Coffee? A Love Language?

 

Coffee? A Love Language**?

Have you ever wondered why that weekly cup of coffee you see on Instagram or Facebook is so important to me? Other than the apparent reasons…let me tell you a story.

It has been said:

“A yawn is a silent scream for coffee.” 

“I don’t need an inspirational quote; I need coffee.”

“Depresso: the feeling you get when you realize you’re out of coffee.”

“A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it.”

“A day without coffee is like…just kidding, I have no idea.”

When Rodney was diagnosed, there were so many unknowns. His cancer/tumors diagnosis literally came out of nowhere. Blindsided is a great way to think about it. Lots of questions plagued me. 

• Would he recover?

• Would he recover but be disabled?

• Would he ever preach again? 

• Is our ministry going to end right here?

• Would I be a widow at 49/50?

• How will we explain all of this to Allison and Reilly? (the balance between what to tell them and what to leave out)

The emotions. 

The feelings. 

The tears. 

Time suddenly screeching to a halt. 

The shedding of the things that don’t truly matter. 

Asking why? Why us? Why not someone on death row who’s going to die soon anyway?

Begging God to let our family shine through our circumstances. 

Rodney, sensing my fear, made every attempt to make me (and the kids) feel as *normal* as possible. That Thursday coffee you see each week started as a simple act of comfort, but it has grown through the past few years to mean so much more. When he brings me coffee every week, it is a small reminder of what he means to me. Even at his weakest, he never stopped reminding me, with this small act of kindness, that everything will be ok and God will take care of us. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, his way is perfect…” Do I understand? No. Will I ever? Probably not this side of heaven. I just know and accept that HIS way is perfect, whether I understand or not. 

So when you see my weekly silly coffee posts, you can understand a little more about “why” #wechoosetofight, and continue to #prayforRandA. 

Andrea

**Many apologies to Gary Chapman for the snatching of the terminology. I *know* coffee is technically not a love language, but it does make a cool hashtag!

An ending. And a beginning.

Dear Peace Lutheran Church Family,

On October 27, 2014, I walked into Peace Lutheran Church for the first time. 

I knew nothing of Lutherans or liturgy.

We were new to the area, having moved from North Carolina in August of that year. 

Pastor Ralph and Pastor Ingrid welcomed me with open arms and began the process of teaching me “Lutheran.” 

We’ve transitioned together through leadership changes. We’ve sorrowed together as we have lost some friends to Heaven. We survived COVID together! :) You walked with me through our kids graduating from high school and Allison graduating from college and moving away to begin her life as an elementary teacher. You walked with me through the dark days of Rodney’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. You have treated me, your little “Baptist girl,” like family. And I do consider you as family. My second church home. Friends working together in the Gospel.

Starting Monday, May 2, I will transition to a new adventure at Pellissippi State Community College. The position opened up, and through a series of events that I can only describe as “God” moments, I was hired as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs. This decision has not been made lightly. It has been covered in prayer and Godly counsel. As I told Pr. Stephen, I thought I would retire from Peace at the ripe old age of 103! 

There are no words to adequately express the gratitude and love that I have for the people of this church. Please know that you will continue to be in my prayers as you move into the future, with God using you to reach the world with the Gospel. 

The plan is for our family to be at Peace during the service this Sunday, May 1.  If you can be there, I would love to shake your hand or hug your neck. My only request is that you continue to pray for our family, as you have done so faithfully during our almost seven years together.

God bless you all,

Andrea

Remembering the Past for Present Strength

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“Remembrance can be a form of meditation as we reflect on God’s works both in Scripture in our personal lives.”

~Kelly Minter, Encountering God 

The Spiritual Discipline of Thankfulness

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“Each prayer of gratitude blossoms into a fragrant reminder that God’s past goodness will surely prove faithful in my present hour of need.” ~Kelly Minter #grateful #thankful #encounteringGod #Psalm107

The Story of Redemption- Day 29

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Exodus 37-40

The book of Exodus concludes with the final construction of the Tabernacle. We see that each piece points to Jesus.

“As the Lord has commanded” is mentioned 19 times in chapters 36-40 describing the building of the tabernacle. Moses uses 10 chapters of the 40 written in exodus, to describe the tabernacle. God is so holy and so magnificent that things were to be created to his exact specifications.

The intricacies of the Tabernacle as God’s dwelling place show us that when 1Corinthians 6:19- 20 refers to us as the temple of God there’s a direct correlation between our bodies that are so complex and the Tabernacle. 

In the brevity of the Scriptures, Moses uses nine words to describe God… “and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.“ He chose to display his glory/presence in the form of something familiar, a cloud. It was a miraculous manifestation. The tabernacle was “officially“ God‘s dwelling place. Not everyone, even Moses (the person who had actually seen God a few chapters before) could just walk in. They were to keep a proper distance to honor his presence.

“Isaiah 7:14 shows us the Son Who would one day come to be our ‘God with us.’ Emmanuel! Once a slave, oppressed under the weight of sin, rescued by a gracious God who carries us to glory! If we are trusting in him, our actions will reflect His character to the world around us.”

The Story of Redemption- Day 28

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Exodus 34-36

He did not ignore sin: he paid for it.

He paid for our sin, which cannot be ignored, it was placed on Jesus Who absorbed the wrath of God in our place.

In Exodus 34:4-7 God proclaims his character to Moses. He declares that He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving, steadfast, and He will not put up with sin. God is holy and just, but He gives us ample time to repent and experience his mercy.

Exodus 34:28 we see that God alone is enough for us. It makes me think of this song by Meredith Andrews, “Christ is Enough for Me” https://youtu.be/Su1R5Ya2-P0

The Story of Redemption- Day 27

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Exodus 31-33

“The rest God promised his people is rest that can only be fully found in Jesus.”

It’s easy to be disturbed, frustrated, and even flabbergasted by the Israelites actions, until we realize we’re just like them. Trying to serve gods of our own making.

The sabbath rest is a symbol of the people yielding to His law and trusting in His provision,

God’s anger grew hot but Moses reminded Him of the covenant He’d made with Abraham. As Moses came down the mountain, he saw the debauchery and smashed the tablets that God has written with His own hand. He ground the calf into powder and made thw people drink it. 3,000 leaders of the rebellion died at the hand of the Levites. God promised He would protect them as they went into the promised land but His presence would no longer be with them. They mourned. 

Moses met God as a friend and reminded Him of covenant, forgiveness, etc. God honored Moses and his persistent faith and returned His presence to the people. Israel was saved by Moses’ is bold faith. Just as Jesus stands before the Father to intercede for us. When God feels far away, remember the character of God and worship in the waiting. 

The Story of Redemption- Day 26

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Exodus 28-30

“He has washed us and made us new so that we can praise him forever.”

The 12 stones on the priest’s breast plate represented the 12 names of Israel sons. That, along with everything else, points to Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross. Chapter 29 talks about consecration. God is very specific with His instructions. We are to strive for holiness, strive to be like Him. The consecration of the priests point us to the ultimate high priest, Jesus!

“The priests offered sacrifices continually, but Jesus would be the once for all sacrifice for the sins of His people. Each element points to Jesus and reminds us of the beauty of who He is.”

Hebrews 1:14-16; Revelation 1

The Story of Redemption - Day 25

Exodus 25-27

Jesus has done what we could never do. 
 

Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai and when he returned, God had given him plans to the Tabernacle. God didn't command the people to give toward the Tabernacle, but to give what they were willing to give. God cares about our generosity as an overflow of our devotion to Him.

We fix our eyes on Jesus. Every part of the Tabernacle points to Him. 

Pray about the things that seem small to you. He cares and wants you to come to Him. 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

Tabernacle Schematic from: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2014/07/experience-the-tabernacle-an-interview-with-jeanne-whittaker/

The Story of Redemption - Day 24

Exodus 22-24

These chapters continue with God going more laws to establish the nation and bring order to the people. 

It is obvious from today's reading that God wanted the people to take care of the poor, widows, the marginalized, etc. He is a God of justice and these laws show what is good and true. The people joined with Moses, saying "we will do everything that the Lord has commanded," a promise that they were unable to keep on their own.  

God's passover was a foreshadowing that Jesus would come to redeem and save us.

We are never alone. We are never without access to the Father and to His mighty power. Jesus came to keep the law perfectly and to die in our place. 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 23

Exodus 19-21

We cannot earn our redemption. We can only rest in His saving grace. 

The Law was given:

1. for us to have a close relationship with God. Like guardrails, to keep us safe and steady
2. to keep them living in peace with family and neighbors
3. to reflect the character of God to the world

Every day I must look at my life through he lens of the 10 Commandments. They are not obsolete. We reflect Him to the world when we observe the 10 Commandments.

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

Image is from https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/ten-commandments-list