Upside | Down

Yesterday’s message at Creekmont hit deep. Matthew 7—get the plank out of your own eye, first. Eyes are delicate, be gentle, move slow. Every single day, we should be sharing the gospel, if only with ourselves.

I have prayers which can’t be published here or anywhere else. The easiest way to explain it is the Good Lord gave me a gag order. I will write separately about our experience yesterday becoming official members of Creekmont Church. It was beautiful and tear-inducing. 💜✝️💜

When the Lord woke me up today, I had a nudge to look up the person who awarded a black belt to the primary leader at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu. The “fine-tuning” nudges at the gym yesterday must be birthing these final steps. Still, as I began to read the article, my vision became so blurry, I could not finish reading.

It’s not the first time He has blurred my eyes. I knew it meant “come back to our tree and listen”. I sent the article to myself and went back to rest with Him to begin my day.

When it was time to drink my coffee and get moving before class today, I grabbed my Bible and flipped it open. I never know if I am unzipping it “right side up”. All I know after a decade of flipping is that He meets me with a message that frames my day. Today’s was extra impactful, right from the start.

Today, I flipped “upside down”. I kept thinking “USD” is not US Dollars and it’s not missing an “a” at the end. For me, USD is upside down flips that remind me who determines my posture. Being a follower of Jesus, I feel and certainly appear upside down from most of the world.

We are literally called to be set apart.

This is the mind and spirit given to me by the Master of the Universe. Makes me giggle to think how Hebrew is a “backwards” language to the western world—-yet it’s the most beautiful language —-it’s His Language. I love how He brought me to His language and to love His Land and His People, Israel.

The first line immediately took me back to the top right image. That photo was taken our last day in Italy, before we headed to the airport tonight come home. It was less than 12 hours from that photo to a miracle at JFK Terminal Two.

Wowza. I must get to ONJJ for class, and the Lord just linked me to something He had me write nearly two years ago. That link in the above blurb goes to the list of 40 God Stories. It begins with flipping to Jer 2:25.

I see what He did there. ISWYDT

Thank you, Jesus, for always, always, ALWAYS and in ALL WAYS having my back. I love you. 💜✝️💜

Lamentations 3:58

Hours ago, I was nudged to consider the source in a different aspect. This whole message of “consider the source” started with His direction to remove store bought eggs from my body in March 2024.

Since then, He has directed me to uncover other types of sources. Of course, all such roads lead back to our ultimate source. 💜✝️💜

After much prayer, it was clear I am to acknowledge the Joe Rogan Experience episode number where Chadd Wright was the guest. I’ve written several posts about it and never included the number.

It is episode 2358. Of course it is. I mean, seriously. Divine humor is a real thing and this one just bopped me over the noggin in the sweetest way.

It’s funny how God plants ideas.

Since May 8, He’s been talking to me about double portions—about seeing everything in twos: two callings, two perspectives, two people becoming one. So today, when I was nudged to “take the two away,” I did.  I looked for a verse 3 : 58 instead of 23 : 58—and discovered that only one exists in all of Scripture.

I’ve written more than once how Lamentations always brings me to deep weeping. I think Jeremiah would be an INFJ in personality terms.

That’s when I found this hidden gem.

Lamentations 3 : 58 is more than poetry. In Hebrew it reads:

“Rabta Adonai rivei nafshi ga’alta chayyay.”

You have pleaded, Lord, the causes of my soul; You have redeemed my life.

Each word glows with meaning.

Rabta / riv — to contend, to argue a case, to stand in court for someone.

Ga’alta — to redeem, to buy back what was lost.

Chayyay — my life, my breath, my whole being.

In one breath, God becomes both Advocate and Redeemer.

He doesn’t just defend me; He purchases my freedom.

He pleads the case of my soul and then pays the cost Himself.

When Jeremiah wrote these words, the city was gone and hope seemed finished. Yet right there, in verse 58, grace walked into the courtroom.

The gospel is very much in the ashes of Lamentations.

Maybe that’s why this verse is the only one of its kind in the Bible:

the only place where both “plead” (riv) and “redeem” (ga’al) stand together.

It’s as if Heaven whispered, “Pay attention—this is personal.”

So today, I’m listening.

I’m letting this truth settle over me like peace after a storm:

The Lord Himself has argued my case and the verdict is grace. The ransom was paid and my life has been redeemed. It’s far more about intimacy than any theology.

And I think that’s exactly what He wanted me to see when He told me to consider the source and properly identify Episode 2358.

If I was a jiu-jitsu expert, I might cringe at “Joy-Jitsu”. Since I am NOT an expert, I rely on GrandMaster Jesus.

He says he made me a cheerleader and a coach. It’s been a fun correction so I will leave with the Blonde Polish Chick ‘a perspective on what a Joy-Jitsu Coach might say on the mat.

“When accusation corners you, remember who’s in your corner. Your Defender never loses a case.”

☀️Joy-Jitsu

What a glorious morning! Thank you, Jesus! .

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