Church--Broken yet Beutiful

A portion of “Stain Glass Masquerade” by Casting Crowns

“Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage?
The performance is convincing and we know every line by heart…
Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart.

But would it set me free, If I dared to let you see,
The truth behind the person that you imagine me to be?
Would your arms be open?  Or would you walk away?
Would the love of Jesus be enough to make you stay?

Are we happy plastic people, under shiny plastic steeples,
With walls around our weakness and smiles to hide our pain?
But if the invitation's open to every heart that has been broken,
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade.”

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Why try to rewrite what someone before has already done so beautifully?  

I had the wonderful blessing and privilege of growing up in a church going family.  I had parents, aunts and uncles who were all involved in the ministry of that church.  It was a great privilege, indeed.  But as for me personally, though I grew up in the culture, I treated it more as religion and ritual than I did a relationship with a living God.  I grew up being known as the “good” girl or goody-two-shoe type.  I knew the right things to say and I knew when not to say the wrong things.  I served in ministry teams.  I put my smile on Sunday and knew to not show the bad sides.  Generally speaking, I wore nicer clothes (rather than super casual) and sneered at those who would openly swear or mock at church.  How dare they….don’t they know, this is a church?  My self-righteousness ran high, even though I innately had none to claim.  I was just like them on any other day.

That began to change right about the time I turned 18.  The head knowledge I had been storing away for the final test day, finally sunk down to my heart and paved a way for God’s grace to pour over my sin and shame and His Spirit has been showing me how to do the same.  I relish the opportunity to visit churches who wear their hearts on their sleeves.  That you walk in and can tell these people inside….they are broken people, coming to the altar for forgiveness, guidance and strength to face another day.  

Source

And maybe that’s because that’s what church is.  Church is not a physical building.  Church is being present with God and that happens everywhere.  When Jesus was living and breathing, He was church on the move, teaching the masses that followed.  But now, we the church are his called out body (Eph. 1:22-23) seeking to serve him and our physical body is the temple of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  People may refuse to come to a building with a steeple or with a sign that says “church” on the front, but we, the church, can meet them where they are at and love them like He loves us.

And how does He love us?

With an everlasting love….ever forgiving….ever gracious….accepting us where we are but helping us become who we can become in Him. 

Church is not a building. It’s not a time slot. It’s not Sunday.  It’s not suits and dresses.  It’s not perfect.

It’s us.  Broken yet beautiful. 

Until next time,

In Christ,

Joy Lynn

A Mother's Day Tribute (5/11/2011)

A repost from several years ago but seems like a timely reminder once again.  The brevity of life keeps coming to the forefront of my mind with recent deaths and tragedy.  The regret of what was left unsaid can be daunting, so lets be vigilant in showing our love, forgiving easy and living with no regrets.

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As Mother’s Day approaches,
I think of yesterdays passed,
All the things I didn’t say,
Are the first thoughts that come back.

A hug after a fight,
“I love you, goodbye”
A kiss goodnight,
All the chances I let slip right on by.

I now look upon my friends,
They frantically look for the perfect gift,
They then ask me,
“What would you get?”

I’m flabbergasted at the sound of this,
Don’t you know, I need not worry about this?
But then I think of what I wish I could do,
Then I softly say...

Tell your mom you love her,
Tell her everyday,
Because you never know what day will be the last
To hear her say the same.

Joy Lynn Chambers

Some thoughts on Mother’s Day

Though not all of us women are mothers, we all do have one.  Some are blessed to still have theirs in their life and this day is one in which they are reminded to acknowledge all that their mother has done for them.  Some do not have their mothers in their life, be it separated by death or by choice.  These women may feel orphaned and alone on days like this but I am thankful that there is a God who wants to adopt us and be a comfort especially to the mother and fatherless (Ephesians 1:5; Psalm 68: 5-6).

Though not all of us are mothers, it’s not always by choice.  My heart breaks for the women that have tried time and time again to bear a child.  It pains me to know that while some women consider having a baby an unnecessary burden and give their child up, there are countless others that would pay money to have a child of their own but have not.  Or maybe you were blessed to keep your child for an extended period of time but where taken aback by their sudden and premature death.  To these women, I send prayers for comfort and peace on this day.  I pray that God gives you grace unspeakable to get through this day with dignity and the hope that God has a plan for you and your life even if it hasn’t panned out the way you dreamed.

Though some of us are mothers, I imagine it’s not always easy.  As some see their children prosper and make them proud, others are discouraged by the rebellion and direction in which their children head.  For these mothers, I pray for strength today and I pray that your son or daughter will find their way home.

Though some of us don’t have mothers, to call and cherish as our own, I encourage you to seek out women who would pour into your life…who will answer the simple questions like how to fold laundry but also walk you through the harder journeys of life.  Who will be a shoulder to cry on or a wise word well said…..who will not aim to replace or diminish your mother but be a good friend to you instead.  I know the search won’t be easy and I realize the walls may be high but I encourage you to give them a chance because you’ll never know unless you try.  Try to let someone in, refuse to battle alone, because God never meant for us to do it all on our own. 

And now to all the Mothers who happen to be reading this note…..I’m thankful for you.  I am thankful for all the love, health and energy you literally pour out into those whom you have been blessed with.  Your impact in your child’s life is immeasurable.  You were vital to your child’s existence at birth and you are vital as you continue to bring joy, life and light to that child throughout their lives.  Do not underestimate your position in society……you are the mother of what will become our future.  I implore you to continue to teach them and point them to Christ (Ephesians 6:4) and even once they have left the nest, pray earnestly for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

And lastly, to all the mothers and non-mothers out there.  I am almost positive that each of us has a sphere of influence into which God has placed us.  For me as a teacher, it is my students but it could be the patients of a nurse/doctor, co-workers at Mickey D’s, or a cabin full of campers.  Whatever our sphere of influence is, let today be a reminder, encouragement, and challenge to continually seek to make a difference in the lives around us and pour into others, especially in those younger than us.  Who knows….that young person could be looking to you for their model.  Be wise and be faithful in the role God has given you to play.  Be encouraged…..nothing is in vain (Philippians 2: 14-18). 

Happy Mother’s Day

Until next time,

In Christ,

Joy Lynn

When it rains, it pours----a poem/prayer

When it rains, it pours,

This I know well,

As I toss these coins,

In a wishing well.

Wishing life would slow down…

Wishing friends to be well…

Wishing that the hungry be fed…

Wishing that the lost be led…

Wishing for the sky to clear…

Wishing that I’d feel You near…

Wishing that I’d trust You here…

Run in the rain with no fear…

In the eye of this storm I see You,

“Peace, be still, My dear,”
In the wind and the rain You whisper..

If only my heart would hear.

I see You walking on water,

I hear You bid me near,

But Lord, I cannot swim in this,

I’m frozen and paralyzed in fear.

If only I knew Your power,

If only I trusted Your ways,

If only I reached out to You,

You’d carry me through the waves.

Lord, give me eyes to see,

To know You’re in the midst.

Give my friends and family peace,

And give my anxious heart rest.

-Joy Lynn Chambers

Thank you for the Hope you gave me

Thank you for the Hope you gave

What if all you’re asking,

Is for me to be set free,

From the bondage I’m weighed under,

From the baggage unforeseen?

You do not ask for pity,

You do not ask for strength,

You do not seek replacement,

Just follow in your faith.

I thank you for your spirit,

I thank you for your love,

I thank you for the Hope you gave,

In pointing me to God above.

Some days are better than others,

Some days I seem to forget,

I’m living life without a mother,

Who lived a life with no regret.

Each year does get easier,

But each year your voice fades more,

I’m not sure if I should cling to all that’s left,

Or finally choose to close the door.

But one thing I know is certain,

I’m thankful for your legacy,

I cling to the faith you stood firm on,

And like you, I hope they see Jesus in me.

-Joy Chambers

P.S. I'm not a singer or a song writer by any stretch of the imagination, but when I wrote this, the voice in my head was singing it.

Who I am is Not Who I Want to Be

Today, as I sat on my recliner in an apartment I call my own, I pondered.  I sat back and let my mind wander.  Set aside the busyness of life and the pile of school work and just reflected.  The conclusion I made is this…..I’m not who I want to be. 

I want to be a woman of God.  I want to be a phenomenal teacher…not because of test scores or classroom success, but because of the impact my life had on theirs.  I want to be a role model.  I want to be of upright character and humble.  I want to have my priorities right with Faith, family and friends.  I want to be in right relation with those three as well….right with God, right with family and right with friends.  I want my job not to be for the paycheck but for the ministry.  I want to be “domesticated” and be able to cook and fend for myself.  I want to trust God in all circumstances and instead of staring at the tidal waves, look to Jesus who will help me not only to stand, but to walk on that water.  I want to be willing to forsake everything and go wherever He leads.  I want to be open to do what He’d have me to do, reach out to whom He’d have me to reach out to, and reveal to those who need to see the scars of my heart because in those scars is a story of healing…a story of redemption….a story of repentance….and a story of restoration. 

I don’t have a husband and I don’t have kids of my own, but I have 42 students entrusted to me and I know I’m not doing the best I can for them….not giving them my all, not pouring in enough, not reaching out, and definitely not praying for them as much as I ought to.  I have the best network of friends a girl can ask for but I know I am selfish, arrogant, rude and a torrential tester of those closest to me. 

Oh, the person I am is most certainly not the person I want to be.  But that said…..I am downright thankful I am not the person I was either.  Yes, I have a long way to go, much to learn, and some of those things I want to be…well, I’ll never make it.  But I can try and part of my trying going forward needs to actually be to *stop trying*….yeah, reverse logic there.  But I can’t do this on my own.  As much as I want to be a strong woman, I need to remember that the strength I must rely and draw from is not my own but it must be from Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Any self-help remedy I try to cook up will very likely only be a temporary fix…a band-aid on the cancer that wrecks havoc within me.  Unless it be from God, then I will very likely fail.  But I am not who I once was because of God’s help and with God’s help I still have tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a gift, if I so get that gift, as tomorrow or even the next minute is never guaranteed.  But assuming I get a tomorrow….another breath……I’m not who I want to be, but I think I may be on the road to get there and I pray to God that He will help me and not leave me here where I am at…and I know He won’t.  May the days that come be used mightily in the transforming process that God has already began in me because as Philippians 1:6 says I can be ”confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  I’m not who I want to be but I am thankful I am not who I was, and I am grateful that who I am today is not where I have to stay. 

Philippians 3:12-14

^“12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Until next time,

In Christ,

Joy Lynn

5 Good Things about Good Friday

1.       On Good Friday, 2009, my Joy-Ride became mine.  In the five years that have since passed, we have traveled many roads together…nearly 50,000 miles, 20 states, 1 province and 5 trips from the border state of Texas to another (Canadian) border state (New Hampshire/Maine).  Our trips have been quite the Joy-ride, filled with bumps, hills, plains, valleys and mountains but it’s been neat experiencing this adventure with my faithful car.  I’ve always said home is wherever my car is parked and my pillow is laid.

2.       Now to switch gears to the Good Friday that took place nearly 2,000 years ago.  Christ’s march to the cross at Calvary was one of the most decisive turning points in human history.  It changed the way we see God, the way we relate to God, how we can know God and where God lives.  Instead of being isolated in the holy of holies where only the high priest could meet with God, Christ paved the way to have an individual relationship with the one true God in which He makes our bodies, His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and the priest no longer has to mediate for us because Jesus Christ Himself is our Mediator.  1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

3.       Though it is called Good Friday, it had nothing to do with me.  There is nothing good in me.  Romans 3:10 says “There is none righteous, no not one..”  Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  If I’m such a failure, what’s the Good News about?  Well, though Romans 6:23 starts out with “the wages of sin is death” it finishes with “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  And only He could pay that price because though I’m not perfect, He was, so His payment was suffice.  Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness and in Jesus shed blood, He was finally able to say “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

4.         Because of what Christ did on the cross, taking on my sin and shame, I can be forgiven and restored in right relation with Him.  2 Corinthians 5: 17-19 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 

5.       So much good comes from utter brokenness.  Through Christ’s broken body, I can break free from my enslavement to sin and the flesh and be called His.  It so often takes brokenness to be healed.  Romans 6:6-7 says “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”  Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Through brokenness there is a way to freedom.

What about you?  Have you been broken before?  Broken over the wretchedness of this world?  Broken over the weight of your own sin and guilt?  Well, may I invite you, this Good Friday, to hear of the Good News of Jesus.  That He came, He lived, He loved, and then He died, not for any wrong He had done, but because of His great mercy, He saved us sinners by paying the debt of our sin that we could not bear, and replacing our shame with His coat of righteousness (Titus 3:5).  Have you received this gift yet? When Jesus died on that cross conquering death, He did not stay dead, but rather He rose again conquering sin and death.  And someday He is coming again to redeem His children and bring them Home (John 14: 2-3).  Will He call you His own? 

Acts 16: 30-31

“What must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved”

Until next time,

In Christ,

Joy Lynn

Frost Heaves=Free Roller Coaster

In my 10 years of being a licensed driver, I can only remember two times when I was severely car sick while being the driver responsible for it.  I often get car sick riding in the back of vehicles and sometimes even as a passenger if the driver is quite….ahem….adventurous.  But you would think, with me behind the wheel and wielding all of the control, that I would not get car sick.

Well, I was wrong.  The first time was when I was driving through Bear Mountain in New York on the hilly, twisty roads.  I had probably already been on the road for 9 or 10 hours and just wanted to get home.  I didn’t really eat much of sustenance and I’m sure I was dehydrated, so thus, I felt miserable. 

The most recent case though, was today.  It happened as I was driving through Waterford and Sweden, Maine on Sweden Rd. (Maine state routes 35/37/93).  Anybody ever travel that stretch?  I’ve done it once just after a snow storm in December and vowed I wouldn’t do it again, but alas, I faithfully followed my GPS today and ended back on that stretch of road.  Did I mention, it’s been a hard winter for New England?  “Frost heaves” and “Bump” signs littered the side of the road but on Sweden Rd. specifically, I think they should have tossed out the signs and just said, “Please buckle up, keep your hands and feet inside of the vehicle…entering roller coaster ahead.”  If that road wasn’t hilly and twisty enough in the dead of summer, the frost heaves made it treacherous.  I can’t even count on my hand the number of times I had those whole life-flashes-before-your-eyes type of moments as I hit a huge bump at 40 or 45 miles per hour.  By the time I got to Fryeburg, I was not feeling super amazing but I did make it back to my apartment safely, so all is well.

It wasn’t all bad though.  The Sweden Rd. drive, as bumpy as it was, was absolutely gorgeous.  From some of the clearings, you could see a long range that stretched across the horizon that was Mount Washington along with its neighbors.  It was breathtaking.  I have friends who hike and run up hills and mountains like I was on to get views like I had, so I didn’t take it for granted.  For a girl coming from flat as a pancake south Texas, I never get tired of the beautiful scenery that abounds in New England. 

I still had three hours to drive though and as my tummy churned, my brain was processing as well.  If you know me at all, you’d know I’m not a fan of roller coasters.  Sweden Rd. was a non-profit roller coaster.  Life is also quite the roller coaster and I hate that I often find myself victim to riding the waves of life’s roller coasters.  But this got me to thinking.  The place I started on today’s roller coaster was a place I was glad to be….a safe haven….a lovely retreat….but I couldn’t stay there forever.  I had to come back to New Hampshire to continue what God has started and called me too.  There are always bumps along the way of life……low parts where you stare straight up the road of life and wonder if you’ll ever make it out of that pit…….high points where you pause and take in the sweet view…..but the journey is not through.  Onward I go, through the mountain tops and valleys.  The place I left was sweet, the journey here was hard, but to be back here is worth it. 

I can only imagine the mountains and valley’s to come in the coming months……for me, personally, as I do my best to pour into and to teach my 42 students in the coming months….for my students, as 6 of them prepare for graduation and all of them attempt to finish the year strong…..for the school, as we remain united in prayer and purpose to do Mr. B, our school director who is currently in the ICU, proud.  For all of us, as we face the unknown but all the way, knowing, that the journey will be worth it….roller coaster and all. 

The journey is hard, but when God’s in it, it’s worth it…every single step of it.  Where is life’s journey taking you, these days?

Until next time,

Joy Lynn

A bit of an Absense

Not that anybody checks this often, but just as a small update.  I moved into my own apartment a week ago today and I do not yet have internet there and my week at work has been wicked busy, thus a lack of writing has taken place.  But thank you for all the prayers in a smooth transition as I moved and have began a new chapter.  It's been pretty sweet so far having my own apartment, though I have hardly been home to enjoy home booked meals or quiet times alone.  But that'll come in time, I'm sure.

So I just wanted to let you know I did survive and have even thrived in this new chapter.  Thanks for all the support and I will be back soon.  If you want to know how to further pray, I refer you back to this blog post, where it gives my pros/cons that in reality are big prayer requests to adjust to solo living.

Have a great week ahead!

In Christ,
Joy Lynn