Just Praise

Less distraction, no judgment, freedom to move. That is why I choose to sit on the front row. Because let’s face it, we all have our own way to worship the lord. Mine includes a need to dance and move so I like having space and the ability to tune things out. If I sit in the back I’m distracted by what other people are doing and find it hard to concentrate on just praising God.

I’ve mentioned before in a post called “Twirling Dancer” that I used to dance in church as a little girl. What I didn’t get into is that as a teenager I could barely raise my hands in worship. Why? Because I was embarrassed and felt like I was being judged by my friends. I didn’t want their opinion of me to change, so I changed myself to fit in with them. 

In John 12:1-7, we come across a story where Jesus visited the family of Lazarus, not long after Lazarus had been raised from the dead. 

“Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.” 

(John 12:2-3)

Each one of the siblings was honoring Jesus in their own way. I will even say they were praising him. Of course Mary’s praise was probably the strangest to both us and the people around her. It was normal to wash a visitor's feet with water, but insane to use expensive perfume, worth a year's income, and your own hair. But she didn’t care. Mary had her eyes on her Lord and savior and didn’t let the opinions of the disciples, her siblings, or anyone else deter her. She humbled herself and simply worshiped. 

My prayer is that you will be encouraged by Mary’s example and be daring in your praise and worship like her. I was reminded of Mary while singing in church on Sunday, “I just want to kneel here at your feet” (“Nothing Else” by Cody Carnes). Can you be daring and humble yourself before the Lord for his sake? Do something different this coming Sunday or in your own worship time during the week: dance, kneel, sway, raise your arms to the lord. Just praise HIM. 

Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.

Photo by Darya Ogurtsova on Unsplash

The Grace of God // Mary Swafford

The story of Judah and Tamar is not pleasant.  Broken promises, deception, immorality and incest... but through it all we see the grace of God.  Sounds more like a soap opera or movie than the story of one of only 4 women mentioned by name in the lineage of Christ.

“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.  But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.”  Romans 5:20

We see this truth illustrated in Genesis 38.  In fact, the grace of God is magnified in this story.  

As we read in last week’s post by Heather Dillingham, Tamar had been waiting.  Waiting to receive the gift of motherhood.  Waiting for a third son to come of age and fulfill the promise of a child.  Waiting for the shame of her unfulfilled promise to no longer weigh on her.  Waiting for the guilt of losing 2 husbands before they could or would fulfill this promise.  Waiting to no longer be the outcast, downtrodden, dismayed or forgotten.  Waiting to find her purpose.

Scripture doesn’t tell us how long Tamar had been waiting.  Only that “some years” had passed and that “Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him.”  Tamar, no doubt felt forgotten and alone.  I’m sure she wondered, “how much longer must I wait”.  Constantly living in shame.  Visibly announcing with her widow’s clothing to the whole community that she has no husband and no seed to carry on the family of Judah.  

Alas, Tamar receives word that Judah is coming to town and Tamar decides to take things into her own hands.  To be the master of her destiny.  She is tired of the waiting and is taking control.  

In short, Tamar dresses like a prostitute in order to seduce Judah into having sex with her in hopes that she would become pregnant and find her purpose and receive her promise that is so long overdue.  It’s as if she was a rebellious me at age 16 daring Judah to continue to withhold his son from her.  She says “here, hold my veil!”  I’ll show you who’s in control of my future.

Tamar was clever and manipulating.  She was very calculating.  Even asking Judah, “what will you give me to guarantee you will pay me” for sex.  It’s like she knew that if she didn’t hold on to proof of his identity, there would be grave consequences.  Tamar thought of everything.  And just like sin often does, she got exactly what she wanted.  She became pregnant.

You’ll have to read next week’s blog to find out what happens next in the story.  What I’d like to focus on for the rest of mine is God’s grace.

Our sinfulness is never a surprise to God.  We live in a fallen world, and though we are far removed from Tamar and the ancient people of her story, we live in our own stories of disappointment, temptation, and hurt.  We bear deep scars from the consequences of actions and inaction.  And very often, we too give up on God’s promises and take things into our own hands trying to fulfill a promise that only God can do.

The good news?  Jesus loves us regardless of our dysfunctional, crazy mess.  He never loves us less, no matter how much we’ve screwed up, or the addictive past we claim or crimes we may carry.  The consequences of sin are painful, but Christ’s love remains pure.  We are forgiven and loved.

God loves us.  He created us.  He made a way to rescue us.  Tamar didn’t know the full significance of her life on earth, nor do we know ours.  But there is a purpose, nothing is wasted and everything will be made right when Jesus returns.

Mary Swafford is the founder of Shaken & Stirred, Meals that Matter, Coffee Talk, and a Co-Owner of Boulder Coffee in downtown Sand Springs. She is a wife, a mother of 3 beautiful children, but most importantly a daughter of the most high God. You are likely to find her chugging or serving coffee, sitting in a tattooist’s chair, or making friends out of strangers.

Photo by Adele Shafiee on Unsplash

Paving The Way // Heather Dillingham

It’s Valentine’s Day, and in honor of today I wanted to write about love. I was prepared to weave a beautiful story about how Esther loved her people so much that it gave her strength, bravery, and boldness to step out and talk to the king. All of that is true, but that isn’t our part of the story today.

Our part of the story is about how Esther’s daring and bravery, and yes love, paved the way for more. 

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded
by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to
overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over
those who hated them.
(Esther 9:1)

The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men
and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of
the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request?
It will also be granted.”
(Esther 9:12)

You see, not only did Esther create a world where the Jews didn’t have to fear those who wanted their things, land, and lives, they were given the tools and permission to fight against their enemies. 

Now I could be wrong but I think the King got a little sassy when saying, ‘what happened in the rest of the king's provinces?’, but whether that was actual concern or sass, he followed it up with the same. Granting her more power and allowing her to do more for her people.

This ‘more,’  leads to another night of going against their enemies and eventually a two day celebration named Purim to be celebrated for generations. The ‘more’ also meant cementing leadership through Mordecai who proved that he had the best interest of his (and Esther’s) people. 

Through all this we get a glimpse of what Esther did, but what’s funny is in Esther Chapter 10, her closing saga, she doesn’t even get a word. It says the king and Mordecai’s actions were recorded in the book of the annals. Obviously we know Esther lives here, in God’s word, but elsewhere she was forgotten. 

But, man how true is that! Our good acts, our strength, boldness, bravery, sometimes doesn’t get recognized by anyone but God. Despite knowing that she probably was a backup character to her own story for those in the day, look at her and ask for more! Her bravery, daring and love meant that she carved the path that allowed others to walk the walk God set before them. 

Just like Esther, your name might not be what they write about in the annals, but it is ALWAYS written on God’s heart and his plan for the world. He created you to pave the way.

Heather is a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a believer, a wife, and a mother to a wonderful (and sometimes crazy) one-year-old. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and listening to podcasts. She can usually be taking care of the home and playing on the floor with her daughter.

Photo by Max Nguyen on Unsplash

The Big Ask

Esther’s trip to see the King was just the first step she needed to take in search of favor. When her life was spared and the King asked what she wished for, Esther said that she just wanted to have the King and Haman the over for dinner.  

Sometimes that’s what our walk with God can look like. We can be brave enough to go before our Lord. But too scared to make our requests known to him right away. There’s a fear that if we ask the question, we will get the answer we don’t want. Esther probably wanted a little more time to come up with the right words and seeing her husband on his throne, surrounded by his advisors, was probably nerve wracking.  

It wasn’t until the dinner was underway that she made her request:  

“…and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 

 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.  For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.[a]” 
(Esther 7:2-4) 

Esther, humbly, breaks down what has happened and asks only that her people are spared death. Like any good husband the King is furious that anyone would dare do such a thing to his wife and when he learns of Haman’s involvement the King has him killed.  

Of course, there is more to this story because Haman’s decree had already been announced to all the provinces of the land. There was literally a law in place that said anyone could: kill, enslave, and steal from them. So, Esther again went to the King and asked him to spare her people and the King literally gives her his signet ring and says to write a new edict in the kings name:  

“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.” 
(Esther 8:11) 

Esther was given so much favor in that moment and did she have to do? Pray and ask.  

Ladies, how often are we told to just ask? In church, there will be alter calls that ask us to come to the front if we are need. The last couple of times that opportunity has been offered I stayed in place. Stuck. Because I was afraid of the answer. I was afraid to be told “no” by God.  

Is there something you are afraid to ask God today? I encourage you, to be like Esther and make your big ask.      

Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.

Photo by Velizar Ivanov on Unsplash