Luminosity Photography & Design

FREE INDEED – An Allegory

I remember my prison cell:  four small walls – it was a simple box I was existing in.  I would decorate, try to make it seem like it wasn’t so bad.  But the company was almost unbearable.

I was imprisoned with…my selfish thoughts, my worries, my bias’s, my insecurities, my guilt, my criticisms, my questions, my doubt, my unbelief.  Often they would gang up on me and give me a good beating.  To say the least, I was barely existing.

Although it had seemed I was making a life for myself, there in that tiny space, I knew in my heart there had to be more to life than just this prison cell.  I just didn’t know what I was missing since I couldn’t see outside my four walls.

When people would pass by, I had always been pretty good at looking fine.  “It’s not so bad in here,” I would say to them.  “I mean, who doesn’t have troubles now and then.  I like my cell.  I feel independent.  It’s my world and I’m the one in charge.”

But the truth was, I was facing life without parole and then death by execution.

That was my life before something extraordinary happened.  Someone came to the jail one day and purchased my pardon.  He set me free.

He set me free! 

I have to admit, I was afraid to step out of the cell.  It’s all I’d ever known.  Who’s to say I’ll find anything better on the outside?  He beckoned me to come.  So, I had to make the choice.  Would I go or would I stay in my familiar pitiful existence?

I CHOSE to step outside my cell!

Immediately, I saw rolling meadows of peace and resolve.  I felt a huge burden lifted from my shoulders and I was able to run in the wide-open spaces. I somehow knew inside that THIS was what I was created for.

He gave this gift to me.  He showed a love that I still can’t understand. I was ashamed of my long rap sheet of disappointments and failures.  I thought of hiding it from Him, for fear He’d change His mind.  But He already knew and told me it was me He came for, exactly as I was.

I had nothing to offer Him in return except my willingness to go with Him and still He helped me escape! But He’s not finished!  Peace, joy, hope, wisdom, power, righteousness – He wants to give me all of this everyday of my freedom!  Wow!  He wants to put these gifts into my life to replace those prison companions.  He said HE would do it!

Realizing He offered all of this, I took Him up on it – receiving from Him all He promised and the boundless joy of God.

Now that I have begun to experience this joy, certainly I would never return to my chains!  Right?

Honestly, that’s what’s so shocking!  Sometimes, fears and doubts creep in and I choose to doubt His love – after all HE’s done, I choose to doubt Him!   I think back to the familiar life of my cell.  Sure, it was a pathetic existence, but it was secure.  That’s when I begin to feel the chains again!

Although I’ve found myself in this place more times that I desire, He remains patient and gently reminds me – Wherever the joy of God is not present, (Wherever you are not giving Me access to your life to break the chains that hold you captive) the death sentence is still at work.  I realize now, that, even in my freedom, I have to choose to walk away from the chains that bound me.

I have to tell you…Pardon can only come one way.  Christ’s death is the pardon.  If I say to myself that I do not want to come by His way – admitting I am in trouble -deserving of the cell and the sentence, then I have chosen my chains.

Back when I lived in my cell, my cellmates talked about this Person who could pardon.  They’d say He was cold and uncaring, making them admit that they needed His help and, without Him, they were doomed.  Instead, they chose to convince themselves that their cells and their independence were all they needed.

They were right about part of it.  He DOES command that we come by one way alone.  But, amazingly, this way is a boundless entrance into freedom – full pardon and forgiveness.

HE is freedom.

If I could ever go back and tell them the truth, I’d say God doesn’t go about pretending we are all right when we are all wrong.  Instead, He goes about making a way for us to become ALL RIGHT…and  SET US FREE!

So, my life has been about making choices – beginning with the one I made, when I left my cell that day.  Now, I daily choose to cast off the shackles and weights from my past – as the Bible calls them…”sins that so easily beset us.”

For those of you still in the cell, life out here is more than I ever hoped for – greater than I can describe to you.  All I know is that I’m free.

I am free!

Today is a day meant for freedom.  If you aren’t living in it, you can!

Originally posted December 2011.

Each morning lately I open my eyes around 5:30 without fail.  Now, I would love to sleep longer – mainly because I LOVE TO SLEEP.  In fact, I will usually force my eyes closed once again and try to go back to my dreams.  The problem is my mind begins to race.

I find myself reviewing the tasks of the day, mulling over issues I’m dealing with, making mental notes of grocery items and projects.  It’s just no use.  I usually concede and get out of bed.

I’m not sure why.  Maybe it’s age or hormones or my diet – but I often wake feeling a cloud of confusion shrouding my thoughts.  I feel anxious.  It’s like my feelings seem to get tangled up at night and I wake with a big knot of concern.

I usually don’t feel this way for long.  Once I’m settled into my place on the couch for my quiet time with coffee in hand, I have shaken off the fuzziness of sleep over my mind and I’m able to think and see clearly.  But nevertheless, it’s become part of my daily routine to wake in a funk that seems like it will last all day.

I’ve been learning a lesson in all of this.  It doesn’t matter how I feel.  My feelings don’t have to dictate my day.  I’ve begun to counteract this wave of emotion upon waking with prayer.

Often, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and whisper to God, “Lord, my feelings are all over the place but my heart is to serve you.”

Recently, I read a verse that brings a smile to my heart because it has been a reminder for me of God’s constant presence in my life and His awareness of my recent struggle with my waking feelings… Psalm 143:8 says,

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” 

The truth is, no matter how I feel, no matter what is going on in my life, I can count on God’s unfailing love!  Not only that, this verse reminds me that I can TRUST Him!  He will show me the path through each day as I surrender myself to Him…the whole mess.

This lesson reminds me of a time not long ago when I went shopping with Abby.  She picked out a beautiful, delicate necklace.

I told her that she would need to take good care of it since it would easily tangle if she wasn’t careful.  Recently, she came to me with it balled up in knots and asked me if I could fix it for her.  I got to thinking about how I go to God with the same request…can you help me get untangled?  Thankfully, in His unfailing love, He frees me up to live without feelings of despair.

That’s the remedy, you know.  If you wake feeling anxious or experience moments of overwhelming emotion, you don’t have to stay there.  They don’t have to dictate your day.  Just go to God.  His well of provision is deep and bountiful.

Are you feeling tangled up? Do you struggle against your feelings or your circumstances?   Surrender it to Him.  ALL OF IT.  And watch Him work in His unfailing love.

Whatever you do, do well.  Ecc. 9:10a

A couple of weeks ago, I had the great privilege to speak to a small group of ladies for the CWCA  (Christian Women’s Commerce Association) here in Delaware.  I remember, when my friend Dawn asked me to share, wondering what God would have me say.  I began to pray for His message to the ladies.

What did I have to say to Christian Women about business?  What had my experiences brought me to on the matter?  It came down to “The Importance of Fluidity.”

I remember, at the age of 15, surrendering my life to Jesus.  I had big dreams.  I wanted to do great things for God.  I was driven and hoped to take the fast track to success in the career world.  The question was, what would I do?

I believed God deserved excellence.  I believed with God all things are possible.  In fact, after graduating college, with a degree in Psychology, I went on to work at a missions organization.  There, after a few years, I found myself working as the president’s assistant.  Truly this was what God desired.  Hard work and a drive for success.  Right?  My motto would look a lot like the passage in Ecclesiastes.  “Whatever you do, do well.”  Let’s just say, I’ve learned a big lesson over the years!

I left that mission’s organization and not long after, began a singing ministry with my family – Calling Levi.  We traveled for over 10 years on the road, rising to a place where opportunities began to knock on our door more and more.  The possibility for national exposure was in our reach when God changed the plans, drastically.  He called us out of the traveling music ministry to plant a church.

It was during our time on the road that my sister and I started Luminosity Photography & Design.  Photography has always been a passion and we found that we could create a flexible work schedule that would not conflict with our traveling schedule.  It worked well.  God blessed.  He gave us an amazing studio at an amazing location.   It seemed logical that God would use Luminosity and the income we’d receive to help us transition from life on the road to life as church planters.

Just after Christmas, our business partner and friend, Todd, came to us and told us it looked as though he would have to sell his property.  Our studio is ON his property.  Insert record scratch here.  CHANGE OF PLANS!   The “for sale” sign went up and the questions came.  What would happen to Luminosity?  Would we look for another location for our studio?  Does this mean this chapter is over?  Surprisingly, with all the questions, we were at peace.  In fact, we wondered what God might have up His sleeve – what was next on the horizon.

As I prepared to speak to the women, it dawned on my that I HAVE learned a lot over the years regarding Christian women and business.  And what I’ve learned has turned my driven ambition into child-like faith. 

I was able to bring it down to three simple thoughts for the ladies that night.  Although God desires for us to do things well, I’ve learned:

1. To never let my business define me.  Whether it be singing or photography or being a pastor’s wife or working in the corporate world…God has taught me to allow Him to define my life and story.  I am His child first.  I learned this lesson in the many twists and turns of life.
2. Surrender fully to God’s purposes and plans.  Full surrender helps me to keep “what I do” in the right place in my life.  It keeps me from defining myself by what I do instead of who I am in Christ. In this, I have come to understand that:
   1. A surrendered heart is always the most creative and alive.
      1. I have had more fun than ever since I fully surrendered my life and plans to The Lord.  It’s as though we are constantly on the move.  My opportunities are being re-defined continually.  In each new role, I’ve been able to develop the God-given desires with in me and that makes me feel fully alive!
   2. A surrendered heart safeguards you from the trap of the “big break”.  When you’re fully surrendered to God, you can stop striving and wishing.   You don’t have to beat yourself up if you feel that you “missed it.”
      1. If I could just get that promotion…
      2. If we could land that account…
      3. If the right person comes along…
      4. If we could just get that meeting…
3. When there is a change of plans…CHANGE.  It’s a constant state of fluidity – def. the ability to flow.
   1. As I picture the course of my life, I see the many twists and turns I’ve experienced.  In the beginning I was like a big blob of sludge.  I would slowly and stubbornly mold my self into each and every turn.  I’d get there, but the process took a while.  As I’ve grown and learned, I’ve become more willing to approach the twists and turns of life and flow through them trusting God to guide.  He hasn’t failed me yet!

This was the message to the women that evening a few short weeks ago.  It’s my message to you today…whomever it may be, struggling with the course your life is taking.  God’s got a plan…He always does.
I leave you with a quote from my favorite author,

  “It is not your business to succeed, but to do right .  When you have done so, the rest lies with God.”  C S Lewis.

Oh, and I guess I should tell you, the for sale sign came down.  The property is no longer up for sale – yet another twist in my life story.  God is giving us more time in this chapter.  What about you?  Are you letting God define you?  Maybe there is a big turn up ahead.  Are you willing to flow?  Trust God.  Be His child first and leave the rest to Him!  You won’t be disappointed.  I promise!

 

There is nothing new under the sun. Ecc 1:9b 

Nobody likes to be duped.

That’s why I paid special attention to an article I found in the latest copy of Consumer Reports.  The title that caught my eye was Sneaky Packaging.

Recently, Mark and I signed up for a class called Financial Peace and one of the principles we learned is to make every dollar count – assign each dollar to a purpose.  That way, you don’t waste your money.  Well, as you can imagine, it’s changed the way I shop.  I pay attention to unit prices and sales.  I look for coupons.  It’s really become a game of sorts for me to make the most of each dollar.  It’s empowering!  I honestly didn’t expect to feel empowered by learning principles of savings and debt reduction.  I expected to feel extremely restricted.  To my surprise, I’ve enjoyed every minute.

However, as I’ve learned the truth about consumerism, I’ve seen the err of my ways in many different areas.  Here’s an example.

I admit it…I’ve always been a sucker for “new and improved”.  It might be my interest in graphic design that causes me to reach for the item with the new packaging.  But whenever a company decides to repackage a product that I normally buy, I’m usually intrigued and snatch it up.  Maybe it’s the pretty colors on the label or the font usage.  Whatever the case, new packaging is always appealing to me.  Or, it was until I learned a little lesson from Consumer Reports.

The article was called Sneaky Packaging.  I learned so much about how companies are allowed, under the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration, to make very loose claims about what their products do, simply by adding the word “MAY” to the front of the phrase. “May help reduce the risk of Heart Disease.” They can make that claim because their product may or may not do what it claims.   It’s not particularly an outright lie.

Before reading this article, I would have found myself asking, “Why wouldn’t these claims be true?  Certainly they wouldn’t put it on the box without there being some type of research to back it up.”  My general thought from the bright colored packaging is “They’ve improved this item for me, the buyer!  They are trying to help me out.”  Without much thought at all…I was allowing myself to be duped.

Another trick companies may often use is to color a produce bag (such as a bag of carrots) to the color of the carrot so that it’s more appealing – a nice bright orange – making the carrots look almost flawless until you open the bag.

Some items, you may have always bought in an 8 count box…are all of the sudden a 6 count box.  Bags of sugar have been downsized.

One trick I found very interesting was that companies will indent the bottom of jars in order to cut down on the amount in the jar.  Each consumer will only lose perhaps an ounce or two when they buy but the companies makes millions.  What you can guarantee is that the jar will never say, “One less ounce – same great price!” 

Now, you can bet, I am watching products closely and looking for the deceptive marketing that leaves me wanting.  Since I read the article, I find myself picking up all kinds of jars (peanut butter, mayonnaise, etc.) at the grocery store to see if I’m being cheated.  I pay attention to how many come in the box.  I read the fine print.

It’s amazing what a little truth can do for one’s outlook.  And the truth is – deceptive marketing is big business!

So how do I apply this to my heart and my life?

During our women’s bible study discussion Sunday night, we were talking about how nothing is new under the sun.  God’s Word tells us that.  Beware of the “New and Improved”.

I see in my own life that when the sin I seem to struggle with over and over no longer carries an appeal – no longer catches my eye,  Satan packages up that sin to make it once again appealing.  Same old sin, new angle.  Maybe you’ve felt that you beat the sin that trips you up until that new packaging came around and you found yourself sucked back in.  Each time you buy into it you feel even more cheated and foolish for believing it was all it claimed to be.

Being duped in the grocery store is one thing.  Being duped in life is another, especially when it steals your joy and victory!  How do I safeguard against it?

KNOW THE TRUTH.  ^“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32   It’s really that simple.

I don’t want to fall for the lies that Satan sets before me with their pretty packaging and fancy letters.  Sin will always be sin.  It will always lead to death. 

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (God’s) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  John 10:10

As I seek truth in my life, I’m able to pass by the fancy packaging that once enticed me.  I am able to see the deception that used to so easily draw me in .  It’s empowering!

Are you being duped?  You can have confidence and strength to resist the temptation to succumb to sin no matter how pretty the packaging may be.  Just ask God to show you truth.  Go to God’s Word and find your answers there.  The truth remains.  There’s nothing new under the sun.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  James 1:5

And, if you ever happen to see me out at the grocery store staring at the bottom of a peanut butter jar, I haven’t lost my mind.  I’m just tired of being duped!