Rayni Risher

Lessons From a Bird Nest, Part 3

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In recent weeks as I’ve walked out my back door I’ve noticed a growing pile of twigs and pine needles accumulating near the door. I puzzled at this until my husband mentioned that a bird had been trying to build a nest on the pipe above the door but hadn’t been successful.

Spring is, of course, the time of year when birds everywhere are readying their nests and welcoming new little tweeters into their families. A couple years ago I wrote two posts about lessons I learned from watching the birds build nests and take care of their babies. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 here.

Twig by Twig
This year, what I’m struck by is the patience of the birds as they are forced to build their nests twig by twig. They go one twig at a time because that’s all their tiny beaks can carry. And in the case of the birds who unsuccessfully attempted to build a nest on the pipe out back, there must be at least 100 twigs and pine needles lying on the ground.

Try, fail. Try again, fail. Try again.

At some point they figure it out and slowly but surely build their nests just in time for their intended purpose.

What Am I Building?
This process makes me think about my life and what little things I am intentional about doing daily in an effort to build those things I care about into something bigger.

Some of the things I’m doing little by little are writing my first eBook, learning more French, consistently writing new blogs and articles, making new networking contacts here and there.

There are days when I feel like all my twigs are dropping on the ground and other days I am encouraged and can see progress toward my goals.

The completion of long term goals usually doesn’t happen overnight. But as long as you keep on going, twig by twig, you are making progress toward the goal.

Just Keep Going
When I’m tempted to think of my work as insignificant, I am reminded of this verse:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10

When you are moving forward in the direction God is leading you, nothing is wasted and every experience has meaning.

This morning I was encouraged by these three quotes I read…

“God cannot be unfaithful. He doesn’t call us to fruitless obedience. What you’re doing matters and not just now but to a future generation.” Beth Moore

“Destiny is the domain of the dreamer who refused to give up.” Kathryn Scott

“Faithfulness has great equity in God’s kingdom! Keep doing what God told you to do. He sees your faithfulness. He sees your patience. He sees you pressing into your calling, and He’s getting ready to open the right door, at the right time!” Paula Friedrichsen

So…
+What can you do today that will prepare you for the future promise God is leading you to?

+If you feel like more of your twigs are ending up on the floor than in creating the nest, choose to be encouraged and just keep going. One twig at a time and God will open the doors to fulfill the desires of your heart in His timing.

This week be encouraged that you will make it! Just like the birds who tried and failed and tried again. Patient. Persistent. Twig by Twig.

P.S. I’m looking forward to doing more teaching and speaking engagements this year! Take a peek at my brand new Speaking info page.

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The Look of Love

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As we lead up to Resurrection Sunday tomorrow, there is one line that I always love to read in the gospel of Luke. It happens right when the rooster crows and Peter realizes he has denied Jesus three times.

But first, the lead up…

Just before Jesus was arrested He told Peter (Simon):

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22:21-32

Jesus encourages Peter that He has prayed for him, and Peter will come through the time of testing. Peter wouldn’t have understood what this meant at the time but after he denied Jesus he must have thought back to this.

Jesus gave Peter a prophetic word of hope that he would need in his darkest hour.

Then Jesus is betrayed by Judas arrested and taken to the courtyard of the Chief Priest’s house. As Peter is trying to see what will happen to Jesus, several different people speak to Peter and he denies that he even knows Jesus.

Peter must be petrified with fear and confusion…and in the midst, three denials.

After the third denial…

“At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter went out and cried and cried and cried.” Luke 22:60-62

I love that line, “Just then, Jesus turned and looked at Peter.” I can only imagine how utterly heartbroken, shocked and devastated Peter was by his own actions. Jesus knew he would be.

Even in the midst of Jesus’ own ordeal, He was so concerned for Peter that He was paying attention to the rooster’s crow and He looked for Peter.

Some could interpret the look as a look of anger or as an “I told you so”, but with the full wisdom of scripture we know that God’s character is grace and mercy, not revenge. He never delights in revenge or destruction (Ezekiel 18: 30-32).

I believe that Jesus looked at Peter in that moment with such love and concern just as we might look at a loved one with empathy when we know their heart is breaking.

We know that after Jesus paid for our sins by death on the cross, He was raised to new life and interacted with His disciples many times. One of those sweetest interactions comes when Jesus finds Peter, cooks him breakfast on the sea shore, and reinstates him. (See John 21)

Jesus’ actions show the kindness, mercy and forgiveness of God; and the care and deep love Jesus has for his friends.

“It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, He’ll do the same thing in you that He did in Jesus, bringing you alive to Himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and He does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With His Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!” Romans 8:11

This Easter, no matter how much you think you’ve blown it, I pray that you experience the resurrection, restoration and grace-filled power that only comes through Jesus. He forgives you and He’s waiting to cook you breakfast.

Happy Resurrection Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If You Want to Walk on Water…

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There is a great quote that says, “If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.”

It’s referring to Matthew 14:22-33 when Jesus was walking on water and invited Peter to do the same thing:

“Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

Jesus said, “Come ahead.”

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.”

I love that Peter was bold enough to ask God for an invitation to join Him in such a supernatural experience. And that Jesus replied, “Come ahead.”

I recently received an amazing opportunity to attend a conference in another country. I felt so strongly prompted to attend, and I couldn’t get past that feeling. But in my natural thinking I thought it was rather crazy to even consider that God would be leading me to go, and rather last minute, too.

And yet I couldn’t shake it.

So my husband and I started praying. And praying…and praying. We asked some close friends to pray with us about it.

Over the days that I was praying, I realized that I had been asking God for blatant, out of the blue confirmations that were so big and obvious I couldn’t miss that it was God. But what I got instead was a steady stream of smaller confirmations. Not fireworks, but simply “Come ahead.”

God speaks to us in different ways at different times. Sometimes it is in a dramatic way like Paul’s conversion, and sometimes it’s in a whisper like how He spoke to Elijah in the desert.

The important part is to be open to listen for how God is speaking to us in each moment. It may not be in the way we are expecting.

If you are expecting a shout you might miss a whisper.

So, once it seemed pretty darn clear that God was saying to me, “Come ahead”, I realized I didn’t know if I actually wanted to get out of the boat. I mean, the boat can feel safe and comfortable, can’t it? It has a nice view and sitting there doesn’t require any effort on my part; no risk or exercising of my faith.

When I really thought about it, I realized I was hesitating for two reasons:

1. Fear of stepping out. What if I sink?

2. Not feeling sure that I wanted to make the effort because it wouldn’t be easy.

I decided that those weren’t good enough reasons to stay in the boat.

God could have easily closed one or all doors to this opportunity but He didn’t. And He seemed to be saying, “Come ahead.” So, I made the decision not just to step out in faith but to leap out and move forward. Since then I have received many prophetic words of confirmation and blessings from others regarding this opportunity.

In other words, I’ve stepped out of the boat and I’m walking.

My question for all of us today is…What is keeping you in the boat when Jesus is actually calling you to walk on water?

Could your hesitation be from fear? Lies? Doubt that Jesus is really saying to you, “come ahead”?

With great risk comes great reward. I’m not talking about taking absurdly unwise risks, of course. But if we want to experience all that God has for us on this earth, there is going to be risk involved. Period. There are going to be steps of faith—sometimes even huge, flying leaps of faith—required of us.

I’ve decided I’m up for the risk because I want to be a part of something greater than myself.

What about you?

 

 

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Words of Truth Bring Healing

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Have you ever read a verse in the Bible for the hundredth time thinking that you could not possibly learn anything new from it, only to have it floor you? That happened to me a few weeks ago as I read through the book of Revelation.

If you’re a Christian you’ve probably heard or read the following verse, and especially heard it used in reference to evangelism. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says:

 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.”

That’s a pretty great verse talking about the Savior of the world wanting to fellowship with you…and me.


But in context, who is Jesus talking to and what precedes it?

We see in Revelation 3:14-22 that Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea. And He doesn’t sugarcoat it. These are words you probably never want to hear from God…unless of course they could save your life:

 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” (Revelation 3:15-17, Message)

Those are intense words but they are actually words filled with love. Everyone in this church in Laodicea is created in the image of God, and He has beautiful plans for their lives. But they had gotten off track. Way off track.

When God corrects us it’s because He loves us and wants to help us. Really!

Shortly after those verses He says this:

“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! (Revelation 3:19, Message)

In the original language, what the Message version interprets as “about face” is the word “repent”. In Greek the word is metanoeó.

It means “to change your mind; to change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God).” It’s a verb, which is an action. It means you make a decision to do an “about face” and head in the other direction. It’s not just a thought, there is action to it.

As in choosing to turn from death (sin) and turn to Jesus (eternal life).

And then we come to this: “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.” Revelation 3:20

The beautiful thing about this is that even when we are choosing to be far from God, and acting in a way that actually makes Him sick to His stomach, He calls us back to wholeness. He wants us to be well. He wants us to turn around; to make a decision to do things differently.

And then He wants to have dinner with us; to talk and eat and laugh and fellowship.

Jesus isn’t standing on the other side of the door with a bat ready to hit us over the head.

Quite the opposite.

He’s standing on the other side of the door with a cheesecake that He’s bringing for dessert at the dinner party we’ve invited Him to. He wants to spend time with us.

I want to encourage you today that if you feel you’ve gotten a bit off track, or if God is showing you that yep, you’re way off track, you have the opportunity to turn around. It’s a choice for you today.

And if God is correcting you, it’s because He loves you and so desperately wants you to be well; to live to the fullest in the abundant life He died to give you.

Don’t ignore His prompting. Invite Him in. Sit at the table with Him. Eat some cheesecake.

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The Importance of Kindness

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I stepped up to order a quick take-out lunch at the counter of a Mexican restaurant. The waitress greeted me and asked for my order. I greeted her back by smiling and saying hello, and then placed my order. When she handed me a cup for my drink I reminded her that I hadn’t ordered a drink. She responded that she was giving me a free drink because I had been so nice to her.

So nice to her?

I had simply smiled and said hello. That was “so nice”?

Maybe it’s just me but there seems to be less overall kindness and care for others in the world lately. And I can only imagine that being in the service industry, one experiences a lot of unkindness. Rude customers, entitled attitudes or simply those who want their goods without having to say hello, please or thank you. Give me what I want and give it to me now.

That this young woman was so touched by the fact that I smiled and acknowledged her presence speaks volumes of the importance of even the smallest kindnesses we offer to one another.

So, what is kindness, really, and why is it a big deal?

If we want to know how to be kind we need to go to the source…God. He created kindness and embodies it in everything He does. In Romans 2:4 we read about what God’s kindness does for us.

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (NLT)

God’s kindness makes us feel so cared for and valued that it causes us to choose to turn from death (sin) to life (God).

Kindness elicits a response.

The word kindness in this verse is the Greek word chréstotés. It means goodness, uprightness, benignity.  It is also defined as “useful kindness” and refers to meeting real needs, in God’s way, in His timing or fashion; a kindly or gracious act.

In addition, chréstotés is defined as a “divine kindness, the Spirit-produced goodness which meets the need and avoids human harshness and cruelty.” (from Strong’s concordance)

God’s kindness leads us to life. Our kindness to others can do the same. Kindness, especially when it is unexpected or undeserved, breathes life into a person or a situation.

So, how do we develop kindness?

Kindness comes in two ways.

First, it’s a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), which means it naturally develops in us more and more as we spend time with God, becoming more like Jesus. It becomes a natural overflow of a life spent in fellowship with God; just as fruit is a natural result of a fruit tree being planted in good soil, producing what it’s meant to produce.

Kindness is also a choice. We often have to choose to be kind in difficult situations. If you haven’t been kind lately, there is hope! You can repent. Do you know what the word repent means? The Greek word used in the Bible is metanoia. It means a change of mind, change in the inner man. As we saw earlier, God’s kindness brings us the place of repentance; a choice to change our minds which enables us to change our outward behavior.

So…

+Do you have a habit of being unkind to others or to yourself? Allow God’s kindness to help you make a decision to repent—to change your mind—in how you have been thinking or acting.

+Kindness is a choice and it will become easier as that fruit of the Spirit grows in you, naturally overflowing to those you interact with. By cultivating a habit of prayer, reading the Bible, and intentionally remaining in Christ, that fruit will grow. (Read more here about practical ways to remain in Christ).

There is a great quote that says:

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” (Ian Mclaren)

Isn’t that true? And most of the time we don’t know how difficult it is. This week let’s be mindful about kindness; in the way we think, speak and act toward others and ourselves. Kindness to your spouse, to your friends, to your co-workers, to the person waiting on you at the dry cleaners or the grocery store.

Let your kindness breathe life and hope into someone’s life today.

 

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