Gracefully Frank: April 2017

The image of, or maybe it was the feeling of, taking a deep first breath came to my mind the other day as I was reading. That thought or memory of taking a deep breath after holding my breath for a while stuck with me and made me think of different first breaths I've taken.

What first breaths can you recall? Memorable first breaths follow memorable times of anticipation. Anticipation is generated when something is desired or hoped for, and when it is realized we can finally breathe deep, filling our lungs with air and relief.

Can you remember the feeling of that first breath after:

staying under water for just a second or two, too long
checking the bank account to see that everything cleared
passing the highway patrol lead-footed and not see his lights begin flashing
seeing a passing score on a difficult exam
the shot swishes through the hoop at the buzzer #whynot
getting up and walking off what could have been a serious injury
getting the job desperately desired
hearing the baby cry for the first time
the surgery is over and successful
the plane touches down on the tarmac

Here is what I was reading that made me think about a first breath:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3)

I had not specifically/intentionally considered that moment of resurrection before. I've thought about Jesus' last breath on the cross, but, the images in my mind usually jump from the cross to him robed in white making himself known to Mary, the Apostles, Thomas when he doubted, and crowds of hundreds who would be eyewitnesses to his resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-11) (Read Paul's list of those to whom Jesus appeared)

According to Scripture, His death was long and agonizing. (Read What Happened) His lungs, after being drowned on the cross, were lifeless and dead, but then ... filled again. Since he was not spared the pain of death, I wonder if He also tangibly experienced the wonder of resurrection in that moment new life occurred. I mean, did he just "zap" go from death wrap to white robe? Or, did his lungs fill slowly as the Father breathed life back into him, like when He first breathed life into Adam? Did Jesus gasp as air and life returned, or did he just awaken and arise? As I take a minute to think of that moment of resurrection, I imagine he felt the joy of that long awaited breath.

Breathing in deep when what you hoped is made real
New life breathed into what had been dead
Being made right with God through faith in His plan for salvation: Jesus the Messiah

Reading 1 Peter this week led me to think about that first breath that followed those moments of anticipation after his last breath while hanging on the cross. The Bible doesn't describe for us the moment of resurrection. These are just my wonderings. But, however it happened ...what a first breath that was. That first breath resurrected life in Him and defeated death for us.

As we reconcile His life, death, and resurrection to the prophecy that foretold him, as we consider the lives of those first generation eye witnesses who gave everything to tell of Him, we have a choice to believe or not. I believe.

As believers in Christ, our last breath is also promised to be followed by a first breath that we will take in His presence. John. Toots. Corky. Karla. My people who have taken their first breath because Jesus took his. Who are some of your people? Do you have this promise for yourself? Do your children have it? It's there to receive, but you have to come and take it. This weekend we celebrate his resurrection, so it is a good time to get it. Go to church. Hear the story. Let your lungs be filled after a long time of anticipation, denial, or stubbornness. You probably know if you fit into one of those or not. Take a first breath in Him if you haven't already.

1 Peter 1:6-9 personalized..."In this I rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, I have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of my faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though I do not now see him, I believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of my faith, the salvation of my soul."

Have you had any trouble breathing? Are you holding your breath in anticipation of either something you dread or hope? As you commit in faith to believe what was accomplished through Jesus' first breath, I pray that you find what is more precious than gold. Come what may it is well, and beyond it is well ...it is good.

He breathed that first breath for you, for new life, and lasting hope.

So maybe put on some white patent leather shoes, breathe it in, and celebrate.

Find a squad to celebrate with. Here is my first super-fly Easter Squad from 1977. I mean, they are on point. Maybe don't dress your baby up like a baby chicken though. You are supposed to decorate eggs and dress your kids. Just a little reminder.

E Squad '77: Jimmy, Chris, Jennifer and me.

PS. did you know it is "patent" leather and not "patten" leather? I didn't.

If you are looking for a church to attend in OKC come to North. We'll be there. North Church Website

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How do you know if that recipe you just downloaded for the best lemon cake on the planet, really is? Could it be a better recipe than the one you already have? How can you know it's not? Sometimes we have really strong opinions about things that we haven't even baked for ourselves. I'm not trying to climb up in your oven, but maybe it's time to turn it on and do a little baking.

I have this lemon cake recipe ...

If you don't want to bake the cake yourself, will you just slip into this pair of shoes I try to share with you through this blog and walk around in them for a minute? Maybe if you put them on you might get a feel for how this cake tastes.

Disclaimer: I'm not the first person to bake this cake, and these are used shoes.

Lemon Cake Recipe:

Read the Bible every day. You hear OF him, but you can read the Bible to hear FROM him.

Just start somewhere. Ask God to help you understand.
Download a Bible APP like "First 5" App with Lysa Terkeurst. It's one of my favorites.
I write out whatever passage I'm reading in the morning because I like to write with a pen on paper. Like taking notes, it helps me process. Then I write what questions I had, or I write down what stuck out to me. It's part of a morning conversation over coffee. Have I mentioned before I like coffee and conversation?

Listen and Watch. DO what you learn... Not like Algebra.

There will be ways to apply His Word in your daily life that will help you through decisions, sorrows, joys.
You can share how you are encouraged with someone else to help them in decisions, sorrows, joys.

Be changed, in a good way. Don't read to be Smart, read to be Real.

This world is difficult to understand. When we are confused, we often wonder where is God and what is he doing. Hearing soundbites and blurbs don't help you know His Word or Him any better, reading the Bible helps us know him more. I shouldn't really comment on Harry Potter books because I've never read those books. How do I know if they are great or not?

Have you baked this recipe before?

Here is a story of how it turned out for me once upon a time.

My Used Shoes:

Two weeks ago I was flying my first flights of the year. Straight south. Same time zone. Less than a week away. I was excited that it seemed like a light schedule. On our way to Mexico, my playlist played through to "It Is Well" by Bethel Music. I didn't feel a heaviness on my heart that day that was soothed by the words it is well. But, the song was sinking in deep, so I hit the repeat button for and listened to it over and over and over for both flights.

We arrived in Mexico to news that the number of attendees we had planned to join in a small room the next morning had tripled and moved to a new venue. (My instant go-to insecure thoughts: my clothes are dumb and I'm not ready for a larger audience. I talk with my hands too much for more people to join us. Someone real should've come.) The words of the song from that day came back to my mind: "Let go my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know his name." The song I didn't need, I all of a sudden needed.

There was no coffee and it wasn't morning, but I had a conversation with Him about it.

"Ok. So, what you have prepared for me to share is the same in a small room as a big room, but the responsibility seems to have tripled. But, I know you are not punking them. It's never me. It's always you. Whatever you spoke to their heart to bring them here, you are faithful and you will do it. I will be as confident in the small room as the big room because you are my confidence. Not my nerd skirt. Not my over exaggerated hand motions as I act out the words I speak. You. I was expecting calm seas. Run down here to Mexico and knock it out. Manageable in my mind. But, the wind has kicked up and there are waves and what if I sink? I came here thinking I was doing this for you, but find myself in desperate need of you, again and again and again. Thank you for every moment that reminds me of this. 'Through it all my eyes are on you, and it is well with with me.'"

The next morning I woke up, made a double instant Folgers travel packet coffee with my plug-in heating element and a borrowed cup and saucer from the restaurant and got my Bible out to hear from him. I'm in Luke. Going through pieces of each chapter each day, writing it out. That morning in Mexico I picked up where I had left off the day before. In the same book, I had been in for weeks. And, here is the story it happened to be:

"One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:22-25

OOOOkaaaaaaay. Where is your faith, Haley?
It's right there in Jesus' boat. In that song. In that scripture. In my Savior. And, it's growing still.

The song He stuck in my head the day before, He spoke to my heart the morning of. Ready to apply it, because I had read it, heard it, believed it. Kind of like when you follow the recipe for the best lemon cake on the planet ...you get cake.

If we don't listen, we won't hear. If we don't read His Word, we won't experience Him fully. If we don't seek Him, we won't find Him. If you don't taste, you won't see.

I went to that big room that morning excited, not anxious. The waves and wind were calmed by His voice. What was he going to do in that place? I wanted to be part of it. What was He going to do that He would speak to even my heart? I was excited to see. In a room that grew smaller with each moment that we spent together... Jesus made the best lemon cake.

Click Here to Listen and Watch Bethel's "It Is Well"

When the waves and the wind were over, we spent some lovely moments growing deeper in love with the people and the place. I took some pictures along the journey. Following Him is my favorite.

Blending like a local at Chichen Itza.

The name of this place is Ik Kil. It's lovelier than it sounds.

We visited a natural habitat for pink flamingos. :)

This is the second time in my life I've been in a mangrove. I did not fall in this time, but I did see a crocodile again.

This pastor was part of our training. It was his brother who took us out on the boat. Then his father-in-law fried us some fish for lunch and his wife and family joined us. New listing in my favorite moments.