The Miracle Train

My humble Harlem abode has often been referred to as The Miracle Train. Why, you ask?! Well . . . mainly, because the provision of it has been a literal miracle (and I plan on riding this train until they literally push me off).

There are so many reasons I love my neighborhood. I think of new ones almost daily. But for now, here are ten of those reasons, in no particular order:

1. Community. In a crazy, overpopulated city, I am a fifteen-minute walk or less from at least five other church members. This is a sweet gift, ya’ll.
2. Culture. There is simply more of it here than may be physically healthy to take in. It’s fantastic.
3. Best Yet Market. That’s all I really need to say. Three-leveled grocery stores just don’t happen that often in Manhattan, and it’s on my very block.
4. Chicken Bones. I see at least three a week on the sidewalk or subway platform, and it makes me chuckle to myself every single time. Often, pigeons are eating off them . . . and in kind of a strange way, it always takes me back to Matthew 6:26.
5. My Doormen. They know my comings and goings. They give my friends a hard time. They open the door for me when my arms are full. They are, without a doubt, the fanciest part of my life.
6. My Rooftop. Being able to see the wide-open sky in this city is a true gift.
7. The D-Train. After a six block walk, I can be at the SW corner of Central Park in a mere ten minutes. That train moves you places in a hurry.
8. Harlem Tavern. Because sometimes, you just need a fantastic lamb burger. It never disappoints.
9. Planet Fitness. I love my gym for three very specific reasons: 1. It costs $10 per month (yes, $10). 2. The walk to said gym provides two blocks of street vendors. With everything from incense to shoe shines, I’ve grown to crave the smells of this commute. 3. Planet Fitness gives away an unending supply of Tootsie Rolls, has free pizza every first Monday night and free bagels every second Tuesday morning. There is nothing about this food situation that I understand.
10. Amy Ruth’s. It’s a 10-minute walk from my front door, and their smothered chicken is so delicious, it’ll make you wanna slap yourself.

Arts, Beauty, and the Creator of all these things.

Hands-down, one of the best things about life in New York City is the arts. This past week, going to a friend’s jazz show and hitting up the TriBeCa Film Festival have been sweet reminders of what a gift the arts are. Actors, musicians, photographers, screen writers, designers and the like all give us a beautiful glimpse of our wildly creative God when these individuals do what God has gifted them to do: creating beauty.

Speaking of God’s creativity: if you haven’t seen this video NASA released called Walking on Air, you need to watch it. Now. It is astounding.

And speaking of people in their element: Take a few minutes to read these interviews of  my friend Elizabeth. They are well worth your time:

• Introducing Elizabeth A. Davis
• Q&A with Elizabeth

A snippet:

I’ve learned that in this business, in this life, you do the work that has dignity, that brings you deep joy and satisfaction and at the end of the day, if it hasn’t made you a rich woman. Oh well. Better to be filled up on the inside than be running on fumes in your soul and justify it by pointing to a fat 401K. I’m learning that my money has started coming, slowly and surely, but it’s shy. It likes to make sure that I’m sold out no matter what to the work I know God has equipped me for. Then, nothing can stop the bounty that unloads on a soul in the middle of their calling. Of course we aren’t the ones to determine the face of that bounty, and it comes in many different forms, but thriving seems to follow sacrifice. Of course sorrow and suffering follow us all, too. We never know what a day may bring. But may we all take courage tonight, regardless of your calling or whatever work you bring dignity to, in the wise words of my adopted Grandmother from Cleveland: Miss Ethel. She would say to me: “Child, you gotta take what you got and make what you want.”

Elizabeth and her ONCE family were recently on Letterman giving a preview. It’s an amazing show.

The next time you’re listening to your favorite band, watching your favorite movie, or are moved by a beautiful scene in nature, remember that all these things are given to us by the very hand of God as a means of directing our attention to Him. They are completely stunning, and they all come from Him. Be moved to worship.

Dead Sea Scrolls

The Discovery Museum at Times Square currently has an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is “the largest collection of artifacts ever assembled” and it is pretty amazing.

It’s funny the way things happen: some friends emailed me about the exhibit months  ago, and little did we all know that they would actually be in town yesterday to see it for themselves.

It’s difficult for me to wrap my mind around the fact that anything could be centuries old – that just always amazes me. But I found myself at the exhibit’s end in tears, thinking about the precious value of God’s Word.

God created this entire cosmos—which includes us—human beings made in His image. Rather than submitting to His rule, we rebel. Rather than destroying us as we deserve, God kindly provides a way of redemption through Jesus Christ. Then, in His kindness yet again, God provides His very written words to us: words that enable us to know Him, learn of His character, and read about how He created and sustains all things. And then He leaves with us His Spirit, to interpret these truths to our hearts and minds. That, my friends, is mercy and grace wrapped up in a measure deeper than we can possibly know.

Looking at pieces of Job and the Psalms and Isaiah written in Hebrew on ancient scrolls, and being reminded of how God wants us to know Him: that’s the story about the time I kinda cried at the Discovery Museum in Times Square. Grateful for the way God reveals Himself to us (even when we least expect it).

thots

It’s after midnight, and although my preset alarm tells me I should be nestled snug in my bed counting sheep and such; I’m not sleepy. Thus, I post. Forgive the randomness, but this will be a bit a la carte style. Unlike most Manhattan restaurants, however, this a la carte menu will not cost you dearly . . . simply a few minutes of your precious time. Thank you for reading.

Books
I’m close to finishing my second book in two weeks. If you know me . . . you know this is monumental speed: as in the 4-minute-mile category.

I’m that girl that has a bunch of really great intentions, half a dozen half-read books and a complete capacity to find anything to distract myself from reading (really, I’m quite creative at finding excuses). However, I’ve found myself absolutely captivated over the past couple of weeks by two books. I don’t say this lightly: they are changing me. I’m not sure what the end result will be in Liz Lockwood, but I am incredibly grateful for what I am learning and processing from the shared experiences of a couple of authors who have risked and trusted and taken God at His Word.

Book One: Read in one day (that’s a history-making moment in my life, people). Simply put, if you’re a woman, you need to read this book – even if you’re certain you don’t have fears. Angie’s transparency is refreshing and the way that you trust Jesus more when you close this book is simply astounding. Read it.

Book Two: Whoa-challenging . . . if you’ve already read it, you know what a quandary I’m in when I crack this baby open across the subway aisle from a homeless man with all his earthy possessions in tow under the seat on which he sleeps (true story – happened tonight . . . perhaps the very reason I can’t sleep right now).

Calories
I’ve been counting them again. The best foods have lots of them. I hate calories.

Lesson Learned
At Gallery Church, we’ve been in a series called “Adventures in Adulthood.” To be honest, I thought I had this covered. For the love of maturity . . . I’ve been financially independent for what seems ever now. I live in Manhattan, New York debt-free and I even have life and renter’s insurance. All of these items qualify me as an adult, right?!

God certainly has a way of exposing the corners of our hearts that we think we have cornered, doesn’t He? These sermons have reminded me that I can be so very child-like. This past Sunday, I was particularly struck by the fact that I look to have my needs constantly met by others.

When you’re three years old, the world revolves around you. You seek to be entertained, fed, played with . . . and the list goes on. Unfortunately, this is so often how I tend to be, looking to others to fulfill my needs (sorry, everybody). I want to be affirmed, liked and cherished (by you!!).

I’ve been pondering how deeply this pattern can so entrench itself in my life, and it honestly scares me. When my cup seems empty, I look to others to fill it up. News flash: the world doesn’t revolve around me, and it’s not the responsibility of anyone else to make me feel happy. This was a needed truth in my life this week. Grateful.

Bedtime
My eyes are now heavy, and Netflix in the background has suddenly become annoying: signs that tell me it’s bedtime. Pardon the half-thoughts and misspellings. Goodnight, Moon.

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls

If you aren’t aware of what a large industry human trafficking is in the world, you need to watch this video. It is eye opening and sobering. Watch this, and pray for the deliverance of those enslaved . . . as well as the enslavers. Oh, how I long for the day when God fully redeems all He has made. May we be a people moved to compassion.

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls Official Trailer

Struggling on Your Behalf

Of late, I’ve been particularly convicted over how weak my prayer life is. One thing I’ve learned from my pastor, Freddy T. Wyatt, since moving to New York is that we don’t need to bring wimpy prayers to God. Freddy reminds our staff team of this often as we meet together to pray, and every time—it’s like hearing it for the first time all over again. “Don’t pray wimpy prayers, Liz. He’s a big God; He can handle whatever you ask. He knows your needs, and He knows best.”

This struggle isn’t anything new; and if you’ve ever been in a Bible Study or small group with me, you’re probably thinking “seriously, Liz . . . you’re still working on that?!” Perhaps this realization is due to the fact that I feel the need for prayer more than ever in my own life, as well as the need to depend on God’s wisdom in profound ways these days. I’m grateful for this, and the way that it humbles me to seek the wisdom of God, the encouragement of others and even admit my own weaknesses to those around me. Admitting weakness is not altogether a bad thing, I’m slowly realizing.

Colossians 4:12 reads:

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Here’s what struck me: Epaphras:

1. Struggled on behalf of the saints for the purpose that
2. They would stand mature and fully assured

So often my prayers for those I love are centered upon how their life may be easier or less stressful (much like what I tend to pray for myself). However, I’m wondering how often I really struggle in prayer for friends and family. “Struggling” in prayer provides the image of laboring, toiling . . . desperate for God to move.

My true desire for a consistent prayer life is not that (1) my conscience would be eased by doing “what I’m supposed to” or (2) being a “good Christian.” My desire for a fervent, dependant prayer life is that it would be reflective of a need for God that runs deep – both for my sanctification and yours.

I want to stand mature and fully assured of my place in Christ and His will. I want you to stand mature and fully assured of [your] place in Christ and His will. And I want to pray for this like a woman in labor, struggling on your behalf, following the example of Epaphras.

Daniel 9:17-19

Powerful prayer. Can’t stop thinking about it today.

Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

Growth Charts

It’s no news that I am not the world’s most expressive person. To see me get excited about something – I mean – really excited, unfortunately, doesn’t look too much different from everyday life and conversation. I’m ok with this. Or . . . I’ve grown to be ok with it. It’s how God made me, after all. Anyway, so whenever something causes me to be extra expressive, I (along with those who know me well) take note. This morning was just one of those moments when I found myself being expressive over what I was reading.* So – I’m taking note of it (and sharing that note with you, thank you very much).

Taken from II Peter 3:18, Spurgeon writes:

“Grow in grace”— not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness [sic], constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward—having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.” He who grows not in the knowledge of

Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is “life eternal,” and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus—as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, “Nearer, nearer.” Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

Did you catch that – I mean, really catch it?!

Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet . . . search the mystery of His wounds.

Imagine this beautiful picture that Spurgeon paints for us of a well whose depths cannot be reached. But it is not empty. The more parched you grow, the more endless it becomes; its depths simply cannot be reached. This is what it is to know Christ. The greater your hunger is, the more fully He satisfies.

What does it mean to grow as a Christian? What does it really look like to be closer to Christ?

I’ve been a believer for more than two decades, and these are questions that I often ask myself. While there may not be a physical, spiritual growth chart available for purchase through LifeWay (although at times, it seems that would be nice), Spurgeon lays out for us this morning one way we can ensure closer growth to Christ: “Believe the promises more firmly than you have done.”  Yes! Drawing near to God means trusting Him, believing our need for Him and resting in His control over our lives more now than we did yesterday.

Here’s the reality: None of us have a clue what 2012 holds in store. Not.one.clue. That could be really scary. However, even if we find ourselves fearful of the unknown, we are given a golden opportunity to know Christ more. Through heartache, He is your comforter. Through loss, He is your friend. Through sickness, He is your creator and healer. Through joy, He is your source.

We can be sure of nothing in the future aside from the reality of God, who controls and sustains all things; and loves us. Let’s believe His promises more firmly, friends, and grow together in the days to come.

*Taken from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. Buy it HERE (you really should).

On Being a Tree

Psalm 1 has long been one of my favorites. It’s short, so I’ve included it below:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

This passage provides such a stunning picture of a deep-rooted tree that simply cannot be moved. A tree whose roots are so firm that regardless of what storms it may need to weather, it stands. It won’t budge. I don’t think it’s coincidental to find this chapter as the starting point for the book of Psalms. At the beginning of a book of honest worship and supplication, and before the wisdom literature of Proverbs, we are given a glimpse of what steadfastness looks like. Wisdom is found in the Lord and security comes through righteousness.

I pray that 2012 will find both me and you more firmly rooted in Christ. Let’s cease striving in our own efforts and yearn to grow more confident only in being found rooted in Him. That we “may know him and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10).

Did you catch that?! “That we may know Him.” There is no higher goal. There is no greater joy.

End of the Year Love