Change 'Em

Power

The thing about embracing the cross, is that your life is never - ever the same.  When Wonder Woman surrenders her life to Jesus, everything begins to change.

Yes... everything.

Though she cannot understand it, she suddenly loves reading her Bible.  It actually makes sense to her.  She sees how it speaks to her every day.  "Oh my!  It's true!  The Book is alive!"

Wonder Woman begins to die to her selfish desires.  She begins to love people in ways she never could, or would.  She begins to put them first.  She begins to take the back seat.  She begins to walk the narrow road.  She develops a taste for humble pie.

Wonder Woman realizes that in laying down her dead life, she has gained the life of her dreams!  She is endowed with new power to understand, and she begins to find that the joy of the LORD is her supernatural strength!

Oh, baby do her priorities change.

Wonder Woman wakes up one morning and realizes.  "I love Jesus more than I love myself.  I love Him more than anything in all this world!  I feel almost as if I have been... born again!"

But then...

She learns that what Jesus said is true, true, true. (That's because He can never lie.)

"Then you will handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."  Matthew 24:9

"Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also... " John 15:20

"You will be hated by everyone because of me..." Matthew 10:22

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."  John 15:8

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."  Matthew 10:34

And so it begins, Wonder Woman.  A life in Christ -  which means you are in a battle every day against evil.  You are fighting against the forces of the darkness- the very ones that cause the world to hate you for loving Jesus.  This is your new job.

Ain't it exciting?  Ain't you so tired of living your bored life???  Haven't you always wanted a quest and something in all the world worth really fighting for?

When you put your faith in Jesus, and trust in His absolute FINISHED work on the cross, it means you will suffer.  It means you will be rejected by your own family.  (You're going to lose a few.)  It means you will be persecuted, and it means the whole world will hate you.  (Christian... have you come out of your closet?  I promise that if you do, you will not be called brave.  You will not be called noble.  You will not be called open minded and free.  Get ready, now.  Count the cost.)

Wonder Woman is empowered by God to defend the defenseless and to fight for justice. She is no longer afraid.  She is able to live a life full of integrity, valor and courage.

Courage.  (I like to see the word 'rage' in there, don't you?)

As women who are saved by grace, in love with Christ, enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit of the living God -- we do not fear.  We are not shrinking violets.  We armor up.  We've got each other's backs.  We see the flames rising, and we run to battle for our loved ones.  For our lost ones.

We over come by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and we care not for our own lives.

What can man do...

To Wonder Woman.



Bernadette



www.gotquestions.org



"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  Matthew 10:39

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  Matthew 16:35

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it."  Mark 8:35

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:24

"They triumped over him (that beast, satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and by the word of their testimony; (The incredible ways our lives our changed by the free gift of salvation!) they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."  Revelation 12:11

"in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Psalm 56:11



-parenthetical statements are uninspired by me-

Wis- 'dem

Wisdom

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever!"  Psalm 111:10

Wonder Woman embraces The Gospel.

Gospel means 'Good News,' but Wonder Woman has to first come to an understanding of the 'Bad News.'

Wonder Woman understands that she has SINNED. 
     
-She is powerless to change her past.  Oh no!  What to do! She knows she has earned her place in Hell. 

She knows she is a SINNER. 
     
-There is nothing she can do about this.  She is trapped in this helpless state.  

And it is clear to Wonder Woman that she cannot stop SINNING.                              

-This breaks her heart.  She feels wrecked with hopelessness.  How can she ever get away from herself? What hope does she have to change?

Wonder Woman first embraces The Gospel by being convicted of SIN. 

-I know that some of you do not even know what sin is. Don't worry too much about this.  Jesus already knows, and you do not need to be embarrassed.  He would never embarrass you, but He does want to teach you.

Second, Wonder Woman embraces the Gospel by repenting of her sin.

This means she goes to the feet of Jesus and apologizes from the depth of her heart for what she has done.  She tells the LORD she is sorry - so sorry, and she asks Him to forgive her.  She does not cheapen His grace by making a one-time confession but spends the rest of her life as a repenting woman.  (Isn't that WONDERful?) She humbles herself.  She becomes soft in His hands and allows Jesus to remake her in His image.  Wonder Woman asks Jesus to be her King.  She bows her knee to God.  She confesses with her mouth.

"Jesus Christ is LORD!" 

Finally... Wonder Woman embraces the cross.

She knows that Jesus came to earth to die for her.  His thoughts as he hung butchered beyond recognition for her sin were... 'That woman is WONDERful.  She is worth it.  I give my life so that she can go free.  I give my suffering (which SHE deserves!) and my shame (which SHE deserves!) and I take the death penalty. (which SHE deserves!)  She deserves eternal punishment in hell, but what I want to give her instead, is eternal life with Me.  I love this WONDERful woman so much, I am willing to lay my life down in a grave for her.'   

-Be patient now.  Ask Jesus to help you understand this.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know God.

One thing we know about Wonder Woman is that she is endowed with supernatural courage.  I personally have so much to say on this subject, but for now, I just want to humbly ask you to be brave.  Come back tomorrow and hear more about the Gospel.  Meanwhile.  Keep talking to Jesus in your car.  Try to tell Him something He doesn't already know.  (I mean it!  Try to shock Him!!!)

My prayer is that you would just allow these things to settle on you.  Just carry them around with you.  Don't get emotional, but apply your mind and spend some time really thinking about Jesus.
Let's reason through this together, yes?  Let's learn of Him.

He made you fearfully and WONDERfully, woman!

Don't you want to know Him?



Bernadette


www.gotquestions.org

Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 4:7 - "The beginning of wisdom is this:  Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Fight 'Em

Super Strength

Wonder Woman is a mythological creature who can fight evil with super strength.

She is not real.

Wonder Women who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to do just this.

And baby... We are real.

We fight evil with a strength that is not our own.  We fight discouragement, depression, anxiety and grief with power that comes from a source that is SO not of this world.  We fight lies and demons and sin with the REAL weapons of our warfare.

If you don't know what they are, and if you are not putting on your battle gear, how do you expect to do what Wonder Woman does?  How do you expect to be super strong when you know you are weak?  How can you do the hardest things in this life without knowing who you are in Christ and what He has given you by His shed blood on the cross?


If you do not know Jesus, consider learning of Him!  Consider putting down your pride - the possibility that you might have missed something and that you don't actually know it all.  Put down your prejudices about these annoying (and frustrating!) born-again Christians, and do some digging of your own.  Jesus Himself said, "You must be born again."  Can you answer Him?

Ask the Lord.  "How can I be a Wonder Woman in Christ?  Why does all of this seem so weird to me?  The people on t.v. are freaking me out. (Generally, I have to agree.)  And the Bible doesn't make sense; I find it terribly boring.  It seems completely irrelevant to our modern culture,  and I mean -- how can a Book possibly be alive like they say it is?"

Do you think Jesus is uninterested in your questions?  All I can do is ask you to consider Him.  Start a conversation with Him.  Have a little curiosity, for heaven's sake!  Talk to Him alone in your car where no one will hear you.  He already knows you're ashamed of the Gospel!  He wants to show you what the Gospel really means so that you will never, EVER - be ashamed!

Do you have an annoying friend who loves Jesus?  I challenge you to put your annoyances aside and start asking them some questions.  If it begins to feel like they are trying to convert you, let me assure you - - this is an impossibility!  Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Ima say that again...  Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.

 Listen.  We need an army of Wonder Women on their knees, but we don't need you coming in your own strength.

Please...  Stay away.

We need women who are surrendered to the power of the Gospel and its ability to change the world.  We need super strength in these dark days, and we need the power of God on our side.

Please hang in there with me in the coming days, as I help explain what the Gospel means.  (Do you really know?)  We want you to know.  We want you to understand.  We want you with us because...

We need you.  We really, really need you.

For the sake of my child.  For the sake of yours.  For the sake of the whole world and especially...

For the sake of your own soul.

Reach for Jesus, Wonder Woman.

Reach for Him!



Bernadette

www.gotquestions.org

2 Corinthians 10:4- "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh (which means basically, the things of this world) but have divine (Divine!) power to destroy strongholds." (like evil and stuff)


Ephesians 6:10-18- "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (NOT your own!)  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (The devil has plans for your life!) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,  (humans or humankind) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Evil is real, ladies.)  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Give no quarter to your enemy!) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, (about Jesus etc.) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (that comes from Christ alone) and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given the gospel of peace.  (There's that word again..."Gospel.") In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, (Which only God can give to you- you do not work for it.) with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation (Oh precious, Salvation!) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (The Sword of the Spirit WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Parenthetical statements- mine.  They are not inspired.

Get 'Em

Super Speed.  Super Strength.  Wisdom and Courage.

What Wonder Woman looks like on the inside when she kneels to pray.

Ladies... we need you.  We really, really need you.



Bernadette

Rope 'Em - Part 2

The Lasso Of Truth

Wonder Woman carries a golden lasso of truth.  Any enemy caught in the throw of her rope cannot tell a lie.  My mama needed one of those.  I was such a big, fat liar!

Wonder Woman loves Truth.

Wonder Woman is ever alive to the battle taking place around her.  Hello????

She.  Is.  Not.  Sleeping.

Though she might get her nails done once in a while, evil never takes her by surprise.  She knows very well... "This is a war zone; people are being blown up, and they are dying.  My own people."
My own.

That's the lassoes gift.

In a world that shouts, "Can't you just leave me alone?"  In a world drugged by soaps and drama, violence and porn, cutting and suicide -- drugged to reality, to integrity and to relationships that are vulnerable and honest.

Wonder Woman is born into a world that is starving for connection.  A skeletal ball of loneliness.  Of isolation.  Of addiction.

The lassoo of truth says, "Get to The Source, The Water, The Well, The Word."

But it also says... "You need a few Wonder Women to go through life with."

Oh and by the way... ""Love your enemy as yourself."

Only a woman who WONDERS at the love of a Father who sacrificed his own Son for her own STINKING sin can do this.  Yes.  "Everything is possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23)


It's the funniest thing, but my father-in-law once told me a story about how he owned a rattlesnake ranch in Nevada.  He told me they were pretty tough to rope, but with a lot of practice, he got pretty good at it over the years.  He was such a convincing storyteller.  I knew it wasn't true, but a part of me believed it could be true.

I thought of that today when I thought of sin.  Of Satan- that old rotter.  I thought of how much I would love to lassoo him with Wonder Woman's rope of truth just to...

 hear him say it.   

To get him up off his yellow belly just so I could...

watch him do it.  

Bow his slimy knee and confess with his forked tongue...

"Jesus Christ is LORD!"

You see?  Wonder Woman deeply desires to see the whole world love her King.  She wants everyone to confess with their mouths that Jesus Christ is LORD, and this is why she never stops fighting for the people.

Her own people.  Her own.

This lassoo of truth is part of Wonder Woman's arsenal.  She's got to use it on herself, because she is acutely aware of the great problem of self deception.  (She read the entire book of James, and Wonder Woman was so... so busted.)  And, she's got to use it on her enemy.  (You take those thoughts captive now, ya hear?)

Wonder Woman knows it is The Truth that sets her free. (John 8:32) She believes Jesus when He says..."I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father, except through me."
 (John 14:6)

Wonder Woman holds the lassoo of Truth open in her lap every morning over coffee, and... did anyone else hear that crashing sound?

Lies falling like broken chains all around her...

Wonder Woman 

Bernadette

Rope 'Em - Part 1

The Lasso of Truth

Honesty.

Is Such a Lonely 

Word.

Everyone 

is so...

Untrue.

Honesty.

Is hardly ever

Heard.

And Mostly 

What I Need...

From You.

Thank you, Piano Man,

Bernadette

Cuff 'Em

The Gold Cuffs

We've joked about Wonder Woman's gold bracelets over the years, and don't you just want to say..."If you only knew!"  The sound of zinging bullets pinging off our windmilling wrists -  leaves nothing behind but the smell of singed arm hair.  A raised heart rate.  A whispered prayer.

And the world left a safer place, yes?  Because Wonder Woman is still on the job.

She slings her arms to deflect the enemy's bullets from her family and friends.  She stands on the battlefield.  Blood, feces, terror and pain don't cause her to shrink, but rather give rise to the hero within her.  Who will be harmed on her watch?  Answer???

Tent stakes and gold bracelets.  

On her knees for her child, for her husband, for her friend.
With calloused hands serving in nursing homes, hospitals, businesses and at the kitchen sink.
With a guarded tongue.
With the teaching of kindness on her tongue.
And sometimes... with a swallowed tongue.  (Oh wicked flame!)

Wonder Woman knows her enemy.  Hates her enemy.  Gives no quarter to her enemy.

She sings "Jesus Loves You" to her crying baby.
Opens the Word of God to her little ones.
Changes one more messy diaper.
Cleans the barf out of the car seat. (the couch, the carpet, the blanket, the bed, the legos...)
Endures another night of lost sleep and says..."You're the sweetest baby in town."

Wonder Woman sets her face like a flint--- like Jesus did when he turned toward Jerusalem.

She says, "Don't you dare!" and whispers the name of Jesus into the night.
She sees the hurting and binds their wounds.
Hears them crying and answers the call to comfort.
Bullets whizz all around her.
The ping stings.

Wonder Woman wearies her arms in the work of her King.  She leaves her comforts, and sometimes... even her childhood behind.

To help a grandpa, and a beloved auntie go home.
To help a friend say goodbye to her own father.
To wish she could slip out of those gold cuffs and be a wild kid again!
To bear the burden of grief at a young age and...
To feel very alone sometimes.

But Wonder Woman!  She takes up the fight!

Fixing, helping, studying, cooking, washing, folding and putting away.
Staying close to the only source of Power in this life that is pure and purely good.
Minding her attitude.  (Is it a good one?)
Studying the pages of her Bible.  WONDERing over Him.
Getting into her prayer closet, bathroom, pantry, parlor, minivan.

Bullets fly, and her gold cuffs whirl like the lights of a carnival ride.
Wonder Woman never stops fighting.


And while it's true that her shoulders have always given her trouble...

It's no wonder.

She's Wonder Woman.

Bernadette

A personal thanks to the wonder women in my life who have answered the King's call to fight for righteousness and justice.  To those who have lifted my arms when I could not.  To those who have prayed and prayed and prayed!  I am certainly in the best of company.... Super Friends!