingsaway

The list could go on and on…

Okay...it's going to be Facebook, too much TV (I'll have to ask the Lord what is too much).  Now the Fat Tuesday thing is really stuck in my crawl.  Why didn't I do a "Law and Order" marathon on Tuesday?!  Even asking that question makes it abundantly clear why I have to give it up! 

The point of Lent is sacrifice for the sake of focusing on the Lord; more accurately (for me at least) it’s focusing WITH the Lord.  When I abstain from the things I enjoy or the habits I’ve created, I’m giving God space to work.  So…whether it’s the free time I create by staying off Facebook, watching less TV, or being quiet in my bed (not the chair) I’m excited to see what God does with the room I’ve made for Him in my life.  

On the other side of sacrifice...I’m hoping for some work to be done in several areas which- for now- I’ll keep to myself.  

Nosey…curious?  I won’t be putting those things on Facebook so if you’re either, you’ll have to read it here.  

Why I love the phrase, "Because I Said So..."

Like most kids, I hated this statement.  I wanted a reason for what seemed at the time like a very arbitrary request or point of instruction.  However, all the disdain in the world didn’t stop me from using the same phrase on (or against) my own children.

As a parent I came to realize the phrase was very useful in two instances.  One, when I was just too worn out to explain one more thing in the never ending onslaught of “why?” questions.  Two, when I just needed my kids to trust me without having to know the details. 

Okay…let’s be honest here- I don’t know if my parents (or if I) consciously thought about the latter reason for using that phrase; however, in hindsight, trust-even in the absence of details- is exactly what grew.  I came to learn why my parents told me to clean my room, eat my vegetables, and save even a small portion of my allowance.  I am grateful for all the times my parents used “because I said so…” on me.  I think it taught me something about obedience I may not have learned by any gentler means. 

Even when we’ve learned from the best (my parents were two of the best), even when we understand how to trust and obey without details, there are times when obedience is hard.  When God asks us to do what seems impossible, we want to revert back to our younger self and ask why.  We may even try to find excuses to not do what is being asked of us. 

It is in these times that I am most grateful for and have fallen in love with “because I said so…”  God never asks us to do something He knows we can’t handle.  He never instructs us in contradiction to His loving character.  When He instructs us with no details or reason, we can be assured of one thing- it’s for our own good.  God has instructed me in many “because I said so…” ways over the years, and not one time have I come away thinking it was a waste of my obedience to Him.  

Most recently God instructed me to contact my ex-husband, asking to have lunch with him and his girlfriend.  (His girlfriend incidentally is the one he cheated on me with, ending our marriage.  A woman I’ve never seen or met in the eight years since my world fell apart).  The more immature side of me wanted to ask why, but I knew better.  This was a “because I said so…” moment.  

I was nervous when I contacted him, I was more nervous when they said yes, but I was the most nervous when they…when she…walked into the restaurant.  In the hour that followed I came to realize something very profound.  This meeting was not for them- it was for me.  God told me to do something because He had a gift for me on the other side of my obedience. 

All the times my parents said “because I said so…” taught me more about trusting them.  Every instruction they gave me had a purpose- even if I didn’t know it at the time.  I am grateful for all those unanswered “why” questions.  The result of their instruction has been more than learning the importance of cleaning my room.  Learning the significance of obedience even when we don’t know all the details holds the potential for earthly blessings, as well as some eternal perspective.  “Because I said so…” is a beautiful phrase indeed.

Big Pictures Don't Fit in Small Frames

Isn’t it funny how the things we once found so endearing in someone become our biggest pet-peeves?  The way they crinkled their nose is now an annoying tick. The tapping of a foot to music now sounds like excruciatingly loud stomping. The once cute rubbing of a chin now makes you want to ask- “do you have an itch you need to see a doctor about?!” 

A good friend lovingly pointed out to me recently that I hum the same non-descript tune when I’m walking around in a store…any store.  I didn’t believe her until I did it one day, and she announced, “There it is!”  She- at least at this point- is not annoyed by this habit, so until she stops shopping with me, I will keep on humming. 
 
This phenomenon made me start wondering if God is ever annoyed by the habits we create in our lives.  I whole-heartedly believe that God gives each of us gifts, talents, purpose, and even personality.  I also believe that left unchecked those things…those good things… He put in us can suddenly become very annoying, and maybe even detrimental to ourselves or others.

I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist.  The good thing God put in me is the desire to work hard, and do my best.  If God were human- which of course He’s not- He may look at my work ethic and think that is so endearing, but then later find that my perfectionism drives Him crazy!  (What does it matter if the toilet paper comes off the roll over the top or underneath?!) 

This good thing that God put in me is tainted when I am not exercising that thing in the Spirit.  The minute I move to working in the flesh, the VERY thing that was good is now awful. 

Need another example?  God gave me the gift of connectedness.  I see how things connect, which in the Spirit, makes me a good teacher.  In the flesh, I’m not only forcing things to connect that really don’t, I’m bossy and a know-it-all. 

It’s all like trying to fit a big picture in a small frame.  I can shove it in, I can fold it, and I can even try cutting it.  The reality is that big pictures don’t fit in small frames, and trying to make them fit just ruins them.  A beautiful picture in the wrong frame is…just wrong. 

God gives us the frame in which to exercise the good gifts He’s put in us.  When we’re fitting ourselves in the frame of His Spirit…when we’re working in the Spirit, there is life and there is beauty.  Why would we confine ourselves to work in the smallness of our flesh when we have the freedom to live and work in the bigness of His Spirit?!  Endearing, beautiful, lovely things remain that way when they are framed perfectly…by His hand.  

Romans 8:9-15 ~ “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.  Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father." 

The Day a Grape Mysteriously Halved Itself

My youngest son had the great privilege of going to school and “running” with some of the best young men I’ve ever met. This group of guys all love Jesus and each other.  They are funny pranksters, but not cruel, mischievous, but yet respectful, competitive, but compassionate.  How do boys grow into men like this?  It was the Lord’s work in their hearts, and some great mammas.

Because my son had great friends, I too was blessed by the friendships of the moms who reared them.  As we all got ready to send our babes to college we made a pact of sorts to stay connected.  We promised to continue praying for our boys, and to get together on occasion to laugh, cry, and share life with each other. 

Last week was our first get together. I had the great privilege of hosting these special friends for a dinner party, loving called the “Whine and Wine” party.  Moms, wine, and ‘war’ stories…fun just waiting to happen!

To prepare for the party, I did the usual things.  I cleaned my house, grocery shopped, and made food.  As the time grew closer for them to arrive, I made the final preparations of lighting candles, and putting all the food on serving trays.  This is when I ran across the most curious thing.  Among the freshly washed bunch of grapes, I found a grape, still on the stem, cut in half. It wasn’t torn in half; it was cut perfectly in half.  It was so odd to me that I had to know…where was the other half and how did this happen?

I looked through the bunch of grapes and found the other half among the loose ones.  I pulled the half that remained on the stem to match it up with its mate.  Again…silly, maybe…but I was so curious about how this happened.  I remembered that as I washed the grapes earlier and was trying to put the grapes into smaller more manageable clumps, I ran across a stem I couldn’t tear.  I reached for a knife and cut the stem. In doing so, I had evidently cut the grape in half as well.

This inconsequential incident has awakened my spirit to, and reminded me of how the Body of Christ is divided.  Grapes, bunched together because we love and follow the same God.  We get divided into smaller clumps along the way down denominational (or non-denominational) lines.  We’re still grapes, but we’ve now made ourselves ‘more manageable’ somehow.

These divisions are not bad in and of themselves, but something is happening- and has been happening for many years- in the Body that isn’t good.  We’re being cut in half just like my mysterious grape. We argue about the silliest things like whose music is more holy, if raising hands in worship is okay, or if wearing jeans to church is respectful.  As Beth Moore says, “We’ve made rib issues into spine issues.” It’s ridiculous. 

Even more than that, I think the Body of Christ is in danger of dividing itself right down the middle because of some of the “hot topics” in our world today.  These arguments are the perfect avenue for the enemy to use to further his agenda.  His knife of lies, confusion, and distraction will cut us perfectly in half and we’ll be left standing there wondering how it happened.

Seriously, we have one thing to be concerned about…are we still following and trusting the One True God? Are we about doing what Jesus said were the most important things- loving God and loving our neighbors?  The enemy wants nothing more than to divide the Body and I’m afraid we’re giving him lots of room to do just that. 

There are no easy answers but there are things we can do.

If our stems are so strong they can’t be torn…
If we don’t let any of our brothers and sisters in Christ get ‘loose’ from the bigger bunch we call the Body…
If we make every effort to cling to the Lord and each other for the purpose of His Kingdom…

Maybe the enemy will have fewer chances to divide us, and we won’t be left wondering how we were mysteriously cut in half. 

My grape was cut because I wasn't paying attention to the grape itself, but was more concerned with the agenda of making smaller clumps.  Are we concerned with clumps or the bunch? Are we paying attention?

Jude 1:17-22 – “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."  These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.  But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

    

Cute Shoes, Rain, and Big Birthdays

I didn’t bother to look at my weather app yesterday. I instead went “old school” and actually looked out the window. It was raining, and I couldn’t have been more excited. 
You see, a few weeks ago I bought new rain boots…really, really cute rain boots.  I’ve been waiting patiently to wear them because no matter how fashionably bold you are, no one will believe you put any thought into an outfit if you wear rain boots when it’s sunny and 90 degrees. 
So…yay!...rain! 

I was so excited I took a picture of my boots and sent it to a friend with the caption, “Don’t mind the rain- I have cute rain boots.”  That phrase, sent tongue in cheek, has resonated in my mind for the last 24 hours.  Maybe it’s because the sun did come out later and I felt a little silly in my oh-so-cute boots.  Maybe it’s because I don’t have an active Instagram and felt like this was the one time I wished I did.  Maybe it’s because I didn’t wear the right socks and my feet were very sweaty later in the day.  Or maybe it’s because I realized having the appropriate (and cute!) shoes on a rainy day is about much more than just that. 

For the last two years I’ve dreaded two things…turning 50 and sending my youngest son to college.  For two years I wondered what my life would be like with an empty nest, specifically with no spouse in the nest with me.  For two years I contemplated what it would feel like to be 50 and alone. 

I’m here two years later…50…empty nest…but, not alone. 

On the day I left my youngest at school, friends, family, and even my boss called or texted to check on me.  On the day I turned 50 (only 1 week and 2 days after leaving that son at college), my friends gathered to surprise me with a huge party.  My rainy days had come, and I had more than just cute boots to cover my feet.  I had sweet friendships to nurture my heart.

I dreaded the storm of those big transitions, but there was only calm and peace.  Isn’t this what God does over and over for us?  We see the rain and He sees an opportunity to give us the rainbow.  We see the potential for heartache and He seizes the chance to remind us He is holding us tight. 

The reality is…
To get the rainbow, we have to first endure the storm.  To have our heart seized by God, we have to allow it the chance to be broken along the way.  He tells us to “consider it pure joy” to live through these things.  That seems like a tall order some days, but then again…we have more than cute rain boots to walk in.  We walk in faith, believing the One who holds all things together. 

Cute rain boots are important to a shoe-loving girl like me.  If getting to wear those boots means I have to withstand the rain…I’m okay with that. 

James 1:2-4 - “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”