Lori Stanley Roeleveld's Blog, page 10

What It Means that Events Happened So Swiftly in Our World

It’s the swiftness of what’s happened that leaves us breathless.

How swiftly twenty years of investment by soldiers, missionaries, business owners, women’s advocates, Afghan citizens, and philanthropists can be undone.

How swiftly a storm can build to catastrophic strength.

How swiftly fire can consume everything in its path.

How swiftly Christians can be so overwhelmed by global needs, we forget the power and perspective of our Great God.

Swiftly is a powerful concept in the Bible. Four times, in Revelation 22, Jesus says that He is coming “soon” or swiftly. It’s been over 2000 years since John received these words, so we know Jesus doesn’t consider “soon” from our perspective.

One understanding (translation) of the word “soon” (tachy in the Greek), is that it’s more akin to saying, “Once I come, things will happen quickly – or swiftly.”

Tachy is the root of English words like tachometer (an instrument that measures speed), tachyon (an particle that travels faster than the speed of light), and tachycardia (a racing heart.)

It’s like telling women in their ninth month of pregnancy to be prepared. It may feel as if labor is never going to begin, but when it does, it can progress quickly.

It’s why Jesus told the parable of the ten bridesmaids and their lamps.

Five came prepared with oil for their lamps but the other five neglected to bring oil. The hour grew late, and the bridesmaids grew drowsy, when suddenly, the bridegroom arrived. As the five foolish bridesmaids dashed off to purchase oil, they were shut out of the marriage celebration.  The bridegroom was a long time coming but when he arrived, the celebration commenced quickly.

When Jesus arrived on earth the first time, His people had awaited His arrival for many generations.

Some grew accustomed to waiting but had ceased to believe Messiah would ever come. Some had spiritualized the waiting. Some had quietly stopped believing in a personal Messiah but instead, immersed themselves in the tradition of religion – as if that was the point.

And all of these missed Jesus, the Messiah, when He stood before them in the flesh.

Our generation must learn from the generation of Ancient Jews who missed Jesus

We must learn from the signs our times – the swift toppling of regimes, the swift destruction of sudden storms, the swift power of consuming fires.

Jesus will come again. The end will come. Judgement will take place.

We, in the now and in the know, should be challenging ourselves – if not now, when?

If I don’t study my Bible now, when will I consider it the optimal time?

If I don’t devote time to prayer now, when will the time for prayer be right?

If I don’t tell my loved ones and neighbors and coworkers and friends the truth about Jesus now, when will I consider the state of their souls a timely topic?

Do we think there will be a great moment when we all realize a boldness we never knew and suddenly are able to create depth in our spiritual lives and share the gospel with our friends? Such is not the way.

The truth is, it’s likely there will never be a better time than now for deepening our relationship with Jesus and for sharing the truth of the gospel.

The way is this – we open God’s Word and ask for wisdom every morning of every day even if it doesn’t seem to promise His return at day’s end.

We surrender to prayer in the morning, at noon, and at night – pouring out our intercession, praise, petitions, thanksgiving, and warfare – stumbling over words, fumbling to hear His voice, even when His return seems anything but swift.

And we show up for people. All people. Those who know Him and those who don’t. In Jesus’ name.

We ask for His love for them. We ask them question. Listen to their hearts. We share ours. We let them see into our lives – transparently displaying light, even if it flickers at times. And we find the words to tell them about Jesus – the One our souls love.

Not because we’re so smart or good but because He’s so wonderful, life-altering, and the only true light.

We don’t wait.

He’s given us everything we need for life and godliness. He’s warned us that when the end comes, events will transpire swiftly. He demonstrates swift events before our eyes.

He who has ears to hear, hear this. Do it now. Do it all now. All the good you know to do – NOW is the time.

Once upon a time, I was gathered with a group of friends mourning a woman we all prayed would survive cancer. She was taken at 44. With us was a man who didn’t know Jesus. He remarked to me that we mourned differently than others he had known. We mourned with hope.

I asked if he had made a commitment to follow Jesus. “No,” he replied, “I think I’ll do it like the thief on the cross. In those last few moments, I’ll invite Him in.”

“Crazy!” I said (quite unlike me, I assure you, made bold at our loss and by the Spirit). “Your car may crash when you leave here today! You don’t know how life will end and when the end comes, it may come so swiftly, you don’t have time to decide. If Jesus is God (and He is), now is the time to follow Him.”

And he did. Right there. He never looked back.

And I thought – how many other opportunities have I missed waiting for the perfect time?

The perfect time, my friends, is now.

World events have happened breathtakingly fast. What does it all mean? https://t.co/GdSnmcUytt #Jesus #Afghanistan

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) September 1, 2021

Thoughts and Prayers for Afghanistan – The Life-Altering Truth on Which We Need to Act

What is happening in Afghanistan right now is soul-crushing for the Afghan people, first and foremost, but also for people across the globe who care deeply for freedom and peace.

Hard hit will be families of Afghan people who are here in the United States, as well as the generations of men and women who served in Afghanistan and their families who sacrificed so much to secure the freedom of this nation.

Also hurting will be those Christians who have ministered to and shared their faith with the people of Afghanistan. Many of these believers are “invisible” missionaries who work quietly behind the scenes to share the truth of Jesus Christ person-to-person in nations hostile to the gospel.

This is not a time to buy into the popular outcry that “thoughts and prayers” are of no worth.

The sentiment of this phrase isn’t necessarily wrong in that it’s often a challenge that thoughts and prayers must be backed by actions and changed lives. This is true.

However, too often the result of this outcry is that believers neglect the powerful ministry of intercession or doubt the effectiveness of prayers offered on behalf of people we may never meet on this side of glory. We cannot afford to indulge in that kind of wrong thinking. There’s too much at stake.

We must not lay down our God-issued weapons of warfare that are not of this world but have the power to demolish strongholds! (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Prayer –conversation with God that He invites us and commands us to have – is effective and powerful. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Of all the actions we can take right now, there is none clearer nor more obvious than that of praying for everyone touched by this terrible situation. It’s certainly more effective than fretting over social media.

We need to pray so we don’t give into fear, anxiety, panic, or personal shut down. The people of Afghanistan actually need us to think about them. Thoughts aren’t nothing. Right thinking leads to right action. We need to stay alert and not escape the news of what they’re facing. The least we can do to honor them is witness what they suffer, refuse to turn away, and act where we can. We’re all in varying situations of power, we should do what is in our power to do.

We need to pray because the lives of Christians in Afghanistan are at risk. They deserve every prayer for protection, strength, boldness, comfort, and clarity of testimony. One day, in glory, we will worship side-by-side with these believers. We need to pray for them out of love and out of faith in God to act.

We need to pray because the women of Afghanistan are in danger. Because the translators that helped Americans are in danger. Because men, women, and children are in the line of fire both for their mortal lives and also for the health and freedom of their future.

We need to pray because men and women in our own armed forces will be facing their own distress at these developments. Because the soldiers of the Afghan army will be crushed. Because our leaders must make important decisions in response to these actions. Because survivors of terrorism will face their own anger, grief, and sorrow. We need to pray for young men and boys conscripted into terrorism and into military service against their will. We need to pray that even as Christians die in Afghanistan, the testimony of their lives will impact those who persecute them to turn to Christ.

We need to pray for wisdom for everyone involved and for peace at home. We’re already divided as a nation in so many ways. We need wisdom for all the conversations taking place right now and for words to comfort people in grief and counsel people in anger over this situation.

We need to pray for God to limit the power of those with evil intent and we need to pray for limits on the powers of evil behind them. This is not the time to be naïve about the powers of evil at work in our world. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 ESV

This is not the time to doubt the power of our God to act. This is not the time to dismiss His command to pray. Refuse to nod along with the lie that “thoughts and prayers” are of no use. That is propaganda from the enemy, the prince of the air.

He seeks to neutralize the warriors of God precisely because prayers offered to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the name of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit have effective in real time on our planet.

We need to pray to receive the mind of Christ on this. We need to be leaders in clear thinking in our nation, in our communities, in our churches, and in our homes.

Above all, we need to believe God when He says that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16b. We have received our righteousness through Jesus Christ.

Now is the time for every believer to pray for Afghanistan. Let nothing stop us. Nothing.

Thoughts and Prayers for Afghanistan. The Life-Altering Truth on Which We Need to Act Now! https://t.co/rb6sli1F05 #Afghanistan #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) August 16, 2021

The Correct Way to Correct the Church

It’s not a secret there are times when the church of Jesus doesn’t get it right.

It’s not enough to comment that “everyone is a sinner,” or to rush to remind everyone about forgiveness and grace. We are the body of Christ.

We have every spiritual blessing through Jesus and everything we need for life and godliness. We can access the mind of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are empowered to live up to our relationship as daughters and sons of the Most High God.

In other words, we know better and are called to live better than is often evident.

But, the free-for-all church bashing that seems to be in fashion is not only unproductive but at times, it only adds to the disgrace. Jesus Christ died to cancel our guilt and shame. Why do we think it wise to resurrect it and club one another with it on occasion? That’s not His plan.

God knew we would fail. He was aware we would disappoint one another, and He established guidance even for this. He amazingly thinks of everything.

This list isn’t perfect but here are a few guidelines I suggest for those times when we believe we should publicly admonish or correct the church at large (feel free to add to my list in the comments):

Take a beat. Or two. Inhale. Exhale. Resist the rant. James 1:19-20 ESV commands us “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” If Jesus could live in our midst without screaming and ranting at every wrong that He encountered than we can, too.Get the facts, Jack. Do your due diligence and get facts, not just one side of the story. Proverbs 18:17 ESV says “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” We don’t need to react faster. Take a clue from the pace of God.Remember the weeds. Jesus told a parable that began “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.” Matthew 13:24b-25 ESV There is a visible church but not all parts of the visible church are actually the Body of Christ. Consider this and acknowledge it in your public admonishments.Remember the wolves. Be aware that some followers have fallen prey to false teachers that Jesus warned would come among us. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15 ESV Exercise wisdom when confronting false teaching. Be direct with false teachers, bold with the truth, but gentle with the sheep.Remember the enemy. There is one who seeks to divide, discredit, discourage, and disarm the saints. Don’t give him aid or ammunition. Persist in prayer, obedience, and light. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11-12 ESVBe gentle. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 We all sent Christ to the cross. We all deserved death. We have all been recipients of grace and receive it daily. Let this truth soften your heart and guide your tongue.Be humble. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” Ephesians 4:1-2 ESVBe eager to maintain unity. “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:3-6 ESV Look for places of agreement. Do hard work, have hard conversations, do hard things.Know the truth. Speak the truth. Live the truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” We wander blindly and do clumsy damage when we are not grounded in His Word and obedient to sound biblical teaching.Guard your heart. Love matters. Without it, we are sounding gongs. Yesterday’s memes. Deleted tweets. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 ESV Be students of mercy. Out of the overflow of the heart, our mouths speak so it is our hearts we must guard. Paul tells us in Philippians to pray in all things “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Yes, the Body of Christ must be corrected. Sometimes that correction must even be direct, public, and hard to hear.

But there is a way that seems right to us and a way that God says is right. Seek Him first.

It is better to be holy than to be right on Facebook or to win a Twitter war. Remember the way of the cross and live it, even in this.

The correct way to correct the church https://t.co/JxZkjexb2T #Jesus #Bible

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) August 13, 2021

Why Do We Need Shoes in God’s Armor

How sure of you of your footing?

It’s something we often don’t even consider until we’ve landed flat on our backsides.

I’ve been doing a new exercise regimen – and one fascinating aspect has been the early emphasis on my feet.

Workouts are done barefoot with great focus on the connection between my feet and the floor. Poor footing, apparently, can throw off the entire alignment of the body, causing pain in seemingly unrelated places.

My husband has neuropathy in his feet. He suffers greatly from not being able to sense the connection between his feet and the ground. He has to think overtime about walking and moving.

My nine-month-old grandson is gaining his first footing. We call him “Thumper” because he likes to tap a few times with one foot before he sets it firmly down as if he’s testing what’s beneath it.

When I studied karate (also done barefoot) we’d spend entire classes on our stances, position of our feet, and balance. The solid foundation of our feet and stance made us more stable to both dodge blows of an attacker and more mobile to reposition when needed.

This is all to say, that when God provides shoes with our spiritual armor, we can believe they are essential the defense and mobility of our entire spiritual body as well as the Body of Christ.

In Ephesians 6, Paul describes the spiritual battle we wage as well as the armor required to stand against the enemy’s schemes. Paul calls us to stand firm. But how do we stand when we face a barrage of spiritual assault or when the world slips about beneath us?

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15 ESV

I’ve always wrestled with understanding these shoes. Truth is clear. Righteousness, I have from Christ. But, how does the gospel provide readiness that makes for good footing?

The shoes of a soldier in Biblical times were leather sandals, hobnailed on the soles, to dig in and secure the soldier. Because my grandson isn’t confident yet of his footing, he’s always grasping at things – and sometimes those things aren’t secure. We are also prone to grasping at the wrong things if we don’t stand in the shoes God provides.

The greatest barrier to the kingdom in our times is not the unbelief of those who don’t know Jesus, but the unbelief of believers and it often shows up in our footing. This is why we must always return to and be sure of the gospel.

Modern Christians are barraged with “other gospels.” Modified gospels, twisted gospels, gospels with a little something added, distorted gospels, and deceptive gospels that are no gospel at all.

This is nothing new. Paul wrote about it in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 ESV “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

These false gospels erode our confidence in the true gospel, they undermine our footing, and we become slip-shod in our obedience, our witness, and in our devotion.

When our spiritual footing is unsure, we hesitate when we should act, we remain silent when we should speak, and we are subject to being knocked on our keesters in the spiritual battle.

Here is the gospel, that God, through Jesus Christ, created the world and all that is in it.

He made men and women and placed us in a garden designed for us. We were tempted to sin by Satan, and we fell prey to this temptation. Now, we all sin. No one is righteous. All are deserving of death – eternal separation from God.

But God, in His mercy, did not leave us in our sin. He provided a way of redemption – His Son, Jesus Christ.

God sent His Son into the world, born of a virgin, to live a sinless life, to die on the cross in our place as payment for our sins, and then to rise again, victorious over sin and death. All who place their faith in Jesus Christ receive redemption from their sins and the promise of eternal life. We are saved by grace, not by anything we have done, but by grace alone, that none should boast.

See what perfect shoes this gospel makes? They ground us on the work of Jesus Christ. They secure us with humility, truth, and the evidence of God’s love for us. They give us the mobility that comes from being free from fear because we have eternal forgiveness and life. They give us Christ-centered confidence to speak, to serve, to stand in battle, and to tell others about the kingdom of God.

This gospel is one of reconciliation and peace. Jesus reconciled us with God. Having been adopted by God as sons and daughters, He forged our unity with one another that we are called to claim and maintain. And, we are even to love our enemies and, as far as it is up to us, to be at peace with them.

When we stand in these shoes, we can stand against the attacks of the enemy and continue the work even as Satan attempts to thwart it.

Has your life fallen out of alignment? Are you grasping at the wrong things? Are you immobile and fearful in ministry? Does the ground beneath you feel as if it’s shifting sand?

Revisit your footing. Put on the shoes of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, stand firm, in His name.

Feel things slipping lately? Why do we need shoes in God’s armor? https://t.co/QpHGg5LzYo #armorofGod #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) August 3, 2021

You’re invited to join me for a special Courage and Confidence Retreat in New Hampshire the last weekend in October! Just CLICK HERE for registration details PLEASE join us, I would love to see you and share some conversation around a campfire. I’ll see you at Singing Hills!

Don’t Give Up on Being Close to God

Do you sometimes feel as though other people know God but you’re just going through the motions?

You want to know Him. You do all the things (you think). You worship. You attend Bible Study, and you even do the homework. You’ve been baptized. One of the presets in your car is for K-Love, and you’ve seen all the episodes of The Chosen. You’ve taught church school and even gone on a missions trip.

But, honestly, when you’re alone, you wonder if that’s all there is.

You pray and sometimes it seems as if He answers, but you’re never sure if it was a direct correlation. You don’t get chills or hear any specific “leadings.” When some people talk about God they sound as if they’re friends. You want that but it’s been a lot of years and that’s not your experience.

You know Jesus loves you but you’re wondering if He has other children He likes better.

DON’T GIVE UP!

Jesus wants that closeness with you, too.

How do I know? He left His throne in Heaven to live as one of us, to die on a cross to pay the price we couldn’t pay for our sins. He rose from the dead, and sent His Holy Spirit to empower and guide us. Then, He called to you.

He whispered your name and you responded.

But this is earth, not Heaven. There are people, powers, and problems that create interference – just like static on those old transistor radios we used to keep under our pillows.

The worries of this life. The damage done to us by ourselves and by others. The struggles of living in a fallen world. The imperfect church. The day in and day out-ness of life. False teachers. Distractions. Small failures adding up.

And, topping it off (or orchestrating it from behind the curtain) is an enemy who wants to convince you that God may certainly be great but “He’s just not that into you.” He whispers that you won’t ever feel close to Him. You won’t ever have that friendship for which you’ve longed.

If you were going to have it, you’d have it by now, right?

Not necessarily. Abraham didn’t receive the promised land as soon as he saw it.

I used to feel this way about cooking. For most of my sixty years, I’ve had a relationship with food and was able to cook, but I never was able to make food sing. My go-to for church potlucks was Tostito chips and salsa. Always well-received but not really a recipe to pass on to the next generation.

The thing is, I really tried to be a good cook. I followed recipes. I bought most of the right ingredients. I made a solid effort. But, meh. Nothing special or memorable. No chills. I settled. My family didn’t starve, and my cooking was passable but that was the height I thought I could reach.

Recently, that has changed. My husband now shows up for dinner eager to discover what’s on the menu. I’m enjoying the process and the result. I’m growing in confidence and I’m wondering what else I can do that I imagined I couldn’t.

What changed?

First, I stopped listening to old voices in my head – some belonged to childhood figures, some were my own mimicking those, some were our enemy. Anyway, I shut them down.

Then, I got some help.

I order from one of the boxed meal services. I obtained the right cooking tools. I reorganized my kitchen. I stopped whipping every burner onto high.

I slowed down. I paid attention. I believed the instructions enough to follow them – to a T.

I learned some tricks (YouTube is my friend). I got tips from my son-in-law, the chef.

I stopped indulging my false belief that I couldn’t cook well.

When I let go of false beliefs and expectations, when I invested in the process, it slowly came together.

God adores you. He gave His very Son for you. No good will He withhold from you – especially not Himself.

Don’t give up. You will seek Him and find Him when you seek Him with all your heart.

Stop listening to the voices that lie. God’s Word says He adores you. Believe it. Then, get some help.

Tell God (again) that you want a deeper relationship with Him. Ask Him to send you the right help.

Tell a mature Christian you’re wondering if there’s more to this Jesus life and if you can experience it. Ask others to pray for you to have a breakthrough.

Invest in the tools. They aren’t fancy (much like the boring old vegetable peeler, non-stick pan, and zester I got for my kitchen). A Bible. Prayer. The armor of God. Worship. Belief. Fellowship. Obedience. A reliable guide.

When I feel stale or blocked with Jesus, I shut off every distraction (TV, media, entertainment) for a week. I do only what is necessary for life (shower, work, cook). Every other moment, I make myself available to hear from Him – I read the Bible, walk in nature, make a written list of all my current concerns, and then let them be. I confess my sins, offer thanksgiving and praise, and I sit quietly listening for His voice.

Sometimes there are lightning bolts, but often it’s just a quiet growth, like sitting beneath a tree for an afternoon in the sun. Like the old prescription for TB – just sit still and receive the Son.

Jesus didn’t just come for everyone else.

 He came for you, and He hasn’t given up on getting closer or going deeper. He’ll keep hanging on as long as it takes for you to trust that He loves you and delights in you.

Start now.

 

Don't Give Up on Being Close to God https://t.co/JNHzue8Lfc #Jesus #bingeJesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) July 26, 2021

**Hello Friends, If you’re available the last weekend in October, I would LOVE to have you join me as I lead the Courage and Confidence Retreat at Singing Hills in New Hampshire (Christ-centered confidence, of course)! Just click on the link and take a look at all this lovely campground in the mountains has to offer as we focus on moving forward from hardship in Christ.

One Way to Be Delivered from Fear is to Walk Through It

There is more than one way to be delivered from fear.

Take for instance, my lifelong fear of being bitten by a dog. It probably began when I was introduced to my grandfather’s German Shepherd, Babe. He was, by all accounts, a gentle and loving dog but I was a toddler, and he was so big. I’m sure I mistook his friendly curiosity for menace and a fear took root.

In our home, fears weren’t dealt with, they were dismissed, mocked, or ignored. “Lori’s afraid of dogs” just became something people said when we visited friends with large pets.

Other adults would try their own well-intentioned fear reduction courses. “He’s more afraid of you than you are of him. Go ahead, just stick your hand right in his mouth. He won’t bite!” or “He’s only barking at you and snarling because he senses your fear. Stop being afraid, you’ll be fine.”

I love dogs and we’ve had several large dogs – all rescues. But, I’ve always been cautious around dogs I don’t know. Caution and care worked out fine for me, until the day it didn’t.

This one dog at this one home was always secured before I even left my car – I made certain of it. He never hid how protective he felt of his home, nor did he hide his perception of me as a threat to it. The family agreed to our plan and always, always secured him the moment I arrived.

No one knows how he got loose during my visit. No one was aware as I left the home, their door locking behind me, that he waited for me. The instant I saw him, I knew I was about to face my fear in real time.

I turned to try to get back up the three steps. There’s a moment between me turning and me feeling the piercing pain of his teeth in my back that is blacked out. In that moment that I don’t remember, he must have lunged at my back and knocked me to the steps. I didn’t even make it up the first step because I was sprawled across all three as he pinned me down puncturing my back and then tearing my arm upper arm open.

As I screamed for help, I stretched from beneath him and slapped at the door the best I could. Thankfully, the family heard. I was dragged inside to safety, the dog resecured, first aid administered, 911 called.

The entire incident lasted only minutes. Minutes of terror and pain that led to six weeks of stitches, bandages, medications, concussion protocols, complications, abscesses, more medications, healing, setbacks, more healing, paperwork, medical visits, police reports, testimony before a town hearing board, trauma therapy, loss of work, loss of productivity, missed events, sleepless nights, unexpected expenses, and many anxious moments in unfamiliar territory – attack victim.

But, here’s the thing. My fears no longer loom. I’ve survived encountering what I’ve feared since childhood. I did everything I could have done to prevent it and it happened anyway. And, I’ll recover. I’ll be different, but I will be fine.

Soon, I’ll return to my day job. Entering week six, I’m sleeping better. My wounds are on the mend. I’m coming to terms with all that was impacted in the last six weeks – everything I’ve missed, everything I couldn’t do, everything and everyone that was affected. I’m adapting to the new scarred and lumpy terrain of my upper arm and back. My strength is returning. We’ll see how it feels to go back to the job.

(For those concerned about the dog, he is fine. His owner admitted training him to attack. He has not been destroyed but the owner has numerous restrictions that must be followed to prevent another attack as I was the third known victim.)

My roots in God are dug deeper now. My fear of the future is reduced. Because, in the past three years of loss, unexpected shocks, pandemic, political strife, social unrest, and now physical attack, I see that one powerful way to deal with fears is to walk through them with God.

To walk into the fire. To enter Nineveh. To build the wall. To confront the giant. To submit to the cross. To speak the gospel truth to those who want to kill you for saying the name of Jesus. To love others knowing they may cause you harm. To love again after they do.

I feared the pain and terror of a dog attack – but God was there. I am weak, but He is strong.

I feared loss of productivity, sidelined in ministry and writing, dependent on others – but God was there.

When I couldn’t read, write, look at a screen, care for my own wounds, or deal with other people’s emotions – God was there.

And I crawled inside a Bible verse I have never really liked and found, not only solace, but strength, and Christ-centered confidence that has further equipped me for the future.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

Before June 9th, I lived inside my fear of vicious dogs. Today, I live in the strength of knowing God is present even in dog bites, nightmares, incisions, weakness, and emotional wounds. In pandemics, protests, politics, losses, disasters, and conflicts, He is there.

And while I am weak before dog teeth and small in the face of racial discord, political conflict and pandemic death, His power is made perfect in weakness and His grace is sufficient for me, for you, and for all who call in Jesus’ name.

Some of you have walked through your own fears with Jesus, so you know the truth of what I say. It’s never been more important to live outside our fears.

None of us wishes for hardships or trials but when they come, walk through them with Jesus. There is freedom on the other side.

One way to be delivered from fear is to walk through it https://t.co/F54LniN2AA #Jesus #Freedom

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) July 17, 2021

Are Christians Called to Defend the Rainbow?

Are Christians called to defend the rainbow?

Let me say from the start of this post that I hold to a traditional, biblical perspective on marriage, gender, and sexual expression. I believe marriage between a man and a woman is a holy institution designed by God to reflect His relationship with the church. I believe sexual intimacy is to be reserved exclusively for marriage.

Let me also say we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God and there are as many ways to twist, pervert, and make a mockery of marriage and sexual intimacy as there are individuals on the earth. Misrepresenting God’s ideal is not the sole purview of those who wrestle with same sex attraction. The church has done its fair share of abusing marriage and sex from encouraging women to remain in abusive situations to clergy who prey on vulnerable children even as they say they represent God to the secret use of pornography by everyday believers.

Satan’s no fool. He’s aimed at marriage and sexual intimacy with both barrels because our view of a holy, loving God in relationship with followers of Jesus is so essential.

I believe Christians should speak truth about these topics, but I believe we should speak this truth with reverence, humility, and gentleness as the Bible commands.

We are all image-bearers. We are fragile, wounded, and floundering, especially those of us without Christ. There is every reason to approach the topic of specific sins with grace – not with memes or tweets or scribbled signs.

Repeatedly, the apostles exhort us in Scripture to correct one another with gentleness, humility, and always watchful lest we fall into sin. Scripture isn’t a blunt instrument we use to club one another into submission. God’s Word is holy and powerful. It is a sharp-edged sword that should be wielded with the utmost care at all times.

Even if those who don’t know God trounce on all that is holy, trampling it to the ground, and making a mockery of what God declares true, we who know the truth must not resort to the weapons of this world in defending it.

We don’t address pride with arrogant self-righteousness but with Christ-centered humility.

We don’t rightly address those who misuse the rainbow by misusing it ourselves.

The rainbow is the sign of a holy covenant God made with humanity. It is the promise that no matter how bad things get again, He will never destroy us with another flood. It reminds us that those of us who know Him have nothing to fear from other people’s sinful choices because we are safe and we are eternal because of Jesus. We have passed through the waters of baptism just as Noah and his family survived in the ark.

We demonstrate God’s power, His love, and the patience He demonstrated in Noah’s day by not shrieking condemnation or even truth in panic and fear but by treating truth as holy and speaking it with reverent patience toward all who are willing to hear.

This isn’t something easily done over social media or from a car passing a PRIDE parade. This requires relationship, time, trust, prayer for opportunities, warfare prayer, deep knowledge of God’s Word, and a heart attuned to His Holy Spirit. This isn’t work for casual Christians only willing to absorb the headlines of God’s Word. It’s the work of disciples, committed to the long, determined obedience of Jesus-followers who are all-in and who have the faith to do the work the way Jesus wants the work done.

It’s not fast or clever or easy. But it’s God-honoring, loving, and right.

We don’t honor God by waving the rainbow in people’s faces and insisting it’s ours. We honor Him by praying for opportunities to tell Noah’s story.

We honor Him by explaining that all of us sin in ways that deserve death, but that God has promised never to destroy us by a flood again – not for their sin nor for ours. Instead, He gave His only Son Jesus to pay the price for all our sin because He is rich in love and mercy. There is a rainbow above His throne that shines like an emerald because He is holy and worthy of all our worship and praise. Through Christ, we can stand before that throne without fear, and that is the only way we stand.

We were created to be eternal beings, alive in Jesus forever. Sin grieves God now, as it did in the days of Noah but He is faithful and keeps His promises. The rainbow is a reminder of this. He is merciful and He redeems.

Isn’t this a message worthy of more than a meme plastered on a cartoon rainbow? Aren’t we all deserving of more than the way we behave when we try to use the weapons of this world?

Isn’t He worthy of every moment of time and every effort we invest in telling His story with mercy, love, and grace? He is.

Are Christians called to defend the rainbow? https://t.co/TvG8zTcRVD #rainbow #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) June 22, 2021

**Dear Readers, thank you for all your prayers and your messages of encouragement and comfort following my recent attack by a dog. I am healing slowly of the bites, the concussion, and the trauma. God is good all the time and I am fortunate the incident wasn’t worse. I still love all animals and have no ill feelings toward the animal or the owner. I appreciate your continued prayers, especially for my stamina at the keyboard as the concussion heals. Mercy and grace, Lori

When Father’s Day Just Brings Pain

All the broken fathers who fell short of what we needed and all the faltering mothers who chose their own needs over ours,

they follow us, long after we’ve moved past them, into adulthood, into our own parenting, into our relationship with God. It is the first failing we own, our inability to heal our parents’ brokenness. Before we even form a sense of ourselves we know, somehow, we’ve failed because our existence isn’t enough to make them whole.

Our portal into this world, the first voices we hear, first eyes that drink us in, first hands that receive us, are also our introduction to its fragile nature, its bondage to sin, its fallen state. We gaze into the eyes of these sinners falling deeply in love.

As we grow in the shadow of their brokenness, we beam our love in their direction like healing rays, like spiritual laser treatments, as if sin was a form of TB and our love was the sun; willing them to be what somehow we know they can, projecting behind them a brilliant shadow, their perfect selves, even as we avoid the blows raining down on us from the darker reality of those on whom we rely for nurturance, provision, and instruction in this life.

We’re stubborn in our love, even if they break us, walk away, tear our hearts from our chests, or neglect us, leave us lying hungry and bleeding, still we love them and will them to love us with the perfect love we know by faith exists and is our birthright. Much of our adult lives is about seeking redemption for failing to love them into perfection, into wholeness, into their greater selves.

We brace against the howling in the wind, screaming about apples that don’t fall far from trees, about the sins of the fathers visited on the sons, about generational curses and spoiled inheritance. But there is a greater voice that whispers pure truth into the gale and we strain to receive it where we stand, “The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:1-4 (ESV)

For even the children of broken fathers and babies abandoned by wandering mothers find wholeness, hope, a home in Jesus Christ. “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Psalm 27:10 (ESV)

And it is within His love we find our perfect Father, and beneath His wings we know a mother’s unbroken soul and from within His great heart, we discover the power to heal ourselves and those we love, through forgiveness, mercy, and grace. And so, we receive the remedy for our own brokenness so that we can be the answer to the prayers of our own children, so our offspring will be freed from our failings and healed of the brokenness that would be our legacy if it weren’t for Jesus.

It’s in this way we stand, no fall to our knees beside our broken fathers and our fallen mothers and cry, “Mercy, Lord, have mercy on us all.” “Abba, Father,” we cry, “save us, from our wounds and from our power to wound our children.”

The burden of this fallen planet is evidenced in the scars children bear from broken fathers and mothers with twisted souls. In this we bleed and weep.

But the One who lived, a perfect Son, and fulfilled a perfect Father’s will, this Jesus, has secured for us a place where all wounded children find the answer to the perfect love they knew, by faith, existed all along.

It’s not a false hope, loved one. Your name is not Forever Wounded, Not Enough, Unloved, Rejected, Damaged, or Abandoned. No. Those are lies the darkness whispered as you wept alone at night. Your true name is Cherished Child of the Most High God, Redeemed from the Land of Lost Children, Made Whole in the Grace of the Living God, Restored in the Name of Jesus, Adopted into the Eternal Family, One Who is Enough for the Perfect God.

Your true name is written on the palms of His hands and it’s those hands that reach for you now to hold you, to heal you, to guide you into the freedom that awaits you in His great heart. Take His hand, loved one, and know your Father receives you just as you are.

https://loriroeleveld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/tmpovkKD6.mp4

When #FathersDay2021 Just Brings Pain. https://t.co/etN65ajIE5 #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) June 17, 2021

Attacked by a Large Dog

Dear Readers,

I took a week of vacation and had planned to post a new essay this week. Unfortunately, during the course of my day job, I was the victim of a vicious attack by a Pitweiler (a cross between a pit bull and a Rottweiler). I have four bites, 13 stitches, lots of scrapes and bruises, and a concussion. It may be a few days before I can post. While, of course, I wish this hadn’t happened, I feel fortunate that I had time to turn my back on the dog and that someone was close enough to drag me to safety. Overall, my physical wounds will heal soon and with prayers, so will the trauma. Please pray for my healing but also the healing of the family whose dog it was. Thank you for understanding. Mercy and grace, Lori

**Please understand, my day job is confidential so I cannot share certain details. I did see the dog secured upon my arrival. Also, please don’t disparage dogs or any particular breed of dogs in the comments. God loves all His creatures. It’s often their training or abuse by previous owners or simply protectiveness that causes these situations. I do not blame anyone nor am I angry with any dog or individual. It was simply a terrible incident that happened and I’m certain God minimized my injuries with His kind hand. I haven’t posted this to create anger toward a breed but simply to let readers know why I may be absent for a time. Thank you.

 

Attacked by a Pitweiler

Dear Readers,

I took a week of vacation and had planned to post a new essay this week. Unfortunately, during the course of my day job, I was the victim of a vicious attack by a Pitweiler (a cross between a pit bull and a Rottweiler). I have four bites, 13 stitches, lots of scrapes and bruises, and a concussion. It may be a few days before I can post. While, of course, I wish this hadn’t happened, I feel fortunate that I had time to turn my back on the dog and that someone was close enough to drag me to safety. Overall, my physical wounds will heal soon and with prayers, so will the trauma. Please pray for my healing but also the healing of the family whose dog it was. Thank you for understanding. Mercy and grace, Lori